Hotshot defense attorney James Scott always follows his gut -- even when it tells him an obviously guilty man is a victim himself. Homicide detective Owen Duke doesn't have time for gut feelings -- he lives by logic and evidence. And all the evidence tells him that Scott's client is guilty of the cold-blooded murder of a young ballerina.<br><br>Scott, a notorious media darling, is willing to risk his reputation and his career on the kid's innocence. But his undeniable charm is not enough to save his client's life. He needs Owen Duke, a man who stands for truth and justice, even if the detective hates Scott and his gut feelings.<br><br>What's supposed to be an open-and-shut case quickly becomes a quagmire of lies, murder, and rotting corruption. Suddenly, instead of being a thorn in Duke's side, James Scott is the only person in San Francisco the detective can trust. As the attraction between them deepens, they race to save an innocent man, but can they save their own hearts in the process?

Pas de Deux

“No, no. I made you a promise and I do intend to keep it.” He put his hands on either side of Duke, creating a cage with his arms and trapping Duke inside. “I’m sorry.”


Faint shadows below his eyes lent a weary pallor that wasn’t normally there, but the lines in his forehead disappeared at Scott’s apology. “Is that the best you can do? I did get shot today, you know.”


“I’m not apt to forget it.” Scott tilted his head and caught Duke’s mouth, kissing him softly. The caress was light, but not weak. He teased Duke’s lips with his tongue, tracing the seam of his mouth, coaxing a stronger and stronger reaction. For a moment, he forgot everything about the day. Even—despite his words—the fact that Duke was injured. The taste of the other man overwhelmed everything else. As did the relief to be tasting Duke at all.


Chapter 57