Page 67 of Midnight Secrets

With a huff I scooped her off the ground. “You’re not escaping. Not this time.” Throwing the locks, I turned the handle and opened the door.

My heart tripped at the cautious smile on Ozzie’s handsome face.

He held up a white plastic bag with the words “Thank You” printed on it in red. “I brought dinner. Can I come in?”

Dinner? After we agreed it was best to keep things on a professional level?

I cocked my head. “Why?”

He lowered the bag. “I talked to Chief Riggs. Or I should say, he talked to me. It was… enlightening.”

A spark of hope lit in my chest. “Really?”

“Really.” A slow, sexy smile spread over his face. “So, are you gonna let me in?”

My feet moved back without my permission, leaving enough space for him to enter. I guess I was.

“Thanks.” He stopped in front of me, just inches separating us.

I tipped my head back so I could see his face. A quick shiver of excitement raced through my veins, leaving me buzzing with anticipation. Once again, I marveled at how good it felt to have a man be so much taller than me. With his boots on, he topped out at close to six-foot-four. I was in my slippers and felt every inch of the six-inch height difference.

It was glorious.

“I hope you’re hungry.”

He meant the food, but the heat in his eyes as he stood so close added another meaning. One my body caught onto without missing a beat.

“What did you bring?” I forced myself to ask, instead of hopping up with my good foot to wrap my legs around him and fuse our mouths together. But I set Pebbles on the floor, so I’d be ready to do just that if the opportunity presented itself.

“Crab legs. From Kellerman’s.” His brow wrinkled. “You’re not allergic to shellfish, are you? That would be unfortunate, living up here.”

A smile crossed my face, the concern he showed only endearing him to me more. “No. I like crab legs.” I swayed closer, unable to stop myself. If he didn’t kiss me soon—even just as a hello—I’d do it for him.

“I’m glad.” He shifted nearer, his head lowering. “Do you think they’ll keep?”

The meaning of his whispered words registered a moment before his lips landed on mine.

With a soft thump and a rustle, the bag hit the floor. My feet left the wooden planks as Ozzie banded strong arms around my hips and lifted me against him.

All rationality fled. Even that part of me who protested so much just the other day knew this was an amazing idea.

But she had one last thing to say before she retreated, and that was to put away the food.

I wrenched my mouth away. “Grab that bag.”

The cutest look of confusion crossed his face before he remembered the food he’d brought. It did my ego good to know I could make a man forget everything with just a kiss.

“Right.” He lowered me to the floor, sliding me down his tall frame.

My thoughts scattered with the friction. That needed to happen when we were naked.

Leaning to the side, he shooed Pebbles away from the bag and hooked the handles, then straightened. “Lead the way.”

Swallowing hard, I tamped down the urge to forget all about preserving our dinner and spun around. I drew in a breath through my nose and told my body to cool it. It would get what it wanted, but it needed to have a little patience.

Ozzie followed me into the kitchen. So did Pebbles, her tiny claws tapping softly on the wooden floor. Silently, I opened the refrigerator door. He set the bag inside.

The door handle was barely out of my hand as I closed it when he scooped me up again.

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