On the Prowl

by Kimberly Dean

  Her pussy throbbed every time she heard it.

  “I know why you steal,” he said softly.

  She came back to Earth with a thud.

  “I finally figured it out, baby.”

  Talia felt the blood drain from her face. Suddenly light-headed, she fought the weakness that swept through her. He couldn’t know. This was just a new tactic. He was fishing. “Must we go through this again tonight?” she said tightly. “If you haven’t noticed, I am busy.”

  Applause rang out as the auctioneer yelled “sold” and she determinedly looked at the stage, dismissing him. She nearly jumped out of her skin when he caught her chin and redirected her attention back to him.

  “Do you realize how much you light up whenever you talk about kids?” he asked quietly.

  She flinched when he brushed his thumb across her jawline. “I’m very proud of the work the Sizemore Foundation does,” she said.

  “You should be. You’ve helped a lot of people. Linc, for one.”

  A caution sign went up inside her.

  An all-too-knowing light gleamed inside Riley’s eyes but it wasn’t mocking. It was the intimacy of a shared secret.

  A secret he couldn’t possibly know.

  A feeling of dread overcame her.

  “He told me how he’d gotten in trouble without the after-school program there.”

  Oh, God. Dear God. Talia took a deep breath to try to still the apprehension brewing inside her chest. “He’s just a kid,” she said, deliberately avoiding the topic. “He didn’t realize what he was doing when he painted on that wall.”

  “There it is again,” Riley said. He leaned closer. “Your eyes are flashing and your body’s humming. I can feel it from here.”

  Her body wasn’t humming. It was shaking from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. “Kinkade,” she whispered.

  She had to find a way to trip him up. He was venturing too close to the truth.

  “Kids are your passion,” he said, ignoring her warning. “That’s what tipped me off.”

  He reached up and caught her by the nape of the neck. He began to massage the tense muscles he found there but Talia couldn’t relax. She was so close to panic, she could feel it bubbling up in her throat.

  “I couldn’t figure out why you would need to steal,” he said softly. “But it’s not for you, is it? It’s for them.”

  Her thoughts scattered in a million directions. He knew. She’d been so careful but he’d figured it out.

  Applause rang out again but it sounded like gunfire in her ears.

  Run! Her instincts screamed. She had to run!

  Her muscles clenched and she was halfway out of her seat before she realized that would only confirm his suspicions. She locked her knees to force herself to stay put. Flight was not an option—but neither was sitting here doing nothing. Her mind raced out of control. She had to do something to sidetrack him. Anything to shake him loose. Her self-preservation instincts surged and she reached out blindly. She caught them both by surprise when her hand settled over his crotch.

  “Shit!” Riley’s hips bucked and his hands flew up in the air. “What are you doing?”

  Talia’s breath caught and, for a second, she couldn’t answer. She stared wide-eyed at the sight of his firm bulge filling the curve of her palm. What was she doing? A tiger had just come at her and she’d decided to catch it by the cock? What in God’s name did she think this would accomplish besides getting her into even more trouble?

  Think! she screamed inside her head. Why would she—

  “Do you know what I remember about the other night?” she said on impulse. She hesitated only the briefest of moments before rubbing him suggestively. He let out a soft curse and an amazing sense of power filled her. “I remember you nearly breaking down the door of my shop.”

  Emboldened, she trailed her thumb across the swell of one of his balls. His hand clamped down on her forearm and she nearly smiled.

  Before she’d started her life of crime she never would have used sex as a weapon but her new hobby had freed her of many inhibitions. This wasn’t the sanest of tactics but she could feel it working. She had the upper hand—literally. “I remember you and your men tracking snow into my showroom. I remember them pawing through my collection.”

  He started to push her away but she cupped his thickening erection and ground down hard. “I remember you manhandling me,” she hissed.

  Two could play at this blackmail game. If he was going to hold the truth over her head, she’d do the same to him. What he’d done to her the other night wasn’t acceptable behavior for any lawman.

  “What the hell? Is that what this is about?” he said as his eyes met hers. A sheen of sweat had broken out on his brow. “Are you still mad about that?”

  “Mad? No! I’m not…mad!” she sputtered. Of all the egocentric things to say. “But your captain will be once he hears about it.”

  Riley looked at her for a long moment before a Cheshire cat grin spread across his face. “You are! You’re upset that I stopped. You can’t stand that I left you hanging.”

  Talia let out a soft cry. Was he dense? Or really that self-centered? “You violated me,” she accused.

  “You liked every second of it.”

  “I did not. You held me down and did things to me.”

  “And you enjoyed every nasty touch right up to the moment I stopped.”

  “No,” she said, shaking her head.

  “Bullshit.”

  She was flabbergasted. How could he sit there and smile at her when she was threatening him? She squeezed his cock tighter. “I’ll tell him,” she warned. “I swear I will.”

  Riley gritted his teeth as his hips rocked toward her punishing touch. “Why don’t I just let you even the score instead?”

  Talia looked at him blankly. “What?”

  She pulled back sharply as he reached for his zipper. It slid down with a rasp and he looked at her in challenge.

  She sat frozen in astonishment.

  “Come on, baby,” he said. “You don’t want to back down now. After all, turnabout’s fair play.”

  “Have you noticed the crowd of people here tonight?” she hissed.

  “We’re up high. They can’t see us from the waist down,” he said, smiling wickedly.

  He quickly undid his pants and pulled out his cock. Talia’s eyes went round. Good God, he was hung like a horse. She panicked. This hadn’t been her intention. She started to push herself to her feet but he caught her hand and dragged it back down to him. Her heart leapt as her fingertips brushed against his heated skin.

  He blew out a gust of air. “Well, come on, sweet Talia. Get your revenge. Womanhandle me.”

  Talia squeezed her legs together tightly. She’d pushed things too far. He was thick and hot under her fingers and her pussy itched for that long, steely cock.

  Damn it, she was supposed to be the one in control. He was quickly turning the tables on her but she couldn’t let him. One by one, she wrapped her fingers around him. He groaned and she bit her lip to keep from joining him. He actually pulsed in her hand. There was so much power in this, the heart of him, she couldn’t help but dream about how he’d feel sliding up inside her.

  She forced herself to look him in the eye. She couldn’t let herself get carried away. She couldn’t forget how dangerous he was to her. “I’ve heard your accusations before, Kinkade. They’re getting tiresome.”

  “Still, they seem to have gotten you riled up.” His hand circled her wrist and he showed her a pumping motion. “Like this, baby.”

  A soft sound left the back of her throat. Oh, God. She liked the feel of hot friction almost as much as he did. Together, they watched as her hand slid up and down the velvet rod, making it grow even redder. When she rubbed her thumb over the plump head, his grunt echoed over the crowd below them.

  “Fifty dollars, bid by the gentleman in the box seat,” the auctioneer said.

  “Shit,” Riley breathed.

/>   Talia swallowed hard. She had to stay in command of the situation. Determinedly, she swirled her thumb again. She had to know one thing. “That’s an interesting theory you have but do you have any evidence against me?”

  His hips came right off the chair. “I’ll get it.”

  If the situation hadn’t been so dire, she might have felt relieved. As it stood, her concentration was on the huge cock she held in her grip. Her pussy was practically crying for it. “You won’t. You couldn’t find any the other night.”

  “I found something else, though. Didn’t I, sweetheart?”

  He moved quickly and she gasped in surprise when his hand dove under her skirt. She pressed her legs together but he used the opportunity to grind the heel of his hand against her pubic bone.

  “Ah,” she cried softly.

  “Open for me, baby,” he demanded.

  Talia struggled to get away from that intrusive hand but he was too strong. His fingers prodded at the crease between her legs, tickling her. She looked frantically out at the crowd. Could anyone see what they were doing?

  “Spread your legs, Talia.”

  Oh, God. His hand felt red-hot under her skirt—almost as hot as the cock in her hand. She looked down at him. He was near to bursting. She couldn’t believe what they were doing to each other. Hesitantly, she spread her legs. He palmed her possessively and she felt herself start to spiral out of control.

  “Riley,” she panted as her head dropped back.

  “God, you and leather,” he grunted. “It’s like a wet dream come true.”

  Both their hands began working feverishly. Talia jerked on his cock as his fingers played with her through the cotton panel of her panties.

  “I want you so bad,” he growled into her ear. “Talk to me, baby. Tell me the truth and I’ll work my ass off to find a way to make this thing between us work.”

  A whimper left Talia’s throat. She didn’t want him to be nice to her. She couldn’t fight him when he was like this.

  His devious fingers finally found their way to her slick pussy. “I’ll tell the D.A. to go easy on you,” he coaxed. “Maybe you can get off with a fine and minimal time.”

  She closed her eyes tightly. She couldn’t think when he did these things to her.

  “Trust me, baby,” he whispered. “Trust me to make everything okay.”

  She wanted to. Badly. She wasn’t a criminal, not at heart. She’d just gotten herself into a fix and she couldn’t find her way out. Not alone. She was confused and scared but his touch felt so protective. The urge to confide in him was strong.

  But was that all part of his plan?

  Her eyelids fluttered open and she looked at him warily.

  Could she trust him? This was the same man who’d pursued her relentlessly. Just an hour ago, he’d wanted to put her in the slammer and throw away the key. Now he wanted to help her?

  Apprehension shot down her spine.

  It was a trick. He’d found her weakness and he was using it against her.

  She felt pressure as his fingers started to penetrate her and she cringed away from his touch. He hesitated and looked at her sharply.

  “No,” she said.

  He looked at her uncomprehendingly. “Why?”

  Applause echoed off the walls and she looked to the stage. The auction had just finished and she took the cue. She sprang away from the detective and pushed his hand away from the slit in her skirt. He lunged for her but she sidestepped away from him on wobbly legs.

  Riley cursed from his seat beside her but he was in no condition to stand—not in front of such a crowd. His erection was pointing straight up like a flagpole. His jaw was hard as he glared at her. “Damn it, Talia. Don’t do this.”

  She felt her anger surge.

  “Am I leaving you hanging, Detective?” she said sweetly. She looked pointedly down at his lap. “Hmm. Guess not.”

  With a flourish, she turned and swept aside the curtains. She heard another curse as he tried to cover himself and she used the precious seconds to escape. She hurried down the stairs, her heart pounding like a big bass drum.

  “Curse that man!”

  She’d underestimated how devious he could be and she was upset with herself for playing his mind games. No more. He knew too much. He knew about the Foundation and he knew about her attraction to him. She had to stay as far away from him as she could get.

  Deep down inside, though, there was a part of her that was happy she’d gotten close. At least now he knew how it felt to be left riding on the edge.

  Chapter Twelve

  Talia hit the lobby, intent on making a quick escape. Her plans were dashed as she became caught up in the tide of well-wishers exiting the theater.

  “Great job, Talia.”

  “What a wonderful idea.”

  “Are you going to do this again next year?”

  “Thank you,” she murmured absently. “It’s nice to see you.”

  Years of attending society functions had ingrained a certain sense of propriety. She couldn’t just walk away from the very people who could keep her charity alive but she also knew how foolish it would be to stay where she was. Riley wasn’t going to let this drop.

  She glanced over her shoulder anxiously. He’d be on her tail as soon as he could zip up. If he caught her, he’d be on her tail literally.

  Automatically, she started moving with the flow of people toward the coat check. She smiled, shook hands and said all the things she was expected to say. With each person she greeted, though, she worked her way toward the door. She was almost there when a hand caught her by the arm and spun her around.

  “Don’t you touch—Adam!” she said with surprise.

  “Hey, sis. Sorry I got here late.”

  “You came,” she said in astonishment.

  He pulled her into a tight hug. She was thrilled to see him but, over his shoulder, she caught sight of Riley. He was cutting through the crowd like a blade and fear pricked at the back of her neck. His mood looked treacherous.

  “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” She pulled back from her brother’s embrace and grabbed his hand. “Let’s go somewhere we can talk.”

  Adam glanced around. “Shouldn’t you stay here and say your good-byes? I can wait.”

  Talia grabbed her coat from the coat check girl and whipped it around her shoulders. She started backing toward the double doors, dragging her brother with her. “Sadie can handle it. Are you hungry? Let’s go get a bite to eat.”

  “What’s the rush?”

  “Nothing. Claustrophobia. Please, Adam.”

  It was too late. Riley had caught up with them. He’d seen the hug and his gaze practically smoldered as he stared at their clenched hands. The lines of his face were hard as he glared at the new arrival. “Who the fuck are you?” he snarled.

  Adam’s head snapped to the side and his muscles went taut. “Adam Sizemore.” He quickly sized up the unexpected aggressor. “And just who the fuck are you?”

  “This is Detective Kinkade,” Talia said, quickly stepping in to defuse the situation. Adam was tall but he wasn’t a match for Riley’s brawny physique—or the explosive knowledge the detective carried with him. “He was here for…uh, security. Riley, this is my brother.”

  At the word “security”, Kinkade shot her a look that could have cut steel. Talia took an involuntary step toward her sibling.

  She shouldn’t have pushed things so far.

  Cautiously, she looked at the detective’s crotch. She felt her face flush. It was a wonder the material was holding.

  “Security, huh?” Adam said, relaxing a bit. “I suppose that’s a good idea with that Cat Burglar running around town.”

  Talia’s heart nearly stopped. She looked at Kinkade with wide eyes.

  He was going to have her for lunch.

  He folded his arms over his chest, his gaze never wavering from her face. “Yeah, that’s why your sister hired me for tonight. She wanted to make sure she was the only one
handling the family jewels.”

  Talia looked at him in bewilderment even as her pussy throbbed. What was he doing? Her attention ping-ponged back and forth between the two men. Why hadn’t he said anything? He’d had the perfect opening.

  “That’s my sis, Ms. Overprotective.” Adam chuckled and threw her a wink. “Actually, that auction wasn’t half-bad if you don’t count the kiddie stuff. I didn’t realize you were going to be auctioning off such valuable pieces.”

  As grateful as she was for her brother’s presence, the backhanded compliment wasn’t appreciated. “People were generous with their donations but the ‘kiddie stuff’ came from the heart,” Talia snapped.

  “I still wouldn’t hang any of it on my walls.” Adam reached out and pinched her cheeks playfully. “You must be excited with the way things turned out, though. You’re all rosy.”

  Riley let out a grunt. “Tickled pink, actually.”

  Talia batted away her brother’s hand as embarrassment swept through her. Damn Kinkade. He was toying with her!

  “I’ve got to admit,” Adam said, oblivious to the undercurrents, “Dad would be proud of you.”

  “What?” she said, her head spinning around. The unexpected compliment threw her and she looked at her brother in shock. “Really?” she said softly.

  “Sure. You’ve kept his little Foundation puttering along. Hell, pretty soon I’ll have to be looking over my shoulder. Who knew you’d turn into such an astute businesswoman?”

  Her happiness faded. “Puttering little Foundation” or not, it wasn’t her business acumen that was bringing the programs back on track.

  “So what do you do, Adam?” Kinkade asked unexpectedly.

  Her brother stood a little straighter and his head took on a familiar tilt. “I run the family business out of Boston. Maybe you’ve heard of it? Sizemore Appliances?”

  “Heard of it?” One side of Riley’s mouth curled upward. “One of your dishwashers is leaking over my kitchen floor as we speak.”

  A surprised snort rose up in Talia’s throat. She covered it with a cough. Aggravating as he might be, Kinkade had just achieved something she’d never been able to do. He’d popped Adam’s pompous balloon with one well-placed pinprick.