Whiskey flipped over and jumped up, tail wagging. He barked once.
“Wife?”
“No, thanks, babe. I’m good.”
“I’ll be heading out soon.” Sin pulled Maverick in for a handclasp and hug.
“Love you, brother. Enjoy your evening.” Maverick winked, kissed Carly, and jogged toward the foyer with Whiskey.
“I like Evangeline,” Carly said. “From all the texting you’ve been doing, I’m guessing you do, too.”
Sin’s lips curved. Jesus, she knows me well.
“Out with it.”
“She’s different. I like that.”
“And?”
“She’s a client now. She’s relying on me to fix her problem.”
“So, do that, but let your heart lead.”
“I don’t have a heart. You know that.”
Carly rose. “The little boy inside you is still fighting his demons. The man you’ve become wants to fix everything for everyone else. I get you, Sinclair.”
He hugged her. “No fooling you.”
“Show her the real you. The one so few of us get to see.”
“That might scare the hell out of her.”
“She’s strong, smart, and independent. Plus, she’s a kick-ass agent. I think it would take a lot to scare her away.” Carly took a few steps toward the kitchen, then turned back. “I’m going to help Warren clean up. You rode your bike tonight, didn’t you?”
He nodded.
“We’ll drop your presents off at your house on our way home.” She paused for a second. “Think about what I said. She’s pretty awesome.” And with that, Carly left him alone with his thoughts.
He pulled on his leather overpants, shrugged into his leather jacket, said goodbye to his family, and jumped on his Ducati. The quiet streets were a rarity. He kicked the bike into low gear and rocketed for the district.
When he spotted Evangeline in her car across the street from his club, adrenaline surged through him. He pulled up behind her, cut the engine, and removed his helmet. After getting out, she stashed her handbag in her vehicle before sashaying over.
She brushed her windswept hair away from her face and her bright eyes blazed with mischief. As she stalked closer, her swaying hips snagged his attention. But it was her sexy smile that sent a surge of electricity buzzing through him.
“If you’d told me you owned a motorcycle, I’d have met you anywhere.” She eyed the shiny, black bike. “She’s beautiful.” When she trailed delicate fingers over the gas tank, a groan escaped his throat.
“You ride?” he asked as he dismounted.
Her lips curved. “Is that an invitation?”
“It might be,” he said and waggled his eyebrows. “I’ll buy you some riding leathers.”
“Don’t you have any I could borrow?”
“No. I’ve never taken anyone on my bike before.”
She couldn’t contain her surprise. God, she is so fucking beautiful. Unable to resist, he placed his hands on her cheeks. “Merry Christmas.” He dropped a soft kiss on her luscious lips and a torrent of powerful memories came rushing back.
Their past caught up with their present and he wanted to resurrect what they’d once shared…and so much more.
“Bah humbug, Sinclair Develin.” Her subtle smile was dispelled by a gust of wind that had her closing her unbuttoned coat.
“Let’s get you inside.”
After unlocking the unmarked fire door, he yanked on it, but it wouldn’t budge. On the third try, he got it open, then gestured for her to enter. “This has gotta get fixed first thing tomorrow.”
He turned off the alarm and flipped on the lights. Side by side, they walked down the hallway. There was so much he appreciated about this woman. She didn’t chatter away. She didn’t play games. Her quiet strength had always turned him on in ways that went far beyond the physical. Being around her both heightened his desire and soothed his soul.
They entered the empty lounge. After she draped her coat over a chair, he paused to check her out. She looked smokin’ hot in a pair of ass-hugging jeans, a simple black sweater, and a touch of makeup. “You look great.”
She gave him the once-over before sliding onto a cushioned stool. “You, too.”
He walked behind the bar. “Vodka tonic or something hot?”
She leaned forward and winked. “Always hot.”
If she continued teasing him, he’d have her naked and writhing beneath him in minutes. After making hot white Russians, he eased onto the stool beside her. They sipped their drinks in silence, neither rushing to fill the void while Christmas classics played in the background.
“This is delicious.” She broke eye contact and looked around the room. “You’ve got a classy club. Why didn’t we ever play here?”
“I only played where no one knew me.”
“Still playing?”
“No.” He had to touch her, so he ran the back of his finger down her soft cheek. Energy ran rampant through him. “You?”
Her breath hitched. “Not since you.”
He was fighting the desire to pull her onto his lap and kiss the hell out of her. And he was losing. What the hell was he supposed to do? Sit there and make small talk? No fucking way. She was inches away. Her beauty wowed him. Her essence thrilled him. She was back in town and he was going to make the most of every damn minute they spent together.
Reaching out, he caressed her back. Her hypnotic eyes lulled him into a false belief that she was his to cherish, to protect, and to pamper. Touching her was the best medicine for his tormented soul.
“Sin.” The word came out in a whisper while she ran lithe fingers through his hair. Her heated caress ignited his desire. Her touch was gentle, but her eyes…her eyes were filled with so much passion.
As he peered into them, the urge to kiss her overtook him and he leaned close. “You are irresistible.” He waited for her to put on the brakes.
Instead, her lips brushed against his. Once, twice, and on the third kiss, she opened her mouth and deepened the embrace.
And then, just as their kiss was turning incendiary, she slowed them back down, dropped a soft peck on his mouth and broke away. “I have no willpower around you.”
A growl escaped him. “Unfortunately, you’ve got plenty.”
She leaned back and rested her interlaced fingers on the shiny, cherry bar. “What’s the plan?”
Right. Business. Wasn’t that why they’d gotten together in the first place?
“I spoke with Birdie.”
She swiveled to face him. “And?”
“When the media named you as the woman in the video, he went with it. And he’s sticking with that story. His career is at stake. Whoever the woman is, she’s got something over him.”
“I never imagined he’d throw me under the bus like this. We’re not close, but I thought he was one of the good guys.” She crossed her legs. “I guess good guys went the way of the dinosaur.”
“Your dad’s a good guy.”
Surprise flashed in her eyes. “How do you know my dad?”
“The department needed help with a few cases, and I worked with him.”
“How could they afford you?”