“Not as of yet, no. Like I said before, just continue about your day as you normally would. I have a feeling the killer will make contact soon. For now”—he patted his flat midsection and grinned—“I’m going to go grab something to eat while I have the chance. Dr. Cartwright, would you care to join me?”
“I’d love to.” Maggie smiled politely. “I know a quaint little café within walking distance. If that sounds okay to you, of course.”
“Sounds perfect.”
Riley’s eyes narrowed as she watched the two leave together. She could’ve sworn she picked up on some sort of weird vibe between the pair, earlier. Now she was certain of it.
Interesting.
“So.” She turned to Eric. “What was it you wanted to discuss?”
“Not here.” He shook his head. “Come on.”
The hold Eric placed on her elbow was gentle, but there was an unfamiliar hardness in his eyes as they made their way through the building’s entrance and down the hallway to their left.
Opening the door to one of the many interview rooms, Eric checked to make sure it was unoccupied before leading them inside. He shut the door behind them and turned to her.
Riley expected him to start yelling. To tell her once again how stupid her decision to go along with Killian’s plan was. But he didn’t.
Instead, he just stood there, staring back at her with his hands on his hips and his jaw clenched.
She watched his chest move up and down with controlled breaths. She could see his nostrils flaring from his effort to control his inevitable outburst.
Screw waiting.
There were a few things she wanted to say, too.
“Okay, look. I know you’re pissed about this whole set-up, but it’s the only play we’ve got. This guy is out there somewhere, Eric. He’s killing innocent women, and he’s going to keep killing them until he’s stopped.”
Still, he said nothing.
“You may not like the fact that I’m using myself as bait for this guy”—she continued—“but right now, we don’t have any other options. Not to mention, we wouldn’t even be having this discussion if I were a man.”
Eric dropped his hands to his sides. He remained quiet but began stalking toward her.
Damn it, why wasn’t he saying anything?
Riley kept her sights locked with his and said what needed to be said. “The fact that we’re sleeping together doesn’t give you the right to make decisions about what I can or cannot do on the job. We’re supposed to be working together, Eric. Not against one another. I’m supposed to be your—”
“Mine.” The word was a low, animalistic growl. One she heard right before he took her face in his hands and slammed his mouth against hers.
Riley hesitated a fraction of a second before grabbing his shoulders and holding onto him for dear life.
The kiss was hard and rough. All lips and teeth and tongue. It was as if he were claiming her, somehow. And she couldn’t bring herself to fight it.
I don’t want to fight what we have. Not anymore.
Eric pulled back but kept his gentle hold on her face. A collage of emotions swept over him as he stared deep into her soul.
“What was that for?” Her ragged breaths seemed to fill the entire room.
The blues in his eyes darkened as he said it again. “You’remine.”
“I know.” Her heart thumped against her ribs.
“Say it.”
Oh, god.
