Read Yours in Black Lace for Free Online

one eyebrow. “Are you flirting with me?”
    “No, of course not.”
    He shouldn’t be flirting. But it was hard to remain aloof when black-lace letter number nine lay on the console between them. Every now and again, he noticed her glance down at the envelope and then over at him. He couldn’t wait to find out what was written inside. Maybe he’d ask her to read it to him. Out loud, in that sexy Southern drawl that caressed his senses and danced along his nerves. Maybe she’d be naked, too.
    Stevie sat up straight and stared at him. “Your lips moved.”
    “What?”
    “I saw your lips move. Careful, Emelio. That was almost a grin. With teeth and everything.”
    It had been a long time since he’d felt like smiling, and yet Stevie had brought him close twice today. He decided not to comment, not sure himself what it meant.
    “Didn’t you even realize you’d let it slip? No? That’s my new mission, then. To do whatever it takes to get you to smile again.”
    Whatever it took? Images from her seductive notes crowded his thoughts.
    The feel of my bare breasts rubbing against your chest makes my pulse race. Then you pull me into your embrace, your hands gliding down my naked body as you lower your mouth to my waiting lips….
    Thinking about the possibilities was enough to strain the placket of his jeans. “That could be interpreted as sexual harassment, you know.”
    “My, my. What made you jump to that conclusion?” Her laugh was darkly sensual, and her accent slipped into the cadence of her native New Orleans. “Don’t worry, chér. You’ll know right sure when I start harassing you.”
    You know you want me. I know it, too—
    The suggestive lyrics on the radio echoed his thoughts and increased the tension within the small space of the Jeep. Emelio switched the station again. Damn, what was it with the music today?
    Give in to the feelin’, ’cause you’re gonna be mine—
    He clicked the radio off.
    Stevie looked over, amusement glowing in her eyes. “Is something wrong, Emelio?”
    “Nope. I’d just rather listen to the mosquitoes and cicadas.”
    She laughed again, low and husky, as the car phone rang. Emelio picked up the earpiece so the caller wouldn’t be on the speaker. Alex’s voice rumbled in his ear.
    “I’m on vacation, hombre. What are you paging me for and what the hell are you doing in my Jeep?”
    “Sorry, man. I had to take your wheels to get out of town.”
    Alex’s tone instantly became serious. “Talk to me.”
    “The Dominican cartel sent a message. It came through the office, but somehow Stevie is involved.” Emelio was well aware she was openly listening to his end of the conversation.
    “Shit. How bad is it?”
    He debated less than a second about how much to say. “How soon can you get back?”
    His friend blew out a breath. “I’ll be on the next plane from Baltimore.”
    “We’re heading for José’s place. You can reach me there. And Alex…”
    “You’re welcome. Just watch your back, since I can’t be there to do it.”
    Stevie settled her sunglasses on her nose to hide the fire she knew was blazing in her eyes. Her temper idled between annoyed and aggravated while she waited for Emelio to finish the call. How was she supposed to solve her first case, her own case, if he kept withholding information?
    “Now that you’ve let Alex in on what’s happening—”
    “Alex is my partner. While I keep you safe in Naples, he’s going to be digging around in Miami. And not without considerable risk, since he testified against the cartel, too.” He reached up to turn the visor down over the windshield, his sunglasses apparently not enough defense against the glare.
    Alex wasn’t his only partner from now on. She was damned sick of being patted on the head as if she couldn’t be trusted. She was smart and strong and determined to be included.
    “Then let me tell you what I know, Emelio. A hundred million dollars is a lot of money, but to a drug trafficking