The Pleasure of Sin by Shauna Hart

sister’s killer. I’m counting on it.”
    The look on his face let her know that her aim had hit its target dead on. She would suspect that it had been a long time since anyone believed in Davis MacLean. She just hoped that it meant enough for him to do his job, because she had no other options. If he didn’t help her, then she was truly on her own.
    And that was a thought that scared her more than she was ready to admit.
    * * * *
    The next night she agreed to have dinner with Clay. When he suggested that she meet him at his apartment, she hesitated. Still, maybe his apartment would provide clues that he was unwilling to give. As she walked to his apartment, she began to reconsider the wisdom of her decision.
    Being with Clay was dangerous enough, but being alone with him, surrounded by him, could prove to be lethal.
    She entered the lobby of the building, its marble floors reflecting her every move. She took a deep breath as she stepped into the elevator.
    This was a dangerous gamble.
    Even if he wasn’t the killer, the uncontrollable hunger they had for each other made it perilous. When she stood in front of the door, she mentally prepared herself for the mission she was about to carry out.
    One way or another, she was going to find out what Clay was hiding—no matter what it cost her.
    At her knock, he pulled the door open. Jade felt arousal punch her in the stomach. His scent, a mixture of sandalwood and musk, assaulted her nostrils. His jeans hung low on his hips; his blue polo shirt matched the color of his eyes. An apron hung around his neck that said, don’t forget to kiss the cook . The boyish grin he gave her made her insides flutter. She couldn’t help but wonder if it was all some master plot to lower her defenses.
    “Am I too early?” she croaked, her voice coming out husky.
    His eyes traveled the length of her black dress. “No, I’m just finishing up.” Heat crept into her cheeks at the intense feeling of his eyes on her body. He backed up to allow her into the room.
    She glanced around, her eyes surveying his apartment. The loft was spacious, open. Its brick walls were decorated with oil paintings in vivid, lush colors. A maroon suede couch held its place in the middle of the room with a big screen television in front of it.
    She felt his hands on her shoulders and her body hummed in anticipation. He slid the silk shawl from her arms, walking away to hang it up. Her heels clicked on the hardwood floors as she crossed the room to stand by the kitchen while he finished. She watched as he bent over to remove a thick pan from the oven. His forearms flexed as he pulled it out to sit it on top of the stove. She told herself that she had to stay focused, that she couldn’t forget her goal here tonight. But seeing him in such a domestic setting was creating an unwelcome stir.
    “I hope you like lasagna,” he prodded with a shy smile.
    She returned his grin. “Love it. Do you need any help?”
    “If you could just grab the glasses out of that cabinet right there,” he instructed, pointing to the cabinet behind him.
    She moved into the kitchen, opening the door to produce two wineglasses. She tried not to notice the way her buttocks grazed his as they stood together.
    “You can just sit them on the table,” he explained from behind.
    Walking over to the table, she set the glasses down. Once they were both seated, her eyebrows arched. “I have to say that I’m impressed,” she admitted.
    He tilted his head to the side, one side of his mouth quirking up. “What? That I can cook?” he challenged.
    A blush crept into her cheeks. “Well…yes,” she confessed.
    He leaned across the table, his eyes meeting hers. “You might be surprised at what I can do.”
    I’ll just bet!
    She could imagine all sorts of things he could do.
    All sorts of things he could do to her .
    And the worst part was that she wanted him to.
    Luckily, she was able to change the conversation so swiftly that he had no choice