Anna twisted underneath him, her desire reaching a fevered pitch. "Jonah, I can't wait."

Jonah's low, rumbling laugh vibrated through her. "I think you can." His fingers brushed against her responsive bud and Anna quivered. He rubbed her c.l.i.t side to side and slid his fingertips into her feminine channel.

Her wetness coated his fingers. Jonah took his slick fingertip and traced a wet line across Anna's bottom lip. His tongue tracked the streak, licking her essence off, and his movements dissolved into a kiss.

Anna recognized her unique flavor on his tongue and twitched inside. His action was so unexpectedly erotic. She'd known Jonah would be a revelation, but she would never have guessed to what extent.

Jonah shifted and his hardness probed at her entrance. "I want to be inside you."

Anna spread her knees wide, opening herself fully to his body. She lifted under him, lodging the tip of his erection just inside.

Jonah pressed forward. "Oh, Anna. I wanted to go slow, but you tempt me so."

"Don't go slow. I need you now." Her grasping hands urged him on.

Jonah closed his eyes and inched into Anna. Despite his words, he drew out his entry, tantalizing them both.

Anna grasped his biceps and tilted her hips up toward him. She wanted him - all of him. She wanted him close and deep. Tingling heat grew within her with every stroke, every touch. The rising tide of pleasure lifted her higher and higher, transporting her toward her peak.

"Tighten around me. Hold me inside you." His commanding order called to her female core.

Anna clenched him inside, contracting as he plunged into her. She reveled in the onslaught and wanted more. Hot tingling shocks consumed her as he pushed her over the edge.

Jonah's chest heaved with exertion as o.r.g.a.s.m ripped through him and he collapsed against her. Moments pa.s.sed before he gasped, "Anna, you wrung me out."

A purring laugh tumbled from her. "That's a good thing, I hope."

"It's an excellent thing. The mind wants another round, but the body disagrees." He rolled and squeezed next to her on the cushions, closing his eyes.

Anna sat up. "Perhaps I can a.s.sist."

Jonah opened one eye, peering at her.

Energy danced through her. Invigorated, she was eager for more. "How about a deal? I'll do all the work."

Jonah propped himself up on an elbow. "Oh yeah? That sounds enticing. What do I have to do?"

Anna issued her invitation with a slow smile. "Lie back and enjoy it."

Jonah rose off the couch and offered Anna his hand. "I can agree to a deal like that."

Anna grasped his hand. Together they made their way out of the living room and through the hallway.

Jonah gave Anna a playful slap on the a.s.s as they entered the bedroom.

Anna enjoyed the spank, more than he probably would guess. It crossed Anna's mind that she needed to speak to Jonah concerning her preferences. She put it out of her mind for now and motioned Jonah onto the bed. She crawled on after him, lying between his legs. His half-hard c.o.c.k glistened with wetness from their encounter. She reached out her tongue to him, and he stirred as she licked.

Jonah swallowed a moan. "Don't stop."

Anna had no intention of stopping. She nibbled her way along his soft flesh and took him into her mouth. She rolled her tongue around, playing with his responsive shaft. She felt him swelling, hardening. His reaction fueled her own growing response.

Anna rose to her knees and kissed Jonah's abdomen. Cool air brushed the wetness between her legs. She cupped his velvety sack in her hand, ma.s.saging him with her thumb as she licked his full length. She met his eyes. "You're ready for me."

Jonah smiled. "I feel ready."

Anna crawled up toward him, straddling his hips. She guided him toward her opening and settled against him, sinking down until he was fully inside. A soft, sensuous smile filled with feminine promise lit her face. She squeezed her internal muscles and rose off him slowly.

Jonah gasped and lifted his hips, seeking her warmth. "Anna! Do it now!"

Anna took her time, sliding him deep and grinding into him. Rocking her hips, she pressed him even deeper. She settled into a rhythm, fast enough to keep the pa.s.sion rising but slow enough that they were both left wanting.

Jonah reached for her, caressing her shoulders, and slid his hands between her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. He tweaked her nipples, which were already dark and rigid with desire.

Anna jerked. When she was sufficiently aroused, she enjoyed nipple play. "More. Please more."

Jonah curled his fingers under her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, exploring the silky skin he found there. He slid his thumbs up and across her nipples.

"Pinch them, just a little." Anna surprised herself by articulating her needs. She knew what she wanted, but in the past, she'd often been hesitant to say.

Jonah grasped the tip of her breast between his thumb and forefinger and squeezed.

Anna's electric response shot through her - all the way to her core. "Harder ..."

Jonah squeezed again with slightly more force.

His touch triggered her release, and Anna shook as wave after wave of sparkling pleasure washed through her.

Jonah watched, mesmerized by her arching body. As Anna slid down into lethargy, Jonah thrust up beneath her. He drove inside again and again. Anna collapsed on his chest as he came deep within her. He stroked her hair and wrapped his arms around her.

They lay still and entwined until sleep claimed them both.

Anna tapped her foot. "Maybe we shouldn't walk in together."

Jonah's mouth twitched. "We don't have to go out of our way to hide. I thought we'd settled this."

"Okay. Okay. You're right," Anna agreed.

Jonah squeezed her hand. "Relax."

They exited the elevator and walked down the hall to the lab. Jonah reached for the k.n.o.b of the door, but found it locked. "I guess Gordon isn't in yet." He fumbled in his pocket for the keys and unlocked the door. He pushed it open and gestured for Anna to precede him.

They both stopped in their tracks at the sight of Carrie and Gordon locked in a pa.s.sionate embrace.

Anna broke the silence. "Carrie?"

The stunned couple broke apart. Carrie covered her mouth with her hand and Gordon coughed.

Anna said nothing. It was hard to imagine chastising the couple after what had occurred between Jonah and herself.

Carrie moved swiftly toward the door with a murmured, "Pardon me." She fled into the hallway.

"If you would both excuse me." Gordon trotted out of the lab after Carrie.

Anna turned to Jonah. "What just happened here?"

Jonah wore a wry smile. "I think our a.s.sistants were partaking in an office encounter."

"What do we do?"

"What can we do? I guess we both speak to them separately and make sure it won't interfere with work. We're on rather slippery ground, given our own involvement."

"Yes." Anna shook her head. "I thought Carrie disliked Gordon?"

"I don't know what to tell you, Anna. Gordon has never said a word about Carrie that I can recall. Admittedly though, we don't discuss our personal lives with one another."

Later that morning, Jonah got the four of them together. Anna wondered if he'd decided to take a different approach regarding the relationship issue.

Jonah plunged right in. "We have a problem."

Gordon nodded. "Sir, I understand. It was very unprofessional. I can a.s.sure you it won't happen again."

Jonah wrinkled his forehead. "I'm not talking about your romance. There's a data notebook missing from the inner lab." He turned to Anna. "You were the last to leave yesterday. Are you sure you secured the doors?"

Anna didn't have to think about her answer. She recalled her exit clearly. "Yes, I'm absolutely sure."

"I thought as much." Jonah pointed at Carrie and then Gordon. "Which of you arrived first today?"

Gordon responded first. "I'm not sure. I saw Carrie in the lounge getting coffee when I pa.s.sed. The lab was unlocked when I entered. I locked it again ... later."

Carrie shook her head. "I hadn't been inside yet."

Gordon heaved a sigh. "I didn't think anything of the unlocked door. I figured Carrie had been in the lab already."

Jonah grimaced. "Okay. I'm going to have security review the camera feeds for this floor. In the meantime, I want everything gone through to see if the book was moved. It's a standard composition book with my name and the month on the front. I know I put it away. To take it, someone had to unlock the outer lab, the inner lab, and the cabinet. That's a lot to get through. They needed access to the floor, too."

Anna reviewed her actions again. She'd gone back to the lab, but she was sure she'd locked everything up. "I'd better check my materials as well."

"You're right," Jonah added. "Everyone check to see if anything else is missing."

Carrie and Gordon moved off and immediately began searching the lab s.p.a.ce.

Anna grabbed Jonah's arm as he turned to leave. "Do you think someone broke into the lab?"

"I don't know, Anna. I do know that important information is gone. You are completely sure you secured the lab?"

"I am." Worry etched her face. Did Jonah believe she would be so careless? But you were careless, a little voice reminded her.

Jonah gave her a penetrating look. "Okay. I'm heading to security. I'll inform you when I know something."

Anna combed through her items in the lab, relieved that nothing seemed to be missing. She, along with Gordon and Carrie, searched the lab thoroughly with no sign of the notebook.

The phone rang in the lab. Anna picked it up to find Jonah on the line.

"Anna, can you join me in security?"

"Sure, I'll come right now." The line went dead and she hung up the phone. She hurried down the hall to the elevators. As she stepped inside, she deliberated about which floor to press. She hadn't been to the security office since receiving her identification card. She found her way and the chief's secretary waved her into the office. She'd only met Damon Baldwin briefly, but recalled he was a big, intimidating man.

Her memory served her well. Damon stood as she entered, and she was reminded anew how imposing he was. "Anna, please be seated."

She situated herself into the chair beside Jonah. The blinds were drawn and the light was dim. Several computer monitors flashed between interior and exterior camera views of the building. Oddly, there was nothing but the computer on the desk. The office was devoid of any personal touches.

Damon took his seat and placed his hands on the desk. "Anna, Jonah briefed you on the suspected breach?"

"Yes, he did," she acknowledged.

Damon watched her closely as he continued with his questions. "Jonah tells me you were the last one to leave the lab yesterday."

"Yes, we were leaving together, but I went back. I'd been debating whether to do more work and I'd left a notebook and some samples out." Anna squirmed under Damon's gaze. Was she a suspect?

Damon's dark eyes didn't leave her face. "Jonah and I have been viewing the security footage. I'm going to play it for you."

Anna wondered what the footage would show. "Okay."

Damon turned a computer monitor slightly, giving her a better view. The time index showed the previous evening. She watched as she and Jonah left the lab together. Jonah locked the door, and they walked down the hallway. A minute later, she saw herself come back into the lab. After a time, she exited the lab, locked the door and walked down the hallway again.

Damon stopped the tape. "What is that in your hand, Anna?"

"It's the notebook I went to retrieve. I was going to lock it away, but I was in a hurry and I thought I might have time to review my data at home, so I took it."

Damon pinned her with his eyes. "You're sure it's your notebook and not Jonah's notebook?"

Anna's mouth dropped. "Of course it was my notebook. All the notebooks look the same. We use the same kind. The labels differentiate them."

Damon glanced at Jonah for confirmation and Jonah nodded. "It's true. Almost all the scientists use the same ones. Frank buys them by the case."

Anna shook as realization set in. "You can't actually think I took your notebook, do you?"

Jonah took a deep breath. "No. I don't. However, Damon wants to be thorough. I apologize for asking, but it needed to be done."

Anna clenched hands. "Aren't there cameras inside the labs?"

Damon sighed. "There are, but for some reason the ones in your lab have been off for a couple days. There's no footage from inside either lab."

Anna c.o.c.ked her head. "Oh, that seems strange."

"Yes, it is," Damon agreed. "Only someone with very good computer skills could have done that.