The Naked Detective (12 page)
That would have been great except he’d still have found out where she lived. “That’s really nice, but I already told you that I’m fine. I don’t need you checking up on me.”
She heard rather than saw him shrug. One of the perks of having amazing hearing.
“Sorry. My father always taught me that you took care of a lady. Made sure she got home safe and sound.”
“But I wasn’t your date, so I’m not your responsibility.”
“Doesn’t matter. Look, Selena, whether you like it or not I like you, and I want to get to know you a helluvalot better. I won’t give up on you anytime soon, it’s just not my way so you may as well give in and give me a chance.”
“And I have no say in the matter?”
“Yes and no.”
Despite herself she laughed. “Meaning?”
“You’ve already decided. Your heart and body have already said yes. It’s only your mind that refuses to give in.”
“Unfortunately for you, it’s my mind that’s got the deciding vote.” The second the words passed her lips she wished them back. She’d as much as admitted to what he said.
He shook his head. Stepping closer, he reached out and cupped her cheek. “No, it doesn’t.
This
is the real deciding factor.”
She felt his sweet breath on her face just moments before his lips gently brushed across her own. They were feather-light and warm, at first coaxing, then growing more insistent as her response became evident.
She knew she should push him away, but she couldn’t seem to make herself do it. She’d been fantasizing about kissing Rafe from the moment she’d first heard his voice trickle over her senses. Now that it was happening, the last thing she wanted to do was stop him.
Her hands developed a mind of their own. Happily, they explored everything they could reach, from his hard biceps to his strong neck and finally ended up clutching his tight ass for everything she was worth.
She was right in her initial assessment—he was most definitely sex-on-legs. And right now, with his erection nestled between their bodies, she wanted nothing more than to traverse the very path that led to what felt like his very impressive sex.
She moaned into his mouth and ground her hips against him, feeling him return the exquisite pressure. Their tongues danced along each other, questing, exploring, enticing. Her breath caught. Blood pounded in her ears, all but igniting in her veins. She tried to tell herself it was just a kiss, nothing more, but who was she kidding? She’d never felt anything that came close to this kiss before.
Everything about him struck a chord with everything she was, and everything she wanted for herself, but was too afraid to take.
With an answering groan, his mouth started eating at hers, their tongues now melding together.
Tasting.
Needing.
Wanting
.
Oh Lord, how she wanted. She wanted it all with this guy. Sex without a doubt, but the terrifying thing was she wanted more than that. She could deal with just the physical. In fact, Anne was probably right that all she needed was a good, long night of hot and heavy sex.
But with Rafe, she found herself dreaming of the happily-ever-after, and there was no happily-ever-after for her. There couldn’t be because of what she was.
Pushing him away with a determination she didn’t even know she possessed, she stepped back. Did she have the same stunned expression on her face he did? With disgust, she realized she must.
Neither said anything. They couldn’t. Both of them were breathing so hard you’d have thought they’d been running for their lives. Then again, maybe they had. Rafe, because he was chasing after her. Her, because she was striving to get away from his magnetic attraction.
The whole thing was ridiculous.
“Why can’t you just leave me alone?” Damn her voice’s quavery betrayal.
He reached out and skimmed his thumb across her lips. “Because I can’t.”
She shook off his touch and his hand dropped away. “That’s not an answer.”
“It’s the only one I can give you.”
Selena threw her hands up in frustration. “What am I going to do with you?”
An utterly wicked chuckle erupted from him. “I can think of a few things.”
“I’ll just bet you can.” So could she, although she’d never let him know it.
Despite her resistance, he pulled her into his arms and held her close. “Stop fighting this, Selena. At least give us a chance.”
It felt so good to be held in his arms. She felt warm, secure and cherished. She nuzzled into his shoulder and inhaled his comforting scent.
How was it was possible to feel so comfortable with a man and yet be so turned on you wanted to screw him senseless at the same time? It didn’t make sense.
She sighed and snuggled in closer. “You need to go away.”
His arms tightened, drawing her even closer. “Whatever you say. Just as soon as I see you home.”
“You’re not going to give in on this, are you?”
He kissed her forehead. “Nope.”
“Bastard.”
The Naked Detective
Vivi Andrews
What happens in Atlantic City…changes everything.
Karmic Consultants, Book 4
The “gift” that makes Ciara Liung the FBI’s prized secret weapon makes her existence more like a curse. Unable to bear human contact, she lives as a hermit, immersing herself in the water that gives her peace and amplifies her power.
Her new FBI handler, though, only believes what he can see. The problem? Her gift—the ability to psychically locate stolen jewels—only works in the nude.
Special Agent Nathan Smith can’t believe he’s expected to babysit some psychic finder. Psychic…right. An undercover op gone wrong may have left him a desk jockey—and Ciara’s charms are more distracting than he cares to admit—but he’s a field agent at heart. She’s working some kind of angle. It’s just a matter of time before he unravels it.
Sent to Atlantic City to recover a ruby necklace for Monaco’s royal family, both finder and Fed are pushed outside their comfort zones, and discover more than they ever believed possible. And when a trap is sprung, they realize they stand to lose much more than a sparkly stone…
Warning: This book contains gambling, go-go dancers, public indecency, and every brand of trouble a troubled psychic can get into in America’s Playground.
eBooks are
not
transferable.
They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work.
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.
Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
577 Mulberry Street, Suite 1520
Macon GA 31201
The Naked Detective
Copyright © 2010 by Vivi Andrews
ISBN: 978-1-60928-247-9
Edited by Sasha Knight
Cover by Scott Carpenter
All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
First
Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
electronic publication: November 2010
Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
It’s all about the story…
Action/Adventure
Fantasy
Historical
Horror
Mainstream
Mystery/Suspense
Non-Fiction
Paranormal
Red Hots!
Romance
Science Fiction
Western
Young Adult