Shades of Temptation by Virna Depaul

Headquarters. “Fun my ass,” she breathed, more to push away the
images the phrase brought to mind—all involving her and a very naked, sweaty
Jase Tyler—than anything else. “He’s exactly what you thought,” she told
herself. “He respects female cops, but God forbid he ever become involved with
one for more than a quick screw.”
    She snorted and shook her head. Quick screw? Right. As if. From
what she knew about Jase Tyler, he wouldn’t be a quick lover. If his slight
Texan drawl and his deceptive habits of lounging and ambling weren’t proof
enough, all she had to do was remember the slow, firm strokes he’d used to
massage her legs. He’d had all the patience in the world, teasing both her and
himself with carefully controlled touches when it had been damn clear they’d
both wanted more.
    When he’d tugged her thighs farther apart, it had taken
everything she had not to grasp his hand and guide it between them. She’d been
aching for his touch, his penetration. Wanting to be filled. Wanting to lose
herself in pleasure in a way she never had before. It was one of the things that
drew her most to him. Her life demanded constant energy from her and that’s the
way she liked it. Most of the time. She knew that once Jase got a woman in bed,
he’d make sure they stayed there for a long time. While he did all kinds of
wonderful things to her.
    Too bad that woman was never going to be her.
    So forget about him already. You’ve got a
job to do.
    Sighing, she rubbed at her eyes, which felt covered with
grit.
    She’d been doing her job all night. So much so that she hadn’t
gotten any sleep.
    After Jase left, she’d kept working just so she wouldn’t give
in to temptation and call him. Thankfully, after looking at the crime-scene
photos again and going over the notes she’d made, she’d forgotten about Jase and
their turbulent relationship. All she’d been focused on was trying to come up
with a lead. Any kind of lead.
    Her mind still on the case, Carrie took the elevator to the
lower floor that contained locker rooms and a small workout room. She hadn’t
done her P.T. exercises this morning, so she’d do them now. That way, she could
work uninterrupted through the rest of the day. After meeting with the
commander, she’d start setting up interviews. Then she’d—
    Turning a corner, she didn’t even see the man coming toward
her. She ran right into him.
    She actually bounced off Jase’s hard body before he grabbed her
arms to steady her. Instantly, she took in his half-dressed state. He wore
shorts, socks and sneakers, but nothing else. His chest was bare, his muscles
defined and bulkier than she’d have expected, his skin a smooth surface
sprinkled lightly with the perfect amount of hair. He was sweating and breathing
hard, and she realized he must have just finished working out, either running on
the treadmill or lifting weights or both.
    She gulped in air, trying to steady herself, but all she ended
up doing was inhaling his spicy, musky scent, all hint of cologne gone and only
the wonderful subtle aroma of man left behind. His grip loosened, but he didn’t
let go of her. Instead, he smoothed his palms against her arms in a gentling
motion. From just that slight touch, from just seeing him, she was ready to
take. And to be taken.
    It pissed her off, but…
    Big deal. So her response proved she was human, female and
breathing.
    Despite his southern charm and snazzy clothes, he exuded that
bad-boy quality that made grown women turn into simpering fools. She’d seen that
herself last night at McGill’s when one woman after another had propositioned
him.
    But he didn’t want them, a voice
taunted her. He wanted you. Only not for a commitment—for a
roll in the sack.
    Story of her life.
    But she was stronger than the bolt of chemistry that hit
whenever they were together.
    She had to be.
    Didn’t she?
    She wasn’t so sure anymore. They stared at each other before
his gaze dropped to her