“I’m trying to find your brother and clear this case. Why do we have to get bogged down with hurt feelings?”
“Sienna…”
“It was you who said it was just fun.”
“Are you going to tell me that you don’t feel it?”
“Feel what?”
“That buzz along the skin, the bond that’s forming.”
“It’s natural to form a bond. We have a common goal.”
“No,” he growled. “I’m talking about this. When I touch you, I want to be closer, know all your secrets.”
She sighed and rested against him. “Okay, you win. I feel it. Are you happy now?”
“That’s good to hear.” He leaned in close, his warm breath sending goose bumps all over her body. “I was afraid you didn’t care.”
She reached out her uninjured arm and cupped his cheek in her hand. “No. Don’t think that. I just need some time to assimilate this. I thought we’d be a one-night stand and it’s now much more than that.”
He smiled, clasping her around the waist. He helped her rise.
“I feel caught off guard, too. You’re not what I expected.”
He moved a little away from her but didn’t let go of her waist. “Are you scared of me?”
She leaned into him, and he smiled at her small concession. “A little. I’m not hiding behind my job. I love my job.”
“You’re good at your job,” he said, smoothing his hand over her hair. “Does this mean you wouldn’t want to move to the next level?”
“Right now, I’m so exhausted, I can’t think straight. Do we have to make any decisions about this now? I know that I want you and I’m not ready to let you go. Is that enough?”
“For now.”
When they got to her bedroom, he helped her to the bed. “No, I want to take a bath. I feel so dirty,” she said, looking up at him with pleading eyes.
“I’ll help you undress, and then…”
“You’re not leaving,” she said. “Not after that confession about how you feel about me.”
“You should rest.” He wasn’t made of stone, for God’s sake. If she didn’t stop looking at him like that, he wasn’t going to be able to leave.
“If you insist, but could you help me with my pants first?”
He gave her a wary look, but she just smiled at him. He gave in and walked into the bathroom with her. Reaching for the button on her pants, he released it and her slacks slid down her long, mouthwatering legs.
“All set?”
“Not quite,” she said, softly wrapping her arms around his neck. “I don’t want to bathe alone.”
“I’m trying to…”
“I know and you don’t have to.” She pulled his shirt out of the waistband of his jeans. “Take it off.”
When he complied, Sienna’s hands slid over his skin. Her hands on his chest felt like two fiery brands burning his skin. He was burning up with aching need.
Her hand moved down his torso, running over the ridges of muscles along his ribs down to the thick, seriated muscle of his abdomen.