Page 8 of A Tempting Motion
“Holy shit,Ghostis her cousin? When did he get out of prison?” Ghost is the street name for one of the most dangerous and elusive drug traffickers in the southeast. My heart races at the prospect of helping catch one of the nation’s worst criminals.
“A few months ago. He’s trying to figure out who ratted him out by going through one dealer at a time. Serena’s ex-boyfriend was the first casualty. The murder victim two days ago was the second. McKidd framed Serena and told her he’d kill her if she snitched.” He scans the courtroom before speaking lower. “I talked to ADA Aguilar.”
“Marco?”
He nods. “Yeah. He’s offered to work with his federal connections. If Serena promises to testify against McKidd in federal court, Marco will get her into witness protection.”
I rear back. “Really?” Catching myself, I lower my voice. “Ghost’s out there killing traitors one by one. Why would she give herself up just to go into hiding?”
“She was afraid he’d retaliate before. Now she knows he won’t quit unless he’s stopped. She’d rather help us than watch him kill again. Aguilar said you could hold prosecuting her and let her out on bond, all on the condition she’ll testify…”
I look over Theo’s shoulder to find the defendant watching us intently. She gives a small nod before facing forward.
“Okay, but why didn’t you come to me? Why work all this out with Marco—”
He shakes his head. “I’m sorry, Bri, but I couldn’t take the chance you’d refuse to listen.”
His words sting, but he has a point. I haven’t perfected creative justice yet. My approach to my cases is by the book. This plan isn’t exactly unconventional, but I never would’ve thought it up. And going along with it… if it’d been anyone else, I’m not sure I would. But going along with Theo… I never would’ve expected to be able to believe adefenseattorney cared past the bottom line. I’ve only known Theo a short time, but already he’s proven they’re not all selfish liars. I’ve seen it in his commitment to his client, to justice…
To me…
Theo’s baby blues plead with me one more time.
“Okay, let’s do it.”
* * *
“Want a double?”
Theo wiggles the whiskey glasses from his office drink trolley and I refrain from teasing him about hisMad Menvibes.
He loosens his tie before pouring two doubles. It’s after hours on a Friday, so I’m not worried about having to go anywhere. In fact, I’m exactly where I want to be.
The Serena Donahue case was resolved this afternoon, on hold until she can fulfill her end of the deal. The Witness Protection Program will sneak her away and she’ll live somewhere safe and hidden for as long as it takes until Ghost is apprehended. With Serena’s testimony, we can put the real bad guy behind bars.
Theo hands me a glass and raises his for a toast. “To good endings.”
I tip my glass to Theo and smile. “To you, finally buying me a drink.”
Theo throws his head back in laughter I’ve already grown to love. My hand clasps my stomach, as if it can catch the fluttery butterflies trying to escape.
“All I had to do was bed you first.” He winks and those piercing blue eyes have me crossing my legs tight against the growing desire to part them. After a long sip, his heated gaze still on me, Theo sets down his glass and stalks toward me. He has me enthralled, like the snake charmer I’d convinced myself he was. He stops in front of my chair and takes my glass, setting it beside his. Leaning forward, he cages me in, one hand on each leather arm as he bends low to meet my eyes.
“Have you decided yet, Britta?” His smile cocks to the side.
His cedarwood and amber scent intoxicates me more than whiskey ever will, and I inhale a heady breath. “Decided what?”
“Whether you’ll trust a defense attorney…” His smooth baritone deepens as his lips meet mine. “Whether you’ll trust me.”
I pull back. There’s tightness at the corners of his eyes and his smile is gone. What’s left is only vulnerability and it hits me. Taking the deal—that to me signaled I believe in him. But his question and stiffening posture make me realize he needs to hear me say it.
“Yes, Theo. I trust you.”
His smile exudes relief and gratitude and I go all in. My lips crash against his. I rip open his button-down and he strips his pants and boxers in one fell swoop.
I trace the outline of his toned muscles down to his cock. When I lick my lips, Theo growls and scoops me up with his hands under my thighs.
Our tongues collide again as he spins us to his chair. My dress rolls up my waist, and when I land, I’m straddling him. His hands dive into my copper curls and his deep kisses stoke the fire inside until I’m writhing against him. The only thing between us is the thin lace of my thong—
