blood singing in her veins. And her pulse pounding furiously in her ears.
Thad knew he’d crossed a line, both personal and professional, and yet he couldn’t seem to stop. He needed, desperately, one more taste of her, one more touch. And so he lingered over her lips, struggling with an almost overwhelming desire to take her, here and now.
Even while the thought formed, he dismissed it as the cravings of a demented fool. Ever so slowly he lifted his head and watched as she struggled to compose herself.
Her eyes snapped open. Her lips, those soft, perfect lips, looked moist and swollen, still bearing the imprint of his. For some reason he couldn’t fathom, that pleased him enormously.
“I’d like to say I’m sorry.” He was surprised at how dry his throat felt. “But that would be a lie.”
“All right. As long as we’re being honest, I’d like to say I hate you for this.” She could barely get the words out over the pressure in her throat. Her heart was still pumping furiously, her mind still clouded. “But I’m as much to blame as you.”
“Well, then.” He laid his palm against her cheek and saw her eyes go wide again. His smile was slow in coming, but when it did, it changed all his features. “Next time I’ll let you kiss me first. Then we’ll be even.”
“Gee, thanks.” But there was no anger in her tone. Only a hint of humor. She couldn’t believe the change in him when he smiled. Those icy blue eyes warmed and heated. His mouth, so often set in hard tight lines, looked surprisingly soft. And there was a cleft in his chin she hadn’t noticed before.
“You’re welcome.” Feeling stronger now, he took a step back, breaking contact.
He handed her the book. “I think this is what started all of that.”
“Yes.” She closed her hands around it, holding on to it like a lifeline, wondering if her heartbeat would ever return to normal.
He grinned. “My pleasure. If you ever need any more help reaching and fetching, just let me know.”
They both looked up at the sound of footsteps. Joe stepped into his office and crossed to his desk. “Thad. I guess this means the cameras are installed?”
“Yeah. I thought I’d show you how to operate this monitor.”
Heather remained where she was as Thad strolled to Joe’s desk and the two men went over the controls.
After a few minutes Joe looked over at her. “You’d better learn these, too, sweetheart. As long as you’ll be living here, you have to learn how to operate the security system.”
“Yes, of course.” She walked closer and was forced to endure the closeness of Thad’s body as he explained the controls.
Each time he leaned forward to turn on another switch, she felt the sizzle of heat along her spine. And wondered if he felt it, too.
She chanced a quick glance at his face. He winked, and she felt her cheeks flame.
Finally, when she was certain she couldn’t possibly endure being this close to him for another moment, he stepped back. “I think you’ve both got the hang of it.”
“Well, if we have any questions, we’ll know where to find you.” Joe began sorting through the mail on his desk, which Heather had already opened and stacked. He looked up as a thought occurred. “How about staying for dinner, Thad?”
“Sorry. I can’t. I have…commitments.”
“Okay. Maybe another time.”
“Sure.” Thad glanced at his watch, then started toward the door. “Sorry. I’ve got to run.”
“Thanks for taking care of this, Thad. It’s much appreciated.”
Thad paused at the door and turned with a grin. “Don’t say that until you get my bill. The Prosperino P.D. only pays me when I’m on duty. What I do for you goes on your tab.”
Joe threw back his head and roared. “You’re worth twice what you’re charging me.”
Thad grinned. “Now you tell me.”
Joe waved a hand. “Will I see you tomorrow?”
“Yeah. But be warned. I’m going to be bringing you a list of security measures I think you should add.”
“I’ve told you, Thad. I think the new cameras are enough.”
“And I told you, not by a long shot. They’re nothing but a stopgap measure. You ought to employ a security team until the shooter is behind bars.”
“Uh-huh.” Joe smiled. “See you tomorrow.”
“Yeah.” Thad shot a quick glance at Heather, standing beside her uncle’s desk.
At once she felt the heat rise to her cheeks.
As the door closed behind him, she settled down to the computer and began scrolling until she found the figures she was searching for. But as she stared at the screen, the numbers blurred and she found herself replaying in her mind the kiss they’d shared.
She’d been kissed dozens of times. Hundreds. But she had never in her life felt anything that even came close to what she’d experienced with Thad Law.
What was happening here? She’d always considered herself a calm, intelligent, sensible woman. And yet, in the space of a single day, she felt as though her life had tilted at some crazy angle. As though she’d been caught up in something completely out of her realm of experience and totally out of her control.
Maybe it was just because Thad Law was unlike any of the men she’d ever known. Most of them were smooth-as-silk members of her family’s country club, with a string of degrees after their names, eager to marry well and move up the corporate ladder. Most of them saw her as the perfect corporate wife.
Thad Law was about as far removed from that as a man could be. Tough talking, rough around the edges and completely unconcerned about how he appeared to others. But she had the sense that he was a man who would finish whatever he started, to the best of his ability, come hell or high water. Maybe that was why he so intrigued her. He appeared to be that rarest of all breeds—a man of integrity.
And though it galled her to admit it, even to herself, she couldn’t wait to see him again.
Three
The normally blue sky had turned to dull gunmetal gray. The sun had taken refuge behind dark clouds that gathered and thickened.
The family began drifting into the dining room. Heather stood with nine-year-old Joe, Jr., and seven-year-old Teddy, teasing them about the gloomy weather.
“Don’t worry,” Heather laughed. “You know what the song says. The sun’ll come out tomorrow.”
Both boys groaned and gave matching pained expressions before dissolving in laughter.
Their laughter faded when their mother entered. It was clear to see that she was
