The Private Eye

not?”
    “Maggie.” He couldn't believe it. She was smiling at him in feminine welcome. She was willing to take his word for everything he had just said. Josh took a hesitant step closer to the bed. “Do you mean it?
    You want to spend the night here in my bed?”
    She laughed softly. “The thing about you. Josh, is that you're exactly like that Adam Carlisle person in your book: You're one of the good guys.”

Chapter 8

    THE INSTANT Josh entered her he felt as if he had found a part of himself that he hadn't even realized was missing. Maggie's welcoming feminine heat consumed him and made him feel complete. For a split second of startling clarity, Josh recognized what was happening. She's mine now, he thought as her body tightened around him. She was meant for me.
    In the next instant the crystal-clear understanding vanished amid the excitement that was sweeping over him. Sheer, glorious physical sensation took over. She felt so good.. .better than anything he had ever known. His thoughts were scattered as the intense, primal reality of their lovemaking swamped his senses. But the feeling of need and possessiveness remained lodged deep in his mind, even as Josh gave himself up to the sweet pleasure of the moment.
    He was fiercely aware of Maggie's arms wrapped tightly around him as he surged deeply into her. He felt the tiny bite of her nails as they sank into his shoulders. He drank the small, soft cries from her lips as she surrendered to the passion they were sharing.
    “Put your legs around me, sweetheart,” he managed as he sensed her body begin to tense.
    She did as he said, locking her legs around his hips, offering the very core of herself to him, Josh groaned as he felt himself slide a little farther into her.
    “So deep,” he muttered against her mouth. “I'm so far inside you, I feel as if I'm a part of you.”
    “You are,” she said simply. Then her head moved restlessly against the pillow. “Oh, Josh.”
    “Yes, love. Now. That's it. Let it happen now. I can't hold it any longer. Yes!” He drove into her one last time as he felt the first delicate ripples of her release.
    The sensation was unbelievably erotic. She was literally caressing him in the most intimate manner possible. Josh's body threatened to explode and then it did explode. He captured Maggie's mouth with his own to drown his own hoarse shout of satisfaction as she breathed her exquisite cry of completion.
    When it was over, Josh pulled her close and curled her body into his own. She fell asleep beside him, her relaxed body evidence of her trust.
    Josh lay quietly for a long time. He stared up at the shadowed canopy and tried to comprehend what was happening to him. He felt different somehow. Something important in his world had changed.
    Maggie was at the heart of that change. She was very precious.
    He would protect her. Josh told himself. At all costs, he would shield her and care for her.
    He finally fell asleep himself on that thought.

    MAGGIE AWAKENED feeling vaguely disoriented. She stretched languidly, wondering why the bed felt different. When her toe came in contact with a masculine leg, she froze in shock. And then memory came flooding back.
    Josh had made love to her last night.
    And it had been wonderful. The most wonderful experience of her life. Maggie snuggled into the unfamiliar masculine warmth. Josh's arm curled around her, his hand coming to rest on her breast.
    “Josh?”
    “Yeah?” He sounded half asleep.
    “Josh, are you awake?”
    “No.” He tightened his hold on her and his thumb began to glide slowly across her nipple. “Don't bother me. I'm dreaming.”
    “Well, in that case...” Smiling to herself, Maggie let her hand drift down across his broad chest. Her fingertips reached the tangled thatch of dark hair below his flat belly and she tugged gently.
    “You're playing with fire, lady.” josh nibbled on her shoulder.
    “Promises, promises. I— Oh, my goodness.” Her fingers were suddenly filled with the heavy, thrusting warmth of him. “l am playing with fire, aren't I?”
    “Told you so.”
    “I think I could get to like this game.”
    “You obviously have an aptitude for it. Maybe it's time I demonstrate a few of the finer nuances.”
    Lazily, Josh stirred and started to inch his way down her body. His mouth was on her breast and he had one leg between her thighs when he abruptly stilled.
    “Josh? What's wrong?”
    “Damn.” Josh raised his head and sat up, shoving aside the