Page 60 of Once a Killer

“Good thinking,” he said. “I don’t, either.”

She tightened her hands on the steering wheel and looked behind them. No silver SUV. “And maybe they weren’t after you at all. Just a distracted driver who didn’t realize the exit was coming up.”

She felt his gaze on her as she drove. Finally Jameson said, “But you don’t think so, do you?”

“I have to assume the worst. Always. Because the time I don’t, that’s when they’ll get us.”

She drove down the Drive and took the Irving Park exit, then headed for Jameson’s neighborhood. It was the route she’d planned all along, but the presence of that silver car had triggered the evasive move at Belmont. After another ten minutes, they drove into his garage.

A couple minutes later, they walked into his kitchen. He set the dress in its garment bag over one of the kitchen chairs, then yanked Bree into his arms.

Chapter 21

Bree gasped as his chest slid against hers, rasping over her sensitive breasts. As he stared down at her, he stroked her back, over and over, then buried his fingers in her hair. Pressed his lips against her head as he gripped her ass.

“Thanks for saving my butt. Again,” he murmured into her hair.

She lifted her head and studied him. “You’re welcome,” she whispered. “Just doing my job.”

“I know. But I appreciate it, just the same.”

He held her gaze as he continued to stroke her back. She wanted to squirm closer. Wanted to do so much more than hold him. But that would be the first step on a very slippery slope that would end in a place she wasn’t ready to go.

He eased away from her and stared down at her. “I’ve never wanted anyone as much as I want you, Bree,” he said. He lifted her chin and brushed his lips against hers. “But I meant it when I said for anything more than a hug, you’d have to make the first move. And as much as I hate that promise, I intend to keep it. I’m not going to pressure you into anything that makes you uncomfortable.”

Shewantedhim to pressure her. The realization made her freeze in his arms. His scent surrounded her, intensifying the want. The need.

She needed to back away, but she took a moment to memorize the sensation of his arms around her. His hands on her ass. His heat surrounding her. Finally, she found the willpower to back away from him.

That desire for him to push her was so unfair. She’d told him no, and he’d told her he’d respect that. And that if she wanted more, she’d need to make the first move.

She wanted to make the first move. Badly. They could fall into bed and spend the rest of the weekend exploring one another. Touching. Kissing. Tasting. Making love.

The thought made her freeze. It wouldn’t be lovemaking. It would be sex. Amazing, thrilling, earth-shaking sex. But that was all.

As she stepped back and his arms fell away, she missed them immediately. “This is a bad idea,” she said quietly. “I know you want me, and I want you, too. But it can’t happen.”

He reached for her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm. Her stomach fluttered. So did other parts of her, and she swallowed hard.

This hadn’t happened on any of her other protection jobs. And several of them had been attractive, interesting men. But she’d never once been tempted to cross the line with them.

With Jameson, she’d spent way too much time imagining what would happen if they crossed that line.

Backing away, she said, “Thanks for taking me dress-shopping. I’ll order some shoes online, and I’ll be set. When are we leaving for the conference?”

“Friday afternoon,” he said, still staring at her as if he wanted to eat her up.Yes, please.

She swallowed and tore her gaze away from his. “And where is this conference?”

“In New York City. I’ve already booked two round trip tickets and made the reservation at the hotel,” he said. “You have the necessary permits to fly with your gun, right?”

“Yeah, I’m all set there.” It was good they were focusing on details. Logistics. She needed to focus on something besides her need for Jameson.

He rubbed his palms down his jeans and shifted his gaze away from her. “I’m going to, ah, work on my program. That okay with you?”

“Of course it’s okay. Why wouldn’t it be?”

“I was kind of hoping you’d suggest wild sex in every room of my apartment, instead,” he said, his gaze returning to hers. His voice was teasing, but his eyes were hot with need. A need she was afraid was reflected in her eyes.

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