I wrapped my fingers around his wrist, to hold him still or to pull him off, I

wasn’t sure. The flare of desire from earlier made a comeback, giving me something else to concentrate on. I tried to suck in some air, but he was too close. His uniquely male scent seeped under my skin, leaving trails of disturbing

heat in its wake. Nerve endings sparked, and my pulse began a heavy

anticipatory beat. Captured by the rising heat and awareness in his gaze, I couldn’t look away.

He leaned forward, and I met him halfway. Our first touch was tentative, as if

we were testing the waters. I had forgotten how warm and firm his lips were.

The brush of his goatee was a soft tease against my skin, layering my memories

with something new. My fingers on his wrist tightened, my other hand curling into his T-shirt, holding him captive.

He brushed his lips across mine. I followed his tantalizing lead. When he gently nipped my bottom lip, I opened on a gasp. As if he had been waiting for

the invite, he dove in. With devastating technique, he turned the questing kiss into a firestorm. His mouth taunted and teased, stoking my desire until it burned

away the ragged edges of my grief and seared through every nerve ending.

Memories combined with the present, drawing me deeper, until all the

reasons I shouldn’t be doing this faded away. Lost in the heat, I answered his every demand. Content to let him lead, I followed every nip, every lick, every stroke until he groaned. The sound spiraled through me, slowing me down.

My hands rose and cupped his face, the contrast between his warm skin and

the rasp of his goatee sent shivers cascading through me. I captured his bottom

lip in a delicate bite and drew back slightly to watch his eyes darkened and his

pupils dilate. I let go, only to soothe the spot with my tongue, before gently tracing the curving outline of his lips. I pulled him closer and sank into his mouth, his taste intoxicating, letting my tongue tease and taunt.

The sound of the electronic door lock being disengaged broke through the

sensual spell. “Yo, anyone home?” Tag’s voice rang down the short entry hall.

Kayden covered my hands with his, and pulled back slowly, resting his

forehead against mine. Our chests rose and fell in tandem. I closed my eyes as he

let go and moved away, leaving the couch to meet Tag. I needed to get my hormones back under control. Dear God, that man could kiss. My hand shook as I ran it over my tender lips.

Kayden was talking to Tag. “Where’s your bag?”

“Back at the car, I wanted to make sure you guys were here first.”

“Come on, let’s go grab it.” Kayden herded Tag back to the door.

Tag threw a look over Kayden’s shoulder, his eyes narrowing on me, then he

looked back at Kayden. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah. Let’s just give Cyn a minute.” Kayden didn’t let go of Tag’s arm as

they went back to the front door.

When the door closed behind them, I let out an unsteady breath. What was I

thinking? Letting Kayden back in wasn’t smart. I needed to be part of what brought Kelsey’s killer to justice and to do that I would need to prove my usefulness to their team. If I wanted to work with Tag and Kayden, I couldn’t afford to screw things up by messing around with Kayden.

The first time we came together we tiptoed around whatever it was growing between us. Both of us knew damn good and well, a unit functioned properly only as long as its members knew their roles. Initially, I thought he held back because pursuing it would blur those lines and jeopardize the mission. After what he shared in the ride over, I wondered if that was the real reason, or if what

I thought had been real was just another tactic to uncover a possible traitor.

Not that it mattered, not anymore.

I was honest enough to admit if this didn’t stop now, it wouldn’t be long before we ended up in a sweaty tangle of skin and sheets. According to my reawakened hormones, it would be a great short-term solution, but long term? It

would take more than I was willing to pay.

Disgust spiraled through me. What the hell was I doing worrying about a

non-existent relationship when there were other things I needed to face? My only

priority should be stopping Ellery. I might have failed Kelsey in life, but I sure as hell wasn’t going to fail her now.

Getting to my feet, I walked to the table where the file sat. I picked it up and

headed to the kitchen. Scrounging around, I found a notebook and a couple of pens shoved in a drawer. The door opened, and Kayden came down the hall with

Tag on his heels. Materials in hand, I stood in the entryway, watching them.

“We’ll throw our stuff in the room on the left, Cyn can have the one on the

right,” Kayden directed as he grabbed the two duffels by the couch.

“Kayden,” I called, stopping him from following Tag. “How much of this has

been cleaned?” I held up the file.

“It hasn’t.”

“Really? You’re actually going to share all the information with little ol’

me?” Sarcasm, it was the way of my people.

Shifting his grip on the duffels, he sighed. “I warned Delacourt that giving you partial information would be the wrong move.”