“He’s worried he’s going to be kicked off the football team and mess up his chances of a university scholarship. Apparently his dad is coach,” she said, looking to him for answers to save this kid’s butt.

He touched her shoulder. “He’s going to have to face the music, Erika.”

“His biggest concern is disappointing his father,” she said, her expression distraught.

Ah, that’s where the sudden connection had come from. Erika had dealt with a similar fear for years. She hadn’t said it the night before, but he’d sensed a shift in her when he’d mentioned her dad. “Look, kids make mistakes. They don’t always get it right. Let’s hope his dad sees that.”

She nodded, but she bit her lip. No doubt her own experience with a strict father caused her worry for the kid. “I’m going to wait with him.”

Hearing the Ski-Doos in the distance, he nodded, watching her go back to sitting on the ground. She said something to the boy and he smiled. Then she smiled and the stress of the search melted from Reed’s shoulders.

Replaced by the stress of a new challenge, one that was going to be impossible. Not falling in love with Erika Sheraton.

* * *

THE APARTMENT DOOR had barely closed behind them before Reed’s lips were on hers. His hands worked to unzip her coat, sliding it off her shoulders and letting it fall to the floor. Her own hands were unzipping his ski pants, yanking them down his legs. They stumbled forward into the apartment, tripping on discarded clothes as they removed everything in a frantic abandon.

After reuniting the teens with their parents and debriefing at the station, they’d driven like crazy to his apartment. They’d barely spoken. They didn’t need to. Not tonight.

She struggled for a breath as she kicked off her boots, her mouth never leaving his. The rescue was over but the adrenaline still pumping through her was providing a new source of energy. She should be exhausted, but right now, sleep could wait. Her body throbbed with desire for him. A need so bad, it scared her.

He broke the connection with her mouth, lifted her in his big arms and carried her into his bedroom. She barely noticed the apartment around her or his bedroom as he placed her on the bed and continued removing clothing. “Too many layers,” he said, lifting her sweater and T-shirt simultaneously. He unclasped her bra and she undid her jeans, wiggling free of them. She couldn’t get naked fast enough.

Standing, he tore off his own T-shirt and jeans and underwear, then climbed back onto the bed, settling between her legs. The only thing between their bodies was the thin fabric of her lacy underwear. Feeling his already erect penis pressed against her pelvis, she moaned. “Jesus, Reed... I’ve been wanting you all day.”