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Pure heaven. This man kissed like nobody she'd ever met, his lips exerting just the right amount of pressure, his tongue seeking hers. She explored him in return, tasting a hint of coffee and cinnamon. Delicious.

Common sense struggled to reassert itself and she pushed him back, breaking the kiss. “We shouldn't do this.”

“You said
shouldn't
, not
can't
. That's pretty telling.” He appeared smug.

“I'm your boss, Gray.”

“Only on paper. You said yourself that Ethan has the final word where I'm concerned. Or anyone in his kitchen, for that matter.”

“How do you think the rest of my staff would react if they found out I was seeing one of them?”

“Why would you care? They answer to you, not the other way around.” He paused. “Do you have a policy prohibiting employees from seeing each other socially?”

“No, of course not.”

“Dating?”

“No,” she admitted.

“And if you found out some of them were dating right now, what would you do?” he pressed.

“Nothing.” She sighed. “As long as they kept the lovey-dovey stuff away from the customers and didn't let it distract them at work, I wouldn't say anything.”

“There you go,” he said with a wicked grin. “You're not breaking your own rule because there isn't one, and you're not setting a double standard. So live a little. All work and no play makes Anna a sad girl.”

“Now you sound like my mother.”

“She must be a smart woman.”

“You can judge for yourself. She's arriving for a visit next Friday.”

“You bringing her here, to the restaurant?”

She nodded. “It'll be her first time in New York since we opened. I'm rolling out the red carpet.” For all the good it would do where her mom was concerned. But one could hope.

“Good for you both. Maybe I'll get to meet her while she's here.” He seemed genuine. He stood. “I get off in an hour. What do you say we go for a walk, then I buy us a bottle of wine to share at your place.”

“Why not yours?”

“That's fine with me. It's just that my place is sort of bare. I'm afraid it's a typical bachelor pad, without much furniture or ambiance.”

Hesitating, she wondered if she was really going to do this. In the next instant, she told herself to stop overthinking it.

“My place it is.”

That smile of his could melt her all the way to her toes. He seemed pretty pleased with himself as he sauntered to the door.

“One hour. Can't wait.” Then he was gone.

One hour never passed so slowly.

***

As Gray worked, he wrestled with his conscience. The case was coming along, but he needed to get into Anna's apartment to plant those bugs. He needed time with Anna, too. Investigating her was his job.

The problem was, she was already much more than that to him. He could develop feelings for this woman, might be already. All day he'd thought about whether he should call someone else in to take his place, but there just wasn't time.

Gray kept his eyes and ears open as he chopped. He closely watched the people on his hot list, which included three waiters, a couple of dishwashers, and one of the line cooks. He'd begun to take note of silent cues they gave one another. A nod here and there, or a hand signal. Sometimes a whispered word, so brief it would've gone totally unnoticed if Gray had been simply another coworker.

Their body language differed from the everyday interaction among the staff. Their movements were too precise, too planned. At times it was like they were executing a well-choreographed dance. Gray had discovered that one of the waiters seemed to be a messenger. After a series of signals, he would either text or make a call from an alcove near the men's restroom.

Once the pattern emerged, Gray was surprised and impressed by how very simple and effective their operation was. If Gray and Simon hadn't traced a mob boss's key associate to Floor Fifty-Five, the setup could've operated for years without attracting attention.

Now he had to figure out where the cocaine was being stored and how they were moving it through the restaurant and out to their buyers. He had a theory, but no proof. Yet.

When his shift ended, he headed for Anna's office. Through her half-open door he observed her unnoticed for a minute. Sitting at her desk, the gorgeous brunette was leaning over some papers, frowning as if she'd rather be anywhere else. He could fix that.

“Ready to quit?”

Straightening, she brushed her hair back from her face, but the long tresses tumbled down again, falling well past her shoulders. Big brown eyes were raised to his, the fatigue vanishing to be replaced by happiness the second she saw him.

“I am
so
ready. Let me shut down.”

Closing out of the program on her laptop, she took it and locked it in a cabinet behind her desk. Gray made a mental note to get to the computer one night soon, after closing, and download the information from the hard drive.

After tidying the papers and grabbing her purse, she faced him. “Ready.”

Walking out with her, he wondered if anyone would comment about his accompanying her. Ethan shot him a scowl, but everyone else went about their business. As they stepped into the elevator, he decided to probe her past a bit.

“You mentioned your mother coming to visit. What about your dad?”

Sadness shadowed her expression. “Dad passed away several years ago. My mom was heartbroken and has never remarried, though she's had men interested. She's still a good-looking woman at sixty-one.”

“Good genes must run in the family.”

She returned his smile. “Thanks. Same with yours.” Before he could reply, she asked, “What about your parents? Do they live in New York?”

Bittersweet memories assailed him, and a touch of regret. “No. They were from Alabama. Mom died of an aneurism four years ago, and Dad last year of a heart attack.”

“I'm so sorry.”

“Me too. My dad and I had been at odds for the past several years, and I never got the chance to make things right.”

As they stepped out of the elevator, she surprised him by linking their fingers. It might've been nothing more than a gesture of comfort, but he liked her small, soft hand in his much bigger one. She called good night to the night watchman, and they strolled into the evening.

“Are you hungry?” he asked.

“I could eat. You must be starving after working all afternoon.”

“Yeah. Surrounded by food every day and not one morsel can we sneak into our mouths without Ethan ripping us a new one.”

She snickered. “That's what I pay him the big bucks for—to be my food nazi.”

“Well, he's doing a damned fine job.” He liked this. Just being with Anna, talking. Enjoying her closeness. “Want to grab a slice of pizza from that place on the next block?”

“Ooh, I love their pizza! The family who owns it makes everything from scratch, and the food is fantastic.”

“They're one of my favorites, too. Let's do it.”

They ended up sharing a whole pie, pigging out. Or rather, he ate most of it while listening to Anna talk about growing up with a set of parents who only saw things in black and white and no siblings to take the heat off. According to Anna, she and her mother were as polar opposite as mother and daughter could be, sometimes a source of friction between them. She loved her mother, though, and was looking forward to her visit from Baltimore in spite of all that.

After they were done eating, they strolled casually along, this time with Anna pumping him about his nonexistent time at the law firm and why he decided to become a prep chef. The conversation was uncomfortable to say the least—for once in his career, he hated lying to a potential suspect, even for the greater good of busting a drug ring.

“I just got tired of the strain, the pressure to claw my way to the top and stay there.” He shrugged. “Cooking has always been a passion of mine, so I went for it.”

A greater lie had never passed his lips. Gray couldn't fix Hamburger Helper without reading the directions three times. Le Cordon Bleu had been thrilled to get rid of him when his crash course for the undercover job was done.

Thankfully, Anna seemed to accept his story without question, and he was able to relax again. The conversation swung to more innocuous topics, like Anna's being a cat lover but not having much time for a pet.

“I think you should go for it. Cats don't need a lot of attention like dogs do.”

She smiled, kept talking. He wasn't aware of much more than her lithe body next to his, the way her round, tight rear end looked sensational in her black pants, how her classy, high-heeled boots made her legs seem a mile long.

Around the corner from home, they stopped to buy a bottle of red wine. Arriving at her apartment door, he could hardly contain his excitement when she turned to him and smiled.

“Ready to relax at my place for a while?”

“I'd love nothing better than to spend more time with you.”

And among all the lies he'd told tonight, that was the one big truth he hoped she would remember when the shit hit the fan.

3

She knew what she wanted tonight, and there was no turning back from her decision.

It had been far too long since she'd let a man into her apartment. Her life. Whether Gray was Mr. Right or Mr. Right Now remained to be seen. But the attraction was undeniable.

What a mild word,
attraction
. In truth, she'd been on a slow burn all evening that had become a fire. She wanted this man to put it out—again and again.

Taking the wine from him, she went into the kitchen, set the bottle on the counter, and retrieved two glasses. She was reaching for the electric bottle opener when a hard male body pressed into her from behind and strong arms wrapped themselves around her waist. His lips nuzzled at her neck and jaw, peppering her with kisses that made gooseflesh break out all over her.

“What do you say we save the wine for later?”

Long fingers worked under the edge of her blouse, skimmed her belly. Then traveled upward to tease at the lacy cup of her bra and the swell of one breast. Abandoning the wine, she relaxed into him, loving his hands on her skin.

“What do you want? Tell me,” he murmured.

“Everything. It's been too long.”

“We can't have that.” Warm breath tickled her ear. “You'll have everything, then. Whatever your heart desires.”

“I don't think my heart has much to do with it.”

“I'm betting you're wrong,” he said with a low chuckle. “But one issue at a time.”

The catch on her bra was released and his hands cupped her freed breasts, weighing them. Making a pleased sound in his chest, he took each nipple between a thumb and forefinger and rolled them, exerting just the right amount of pressure to send little shocks through her nerve endings and make her arch into him even more.

“God, that's so good.”

“We're only getting warmed up,” he promised.

Those marvelous hands went to the button on her pants, and soon they and her panties were sliding down her hips to her ankles. She stepped out of them and spread her legs at his whispered urging, a thrill going through her when he knelt on the floor behind her. There was something decidedly naughty about being spread for him, half-naked, while he was still fully clothed and ready to have his way with her.

Then all thinking stopped and she could only feel. His fingers dipped between her legs, rubbed the smooth skin of her folds. Delved between them to collect her moisture and spread it around.

“So wet. So pretty. Let me taste?”

That he asked was sexy. He wasn't simply taking, he was giving her what she wanted.

“Please . . .”

His tongue was a supernova on her sensitized skin. She was so ready to be taken and devoured, she almost came from that alone. But she managed to hold back as he licked her pussy, exploring every crease, increasing the heat in her body. The want.

Then his tongue pushed into her channel, fucking her, and was soon joined by two fingers. Working in tandem, they nearly drove her crazy, and she widened her stance, whimpering for more.

“Greedy baby. You taste so fine. I'm going to eat you until you come, and then I'm going to fuck you until you come a second time. Until you can't stand.”

His rumbled threat was an aphrodisiac to her senses. He played her like an instrument, laving her slit, and when he edged in farther to torture her clit, she began to come unraveled.

“Oh, God!”

“You like that? Me too, honey.”

Latching on to the tiny bud, he suckled relentlessly. The buildup of her impending release made her feel like a balloon, stretching, ready to pop. Gripping the countertop, she cried out as she finally exploded in wave after wave of pleasure. He ate her as she rode out the tide. Never had she felt anything so incredibly erotic.

Then he stood, wiped his face on a nearby hand towel. She heard his zipper, felt his hard, silky length rubbing on the crack of her ass.

“Protection?” she asked, some sense returning.

“Yes, absolutely.”

There was movement behind her as he dug into his pocket and produced the square packet they needed. Then some crinkling noises as he opened the foil and the sounds of his quickly sheathing himself.

Gripping one of her hips, he guided the head of his cock to her dripping sex and began to push inside. They needed no lube. She was still so hot for him, even after the shattering orgasm, that she opened for her lover like a flower. His cock slid deeper, filling her fully, and at last he was seated to the balls.

“Fuck me,” she moaned. “Please.”

Needing no further encouragement, he began to thrust. Fingers digging into her hips, he powered his cock home, so deep and hard he was almost lifting her off her feet. She loved it and leaned over the counter, pushing out her ass as far as possible to give him the best angle.

Groaning in pleasure, he slammed into her channel faster, their flesh slapping in decadent rhythm. All too soon she felt her orgasm building again and never wanted this to end. She wanted him to go on fucking her all night. Until they collapsed from exhaustion.

Shattering, she stiffened with a cry, pulsing around his shaft. With a shout, he thrust deep and shuddered hard, shivering over her until his own release was complete. They stayed together for a few seconds, Gray kissing her shoulder repeatedly and whispering endearments into her skin. She enjoyed being connected to him, and in the afterglow, it felt like more than sex had occurred.

He pulled out, leaving her physically empty but satisfied in a way she hadn't been in ages. Maybe never. After giving him a kiss, she went into the living room and plucked a tissue from the box on an end table and brought it to him. He rolled the condom in it and tossed it in the garbage.

“Stay?” she asked. Suddenly his answer meant the world. His grin was all the reassurance she needed.

“I'd love to. Shower first?”

“You bet.”

She took him by the hand and led him to her shower, where they played for some time. The water ran cold and the wine went untouched that night.

Anna couldn't remember when she'd been happier. Gray had been right. It was past time to live a little—and that's exactly what she planned to do.

***

He was having the best damned dream of his life.

Warmth pooled in his groin, and he stirred with a groan. Lips surrounded him, enveloping his cock. Taking him deep, sucking.

Gradually Gray awoke, but the sensation intensified. He wasn't dreaming, then. His eyes popped open, his vision adjusting to the strange bedroom bathed in shadow. His eyes traveled south, and he stiffened even harder at the sight that greeted him.

Anna was crouched between his legs, sucking his cock. Naked, awash in moonlight, with her dark hair falling around her shoulders, she was a goddess of the night owning his body. And she could have all of him. Whatever she wanted, he'd gladly give.

She took him down her throat, then pulled back. Again and again, until he was almost mindless with lust. Next she licked down the length of his shaft to his balls and laved them, too. One, then the other, bathing them with her tongue, heightening his arousal to painful levels.

“God, that's so good.” He sucked in a breath. “I'm going to come if you keep that up.”

“Not yet.” Her grin was barely visible in the darkness. “Do you have another condom?”

“In my jeans pocket.”

She moved off the bed, rummaged around, and was back in a few seconds, holding up her prize. Deftly, she unwrapped the package and gloved him up. Then she blew his mind by straddling his lap, placing the head between the folds of her pussy.

“I'm going to ride you.” She pinched one of his nipples, and he bucked into her.

“Shit, yes!”

Sinking onto his length, she began to move. Up and down, rubbing her clit along his cock and squeezing his rod. Sucking in a deep breath, he fought not to shoot too soon. It was a losing endeavor with her bouncing in his lap, breasts jiggling, sweet sex gripping him tight. Urging him over the edge.

Unable to hold back any longer, he came with a hoarse shout, filling the latex with his release. Above him she cried out, spasms rocking her slender body until finally she draped over his chest.

A wave of emotion swept over him as he brushed the damp hair from her face. The feeling scared him. He had no business bedding a potential suspect, much less falling for her. The sex had been mind-blowing, yet wrong on so many levels. He was supposed to think of her as a mark, a means to furthering his investigation, and he just couldn't.

He hoped like hell she would forgive him for this and for what he was about to do. He prayed she'd understand that his actions now were simply to clear her of any wrongdoing, and for no other reason.

Easing Anna off him and to her side, he spooned her from behind until her breathing evened out. Satisfied she was in a deep sleep, he slipped from the bed. First, he disposed of the condom and cleaned up in the bathroom, then dressed as quietly as possible before heading out of her apartment.

Making sure to leave her door unlocked so he could get back in, he hurried the few doors to his apartment and grabbed a small cloth bag from his nightstand drawer. After pouring the tiny items inside into his hand, he made his way back to her place in record time.

Once there, he undressed again in case she awoke. It would be easier to cover his actions that way. Sneaking around her apartment, he did what he'd originally come here to do—and felt like a complete piece of shit for it the whole time. When he was finished, he retrieved his iPhone from his jeans, went into the living room, and sent a text.

Everything is in place here.

From Simon, he received,
We're good on this end.

This sucks.

I know, bro. Hang tight.

He'd try. For now, that's all he could do.

***

Anna awoke to a handsome face smiling into hers. Despite her grogginess, she couldn't help but smile back. “Hey, there.”

“Hey, gorgeous.” He kissed her nose. “Did you sleep well?”

“Like a baby,” she said. “Never better.” Her muscles were pleasantly sore in all the right places, too.

“Want to get cleaned up and go eat some breakfast?”

“I'm not sure I have time. I need to go in to the office and go over some paperwork, check on a few orders, and—”

“Anna,” he interrupted. His expression was amused. “It's not even nine in the morning and you're already wound tighter than a spring. You really have to learn to let go of that tension or you're going to have real health problems later in life.”

“Why thanks, doc,” she said dryly. “What cure do you suggest?”

“Food, for a start. Then we're going to play hooky for the day.”

He sounded so sure of himself, she laughed. “Oh, really? You think the boss will let you get away with that?”

That earned her a grin. “Oh, I know she will. She likes me.”

“Maybe she does,” she teased. “So, assuming you can charm your boss into playing hooky, how exactly do you plan to spend the day?”

Now he showed all the enthusiasm of a little kid. “I want you to show me New York City.”

“For real?”

“Yes! Why not? I've been here for months and I haven't taken in the city yet. There's a certain pulse to the atmosphere, a cool vibe I want to be a part of. I want to take in the history and the excitement, but I guess I haven't because it's more fun to do it with someone special.”

She thought for a minute, weighing the merits of taking a day off. Finally, she gave in. “How can I say no to that? What do you want to see?”

“Everything. Come on, let's go.”

After a fun shower that involved soap in interesting places, they got dressed and headed out. Their first stop was a small corner café that served an appetizing breakfast. They dug in to their food, and she marveled at the sheer amount the man could pack away. She could barely finish her eggs and bacon, but Gray ate that plus pancakes and enough syrup to put anyone into a sugar coma.

They chatted companionably, and she found herself drawn to him more and more. She learned that in addition to his parents being dead, he had no brothers or sisters. Although he hadn't cared much about his lack of siblings as a younger man, now he felt the loneliness of having no family. In that at least they had something in common—when her mother passed, she'd be alone, too.

When they were finished with breakfast, he paid the bill despite her protest, then took her by the hand. “Come on, let's grab a cab to the ferry. I want to see the Statue of Liberty up close.”

“That's a sight everyone must take in at least once in their lifetime,” she agreed. “It's awe-inspiring.”

After waiting in line for a while, they finally made it onto a boat. Anna stood by Gray next to the rail and looked over the harbor, enjoying the view of both the ocean and the man at her side. There was something freeing about gazing over the sea, leaning into his warmth as his arm went around her and pulled her into his side.

She felt protected. Wanted. Cherished. Maybe it was just wishful thinking, but she liked feeling that way. It was a first.

“How many times have you been out here?” he asked.

“Just once before.”

“With a boyfriend?”

She smiled at his blatant fishing. “By myself, actually.”

“That sounds lonely.”

“A little, maybe.” She shrugged. “I hadn't really thought about it.”

That was a lie, and from the lift of his brow, he smelled it a mile off. Instead of calling her on it, however, he posed another question. “Have you dated a lot?”

She shook her head. “No. I haven't had a ton of time the past few years. You?”

“Same. But I'm finding that I may have put my priorities in the wrong order.”

The statement was so obvious, as was the pointed look he gave her, she didn't know what to do with it. She was pleased and a bit scared at the same time. In the end, his closeness, their intimacy, won her over, and she replied, “Maybe I have, too.”