Page 89 of Spring L.A.W.
Joell’s eyes grew large as the undercover cop stripped in front of her. His eyes never strayed from hers. Most women would turn away to offer the man some privacy, but not this witch. His falling breeches revealed a gun strapped to his thigh.
“I wondered where you hid that thing.”
He glanced down at his torso. “Which thing would that be?” The grin forming on his face showed he knew damn well what she was talking about, but his question focused attention on his other… er, thing. To Crowe’s amazement, her face reddened, and her gaze dropped to her lap while Rick quietly removed his weapon—the one with the strap—and set it on the floor.
Wearing only his underwear, socks, and unbuttoned shirt, he sat next to her and cupped her chin. “Who hurt you?”
“Pardon me?”
“Someone must have done a number on you. Women aren’t usually so defensive unless they’ve had to defend themselves.”
She shrugged. “I guess I’ve always had to defend myself because I’ve always been a little bit different. It doesn’t even matter if you’re different in a good way. Some people find it threatening and try to make you feel like a freak.”
“They’re jealous of you.”
“Maybe.”
“There’s no ‘maybe’ about it. Look at you. You’re strong, smart, and deliciously sexy. There are plenty of women with fine qualities, but how many have the whole package like you do?Very few. How many would like to have it? All of them. Trust me, they’re jealous.”
She looked into his eyes and held his gaze until he leaned in. It was apparent he meant to kiss her. Crowe knew his witch would never allow that. She’s far too professional to get involved with a man while work?—
Hey! She’s not only letting him kiss her, but she’s kissing him back! What the? Okay, Crowe. Breathe. Just breathe. The world is all topsy-turvy this week. It’s got to be those hormones they talk about. That’s why the guy was called in to help, remember? The babes aren’t themselves right now. So, what’s his excuse?
Crowe checked out the bulge in his tighty-whities, and that answered his question. He could have been hiding a gun in there too, but it was no little derringer!
Before anyone knew it, they were breathing heavily and rolling all over each other, trying to get skin to skin as fast as possible. Crowe had to jump out of the bag and up onto the dresser to avoid getting smooshed!
What’s the matter with these two? Don’t they remember they have a job to do? Are they going to blow their only lead by blowing each other and screwing away the afternoon?
At last, Joell came to her senses. “Wait! This has to wait.”!
Oh, thank the Goddess!
Rick groaned, then kissed the hair over her neck and whispered, “You’re right. As much as I hate for this to end, we have to get going.”
“You can’t takeyour cat on my Harley.”
“Why not?”
“Are you serious?” Rick stood with his feet planted firmly in front of the revolving door leading from the hotel lobby to the street. He clutched two motorcycle helmets.
What’s his problem?Crowe thought.Is he worried because he doesn’t have one for me? Hell, stick an empty can of tuna on my head, and I’ll be fine.
“I’m barely all right with you riding behind me in a dress.”
Joell twisted her long, brown hair into a knot at the back of her neck. “Crowe goes where I go.”
Crowe jumped up onto the seat.
Rick looked at the ceiling as if mentally telling the creator that a gigantic mistake had been made when he’d given this woman free will. “And where is he going to sit?”
“He’ll be tucked in my Louis Vuitton, as always.”
“Oh, give me a break. You’re not the least bit concerned that he’ll have a hissy fit and jump right into New York City traffic?”
Joell patted Crowe on the head and whispered in his ear, “He obviously doesn’t know how special you are. Let’s show him.”
She opened her bag, and Crowe jumped in, letting her zip it partway. He stuck his head out to show Detective Know-it-all how perfectly comfy he was.Hissy fit, indeed!Like he’d ever stoop to such indecorous behavior.
