Page 55 of Trap ’N’ Trace

Kat stared at the wet floor. She didn’t care that they were sleeping together, either. Drawing on years of ingrained courtesy, she mustered a smile.

“Ladies, have a good evening.” Dayne grabbed a mug and the entire carafe, taking it with him into the library.

All three women repositioned themselves to eye Dayne’s backside.

Elaina’s lips curved in a decidedly feline smile. “That man is fine.”

Yuck. Her friends’ behavior had always been this way, and in that regard, they were consistent to a fault. The problem wasn’t that they hadn’t changed. She had.

Tolerating them wasn’t as easy as it once had been. Or maybe she was finally seeing them for what they really were: a trio of rude, snobby bitches.

What’s happening to me?

The only thing certain was the driving need to get them out of her home.

…

Dayne held the first edition Sherlock Holmes novel in one hand, his mug of coffee in the other. His fourth mug. It was eight o’clock, and he’d been sucking down java for the last three hours. At this point, he was more wired than the inside of a computer. He was caffeinated as fuck.

Blood pumped through his veins at light speed, but he actually found Kat’s library peaceful. Peace that was interrupted by sounds he hadn’t known a human being could make.

He’d left the library door partially open. Not enough to protect his eardrums from the occasional high-pitched squeals and giggles. Not once did he hear Kat’s voice. He imagined her sitting calmly in one of those big overstuffed chairs, listening politely while her friends rambled on. Those women knew no boundaries. Definitely the kiss-and-tell type.

Yeah, and speaking of kissing…

Blood shot straight to his dick, and he shut his eyes, reliving every hot, wild moment in Kat’s bed. His body had been on fire, and hers had been soft and pliant beneath him. When she’d dragged her short nails down his back and dug her fingers into his muscles, his entire body hummed with the need to sink deep inside her. Maintaining distance from her had gone totally to hell. Things were all good until she’d reached for him. That’s all it had taken. One touch and he’d gone ballistic in her arms.

He snapped the book shut. Weak. That’s what he was around her. He’d been drawn to her from the start and knew it was wrong. Screwing his witness would be supremely unprofessional and way past irresponsible. He was sworn to protect her. Not make love to her like his next breath depended on getting inside her.

Didn’t matter that she’d been a willing participant or that she’d instigated it. He’d been right there with her. He’d wanted her and still did. When he agreed to sex amnesia, he’d been lying his ass off. He’d seen the hurt in her eyes. It was brief, but it had been there, and it was like a justifiable kick in the balls. But it was his best armor against her because it couldn’t happen again.

Shortly after he’d made his escape to the library, the dogs had slunk in to take refuge and now slept in the center of the ornate Persian rug. The library truly was amazing. With its fourteen-foot high ceiling, and every square inch of wall space jam-packed with books, it was like a museum, just for books.

Laughter from the living room had Remy’s ears twitching. Angus’s hind legs kicked as if he were running in his sleep. The women’s voices grew louder as they entered the foyer. Thank you, Jesus. They’re leaving.

He pulled his phone from his belt and texted the guards. If the guys were smart, they’d hide inside their vehicles until Kat’s friends were off the property.

Friends my ass.

He’d wanted to say something but held back. Who was he to criticize the people she surrounded herself with? His role in her life was temporary. Whom she hung out with was none of his business. Just like it was none of his business who Chad was. Sounded like the guy was a total prick. But Nat was worse for going after him without telling Kat.

Let it go.

Why couldn’t he?

Because he cared. The admission had him mentally kicking himself. Involving his emotions in a homicide investigation was a bad idea. Emotions got people killed.

Another minute went by before the front door opened and closed, followed by the limousine pulling away. He exhaled a long, caffeine-laden breath. The plan was to walk off all his pent-up energy outside with the dogs then try to get some shut-eye.

Kat’s heels sounded as she came into the library. “I need to apologize.” Dark circles shadowed her eyes, and her shoulders sagged. “I won’t have them over again as long as you’re here. In fact, I may never have them over again at all.”

“It’s your home.” He set the book on the table and stood. “You can have anyone over that you like. I’m a big boy. I can take care of myself.”

She shook her head. “You shouldn’t have to.”

He shoved his hands in his pockets. The white elephant in the room was gaining weight by the second, and they both knew it. If he could go back in time, would he change anything?

I never should have touched her.