The streets of the town were empty as she walked with her steady stride. The weight of the basket was heavy, but evening was still in early stages. She paused outside the door to the law offices and checked her chronometer. Two minutes to spare. Too bad.

She pushed at the door and it wouldn’t open. Ecan was leaning against the door, she could see him through the window.

“Open the door, ass hat!”

He raised his eyebrows at her language, but kept his weight on the door. He kept her waiting for two minutes. At exactly the two minute mark, he lifted his weight from the door and opened it for her.

“Nice. Charming.”

Ecan took her basket from her and handed it to Asher. “Shen, what is the charge for swearing at a lawman in pursuit of his duty?”

“Some form of confinement, I would imagine.” Shen had a serious face, but a distinctly amused glint to his eyes.

“Excellent.”

Before Kalli could blink, Ecan had her up against the bars of the cell she had been in only that morning. A set of restraint cuffs held one wrist above her head and he gestured to Shen for a second pair. She was now up against the bars with her wrists manacled about two inches above her head.

“Very funny, guys, I have to be getting back to the bar.”

“Well, you did say that we could take it out of your hide. You are a woman of your word, are you not?”

She tugged futilely at the cuffs. “I am, but restraints are not necessary.”

Shen smiled. “They will remind us to use it.”

“Use what?”

He stood and came forward until his body warmed hers. He reached up, gripped the bars above her head and lowered his lips for a kiss. “Restraint.”

Kalli went up on her toes to meet him halfway and he ignored her parted lips in favour of a slow exploratory kiss that left her shaking. Her nipples were taut and she wanted to rub against him in the worst way, he carefully held himself away from her.

When he pulled back, she glared at him, “Tease.”

“Oh, I haven’t even started.”