Page 180 of Vicious Temptation

Thiago catches my wrist this time and tries to pull me against him, but I turn with the motion and drive my elbow into his ribs, forcing him to let go.

“Still think you caught me?”

“I’m starting to think you just wanted an excuse to beat me up.”

“Maybe I’ve been waiting for this opportunity. It’s not every day you get to beat up a cop without consequences. Dream come true.”

“That’s mildly concerning.”

“You knew what you were signing up for.”

He comes for me again, but I’m faster, and I slip beneath his arm, dragging my fingers across his chest as I pass.

Thiago turns. “Did you just fucking pet me?”

“It distracted you.”

“That was cheating.”

“You’re a vigilante. I don’t want to hear shit about rules.”

His laugh fills the bedroom as he lunges. This time, I barely get out of his reach and retreat until the backs of my thighs hit the dresser. Thiago slows when he realizes I’ve run out of room, and the amusement on his face turns downright smug.

“Looks like you’ve got nowhere left to go.”

I glance behind me, then back at him. “You think furniture is going to save you?”

“From where I’m standing, it kind of looks like you’re cornered.”

“Maybe. But cornered isn’t the same as caught.”

When he reaches for me again, I catch his arm and use his momentum to turn us, but he’s ready for it. His other hand clamps onto my waist, and suddenly we’re fighting for leverage, both of us laughing as I try to twist free.

“Give up,” he says.

“Fuck you.”

“Is that Catwoman talking or Remi?”

I manage to turn in his hold and look up at the black mask still covering his face. The smile I love so much nearly makes me break character and climb him like a fucking tree, but I’m having too much fun to give in now.

“Does it matter?”

“Not even a little.”

Rising onto my toes, I pretend I’m going to kiss him, then hook my foot behind his ankle and shove. He actually loses his balance, and I burst out laughing.

“That was cold.”

“Still almost took down Batman.”

Thiago straightens and stares at me, and I probably shouldn’t find the way his smile slowly disappears as exciting as I do.

“Almost,” he says.

Without warning, Thiago comes at me again. I duck the first grab and twist away from the second, laughing as I put the bed between us.

“Come on, Batman. You can do better than that.”