Diamond Legacy. Monica McCabe

his hold, pulling her across the bench and into his lap, all without releasing her lips. He was fast losing all reality, breathing in her intoxicating scent and feeding an escalating hunger.

      Thunder rumbled in the distance, or maybe it was an animal growl from deep within, but the sound struck him like lightning. Common sense exploded in his brain.

      He stiffened. What the hell was he doing? He didn’t need this kind of complication. What made him think this was any kind of good idea?

      She sensed his withdrawal and broke off the kiss. God, he hated to release her. For the first time, he resented the job that demanded his undivided attention. And he was more than afraid he’d already lost his objectivity where she was concerned.

      She blinked rapidly, her breathing every bit as ragged as his.

      Guilt snaked its way through him. “Look, ah, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”

      “You shouldn’t have…” Her voice sounded hoarse. “Why not?”

      “Because I liked kissing you.” He shouldn’t have admitted that either. So much for his good sense.

      She scooted back to her side of the bench and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “You understand it’s not wise to kiss a woman like that, then take it back?”

      “I can’t claim good judgment where you’re concerned.” He rubbed a hand across his jaw and looked her square in the eye. “I’m not a man satisfied with just one sip.”

      She didn’t flinch. “Then why did you kiss me?”

      He didn’t know how to answer her. Hell, he hadn’t had a coherent thought since he first laid eyes on her at the airport.

      A few seconds passed in strained silence before she grabbed her knapsack and stood up. “I should get back to the lodge.”

      “Look, there’s no need for you to go.” That was a lie. There were at least a thousand reasons.

      She shook her head. “It’s probably best if I do. Thanks for dinner.”

      He didn’t stop her, just sat there and watched her disappear through the trees. An engine fired up and faded into the distance as she drove away.

      He remained on the bench a while longer, listening to the wind rustle the trees. The storm was catching up to him, in more ways than one. For a long time, his life had made sense, had purpose, direction. Suddenly, things didn’t seem so straightforward. Now there were complications. All thanks to one very sexy zoo dentist.

      With a heavy sigh, he grabbed his cooler and headed back to the Rover. He no longer wanted to sit alone on a stake out. He was done for the night.