"Here, in this harsh light, you have the advantage…" Viper was looking right at him, and Hotch wondered if the creep had seen what the rest of the BAU had failed to. if just by looking at them, Paul Thomas knew that Hotch had had his subordinate in all the varied ways possible for a man and a woman?

Hotch's frown deepened as the man continued. "Meet me on my turf…oh…the things I could make you do…"

Hotch wanted to knock those ridiculous earrings right out of the man's ears. But he restrained himself, instead handing him a card with his contact information on it.

"Please, tell me we are not giving up on that guy."

"We're just getting started." Hotch was careful to keep a good six inches between her hip and his, conscious that Morgan walked behind them. What he really wanted to do was reach over and wrap his hand around the back of her neck and pull her closer. Make it clear that Viper should keep his fangs far, far away from one Emily Prentiss—if he knew what was good for him.

Only the thought that Emily wouldn't appreciate his caveman-side while on the clock kept him in check.

But it was hard.

But he also understood what Viper saw when he looked at her. That suit, buttoned just under her breasts, did nothing to conceal the body beneath, but only highlighted the suit's contents. Her heels made her legs look so long, and Hotch nearly groaned remembering how they'd felt wrapped around his hips—on the stairs, in her luxurious shower, with the mirrors that had steamed so early on in their first shower together.

Indignation had a flush on her cheeks and even her hair seemed to echo her feelings. Hotch fought a smile.

He'd never realized it, not once in that first eighteen months they'd worked together—not even when she'd practically laid into him over politics—that Emily Prentiss was a passionate woman.

But Hotch was always one to own up to his mistakes, and that was one mistake he couldn't believe he'd made. Because Emily was an extremely passionate woman. And some of the things that passion made her do, had him waking from a sound sleep in a cold—erotic—sweat. Especially when in random hotel rooms, and beds they'd not yet shared.

But they hadn't quite crossed that line, yet. She wasn't ready for sharing a hotel room. An occasional over-nighter at her place—always hers, never his—was apparently one thing. But sleeping together in a hotel room while on a case was more than she was ready for. But he knew he'd be discreet. But, dammit, it was hard—he was hard—just at the mere thought that she was just down the hall, or one floor below, or in the room across the hall.

Hotch ruthlessly shoved those thoughts to the back of his mind and concentrated on the case. And then Dave looked at him and said something about there being another angle. Morgan and Reid—discussing how it would be best to bait Viper with a challenge, someone they knew he was already attracted to.

She'd looked at him for help. That had in part thrilled him and dismayed him. The lover was thrilled, the supervisor—knew the other men were right.

And like she'd said…this was so going to suck.

A few hours later and she and Jordan returned from their shopping trip. He was lucky to catch her alone in the locker room.

Only to have her take him to task over Agent Todd.

What he wanted to do was a) make sure she was absolutely ok with using herself as bait and b) get a peek at what she chose to wear in order to capture the interest of that snake.

Instead—she wanted to talk about Agent Todd.

He humored her, not blind to the approving smile she'd sent him after he'd asked what she had in mind.

That look let him know she knew what was currently in his mind as she stood in front of him, one button unbuttoned and hinting at the cleavage he'd explored so thoroughly just the night before.

"Hotch." She'd chuckled, that wicked little giggle she used in the bedroom a lot. "Eyes up here, sir."

"Yes, Agent Prentiss." His words were droll. "Whatever you say. I'm, uh, going to let you go get ready. Before I do something that get's us both into trouble."

"That's probably not a bad idea. And Jordan will need to get ready." Emily said. "So you had better go."

Hotch thought it over for one quick moment before stepping closer, stepping into her space, stepping past the appropriate supervisor/subordinate boundary. Her eyes widened and darted past him to the open door. "Hotch—"

He covered her mouth, catching the last half of his name into his own mouth. He indulged himself, quickly, hotly, deeply. She tasted good, like the peppermint candy he'd watched her filch from Morgan. He tangled one hand in that hair of hers, holding her against him, holding her still. He kissed her for several long moments before a sound had him jerking away.

It was nothing, just the heater whirling on above them.

"Hotch, you like the excitement of it, don't you?" She whispered, her cheeks pink and her lips swollen. "An illicit office affair."

"It's more than an affair for me, Emily." He told her. "And I think it is for you, too."

"Yes." She didn't elaborate. "You'd better get out of here, before someone starts to wonder about what we're doing in here."

"I know what I'd like to do in here." He told her, using his normal 'at work' voice. He didn't miss the way she shivered. Her hands rose to the buttons of her blouse.

"Go." She smiled, wicked. "Sir. I have to get ready to seduce Viper."

Hotch growled, actually growled his displeasure at that. "Curls. And, Emily? Wear that dress for me once we're back in Washington?"

"Of course, sir. Whatever you say." She smiled, licked her lip, "Now go!"