by Shayla Black
He surfed a little, looked to see if Maggie had updated her social media. She was silent, which told him she didn’t want anyone to know what she was up to, least of all him.
As he pocketed his phone, he tapped his thumb on his steering wheel, then checked his watch. He’d promised himself he’d give her ten minutes. It had been seven. Close enough. He couldn’t stand not knowing who she was sucking up to and if he had his hands all over her.
Yeah, he shouldn’t care. But he did. He couldn’t stand the thought that she’d dolled up and sneaked out under his nose to drive to the next town over and meet another guy. Were they already lovers? Or was she hoping to snag this guy’s attention for the first time?
When Josiah had first joined the Agency, he’d worked with Steve, an older man whose wife was always getting into some scrape or another. She’d lose her car keys or buy a few extra bottles of wine a week, maybe stay out a bit too late with her girlfriends. She even got a tattoo for her fiftieth birthday without telling her husband. Steve always called Kathleen a minx. He’d said it fondly. He’d said it with a smile. Knowing what he did now, Josiah had little doubt the woman had provoked Steve because she’d known he would spank her ass red the moment they got home.
Maggie was a minx through and through—no question. Josiah didn’t think for one moment she was lashing out because she would enjoy his punishment. If she did, that would be a happy coincidence. But regardless, he definitely intended to let her know he didn’t find her behavior tonight remotely safe or acceptable.
Josiah exited his truck, grabbed a hoodie, and slammed the door. Part of him relished the thought of the moment she saw his face and realized she’d gotten away with nothing. The other part of him just wanted to yank her out of here, kiss her senseless, and not let her speak again until they’d fucked themselves raw.
Tugging the gray sweatshirt on, he did his best to cover his face with the hood before he headed through the door.
Inside, the place was loud. Luke Bryan was singing that it was his kind of night. No one was watching the Colts beat the Broncos on the big screens around the room. The place was surprisingly crowded, given that it was the last few hours of the weekend and most people would be working tomorrow. Some couples hung out at tables around the perimeter. A few single ladies positioned themselves under the neon signs near the door, advertising their availability. No one with a Y chromosome was paying a lick of attention to them.
They were all watching barely covered, hips-swaying Maggie.
She ignored every one of them—except Kane Preston. She directed all her attention and seductive focus on him. And he didn’t look immune to her charms.
Goddamn it.
Was Maggie both fishing for information about Haney’s murder and looking for a good time? Josiah snorted. Not on his watch.
He approached the pair slowly. Neither paid him a moment’s notice. Preston sat on a bar stool, his arms slung low around Maggie, who stood in front of him. His palm rested too close to her ass for Josiah’s liking as she smiled, batting her lashes and running a pink fingernail against the edge of his jaw before she leaned in and whispered something in his ear.
Kane merely shook his head and nuzzled her neck. He gave her a lazy grin, then murmured something in return. She tried not to let her irritation show. But when the deputy laughed outright, she huffed and stomped back, planting her hands on her hips.
“Deputy Preston, that’s not very gentlemanly of you.”
“Well, Maggie, you rubbing against me in a damn-near illegal skirt and trying to wheedle information about an active murder investigation isn’t very ladylike of you.” He grabbed her wrist and brought her between his spread legs before he grabbed her hips and stood. His body folded out against hers, and they touched from chest to toes. “What would you do if I actually wanted to kiss you? Accepted that unspoken offer and took you to bed?”
Fury pumped through Josiah. He really wanted the answer to that question, too. Would she actually leap from his arms to the deputy’s barely twenty-four hours later?
Maggie swallowed and tried to jerk back. Preston held firm, giving no quarter.
“I said I wanted to talk.”
The deputy raised a brow. “Among other things. And if all you wanted was conversation, you shouldn’t have come dressed to fuck.”
“I-I . . .” For once, it seemed Maggie didn’t know what to say.
“Let’s try this from a different angle. No matter what happens between us tonight, I’m not saying a damn word about the Haney murder. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, do you still want to share a few drinks, a few dances, a few laughs, and see what the night brings?” He caressed her arm. “I’ve noticed you around town, pretty thing. I’ve thought about asking you out. If you let me, I can make you feel good.”
Silence stretched out, quickly becoming awkward. Josiah saw the indecision on her face. She bit her lip like she couldn’t quite decide what to say.
He couldn’t stand it anymore. For some reason beyond logic and the bounds of normal comprehension, he didn’t want to hear her say yes to another man. Later, he’d give serious consideration to why and what the hell was wrong with him.
“I’m afraid that’s not possible, Deputy. Maggie’s pleasure is my department,” Josiah insisted, easing back his hood.
She jerked her stare in his direction with a gasp, her eyes flaring wide. “You found me? Shit.”
“Yep, and it’s hitting the fan as we speak,” he quipped.
Maggie turned back to the deputy. “I just met him last night, and what happened then doesn’t matter now.”
“Hmm . . . That true?” Preston volleyed the question his way.
“If Maggie needs to feel good, I’ll take care of that. It won’t be the first time.” Josiah staked his claim.
“And if she wants information?”
“I’ll lock that down, too,” he promised.
Preston released Maggie with a shrug. “Well, there you go. You don’t need me when you’ve got your Agency man. He’ll take good care of you.” The deputy chugged the last of his beer and set his empty mug on the bar. With a tip of his hat, he said, “I’ll leave you two to enjoy your evening. And Maggie honey, next time I come out here looking for female companionship, don’t follow me. I really didn’t want to spend another night with my hand.”
A moment later, he was gone, leaving Josiah cocooned with Maggie in uncomfortable silence surrounded by a room full of loud strangers. What happened next between them wasn’t going to be pretty, Josiah knew. But he was damn well ready for the fight.
CHAPTER 8
Maggie let out a long breath and closed her eyes, mentally groping for her composure. Why the hell was Josiah here? How had he followed her without her knowing? And why, just looking at his stern expression and the promise of something darker in his eyes, was her body doing cartwheels and backflips?
“Why didn’t you stay at the house?”
He raised a brow her way. “I could ask the same of you.”
“You know damn well why I’m here.”
“I do. Unfortunately for you, so did Preston. What did you think sneaking out here would accomplish, except to show me a fine pair of boots I intend to fuck you in in . . . oh, the next five minutes.”
Was he serious? She was trying to figure out how to keep herself and her family safe after he went back to Louisiana, and he was fixated on her footwear? And sex. Can’t forget that.
“Dream on. Now that you’ve ruined everything, I’m going home and going to bed—alone.” She headed for the door, fully aware of Josiah two steps off her ass.
As she pushed her way out into the chilly January night, Maggie tried to slam the door between them. Josiah, the insufferable bastard, caught it with his palm, swung it wide, and stomped into the parking lot after her.
“Not until you and I have it out.”
“I don’t have to argue with you about my family and my safety. I have every right to try to prevent becoming a victim. Then you barged in here tonight and screwed up all my plans.” She whirled for her car, digging angrily through her purse for her keys.
Josiah grabbed her arm and spun her around. “Here’s a news flash: Whether I showed up or not, Kane Preston wasn’t going to tell you shit. All I did was prevent him from giving you a case of sex hair and a sore pussy.”
Her jaw dropped. “I wasn’t going to have sex with him.”
“You sure? I know what a woman willing to fuck another guy behind my back looks like.” His expression hardened. “My fiancée made damn sure I knew.”
Maggie blinked. His ex had cheated on him? Often and painfully, according to the mute rage in Josiah’s expression. While she felt for him, his pain couldn’t figure into her plans. They weren’t committed to each other. But for some reason, he did matter, even when Maggie didn’t want him to.
She softened a little. “I swear, I wasn’t going to let him touch me.”
“Did you really think he was going to get a good look at your tits—because it’s obvious you’re not wearing a bra—and spill all his secrets? You had to know he’d expect you to get naked with him for information.”
Honestly, she’d been hoping she could buy Preston a beer or two, flirt and jiggle enough to entice him to whisper sweet murder investigation nothings in her ear, then be gone.
“That’s wasn’t my plan. And, for your information, I’m wearing a bralette.” She crossed her arms self-consciously over her chest. “It provides coverage.”
He grabbed her wrists and tugged her arms wide. “Uh-huh. And almost no support. So after you dazzled him with your rack, then what did you have in mind?”
“Conversation.” But Maggie feared Josiah had interpreted the male mind far better than she, and now her answer sounded naive at best.
He scoffed. “You may have wanted the deputy for that. But too bad for you, baby. You got me instead.”
“And an utter lack of information. Now I’ll have to figure out some other way to learn what I need to know. I’m sorry about your ex. She sounds like a bitch, but I’m not her. So don’t accuse me of her sins. And don’t try to stop me from getting answers again.” She jerked free and spun around to her car. “I’ll see you back at the house.”
“You want answers? Why don’t you wave your tits in my face, and see if I’m more willing than Preston to cough up what I know,” he called to her back.
She whirled to face him. “You’re being a pig.”
“I’m playing your game. And by the way, other than the killer, I’m the last person who can tell you squat. So how about it, baby? You willing to give me the same act you gave the deputy?”
“I hate you right now.”
“Is that why your nipples are hard?”
“In case you haven’t noticed, it’s freaking cold out here.” And not for anything would she admit he turned her on.
Josiah shot her a cynical smile. “Keep telling yourself that’s the reason. Either way, you have two minutes to decide.”
“I can either whore myself to you or stay clueless, is that it?”
He shrugged. “Your words, not mine.”
“But that’s the crux of it. Look, I was willing to flirt with him. But that’s it.”
“All right. Get in my truck and flirt with me. Let’s see what happens.”
“And how am I supposed to get my car home?”
The slow smile he shot her did crazy things to her heart. “Who said we were driving anywhere?”
Maggie paused. Her anger at his manipulation aside, her body definitely didn’t hate his suggestion. If she had sex with him again, it would be so damn good. Even the memories of last night made her weak-kneed. And maybe he’d tell her everything he knew. Win-win. And if she could make him feel the teeniest bit guilty for being a shit, even better.
Do you blame him for overreacting? The woman he planned to marry screwed around on him. He’s got a gash in his heart, and you know plenty about those . . .
“So you’re planning to nail me in the truck?”
“Pretty much.”
“Despite what you think, I wouldn’t have let Kane Preston have sex with me. Why should I let you?”
“Oh, I don’t expect it. Just like you’re planning to persuade me to tell you what I know, I’m hoping to coax you into spreading your legs for me.” He ran the barest fingertip down her arm. She stopped breathing when goose bumps broke out across her body. A glance told Maggie he noticed, too. “I’m only asking for the same shot you gave him.”
She swallowed. Last night, she hadn’t been nervous with Josiah. It had been fun and light and easy . . . until the dizzying heat between them had gone to her head and overwhelmed her with pleasure. Since then, he’d rattled her. Being this close to him, she felt jumpy and unsure. She’d never not had the upper hand with a man. The experience was new and novel and scary as hell.
“You could be a gentleman and just tell me.” Because she worried that if she let him touch her again, he would strip her armor, work his way under her skin, and dig deep into places more lasting.
“Where’s the fun in that?”
His quip made her want to both wring his neck and melt. Every ball she fired at him, he lobbed back playfully—but with ruthless, teeth-grating efficiency.
“I’m not here for fun. Let’s go home and talk about this like reasonable adults.”
“Nope. Reasonable went out the window when you swished out here to pick up Preston. If you want answers, you and your indecent skirt get in my truck. We’ll see what happens.” He glanced at his watch. “You have sixty seconds to decide.”
“You’re forcing me?” she huffed, knowing it wasn’t quite true.
“You’re free to turn around and go home right now. You just won’t get any information.”
“You’re a shit.”
He shrugged. “We can stand here in the freezing cold and exchange barbs or you can make a decision. You gonna get into the truck with me or go home alone? Thirty seconds . . .”
Maggie held back a curse, not because she didn’t want him in spite of all this bickering, but because she did. No one ever challenged her, and something about the way he toyed, manipulated, finessed, and cornered her turned her on. She clearly needed to have her head examined.
After he sated the pulsing ache between her legs she couldn’t deny.
“Ten seconds.”
God, if she said yes, he was going to be so smug. She freaking hated that . . . but not enough to say no.
“Five seconds. Four, three, two, on—”
“Fine,” she bit out. “Your truck it is.”
Josiah didn’t even try to repress his smile as he dropped his hot palm to the bare small of her back. “This way.”
So badly, she wanted to ask what he planned to do to her. But she knew her voice would shake as much as her body, and she’d be damned before she gave him even more power.
Pressing a thumb to his fob, he unlocked the truck with a beep and hustled her up to the bench seat, then sat beside her and shut the door. Immediately, the music spilling from the bar and the traffic noise disappeared, leaving only the sounds of their breathing. Maggie resisted the urge to wring her hands.
“So how’s this going to work, hotshot? We just going to let whoever comes in and out of the parking lot see that we’re getting busy? That’s great for you, since you don’t live around here. Not so good for me.”
“My windows are tinted, and there’s no light above us. No one will know.”
“Unless the truck starts rocking.”
He shrugged. “I can’t stop people from guessing. I can stop you from risking yourself.”
“How?” If he thought for one minute that he could actually prevent her from tr
ying to find out the prime suspects in Deputy Preston’s investigation, he was not only crazy, he was wrong.
“We’ll get back to that. In the meantime . . .” Josiah reached over and encircled her ribs with strong hands, then lifted her onto his lap so she straddled him, her chest against his.
He was unmistakably hard.
Against her own will, she wriggled. The friction against her clit had her biting back a groan.
“I thought you were going to tempt me with your breasts, but this works, too.” He slid his hands up her thighs and kept climbing. Once he cupped her ass, he dragged her closer.
Maggie almost melted. It would be so much easier to keep her head clear if her body weren’t on fire. “You want me to ask you questions while I’m pressed against you like this? I wasn’t this close to Kane.”
“But you have my . . . attention, as you can clearly feel. Fire away.” He pressed her against his shaft again. “We’ll see how this plays out. Once we exit the truck, your opportunity to ask questions is over.”
“That’s not fair.”
“Neither was you running down the road to seduce another man. So don’t tell me my behavior is dirtier. What do you want to know?”
While Maggie gathered her thoughts, Josiah brushed a fingertip up her hip—and slipped under the elastic of her panties, veering dangerously close to her wet sex. She swatted at him. “Stop distracting me.”
Not surprisingly, he didn’t budge. “You think those pretty nipples in my face aren’t distracting me?”
He leaned in and sucked one into his mouth. Through the fabric, she felt him draw on it, his teeth nip at it, his tongue lave it. She moaned. He intended to short-circuit her brain. If she wanted to learn anything, she had to find some way to ignore her hormones and get her shit together.