On the Prowl by T. J. Michaels Page A

crack?”
    “No, man, I’m serious. When she laughs, it reminds me of all the naughty things I did when I was a kid and nobody was looking. Deep, like she has some dark, sensuous secret.”
    “Well, it’s probably a good thing you’re hooked on her. You need a strong woman to keep your ass in line.”
    “Oh, and you should talk?” he laughed into the mouthpiece. “So what’s the plan?”
    “Spencer wants you to concentrate on Baker. He doesn’t have any problem with you getting with Jeris as long as you don’t compromise your cover. Besides, getting with her may be the fastest way to wrap this thing up. Appears she’s one step ahead of us, even though we’ve been working this case for months.”
    “How the hell is that possible?”
    “Don’t know. But there’s also the possibility that somebody’s outted her.”
    “I’ll stick close to her. And as for hooking up with Delaine to use her to gather intel, you tell Spencer he can kiss my ass.” With that, Justin clicked the phone shut and disconnected the call.
    He’d been an undercover agent forever, and because of the hazard and secrecy of the job, he’d never enjoyed the companionship of a woman unless it pertained to a mission.
    But Delaine was no mission. She was special. He didn’t know how he knew, but he knew he was right about her. Right then, Justin made a decision that might cost him his career. It meant he would have to tell her exactly who he was and as soon as the time was right, he would. First he had to win her. Then he would keep her.
    * * * * *
    Delaine was ready when Justin rang her doorbell twenty minutes later. She opened the door and almost fainted dead away. Did men get better looking after a little bit of sleep? He smiled and pulled off his dark sunglasses before stepping over the threshold into the foyer. The only word she could think of to describe him was “yummy”. He was dressed in a pair of worn jeans that fit his body perfectly—not too tight, not too loose. His leather jacket was unzipped and revealed a huge muscled chest wrapped in a black, tight-fitting Under Armour shirt, the kind the guys at the gym wore when they worked out.
    She looked up at the ceiling and said a silent prayer. Lord, please don’t let this man take his jacket off. If I’m going to make it to my hair appointment, don’t let me see his chest now, lord. She was so busy trying to keep it together, she didn’t notice the sizzling looks Justin sent her way. After all, her dark blue Under Armour shirt looked painted on too.
    “Did you forget something?” he asked.
    “Huh?”
    “You’re looking up towards the stairs. Did you forget something?” He stepped close enough for her to get a whiff of his cologne. Oh, he smelled so good. She jerked back like he’d slapped her, ignoring the tilt of his head at her odd behavior.
    “Uh, yeah, I just remembered that I forgot something,” Delaine said lamely, knowing her words didn’t make any sense but glad she’d left her purse on her bed. It gave her an excuse to flee the room. “Is it cold out?” she asked over her shoulder as she headed up the curved staircase.
    Justin watched her glorious butt fill out her jogging pants and called out a chilly forty degrees as she hurried along. He bit his lip to keep from telling her how nice her ass was.
    While she scuttled around upstairs, he took the opportunity to look around her house a bit, noting how meticulously clean it was. Sterile was a better word. No photos on the mantel. No pictures on the wall. He knew she’d just moved here and probably just hadn’t had time to do any decorating. Or did she plan on leaving soon? The thought bothered him. Hell, he’d just decided to pursue her, no holds barred, and her leaving Charlotte anytime soon didn’t jive with his goals.
    He didn’t know what drove him to win her. Frankly, he didn’t give a damn. It never occurred to him she might have other plans. Besides, if she felt the same spark between them that