Temperature's Rising (28 page)

“Slow, now.”

She shook her head. “No, I need you to touch me.

Please, Conor. I can’t stand any more.” She forced her brain to focus on the house just across the way. “See?

Nothing going on. We don’t have to stop.” In one motion, he laid her on the bearskin rug. Still standing above her, he said, “I’m not stopping, baby. Hell, I’m just getting started.” He stepped the rest of the way out of his briefs and pants, kicking them aside.

Not stopping was a good thing. She wouldn’t have to be committed to a state institution for sexually starved women after all.

Her gaze moved over his body. She was staring and she didn’t care. Good lord, he was magnificent in all his naked glory. “I want to taste every inch of you.” His pupils dilated and there was a slight tremble in his hands as he knelt beside her. Had she really said the words out loud? It didn’t matter. Sex wasn’t just about her enjoyment, but his as well. Okay, so maybe the idea of tasting him caused a ripple of pleasure to chase down her spine.

“You’re beautiful,” he said, drawing her attention away from his tanned torso and back to his face.

“I run.” Now that was a really brilliant thing to say.

“I know.”

“You are, too. Beautiful, I mean.” He was on his side, facing her, and she couldn’t resist circling her finger around his areola before tasting the nipple. She turned on her side and leaned forward, taking him into her mouth.

His nipple tightened in response and she heard him draw TEMPERATURE’S RISING

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in a sharp breath. She sucked, laving her tongue across the hard nub. He hugged her tight, moaning.

A feeling of power swept over her. Conor had been in control of the whole operation, at least as much as she’d let him, but now she felt as if she was the one in charge.

“Do you know how many times I’ve envisioned you lying on this rug, just as you are, completely naked?”

“No more than I have you.” He gasped when she moved her hand downward and stroked her fingers over his hard length.

Before she could revel too much in her power, he reci-procated and began caressing her between her legs. Because he’d taken her so close to the edge, her body betrayed her by immediately responding. Not that she really cared. She closed her eyes, continuing her assault on his body as well.

“I don’t think I can hold off any longer,” he whispered and grabbed a condom from his pocket.

She smiled when he fumbled with the foil packet. She loved knowing that he’d been taken to the edge as well.

He rolled the condom on before moving between her legs, easing into her.

“God, you’re wet and so damned tight,” he said.

He slid deeper. She wrapped her legs around his waist and clenched her inner muscles around his heat. He began to move slowly. She arched toward him, savoring the fullness of him inside her.

His movements increased. She closed her eyes and threw her head back. He thrust in deep and slid almost all the way out. Then again and again. Fire burned inside her and coursed over her, washing her in a hazy, erotic dream world, except she wasn’t asleep and Conor was moving faster and faster.

When she thought she could stand no more, lights exploded around her. She cried out, her body tightening as 242

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the orgasm gripped her. She only vaguely heard Conor’s cry as he arched toward her. He slumped forward, then apparently realized he was still on top of her and rolled to his side.

The simple act of drawing in enough air so she didn’t suffocate was almost too much trouble. If she died now, she knew it wouldn’t get better than this. She closed her eyes and let her body settle back to earth, and as it did, realization sank in.

“You still alive?” she finally managed to ask.

“I think so.”

“Have you ever had sex like this before?”

“Never.”

“Me, either.” She hesitated. “I don’t want to get involved with a cop. I told you that from the very begin-ning.”

“I think I mentioned I wasn’t into long-term relationships.”

“This is going to get complicated.”

“I think it already has.”

How could she have been so stupid? A relationship wouldn’t work between them. It just couldn’t. He was a cop. When this was over he would go back to the streets or another undercover operation. She would merrily sell real estate. They’d probably never cross paths again.

She raised her chin and turned her head toward him.

“This can’t happen again.” When she turned on her side to make sure he understood exactly what she meant, her breasts brushed across the hairs on his chest. Instantly her nipples sprang to life.

He glanced down. “Never is an awfully long time,” he told her.

“Nevertheless, you do know why we’ve got to end whatever is happening here and now.” He ran a hand over her shoulder and she cursed the tingles that followed in the wake of his touch.

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“I know what we should do. I know it as well as I know my name.” His gaze roamed over her body. “But it’s going to be damned hard to tell my brain one thing when my body wants to do the exact opposite.” She understood the feeling. “It doesn’t matter. We have to be strong.” With what little strength she had left to muster, Jessica stood and walked away. Only she knew how much of an effort it took or how damned bad her legs trembled from the effort.

She went up the stairs and down the hall to the shower, but the cool spray couldn’t wash away his touch or the lingering smell of his skin.

It couldn’t wash away what she was feeling, either.

Damn, this wasn’t supposed to happen. She shouldn’t feel this horrible sense of loss or that she was totally screwing up her life.

She wasn’t meant to be a cop, any more than she was meant to have a relationship with one.

Chapter 18

“Idon’t like leaving you here alone,” Conor said.

“Your father said there were some new develop-ments and he wanted me down at the station.” Jessica knew he thought she’d get into some kind of jam. And why wouldn’t he think she was incompetent?

Especially since she’d told him how she’d let an arsonist get away so she could free a goat.

Then set about seducing Conor.

He’d made the first move the second time, though.

Like that exonerated her. She was making excuses. She didn’t like that in other people and she damn well didn’t like it in herself. She’d been making mistakes . . . period.

Who could forget the infamous tape she’d stolen? Or Barry nearly catching her red-handed?

Well, she wouldn’t screw up again, even if it killed her.

“I’ll be all right,” she assured him. He still didn’t look convinced.

“It’s different now. We’ve made contact.” He began pacing, then stopped and looked at her, a worried frown wrinkling his brow. “What if Barry comes over?”

“I won’t answer the door. Even if the house catches on TEMPERATURE’S RISING

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fire, I won’t step one foot out the door. I’ll stay close to the window and keep watch. I’ll even call you if they leave. I know what to do. I can take care of myself.” How many times did she have to try to explain she really could take care of herself if push came to shove?

“Promise you won’t do anything,” he pleaded, finally relenting.

“Scout’s honor.”

He looked dubious. “You were a Girl Scout?”

“Why do you think I went into real estate? I’ll have you know I sold more cookies than anyone in my troop.” Of course, she also had more relatives than anyone in her troop, too. And what neighbor would say no to a cute kid selling cookies, especially when her father and at least half her other relatives were cops, paramedics, or in the fire department. Nope, they weren’t about to take any chances upsetting
her
relatives.

“Well, this isn’t the Girl Scouts. Don’t open the door—for anyone.”

“I’ll be okay. Go.”

She walked with him to the door and shut it behind him, reaching toward the lock.

“Don’t forget to lock it,” he said from the other side.

“Give me a chance and I will,” she mumbled, shaking her head. She turned the lock. It clicked loud enough for him to hear.

When she heard footsteps walking away, she sighed with relief. All of two seconds passed before she gave in to temptation and pulled back the curtain and watched him climb into his car. Damn it, he wasn’t out of sight and she already missed him. She didn’t move from her spot for a good three minutes, then sighed deeply when she turned away.

The coast was clear. Time to get busy. Lord, she was going to hell for lying.

She hurried to the phone. If the suspects did make 246

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their move tonight, as Conor believed, Jessica had a feeling he wouldn’t let her go with him. She picked up the phone in the hall and quickly punched in some numbers.

It rang twice before it was answered.

“Hello?”

“Mike, this is Jessica. I need you to bring me a few things.”

“This is my day off,” he whined.

“Please . . .”

“Jessica . . .”

“Pretty please?”

Her cousin groaned. “Okay, okay. What do you want?

And it better be legal this time.” She quickly gave him a list of what she’d need, but before she hung up, she asked him one more favor. “You still have your motorcycle, don’t you?” Silence.

“Mike?”

“No, not my motorcycle.”

She frowned. “What’s the matter? Don’t you trust me with your toy?”

“It’s not a toy!”

Oops. She’d forgotten how much the shiny red bike meant to him, but it wasn’t like it was a monster Harley or anything. It was a Honda 233cc Rebel. Apparently marriage hadn’t mellowed him when it came to his bike. But she did want to borrow it, so she’d be nice.

“I know it’s not a plaything. I promise to be very careful, but I do need it. Besides, you taught me to ride it. The least you can do is loan it to me.” Silence.

“This isn’t some scheme to get even, is it? I was only getting you back for the Saran wrap on the toilet seats.

That was really low, even for you.”

“Yeah, I know.” She grinned. “That was a good one, but no, I’m not trying to get even. I’ll take really good care TEMPERATURE’S RISING

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of your bi . . . motorcycle. I won’t put a dent or scratch on it. Swear, but right now I really need to use your bike.

Please, cuz.”

“That’s not fair, Jessica. You’re using that same tone of voice that always got me into trouble when we were growing up.”

“Then you’ll let me borrow it?” There was a few seconds of silence before he spoke.

“If you put one teeny-tiny dent on it, I’ll hang your hide on the side of a building.”

“Thanks, cuz.”

“By the way, how’s the stakeout going?”

“Great . . . well, at least not bad . . . except for a couple of minor incidents.” She cringed. Mentioning her screw-ups would serve no purpose—so she didn’t.

They talked for a few more minutes before hanging up. She sauntered into the living room and glanced toward the suspects’ house. At least she’d be prepared if Conor turned stubborn, and what he didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him. She might not even need the bike.

Barry walked out the front door. She held her breath, but he only lit a cigarette and stood on the front porch to smoke it. He glanced once toward their house, but she kept herself hidden behind the curtain and silently prayed he wouldn’t decide to drop by for a visit.

When he finished his smoke and thumped it in the grass, then went inside, she thought she’d at least feel relieved. She frowned. It had been more like disappointment. She hadn’t realized just how ready she was for a little action.

“Yom-da-da-da-da,” she chanted under her breath.

Peace and inner tranquility were what she was striving for. Not guns and action. She wanted to be a lady and sell real estate. She didn’t want to be a cop. Stability would make her happy. At least, she thought that was what she wanted. She wasn’t quite as positive as she once was.

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*

*

*

Conor walked into the police station with purposeful strides and went straight to the chief ’s office. Gloria glanced up as he entered.

“Joe’s been expecting you.”

“I left as soon as he called.”

A mischievous gleam sparkled in her eyes. “You and Jess getting along?”

Heat crawled up his face. “She can be stubborn at times.” He certainly wasn’t going to tell her exactly how well they were getting along.

“But she’s cute and funny, too,” Gloria said, pushing for more.

This wasn’t the time or place to start a conversation about his relationship with Jessica. He wasn’t sure there ever would be a time or a place.

For reasons he wasn’t quite sure about, he didn’t want to talk about what was going on between them. If there even
was
anything substantial. And if there was . . . well, it could be worse. At least he hadn’t noticed her stealing anything the one time they went shopping.

When he didn’t answer, Gloria’s smile widened. “I guess Joe was right, for once,” she murmured. “Go on in.” She motioned for him to enter and went back to her paperwork.

It wouldn’t do any good trying to convince any of the Nelsons there was nothing serious between him and Jessica. He’d already figured out they were a stubborn bunch. It was better to just let the matter drop.

Conor rapped his knuckles on the door before he went inside.

“Record time,” the chief said as he looked up from the papers littering his desk.

“You sounded like whatever you were going to say was important.”

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The chief motioned for him to take a seat. He cautiously sat in the chair across from the chief ’s desk.

Had the chief found out about him and Jessica getting intimate? No, he didn’t think that was something Jessica would discuss with her father. Or any other family member, for that matter.

“The case is closed.” The chief shut a file he’d been looking at and smiled.

“Excuse me?” What was he talking about? The case wasn’t closed. How could it be?

“You heard right. We caught the burglars an hour ago.