She should’ve been prepared by then for the way her legs turned to jelly when he kissed her in that particular proprietary way, but the sweep of his tongue, the pressure of his hands on her ass holding her tight against his instant arousal…no way in hell she could prepare for that.

“So,” he asked, peppering her face and lips with kisses, “does this mean we’re together? I mean, you’re asking me to do stuff.” His teasing grin did nothing to offset the serious look in his eyes.

With her hands on his chest, she managed to extricate herself. At the bedroom door, she paused and turned back to him. “I’ve crossed every line there is to cross here, Nick.”

“I know that,” he said, his expression pained.

“If the job requires it, I won’t hesitate to cross back.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

Satisfied that he understood, she left him with a nod and a small smile.

He followed her downstairs. “Sam?”

She swung open the inside door. “Hmm?”

Framing her face with his hands, he said, “Fly safely.”

She winced.

“What?”

“I hate to fly. Hate it with a passion. I’ve been trying not to think about it.”

Grinning, he leaned his forehead against hers. “Just close your eyes and try not to think about it.”

“Yeah, right,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Okay, I’m going now.”

“Okay, I’m letting you.” Except he didn’t. He hung on for a moment longer. “Be safe. This thing with that Johnson woman… Be careful.” He kissed her. “Please.”

“I always am.”

“Guess what?”

“What?”

His lips landed on hers for another mind-altering kiss. “You’re pretty damned hot yourself.”

Sam gave herself one last minute to sink into the kiss.

With what appeared to be great reluctance, he finally released her.

Chapter 21

Nick stayed at the door to watch her walk to her car. Damn, if the woman didn’t make his mouth water with that curvy body and long-legged gait. The whole package was a huge turn-on. He acknowledged they were walking a fine line that was causing her great ethical conflict, but Nick could only be grateful for the second chance they’d been given. And despite her reluctance to acknowledge that this was an actual relationship, he had no intention of messing it up this time.

Long after she should have driven away, she sat at the curb. He wondered if she was on the phone. Tipping his head so he could better see her face, he noticed it was tight with frustration. He cracked the door, heard the unmistakable click of a dead car battery and waved at her to come back in.

Furious, she got out, slammed the car door and started back up the stone pathway to his door. She was halfway there when the car exploded.