Page 36 of Pleasure Control

Jay gathered Laura into his arms and offered his warmth. Christ, he should have driven her home. If he’d been here for her, this never would have happened. Erin came back with a blanket. He took it from her and draped it over Laura’s shoulders.

He felt his anger rising. “I assume it’s connected to the lab break-in,” he bit out.

The detective nodded. “Appears that way.”

Laura’s voice piped up. “He was after our files, but I came home before he found them.”

She seemed so pleased by that fact. Jay carefully lifted the ice pack off her head and examined the bump. He winced. “The files don’t matter, Laura. All that matters is that you’re safe.” His voice was tight with emotion. Oh God, what would he have done if something had happened to her? A sliver of unease made him flinch.

Her brow puckered in a frown. “Of course the files matter,” she argued.

He placed the ice pack back over the lump. “I think you should see a doctor.”

She waved a dismissive hand. “I’m fine,” she insisted. “I don’t need a doctor.”

Jay glanced at the mess in her living room and drew a heavy breath. “You’re coming to my place.”

“No, I’m not,” she said with certainty.

He wasn’t about to take no for an answer. “Yes, you are, Laura.”

“But—”

He interrupted her. “Don’t argue with me. You’re not staying here. Until they catch whoever did this you’re not safe.”

“I know it’s not safe, Jay. Erin already said I could stay with her,” she countered.

Jay twisted sideways and glared at Erin. He gave her a look that suggested it would be in her best interests to change Laura’s mind.

Erin quickly caught on. She slapped her hand to her forehead. “Oh, I just remembered, you can’t stay at my place after all. My spare room is being painted.”

“There, that settles it. You’re staying with me,” Jay insisted.

She tensed against him. “Erin…” Laura’s voice grated in warning.

Erin threw her hands up in the air and shrugged. “You know me and my forgetful memory.”

Laura slumped back; her shoulders dropped. He felt her body relax against his and sensed her resolve was softening around the edges.

She gave a resigned groan. “Fine.”

Jay rose from the couch and eased Laura to her feet. “Let me take you home and get you to bed.”

As she stood, her curvy body collided with his. He splayed his hand on her back to anchor her to him. When

her hips molded against his thighs, her breath seemed to hitch in her throat.

He watched the play of emotions cross her face and wondered what she was thinking. He decided not to press. There would be plenty of time for talking later when he had her snuggled in his bed. That thought brought a tingle to an area that needed to be ignored for the time being.

“I have to gather my things and have a quick shower.”

He caught hold of her hand, grabbed her duffel bag from the floor, and escorted her down the hall. “Go shower.” He held her bag out to her. “And then pack plenty, because until they find the guy who did this, you’re staying with me.”

He neglected to tell her that once he had her there, he didn’t intend to let her go. Tonight he wanted to prove to Laura he wasn’t just some playboy looking to get his hands on her sensuous body. She’d opened his eyes and his heart. He wanted her to be a part of his life.

Chapter 8

Night had closed around them by the time they stepped outside Laura’s apartment and climbed into Jay’s vehicle. Jay shot her a sidelong glance as he maneuvered his car into traffic. She’d changed into a pair of jeans that accentuated her curvy body and a pale yellow, short-sleeved blouse. Staring at the dark road ahead, she gently rubbed her fingers over the bump on her head. He touched her hand with his and gave a tender squeeze, bringing her attention around to him.

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