Best Man For The Job (The Men of Fear Incorporated Book 1) by Melinda Valentine Page A

have mistaken his body for Brody’s? Brody was a puny awkward teenage boy compared to Max.
    “I can’t believe I just molested you like that. I’m truly horrified.” She covered her face with her hands, though she peeked between her fingers to gauge his reaction.
    Max stalked across the room like a prowling panther and grabbed her shoulders. She dropped her hands by her side. His whiskey-colored eyes penetrated hers, holding her mesmerized and silent in their depths. She swallowed hard, having no choice but to give him her undivided attention.
    “First off, stop apologizing. Secondly, I could have easily moved your hand at any time. Thirdly, it should be me apologizing.”
    “You? For what?”
    “I should have realized you didn’t know it was me. You wouldn’t have done that if you did. I should have stopped you, but I didn’t.”
    He took a step back, dropping his hands. She would have wanted to, though. Even standing here like a statue, she wanted to reach for him. The loss of heat on her skin from his hands almost pulled a whimper from inside her. The awareness she felt with Max was staggering.
    There had never been a time before now where she’d felt every nerve come alive inside of her from just the touch of someone’s hand. When he’d smiled, it made her insides melt.
    “I’m gonna go get dressed. Then I’ll make some breakfast. You must be starving.”
    “Um, sure. I could eat.”
    Sloane watched his chiseled ass as he made his retreat from the room. She was still in shock at what she did. She’d never initiated things with Brody. What made her try this time? Did her subconscious know it was Max all along? Dropping down onto the mattress, she replayed the incident in her head. Her body craved him. She’d mourned the loss of his warm flesh pressed against hers. Damn, she had to get herself in check. Dressing in yesterday’s clothes, she left the sanctity of the bedroom, mentally preparing herself to see Max again.
    The smell of cooking bacon had her practically salivating. When was the last time she ate? Max stood over the burners, flipping bacon and scrambling eggs. He was covered by a thin white ribbed tank top that clung to every muscle and a pair of worn blue jeans. He was barefoot and the top button of his pants was still undone. The heat that rushed through her had her clamping her thighs together. Too bad it only made matters worse. Max was incredibly sexy.
    “Good timing.”
    He piled food onto a plate. After setting it in front of her, he took the seat beside her with his own plate. They ate in companionable silence, until finally she looked over at him as he read the paper.
    “So what now?”
    “Now we sit tight and wait.”
    “Wait for what, exactly?”
    “For me to get some reliable intel so we can find this guy. Until then, you’ll stay here with me. I can keep you safe.”
    “What about your job?”
    “I can do everything I need to for my current workload from the comfort of my home office. So don’t worry. Okay?”
    “Okay,” she sighed.
    “What, no argument?”
    “You’re right. No sense arguing.”
    Sloane finished her breakfast quietly. She cleared their dishes from the table. She was startled when the wall phone rang by her head.
    Max pushed to his feet and walked over to grab it. “Hello.”
    There was a long pause before Max turned, his body stiffening slightly. He handed his phone out toward her. Sloane took it, a questioning look no doubt on her face. Max looked less than happy.
    “It’s for you.”
    For her? Foster and Bella must be wondering what in the world was going on. Maybe she could stay with them for a few days instead. She took the phone from Max’s outstretched hand.
    “Hello?”
    “Sloane, honey, are you okay?” Brody’s voice boomed through the handset.
    “I’m fine. How did you know I was here?”
    “I called Foster. He reamed me out pretty good after he told me what happened.”
    She looked at Max. He casually leaned against the