Page 57

By the time Mac pulled into the parking lot outside Jodie’s house, she had spent most of the drive trying not to think about sex.

It had not gone particularly well.

Even with the talk about Sand Wash, dinner with Mac had been easy. Funny. Sexy that had less to do with dim lighting and French wine and everything to do with sitting across from Mac and learning things about him she couldn’t find in a Watchdog file.

Now they were minutes away from her house, and she didn’t want the night to end with a few kisses.

The truck rolled to a stop in her driveway. Mac shifted into park and turned to her.

“Hang on. I’ll get your door.”

Mac got out and went around the front of the truck. Jodie’s pulse raced just watching him as she undid her seatbelt. He opened her door and helped her down gently, keeping an eye on her ankle.

Okay. This is ridiculous.

They were two adults. He was incredibly hot. She’d been lusting after him since practically the day he’d started at Watchdog, even if she’d been too busy pretending he was just another coworker to admit it. They’d already kissed. They’d gone on an actual date. He’d spent half of dinner looking at her like he was trying very hard to remember they were in public.

“My ankle’s much better,” she reminded him. “Up for anything, really.”

His eyes widened for a moment. “Anything?”

Her pulse ticked up. “Yes. I’m done being subtle.”

“That’s encouraging.”

She laughed, and her stomach tightened pleasantly. When they got to her front door, she said, “I had a really good time tonight.”

There it was. The normal end-of-date sentence. Perfectly innocent. And his last chance to back out.

“So did I.” Mac’s gaze dropped to her mouth before returning to her eyes, making Jodie’s pulse race.

“Want to come in?” Her voice sounded steadier than she felt.

“Yeah.” One word, low and rough, that sent shivers straight down her spine, leaving her no doubts whatsoever that she would be waking up to Mac in her bed instead of on the couch.

Thank God.

She fumbled the key against the lock once and laughed nervously. Without a word, he slipped the keys out of her hand and unlocked the door smoothly. They stepped inside, Jodie going first.

“So. Would you like coffee? Water? How about a small cheese plate while we pretend neither one of us is thinking about getting naked?”

She turned. Mac was watching her with an intensity she’d never seen.

So…no cheese plate.

His hands settled lightly on her hips just below her waist. Mac drew her closer and she grabbed his shirt as he bent to kiss her. The kiss deepened slowly, his mouth warm and tasting like wine. One hand slid around her back while the other stayed on her hip. Jodie opened for him and felt the sound he made against her lips more than she heard it.

Oh yes. She wanted more of that.

Her fingers found the buttons of his shirt. Mac caught her hand. Jodie pulled back just enough to look at him.

“What?”

He lifted her hand and kissed her palm. The simple gesture made her breath catch.

“Slow down,” he growled.

“I’m not usually told that.”