Stupefied by emotion, Brody looked up, met Kate’s eyes. What the hell was he going to do now? She’d hit him at his weakest point.

“Jack, go wash your hands.”

“They’re not dirty.”

“Wash them anyway.”

“Right down the hall, Jack,” Kate said quietly. “Count one door, then two, on the side of the hand you write your name with.”

Jack made little grumbling sounds, but he skipped out of the room.

Brody got to his feet. She didn’t back off. No, she wouldn’t have, he thought. So their bodies bumped a little, and his went on full alert.

“That was nice. What you did, making him feel part of it.”

“He is part of it. That is clear.” And so was something else that needled into her heart. “It wasn’t a strategy, Brody.”

“I said it was nice.”

“Yes, but you’re also thinking—at least wondering if—it was also clever of me. A slick little ploy to get to you. I want to sleep with you, and I’m very goal oriented, but I draw the line at using your son to achieve the desired end.”

She snatched up his empty mug, started to turn. Brody laid a hand on her arm. “Okay, maybe I wondered. Now I’ll apologize for it.”

“Fine.”

He shifted, gripped her arm until she turned to face him. “Sincerely apologize, Kate.”

She relaxed. “All right. Sincerely accepted. He’s beautiful, and he’s great. It’s tough not to get stuck on him right off the bat.”

“I’m pretty stuck on him myself.”

“Yes, and he on you. It shows. I happen to like children, and admire loving parents. It only makes you more attractive.”

“I’m not going to sleep with you.” He wasn’t gripping her arm now, but sliding his hands down the length.

She smiled. “So you say.”

“I’m not going to mess up this job, complicate it and my life. I can’t afford…”

He’d had something definite to say. Decisive. But she slid her hands up his chest, over his shoulders.

“You’re not on the clock yet,” she murmured and lifted her mouth to his.

He closed the gap and lights exploded inside his head. Eruptions blasted inside his body. Her mouth was warm, tart, persuasive. The sensations simply took control of the two of them. Of him.

He meant to take her by the shoulders, pull her back. He meant to. He could hold her at arm’s length. And would.

In a little while.

But for now, for right now, he wanted to just lose himself in the sheer sensation. He wanted to have to hold her to keep his balance. She smelled dark. And dangerous.

It was irresistible. He was irresistible. He kissed like a dream, she thought, letting out a throaty little purr. As if it was all he’d ever done, all he ever wanted to do.

His mouth was soft, and hot. His hands hard, and strong. Was there anything sexier in a man than strength? The strength that came from muscles and from the heart.