Page 11 of Pack and Forth
Rex’s eyes flashed with triumph, a slow smile spreading across his face. “Challenge accepted, little lioness,” he purred, his voice a sensual caress. “Challenge accepted.”
When they got to the car, she went for the door handle, but Rex grabbed her wrist and turned her to face him. She sucked in a breath as he pressed her back against the car. There was a second of only her heart thudding hard before his lips came crashing over hers. It was hard, deep, and demanding. She melted into his kiss. His hard body pressed into her, holding her hostage against the car.
She moaned, kissing him back. It took her a second to realize he had both of her arms caged under his. All she could do was grab his shirt and curl her hands into fists, pulling him closer. If only that were a possibility.
Rex’s tongue curled around hers as if he owned her. His lips sucked and brushed over hers with a determined urgency she loved. Her blood thickened with need. Her heartbeats thundered in her ears. The sound of her lioness growling for her to let this man take her was making her dizzy. Lust and need warred against common sense in her head. The kiss wasn’t enough. She wanted more. She wanted everything.
Rex’s kiss went from hard and deep to light and soft until he pulled back, leaving her feeling like she was standing there naked.
Kira’s mind swirled. She knew she could get burned, letting herself get close to Rex like this. But she couldn’t help herself. Something about him drew her in, made her want to let down her guard and trust him completely.
It was a risk. Getting involved with a client was a recipe for disaster.
“How about dinner tomorrow?”
“I don’t think-”
He gave that panty-melting grin. “Good. Don’t think. I’ll pick you up at eight.”
“Rex,” she growled in frustration. “I have a case to solve.”
His predatory grin widened. “And you will. We’ll help. But you still need to eat.”
He opened her door and she sunk into her seat in defeat. What the fuck just happened?
She caught a glimpse of Rex’s smile in the rearview mirror and couldn’t bring herself to care about his motives or anything else.
For the first time in a long time, Kira felt alive. And she wasn’t about to let that feeling go without a fight.
SIX
Kira sighed as she sank into the couch cushions, her chopsticks poking idly at the carton of lo mein in her lap. Maggie plopped down beside her, already digging into the kung pao chicken with relish.
“So, how’s the case going?” Maggie asked, her mouth full of spicy chicken and peanuts. “Any closer to catching the fraudster?”
Kira groaned, rubbing her temples with her free hand. “Hardly,” she muttered, her brow furrowed in frustration. “Every time I think I’m getting somewhere, another dead end pops up. It’s like trying to solve a puzzle with half the pieces missing.”
Maggie made a sympathetic noise, her chopsticks pausing midair. “That sucks,” she said, her voice warm with understanding. “I know how much you hate leaving a case unsolved.”
Kira nodded, her eyes distant as she stared at the paused movie on the TV screen. “It’s not just the case, though. There’s... there’s something else.”
Maggie raised an eyebrow. “Oh?” she said, a sly grin spreading across her face. “Do tell.”
Kira hesitated, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. “It’s stupid,” she muttered, shaking her head. “I shouldn’t even be thinking about it.”
Maggie rolled her eyes, setting her food on the coffee table and turning to face her sister fully. “Kira, come on,” she said, her voice firm but gentle. “You know you can tell me anything. What’s going on?”
Kira took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest. “I met someone,” she blurted out, the words tumbling from her lips in a rush. “Two someones, actually. They’re... they’re the clients. The ones who hired me to investigate the matchmaking agency.”
Maggie’s eyes widened, her mouth falling open in surprise. “Holy shit,” she breathed, her voice filled with awe. “Two guys? At the same time?”
Kira nodded miserably, her face burning with shame. “It’s not like that,” she said quickly, her hands waving in front of her as if to ward off Maggie’s assumptions. “I mean, not exactly. They’re... they’re interested in me. Both of them. And they want... they want to share me.”
Maggie let out a low whistle, her eyebrows shooting up to her hairline. “Damn, sis,” she said, a wicked grin spreading across her face. “You’ve got game.”
Kira groaned, burying her face in her hands. “It’s not funny, Mags,” she mumbled, her voice muffled by her fingers. “I don’t know what to do. I can’t... I can’t get involved with clients. It’s unprofessional. And besides, I’m not... I’m not that kind of girl.”
Maggie snorted, rolling her eyes. “Please,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “You’re a grown-ass woman, Kira. You can do whatever the hell you want. And if what you want is to get sandwiched between two hot guys, then more power to you.”