“Later,” he promised when he broke away, breathless. I nodded, trying to calm my nerves, and then he was gone. Swallowing harshly, I waited a few seconds before walking around the corner and heading back in the direction of the station. I’d only made it a few steps when I saw another uniform coming my way. I almost stumbled over my own feet as Steve walked toward me, a smug gleam in his eye. For a moment I wondered if he’d seen something, but then again, he always looked smug. There didn’t necessarily have to be a reason.

“Ah, picked up some lunch for me, did you, Karla? How kind,” he said, and I narrowed my gaze.

“Funny.”

Steve studied me, his thin eyebrows drawing together. “What’s got your knickers in a twist?”

Something about his close attention caused me to grow a little flustered as I answered harshly, “Nothing.” It was a mistake, because if I’d been acting normally I would have thrown some barb back at him. Now he looked suspicious. His gaze wandered over my shoulder, but I knew Lee was long gone. There was no way he could’ve seen anything. At least, I hoped there wasn’t.

“You’re acting strange,” he said with a thoughtful expression.

“Time of the month,” I threw back casually, regaining some of my composure. Steve screwed up his mouth in distaste while I strode past him and continued back to the station, all the while my heart pounded in my ears. That call was far too close for comfort.

I needed to be more careful.

***

My phone woke me early the next morning, and I rolled over to check who was calling. I frowned when I saw Tony’s number, knowing he’d never phone at this hour unless it was something important. My shift didn’t begin until midday, and I’d planned on allowing myself a few extra hours’ sleep.

Lee’s warm body surrounded mine, his breathing deep as he slept. He’d come over late last night after Alexis had gone to bed, and we’d been up until the early hours, hardly able to keep our hands off one another. I thought it was funny that he’d waited until Alexis was asleep, because my friend was far too savvy not to know something was going on. Plus, it wasn’t like I hadn’t already told her everything, unbeknownst to Lee, of course. My bed smelled like him, and memories of the previous night flooded my senses.

I sat on the edge of the mattress, staring up at him as he towered over me, his eyes dark with hunger.

“Take it out,” he murmured quietly, his throat bobbing as he swallowed. I reached forward, undoing the buckle of his belt and pulling down the zipper on his jeans. His erection was already outlined sharply against the fabric, and when I slid my hand inside and caressed him, he was harder than I’d ever felt.

“Put your mouth on me,” he urged, his voice strained.

I bent forward and pressed my lips to the side of his cock, then licked up the length of him. The masculine growl that emanated from deep in his chest made my thighs quiver as I lowered my mouth over his head. His hands fisted in my hair, the grip tight with an edge of pain that felt exhilarating. I began to move up and down in a leisurely rhythm. My eyes were closed, but when I opened them and looked up, I’d never seen such raw, animalistic need.

“Hello,” I said, my voice groggy as I answered the call, trying to clear my mind of thoughts of the night before. Lee’s body shifted slightly, but I couldn’t tell if the ringing had woken him or if he was still asleep.

“Karla, is there any chance you could come in early?” Tony asked, an urgency in his voice. “We’ve had some information about that garage you and Steve visited a couple weeks ago, the one owned by the Cross brothers.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, my body grew still, my thumb instinctively going to the button on the side of my phone and lowering the volume.

“Information?” I practically whispered.

“Apparently, it’s being used as a base to chop and store stolen cars until they’re ready to be shipped overseas. We’ve gotten a search warrant issued, but we need all hands on deck. I thought that since you’ve already been inside and know the layout of the place, you’d like to be on the team.”

Even though I was lying down, I felt like I might pass out. My pulse thrummed as I tried to figure out how to proceed. I still couldn’t tell whether or not Lee was awake, but if he was, could he hear what had just been said? Should I warn him that his garage was about to be searched? My gut sank as a horrible feeling took over. I was torn, didn’t know which side I was supposed to be on anymore.

“Okay, thanks for calling. I’ll be in as soon as I can,” I said, trying to keep my voice even.

“See you in a bit,” said Tony before hanging up, completely oblivious to the moral dilemma he’d just put me in.

Placing the phone back on my nightstand with shaky fingers, I felt my throat begin to tighten. Lee’s breathing was deep and even, so I thought he must have still been sleeping. Turning in his arms, I gripped his shoulder and gently shook him. He made a disgruntled noise at being woken, and it took him a few moments to open his eyes. I stared at him, the decision I had to make twisting me up inside.

“Snap,” he said, his blue eyes sharpening as he took me in. I let out a shuddering breath, and Lee’s expression sobered. He must’ve sensed something was up, but he didn’t comment on it. Instead, he asked, “What time is it?”

“Just after seven,” I answered.

“I’d better get going. I’ve got a meeting with a supplier at nine.”