A Profiler's Case for Seduction(22)

“That’s the only kind there can be, right? I’m here to solve crimes and you’re here to get a degree.”

“And neither of us is interested in pursuing anything but a friendship,” she added.

“Neither of us is looking for a long-term relationship,” he countered, and something in the depths of his eyes made her think of the minty soap fragrance of him, of tangled sheets and soft, low moans. Temporary liaisons, that’s what he made her think about, and she didn’t want to go there.

“It would be foolish to start anything,” she said, gazing down at the last of her cheesecake as her cheeks filled with warmth.

“I’m sure you’re right,” he agreed easily.

Within minutes their check had arrived and she insisted on going Dutch, telling herself that if she paid her own way then this hadn’t been anything like a date at all.

“I’ll walk you to your car,” he said as they left the restaurant. His voice held a slight edge that made her think he believed she’d refuse his offer.

It had been such a nice evening and she didn’t want to ruin it by something so simple. Besides, he was just being a gentleman and what difference did it make if he saw her beat-up old vehicle?

He fell into step beside her. “I’ve enjoyed the night.”

She smiled up at him. “Me, too. I can’t remember when I last took the time to eat out other than the vending machines in the student lounge.”

“This was definitely better than a cold burger or pizza in the war room,” he agreed as they reached the driver side of her car.

“Thank you for the wonderful time,” she said.

He nodded and moved close...closer still, making it impossible for her to open her car door and escape from his heady scent, the inviting shine in his eyes. She saw the kiss coming in the dip of his head, in the slight lean of his body toward hers.

She told herself she was trapped, caught between him and the door of her car, but the truth was she had no desire to escape. As his head bent, she raised hers, her lips already open to welcome him.

Mark Flynn might have been a nerdy kid in high school and he might be a man who easily got lost in his own head, but he definitely knew how to kiss.

His lips were warm and feathery soft as they played against hers. There was no other contact between them. He didn’t wrap her in his arms and pull her close or lean against her to make their bodies touch.

It was over almost as quickly as it had begun, leaving her wanting more. She cleared her throat and leaned backward to steady herself against the car door. “I thought we agreed that we weren’t going to start anything,” she said, her voice huskier than usual.

“That was just the perfect finish to a perfect evening,” he replied. “Good night, Dora. Safe travel home.”

She watched, weak-kneed, while he turned on his heels and headed to his own car. Her trembling fingers punched the remote to unlock the door.

Oh, the man was dangerous. FBI agent Mark Flynn, with his sexy smile and soft lips, with his bedroom eyes and the ability to pull forth a desire inside her that she’d never felt before.

That desire rode with her all the way home from the restaurant. She’d wanted more. She’d wanted his strong arms wrapped tightly around her as he pulled her against his broad chest. She’d wanted him to plunder her mouth until she couldn’t breathe, until she couldn’t think. She wanted what she shouldn’t have.

She tightened her hands on the steering wheel and told herself that as long as she kept control of her emotions, of her desires, then she’d be fine.

Besides, they’d both made it clear to each other that it would be foolish to pursue anything meaningful. It had been a simple kiss and she needed to stop overthinking things.

She pulled into the driveway of her house and got out of her car. The night air smelled like autumn leaves and a hint of wood smoke. As she walked to her porch, she caught a movement out of the corner of her eye.

She froze with her house key in her hand, poised to unlock the front door. She gazed over to the neighbor’s yard. With her porch light shining a halo of light, it was difficult to discern much of anything about the neighbor’s place except for the gigantic tree in their front yard.

Was somebody there? Behind the tree?

Hiding?

Watching her?

With her heart’s frantic beat echoing in her ears, she fumbled the key into the lock and quickly stepped into her hallway. She slammed the door behind her, immediately relocked it and then hurried to the front window to peer out the venetian blinds in the living room.