Chapter 2 #3
Ferro moved to block her view of the map with his compact muscular body.
“We are investigating, Ms. Castanega. As you can see.” His words grated out.
“But I cannot discuss the details of the case at this time.” This didn’t make sense.
He was dismissing her, yet he knew about the murders.
Why wasn’t he asking her questions? “Thank you for your concern,” he said.
“I’m sure it took a lot of courage for you to come here.
” He looked beyond her. “Escort her out.”
Okay, that was a dismissal. Kade put a hand on her back to guide her out the door.
The prickles that zinged through her at his touch were as odd as what she’d felt when their eyes had met.
She involuntarily jerked away from that electric touch.
He grabbed her arms and shoved her face-first to the wall, pinning her wrists with his iron-grip hands.
“No more fast moves,” he said, his voice a growl in her ear. “Or I’ll remove you from the premises bodily.”
Bodily. Which meant, his hands on her body, carrying her right out of there.
The idea crackled across her skin like the heat flush she got when she had to go into the alligator pens.
Except Kade smelled a hell of a lot better.
And she knew that firsthand, since all of his hard, muscular body was plastered against hers.
Which should piss her off, not make her want to spin in his arms and test him on that bodily thing.
Fortunately, she couldn’t budge an inch, squashing that insane temptation.
“Going for another cheap thrill?” she rasped, her cheek mashed against the wall.
“What?”
She lowered her voice to a near whisper and turned to look at him. “You grabbed my boob on our last tussle.”
“That wasn’t purposeful, and you know it. Come on, you think I need to cop a feel on a suspect to get off?”
No, she supposed not when he looked like that.
Arrogant son of a bitch. “It wasn’t just an accidental brush.
You lingered. And spread your hand to cover more area.
” In her peripheral vision, she sensed other officers at the ready, but Kade’s body heat enveloped her, overwhelmed her senses—and had her Dragon panting.
He kept his voice low, too, his mouth close to her ear. “Interesting how you’d remember every nuance of it. You must have enjoyed it.”
She bucked, anger pulsing through her. “I should have reported you, for all the good that would have done.” Wait, was this exciting him? Ignoring the odd sense of triumph, she said, “Mmm, seems like you’re enjoying this.”
“It’s just an adrenaline reaction from a potential altercation with a troublesome Dragon.”
“If you say so. I was only moving away from you. I don’t like being touched. If I promise to be a good girl, will you let me go?”
The mist in his eyes swirled provocatively. “Can you be a good girl?”
“Try me.” She shifted her eyes to the group of officers behind him. “After all, you have plenty of backup.”
A spark of playful challenge lit his eyes. “Oh, baby, I don’t need backup.”
What were they talking about? Oh, Heathe, Dragon goddess of sensuality, were they flirting? No. Not possible. Why was heat throbbing through her body then? Why was her Dragon shivering with a lust she hadn’t felt in forever?
Enemy! I know it’s been awhile, and then only with boring ole Mundanes, but really. Have some self-respect, beast!
“I’ll be a good girl,” she said, forcing contriteness into her voice.
“Mm. We’ll see about that.” Kade released her, and she rubbed her shoulders where he’d held them. “I can find my own way out.”
“Sorry, policy.” His fingers settled on her mid-back again as he guided her toward the door. “I have to escort you.”
She heard someone whisper, “Wouldn’t want her to go bat-shit crazy in here.”
“Hah-hah. You mean Dragon-shit crazy.”
Her mouth tightened in response, the only one she would show.
Another man murmured, “Kade said she’s as nuts as the rest of the Fringers. I wouldn’t mind her going nuts on me.”
Several men chuckled, the thick sound of innuendo charging their laughter.
Kade lifted his hands, not looking the least bit contrite. “You did go crazy. Jumped me, tore a chunk of my hair out.”
“You were beating my brother to a pulp.”
“He deserved it. I came to arrest him. He should have gone peacefully. Instead he Catalyzed and went all scales and fangs on me.”
She swallowed back the angry things she wanted to say as the memory of that terrible day returned. She eyed the fine line that ran through Kade’s right eyebrow and across his temple. “Nice scar.”
He paused at the door that led out to the reception area, drawing his finger across it. “Yes, it is. Scars are a badge of honor in the Guard. Arlo did me a favor.” He arched that eyebrow. “And the ladies like it. Gives me a dangerous look.”
“How’d that shiner work for you? Did that make you look mad, bad, and dangerous too?”
A broad shouldered man with dark cold eyes hovered nearby, amusement on his face. “Kavanaugh, you didn’t tell us this little girl gave you that shiner.” His taunting gaze remained in place as it shifted to Kade. “You must be getting soft.”
Now it was Kade’s mouth that tightened into a line.
Why the hell she had the insane urge to defend him, to say that he’d fought … well, like a tiger, she had no idea. No, take satisfaction at humbling him in front of his colleagues. And umbrage at the Wesley guy calling her “little.” Not at five-foot-seven.
Get me out of here. She turned the door handle.
It wouldn’t move. Damn.
“Allow me.” Kade leaned close, pressing a series of buttons and pushing the door open for her.
She gave him a look that, while it may not kill, hopefully would singe him. Except, no … he gave her a bemused half smile. She stalked out. Behind her, she heard the muffled laughter of the people who had no doubt heard every word of their exchange.