Evelyn's dream of securing a scholarship to America's top ballet school shattered when her mother was brutally murdered during her teenage years. Determined to make a difference, she became a detective, ready to take on the world. Assigned to invest...
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Jeremiah woke slowly to the gentle percussion of rain against the bedroom window. The sound seeped into him, calm yet intoxicating, a rhythm that matched the steady beat of the woman in his arms. A sweet fragrance drifted through the room, sliding into his senses and wrapping itself around him until his entire body stirred with restless hunger. Evelyn lay against him, her head tilted forward, lips parted just slightly, her breath a quiet lull that made her look like some fragile princess carved out of sleep. Tiny snores escaped her, innocent and unguarded, each one tugging at him in ways he never expected. Jeremiah found himself smiling, almost boyishly, as his rough palm brushed a strand of her dark hair away from her cheek. He had waited for her, waited longer than he thought he could, and now, with her warm body nestled against him, the reward felt larger than life itself. Still, the thought intruded: should I tell her how deep my feelings ran?
Not yet, he warned himself. Don't scare her. Don't ruin what you finally have. The voice of caution whispered, but the love swelling in him was already too loud to silence. He bent forward and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead, tasting the faint salt of her skin, and forced himself to remain still. Just let it be, just hold her. But Evelyn shifted in her sleep, turning instinctively into his embrace, as though her body recognize his even before her mind woke. A soft sound tumbled from her lips, so sweet and innocent that Jeremiah chuckled, burying his face against her hair to breathe her in.
"Morning, handsome." Her voice came low and husky against his neck, roughened by sleep but laced with a sensuality that made his body respond instantly. She pressed a feather-light kiss to his skin, and heat surged through him before he could even stop it.
"Morning, sugar," he rumbled back, voice deep and strained, fighting the instinct to grind himself against her. He didn't want to be too obvious, but his body betrayed him, hard and throbbing, aching for her. She stretched like a cat, arms stretched before curling around his neck. Jeremiah's laugh rumbled out as she slung one leg over his waist, pressing herself against what he'd been trying to hide. The tiny gasp that escaped her throat was pure music.
"I'll never get used to that," she whispered, her green eyes lifting to meet his. He let his palm travel the curve of her waist, moving upward until it cupped her cheek, thumb brushing her skin with reverence. Her hair tumbled loose over her shoulder, wild and messy, framing the lust in her gaze as he brushed his knuckles along the edge of her breast.
"I wish I had time for this," Evelyn murmured, frustration tightening her tone. Her hand roamed over the hard planes of his chest before pushing herself reluctantly away.
"I need to shower and get down to the officer before he comes looking for me." Jeremiah watched her rise, his chest aching as her naked body crossed the room. Every step was a torment. His eyes devoured the line of her back, the curve of her hips, the pale glow of her skin under the grey wash of rainlight.
