“Exploring.” Her thumbs brushed slightly beneath his waistband, and she caressed around to the small of his back. “I’m tired of being two steps behind you on this job. I want to be equal partners. If you’re going to be my handler, I’m going to handle you, too.”

He nearly burst out of his zipper. Oh, she was good. Brave, even. “You’re playing with fire, little girl.” His Southern drawl came out low and natural, surprising him. Being home seemed to have centered his wild redhead, and now she was trying to take over. “I’m not one to give up control. Don’t even try.”

Her smile was that of a siren accustomed to getting her own way. “Is that a challenge?”

Yes. God, yes. “No. Just a fact.” He twisted his fingers and tightened his hold in her hair, tugging back slightly. “Tell me you get me.”

Her eyes flared hot and bright. A pretty pink flushed beneath her pale skin. Her nails dug into the skin at the small of his back, even through the cotton. “I don’t think I get you, Raider.” Her voice was a challenging blend of a sarcastic Southern accent and her true Irish tone. “It feels like you don’t have control.”

Well. If that wasn’t a gauntlet, he didn’t know what was. “All right. Let’s change that feeling.” Nothing in the world could’ve stopped him from taking her mouth.

Hard.

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

Brigid caught her breath in her throat as Raider kissed her, delving deep and possessing with a heat he hadn’t shown before. All of the emotions roused by coming home had prompted her to challenge the biggest predator in the area just to be taken away for a moment. She’d always ventured too close to the flame, and she often got burned.

But the dance was one that pulled her in every time.

His tongue dueled with hers, the taste of whiskey on his breath warming her. His hold was unrelenting and his mouth seeking, taking. Warm and firm and seductive.

What had she done?

His free hand grasped her hip and partially lifted her against him, his fingers branding her through the thin cotton. Her core met his erection, and she moaned at the sweet friction.

Raider Tanaka knew how to kiss. Really knew how to kiss.

She returned the kiss, rising up on her toes and caressing the hard planes of his chest again. Smooth muscle and natural strength filled her palms. Desire spread through her with the heat of a wildfire this time, pooling in her lower belly with a yearning she couldn’t fight.

He lifted her against the wall, forcing her legs open while deepening the kiss somehow.