The moment she crossed the threshold the smell of ammonia coming from the vandals urine hit her nose. Her nostrils flared as she shut the door behind her. Damn it stinks in here. Olivias going to have a bitch of time getting this smell out when she comes home.

Depositing her tote on the coffee table in the living room, she pulled out a pair of gloves. Now according to the reports, the perp came in through the balcony doors, so I guess Ill start there, see if I can figure out how they entered. Grabbing her notebook, a pen and tape measure, she headed into the kitchen. She picked her way across the kitchen, taking note of the way the glass was scattered. Not that it matters. Lord knows how many people have trounced through here, disturbing the fragments.

Measuring the size of the glass doors, she jotted them down. No one mentioned in the report of any of the witnesses or neighbors hearing the glass break, but it was worth a shot. Before she left, shed have to stop and make their acquaintance. Moving around to the doorframe, she looked at the jamb, tracks and finally the motion sensor. There was something off here, but she just couldnt figure it out, and the plywood the security company had put up wasnt helping matters.

According to Judes statement to the police, hed moved the sensor higher, thinking birds had set it off originally. But after studying it, she wasnt sure if the breaking of the glass was what had disturbed the sensor. The slider was spider-webbed up from the middle of the pane in such a way it didnt seem consistent with that theory. Id be surprised if there was enough force to make the sensor go off, like the police notes suggest. She scribbled another note down on her pad.

She was just about to measure the hole in the center of the pane when she heard a familiar masculine voice behind her. Hello?

Freezing, she wanted to find Judes ass and kick it so far up between his shoulder blades hed be spitting out shoe leather for the next week. Unbelievable. Just un-fucking-believable. Rubbing the bridge of her nose, she prepared herself to come face to face with Jackson.

His scent reached her first. The moment he appeared in the doorway, his cologne wafted over to her, then his sheer presence engulfed her with the need to submit. It was the same desire shed been battling every time theyd been in the same room since shed met him. She was a big girl, she could do this. Act like the professional you are, Rena. He cant force your submission.

Rena? He seemed just as shocked as she did. As she took in his work clothes, rumpled hair and blackened eye, she wondered what the hell had happened but forced herself to concentrate on the issue at hand. If she gave him an inch, hed surely take a mile and she knew it.

Well get your skinny white ass over here. I need to bounce something off you. She moved back to the sliding door. Resuming the measuring of the hole, she felt him join her.

So thats how youre going to play it, ma peekon

Play what? Im here to do a job. To help Jude figure out whos targeting Olivia.

Youre assuming Olivias the target. It could be Jude or Micah. All three of them live together love together. The heat from his body radiated towards her as he stepped closer. There was only an inch separating their bodies. Damn you smell good. Good enough to eat.

It took all her willpower to not melt at his feet when he nudged aside one of her braids with his nose to access the side of her neck. It was one of the things shed loved about being near him. Their height was close enough he didnt have to bend to kiss her. Hmmmm. The brush of his lips against the back of her ear coaxed a betraying shiver out of her.

White boy... What she meant to come out as a rebuke ended up sounding more like a plea as he wrapped his arms around her, trapping her against his hard body.

Ive missed you, Rena. He nipped at her earlobe. You left me while I was ill. Did you honestly think I wouldnt know you were the one at the hospital who harassed the nursing staff or you were the one who brought the Christmas Cactus in because you knew flowers stirred up my allergies? Or your scent was the one I woke up with each morning and went to bed with each night I was in that miserable place.

You had plenty of care, Jackson, and more than enough friends around. You didnt need me at your bedside once I made sure you were getting the proper care.

She pulled away, surprised when he released her. He was quiet for so long she wondered if hed left. Finally she gave in to temptation and turned to check if he was still in the room. Her eyes widened as she took in the stormy expression on his face.

Id like to know who the hell hurt you so badly, Rena MacAllister, that youd doubt your worth to me as a friend, let alone a beautiful submissive woman. Then he turned and strode out of the room.

Neither surprise nor shock could cover the emotions that hit her as she tried to take in what had just happened.