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become…different. We’d lose focus and that would be harmful to the job.”
    “He’s protective of you. I’m not poking at it. I think it’s sweet and I can see he cares deeply about you. The two of you share something special and I’d not change that.”
    “We’re protective of each other,” she agreed. “He’s strong and almost scarily intelligent. Rob… How can I explain it? He thinks on a different line to everyone else, almost non-linear. Sometimes he’ll put things together in a manner I never in a billion years would have thought of, but then something that is right in front of his nose, something every single human with an IQ over forty can comprehend, he will be completely blind to.”
    “Really?” James looked stunned.
    El chuckled.
    “He has this friend, Sally… They’re both deeply in love and he can’t see it—he doesn’t even fully grasp the fact he adores her, and he’d never believe me if I explained she loved him in return. I’m determined to open his eyes, but things have been crazy lately.”
    “He’s lucky to have such a caring partner like you.”
    “I’m glad to have him too. Sometimes Rob can be a handful, especially when he gets the bit between his teeth. He went through a number of partners before we were paired up. I think Waldron was relieved when we got along so well. Now I have a feeling if either of us requested another partner—something that management is supposed to respect if anyone wishes for a change—we’d be denied and they’d move heaven and earth to keep us together. Not that we’d ever ask for it. It sounds conceited, but we kick arse together. We’re a good fit, professionally speaking.”
    James grinned.
    El slipped her phone into the pocket of her pants and wrapped her arms around his waist. She drew her body flush against his and stood up on her toes. Brushing her lips lightly over his, she teased them both, taunted him with her soft skin. She flicked her tongue out and licked his lips, moistening them.
    He opened his mouth to her and she probed inside, loving the taste of him. The kiss slowly deepened between them. Passion heated her blood and a knot of desire grew in her belly. She roamed her hands over his back, lowering until she cupped his arse and pulled his hips into hers. As she ground into his crotch, her breath caught. She was turning herself on as much as him. El rubbed herself along his thickening length.
    “You need to make that call,” he said, his voice husky with growing need.
    El drew in a deep breath, opened her eyes and caught his gaze. She smiled. “I guess I do,” she agreed. Reluctantly she pulled her phone back out and dialed Rob’s number. He answered after only two rings.
    “Stevens.”
    “Rob, it’s El. How’s it going?”
    “I’m drowning over here, how are you? Is everything all right?”
    “It’s perfect.” She couldn’t keep the satisfaction from her voice. There was a pause as her gaze clashed with James’. Lust sparkled in his eyes and for a moment she imagined herself dumping the case, stripping naked, locking the door and performing every imaginable wicked act on and with the sexy man before her.
    Rob cleared his throat and she was reminded of his presence.
    “Um. I’m calling because I think we should talk to Louise Calloway. She might know something, or if we’re lucky, Luke could have left the Cezanne with her.”
    “Neither Chelsea nor David ever reported Calloway contacting his sister,” Rob said, sounding distracted. She heard papers being shuffled and guessed he was sifting through the file, looking for the other agents’ reports.
    “I know, but it seems stupid to ignore such an obvious connection. I didn’t want to rush off and leave you in the lurch, though. Do you want to meet us there?”
    “Hmm. Will James be going with you?”
    El lifted an eyebrow, even though her partner couldn’t see it.
    “Yes, why?”
    “I think the two of you should pursue that line of inquiry,” Rob