His Obsession Next Door (In the Line of Duty) by Cathryn Fox Read Free Book Online Page B

meant—”
    “Oh, don’t be silly, Cole. I know you’re busy and you’ll come by when you get the chance.” She gave him a wink and added, “Besides, you’ve been in the field a long time and probably had a few oats in need of sowing before you did anything else.”
    Uncomfortable with the direction of their conversation, especially because he’d been caught lusting after her daughter, Cole tugged on his tie. “I…uh.”
    She waved a white-gloved hand. “Oh now, no need to be embarrassed.” Just then, a woman stepped up to Audrey and spoke quietly to her. As they conversed, Cole studied Audrey, happy to see how well she was doing. The last time he’d seen her she’d had the strain of losing a son all over her face.
    When the woman left, she turned back to Cole. “Gemma told me how you, Jack and the others were going to help her cause. You’re a good boy, Cole.” Her voice dropped, became conspiratorial. “You know, I’m glad you came home when you did. Gemma is living all alone now, and I don’t like it one little bit.”
    “Don’t worry, Audrey. Nothing will happen to her as long as I’m around.”
    She smiled. “That’s my Cole. I knew I could count on you.” She blew an exaggerated breath. “But I realize you have your own life and until I get her married off and know she has a man in her house to protect her every night, I’ll never rest.” She blinked up at him. “Promise me you’ll stay as close to her as possible until that happens.”
    “I promise.”
    As his gaze strayed to Gemma, he watched her back straighten and he instantly got the impression she knew he was here. Her eyes scanned the room and when they locked on his, passion and heat swimming in their stormy ocean blue depths, everything inside him screamed possession.
    They exchanged a long look and he swallowed, trying to appear unaffected when her date stepped up to her, his hand going to her lower back.
    “They do make a lovely couple, don’t you think?” Audrey asked as her gaze locked on Gemma and her date.
    “Yeah,” he said, biting the inside of his mouth to stop from telling her what he thought. That he’d like to walk over there and punch the guy in the face and tell him to get his fucking hands off Gemma.
    Audrey waved to someone on the other side of the room. “Well, I must go, I’m being summoned.” Before she left, she said, “I’m staying in the city this month. Do come by for dinner. I’ll have all your favorites prepared.”
    “I will,” he promised and dropped a kiss onto her cheek before she stepped away. Less than five minutes after she disappeared into the crowd the music started playing. The waiter made another round and as Cole placed his empty glass on the tray, he worked to pull himself together.
    As he watched Gemma’s date guide her to the dance floor, tension grew in his body. Everything about the way she moved triggered a craving like he’d never before experienced. With lust overshadowing sensibility, every reason he had for staying away from her suddenly seemed insignificant. Before he even realized what he was doing, he cut through the throngs of people and tapped Douglas Washington on the shoulder.
    “I’m cutting in,” he said, the bite in his tone letting the other man know he wasn’t asking.

Chapter Four
    “What do you think you’re doing?” Gemma asked as Cole moved in to take Douglas’s place.
    Strong hands circled her hips. The roughness of his palms felt erotic as he pulled her into a tight embrace, anchoring her body firmly to his. When his warm, familiar scent curled around her, a shiver raced down her spine. She shifted but there was nothing she could do to conceal the telltale hardening of her nipples as they pressed against his even harder chest. Dark eyes met hers unflinchingly. The intensity in his gaze frightened her as much as it excited her.
    “Maybe I should be the one asking you that question.”
    Feeling slightly breathless as their bodies swayed