“Why not?”
“You know why not. A lot of those photos are people in compromising situations, and while they’re using them during their divorces, if any of those photos become part of evidence, then they become public record. I don’t like the idea of that, and you guys don’t have a warrant.” Because most of the cases she worked on, couples ended up coming to an agreement and settling before going in front of a judge. That way none of those pictures became public record.
His frown deepened, but he said, “Can you send me this picture? This guy looks familiar. I want to run him through our databases.”
“That’s fine. And if there are any other pictures that don’t involve people in states of undress, I can provide those too. At least on a limited basis. Why don’t you just send them to yourself?”
“Thanks.” He got to work on her laptop while she went to the kitchen and ended up making herbal tea instead of coffee. Because the thought of more caffeine had her heart racing, and not in a good way.
“I think I might try and get a couple hours of sleep,” she said as she returned to the living room. “My system is all messed up. Unless I need to be doing anything else right now?” She could keep looking at pictures but she’d been starting to lose focus each second that passed.
“No problem. I might grab some sleep too.” He started to get up and then paused before clicking on something. Then he looked at her, his expression…strange.
“What?” She stepped forward to see what he’d pulled up. Immediately her cheeks flushed hot. Oops.
“You have pictures of us?”
“Kathryn sent me some wedding pictures.” Dang it, why did she have to sound so defensive?
“These seem to be only pictures of me and you from the wedding.” His voice had dropped an octave, his expression heated.
She could feel her cheeks flushing even warmer as she fought embarrassment. She had a few images with her and her brothers and her parents, but yep, she had a whoooole lot of her and Carson. Could the world open up and devour her now, please? “Why wouldn’t I have them? I look amazing in that dress.”
He stood then, his eyes heated as he moved in on her like a predator stalking its prey.
She very much wanted to be caught, however.
“You did look amazing in that dress. And I desperately wanted to get you out of it that entire night.”
She’d had a little bit too much to drink that night, though she’d had a lot of fun with him. And she’d asked him up to her hotel room but he’d said no because of that very fact—that she’d had too much to drink. He’d been adamant that he would never take advantage of her. Which had just made her like him even more. She set her steaming tea on the nearest flat surface as she took another step back.
She wasn’t sure where she was going or why she was even moving away from him. She wanted this man with every fiber of herself.
He kept coming, a strong, lethal panther ready to pounce.
“Carson,” she whispered, not sure where she was going with that. He had her all twisted up inside, and had since the moment they’d first kissed. He made her feel things she’d never experienced, made her think about settling down. Something she’d never considered before.
He seemed so perfect and that alone terrified her. Her brothers had their lives together, seemed to be so adept at handling life in general. Whereas she was a mess on the best of days and Carson seemed to have this whole adulting thing down to an art. When they’d been at the hotel a few hours ago and she’d been internally panicking, he hadn’t even broken a sweat. He’d just taken charge, and that was insanely hot.
“I think it’s a good idea if we both grab a couple hours of sleep,” he murmured as he reached her, those big, sexy hands settling on her hips in the most possessive way.
She bit back a groan. Damn, but she loved his possessive streak. The sun streamed in from the sliding glass doors and wall of windows behind him. He looked like a sexy warrior from another time, with broad shoulders, scruff on his face, and the light highlighting him from behind. But it was his eyes that drew her in, snared her.
“Just sleep?” Damn it, why was her voice all raspy and unsteady?
“Later.” His gaze fell to her mouth, his blue eyes flaring wild and scorching hot. “I’m still clean…haven’t been with anyone since you.”
“Me neither. And I’m still on the pill.” They’d talked about protection months ago and nothing had changed for either of them thankfully. If he’d been with someone else…well, it would have sucked. So knowing that he hadn’t eased something inside her. Freed her.
Just like always, she swore she felt the sparks arcing between them.
She wasn’t sure who moved first, him or her. But suddenly she had her legs wrapped around his waist and he had her pinned up against the nearest wall, his thick cock pressing into her.
His mouth ate at hers even as he rocked his hips into her.
Heat flooded her system as she arched into him. She wished they were already naked, that they’d already gotten to that part where no clothing separated them. She didn’t want to think, she just wanted to feel, to experience all of Carson. To be consumed by him.
“Too many clothes.” She might have said that out loud, she wasn’t sure, but he pulled back and tugged her shirt off.
Next went her bra before his mouth descended on one of her already hard nipples. Her entire body was on fire for him, a live wire, pulsing and needy.
She groaned, digging her fingers into his shirt even as she tugged at it, desperate to get it off him.
For one moment, as he leaned back so she could strip him, she mourned the loss of his mouth on her body. But as soon as she tossed his shirt to the ground, he sucked her other nipple into his mouth.
She arched her back again, wanting more of this. More of him.
He playfully bit down, sending ribbons of pleasure straight to her clit. She was lightheaded and it had nothing to do with lack of sleep and everything to do with Carson.
Broad-shouldered, tall and sexy, he had this code of honor that she respected. And he was here with her, keeping her safe when she knew the department could have easily assigned someone else to this job.
He was here because he wanted her, had been pursuing her for months.
She was tired of fighting her attraction, tired of blaming him for the actions of former lovers. Tired of pretending that she was just fine being alone. She was, but she wanted more. She wanted Carson in her life. And not just for a night or two. Because Carson was like no one she’d ever known. He treated her like an equal, wasn’t intimidated by her.
“Wall or bed?” he suddenly asked as he lifted his head to look at her.
She blinked, taking a moment to digest his question. The wall or bed? Wait… Oh. Then she understood. The wall sounded reeeeeally hot, but… “Bed.” She wanted more room to taste all of him.
He clutched her ass and hauled her to the nearest bedroom. The curtains were open, with light spilling in over the airy comforter.
Moving quickly, he pinned her to the bed, the air of the comforter going out with a whoosh under the impact of their bodies.
“Pants off,” she demanded before he could kiss her again and she lost all her senses. Because he had far too much clothing on and she’d been patient enough.