Collision Force (6 page)

She tried to ignore how his tight shirt clung to the muscles of his chest, averting her eyes without trying to be obvious. The last thing she needed was to be caught ogling him.

“Why?” he asked.

Andi opened the closet door and unlocked her gun safe before stepping back. “I need you to put it in here. I will show you how to open it.”

“Why?” he repeated.

Heat rushed her cheeks as she met his eyes. “Because I have a child.” She berated herself. What did she care about what he thought?

Cole’s eyes widened, and Andi had to stop herself from a scathing retort. He definitely wouldn’t check her out anymore. He wasn’t the kind of man that was interested in women with children. She ignored the pang of regret that rushed her. He was an ass. She didn’t care anyway.

“You have a kid?”

Andi glared. “Yes. And he has to live in this house, just like I do. I’d appreciate if it was impossible for him to get his hands on things that could hurt him.”

“Okay.” He pulled his gun from its holster and handed it to her.

“I’ll show you. There’s a keypad and a code.”

Cole nodded and took a step towards her.

Andi was all too aware of how close his body was to hers as she showed him how to get into the gun safe. Her breath caught when she turned to see if he’d understood the combination as she’d pressed the numbers in and found his face only inches from hers. Cole was looking into her eyes, not at the gun safe. The small closet was claustrophobic. Her stomach roiled and heat crept up her neck. Her face had to be crimson. She took a step back.

She cleared her throat and Cole took a deep breath. The floral fragrance of her hair teased his nose and he had to restrain himself from touching her. She had no patience for him and his hands on her would infuriate her, so he planted his fists at his sides. But she smelt so good. Like fresh flowers mixed with clean linens.

Andi looked great in the jeans that were clinging to her every curve and the tight Green Bay Packers T-shirt that was accentuating the generous bosom her previous shirts had hidden. She looked even better than she had in the khakis and button-down he’d seen her in during the day. He wanted her.

He’d never become involved with a woman he’d worked with, and he wasn’t about to start. She was a mother—that’d shocked the hell out of him, and should have been an even further deterrent, but somehow, it wasn’t.

“Did you see what I just did?” she asked.

No, Cole hadn’t seen a damn thing, except how her jeans and T-shirt clung in all the right places. “Can you do it again? I need to memorise the combo, after all, right?” He tried to keep his tone light so she wouldn’t catch on that he’d been watching her body, not her hands.

“Yes.” She was already exasperated with him.

He flashed her another grin. Unfortunately, she seemed to be as immune to it as she had been to the others he’d given her. What the hell was with that? Women
always
responded to his grin.

Cole had her show him how to get into the gun safe several more times, then tried it himself so he was sure he could get his gun. When they were both comfortable he’d grasped the technique and memorised the combination, he whispered his thanks. Andi gave him a small smile and nodded. That was all he was going to get from her.

They stepped out of the closet and she closed the door. Her house was nice—spacious and sprawling for a one storey. She guided him into her living room and he looked around. The tan couch, loveseat and recliner all matched and were arranged in a manner that encouraged conversation.

The huge flat panel television on the wall was a guy’s dream. There was a fireplace in the corner of the room, the mantel full of family photos. The opposite corner contained a red, blue, green and yellow toy box. Right next to it was a table and four tiny chairs consisting of the same primary colours. The room was practical, decorated simply and, somehow, totally Andi. Lived in, but not messy.

He wandered over to the fireplace, looking at the pictures and knick-knacks that decorated the mantel. There was a small boy with bright red hair in a large picture at its centre. He was dressed like a cowboy, sitting on a bench, a rocking horse in the background, grinning at the camera. Cole smiled.

“Is this him?” he asked, glancing over his shoulder.

Andi stiffened, but nodded. “His name is Ethan.”

Cole looked back at the mantel, spotting a picture of Andi with a handsome, redheaded man. Both were in full police dress uniform, and the man had a big smile on his face. Andi’s smile was shy in comparison. There was a medal displayed in a dark wood case standing next to the photo frame.

He sensed more than saw her come to stand next to him, and Cole glanced at her. Andi’s expression was pained. His heart ached. What was up? It didn’t matter, he wanted to comfort her, but thought better of touching her, though she was not standing as close now as she had been in the closet.

“His name was Iain, and the picture was taken the day I made Detective.”

“Was?” Cole probably shouldn’t have immediately zoned in on that part of her statement, but it was out of his mouth before he had paused to think.

“He was killed in the line of duty three years ago.” Her voice trembled.

Cole wanted to throw his arm around her shoulders, but didn’t.

There was a wedding picture of the two of them not far from the picture she’d just discussed. Why that one hadn’t caught his eye first was a mystery, because Andi was radiant, more beautiful than he’d ever seen her, as she and Iain gazed at each other in the picture.

“I’m sorry, Andi.”

Shrugging, she turned away from him. “Three years…is a long time,” Andi whispered, her back to him.

Like she was trying to convince herself. He wasn’t about to contradict her, but what could he say, anyway?

She cleared her throat. “I do have a guest room, but it’s being used for storage right now, so it’s a mess. The bed in there isn’t even made up. I’m sorry.”

“The couch is fine,” Cole said.

“Let me get some blankets for you.” Andi disappeared down the hall before he could answer her.

Wife and mother was a new side to her. Of course she had a life outside her job, but her boss had praised her so highly, telling him she was very involved in her career. He’d never imagined she was married—or had been—and was a mother.

His attraction to her didn’t diminish—he was glad she was available. But was she seeing someone? What the hell was wrong with him?

Cole needed to be focused on work, on his case, not on Detective Andi MacLaren—at least not
how
he’d like to be focused on her. Her naked beneath him was more like it.
No.
It couldn’t happen. Even if she could halfway stand him—which she couldn’t—nothing could happen between them.

“Here you go, Agent Lucas,” Andi said, plopping a few blankets and a pillow down on her brown couch. She looked so damn good in those jeans he wanted to change his mind…again. Being between the sheets with her might be worth it.

“Cole. Please call me Cole. I know we got off on the wrong foot and continued down that path, but, again, I want to apologise.”

“Goodnight, Cole.” Obviously, she didn’t want to talk to him about anything, let alone his overdue apology.

“So, that’s it? You’re not going to accept my apology?”

“Not tonight. I’m tired, and we have a long day tomorrow.” She turned to go.

“Andi, wait.” Why was he calling her back? He could respect that she was still upset with him—she had every right to be. He’d gone a bit overboard with some of the things he’d said.

Keeping Cass’ phone call from her had been unnecessary from the start. He hadn’t needed to carry it on in the car after they’d left the warehouse. It’d only served to get her so pissed off at him she’d barely uttered a word all day. So much for getting somewhere on the case.

Andi glanced over her shoulder and Cole grabbed her wrist. He yanked her into his arms and covered her mouth with his.

He hadn’t intended to kiss her but as her soft, warm lips caressed his, Cole couldn’t have changed his mind even if he’d wanted to. Her curves hit his chest with enough impact that should have jarred him back into his head, but he was lost and overheated immediately. He wrapped her in a tight embrace and kissed her harder.

She fought him, but his mouth was demanding over hers, and Andi opened for him, melting against him, surrendering to him. She slipped her arms around his neck and Cole bit back a groan. Her taste, sweeter than he’d imagined, was like ripe berries. He needed more.

Andi whimpered against his mouth, her tongue dancing with his. His cock stood at attention, straining against his zipper. He moaned as her body melded to his, breasts to chest, hips to hips. Cole had to have her.

As he walked them back towards the couch, she pushed hard against his chest, breaking the kiss and shoving him away from her. They both panted hard.

“Don’t…don’t ever do that…again,” she stammered, the gorgeous swell of her breasts lifting and pulling her shirt taut as her chest heaved. He could see peaked nipples. His erection throbbed and he struggled for coherent thought.

Cole dragged his gaze to her face. Blue eyes wide, cheeks rosy, freckles noticeable, her lips swollen from his. Though she’d been appealing before, how she stood before him now blew that out of the water. She was gorgeous.

He needed to say something. Anything. Apologise? He wasn’t sorry in the least.
Speechless
just about covered it.

She trembled and rubbed her arm. It took all he was made of not to pull her back to him and kiss her again.

There was no chance to answer. Andi turned on her heel and fled down the hall, slipping into the room farthest away from the living room. She didn’t even pause to look at him as she slammed the door.

He winced. What the hell should he make of what had happened? He stared down the hallway for a moment, his heart pounding. Never in his life, not even when he was a teenager, had one kiss stirred him to the point that Andi’s had. Then she’d run from him. His body shook with unfulfilled need.

Cole couldn’t blame her, really. No way should he have given in to the urge to kiss her. But he had the sinking suspicion he would have to do it again—and more. He wouldn’t be able
not
to. And hell, she’d kissed him back.

The voice of reason chided that he didn’t get involved with women he worked with, but his cock certainly disagreed. He ignored them both and dragged his hand over his face. The morning would bring complications.

Cole sighed and glanced at the couch. It looked comfortable, but would he be able to sleep?

Chapter Five

Cole jolted awake. Where the hell was he? He swallowed a yawn and blinked. What time was it?

He looked to his left, finding a pair of very blue eyes staring at him. The little boy cocked his head to one side, as if assessing him. The eyes before him were familiar—Andi’s eyes.

Sitting up, he glanced over the small kid. The red hair was full of curls. A smattering of freckles covered his cheeks, also like Andi’s. He was cute.

Cole adored his sister’s two girls. They were seven and nine, although this boy couldn’t be more than three or four.

“Hi,” he said softly. The little boy smiled at him, then tentatively reached out and touched his arm.

Glancing around, Cole didn’t spot Andi, so he looked back at the kid. He was dressed in light blue pyjamas with police cars, German Shepherds and flashlights printed on them. Cole smiled back.

“What’s your name?” Andi’s son asked.

“Cole. What’s yours?” She’d told him his name when she’d mentioned him last night, but it didn’t come to mind.

“Ethan. I’m three.” He held up his little hand, three fingers proudly presented, and Cole smiled again.

He reached his hand out for a proper handshake, his smile becoming a grin when Ethan slid his tiny hand into Cole’s.

“Ethan!” Andi called, her voice shrill. Her son jumped. His big blue eyes were as wide as saucers as she entered the room.

Cole stared, frowning. Her tone suggested she didn’t want him talking to her kid.

“Mama?” the little boy asked. He shifted on his bare feet.

Andi’s chest heaved as if she’d taken a deep breath. “Go get dressed, buddy,” she admonished in a normal tone of voice.

Ethan grinned and nodded, then dashed down the hall.

“Cute PJs,” Cole said, after Andi had murmured a somewhat polite morning greeting. He looked her up and down, remembering the feel of her in his arms. Her face reddened, but she remained quiet, avoiding his gaze.

“Thanks. My mom made them,” she said after clearing her throat.

Made what? Oh, pyjamas
. He’d complimented the kid’s sleepwear. Right.

Andi was so put together already, and it wasn’t even seven in the morning. He’d give just about anything to see her flushed and pink, her hair messed up again, especially if he was the cause.

“Coffee’s almost done brewing.” Her tone was tight, telling him she had no desire for small talk. Cole had got to her.
He bit back a smartass grin. It would only tick her off.

Andi faced the kitchen without waiting for his answer.

“He can actually dress himself?” he asked.

Andi’s shoulders stiffened. “Yes.”

Damn. He’d not meant to upset her. Why did she take everything he said as an insult?

Andi needed to check on her son. Ethan had been in his room too long, and it was already six forty-five—she’d left Cole about twenty minutes ago. Ethan had been very proud of himself lately. Each night, he and Andi would pick out his clothes and lay them out, and Ethan would dress in the morning without her watching. She always made sure he’d done a proper job, of course, but even she basked in her son’s sense of accomplishment.

She shut off the burner she’d been scrambling eggs on and covered the frying pan to keep them warm. Andi took a sip of coffee and set it on the kitchen island before heading back into the living room with a sigh, praying she could hold onto her sanity.

Cole would probably want to talk about what had happened last night, but she didn’t. She just wanted to forget it. She promptly banished all memories of his lips on hers and the sudden tremble that had slid down her spine. She ignored her traitorous body. Andi hadn’t felt that way in—well, never, really. Not even Iain had melted her with one kiss.