She gave him the once-over before sliding onto a cushioned stool. “You, too.”
He walked behind the bar. “Vodka tonic or something hot?”
She leaned forward and winked. “Always hot.”
If she continued teasing him, he’d have her naked and writhing beneath him in minutes. After making hot white Russians, he eased onto the stool beside her. They sipped their drinks in silence, neither rushing to fill the void while Christmas classics played in the background.
“This is delicious.” She broke eye contact and looked around the room. “You’ve got a classy club. Why didn’t we ever play here?”
“I only played where no one knew me.”
“Still playing?”
“No.” He had to touch her, so he ran the back of his finger down her soft cheek. Energy ran rampant through him. “You?”
Her breath hitched. “Not since you.”
He was fighting the desire to pull her onto his lap and kiss the hell out of her. And he was losing. What the hell was he supposed to do? Sit there and make small talk? No fucking way. She was inches away. Her beauty wowed him. Her essence thrilled him. She was back in town and he was going to make the most of every damn minute they spent together.
Reaching out, he caressed her back. Her hypnotic eyes lulled him into a false belief that she was his to cherish, to protect, and to pamper. Touching her was the best medicine for his tormented soul.
“Sin.” The word came out in a whisper while she ran lithe fingers through his hair. Her heated caress ignited his desire. Her touch was gentle, but her eyes…her eyes were filled with so much passion.
As he peered into them, the urge to kiss her overtook him and he leaned close. “You are irresistible.” He waited for her to put on the brakes.
Instead, her lips brushed against his. Once, twice, and on the third kiss, she opened her mouth and deepened the embrace.
And then, just as their kiss was turning incendiary, she slowed them back down, dropped a soft peck on his mouth and broke away. “I have no willpower around you.”
A growl escaped him. “Unfortunately, you’ve got plenty.”
She leaned back and rested her interlaced fingers on the shiny, cherry bar. “What’s the plan?”
Right. Business.Wasn’t that why they’d gotten together in the first place?
“I spoke with Birdie.”
She swiveled to face him. “And?”
“When the media named you as the woman in the video, he went with it. And he’s sticking with that story. His career is at stake. Whoever the woman is, she’s got something over him.”
“I never imagined he’d throw me under the bus like this. We’re not close, but I thought he was one of the good guys.” She crossed her legs. “I guess good guys went the way of the dinosaur.”
“Your dad’s a good guy.”
Surprise flashed in her eyes. “How do you know my dad?”
“The department needed help with a few cases, and I worked with him.”
“How could they afford you?”
“I did it pro bono.”
Her eyes softened, her lips curved. “So, you do have a heart.”
“No, I don’t. But I have a conscience.”
“When are we flying to Miami?” She sipped her drink.
