Going rigid, Reese slowly turned his head to stare at her in disbelief. "Just like that?"

"I told you he had great contacts. Now you've seen how great." The light changed, and Reese turned back to the road, maneuvering through the traffic.

Hands flexing on the steering wheel, Reese gave one nod of grudging acceptance. "He didn't want to be investigated, so he officially closed that option."

"Yes." Unofficially, though, Alice knew Reese would continue to pry.

"He must have some high officials in his back pocket."

Reese continued to look at this all wrong, staying suspicious of Trace.

Or...maybe as he said, he was jealous.

Hoping to pacify him, she said, "I'm sure I won't, but if I hear from him, I'll tell you immediately."

"Even if he tells you not to?"

She ran her fingers over his thick forearm. The hair there was soft, his skin warm, his muscles so well defined. "He wouldn't," she said simply.

Reese groaned. "God, you've got him on a pedestal."

Of course she did. Trace was that kind of man.

But then, so was Reese, and he was the man she wanted. Now, tomorrow.

Forever.

Her mouth went dry-with acceptance and with uncertainty. She needed to know if Reese's heart was involved.

Falling in love alone would be...well, tragic. And she'd had enough tragedy in her life.

"Could you maybe take a day or two to think about it? To try to trust my judgment on this?" She cut him off before he could complain over her request. "And then, if you still want to know-"

"Need to know."

"-I'll tell you."

Quiet, thoughtful, Reese took the road toward their apartment complex. "One condition, Alice."

Her pulse sped up. "What is it?"

"I stay with you."

That sweet, familiar ache pulsed between her legs. "In my bed?"

Satisfaction kicked up a wicked smile.

"That'd be my preference, but it's always up to you." He shifted, stretching out one leg. "I meant in your apartment."

"Oh." How would that work? Them living like...roommates? No, thank you.

As if to convince her, Reese said, "I don't want you alone until I'm sure that there isn't any danger."

Had they come full circle? She sighed.

"Danger from Trace?"

"Actually, I was talking about the bastards using women as drug mules."

He shook his head, correcting himself.

"But, yeah, your mysterious wraith, too.

Hell, anyone from your past.

Or...basically, anyone or anything."

Alice licked her lips. "How long do you think that'll take?"

"Days. Weeks." He checked the rearview mirror, switched lanes. "No telling, really. In cases like this, we could get a break tomorrow or still be floundering months from now."

Months! If it weren't for women being in danger, she'd hope for the latter. "I see."

Reese shifted his shoulders. "If that's a problem, remember that I still have my own place and a job that sometimes keeps me away for the better part of the day. I won't be underfoot."

Why did he look so uncomfortable? He kept adjusting his big body as if trying to settle in. "I wasn't worried about that."

But if he only wanted to be with her as protection, should she tell him that she loved having him around for any reason?

"I like that Cash will be with you during the day." He glanced at her, then away. "But at night, I want to be right there with you."

"Okay." Hopefully, he'd solve the case quickly, but in the meantime she'd have an opportunity to make him fall in love with her. "I have a condition of my own."

He gave a nod of acceptance. "I'm all ears."

"No sleeping on the couch." And to make certain he understood, she added, "If you're there, even if it's just in the capacity of a detective, I want you to...sleep with me."

"Sleep, huh?" The quirky smile lifted into a full-fledged grin. "I can handle that."

"I mean it, Reese." She wanted no misunderstandings.

"Even if I do something that annoys you. Or if we argue. You don't get to shut me out."

He surprised her by laughing. "I don't move in on women just to play cop, Alice. I'm worried, true, but I wouldn't get hard every time we talked if I only had protection on my mind."

Her gaze shot to his lap, to the impressive bulge there, and she let out a breath. "Oh." She reached for him, intent on touching. Stroking. "Good."

He caught her hand, kissed her fingers.

Fondness softened his humor. "If we start that, I'm liable to wreck. Just give me five more minutes, and we'll be home."

"Okay, but hurry."

He answered by accelerating. "You're one of a kind, honey. Do you know that?"

Probably. Not many women had spent a year in captivity, forced to work for a monster. That experience had forever changed her, giving her a unique perspective on life. She knew what she wanted, and she'd go after it.

Reese might not realize it, but she wanted him.

For however long she had, she'd do what she could to win his heart.

And she'd start with Pepper's plan...as soon as she worked up her nerve.

WOODY SIMPSON LEANED back on the

brick wall of the college bookstore, eyeing the merchandise as it passed.

Sophomore girls with explosive sexual appetites, a few young teachers flattered by his attention, a volleyball coach with strong legs.

He admired them all, but it was the timid freshman, her load of books hugged to her chest, her expression flustered, that drew him.

With Cheryl soon to be out of the picture, he needed a replacement to keep up with demand. The little babe with her insecurity and anxious hope would be easier to handle than the others. He watched her as she peered around the campus, a little lost, a lot vulnerable.

Perfect.

Pulling his hands from his pockets, Woody started toward her.

Sometimes it was too damn easy.

But in the back of his mind, he thought about a woman who might be more of a challenge. She'd certainly gotten the best of that dumbass Hickson.

His heart started tap-dancing in his chest. He wanted her. To tie up loose ends. To punish her.

To experience her-in every way he could think of.

To prove that no bitch would best him, ever.

Cheryl would lead Hickson to her.

And Hickson would deliver her to him.

Smile predatory, body hungry, Woody stepped aside-and "bumped" into the freshman. Her stack of heavy books went scattering.

"Oh, damn." Catching her shoulders, Woody stared into her startled eyes.

"I'm sorry. Are you okay?"

She stared up at him, stunned, breathless, her lips slowly parting.

And just like that, another one bit the dust.

OVER THE NEXT eight days, Alice and

Reese fell into a wonderful routine.

A routine broken only by spontaneous lovemaking. Many mornings Reese woke aroused, which meant he woke her with kisses...everywhere. Twice he'd come home for lunch...which Alice now knew meant a sandwich that he practically swallowed whole and fast, hot sex that he deemed "a quickie."

Every single night, regardless of how late he got in, he wanted her. In the shower. The kitchen. Her office. The bed.

They'd even ended up on the floor once.

Alice never objected.

She felt immersed in pleasure, her body in a constant state of tingling awareness. Fast or slow, in the bedroom or spread-eagle on her desk, the man knew how to send her over the edge. His stamina amazed her, but then, given his size and fitness, she should have realized he wouldn't tire easily.

Most mornings before Reese left for work, he took Cash for a jog. It gave Alice an hour to herself, but even then, Reese kept a cell phone on him, and he never left without first gaining Alice's promise that she'd lock the door behind him.

Cash loved it. As soon as he'd see Reese in his running shorts, he'd head over to the door and wait by his leash.

Alice had coffee ready for Reese when he returned. After showering and getting dressed, he'd join her for breakfast at the table. Before heading off to the station, he always patted Cash, and he never forgot to kiss her goodbye.

It all seemed so domestic and so...enduring.

Cash felt it, too. In such a short time the dog had flourished. He no longer felt the need to stay right on top of them.

They could actually leave the room without him following.

While Cash didn't exactly pine for Reese when he left for work, he still went berserk when Reese got home again.