Free In the Red Zone by Crista McHugh Page A

words that made her wonder how much of it was the truth. “For the record, I never bailed you out.”
    “You got me out of the slammer, and that’s what counts.” His grin widened. “Can you imagine what someone as good looking as me would’ve had to endure if I’d stayed in there?”
    His good-natured conceit lightened the mood, and she laughed wholeheartedly. Leave it to Frank to take her from one end of the emotional spectrum to the other in a matter of minutes. But it felt good, being with him. Even after she’d revealed her shortcomings, he’d managed to make her feel better. And he showed no evidence of losing interest in her, judging by the way his gaze kept flickering her way as he zoomed through the streets.
    He drove into the parking garage of her building and parked next to her car. Before she could even grab the handle of her door, he was out of his seat and jogging around the car to open it for her. “Allow me, lovely lady.”
    “Still trying to get on my good side?” she quipped while smothering a grin.
    “You can say that.” He took her hand to help her out, but didn’t release it right away. His eyes darkened, and his face grew uncharacteristically serious. “Kiana, if I’m going too far, please tell me.”
    Her breath hitched, allowing his scent to linger in her nose long enough for her to recognize the masculine notes of leather and cedar in his cologne. “Depends on what you’re planning to do.”
    “Can we try that kiss again?” He held up his hands in surrender. “I promise not to lay a finger on you.”
    That kiss had been nice. At least, until he touched the back of her neck. But maybe, just maybe, she could enjoy one more. She leaned into him and pressed her lips to his.
    If the earlier kiss had been raw and unrestrained, this one was gentle and cautious. And frustratingly tame. Frank allowed her to control the tempo and the heat of the kiss, responding to the demands of her tongue, but obviously holding back. She opened one eye to see his hands shaking at his sides. A whimper rose from his throat, forming a silent plea that convinced her to tear down the wall he was trying to stay behind.
    She grabbed his hands and placed them on her bottom.
    A muffled gasp followed, and the chains that had been holding Frank at bay vanished. He grabbed her ass with vigor and pressed her against him while he deepened the kiss. A moan rose into the still night air, but she couldn’t tell if it was from him or her. All she knew was the rising desire building between them that made her want to forget everything but him.
    She allowed herself this one moment of bliss, to fall into the arms of a man who knew how to kiss her in a way that made her toes curl. A man who caressed her generous curves like she was the most desirable woman on earth. A man who made her feel safe and secure in his arms even while he tempted her to engage in the most reckless behavior she’d embraced in over two years.
    But she couldn’t be reckless anymore. She was a mother, and she didn’t want to make the same mistakes her mother had. The thought of her daughter tempered her lust long enough for her to end the kiss before it got out of hand.
    “Damn, Kiana,” Frank said with shuddering breaths. “You have the most luscious ass I’ve ever held.”
    He gave her behind one more squeeze as though to prove his point, and she laughed. Frank Kelly would never be the serious sort of guy she needed to settle down with, but he was definitely amusing enough to keep around. She gave him one final peck on the lips before prying his hands off her skin-tight jeans. “I have a meeting at eight in the morning.”
    “And I have a few favors to call in.” He moved to her car. “Give me a few days to pull everything together.”
    Finding her keys, she opened her door and started the engine. “I’m grateful for anything you can do to help the foundation.”
    “I’m not just doing it for the foundation.” His eyes never left her