Free Desired by Stacey Kennedy Page B

no-contact rule outlined in the protection order.
    With shaky hands, she placed the phone on her ear. “Knight Law, Ella speaking.”
    “You sound in a great mood.” That smooth, low voice brought memories of a wicked night leading to an even more amazing morning, as Kyler added, “Is Aidan working you too hard while he’s away?”
    She hesitated. “Kyler?”
    “Hello, Ella.” She imagined him giving her his charming smile. “Bad day?”
    Blinking in surprise, she said, “Just zoned in.”
    “Sounds like more than that.”
    She shifted against her seat as tingles stirred between her thighs. This man had some serious gifts, which included one helluva sexy voice. “It’s been a bit busy with Aidan being out of the office, but it’s nothing I can’t manage.”
    Kyler paused, as if he didn’t believe her. She really had to work on not being such an open book. She liked Kyler, and doubted he’d be all that interested to hear that being with her came with a whole trunk full of emotional baggage.
    Some things were better left unsaid.
    “I’m sorry to hear your day has been tough, but today is Friday, which means weekend fun.” His voice sounded oddly tight as he continued, “I was wondering if you’d like to go out with me tonight. Do you have any plans?”
    Yeah, right
.
    Her plans included getting some chocolate ice cream and eating the whole damn tub while watching a movie. The idea of going out, especially after the phone call with Rory, made her day. She had wanted to see Kyler again. “Nope, got no plans tonight.”
    “Great. What time do you get off work?”
    While it made her blissfully happy that he finally asked her out on a date, she thought it was odd that he’d waited until the weekend to ask. He seemed totally invested in taking her out tonight. She wondered if maybe he was a man who played games. Did he not want to show too much interest right away to keep her chasing after him?
    She immediately dismissed the idea.
    Kyler seemed too honest. “Since Aidan is away, I get to leave at four o’clock.”
    “Well, that’s nice of Aidan.” The respect he had for Aidan shone through his warm voice. “Do you mind if I pick you up at home, or would you rather meet at the restaurant?”
    She couldn’t help but notice how he always seemed to need her consent for
everything
. Itwas unusual, of that she was sure. “You can come get me at home if you like. I live at 4575 Dean Martin Drive—it’s one of the condominiums.”
    Damn, she liked giving that address. She would’ve been mortified if Kyler had seen where she first lived in Vegas. A run-down apartment wasn’t her ideal living accommodations. But with the recent salary increase from Aidan and the money her grandparents had left her in their estate, she’d purchased a luxurious one-bedroom condo.
    “That’s a good, safe area of the city,” he said. “Does six o’clock work?”
    Always a cop
, she mused. “Yep, that works.”
    “Great. I’ll see you then.” His voice lowered as he added, “Oh, and Ella, wear something sexy for me tonight.”
    Her cheeks warmed as her gaze swept through the office.
God
, if Aidan knew she was having this type of conversation at work he’d fire her, no matter that she did her job. “A short dress is surely sexy enough,” she whispered.
    “Yes, I see you have the right idea.” He groaned. “Goodbye, Ella.”
    When the phone line went dead, Ella stared at her computer screen, anticipation lighting her up. Yet a sense of guilt rose along with it. She didn’t fool herself, she knew telling Kyler she wasn’t yet divorced was the right thing to do. But she also didn’t think she owed him anything, not in a friends-with-benefits arrangement.
    Her future looked bright. She didn’t want to muck it up with a dark past.
    With the divorce hanging over her mind and wanting more than ever to have it finalized after Rory’s call, she reached for her personal cell phone in the drawer of her desk. Once she