Scott
decides the best way to protect Cadence is to take her somewhere
unexpected. He won't tell her his plans, nor does he share that
information with Weinstein. The only hold up is having a place for
Cadence to keep her cat, Porthos. She makes a quick call to her
mother telling her she's going off for a romantic weekend with a new
man.
"Wow,
you lie better than I do."
"I
didn't exactly lie. The only thing I lied about was how long we've
known one another. We're going away for a long weekend and—you are
special."
"Cadence,"
he turned to her, taking her hands once the elevator door closed. "I
really like you—more than any other woman I've ever known."
"But?
Cause I know there's one hiding in there."
"This
can't be a romantic weekend. I'm doing my job."
Her
mouth worked and her chin jutted defiantly. "I know that. Just
because your mind's in the gutter doesn't mean mine is."
"I
wanted to you know. . . ." He stopped talking, letting go of her
hands when the doors opened on her floor.
They
walked to her apartment, entering quickly. He locked and bolted the
door behind them. Before she went upstairs to pack, he took her hands
again.
"I
wanted you to know—you're very special to me. I know we just met,
but. . . . Dammit, I wish I wasn't on assignment. You're beautiful
and intelligent and you don't mind my tacky innuendoes. I don't think
that I'm the only one attracted here. Am I right?"
She
nodded, leaning toward him. "You're right."
He
leaned in, wanting desperately to kiss her. "Promise me
something."
"What?"
"When
this is over, when we've caught these guys—"
She
waited, knowing he was struggling with something. She had a feeling
she knew what his conflict was. She hadn't missed the longing gazes,
the swelling in his pants when she was near—and the kisses.
"When
this is over, if you don't take me to bed and make love to me for a
week, I'm gonna shoot you in the foot," she said huskily.
He
closed his eyes, smiling. "Yes!"
Taking
advantage of his eyes being closed, she kissed him. At first, he
tried to pull away, but she was persistent. Her arms went around his
waist, holding him close. She opened her mouth, inviting him to kiss
her deeply. They stood that way a long time, letting the world pass
them by. Porthos wrapping around their ankles, mewing, got their
attention.
"I
shouldn't let you do that," Scott whispered, licking his lips.
"It would be so easy to take you to bed. I could lose my job
just for the thoughts I'm having."
"I
know. I had to have one last kiss before we get all serious."
"You'd
better get your things. Do you have a carrier for Porthos?"
"In
the laundry room over the drier."
"Okay."
He didn't move away from her. Laying his forehead against hers, he
held her close. "Okay. This is me. . . going to get the cat. .
." He kissed her again, desperate for her.
©
2015 Dellani Oakes
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