Chapter 2

Alec stood in front of the mirror and studied her reflection. She really hated dressing so girly; skirts were just not something she felt at peace with wearing. Being as she didn’t want the jerk-off that was thinking of threatening her to recognize her as a cop, she had no choice but to use her long legs as the main distraction. Turning, she looked at the back of her bare legs. The short black skirt ended a few inches past her ass. Yep, that ought to do it. She winked one painted eye at her image.

She may not like dressing this way, but she looked damn good. Adjusting the top she had on, she made sure it fell off one shoulder and showed just enough cleavage that if the perv wasn’t a leg man she’d still be able to keep his brain from realizing who she was, and her bare waist took care of the between space. You never knew what a man’s thing was and it varied—widely, or so she had found out from past mistakes, so it was better to let a little of everything catch attention.

Her mind went back to the last relationship she’d attempted, even though she knew now wasn’t the time for that kind of thought ... she had tried what he wanted and it hadn’t done a damn thing for her. Shaking her head, she attempted to get rid of the embarrassment that hit her every time she thought of Jac seeing, actually stricken seeing what she had done.

“Shake it off, Blondie,” she instructed. “Now is not the time to get those lonesome blue feelings. Someday, you’ll find that guy that wants you as you are.” Snorting out a laugh, she winked one more time at her reflection and then went over to get her gun and figure out where to hide it, hoping she wouldn’t have to carry that cute little purse. It was more girly than the stupid skirt. Alec assessed the outfit once more. Shit. She looked at the little purse sitting on her bed and clenched her jaw as she went over and picked it up. The scum that was the cause of this was going to pay with pain, she decided as she opened it.

Putting the Glock 26 and her badge into the bag, she smiled that it fit so easily. Gotta love the small version of guns, she thought, glancing at the clock once more. Brent and Reid had decided they should meet up for a quick planning gab before heading to the bar. Alec was annoyed, but she admitted sometimes being a little prepared was better than storming the castle without a plan.

Grabbing some cash out of her wallet, she stuffed it into her bra, grabbed her duffle bag of gear, and headed toward the door. She still wasn’t sure about this Ian guy, oh he was hot in all the right ways, no doubts there, and Brent trusted him. There was just something about him that set off her radar and she always listened to its warning. Rolling her eyes, she punched the button on the elevator. Okay, so the few times she hadn’t listened to that sense when it came to personal relationships she had paid with humiliation, but in her professional life, she always listened.

This Ian Mactavish guy was hiding something. She’d run all the basic checks and they said he was squeaky freaking clean, which confirmed that the look behind his eyes was correct. No one with that watchful look was clean, so he was undoubtedly keeping something back. Checking her hair in the reflection of the chipped and cracked mirrored wall of the elevator, she smiled knowing she’d get to the bottom of what this man was all about, as she always did.

Reid closed his phone as Alec got out of the cab and headed toward them. He looked annoyed, which could only mean Jacinda had been on the other end of the phone. Grinning, she sent him a knowing look. “How’s Jac?”

Reid leaned back against the car and crossed his arms over his chest. “Wanting to come help tonight.”

Alec hesitated for a few seconds thinking about what that would mean for Jac to be in a place like the Lucky Tavern. Just touching one of the slime balls that hung out there would have her passed out on the floor in seconds. “I’d rather not have to pick her up off the floor.”

Scowling, Reid nodded. “That’s about what I said. She’s not happy but will stay out of it unless we call.”

“Good to know.” Turning, she sent Brent a curious look. “Felicity staying put too?”

Brent laughed. “She’s got a publishing deadline, so she’ll be more than entertained.”

Alec shrugged. “Not much she could do in this case though, right?”

“Except grab the attention of every horny male in the joint.” Brent frowned.

Blowing out a breath, Alec nodded. What the two women could do scared the crap out of her, so flying this one without their help suited her just fine. She tossed Reid her duffle bag and then turned to the silent man leaning a few feet further down on the car, examining him silently for a few moments. He was a tall one and seemed to be equally proportioned in all the right ways. She could look, right? No harm in that. Giving herself a mental smack in the head, she decided it had been way too long since she’d had anything that could be called good sex. You’re working with him, unofficially, detective, keep your mind off his body. Of course, she knew to pull this off tonight she was going to have to appear to be close to him. Oh well, a small perk of the job, right?

She assessed the faded jeans he wore; they didn’t appear new, and that would have been a dead giveaway where they were going. Alec almost grinned when she saw scuffed-up boots on his feet, no loafers for him. Well, so he had a few points in his favor. Taking her time, moving her eyes slowly up his tall frame until they connected with his pale blue eyes, she shrugged. “Ready?”

He took his time looking over her, much like she had and she hoped she didn’t have that heated look in her eyes that he did. Taking it as a compliment to her skill in dressing the part, she grinned when his eyes finally locked on hers. “Is there a game plan?” He asked softly.

Another point for him; is not being all cocky and know-it-all. Her hormones were giving her little nudges, so she stood right where she was. “We mingle, you listen and when you give me the go-ahead, you get out of the way”

His eyes moved over her slowly, giving her the once over again. When his heated looked met hers, she had to try not to squirm. “I don’t think this is the mingling kind of place.”

Despite trying not to smile, she did anyway. “Then I guess we’ll just have to hang out.”

As Ian straightened from the car, he sighed. “Try not to make me have to beat on anyone.” His gaze traveled up her legs. “I don’t look good in red.”

Brent chuckled and patted him on the back. “Alec is more than capable of handling her own... situations.”

Alec rolled her eyes as Ian turned to look at her and then back to Brent.

Brent paused and looked her over briefly. “I see your point.” Moving toward his own car, Brent nodded to her. “We’ll follow you into the bar after a few minutes.”

She looked over at the black car parked on the other side of the alley and then at Ian. “That yours?”

Motioning toward it, Ian let her lead the way.

“Nice car.”

“I like it.” He kept his eyes on the road.

Alec watched him for a minute or more. Usually she could peg someone and fit them into a neat category. Yeah, it was stereotyping, so what. With him, she didn’t have a clue. He drove an average car, not too pricey but high enough on the extras list that he had to have a bit of dough to spare. She was almost shocked she couldn’t figure him out, or even guess what he did to earn the funds for his tasteful ride. “So, Ian, what do you do when you’re not hanging around in dives?”

He turned long enough to give her a quick appraisal, his jaw clenching as he studied her. “I’m a special advisor in the product development research industry.”

“And that’s what?”

A nerve in his jaw visibly twitched, clearly, he was a little annoyed with the question. “I collect all the facts or data and turn them over to the company that’s hired my services.”

She didn’t even know what he was talking about. “Pretty good pay?”

“I’m worth the money parted with for my help.” He watched her for a moment and then pulled the car around the corner into the parking lot.

Shifting in her seat, Alec stared at him. “You’re a little testy about questions regarding your work.”

“I have no problem discussing my job.”

Alec snorted. “Right. As soon as I mentioned it you tensed up. Now you’re wound like a spring ready to pop.” Though he smiled at her, the dead serious look in his eyes made her pause.

“The tension has nothing to do with what we’re discussing.”

“Yeah, okay,” she undid her seat belt and reached for the door handle.

Ian slammed the car into park and reached over and grasped her hand to stop her from getting out. “Do you want to know what has me on edge, Detective?”

She didn’t even get one word out before he continued.

“Let me tell you.” Leaning closer, she tried not to notice how good he smelled. “I’m going into a place that no man should take a woman into—and don’t give me the I’m a cop speech. I’m to help you find some lunatic that thinks he can take out a cop and all I can think about is how fucking amazing you look.” He paused and leaned close enough that she could feel his breath on her face, his dark hair had fallen to half cover his brow and he looked—dangerous suddenly. “You’re dressed like a tasty piece of candy and if we weren’t being watched by two of your co-workers right now, I’d like nothing more than to lay you down right here and lick each and every inch of the temptation you’ve dressed up pretty to make every scuz in the Lucky drool.” His eyes bore into hers for a few silent breaths. “That’s why I’m a little edgy, Detective McGowan.”

Alec sat there and couldn’t get her mind to move past the description. She felt flushed and breathless and oddly enough a little scared. No man made her feel like that, especially not one she’d just met.

“Are we clear now?” he asked quietly, still leaning close enough she could feel the heat from his body.

She nodded.

Taking a deep breath, he moved away a few inches. “So how are we doing this? Are we supposed to be a couple, siblings, or what?”

Clearing her throat, she took the moment she needed to push her mind back into focus. With the way he kept looking at her and the way her body kept responding, chances of appearing like brother and sister probably wouldn’t work out well. “I guess we’ll do the couple thing.”

It pleased him more than he wanted to admit when she was silent as they walked the last block to the bar. He tried repeatedly to listen in to her thoughts, but the wall guarding those was solid and nothing he was going to be able to get through easily. Glancing down at the sway of her hips, he gave a silent thanks to whomever it was that had invented heels. The things they did to a woman’s walk were pure evil, in a wholly good way. “Detective...”

She spun around at him so fast he almost stepped on her feet.

“Okay, calling me that is going to be like a giant neon sign, slick. It’s Alec.”

Slick? Ian couldn’t even remember what he’d been about to say to her as annoyance suddenly filled him at her name for him. It was an insult, this much he knew. He glared down at her as she stood there with this high and mighty ruler expression on her face. In the next second, he could have stepped away and let it go and he should have, but he never did go the easy way in most things and apparently wasn’t about to start now. Reaching quickly, he palmed the back of her neck, just below her skull, and yanked her into his body. Before she had the pause to react and he changed his mind, he crushed her mouth with his and didn’t let up until they were both breathless.

Ian released her as quickly as he’d grabbed her. His entire body was on fire, he realized that the woman panting and scowling at him could easily be the cause of his burning in hell for all eternity. Kissing her had felt intensely amazing but it felt like a big mistake at the same time. “There, now I can feel more like we’ll pull this couple thing off.” With that, he moved around her and headed straight to the bar door a few yards away. He needed a beer and a cold shower, not in that order.