Page 219 of To Catch a Sub

With a smirk, he stepped closer, touching the brooch on her dress with one finger.

“Yes, I assume you’re here to steal it. Not that anyone will ever know, because you’ll replace the real one with this fake.”

Colette let her eyes close, indulging herself in the pleasure of his nearness.

“Did you miss me?” he whispered, leaning in so his lips brushed her hair.

“Yes, you did miss him,” Sofie yelled excitedly.

Colette’s eyes popped open. She didn’t dare take the ear piece out, though he had to suspect it was there. Colette tried to take a step back, but Landon’s arm hooked around her, his fingers tangling with the pearls draped across her back, pulling them tight against her arms. At least now his lips weren’t close enough to her ear for Sofie to pick up what he said.

“You can’t arrest me. I haven’t committed a crime, and you’re not law enforcement.”

“True, I’m not. I opened a consulting firm.”

That startled her enough that she made the mistake of looking up into his eyes. She could get lost in that warm darkness.

“Consulting?”

“Security consulting for museums and private collectors. I only have one client so far, because I’m waiting.”

Colette knew her mouth was hanging open. “You’re a security consultant for museums?”

“Yes.”

“Ohhh, that’s bad,” Sofie moaned.

Why could Colette still hear her? Sofie should have been far enough away by now that the ear pieces wouldn’t work.

“Is Rijks Museum your client?” Colette asked.

“No. Though I did offer my services.” Landon ran the fingers of his free hand along the edge of her mask.

She couldn’t stop the small, needy sound that escaped when one finger brushed the skin of her cheek.

“What is he doing? What is that sound?” Sofie demanded.

“Run, Sofie,” Colette said, then reached up under her hair and took out the ear piece.

Landon smiled, his fingers tracing the stretchy mask ribbon around to the back of her head. One quick tug and the bow came undone.

She didn’t move as he pulled the mask away from her face, removing that last little barrier between them. And exposing her face to all the security cameras. Not that the heist wasn’t done the moment she heard his voice.

The arm around her back released her, the pearls going slack. His hand skimmed down her body to her bare thigh.

For one wild moment, she thought, hoped, that he’d slide his hand between her legs and touch her.

They were in the middle of a gala. Only luck had kept anyone else from coming up to examine the contents of this case, and it wasn't like this was a private or closed space to begin with.

“Did you tell the museum you thought someone was going to rob them tonight?”

“No, because you’re not going to rob them.”

“You can’t arrest me.”

He squeezed her bare thigh. “There are other options.”

“Kidnapping?” She smiled and arched a brow. “I’m afraid I’ll have to decline, I’ve done that before, and did not enjoy it.”