Her daughter's vibrant voice penetrated through her hazy senses and broke the spell. She'd been inches away from kissing him. She pushed back until they weren't so close. "He sure did, baby."

Sabrina moved off of him and sat down on the mat. He did the same, his dark gaze never leaving hers.

"I guess it's time for me to go."

"Uh huh," was all she could mutter out. Her tongue felt glued to the top of her mouth, as if all the moisture had been sucked to other places.

Kennadi came and plopped herself on her lap.

"Mommy, you fell right on top of him and lost the game."

"I did, didn't I?" She fixed her sight on her daughter. "You know what? It's time for bed, young lady."

"Oh, man. Do I have to?" she asked with a pout.

"Yes, you do. Why don't you go in the bathroom, brush your teeth, and get ready for a bath?"

"Okay." Kennadi kissed her on the cheek, then curled around and threw herself at Allen, her arms circling his neck. He smiled and wrapped his arms around her as well.

"'Night, Officer Allen."

"Goodnight, squirt. You be good, okay?"

Kennadi stood. "Okay." She bounded down the hallway, and Sabrina thanked the heavens that she had such a happy and contented child who never fought or sulked when ordered to do things.

Silence filled the room as they both tidied up and put away the game. "That was fun," Sabrina told Allen after she closed the box and put it down. "It's been a long time since I've played that game."

He tugged his coat on. "It was good fun. Thanks for letting me come over."

"I'm glad you did."

"You think we could do this again?"

His question surprised her with a jolt of pleasure. Perhaps he was interested after all. "Um...sure."

Walking toward the door, he pulled his keys out of his pocket. "How about Saturday night? Dinner and a movie?"

"I'll see if I can find a babysitter. My friend, Sharon, might not have to work that night."

"Can I call you?"

A notepad sat on a side table, so she picked it up, scribbled her number on it, and handed it to him. When he took it, he also grabbed her hand, pulling her close. She knew what was coming, and she wanted it. A current of electric awareness arced between them. Would he be a good kisser? She was more than anxious to find out. He smiled with his entire being, and it was impossible not to return it as the corners of her lips tilted upward.

Allen's left hand stroked her back while his right slid up to cradle the back of her neck. The gentle touch made her shiver with desire. Her breasts ached, and her nipples were tender and tightly beaded where they made contact with his muscled chest. She nuzzled her cheek against his palm and pressed her body close to his, feeling the hard ridge of his sex. Oh yeah, he was interested all right.

She tilted her head back and looked at him as her hand reached up and flicked off the lights. The moon cast a shadow over his face.

There ought to be a law against a man looking so good. But he was the law, and that made her smile.

He groaned when she skimmed her hands over his hips, up his waist, to around his neck. Then he lowered his head. His breath mingled with hers, and her eyes drifted closed as she waited eagerly for the first touch of his lips against hers. His fingers lightly grazed her cheek when he slowly brushed his mouth over hers.

When he covered her lips, she feared for her heart. It pounded like a wild beast trying to break out of a cage. Her knees went weak at the sweet thrill of his touch, at the whispered promise of something special, something forever.

The tip of his tongue traced her lower lip, flicked over the top, and slipped inside. Every nerve ending she had stood up and saluted, as if finally, finally she'd found the right one.

She fervently returned the kiss as he deepened it, faintly tasting the chocolate ice cream they had for dessert when he began to explore her mouth.

Angling his head to one side, he spread one palm across the small of her back, holding her against him. She moaned and pressed one thigh between his legs as her panties grew damp with desire. Hot flames licked through her, making her breasts pulse.

This was better than anything she could have ever imagined. The world seemed to tilt on its axis. She felt disoriented and breathless as a warm haze settled over her senses.