Pete’s heart dropped to his stomach and he squatted in front of her, taking both her hands in his just as her first tear coursed down her cheek. “Don’t cry. Nikki, it’ll be all right,” he whispered.
Before he realised what he was doing, Pete straightened, pulling her to her feet and into his arms. Fitting her against him was natural—even if only for comfort.
Nikki wrapped her arms around him without hesitation and buried her face against his neck. She sniffled. Her warm breath tickled the skin above the collar of his button-down and a tremor shot down his spine.
He rubbed her back in large circles. Warning bells went off in his head, but he ignored them, even though he was holding her more like a lover than a witness. Close. Inappropriate.
She lifted her head and their gazes locked.
Pete promptly slipped into her wide brown eyes. Liquid mocha.
She swallowed and he wanted to kiss her throat.
His eyes slid to her mouth. Plump. Inviting.
Pete needed to taste her. Right. Now.
He bent his head down.
Nikki’s lips parted, that pink tongue making another appearance. But she didn’t pull away. If anything, she tilted her face up. Moved closer.
Pete’s warning bells blared into full-blown tornado sirens, but when Nikki closed her eyes and brushed her mouth against his, he soundproofed his conscience and took her mouth.
Sweet. Damn, she was sweet. Ripe raspberries or something sugary. More.
Deepening the kiss, he pulled her even closer, aware of the tightening in his jeans and how his cock throbbed as her pelvis rubbed his. He rocked on his heels as Nikki wove her arms around his neck and kissed him harder. Their tongues duelled and danced, both of them pushing and pulling, giving and taking control. Sliding his hands down her back, he followed the curve of her shapely firm bottom, squeezing and kneading.
“Pete, we’re pretty much wrapped up. Neil said you can expect his report—”
Jared’s voice jolted him and Pete tore his mouth off Nikki’s. He met the guy’s dark eyes. The younger detective’s brows were arched as high as they could go. He froze in the doorway, one hand on the frame as if he had to brace himself.
It took all Pete was made of not to shove her away from him. Like they’d been caught doing something wrong.
You kissed her, idiot. Very wrong.
He ignored the voice that piped in with how she’d actually closed the distance between their mouths. Nikki had answered his first move.
Doesn’t matter. Still wrong. She’s a witness. Not to mention a co-worker. Your boss’s assistant.
Nikki slid from his arms and swiped at her damp cheeks. They were tinged pink, her lovely lips kiss-swollen, her loose red locks mussed. She averted her gaze, but she couldn’t seem to look at Jared either.
She’d kissed him. Kissed him. Why hadn’t she pulled away? Had she enjoyed it as much as he had?
Pete ignored his train of thought and cleared his throat. Banished her taste from his mind. Ignored how he could still feel her mouth against his. “Are you all right?” Forcing words out, he grabbed her hand and she glanced back at him. Touching her only made him want to drag her back into his arms and taste her again. Hold her. Then take her home. Keep her with him. For her own safety, of course.
She nodded. “I should go check on Gram.”
“We need to get to the hospital,” Jared said, taking his blue booties off.
“Yeah. We…need to go,” Pete croaked.
Nikki nodded, her teeth sinking into that full bottom lip.
He bit back a groan and jerked his eyes away. Unprofessional loser.
“Did you get everything you needed?” Nikki asked. Her voice was steady. She’d pulled herself together admirably.
Which is more than you can say for yourself. Grow a pair, will ya?
Jared snorted, but Pete disregarded him.
No. “Yes. Take care of your grandma. If you need anything, you call me, okay?” Pete said, clearing his throat.
“I will. Have a good night,” Nikki whispered.
After muttering an appropriate farewell, Pete couldn’t unglue his eyes from her hips swaying gently as she disappeared down the hallway.
Jared punched him in the arm.
Glaring, Pete jumped, but amusement flashed across the other detective’s eyes.
“Did you get everything you needed?” Jared asked, smirking.
At least there was no judgement in the guy’s expression. Damn good thing Jared didn’t have the balls to mention what he’d witnessed. Hell, knowing Jared, he thought they were already screwing.
Pete wasn’t about to confirm or deny.
“Shut up.”
Crossing Forces series:
Small Town Texas doesn't always mean small time crime.
Welcome to Antioch, population fifty thousand.
With a police department full of detectives and officers who are good at what they do, throw in the occasional FBI agent, and the bad guy doesn't have a shot, no matter how big the crime.
Welcome to Antioch, population fifty thousand.
With a police department full of detectives and officers who are good at what they do, throw in the occasional FBI agent, and the bad guy doesn't have a shot, no matter how big the crime.
They work together and fight together. Relationships will be forged and changed along the twists and turns.
When fate intervenes, love and happiness can be found in unlikely places.
Crossing Forces by C.A. Szarek
This is book two in the Crossing Forces series
Vowing to protect her had nothing to do with feelings.
Detective Pete Crane catches a new shooting case and considers it business-as-usual. But when the lead witness is the Chief of Police’s fiery assistant, he never anticipated she’d challenge him—personally and professionally. Especially while under his protection.
Little do they know, the shooting she and her grandmother witnessed was anything but random.
Thrown together, their attraction sizzles, even though she’s squarely in the no-fly zone. She makes him break every rule in his little black book.
Nikki Harper has been attracted to Pete since they met two years ago. Witnessing a brutal shooting throws her into a stigma that’s always been her greatest fear—a victim. She has no choice but to accept his protective custody and let him help save her and her beloved grandmother.
Can Pete protect his witness and solve the case, while fighting the intense heat with Nikki?
Genre – Romantic Suspense
Rating – R
More details about the author
1 comments:
Thanx for having me today!!
Post a Comment