15 Chapter 15

Moon has pulled me so close that his face is inches from mine. "I locked it after I opened the door so it auto locks and I don't have a key," I say on a slow breath.

"I have a key. Christ, you smell so good," he murmurs and runs his nose across my cheek.

I would tell him the same thing, but the information about him having my key stops me cold. "You made copies of my keys?" I knew he must have, I just didn't expect him to admit it.

His hand glides down my body until he cups my ass. He ignores my question. "I just needed to see you for a moment and do this..."

His lips crash down on mine. He isn't gentle. I forget about the keys. Hell, I forget that I'm outside in my short shorts. The kiss is hungry and wet, dominating and sexual. He tastes so damn good.

He backs off and runs his tongue across my lips. "I've fantasized for the past two nights about you, like this." He deepens the kiss. His tongue slips around mine and I moan. He pulls me closer and presses his erection into my lower belly. Fucking hell he feels good. My panties flood with liquid heat. He bites my lower lip and runs his tongue inside. He slides his hand off my ass and grasps my fingers, raising my arms above my head, and uses his body to push me against the door. I want him inside me, making me come. I no longer want to deny this man. He lifts my arms higher.

"Shoulder, please," I whisper as soon as he lets me up for air. A dull throb is settling in my shoulder and once more I hate that my body limits me.

Moon immediately drops my hands and his fingers go to my braid, which rests over my shoulder. He tugs it playfully. "Sorry," he breathes. "I only needed one kiss. Now, I can't get enough."

"Moon..." I sigh as he places soft, wet kisses down my throat. He nibbles my skin, and fuck I want his teeth to sink in and claim me.

"You need to promise you'll be here when I pick you up for our date," he says with a groan against my throat. His hot breath makes me shiver.

It's hard to think while he's touching me and using the braid to steer my head where he wants it. He hits every erogenous zone I have from the neck up. My breathing is ragged, and I swear I'm about to pass out from lack of oxygen. "I can't be seen with you, Moon."

The words are like ice water. His sensual blue eyes turn hard and his nostrils flair. The hold he has on my braid tightens and his other hand moves to my throat where he adds just a bit of pressure. His thumb ring slides across my jaw. When he speaks, I don't like the edge in his voice. "For the first time in my life, I've reconsidered who I am and what I do. Thoughts of you are eating me alive. You see a criminal, but I have no criminal history-no arrests, nothing. I'm asking you to look past what you think you know and go out with me."

This isn't the time or place to have this discussion. Moon isn't giving me a choice. "I know exactly who you are. Lack of a criminal history doesn't change that. I don't need the trouble that being associated with you will bring." It's harsh but true. I need him to back off because my resolve weakens as soon as he touches me. What I want and what I need are two entirely different things.

Moon leans closer. His finger slides over my lips before his mouth moves in. This kiss practically stops my heart. It's completely different. It's slow and sweet. Giving, instead of taking. The possessiveness is gone and in its place is gentleness. He's killing me. Stabbing me in the heart with kindness. He raises his head and I'm breathless. His eyes have turned dark with sensuality and his anger has vanished. "We'll work it out, Madison."

It's not what I want. I don't need this worked out. I need Moon out of my life. I say none of this because the last kiss suckered me into giving him a chance. "I need a favor."

He pulls away a little and I can tell his thoughts are racing. "If I give you this favor, you'll be ready when I arrive Wednesday and have an overnight bag packed."

Hell, he has no idea what I'll ask for and still, he's willing to give it. "It's a small favor and doesn't require an overnight bag."

"Those are my terms." The silver streaks are back in his eyes and he's all business.

This isn't good. How the hell do I get myself into these situations? I tell him what I need without agreeing to his demands. "Downtown Phoenix animal control has a goat that needs a home. A home where it's not a hot meal."

He stares at me for several long moments. I know he's trying to decide if I'm serious. "A goat?" he finally asks.

"Yes, as in Billy."

I receive what I've wanted since Moon appeared at my door. He smiles and the smile turns to laughter. The sound travels over my skin like it did before. His expression changes and whatever it is that made his day a bad one is no longer in his thoughts. My insides go soft and gooey. How does something as simple as laughter ratchet up sexual awareness that was already on high alert? The smile doesn't leave his lips when he leans in and kisses me again. Keys jingle and I'm completely unaware how they ended up in his hand. He unlocks the door while assaulting my lips. When the door slides backward, Moon keeps me from falling. The sexual fog he's cast over me is alive and well, and I'm about to combust.

He pulls away. "Lock up," he says and places a sweet and gentle kiss on my lips. "I'll find a home for your goat."

I close and lock the door and lean my forehead against it like I did two nights ago. I'm in so far over my head that drowning will be the only outcome possible.

***

Dawn arrives too damn soon. I spent another night alone in my bed with my vibrator for company. Thankfully, I bought a twenty-four pack of double A batteries. If things keep going this way, I'll need them. Unfortunately, the purple wonder struggled to do the deed. Thoughts of Moon are not like having the real thing. I've come to the conclusion sleeping with him is the only solution. I need him out of my system so I can go on with my boring life.

I hit the apartment complex gym and add an extra two miles on the treadmill to hopefully waylay my dirty thoughts. I work my lower body on the weight machines too. When I'm dripping sweat and too exhausted to do another rep, I walk back to my apartment and take a lukewarm summer shower.

My cell rings while I'm drying myself off. I recognize the ring tone and answer, "Hi, Dad."

"Hey, Mak." He goes straight to the point, "You're taking after your dear old dad and have a live one here."

"You looked over the figures I sent?" I can't keep the happy thrill from my voice.

"Yes..." he goes on to give me the details on how my thief is working her scam. She's good. When I interviewed her boss, I had him give me a rundown on all his employees. Her glowing reference put her at the top of my list. She's the employee who never forgets a birthday and buys the boss ugly sweaters for Christmas. Everyone loves her. Back in my patrol days, I took a general training about white collar crime. The least likely employee was mentioned as being a key subject of interest. Embezzlers don't see themselves as thieves. Oh, they know if they get caught, they can do jail time, but they think the money is owed to them, so they mentally excuse the theft away. They keep everyone happy with gifts and baked goods while robbing the company blind.

"Thanks, Dad. I owe you Spam casserole next time I visit." My mom refuses to make it for him or to even buy Spam. My dad loves it and the least I can do is prepare the disgusting stuff once a year. "I'll call Mom tomorrow, promise."

"You're on. I just e-mailed my notes on your case back."

"Love you."

"Love you too, sweetie. Now I'm off for a round of golf."

"Hang low, Dad."

"Gotcha, sweetheart."

I fist pump my hand into the air after I pull up the promised e-mail. I send off an e-mail to the company CEO and make an appointment. I'll run everything by him and he'll make the decision about taking the case to the police. Sadly, for this type of crime, company leaders usually don't go to the police. The thief will be fired and go find another job where she'll do the same thing. That's how I zeroed in on her. It wasn't her first time. Nine years ago, she did pretty much the same thing. The reluctance of that employer to speak up landed her the job she's now in. It comes down to lawsuits. It might make me angry, but I'm out of it after handing over the evidence.

My day is fairly productive. I give the bad news to the CEO and check my bank account an hour later. The CEO transferred my final payment and I'm flush for two solid months. It's a first for me since getting my PI license, and I'm hopeful for the future. Late in the afternoon, I treat myself to a Caesar salad and delicious hard crusted roll from the Wildflower Bread Company off North Hayden Road. After a short wait, I land a small table inside. Nine months out of twelve you can sit outside and enjoy the day. Not in the summer.

I'm finished with half my salad when I get a strange tingling on the back of my neck. Cops don't disregard these feelings. I slide my gaze around the restaurant. Hell, it's Kennedy. He's leaning against an inside pillar and staring straight at me. When he sees I've noticed him, he tips his chin up and walks out.

Damn, damn, damn. This was a threat and it won't mean anything to the police. Kennedy followed me here and made sure I noticed him. I'm pissed off and leave my uneaten salad and roll on the table. I get behind Sally's steering wheel and browse through my contacts until I locate Al's number.

"Yea?" he answers after two rings.

"This is Mak. You can tell Kennedy to fuck off." I hang up and head back to my apartment. It takes another workout to calm me down. I enter my apartment with my gun drawn and search it. If Kennedy wants to play hardball, I won't be missing the pitch.

After a shower and a short foray through television channels, I head to bed. It's been a long day, and I fall asleep without using the purple wonder. Moon's blue, piercing gaze flashes through my thoughts as darkness takes me away.

I grab for my ringing cell phone sometime later. I look at the clock on my nightstand while answering. It's one in the morning, and I'm trying like crazy to clear the fog from my brain.

"Mak, you need to help me..."