Page 32 of Close Quarters

“I know. But it can’t be helped. The tests take time.”

He sighed. “I wish Seb could get Paulson or Brandt to talk. Whoever they’re covering for must scare them more than all the jail time they’re facing.” He dropped his legs and stood, picking up the remains of his dinner, then pointed at hers. “You done?”

She nodded, scrunching her nose, and handed it to him. He knew how she felt. His food sat like lead in his stomach. They should have picked different dinner conversation.

“I feel dirty now,” she said, getting up to put the files away. “Like I need another shower.”

Alex dropped the takeout boxes in the trash and looked back. She stood next to the desk with her arms wrapped around her middle. A tiny frown marred her face. His heart lurched at the sight. He hated seeing her upset.

“Hey.” He walked over and put his hands on her biceps, running them lightly over her skin. “We’re going to find out who she is and who’s after us.”

Her mouth pulled to the side, and she glanced up at him through her lashes. “I know. It still doesn’t erase the disgust.” She dropped her arms and tipped her head to look at him. “Why do some people have to be so twisted?”

He ran his hands up her arms and over her shoulders to cradle her head. His thumbs brushed her cheeks while his fingers threaded through her damp hair. “God only knows, honey. But that’s why we do what we do. To stop them.”

She brought her hands up to cover his and stared up at him with her pretty hazel eyes. Alex got caught in her gaze. He shifted his stance to bring her closer and leaned down. She watched him as he neared.

“If I kiss you again, I don’t want to stop.”

A fine tremor went through her at his words, and her pupils dilated. In answer, she stretched up and sealed her mouth to his.

What the hell am I doing?

Katie slid her arms around Alex’s neck and pressed herself against his naked chest. The damn man did this deliberately. Came out half-naked to force her to confront her feelings. With the stress of the case and the memory of how it felt to be in his embrace, she was a goner. She’d probably regret this when he decided she wasn’t what he wanted in a long-term relationship, but right now she couldn’t bring herself to care. He pushed all the right buttons and ticked all the correct boxes for what she found irresistible in a man.

His hands moved down her arms to grip her waist before sliding around, one hand on her back, the other kneading her butt. He took two steps forward, backing her up, and they toppled onto the bed. Her eyes rolled back until she could see her brain when his mouth left hers to trail along her neck and past the neckline of her top. That beard stubble felt so good!

She ran her fingers up his sides, loving the feel of muscle over bone. He sucked in a breath and pulled back, grabbing the hem of her shirt and pulling it over her head. Katie didn’t wait for him to take off her bra. She whipped it over her head, tossing it to the floor, and reached for him again. He dodged her grip, though, to bend his head and take one nipple in his mouth.

Holy hell!

She clutched fistfuls of his hair and hung on as he sent her soaring up the peak.

Sensing she was losing control, he lifted his head. Mischief danced in his eyes.

“Like that, did you?”

“No. It sucked,” she quipped, breathless. “Why’d you stop?”

He sat up. “I had other plans to send you over the edge the first time.” He palmed her breasts, skating his hands down her torso to her hips. Snagging her pajama shorts and panties, he pulled them down her legs. His eyes turned a deep indigo as he focused on her now exposed core. Without thinking, her knees fell apart.

“Damn,” he whispered and glanced up at her. “We need to make this last, because I only have one condom.”

“I’m on the pill. And I’m clean. I made sure of that after my divorce.”

A wicked smile crossed his face, and he stood, shucking his pants and boxer briefs. All the moisture left her mouth to flood south at the sight of him.

He noticed where she’d fixed her gaze, and his smile grew. “I’m glad we can have as much fun as we want, but I still have plans for you before we go that route.”

Katie yelped as he grabbed her ankles and pulled her to the edge of the bed, kneeling in front of her. Yes! She tipped her head back and closed her eyes, anticipating the feel of his rough stubble on her sensitive flesh.

He didn’t disappoint. Kissing his way down her inner thigh, his first touch to her core made her buck off the mattress. Alex wrapped his arms around her thighs and held her in place. Katie was helpless to do anything except grip the bedsheets as he sent her flying over the precipice with his evil mouth and eviler beard.

She didn’t get a chance to come down before he stood and pushed her up the bed. Settling between her legs, he slid into her with one smooth stroke. She crossed her ankles around his waist and held on as he drove her back up the peak.

Heat coiled in her belly, slicking her skin with sweat. Their soft sighs and moans filled the small room, turning to shouts of pleasure as they toppled over the edge together.

Katie’s bones dissolved as wave after wave of the most intense orgasm she’d ever had rolled over her. She melted into the bed and savored Alex’s weight on top of her.

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