Temptation's Heat by Michelle Zink

women who manned their emergency line overnight. “I just spoke to him.”
    Scarlet breathed a sigh of relief. “What’s up?”
    “Your father would like you to come in right away. A body washed up this morning. They think it’s Mikhail Krupin.”
    Dread spread through Scarlet’s veins. “I’ll be right there.” She thought of Rowen, asleep in her bed. “And I’ll notify Mr. Black.”
    “Already done,” Miranda said. “On your father’s orders. Mr. Black should be there soon.”
    “Right, thanks.” Scarlet shoved her phone back in her pocket. She didn’t know if the knot in her stomach was because of Mikhail or because she would have to face Rowen sooner rather than later.
    Either way, it didn’t matter. This is exactly why they couldn’t have a future. She couldn’t be worried about feelings when they both had work to do. Couldn’t be preoccupied with their relationship every time they were assigned together. She would tell it to him straight.
    It had been nice. More than nice. It had been amazing. But it was over.

Nineteen
    He was still on the phone with Ambrose when he registered Scarlet’s absence. He ran a hand along the sheets next to him. Cold. She’d been gone awhile.
    He finished the call and sat up in bed. He should’ve been thinking about Mikhail. About the discovery of the man’s body and whether his glaive, like everyone else’s in the Guard, was intact. But Scarlet’s scent was everywhere, the musk of her on the sheets and blankets, on his skin, in his soul.
    He remembered Scarlet’s skin under his hands, her soft body moving in perfect time with his, her cries as she opened up around him, spilling over the edge of desire as he filled her with his own.
    But there was something else. A dull ache in his chest. A sense of loss at the knowledge that she’d left him without a word, like he was no more than a goddamn one night stand.
    “Fuck,” he said into the empty room.
    He dressed quickly, taking one last look at the apartment, wondering if he would see it again. If she wanted more from him than their night together, or if they would go back to being comrades-in-arms like nothing had happened.
    He shook his head. He wasn’t the relationship type. He wasn’t built for it. He would only hurt her. Things would get complicated and uncomfortable. And he couldn’t afford complicated and uncomfortable, especially when he was beginning to think he might actually be able to keep his shit together with the Guard. Might actually be able to stay in Clifton a while.
    He was glad she’d had the sense to leave while he’d been asleep. She’d spared them both an awkward morning filled with regret and stilted explanations.
    He shut the door to her apartment and hurried to Guard headquarters. He’d just rounded the corner when he saw Scarlet heading toward the house from the opposite direction.
    She was waiting for him when he got to the front gate.
    “Hey,” she said, biting her lip. “So this thing with the revenant … Crazy, huh?”
    “Yeah, crazy.”
    An uncomfortable pause took up residence between them.
    “Last night—”
    “So about last—”
    They both started at the same time.
    “You go,” he said.
    She shook her head. “Last night was … Well, it was great.”
    When she looked into his eyes, everything he’d told himself about not wanting to be with her was revealed as the lie it was. He wanted her. And not just for one night.
    “I just … I have to focus right now,” she continued. “Because of my father. It’s already hard, being his daughter, being a woman, in the Guard. You know?”
    He nodded despite the stone sitting on his heart.
    “I can’t do it, Rowen.” Her voice caught in her throat. She looked away. “I just can’t.”
    “I get it,” he said. “It’s cool.”
    She inhaled deeply and gave him a tremulous smile. “Good.” She held out a hand. “So … friends?”
    He took her hand, the feel of her skin, warm and smooth, causing him to flash