Free Burning Intensity by Elizabeth Lapthorne Page A

asked.
    “I’m glad you’re here, that we’re doing this together.”
    He grinned wickedly at her and grabbed her arse lightly, giving it a teasing squeeze.
    “I’ll take payment later. But, being honest, I’m getting a thrill from it. I’ve never played the good guy in this situation. I’ve always been on the other end. It’s interesting to see how this side works.”
    El pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Careful you don’t enjoy it too much,” she warned with a laugh. “You might be corrupted and end up joining the side of light after all. Think of how ruined your reputation as an internationally acclaimed thief would be then, if it got out you were assisting our Agency and the forces of good?”
    James shuddered in mock horror. “I don’t think I could bear it.”
    “I could make it worth your while,” she purred as she stroked his jaw and nipped a few biting kisses along its length. James breathed heavily. She pressed a palm over his chest and felt his heart pounding. He seemed turned on by the thought.
    Pleased she’d come out on top of that minor skirmish, El turned and climbed into the passenger seat. It took him a minute to regain control of himself, but James slammed the door and came around to the driver’s seat. As he started the car and they pulled away from the curb she realized the silence between them was charged with a thick, heavy sexual chemistry.
    She didn’t mind it in the least.

Chapter Five
     
     
     
    “Could you please lower that badge a little? I can’t see it clearly.”
    El opened the small leather folder more and lowered it as requested. Louise Calloway’s door had only been opened the slightest crack, and a shadow was the only indication that a person stood there. El tried to decide if Louise was paranoid, or perhaps had gone through this routine enough times to want to follow the very letter of procedural law. It wasn’t common for her to be asked to show her badge, though she was willing to comply. Perhaps Louise had been attacked by someone using this routine, it wasn’t for her to judge.
    “I’ve never heard of the Department of Special Research,” Louise said.
    “It’s a small branch, ma’am,” El replied. She kept holding the badge and laminated identification card out, though her instinct was to replace it. “I can give you a phone number to call, to verify my badge number, name and department. But we just have a few questions for Louise Calloway regarding her brother. They’re completely standard. You’re not in any trouble, ma’am.”
    “I suppose so,” Louise sighed and opened the door. El regarded her.
    Only of medium height, maybe five foot five, Louise was reed thin. A somewhat faded house dress of dark green was warmly covered by a thickly knitted blue cardigan. Her brown hair was pulled back tightly into a French braid. Louise looked tired, as if over the years life had beaten her up. She stood up straight, met El’s and James’ eyes as she stepped back and allowed them entrance into her small flat.
    El felt that, even though Louise looked as though she’d been hammered by the world, she still had plenty of pride. The woman was not defeated or broken down. That took strength. El respected her for it. Taking a quick look around the room, she saw that Louise didn’t outwardly appear to live above her means. The living room was small. Two couches sat at right angles to create a small sub-section with a TV and stereo system. A comfortable-looking chair sat beside the window with a large lamp in what appeared to be the perfect reading, knitting or stitching corner.
    The room was warm, lived in, but showed few personal effects. El got the feeling that Louise liked her privacy and was not one to share. This instinct was backed up by the fact that the woman didn’t chatter nervously. Louise met El’s eyes and the three of them remained standing in the room.
    “You can’t look around,” Louise stated. “Unless you have a warrant, which you