The bitch was good, both at the sexual cat-and-mouse game and maintaining leverage over him. Although Shane was eager to learn the thief’s identity and get his crystal back, it could wait a few hours longer.

Smart, Shane said as he leaned closer. We wouldn’t want just anyone getting that information. He traced the outside of her breasts telekinetically, deliberately avoiding her hardened nipples. You’ll give me the encryption key soon?

Addison sighed before she caught herself. Soon.

“Good,” Shane said, pitching his voice the way that made Harris shiver. He laid his hand over hers, plucking the chip from her grasp with thumb and forefinger. The contact told him that Harris was aching with desire as well. “Why are we fighting this?” he murmured.

Harris shook herself and pulled back. “Because you’re a sodding wanker.”

Shane shrugged. “You’re a conniving bitch.” She shrugged in agreement.

Tired of the game, Shane changed tactics. On the count of three I’m going to kiss you. I hope you’ll kiss me back. We both know how good this will feel. Harris’ expression was unreadable, so Shane pressed on. One.

He leaned closer. Harris didn’t budge. Two.

Tilting his head, Shane stopped a centimeter from Harris’ luscious, pouty lips. He heard her heart pounding in her chest. Three.

Shane touched his lips to hers, moaning from the ardor flowing between them. Then by the grace of some merciful god, Harris crushed her lips against his.

***

Once Myers kissed her, Addison stopped resisting. She couldn’t touch enough of him, or he of her. Hands worked to shed clothing, only to halt when their minds touched.

Addison froze, pushing up on her hands and knees over Myers’ nude form. Fear and distrust damped their desire as they stared, panting. Bugger this, Addison thought, then gingerly touched his mind. Myers flinched, but his shields stayed down. His mental fingers touched hers. Then minds and bodies entwined.

They climaxed together, hips thrusting and bodies grinding. They must have rolled off the couch, because Addison raked her nails down Myers’ back, her legs locked around his hips. With her mouth pressed into his neck to muffle her cries, she tasted salt from his sweat-slicked skin.

As the orgasm ebbed, their rhythm slowed, leaving them spent and trembling. Against her better judgment, Addison caressed Shane’s bare back, skimming over the scratches she’d left. She kissed his shoulder, then withdrew her mind. If Myers could not be a prat for a few hours, she’d happily stay for another round.

***

Shane lay quietly with Harris, sated, content, but wary. He knew he was a fool to sleep with her, and downright idiotic to let her into his mind. But after those few weeks before and after Jake’s birth no one else came close. He hoped that her love for their son would keep him safe.

Harris’ light touches on his back were lulling him to sleep right on the sofa. Floor, Shane realized muzzily from the feel of the carpet. They needed to move or she needed to leave; Rose or Jake could wander out at any moment.

After a few moments of pondering the best way to broach the subject, Shane took the direct route. If you’d like to stay for a while longer, we need to move to the bedroom. Since he’d already proved his weakness for the woman, he didn’t slap up mental shields. She’d feel his hope that she’d stay.

Harris tensed, then relaxed. Bedroom, she agreed. I can do without more rug burn.

Chuckling, Shane hauled himself to his feet. He managed to hold back a snarky comment about how he could have healed their minor wounds if Harris wasn’t withholding the thief’s identity. But that wasn’t exactly true, and he was enjoying the détente too much to risk it, so he offered Harris a hand up instead. She took it.

After gathering their scattered clothes, they walked to Shane’s bedroom, passing Rose’s and Jake’s. Mommy, the boy murmured sleepily, the thought laced with love. Shane and Harris stopped short, blinking at the closed door to Jake’s room.

That’s right, Jakey, Harris crooned. Go back to sleep.

Okay, Jake sighed. Good night, Mommy. Good night, Daddy. His thoughts dissolved into sleep.

Shane’s delighted smile mirrored Harris’. Before he succumbed to sentimentalism, Shane touched Harris’ shoulder and continued into the bedroom. She followed.

Although Shane’s logical side screamed over how dangerous this was, he slipped under the covers with the mother of his son and curled up against her. Surely he could trust her for a few more hours. There was no past, just physical comfort and anticipation of carnal pleasure. This isn’t like the last time, he assured himself.

It’s not. Shane started from Harris’ thought.

Right. He ran his hands over her breasts and down her side to distract them both. Their hormones stirred. Give me an hour or two, all right? Shane felt her mental agreement.

They lay awake pretending that the other slept. Sleep claimed them eventually.