“Not a chance,” Raider countered. “Our backstories are already created and have been investigated by him, for sure.” He looked her over. “Eddie would be suspicious. Why cut me out?”

She ran every scenario through her mind. “Well, what if I come across as a gold digger? Say I want to trade up?”

Raider’s chest moved in what seemed to be an odd cough. Was that a scoff? “Right. He’d probably want proof in the form of you naked and in bed and trying to convince him. You sure you’re up to going that much undercover?” His dark eyes glittered with challenge.

No. Not in a million years. “I’m sure I could get around that.”

“The answer is no.” He tipped his head back and finished the glass. “Give me a plan for how I secure the information you need. There has to be a way.”

There was a slim chance, but he’d need to be able to plant a USB and type a command to download the information from the secured computer. And he’d have to know which computer to use. She finished her glass, trying to figure out a way she could get to those computers without his agreement. Would Dana help her? “There’s no way.”

“Too bad, and stop thinking of ways around me. This is my op, and you aren’t coming with me. You have about seven hours to think up a good plan.” He stood and drew her to her feet. “Now. How do you want to spend those seven hours?” His head dropped, and his mouth took hers.

Shock kept her immobile for two seconds. Then heat flowed through her, head to toe, and her body ignited. How did he do that? With a soft gasp, she kissed him back.

* * *

Raider delved deep, needing to touch her one more time. If she gave him another night, he’d take it and hold it tight. There was a pretty good chance he wasn’t making it back from Eddie Coonan’s bat cave, and he’d like something to keep him warm during the probable torture to come. He caressed his hands down her arms, grasping her wrists, even as his tongue swept against hers.

Wine and woman and something sweet filled his senses.

Her small gasp tickled his lips. She flattened her palms over his pecs, and then her nails dug in.

The slight pain shot electricity right to his balls. He grasped her jawline and lifted her face higher, giving him better access.

She twisted her head to the side, breathing heavily. Then her enticing green gaze met his. “We need to fight more before we do . . . this.” Her body belied her words as she pressed closer to him, and her sexy scent nearly dropped him to his knees.

“We can do both.” His Southern accent came out full force.