Strip Tease by Karen Erickson Page B

sudden urge to screw with his head.
    If he wanted naughty, wanted to believe
she’d do something with the hostess, then so be it. She’d give him
an earful.
    “Why? You don’t believe me?” She lowered her
voice to a sultry tone. “Does it excite you, the thought of me
being with another woman while you watch? Are you into the kinky
stuff, Detective Banks?”
    Hell. The man provoked her and she couldn’t
help herself. Thinking she’d fool around with some oversexed
waitress, how dare he?
    Nate watched her, his gaze intense, his lips
parting as if he were about to speak. He didn’t say a word and she
literally squirmed in her seat.
    God, he made her uncomfortable.
    “Say something,” she whispered harshly. “I
know you want to.”
    Reaching out, he touched her, drew his
finger down her cheek, along her jaw. “I don’t want care what
you’re in to. But tonight, you’re with me, and you’re going to play
by my terms. So remember, I don’t share. And I definitely don’t
watch. I’d rather participate.”
    A shuddering breath escaped her when his
finger dropped from her face. His words knocked any sense she had
straight out of her head. She’d wanted to mess with his mind and
instead he just blew hers. Without a doubt, he’d be controlling in
bed. Intense and focused, bringing her insurmountable pleasure
again and again and again...
    “Did you find out anything about Ginger?”
she asked, desperate to change the subject, switch her focus to
anything else but the sexy man sitting too close.
    “No, not really. I asked around, talked to
the doorman briefly but got nowhere. How about you?” He appeared
surprised by her abrupt change of subject.
    Janelle shook her head. “No. No one has
heard of her.” The lights dimmed once more, blanketing the large
room into complete darkness. “I guess it’s starting.”
    “Come here.” Nate hauled her close, slipping
his arm around her, his big warm hand cupping her bare shoulder.
She shivered at his touch, her entire body humming with pleasure at
the contact. “Let’s enjoy the show.”

Chapter Four

    Janelle’s curvy body fit neatly against his,
her heat enveloping him, her sweet scent tantalizing. Nate tilted
his head and sniffed, trying to be subtle, desperate to breathe her
in. The bad wig and silly mask looked damn good on her.
    Everything looked good on her.
    He’d never admit it, but the little
waitress’s words made him jealous. Janelle’s slightly disheveled
state when she’d returned to the table had thrown him. Made him
wonder if they really had wandered off, engaging in a quick
embrace.
    Nate shook his head. Her accusing words had
provoked him, turned him on. Immediately a vision of the two women
wrapped around each other had flashed in his mind.
    He wasn’t lying. He didn’t share. No matter
how hot and willing the women were, that sort of thing didn’t fly
with him.
    But indulging a fantasy of the mind? Well
now, that was more than allowed…
    “Let go of me,” she said through clenched
teeth, her entire body tense.
    “No. Come on, Janelle, relax. We have to
portray a certain image.” He gently stroked her bare shoulder, his
fingers lingering, and she shivered. She had the softest skin. Was
she as soft everywhere? Would she let him map her body with his
hands, his mouth?
    “No one is paying attention to us. You don’t
have to pretend you want to touch me.” She glanced up, her eyes
fierce beneath the mask. Damn, if she only knew the truth. What
would she do if he kissed her?
    Nate took a deep breath, tearing his gaze
from her. He needed to gain some control. They were in the middle
of a club and he was on duty. Not the right time to indulge in a
beautiful woman who tempted him beyond reason.
    The waitress magically appeared before their
table with another chocolate martini on her tray. “For you to enjoy
while you’re watching the show. Have fun, you two.”
    She set the drink in front of Janelle, shot
Nate a wicked smile and then