Chapter 7 #2
Even with his face half hidden in the shadows, there was no mistaking the spark of humor in his eyes.
He shrugged and the muscles in his shoulders bunched together.
“I wanted to make myself a little more comfortable before I went to sleep. It seems I’m not the only one,” he said, dipping his chin low in her direction.
She glanced down and heat erupted in her like a volcano.
The T-shirt she’d thrown on barely skimmed the top of her thighs and her nipples pressed against the flimsy cotton of the ancient shirt.
Thank God it was dark. It’d be harder for him to see how red her face grew when she was embarrassed.
Swallowing down her humiliation, she met his gaze once again.
“I’m in my own home. I can dress however I like. ”
He cocked his head to the side. “I didn’t know there was a dress code for guests. You should have warned me of that before you stormed off to bed earlier.”
Anger flared inside her, but it was hard to stay focused when all she wanted to do was run her fingers down the hard board of his stomach. My God. How many hours a day did the man work out to get such chiseled abs? She couldn’t tear her eyes off them.
“Do you like what you see?” He took a step toward her, and she took one back.
Her eyes snapped to his and her face tingled.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.
” She crossed her arms in front of her chest and instantly regretted it.
Instead of hiding her breasts, the material clung more firmly against them.
She took another step toward the hall and dropped her arms back to her sides. “I’m going back to bed.”
“I didn’t mean to wake you. I wanted a drink of water before I went to sleep.”
She glanced at the clock and raised her brows. “You’re just now going to sleep? It’s almost three.”
Graham lifted the glass to his lips and took a long sip. “I had work to do.”
“Did you find anything?”
He shook his head. “I can’t discuss the case with you, Mickey.”
“But you said earlier it was important to talk to me.” She ground her teeth together. It couldn’t hurt to tell her what he’d found out. Hell, it might even help him. No one knew Pete and Becca like she did.
“I needed to talk to you about what happened tonight, and you gave me some interesting insight. Beyond that, the only thing we can discuss is any information about Pete that you think might be helpful in finding him.”
“I don’t know what else—”
Bang!
Mickey jumped and threw herself at Graham. His strong arms circled around her back and pressed her tightly against his hard body. His lips pressed against her ear. “Shh…you’re fine. It was a car backfiring.”
She closed her eyes and pressed her forehead against his chest. The unsteady rhythm of her heart had as much to do with being so close to him as it did the damn car that scared her to death.
Small hairs tickled her skin and she took a deep breath, inhaling an intoxicating blend of spiced cloves and coffee.
She lifted her chin and found Graham’s eyes, dark with desire, shining down on her.
Her hair fell across her face, and his knuckles brushed it back, before his hand traveled to the back of her neck.
His fingers slid through her matted hair and rested at the back of her head.
His other hand pressed against the small of her back, molding her into him.
Tingling sensations danced in her belly and her nipples grew hard as they rested against his skin.
She bit into her bottom lip. Maybe she should stop this before it started, but the comfort he offered was tempting as hell.
Graham made the decision for her. He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.
A soft moan purred from her throat and she melted into him.
She parted her lips and his tongue invaded her mouth.
His tongue slid steadily over hers and the taste of him filled her senses.
Her arms circled around his neck and Graham’s hands dropped to her ass.
His palms settled on her bare cheeks exposed by her thong, branding her skin. Her eyes flew open.
She pulled back and pushed against his chest. What the hell was she doing? Agent Graham Grassi was the last man she should be kissing right now. Hell, she could barely tolerate the man. She struggled to get enough air in her lungs and calm the desire crashing over her.
Graham’s hands covered hers as they lingered on his chest. “What’s wrong?” His breath came out as ragged as hers.
She shook her head and kept her gaze locked on the floor. If she stared up at his sculpted jaw or broad shoulders, she wouldn’t stand a chance. “I know what you think of me,” she whispered.
Graham dropped his hands to his sides and took a step away from her. The distance was small, but it spoke volumes. She glanced up, and he rubbed a hand across his face. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have kissed you.”
“I shouldn’t have thrown myself at you because a car backfired,” she said with a smile, trying to ease the awkwardness.
He chuckled. “I don’t blame you for being jumpy. We both need some sleep.”
She nodded and turned toward her room. This day had gone from bad to worse to monumentally embarrassing. She wanted it to be over.
“And Mickey?”
She spun back toward him and her mouth went dry. She cleared her throat. “Yes?”
His lips hitched up on the corner. “Don’t let those backfiring cars scare you tonight. She had a key, remember? No need to make a bunch of noise to break back in.”
She rolled her eyes and fought to suppress a laugh. “That doesn’t make me feel better, G.I. Joe.” Turning back around, she walked toward her door. Realization struck her like lightning and she whipped around to face him. “Graham, did you guys go to Pete’s apartment today?”
“Shit,” Graham said. “No. We haven’t been able to find where he lives. Do you know where he lives?”
A grin spread across her mouth. “Even better. I’ve a copy of his key.”