“Well, now, I don’t like to hear that.” Ever the consummate businessman, Adam reached into his pocket for a business card. Still, he looked as if he was suffering from severe heartburn as he passed it to the other man. “Call my secretary and we’ll get a repairman out there pronto. No charge.”
The smirk settled fully on Riley’s face. “I’ll do that.”
Even a blind man could see the pissing match starting. Talia bit her lip when her brother pulled at his gold cufflinks. He always got fussy when he was annoyed.
She took a step forward.
“So, Detective. Are you working on that Cat Burglar case?”
She stopped dead in her tracks.
One of Adam’s eyebrows lifted contemptuously. “I don’t know if I’d have hired you for security, what with the way that guy is giving your department fits.”
She cringed. No! Don’t provoke him.
She waited in agony to see what Riley would do.
He hesitated for a long moment before finally letting his gaze rake down her figure. “That one’s a slippery one, all right.”
Self-consciousness made Talia want to sink through the floor. He knew her panties were wet; he’d made them that way!
Enough with this double-talk. Why was he keeping her secret?
Adam wrapped his arm around her stiff shoulders. “You guys better get your act in gear. I don’t like the idea of my sister being a potential target.”
“You don’t need to worry about her,” Riley said. His eyes held a dangerous glint. “I’ve got her covered.”
Talia’s mouth went dry.
It was time to leave.
She didn’t know what kind of mind game the detective was playing but she wasn’t up for it. Plastering a smile on her face, she turned to Adam. “What about that dinner?”
“Talia,” Riley said tersely.
Adam sent him a glare. “Sounds good to me. Maybe the company will be better there.”
The thought of food turned her stomach but she nodded. “Oscar’s should still be serving.”
“Don’t you even think about leaving.”
The warning came across soft and low. It made a shiver run down her spine and she paused. It was an order—one she should probably follow if she knew what was good for her.
Feeling impetuous, she slid her arm through her brother’s. Safe, stodgy, by-the-rules Talia had disappeared weeks ago. “Thank you for your work tonight, Detective.”
“We’re not finished here.”
She let her gaze drop to the bulge pressing at his zipper.
“Sorry,” she said sweetly. “You’ll have to finish the job yourself.”
* * * * *
By the time Talia got home that night, she was in a state. Dinner with Adam hadn’t improved her frame of mind. If anything, it had made her even more agitated.
“Why do I let him get to me?” she asked in frustration. She let herself into her apartment and slammed the door behind her. Her steps were quick as she threw her coat at the couch and tossed her purse onto the table. It slid across the surface and dropped helplessly to the floor.
She didn’t care. She was already stomping into the kitchen. Opening the refrigerator, she found a bottle of wine. She drained it into a glass and took a long drink.
It didn’t help. Her brother knew just what buttons to push.
Was he really that inconsiderate or was he just oblivious? Tonight was supposed to have been about her and the Foundation. Would it have killed him to be more supportive?
She trudged back to the living room but left the lights off. She didn’t want them on. More and more, the darkness was becoming her friend. If anything could soothe her nerves, it was the night. It was during this time that she felt the most confident.
She had to remember that. She was a confident and competent woman. Adam was just being…well, Adam. His little snipes about New Covington weren’t directed at her. He’d grown up here, too. Just because he was a Boston bigwig now didn’t mean that he was belittling her.
But if he said one more thing about her “little” shop, she was going to smack him.
“Or the Foundation,” she said, taking another sip of wine. “One more criticism about that, and I’ll…I’ll…I’ll grab his Rembrandt.”
The idea was tempting. Just going out on a hunt sounded enticing.
Sighing, she wandered over to the window. The winter sky was dark and clear. Stars glittered in the heavens, beckoning her to come out and play.
She leaned against the window frame. It wasn’t just Adam that had her so upset. It seemed that everybody had been intent on aggravating her tonight. The Turd, Uncle Roger, Riley…
When she’d been in the lobby of the theater welcoming guests, Brent had had the audacity to feel her up in front of his wife. If that hadn’t been bad enough, Roger seemed to think that he’d put a stamp of possession on her. He’d kissed her on the lips, for heaven’s sake. She’d been hosting an important event and neither man had shown an ounce of respect for her. All they’d been intent on was getting a piece of ass.
“Kinkade nearly did,” she muttered, disgusted with herself. Almost unconsciously, she pressed her thighs together. Who was she kidding? Detective Riley Kinkade had gotten her more hot and bothered than anybody.
“That aggressive, arrogant, bull-headed…Grade A, prime piece of beefcake.”
Desire washed through her. God, he was hot. Was there a woman on the planet that could resist those dark eyes, that mussed hair, those bulging muscles, that cock?
Her eyes drifted shut as she remembered the things they’d done together up in that balcony. It had been like a flash fire—all heat, sighs and moans. Her pussy still ached with need and her fingers itched for the feel of him.
Lord help her, but she wanted him.
Him. Detective Riley Kinkade. The man who wanted to put her in prison.
Goose bumps popped up on her skin and she hugged herself. Could things get any more complicated? She was infatuated with the one man who could change her life forever—and not in a good way.
She let her forehead rest against the cool windowpane. How was she going to handle this? She’d thought she’d been so careful. How had he put it all together?
It didn’t matter. The bottom line was that he knew what she was doing and why. All he lacked was solid, concrete proof.
And she’d seen fit to taunt him.
“Oh, Talia,” she said. “What have you done?”
She downed the remaining wine and began pacing restlessly. She’d never been so aggressive with a man before. She just hadn’t known what else to do. He’d been pressuring her about the Foundation and she’d felt herself panicking.
So naturally, she’d reached out and started pumping his cock?
The memory of his hot, steely flesh made her palms tingle and she set down her wineglass before she could drop it. If she was still this worked up, she couldn’t imagine how he felt.
Her gaze fell on the couch and she stopped short. Oh yes, she could.
“You are in such trouble,” she whispered.
She wandered back to the window. Where was he right now? Was he suffering like she had? Or had he gone home to jack off?
“Ohhhhh.” A vision of Riley standing in a cloud of steam in the shower made her knees go weak.
That, of course, would be the best thing that could have happened. If he hadn’t taken care of his little—ahem, big—problem, it could still be fueling his anger.
The thought alone sent a jolt of uneasiness through her. Just how pissed was he? Enough to go back to work to investigate his theories? Enough to follow her to dinner with Adam?
“Or enough to be sitting in an unmarked police car outside my apartment!”
Her jaw dropped. She could see him. The moonlight reflecting off the snow was nearly as bright as sunlight. He was staking out her place.
She froze. Was he going to come up here and finish what they’d begun?
No. Disappointment surprised her.
He’d changed out of his tuxedo into more comfortable clothes. From the looks of it, he’d settled in for the night.
“What is he doing here then?” What did he think he was going to accomplish? Why was he watching her?
The answer rang in her head.
“He thinks I’m going to go out tonight!” She shook her head. “But why? We raised good money for the Foundation at the auction. Why would I—”
Her fingers wrapped around the curtain sash. “Oooo, you think you’re so smart.”
This wasn’t about money. He knew that she’d been horny as a mink when she’d left the theater. If he couldn’t assuage the heat burning low in her belly…
He knew what would.
Talia sprang back from the window. That smug bastard! He was practically daring her!
A wild recklessness gushed through her veins.
He wanted to throw down the gauntlet? Fine. She was more than willing to pick it up.
Determinedly, she walked to the bedroom. She’d been planning her next job but she hadn’t expected to go tonight. Things were in place, though, and a surprise burglary might throw him off her trail. If she could just get away from the building without him noticing, it would be perfect. After all, how could she be the culprit when he was watching her every move from outside her window?
Her every move…
A cunning smile spread across her face. He wanted to watch? She’d give him an eyeful.
“You deserve this, Riley.”
With a flick of the wrist, she turned on the lamp in her bedroom. Butterflies took flight in her stomach as she walked sensuously toward the window. Weeks ago, she never would have had the nerve to do this but this cat-and-mouse game was making her bold.
She positioned herself in full view of the man outside in the dark car. She knew the backlight put her silhouette in clear focus but she was careful not to get too close. He had to think she was getting ready for bed, not putting on a show.
“Easy,” she whispered to herself. Her heart was thudding. She’d never stripped for a man before.
But she wanted to. She wanted to set Kinkade on his ear.
Reaching up, she removed the pins holding her hair in an elaborate updo. Blonde tendrils dropped softly onto her shoulders and she shook her head. It felt good. More relaxed.
She needed to relax if she was going to pull this off.
She reached for the bow at the side of her waist and the butterflies in her stomach started dancing. Her fingers were clumsy as they worked on the knot but, just when she was about to lose her nerve, the wrap-around top came undone.
She took a shaky breath. It was now or never.
She let the crisp white shirt slip off her shoulders.
She didn’t have to see Riley to feel his attention sharpen. For a moment, she was paralyzed with her arms caught in the sleeves of the top. Excitement and apprehension rushed through her. What if she’d calculated wrong? What if he got out of his car and came to get her?
Her pussy tightened. What would be so wrong with that?
She finally relaxed into the role. “Bring it on, big boy.”
She’d suffer through whatever consequences he wanted to dole out.
She draped the shirt across a chair. Feeling more confident, she reached back and undid the zipper on her skirt. The weight of the leather pulled it rapidly over her hips to the floor. She could almost hear Kinkade’s groan. With a devilish smile, she stretched. The move lifted her breasts high in the cups of her bra.
Oh, yes. This felt good.
She let her arms drop and raised one foot behind her. She slipped off the high heel and gave the shoe a careless toss. The other one followed close behind. With a sigh, she let her toes curl into the carpet.
Was he enjoying this as much as she was?
Because she was getting turned on.
“Only for you, Riley. Only for you.”
Thinking of him actually made things easier for her.
Teasing did have its advantages.
She slid her hands sexily up her stockings to her garter belt. With a practiced flick she undid the tabs. Feeling like a porno actress, she bent her leg and balanced her toes on top of the dresser. Ever so slowly, she rolled the silk down her thigh, over her knee and along her calf. It left her foot with a whisper. She switched legs and a new, more intense feeling settled low in her belly.
What was she going to do about this man?
Look at the extremes he was pushing her to. Look at how he was making her feel.
When it came to Kinkade, her feelings were complex. She knew what a purely physical reaction felt like; this wasn’t it. She was sexually attracted to Brent Harrington. With Riley, there was something more. A whole lot more.
He’d gotten inside her head.
Danger signs flared and her hands shook as she reached for her garter belt. She let out a groan when the elastic slipped and snapped against her thighs. This little striptease was quickly getting out of control.
She straightened but suddenly realized how naked she was. All she was wearing were her bra and panties.
He’s seen you in less.
The memory didn’t help. She vividly remembered the feel of his hand between her legs…the penetration of his fingers…the stretch in her most private place… Arousal made her eyelids heavy.
She was too far gone to stop. Biting her lip, she reached for the front clasp of her bra. The cups dropped to the side and her breasts jiggled as they were released. Her nipples perked up, red and turgid, and heat suffused every centimeter of her exposed skin. She lifted her hair off the back of her neck but realized too late that the motion only emphasized the lift of her breasts. In profile, Riley could see every curve, valley and peak of her body.
“Oh, God,” she moaned.
She shrugged out of the bra and let it fall to the floor. It left her wearing only the damp, uncomfortable bikini panties.
They needed to come off.
Not stopping to think, she hooked her thumbs inside the material and pushed it over her hips. Bent over as she was, she could see the wet curls at the juncture of her legs. Her breasts swayed and her arousal soared. She didn’t even want to imagine the erotic picture she was casting against that window.
Muscles resisting, she forced herself to stand upright. Her nakedness reflected in the mirror and she had to look away.
She wanted to touch herself. She wanted it so badly she thought she might cry. Need screamed at her but she couldn’t.
Not with him watching.
Not if the point of all this was to distract him so she could go out thieving.
She let out a moan of disappointment.
“Show’s over,” she whispered as she kicked her panties away.
Hands shaking, she yanked open the top drawer and pulled out a royal blue chemise. Her movements were stiff and jerky as she pulled it over her head. The satin slid down over her curves, making her whimper. The sensation was like a lick against her stiff nipples.
Bed. She was supposed to be giving the appearance she was going to bed. To sleep.
Turning, she made her way to the lamp. Her thighs stuck together with every step she took and shudders racked her body. Everything inside her told her to reach down and ease her tension but, if she made even the slightest motion in that direction, Riley would come crashing through her door.
Of that, she was certain.
She nearly knocked the lamp over in her haste to stop this voyeuristic game. The harsh light was doused and she stood at the table taking deep, calming breaths.
She’d gotten carried away. She needed to tamp this desire down, muffle it somehow. A laugh of disbelief escaped her. And just how was she supposed to do that? She’d been in a permanent state of heat ever since she’d met Riley Kinkade.
And a permanent state of anxiety.
She had to pull herself together. It was time to go to work.
She needed to pull this heist to get him off her scent.
Reaching deep into th
e bottom drawer of her dresser, she found the beginnings of her uniform. Her night waiting for Edward Jones in the cold had taught her a lesson. She needed to dress for both mobility and warmth. The catsuit provided both.
She held the lace and nylon confection up in the moonlight. It was provocative as hell, and most definitely not intended for the uses she put it to. It was meant for sex. She used it for crime.
Quickly, she began to get dressed.
“Work with me,” she growled after several seconds of fighting with the constricting suit. The material clung to her from the tips of her toes to the tips of her fingers. With the state her body was in, the sense of bondage was only heightened.
She finally worked herself into the undergarment and layered a pair of dark pants and a black turtleneck over it. A down-filled jacket, gloves and boots completed the outfit. She strapped her bag of utensils to her thigh, pulled a stocking cap over her blonde hair and blended into the darkness.
Carefully, she checked outside her window one last time. Riley was still there. Hopefully, he was too distracted by his hard-on to notice that the New Covington Cat Burglar was about to go on the prowl.
“Catch me if you can,” she said, her breath fogging the window.
She was playing with fire now. Riley Kinkade was not going to be a happy man.
But she was a happy woman. The detective might be aggravating but he’d been right about one thing. She did steal for pleasure…
The pleasure of making him squirm.
Chapter Thirteen
The next morning, Talia hummed a happy tune in her office as she poured herself a cup of coffee. The day was getting off to a wonderful start. Snow had fallen overnight and the scene outside looked just like a postcard. Tree branches bent under the weight of puffy white powder, while chimneys blew out clouds of smoke. She watched as her snow service boy shoveled her sidewalks and was glad that she was inside where it was warm and comfy.
Snow could be such a wonderful thing. Its crisp, white blanket made everything look prettier. It made her shop feel more inviting. Best of all, it covered any potentially incriminating footprints that might be found leading from her shop to Ramona Gellar’s condo ten blocks away.
On the Prowl Page 20
