A shiver of awareness rushed over her. It had been a long time since she’d had sex. The last time had been with a guy from the marketing department of her last job. He’d watched her for a year and she’d finally taken him up on his offer of a drink and, unfortunately, mediocre sex when she’d known she was leaving town. He’d left without a word in the middle of the night and she’d felt dirty and used, even though she’d been glad he’d skulked away.

Now she ran her hands over Shane’s shoulders and felt the strong muscles in his back tense to iron beneath her fingers.

His cell phone buzzed in his pants pocket and he broke away. Stood back. “Shit. I didn’t mean to do that. Damn. I’m sorry.”

A wave of consternation rushed over her. She’d been contemplating sex and he was sorry about a kiss.

He checked his cell and grimaced. “Seems I need to check in with my boss and I know you’re exhausted.” He cupped her cheek again with his warm palm.

She wanted to kiss his thumb but didn’t want to appear desperate. She slid away, wide awake now, pinning what she hoped was a cool smile to her lips. “Forget it. It was just a kiss.”

She didn’t look away from his gaze and watched as his eyes crinkled at the edges with either confusion or amusement.

“Okay then. Get some rest. I’ll pick you up at 0630.”

She led the way to the door and made her expression bland as she turned to face him. “Thanks for the ride home and the food,” she said. “See you in the morning.”

He paused for a moment, then settled for a silent nod and a look she couldn’t interpret.

He hesitated as he was about to climb into his truck. “Call me if there are any problems. I’m five minutes away in an emergency.”

She smiled brightly and watched him leave, both of them making sure the garage door was fully closed before he drove away.

“Argh.” The sound reverberated around the empty garage, Myrtle the only witness to her distress. Yael couldn’t believe she’d kissed him again.

Humiliation crawled all over her brain. No way in hell would she call Shane Livingstone for help. Ever.

She checked the locks, the alarm and the cameras. Everything was clear. She put the food in the fridge, grabbed her cell and laptop case to drag them upstairs.

She began digging into her data even as her eyelids started to slide closed. Eventually, when she couldn’t stay awake any longer, she pushed aside the machine and drew the covers higher.

As her mind drifted, she began to relive that incredible kiss.