Midnight Hero by Diana Duncan

money. From the bookstore,” she whispered. “When you tackled me outside the bank, I was carrying the deposit bag. I left it there. The store’s name and account number are stamped on the front. If the robbers see it lying in front of the doorway, they’ll know someone was out there and saw them. They’ll know someone else is in the mall.”
    He frowned. “Low odds, but I don’t like it. I need to circle back and do a thorough recon anyway. I’ll retrieve it.”
    She grabbed his sleeve, clung. “No!”
    He sighed. “Since we’re in this for the long haul, let’s get something straight.” He grasped her forearms in a gentle but ironclad grip. His gaze held hers, steady and implacable. “I am in charge of this operation. The objective is to go home with the same amount of holes in our body that we came with. And to get our friends out of that bank alive. Understand?”
    â€œY-yes.” She’d never seen this side of him before. Hard. Serious. All business. All cop. This Con was intimidating. Centering. And in an odd, unexpected twist, exciting. She’d always been attracted to his easygoing charm. Aroused by his sexy humor. Yet, this dangerous side of him turned her on. A lot. What was the matter with her? Had terror sent her round the bend? Was she stark-raving nuts? She was a pacifist, for heaven’s sake.
    â€œYou cannot question every detail or balk at decisions. You do what I say, when I say. Otherwise, someone could die. Got it?”
    Mr. Large-and-In-Charge had a point. She already had two potentially deadly mistakes on her account. Which didn’t mean his drill-sergeant attitude rankled any less. She wasn’t a complete moron. After all, she’d taken out a bad guy and given Con an idea for an effective weapon. Bailey Chambers could carry her weight. Straightening, she snapped off a crisp salute. “Aye, aye, sir.”
    â€œThis isn’t the navy. Make that, ‘Yes, sir, Officer O’Rourke.’”
    She stared into the twin lasers of his lethal brown gaze. Was he joking or serious? “Kiss my what? Officer O’Rourke. Sir. ”
    His sensual lips twitched. Then he burst into laughter. “Baby, I’ll kiss any thing you want. Any time. Any where.”
    Whoo. “I appreciate the offer.” Was it normal to indulge in a brief erotic fantasy in the middle of a life-or-death situation? For her pulse to throb, her skin heat, awareness tingle over her? She was going insane.
    As if he’d read her naughty thoughts, his eyes grew dark and smoky. “It’s not an offer, it’s a promise. But if it makes you feel better, you can tally it in your notebook.”
    A guilty flush stole up her neck. What would he say if he knew over the past six months, she’d compiled a mental roster of intimate activities she’d like to indulge in with him?
    â€œYou’re not pale now.” He trailed a finger down her cheek. Studied her. Grinned with sudden enlightenment. “I’ll be damned. You and your lists. I’d love to get an eyes-on assessment of that one, darlin’. How much am I into you for?”
    Busted by Officer Sexy. Her flush burned hotter. “About twenty items.”
    Amusement and desire glittered in his dark eyes, danced around his mouth. “I’ll pay up in full.”
    They had to live through the night first. Jolted to reality, she swallowed hard. “Let’s table this discussion until later.”
    â€œCount on it.” He sobered. “Enjoyable as this is, I’ve got a recon to perform.”
    â€œRight. What do you want me to do?”
    He glanced around. “Most hunted animals, including humans, go to ground. If anyone comes looking, they’ll search low.” He pointed. “Up there.”
    A trampoline hung suspended from the ceiling. He lifted her onto the counter and levered up beside her. His cupped hands boosted her