Friction (Red Hot Private Eye, Novella, Vol. 2) by Melanie Shawn

there was no way she would let him.
    Right?
    “Miss Diaz?” Detective Pearson interrupted her inner musings.
    She shook her head to attempt to clear it, “I’m sorry. What?”
    “I think we are done here,” he smiled, “I think I’ve gotten what I needed.”
    “Oh, okay. Well, let me know if I can help you with anything else,” Raiza said as she stood to exit.
    “I’ll do that,” the detective held the door open for her.
    She noticed as she passed him that his eyes skimmed down her body, and, if she wasn’t mistaken, he liked what he saw. He was a good-looking guy. She appreciated the attention, but it didn’t do anything for her.
    Not like Mateo. The way her body responded when he looked at her, touched her, even spoke to her was unlike anything she had ever experienced. He excited her and made her feel secure and safe at the same time. It was hot.
    She had a feeling if she didn’t keep her guard up around him, she could easily become addicted to the way she felt whenever he was around. She needed to keep her distance.
    Turning the corner to their office she knew that obviously the only distance she could realistically keep would be mental and emotional. She would see him every day. All day.
    Crap.
    Unless he was in the field, which would probably be often. Suddenly, the thought of him not being in their office felt lonely.
    Okay, she was like Dr. Jekyll and Mrs. Hyde with this thing. She reminded herself that she couldn’t have it both ways.
    So the question was—which way did she want it?

Chapter Twelve
    Raiza had just gotten off the phone with her Tia Leti when she heard a familiar pounding on the door. Her heart skipped a beat and her breath caught in her throat. Her palms grew moist as she zipped up her suitcase.
    She walked down the hallway trying to keep her physical reaction in check. What she wanted to do was smile from ear to ear and do a happy dance down the hall. But she refrained. Barely.
    Reaching for the doorknob her hand was shaking. She swallowed and told herself to get a grip. Taking a deep breath she opened it.
    A feeling of déjà vu rushed through her. Mateo stood on her porch, his large frame dominating the space. He had a scowl on his face that most people would be intimidated by, but she wasn’t most people.
    Tilting her head to the side she asked, “Can I help you?”
    “Are you going out with that detective?” he growled.
    Raiza’s eyebrows raised, “Excuse me?”
    Mateo raked his fingers through his thick hair causing his t-shirt to pull tautly against his chest and his biceps. Oh my. She had to check her mouth for drool.
    Instead of answering her Mateo stepped inside. She shut the door as she said, “Come on in.”
    He moved close to her and she felt surrounded by his presence. She liked it. A lot.
    His eyes darkened as he lowered his head closer to her. “I heard that detective on the phone saying he asked you out.”
    “Oh,” Raiza waved her hand dismissively, “that.”
    “Yes,” Mateo placed his hands on the wall resting them on either side of her, “that.”
    She looked up at him, not really comprehending where he was going with this. He looked jealous, possessive, primal. A flutter began building in her belly and she licked her lips.
    “Did he ask you out?” his deep voice vibrated through the air and caused the fluttering to begin pulsing with need.
    “Yes,” she confirmed, her breathing becoming labored.
    Heat flared through his eyes, either from her answer or her body’s reaction to his closeness.
    “What did you say?”
    “I said I would see what my schedule looked like when I got back in town.” She had no idea why she was answering him. She didn’t owe him any explanation.
    “Are you going to go out with him?” Mateo moved even closer to her.
    “No,” she said barely above a whisper.
    “Good,” Mateo moaned before covering her mouth with his.
    Raiza felt an explosion of sensation bursting forth in her body. She didn't realize, until the