Page 35 of Savage Temptation

This has got to be the female equivalent of premature ejaculation.

God, I can’t let him see me getting so worked up over a little kissing.

I press my hands against his chest, forcing us apart.

His brow crinkles. “Did I do something wrong?”

He looks so pathetic that I almost laugh. “I’m just going to look into the drink situation going on in my cabinets. I don’t have beer, but my wine selection is pretty impressive if you’re into the ‘buy five get the sixth free’ vintage.”

“That sounds divine.”

“Chardonnay or Merlot?”

“Merlot.”

I grab a corkscrew and return to find Atticus staring around my living room with curiosity.

“What, you don’t like my shabby chic decor?”

“No, it’s just that I’ve never been in an apartment so feminine.”

I remove the cork and pour two glasses of Merlot, handing one to Atticus.

“You and Lance have a pretty strong contemporary style going for your apartment, but surely you’ve had girlfriends.”

“No one serious enough to go to their place. Hotels are less sloppy and awkward. There’s no having to throw them out. I just leave.”

“Well, I hope my flower mantle and cream-colored chaise don’t offend you.”

He chuckles. “Not at all. I think my place could use a woman’s touch.”

“Lance would kill you if he came home to fairy lights running along the molding and chair rail.”

Atticus bobbles his head from side to side. “That is a bit much.”

We settle on the couch, him leaning back casually, me a wound ball of nerves. I take a long pull of wine, hoping to curb my awkwardness.

It seems so unfair that he has so much finesse while I’m struggling not to bumble, but when has he ever been caught off guard, or embarrassed, or even had a hair out of place?

“How have your cases been?”

I snicker. “Fraud? You don’t have to pretend to be interested in my job. It’s admittedly boring considering how you spend your time.”

“I don’t think it’s boring at all. In fact, I could spend all night listening to you talk about it.”

“Well, it’s prevalent, and as always, frustrating.”

“Oh? Please continue.”

“These companies hire me to sniff it out, but they don’t always take action. Sometimes the cost of doing so outweighs the benefits, so I get to watch criminals rinse and repeat their actions, again and again, all at the cost of others in the system.”

“That would be enough to drive a narc like you insane.”

I slug him in the shoulder, upsetting his wine.

“You didn’t tell me we were playing Good Cop, Bad Cop.” He stares at me, hunger lighting his eyes.

And who knew that just one look could set my body ablaze?