Page 45 of Live a Little!

“Where are you?” But he already knew. He gritted his teeth and glared into the rearview mirror. She wasn’t hard to spot. She was right behind him, following in her sensible blue compact, sending him a cheery little wave. The car didn’t suit her at all; she should be driving a bad-girl black speed machine, suitable for driving a man insane. “Why aren’t you atwork?”

“I am. I’m helping you. Don’t fuss. I can’t let you go alone to a suspect’s apartment withoutbackup.”

He was touched as well as mildly amused that she thought he needed her to protect him. “So, you’re mybackup.”

“That’s right.” Something in her tone told him to leave it, so he did. “I told Agnes I had a dentist appointment. I’ll go in later and work extra hours to make up thetime.”

He could argue, he could rant, he could order her to turn around. But he knew it wouldn’t do a damn bit of good. “I could lose you in less than five minutes.” He eyed the next exit off I-5 and his gas-pedal foot started to itch. She might think she was protecting him by tagging along, but in fact, he’d just lose his concentration if she werearound.

“You wouldn’t be such aspoilsport.”

No. Unfortunately for him, he wouldn’t. He owed her too much. Something had changed between them last night and he didn’t think he could ever treat her quite the same. Besides, she was already late for work. Another hour wouldn’t changeanything.

Thoughts of Cynthia, him and an hour naturally led him in a certain direction. He hesitated a moment. His line was secure; so was hers. Traffic was slow, and they were both over twenty-one. He glanced back and she blew him a kiss. “What exactly are you going to do as mybackup?”

That laugh of hers channeled right to hiscojones,inspiring all kinds of lustful ideas. She seemed to catch right on to his mood. “What will I do? It seems to me—but you’re the expert, so put me straight if you need to—it seems to me that I’m here as your sidekick, to help and aid you in any waywhatsoever.”

“And in return? What do you expect of me, yourpartner?”

He tilted the rearview mirror so he could watch her as she settled back and shot him a provocative glance that scorched even through her front windshield and his rear one. “I want another night like last night. In fact, I want lots ofthem.”

Why was he not surprised the woman even used a telephone as a sex toy? “Great. Nightly stud service. Anythingelse?”

“Then there’s the daytime…” Her lustful sigh surprised a chuckle out ofhim.

The traffic was brought to a standstill for road construction, so he settled back in his seat to play her game for a few minutes. “What about thedaytime?”

“I have wants and needs. They aren’t always governed by theclock.”

She pushed her hair over her shoulder. He could swear he saw her chest rising and falling as her breathing quickened. He shifted in his seat, struggling to control his own breathing. “Ms. Baxter. Is it possible you’re trying to have phone sex with a federalagent?”

“I’m not sure. I never thought about it.” Her lips tilted. “Yes.”

“It’s only fair to warn you, we’re not supposed to have phone sex on thejob.”

“Ignoring the fact that you’re on stress leave, don’t you get a coffeebreak?”

“I suppose I could relax for a few minutes,” he admitted, thoroughly enjoying himself. He glanced at Cynthia again and wondered if she had any idea just how unrelaxed he was at thismoment.

“Now, let’ssee…”

There was a pause during which he imagined all kinds of wicked and wacky scenarios she might come up with, while nothing but silence came from the phone. “Still there?” he asked atlast.

“Yes.” She sounded hesitant. “It’s just that I’ve never had phone sex before. I’m not sure how tobegin.”

There she went again. One minute sexy vixen, next the innocent act. He just wished he could determine which onewasthe act. “Well, you’re doing somethingright.”

“What do youmean?”

“If you were with me, you’dunderstand.”

“You mean you’re,um…?”

“I’ve got a boner with your name on it, if that’s what you’re trying toask.”

She sighed as though he’d just whispered love words in her ear. Some innocent. She wanted dirty talk, he’d give it to her. “Do you know what I’m going to do with thisboner?”

In the rearview mirror he watched her shake her head before he heard her whispered, “No.”

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