“Rhys.”
“Damn, I love it when you purr my name like that.” He bit her neck.
Haven undulated, desire coiling low in her belly.
Then someone wolf whistled, and Rhys froze. She stilled too, heat hitting her cheeks.
Then she shoved at his chest.
Oh, God. Sense steamrolled back into her head. Kissing Rhys Norcross while trapped in a warehouse. Then mauling him against a car on the street. What was she thinking?
She shoved her skirt down, pressed her hands to her cheeks. “God.”
“Haven—”
“You make me lose my mind.”
He shot her a cocky grin. “I like that.”
“No!” She shook her head. “I told you that we can’t do this.”
There was fear in her belly now. It would be far too easy to fall for him. Way too easy.
He cupped her cheek. “Angel, stop thinking so hard. Just enjoy the ride.”
His words were ice in her veins. Right. Because Rhys loved a good, fast ride.
She stepped away from him, and saw him frown. “I’m not interested in being another notch on your bed post, Rhys.”
He stilled. “What?”
“You have a reputation. A colorful one. You’re a player.”
His gaze narrowed. “I am not a player. I don’t make promises that I can’t keep. I’m upfront with women.”
She hated thinking of all those women—women who’d touched him, kissed him.
And were now probably nursing their broken hearts, and drinking too much to drown the sorrow of not getting the hotness of Rhys Norcross in their bed again.
“So, you give them a ride and then you’re done with them.” She shook her head. “That’s not for me.”
“This is what you think of me?” His low tone sent a shiver up her spine.
“You’re an adrenaline junkie, always looking for the next adventure,” she said. “Fast cars, boats, women. Even your job is dangerous. You’re always looking for the edge, and once you conquer one thing—” one woman “—you’re looking for the next.” That wasn’t her. She couldn’t just be a plaything to him.
His eyes darkened. “You know what, I’m thinking I was actually lucky that you were avoiding me.”
His angry words hit her like barbs, and she swallowed the growing lump in her throat.
He swiveled on his boot and bleeped the locks to the SUV. “Get in the car, Haven.”
He stalked around to the driver’s seat.
Haven felt a little sick now. No, this was for the best. She bit her lip and got in.
Rhys waited until she’d buckled her seatbelt, then he revved the engine and they pulled off. He drove fast, but with an air of competence.
As they took a corner, Haven braced her hand on the door. He whipped through traffic. The silence in the vehicle was thick and uncomfortable.
Before she knew it, he jerked to a stop in front of her apartment building.
“Stay inside. No more traipsing around the city playing detective.” He didn’t look at her, just stared straight ahead. “Your apartment has an alarm?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“You get inside, you make sure your doors are locked and your alarm is on. Vander or somebody else from Norcross will be in touch about the guy who tried to grab you. Let you know when it’s safe to go out.”
Clearly that wasn’t going to be him. She felt like a rock had settled in her chest. “Rhys—”
“Get inside, Haven.”
She hesitated.
He banged a palm against the steering wheel. “Go!”
Haven flew out of the car and raced into her apartment building.
This was what she’d wanted, to protect herself from Rhys.
So why the hell was she crying? She dashed the tears away from her cheeks and headed up to her empty apartment.
Chapter Six
He slammed into the Norcross office and stomped to his office. Rhys was pissed as hell with Haven.
For months he’d wanted her, thought she was smart, sexy, sweet.
All that time, she’d thought he was an asshole. He knew people talked about him. Hell, half of what they said was pure fabrication. And the other half… He dropped into his chair. Well, he wasn’t going to apologize for being a single man with a healthy sex drive.
He logged onto his laptop. He had work to do. Whatever was between him and Haven didn’t affect his investigation.
He did some searches on the warehouse, his temper calming after a while. Hmm, it was owned by a string of shell companies. He’d need Ace Oliveira, Norcross’ tech guru, to take a look.
Shit, he’d also ask Ace to tie into Haven’s alarm system and keep an eye on her place.
“Hey.”
Rhys looked up at Vander. “Hey.”
“Anything new?” his brother asked.
“Got a lead from an informant. Checked the warehouse. It’s being used to store stolen goods, but no painting.”
“How’s Haven holding up?”
“Fine.”
Shit. At his clipped tone, he saw Vander’s eyes narrow. His brother was beyond perceptive. On missions, Vander could almost sense things before they happened. It was spooky.
“Problem?” Vander asked.
“No. Dropped her at her place, and told her to arm her alarm and stay put until she heard from someone.”
Vander just stared at him.
Rhys sighed. “We argued. Let’s just say, you guys can quit ribbing me about striking out with her. I’m done.”
“Rhys—”
“She thinks I’m a player, Vander. I don’t have time for shallow women who listen to shit and can’t be bothered to get to know me.”
Vander was silent for a moment. “You know about Miami?”
Rhys stiffened. “I know she had a bad ex who hit her.”
“Mmm.”
“Enough with the cryptic shit, Vander.”
His brother just raised a dark brow. “Haven’s would-be kidnapper is in the holding room, and is still not talking. I have a meeting with Binary Tech.”
That was one of Norcross’ big corporate clients—Norcross supplied all of Binary Tech’s security systems, cyber security, and, when required, bodyguards for their executives.
Once Vander was gone, Rhys tried to concentrate. He kept remembering the taste of Haven, the feel of her.
Fuck.
His phone rang and he pulled it out. “Norcross.”
“Hey, Big R, it’s Jerome.”
A boat-racing buddy. “Hey, Jerome. Where are you? Got a race on?” Jerome was always on the move. They’d met on the boat racing scene a year back.
“I’m in San Fran. I’ve got some parties I’m going to. You should come. Prime women, good booze, fun times.”
Rhys leaned back in his chair. Maybe a distraction was what he needed. Go get laid, and get a certain brunette out of his head.
“I’ve also got a climbing trip planned, if you’re interested,” Jerome continued. “A few of us are hitting Yosemite.”
“I’m on a case right now, but I can carve out time for a party or two.”
“Knew you’d be up for a good time, man.”