Wise Moves by Mary Burton Page A

her waist to her buttocks. He squeezed her bottom. The thin yoga pants were little barrier to his touch and she felt as if she were naked.
    He pressed her hips forward until her body pressed against his erection. The bed was only three feet away and there was no doubt now that they would be in it within seconds.
    Cambia nipped her ear with his white teeth. She slid her hands under his T-shirt and up his muscled chest. He felt so good, so alive.
    Kissing her again, he started to step back toward the bed, tugging her with him. She followed and reached for the thick belt buckle at his narrow waist. When her knuckles brushed his bare skin, he drew in a breath as if he’d exploded right then and there.
    Kristen reveled in her womanly power. It felt so good to be in control and know what she wanted even for this very brief time.
    She unhooked his belt and unfastened his pants. Her hand slid down toward his erection. He moaned. Without warning, his cell phone rang on his belt holster.
    The loud sound startled her. But her desire still burned hot.
    With great effort, Cambia released her. His breathing was ragged, as if he’d just run a dozen miles. “I’ve got to get it.”
    “They can leave a message.” Her voice sounded unrecognizable but she didn’t care. Selfishly, she wanted this moment because she felt so wonderfully alive. And to think it wouldn’t happen now was beyond her circle of reasoning.
    The phone rang again, louder and more insistent.
    Cambia muttered an oath and fumbled for the phone. He flipped it open. “Cambia.”
    Frowning, he turned his back to her.
    The gesture felt like a rejection. And immediately, Kristen’s desire evaporated. Her mind cleared. She shoved trembling hands through her hair. Good Lord, what had she been thinking? She’d been ready to make love to this man right here.
    She had not only thrown herself at a virtual stranger, but she’d given no thought to the consequences. What if she’d gotten pregnant?
    Fool.
    A moment’s fun could easily have landed her with more problems than she needed.
    It wasn’t like her to lose control.
    Cambia’s shoulders tensed. “You’re absolutely sure?” He hesitated, listening. “Fine.”
    He closed the phone and replaced it carefully in its holster.
    Drawing in a deep breath, Dane faced her. The desire had vanished from his face.
    In its place was a coldness that made her tremble.

Chapter 7

    F acts now confirmed what Dane had known in his gut. The prints were a perfect match. Kristen Rodale was Elena Benito.
    And Dane had nearly made love to her. Another minute and he’d have been inside her.
    Damn. All the time and energy he and Lucian had put into finding her and he’d nearly jeopardized the entire operation. He’d acted like a teenager with more hormones than brains.
    He needed to keep his distance from her. She wasn’t a woman to be desired or loved. She was business. Nothing more than bait to trap the animal Antonio Benito.
    Single-minded focus on the objective had made him one of the best in the army recon unit and the bureau. And the objective in this operation was capturing Antonio Benito. No matter what the cost.
    He cleared his throat, noticing the dark roots of Kristen’s hair. In his case-file pictures, she’d had long, lush black hair, and he wondered when she’d cut and dyed it blond. The hair change had completely transformed her appearance. It accentuated the high slash of her cheekbones and made her beautiful eyes stunning. It gave Kristen an air of directness Elena had not possessed.
    Damn. It didn’t matter if the package wrapping had changed. This woman was Elena Benito. She was the bait. And nothing else.
    Dane needed to diffuse the energy between them. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have let things get away from me.”
    Her cheeks turned a delicate red, but she held his gaze like the proud princess she was. “I shouldn’t have kissed you.”
    He shoved his hand in his pocket, wishing she didn’t still look so