Page 45 of Shiver

She swayed, her hands on his chest moving ever so slightly upward. His mouth barely touched hers—soft, sweet, gentle. He moved his lips over hers, parting them, softly nibbling. Languid warmth, like thick, hot honey, spread through her weakening her legs.

His tongue slipped into her mouth. She graciously welcomed it, savoring his taste. Seductive heat melted her limbs. She moaned and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling herself closer to him, reveling in the way his hard, strong chest felt against her. It had been so long since she’d felt this way. She didn’t want it to stop.

“You taste good, sugar,” he mumbled as he broke for air.

His words quickened her blood. Light-headed, she lingered, her lips trailing the corner of his mouth. “I don’t know if it’s right, but I need you.”

“It’s right,” he breathed, and moved his lips down the side of her neck, teasing the sensitive skin at the base of her throat. A soft moan escaped her as the warmth flowing through her body heated, moving faster, and bringing with it a tension that ached to be sated.

Sated by him.

“Please,” she moaned. She was finding it hard to breathe.

“Please what?” he asked.

The husky rasp of his voice, the quickening of his touch led her to believe that her effect on him might be as strong as his on her. The thought was intoxicating. “Please don’t let me go. I don’t want to be alone. Not tonight.”

Riley picked her up and carried her into the house, then set her down and locked the door behind him. She was looking up at him with those incredible blue eyes and it was all he could do not to pull her wet nightshirt over her head and make love to her right there on the floor.

“Make love to me, Riley. Make me forget.” The small embarrassed smile he’d come to love was back.

Her words lit a fire within him, and he felt himself thicken with need.Mon Dieu, Riley had never wanted anything in his life as much as he wanted this woman at this moment. But he couldn’t have her. He knew he couldn’t. It was unethical, it was wrong. She was vulnerable.

She was beautiful.

He kissed her gently, softly, his own need dangerously close to the perilous point. He had to focus on why she was there and on the case that seemed to be growing more dangerous and explosive by the moment.

“Darlin’, I’d love to take you into my room and love you all night, but I don’t think that would be best for either of us right now.”

A flicker of pain shone in her eyes.

He pulled her to him. “I’m sorry.”

She stiffened, but he held tight.

“Soon,” he promised. “As soon as we find our way clear of this case. Because, honey, I want you. Real bad.”

She relaxed and pulled back. “You mean as soon as you decide I’m not a killer.”

He shook his head, but she stepped away from him, walking past him to her room.

“Damn,” he muttered, but she was right. He had to make sure she wasn’t guilty, but even more, he had to make sure she was sane.

Chapter 18

The next morning,Riley woke to a loud pounding on his front door. He swore as he stared at the clock: 6 a.m. Who could be here this early? “Hold your horses,” he yelled as the pounding persisted. He climbed out of bed, pulled on a pair of jeans, then walked bare-chested to the front door.

He swung it open and was surprised to find his father standing before him, red-faced and steaming. “Dad, what is it?” he asked, instantly concerned. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen his dad so worked up, or seen him on his doorstep.

“You got a minute?” his dad asked, his expression hard, his voice cold as he walked into the room.

Riley stepped back. “Sure. Give me a second and I’ll grab a shirt.”

“Don’t bother.”

Riley paused at the acid tone in his voice. “All right. What’s up?”

“I want to know how you can have so little regard for your job and your family that you would bringthatwoman here.” His father raised a trembling hand and pointed it at him. “I saw you last night all over the woman who could very well have killed your brother’s wife.”

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