Cast the Cards by Shyla Colt Page B

okay.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
    “No,
I’d say that about sums it up.”
    “Good.”
Brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear, he offered up a genuine smile.
“Thank you, Savannah.”
    “You’re
welcome.” They leaned in as one, lips connecting, and throwing sparks very
different from the ones that had led them into this position.
    “Thank
you.” The words whispered against his lips did funny things to his stomach.
Girly things he didn’t dare thinkg too hard on. Alarm bells rang and red flags
waved.  I can’t afford to do this. She’s my partner. Right now this case is
all that matters. Oh God… Clark.  His ardor quickly became cooled. How
am I going to explain this? I just did the one thing he’ll never be able to. Guilt
rushed in like a flash flood, clogging his throat and making it hard to
breathe.
    “We
should get cleaned up, huh?” He feigned normalcy, hoping she wouldn’t pick up
on his unease.
    “Yeah.
I have to say this wasn’t the cool-down method I had in mind when I came over.”
Her wry delivery made him snort.
    “No?
And here I thought you’d been planning this for weeks.”
    “Oh,
you got me, Carey.” Her high-pitched mockery moved them into more familiar
territory. She drew back and stood. “I’m going to shower in the guest room.” He
nodded. “Meet you out here in fifteen?”
    “Sounds
good.”
    Despite
the nudity they’d slipped back into their partner roles. They both knew this
case was too big to blow over