by Joanne Rock
“So the fed who showed up at the police station seemed pretty damn impressed with your financial knowledge.” Alec spread out the blanket on the sand and then popped open a beer for each of them.
“He just had the hots for me.” Vanessa smiled to think how different the charming, talkative agent had been from Alec. “I couldn’t tell him all that much until I have a look at the disks for myself.”
“But you talk the talk.” They settled beside one another on the blanket and Alec clanked his bottle against hers before taking a long first swig. “You could go back into a business field any time you wanted. And I just happen to have a huge, gaping opening in my real-estate company if you’re interested.”
Vanessa let the magnitude of the offer wash over her as she took a drink of her beer. Not only was Mark Vercelli going to jail, but William McPherson was being questioned in the case as well, since both Mark’s and Sergio’s testimony gave police reason to think the eldest partner of the firm was involved in the plot against Alec. Chances were excellent Alec would be the sole owner of the company soon.
“That’s a huge offer.” Vanessa didn’t want to offend him, but she’d come to a certain peace with herself and her job through knowing Alec. “And maybe one day when I’m too old to keep up with the bad guys, I’ll come begging for that kind of chance. But for now, I think I’m going to stick it out with the police department.”
“You’re a hell of a cop.” He kissed her again, his lips slightly salty from the ocean breeze and cold beer. “So I guess I can’t blame you.”
Her heart sped up at his touch, her tired body apparently not too tired to be seriously turned on by this man.
“But I might look into doing some more behind-the-scenes investigative work, too. My sister always says I should put some of the business experience to use to hunt down white-collar crime.” And up until now, she’d written off the suggestion every time. “Whatever demon has been chasing me since Gena’s accident—I think maybe I put it to rest after the shoot-out today.”
“I told you before that I think you’d succeed at whatever you chose to do. I stand by that.” He looped his arm around her as they stared out to sea for a long moment, soaking in the warm rays and the warmth of new freedom.
A new connection.
“There was something else I wanted to tell you.” Vanessa didn’t quite know how to express it now without the adrenaline rush pulsing through her, but the feelings she had inside her from last night were still there. Still one-hundred-percent real. “I don’t know what it means, or where we’ll take this, but I’ve fallen for you big time, Alec.” Settling her beer bottle into the sand, she curved her hand around his neck and tugged him closer to rest his forehead on hers. “I love you, Messina.”
A grin played over his lips, an expression she’d scarcely seen and knew she’d become addicted to soon—right along with that red-hot oil of his he’d used to make her see stars on more than one occasion.
“I’m going down for the count, too, if it makes you feel any better.” He flicked his tongue along her lower lip before drawing it between his. “I love you, too.”
“You have a house in the Hamptons.” A silly concern maybe. Except that Vanessa didn’t want to waltz into his life with nothing when he had so much. “I’ve got a one-bedroom apartment and if I stay in law enforcement, I’ll never be able to uphold my half of the Hamptons lifestyle.”
“That’s okay. You can spring for the champagne of beers every now and then if you want, but for the most part, I figure it’ll be nice to have someone to share my toys with.”
Not in a million years would Vanessa have ever considered herself the kind of woman to buy into some Cinderella fantasy, but she couldn’t deny the warm swell in her heart at the thought he would ever be so kind. So generous. So careful to make her feel valued.
“You’re a really awesome guy, you know that?”
“Will you still think I’m awesome if I ask you to help me teach my self-defense classes sometimes?” He wrapped a hand around her waist, drawing her closer on the blanket until her leg lined up against his.
“I think I can do that.” She’d made her peace with the Bronx after all.
“What if I ask you to go back to the house and have sex with me all day and all night?” His hand dipped under her sweater to skim along her bare back.
“I maintain my stance of being crazy about you.” Heat simmered low in her belly, the fiery emotions giving her surefire proof that Alec had helped her banish all her demons.
His hand skimmed higher. “What if I try to cop a feel of bare breast since you never did put that bra back on after our shower last night?”
“I’d say you’re a very dangerous man. And a greedy one at that.” She gripped his wrist to hold it steady, her breasts already tightening in response. “But maybe if you’re careful not to let anyone see…”
Never a man to let an opportunity pass him by, Alec’s hands reminded her exactly how much fun they were going to have together. Fire already leaping inside her, Vanessa arched back to enjoy his touch, thinking she’d be glad to go undercover with him anytime at all.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-6322-6
HIS WICKED WAYS
Copyright © 2005 by Joanne Rock.
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All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
