Simply Sinful (Simply 1)

In the face of his roar, she didn’t blink.

He admired her spunk. “You’re my responsibility at least until this case is over, so let’s drop that part of the conversation now.”

“Okay.”

He blinked in surprise. He hadn’t expected her to give in without an argument. “So you aren’t angry?”

“Not about the initial investigation, no.”

“And what came after?” He’d slept with her and lied while doing it.

“Pheromones,” she explained.

“What?”

“Two people attracted to each other by stimuli they can’t control.” She took her smart explanation seriously and he’d forgotten the intellectual side of this beautiful woman. “A chemical reaction,” she went on. “So if you’re still blaming yourself for losing focus, don’t. I’m equally at fault.”

“Meaning?”

“I wanted you, too.” She fiddled with the hem on her jersey without meeting his gaze.

This was the Kayla he’d first met. The innocent who threatened to chip away at his heart, if he let her.

Which he wouldn’t. But he couldn’t let her last statement go unchallenged. He had to know. Wanted, as in past tense?” he asked.

She shrugged and leaned back into the pillows. “Why ask? You’re a man of your word. You said it won’t happen again. Does what I want really matter?”

He could drown in emotion, in her. “Everything you want matters.”

Her expression grew still, then a tear spilled from the corner of one eye. “No one’s ever said that to me. I’m thankful for you, Kane.”

A low growl escaped from his throat. “I don’t want your gratitude.”

“Then what do you want?” She did her best to hold in her frustration.

“That’s a loaded question.”

“I know. That’s why I asked.” An impish smile played around her mouth, even as she wiped away a tear.

Kane knew what he wanted. Kayla, soft and giving beneath him. But she was right. He’d laid down the law. It wouldn’t happen again. But he knew what she needed—to be reassured that she counted. It was the only thing he could offer her.

He looked into her eyes—eyes that displayed her soul and mirrored his need. He braced his hands on either side of her face.

He caressed her cheek, careful to keep her head steady. “Are you sure you want to know what I want?”

“I wouldn’t have asked otherwise.” She touched a hand to the stubble on his face and ran two delicate fingers down his cheek. “You count, too, Kane. I wonder if anyone’s ever told you that before.”

No one had. No one would again. He leaned over and covered her mouth with his. To block out the truth…and to accept it at the same time. Her lips opened and her tongue sought his, not hesitant but eager. She licked his lips, ran her tongue over his teeth, learning and growing bolder with each taste.

He craved her. She was a drug he couldn’t get enough of. He threaded his fingers through her still-damp hair, then eased his lower body over hers. His arms shook with exertion, from the need to keep a safe distance between them, before he lost control and hurt her more.

Her hips jerked upward without warning. She brushed his erection with nothing more than the flimsy cotton he’d found in her drawer. He exhaled a harsh groan and eased himself on top of her, settling himself between her thighs.

It wasn’t enough. He was too damn hard. He wanted to rip off those panties and…A soft moan penetrated the haze of desire. He flipped over and off of her fast. Damn, but he’d made a mistake.

It wouldn’t happen again. Yeah, right. One battle lost, Kane thought, but the bigger war raged on. He rolled onto his side and glanced over. “Are you okay?”

“Too much too soon,” she whispered, echoing words he’d used day one.