“Thank you for insisting that I stay.” She pulled in a long breath that had him checking out those breasts again. “Knowing I could have died… Being here, somewhere safe, let me get past it.”

“That was the plan.” It’d helped him too, knowing nothing would hurt her here. Not with him around. He’d needed that assurance as much as she had.

She leaned forward, running her hand up his shoulder, behind his head, and gave him a straight-forward, heated look. “Thank you. For the rescue. For handling everything and giving me a quiet space to recuperate.”

Her lips pressed against his, warm and soft, opening to him. When he put his arm around her and pulled her close, her body went boneless, letting him have all the control.

She tasted of cinnamon-apple tea as he took the kiss deeper, exploring and teasing, before drawing back.

In the dim light, he could see her eyes were filled with desire, and damn, but he wanted more. Shaking his head, he drew away.

“What?” Her frown was delightful, dark brows together, mouth twisted in an adorable pout.

“Gratitude sex…let’s not go there.” If and when they hooked up, he wanted honest emotions.

Her eyes widened, then she grinned at him. “That kiss was your thank you. Nothing more.”

“A kiss is good. Beats getting a card in the mail.” Cards had been forwarded to him a time or two after hostage rescues.

Her tongue ran over her upper lip. “Um, more kisses would be good.”

“I only rescued you once.”

“Moving on from that…” Her skin darkened with a blush. “Maybe, as two consenting adults, we could possibly indulge in some simple sex with…um, no expectations for anything afterward. With the caveat that nothing intrudes into work.”

“Simple sex.” Nothing about this woman was simple. He studied the sultry look in her dark eyes and admitted that the attraction between them had been there since they met.

He rubbed his lips lightly over hers and murmured, “I could do with some indulging.”

Her lips tipped up with her smile. Framing her face with his hands, he kissed her. Invading. Demanding.

She had a luscious mouth.

More.

Rising, he snapped his fingers for Gryff and let the dog out into the grassy shared courtyard. “Go enjoy the evening, buddy.” Closing the door, he flipped the lock and glanced toward the sectional. With the lights off, nothing would be visible from outside.

As Bull rejoined her, Frankie laughed. “Don’t want to corrupt your baby?”

“He’s an innocent li’l pup, all hundred pounds of him.”

“I did notice he was lacking some…equipment,” Frankie said. “Perhaps I should make sure that you haven’t suffered the same fate.”