In Hot Pursuit Read Free Page A

fish.
    Reluctantly, he left his observation deck before his stalker caught up with him. He wasn’t a cop worth his badge if he couldn’t give a society babe the slip, right? She was probably drunk to boot, given that she had chosen to pursue him over the wealth of highbrow guys milling around the bar tonight.
    Josh sped back down the pink neon stairs and ducked into the hallway by the phone booths and cloakroom. As soon as he shook the woman on his tail, he would seat himself at the bar and salvage what he could of the night by soaking in the party gossip.
    For now, he envisioned his pursuer climbing the stairs in her slinky black gown, and he ticked off enough time for her to reach the balcony he’d just vacated. Thinking she must be safely on the opposite side of the bar by now, Josh stepped from the dark hallway.
    And nearly collided with a whirlwind of black sequins.
    He obviously hadn’t given his pursuer enough credit, because there she stood with a satisfied gleam in her dark eyes.
    Her black hair shimmered in the low light of the bar. Although most of it rested on her head in an intricate knot, one long wayward tendril slipped free to point a path toward her cleavage. Cleavage out-lined by a square neckline that exposed just enough pale skin to tease the hell out of him. The collar of diamonds around her throat was too sexy to even contemplate in a public place.
    He instantly shifted his gaze to her face.
    She arched a brow and smiled up at him. Even with her high heels, she barely reached his chin. “Excuse me. Guess I wasn’t watching where I was going.”
    Her knowing look belied her innocent words.
    He couldn’t help but smile back at her. She practically preened over her small victory.
    â€œSeems to me you were right on target.”
    She shrugged a careless shoulder and waved an airy hand, gestures that loosely conveyed consent to his words. Josh wondered if she always spoke so eloquently with her body. Her sequins danced and winked, giving her the illusion of perpetual motion.
    â€œMaybe you’re right,” she admitted, treating him to an obvious once-over. “I just hope the reward proves to be as much fun as the chase.”
    Name the place, honey. The temperature between them soared a few more degrees.
    The woman was a firecracker.
    Josh’s smuggling investigation faded into the background for one perilous moment. His work suddenly seemed as distant as the zebra-printed walls and the pulsing Latin music. This tiny woman had a bigger presence than salsa or smugglers.
    But Josh wouldn’t allow himself to lose focus.
    Before he could respond, the woman offered a cheeky grin and a formal handshake.
    â€œI’m Lexi Mansfield.”
    Josh suspected it would be dangerous to touch her, but how could he ignore such an innocuous overture? Hesitating only briefly, he closed his fingers around Lexi’s long, jeweled fingers.
    â€œJosh Winger, at your service.”
    She squeezed his hand back, her grip surprisingly strong for such a little thing.
    â€œI certainly hope so, Mr. Winger.”
    Distracted by the wicked twinkle in her brown eyes and the exotic scent of her, Josh didn’t notice the handcuffs until cold metal clamped around his wrist.
    With a deft click of the mechanism worthy of a veteran vice detective, Josh’s stalker chained herself to him.
    So much for his skills as an undercover cop.
    He was about to be brought low by a kinky dominatrix with killer cleavage and a lethal attitude. Lexi Mansfield had just blown his cover—and fueled all his fantasies—by handcuffing him into a naughty scenario guaranteed to attract attention.

2
    L EXI’S SENSE OF ADVENTURE fled when Josh stared back at her with hard, cold eyes.
    â€œWhat the hell are you doing?” He jerked the handcuffs enough to pull her forward slightly.
    Luckily, her sense of indignation helped her stand her ground. “No rough stuff, mister.” She held up