Free Say No To Joe? by Lori Foster Page B

his rapid breaths and her own shallow panting.
    With no forewarning, Joe stroked one hot palm down her back and straight into her panties. Stunned by the impact of his long fingers there, Luna arched forward in surprise, a small cry escaping her, but it didn’t deter Joe. He swallowed the sound, spurred on by her response.
    His fingers squeezed, then slid into the cleft of her behind, low, deep, finding her vulva in a bold, tantalizing exploration. She shuddered in response.
    Joe gave a rumbling growl of triumph and lifted his head. Their gazes met, hers melting, his burning. He pushed one finger slowly into her—and a knock sounded on the door.
    â€œPolice. Open up.”
    Without moving, Joe squeezed his eyes shut. “Fuck.”
    Luna trembled from head to toe. His finger was still inside her, hot, deep, teasing. “I . . . I gathered that’s what you had in mind.”
    â€œNo way.” He drew two deep breaths before looking at her again. His hand shifted the tiniest bit, rasping against sensitive, intimate flesh. “What I want to do to you, with you, is way beyond fucking, honey. Way beyond.” Keeping their gazes locked, he withdrew his hand in a slow, sensual caress. “You remember that, okay?”
    Luna had no idea what he meant by that, but the very idea both alarmed and excited her. Joe stepped back, moved her aside, and opened the door.
    The door.
    She couldn’t breathe, was more turned on than she’d ever been in her entire life, and she now had two young uniformed officers staring at her.
    Good Lord. Color flooded her face. If she survived this night, she’d strangle Joe for sure. “Excuse me,” she muttered with as much dignity as she could muster under the circumstances. Her wits were scattered, and her body tingled to the point she knew she couldn’t deal with anything more than modesty. On wobbly legs, she headed for the couch to retrieve her sheet, then wrapped it around herself. Joe, damn him, stood there with an erection that a blind man couldn’t miss.
    The cops quickly surveyed him. “Do we have the right place?”
    â€œYeah, come on in.” Joe stepped back and held the door wide for them. He seemed as comfortable in his boxers now as he had been naked earlier. And somehow, despite his state of undress, his bruises and sleep-rumpled hair, he looked more imposing, more in charge, than the two policemen.
    â€œI’m Officer Clark, and this is Officer Denter. There was a break-in?”
    â€œThat’s right.” Joe sent Luna a searing look. “I almost had the bastard, too, but someone doesn’t know when to stay the hell out of my way.”
    Luna lifted her chin, insulted and further embarrassed with the way the cops examined her. “You’re in no shape to play macho-man.”
    One of the officers agreed. “She’s right. You look like an elephant stomped on you.”
    â€œBut not just now,” the other officer said. “Those are older bruises?”
    â€œYeah, and I’m betting they’re from the same asshole who visited tonight.” Very briefly, Joe filled them in.
    Officer Denter crossed his arms over his chest. “So despite being bludgeoned nearly to death—”
    â€œIt looks worse than it is.”
    â€œâ€”you still managed to fight this guy off tonight and send him running?”
    Shrugging, Joe admitted, “I’ve been in the business. I know what I’m doing.” With little embellishment, he told the officers the variety of jobs he’d held.
    To Luna’s disgust, they each looked impressed and very respectful.
    â€œSo someone doesn’t like you?”
    â€œLots of people dislike him.” Luna made a face. “At the moment, me included.”
    Denter nodded at the bedding on the couch. “So I see.” Joe groaned, drawing Denter’s notice back to him. “You okay?”
    Limping to the couch, Joe carefully lowered