I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him tight.
My lips found his, and I poured out my thanks in the press of flesh on flesh.
What had started as a spark of attraction bloomed into something so extravagant and impossible, it made my chest ache and turned my throat dry.
Seeing his soft side—and Ash’s and Bishop’s—took away my reluctance.
They were so much more than the act they put on every day.
They’d claimed my body.
I’d given it to them freely, but this was so much more.
This was a melting of the walls around my heart, an acceptance I had no idea how to stop, or if I even wanted it to stop.
Three incredible men with hearts of gold pretended to be the biggest hard asses in the county.
Rafe locked my head in place and plundered my mouth with his tongue.
I met him on even ground, giving as much as I took.
When he ended the kiss, we were both breathless and flushed.
He pushed my hair away from my cheeks and kissed my forehead. “If you keep kissing me like that, I might just have to keep you on your back for the rest of the afternoon.”
“Sounds like a good time to me.” I wrinkled my nose and sighed as I stepped back. “But I can’t stay. I have an appointment in town.”
I had an excuse ready this time if he asked.
I fought my urge to say fuck it to my captain and stay here.
Why did I feel more at home in the clubhouse than I ever had in the bullpen with my fellow detectives?
Because these men treated me with respect.
They never called me names or made me feel like I was less than them because of my size or because I was a woman.
They cherished my body and made me giddy with pleasure.
And still, I made the decision to meet with my captain because it was my job.
My career hinged on meeting his demands and bringing information about the Steel Vipers’ illicit activities to light.
I fought down the rush of giddy feelings that Rafe caused and brushed my hands down his chest. “Thank you for decorating. No matter why you did it, I’m glad.”
“You’ll be back for the Christmas drive?” He gripped my wrists and held me close enough for the storm in his eyes to cause a matching whirl in my stomach.
I nodded, my throat too thick for words.
Of course I’d come back for the Christmas drive. I wouldn’t miss anything to do with Christmas.
But first, I hauled my sorry ass back down to reality.
After missing my meeting with my contact because of the storm, I’d been summoned to the captain’s office, and no amount of fast talking was going to change his mind.
If I had time, I’d let Rafe haul me upstairs for some fun, but that would have to wait.
He squeezed my wrists. “Be careful.”
