Page 30

"Would you believe I'm thinking?"

"About?"

I look up at him.

"Doing something very unprofessional."

His eyebrows rise.

"You're off the clock, Counselor."

"That is an excellent point."

He turns toward me.

Slowly.

Giving me every opportunity to move away.

I don't.

One large hand settles on the counter beside my hip.

I have to tip my head back to meet his eyes.

His stubble shadows the hard edge of his jaw, and there's nothing remotely reassuring about the heat in his gaze.

Not that I want reassurance.

I want his mouth on mine.

Quite desperately, in fact.

"Vex."

"Yeah, darlin'?"

"Are you going to kiss me, or do I need to file a formal request?"

His lips curve.

"Been thinking about it."

"For how long?"

"Long enough."

My pulse stumbles.

"Well, I hate to interfere with your decision-making process, but..."

His hand rises to my cheek.

My words disappear.

For a man capable of so much violence, his touch is astonishingly gentle.

His thumb brushes my skin.