“Come on in.” He shoved back his chair and rounded the desk, crossed the room in several long strides. Her eyes widened as he hauled her into his arms, bent his head, and very thoroughly kissed her.

“That isn’t . . . isn’t why I came,” she said breathlessly.

His golden eyes were hot. “No? Close the door, darlin’, and tell me what you want. I’m more than happy to oblige.”

Ellie laughed. “You’re insatiable.”

He chuckled. “Only when it comes to you.” He ran a finger down her cheek. “So what’s going on?”

“I need to go to Denver. I want to talk to Bryan Meeks, see if I can find something Barbara and Heather had in common, a way they could have met the same man, the man who eventually killed them.”

Kade tugged her over to the leather chairs in front of his desk, and both of them sat down.

“What have you got so far?”

“Well, we know both women were in their late twenties, beautiful, and childless. Both were married to wealthy, successful men, which gave them access to plenty of money.”

“Heather loved to go shopping in Denver. Maybe she and Barbara bought clothes from the same store.”

“An exclusive boutique is definitely something to consider. The Cherry Creek Mall is one of the most exclusive shopping areas in the city, and the Meeks’s family home is in the area. It’s certainly worth checking out.”

“What else?”

“I haven’t found any mutual friends or hobbies, but after I talk to Barbara’s husband, that might change. It’s going to take some time. I’m planning to stay overnight.”

Kade nodded. “All right. I’ll go with you.”

“You don’t have to do that. I have an apartment there, so I have a place to stay. I know how busy you are.”

“I’ve got things pretty much under control around here, at least for the moment. When do you want to leave?”

“I was thinking I’d drive down this afternoon, but I need to call Meeks first, find out if he’ll see me sometime tomorrow.”

He nodded. “We can leave whenever you’re ready. We’ll spend the night at the Brown Palace. It’s one of my favorites. Lot of good restaurants in the area.” His smile returned. “I’ll buy you the best steak in Denver.”

Ellie started to suggest they simply stay at her place, but the Palace was a luxury she had never enjoyed. She imagined the evening ahead and what would happen when they got back to the hotel, thought of Kade’s lovemaking and the way he could make her feel, and desire curled through her.

“How can I turn down an offer like that?”

Kade flashed one of his sexy smiles. “A king-size bed at the Brown Palace definitely beats the desk in my study.”