Centerfold Read Free Page A

easing her against his chest, holding her possessively around the waist. He mumbled something, but all she could do was breathe.
    The chair scraped against the floor, the sudden sound startling her. She forced open her eyelids, tensing when Everett stared at her, a cruel smile curving his lips. He stood, yanking up his pants before shuffling over to them, the stench of his aftershave smothering her.
    “Now that’s how you fuck a bitch.” Everett gazed openly at her as he joined them on the rug. “I can see why you want to keep her undercover. She’s one hell of a feisty little fuck. Okay, you’ve proven your claim. Meet me back here…ten o’clock sharp, and I’ll take you along. But make sure you bring cash. My supplier doesn’t take credit.”
    Everett’s laughter followed him out of the door, the solid thud shattering the intimate atmosphere. Roman sighed against her back, resting his forehead against her head. Uncertainty bunched her muscles as he gave her a squeeze, gently shifting her forward as he eased free of her body. A thousand thoughts raced through her mind, but all she could focus on was the empty feeling between her legs and how cold she felt without him wrapped around her.
    His footsteps sounded on the floor behind her, and she took several deep breaths before finding the courage to turn, inhaling sharply as she watched him tug his briefs over his hips. God, the man had a perfect ass, the muscles rippling as he adjusted himself before grabbing his jeans and tugging them on. He turned, his gaze traveling the length of her body as she kneeled on the rug, too shocked to do more than stare at him.
    He gave her a stunning smile, bending down to offer her the robe. “You okay?”
    His words snapped her back to into focus and she nodded, knowing her voice would carry the desperation strumming through her veins. She didn’t want to get dressed. She wanted Roman to make love to her again. Gently this time. Have him claim her in another way—one that would ease the erratic pounding of her heart and settle the need clawing at her conscience.
    “That’s my girl.” He darted to the door, checking the hallway before glancing back at her. “All clear. But we really should go…call the lieutenant and arrange for backup. Whoever Everett’s supplier is, I don’t want to go in there with just our service weapons as cover. Chances are we’ll be facing some pretty impressive firepower. We need…”
    As his voice trailed off, that wicked mouth of his pursed into a slight frown. She managed to gain her feet, her fingers white-knuckled around the fabric as she held the robe closed, a strange ringing in her head.
    “Scarlet.”
    She gave herself a mental shake, meeting his gaze.
    He moved over to her, giving her a tilt of his head. “You sure you’re okay?”
    She faked a smile, a mixture of terror and desire still flooding her system. Shit. One taste and she couldn’t picture loving another man. Couldn’t think about her future without him in it. Hell, he’d been her partner for years, yet she’d given more of herself in that one act than in all the time they’d spent together before. She’d surrendered her soul to him and she wasn’t sure she could get it back.
    She drew herself up. “Fine.”
    He snorted. “Did you hear a word I said?”
    “Sure. The lieutenant…backup. More weapons…”
    He sighed, brushing his thumb across her jaw as he leaned in, dropping a light kiss on the corner of her mouth. “I know you probably have a thousand questions, but… Let’s just get through tonight. Put Everett’s ass in jail and bust whoever’s selling him that poison. Once we’ve wrapped this up, we’ll talk. Promise.”
    She swallowed past the thick feeling in her throat. She recognized the tone of his voice, that look on his face. The way his pitch rose at the end as his lips twitched ever so slightly. He was buying time. Telling her what he thought she needed to hear so they could do their job. God,