“I always keep some protection in place.”
Colin grunted and cranked the Jeep. He wanted to ask Emily more about the coma, ask her about the guy who’d nearly put her under, but he figured he’d pushed enough for one day.
Besides, he needed to get her to the station. They needed to talk to Smith, needed to find out if the ME had gotten any more information for them.
After they talked to Smith, he’d drop the doc off at her place. Then he’d go meet the cameraman. And he’d find out exactly what Jake Donnelley knew about his case.
“Uh, aren’t you forgetting something?”
He glanced at her. Found her eyes narrowed on him. “What?”
Her lips thinned. “An apology.”
“Ah, Doc, you don’t have to apologize to me. I understand now.” She wasn’t jumping in his brain. As far as he could tell, she still didn’t know the full truth about him, and that was very good news. “Just stay out of my head, and we’ll get along just fine.” More than fine if he had his way. In fact, they’d be—
The doc growled. Actually growled. Oh, he liked that. The beast within emitted a hungry growl of its own.
“I’m not talking about me giving you an apology,” she snapped. “I meant you owe me an apology.”
“What would I owe you an apology for?” He hadn’t jumped in her head.
“I don’t remember asking you to—to—” The doc broke off, flushing.
And the light dawned. He hadn’t jumped into her head, but he’d jumped her.
“I told you before, Gyth.” That pointed chin lifted and she stared straight at him, even as a blush stained her cheeks. “If I want you to kiss me, I’ll ask.”
Ah, yes, the doc wasn’t a fan of— what had she called it?— the He-man routine. Well, if the lady wanted an apology…“Sorry, Doc, guess my basic nature just got the best of me.” His basic nature, his anger, and the hard lust he seemed to feel every time he got near her.
“Yes, well, shifters are reputed to be highly volatile and, umm—”
“Sexual?”
She blinked.
“Yeah, we are.” Unfortunately, most shifters tended to be male, so it wasn’t like there were a ton of like-minded women strolling the streets.
But when he’d held the doc, for a bit there, “It seemed like your basic nature took control, too, huh?” She’d been kissing him back, rubbing that sweet little pink tongue of hers against his, pushing her body against him, clutching him tightly with her hands.
“Maybe it did,” Emily said softly, and his respect for her shot up. A woman who could admit her need—just what he wanted.
He wished they didn’t have to go back to the station. Wished they could just keep driving, preferably back to his place so that he could find out more about Emily’s needs.
Even though he could still taste her, he knew his lust would have to wait.
The case came first. It had to. But once the killer was caught, oh yeah, once the killer was tossed in a dark cell to never see the light of day again, then he could focus completely on Emily.
In the meantime, he’d keep mixing his business and pleasure every damn chance he got.
She wanted Colin Gyth. Wanted a shifter. All right, she could admit it.
Emily hurried to keep pace beside Colin as they maneuvered through the police station. A few officers called out greetings to Gyth as they passed. He didn’t stop for anyone, just kept walking with that I’m-a-bad-ass stride of his. She was having to double-time it to keep up with him.
He pushed open a door leading to a stairwell. A dark, narrow stairwell.
“Ladies first,” he murmured.
“Thanks.” She brushed past him, and his scent—the warm, rich scent of masculine flesh—teased her nostrils.
Her heart beat faster, her breath hitched.
Oh yes, she had a serious problem where the detective was concerned.
So what was she going to do about it? About him?
The stairs ended in front of a rust-colored door. Emily knew what waited for her on the other side of that door.
It was time to stop
Richard Blanchard
Hy Conrad
Marita Conlon-Mckenna
Liz Maverick
Nell Irvin Painter
Gerald Clarke
Barbara Delinsky
Margo Bond Collins
Gabrielle Holly
Sarah Zettel