Barely Undercover: Legal Heat Book 2(7)

Her mouth opened and closed, and a shudder racked her body. Sensing her distress, he released her hands and wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight to stop her from doing something that would force his hand. Like slap him again. Unpredictable on a good day, Lana was almost uncontrollable when riled.

Big mistake. His body responded to the soft curves pressed against him. No doubt she could feel his arousal pressed tight against her soft belly, but she didn’t pull away. Save for the rapid rise and fall of her chest, Lana was incomprehensibly, and uncharacteristically, still.

Taking advantage of her moment of confusion, he buried his nose in her hair and inhaled her familiar floral fragrance—wild flowers in the sun-drenched earth.

“You always overreact,” she grumbled into his chest. “He doesn’t know me. I ran into him by accident. We barely spoke. I find it hard to believe he would risk jail time just to get me in his bed.”

James stroked a finger over her cheek. “I don’t find it hard to believe at all.”

“Are you undercover?” she whispered. “I mean…meeting me…helping me…isn’t that a risk…wouldn’t it be better to let me go and—”

“Everything okay here?” The deep voice startled them both. James whirled around, tucking Lana against his chest. The cavalry had arrived.

Master Tony, the owner of Carpe Noctem, frowned and raised an eyebrow. Taller and broader than Rex, but no less muscular, the dark-haired lawyer wore a leather vest and tight, black leather trousers. He studied the group and then dipped his chin—an almost-imperceptible nod of understanding. Trust Tony to pick up on the vibe without needing a word of explanation.

“I’ve got it under control.” James flicked his gaze to Rex and then to Lana, giving Tony all the information he needed.

Tony shook his head in mock disapproval. “I see you’ve caught the same little ginger mouse twice. She clearly didn’t learn her lesson last time.”

Lana instinctively curled into James’s body. He tightened his arms around her, warmed by a trust he knew he didn’t deserve.

“I’m dealing with her.” He feigned a scowl.

“Not very well if she felt the need to slap you. As you know, I have a zero tolerance policy for nonconsensual violence in my club—in any form.” Tony gave Lana a tight smile. “I’m afraid you’ll have to leave, little mouse.”

James pushed her away and frowned. “You messed up, babe. Again. Get your ass home and I’ll deal with you later.”

Lana’s eyes blazed, but she was hip to the game. “Fine,” she growled through gritted teeth.

“Kickstand will walk you to your car.” James nodded at the club’s newest prospect, so named because on his first night he had forgotten to put down his kickstand and knocked over a row of motorcycles.

“I don’t need a chaperone.”

Hell. Did she think he was making a power play? Even when they’d been together, he would never have let her wander around the wrong side of Gastown at night.

“Babe, Kickstand will walk you to your car. I saw a gang on the prowl on Hastings Street when I drove in. It isn’t safe.”

Her eyes warmed with understanding and a tentative smile built on her lips. Sweet. Sexy. Soft. Lana behind the fire. He’d missed that side of her most of all.

And then it was gone.

She released an old lady sigh, and her eyes flicked to Kickstand. “Well? Let’s go, golden boy.”

Kickstand jerked away from Rex and licked his lips as he panted behind Lana’s lush ass.

James waited until she was five feet away and then called out softly, “Babe.”

“What now?” She whirled around, her face breathtakingly beautiful in her fury.

“See you soon.” He knew he was pushing her, but damned if he could stop himself.

She pressed her lips together, her body trembling as if she was about to explode. “In your dreams,” she spat out. Spinning on her heel, she disappeared into the crowd with Kickstand scampering after her.

“She must be a goddamned wildcat in bed,” Rex muttered. “She needs to be fucking tamed. What a rush that would be.”

Ryder shook his head and exhaled a low whistle. “Man, Ice. Why did you keep her hidden away?”

James shrugged. “My business.”

“Now she’s Hades’s business.” Rex’s gaze fixed on the closing door. “Bring her to the barbeque on Saturday. You got an old lady; she’s part of the club. Everyone should meet the fireball who melted Ice.”

His phone rang and he sent Ryder to find a table while he took the call. James headed to the bar to round up some drinks. Tony followed hot on his heels.