Page 37 of Pose for Me

He just grins wider, completely unrepentant. "Maybe I want to get burned," he murmurs, his eyes glittering with challenge.

The tension between us crackles like electricity, thick enough to cut with a knife. For a moment, I'm tempted to drag him into the bakery's tiny bathroom and remind him exactly what happens when he pushes me too far. But we're on duty, and more importantly, we have other priorities.

With supreme effort, I release my grip on his thigh and lean back in my chair. River pouts slightly at the loss of contact, but doesn't push further. He knows when to back off, at least for now.

"Once we deal with this stalker situation, we'll make it happen," I say, forcing my mind back to the task at hand. "This new player changes everything. We need to find out who they are and neutralize the threat before they can hurt Rayne or expose us."

River nods, his expression growing serious once more. "Agreed. Where do we start?"

I scroll through the notes on my phone, frustration mounting with each swipe. There isn't much to go on at all, just the two photos and nothing else. We should get the envelopes and images to forensics to see if there are any fingerprints or other DNA evidence to be gleaned from them, but I doubt it. Whoever this stalker is, they're careful. Meticulous.

I sigh heavily, running a hand through my hair. "We need to keep a closer eye on her without this other stalker knowing," I mutter, more to myself than to River. "Which means I need to be more careful when I go to her apartment tonight."

River raises an eyebrow, a hint of challenge in his blue eyes. "You mean we need to be more careful," he corrects, emphasizing the 'we.'

I fix him with a hard stare. "No, I mean I. You had your fun last night, River. You get to keep watch outside, like a good boy."

A slow, wicked grin spreads across his face. "Aww, is someone feeling left out?" he teases, his voice dropping to that low, seductive purr that never fails to send a shiver down my spine. "Don't worry, Knox. Our little Rayne has plenty of love to go around."

I growl low in my throat, my hand shooting out to grip the side of his neck, my thumb pressed firmly into the hollow of his throat. I pull him close, our faces mere inches apart. "Watch yourself," I warn, my voice a dangerous rumble.

River's eyes darken with lust as I grip his throat, his pulse quickening beneath my thumb. For a moment, we're suspended in that delicious tension, the air between us thick with unspoken desire.

Then River does what River does best—he pushes.

"Or what?" he breathes, voice husky. "You'll punish me? Maybe that's exactly what I want."

I squeeze River's throat tighter, feeling his pulse quicken beneath my fingers. "We need to focus," I growl, my voice low and dangerous.

River's eyes darken further, pupils blown wide. He tilts his head back in my grip, exposing the long line of his throat. "Yes, sir," he murmurs, the words coming out breathy and strained.

The sight of him like this—submissive, pliant, utterly mine—sends a jolt of desire straight to my cock. I want nothing more than to drag him out of this bakery and remind him exactly who he belongs to.

But we can't. Not here, not now. We have a job to do, a woman to protect.

I release my grip on River's throat. He lets out a small whimper, his eyes fluttering open to meet mine. The Caribbean blue of his irises is nearly swallowed by his dilated pupils, a ring of stormy desire.

"Later," I promise, my voice rough with restrained desire. "Right now, we have work to do."

River nods, straightening in his chair. I watch as he visibly pulls himself together, the playful, seductive energy giving way to professional focus. It's a transformation I've seen countless times, but it never fails to impress me—the way he can switch from carefree flirt to deadly serious detective in the blink of an eye.

"So, what's our next move?" he asks, all business now.

I lean back in my chair, considering our options. "We need to gather more information," I say slowly. "The photos are our only real lead at this point. We should get them to the lab, see if they can pull any prints or trace evidence."

River nods, his brow furrowing in thought. "What about the envelopes? Any postmarks or distinctive features?"

"Nothing obvious," I reply, frustration evident in my tone. "But maybe the lab can find something we missed. We should also look into any recent releases from prison or mental health facilities in the area. Someone with a history of stalking or violent behavior."

"Good idea," River agrees. "I'll start making calls when we get back to the precinct.”

As we finish our coffee and prepare to leave, my mind is already racing with plans. Whoever this stalker is, they've made a grave mistake in targeting what's ours. We'll find them, get rid of the threat, and then...

Then Rayne will truly be ours, in every way possible.

The thought sends a thrill of anticipation through me. Soon, very soon, we'll have everything we've ever wanted. EverythingI’veever wanted. And God help anyone who tries to stand in our way.

Chapter 24

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