Meet the characters:
It’s taken Damian some time to find his place in the world, but he found it. As part of an incredible team under the direction of his captain, four men set out to make a difference. Damian’s been waiting for the right woman to come into his life, but never did he imagine it would be when he’s about to embark on an undercover sting. Swept up in the moment, Chloe is now part of his operation.
Taken by surprise at their first encounter, Chloe quickly gets onboard when she hears that young people are dying and the drugs are coming from next door, a garage owned by a very dangerous man. Things get more complicated when this dangerous man has his eyes set on Chloe.
Can Damian protect the woman he’s fallen for, catch the bad guy and keep his team safe?
Feel the passion:
That’s three times he’s kissed me, and each time, I suppress the urge to tug at his clothes, tear them off, and let my fingers glide up the massive expanse of his very muscular chest. Then I’d climb on top of him, melding my body to his so that I can feel his hard body melting into mine, skin on skin. I want to lick and touch him everywhere, and the mere thought of him naked and in my bed makes me hot for him. The way he kisses me makes me think this is more than an act. I wonder if it is. Do I dare hope that it could be? There’s an attraction I can’t deny and the way his lips touch me, tells me he feels this too.
I’ve dated. I’ve even massaged good-looking men, but never, ever has anyone had the effect on me that Damian has. I turn the shower to cold, undress, and step inside. Even the cold beads of water aren’t helping. I concentrate on washing off my makeup and trying to put Damian out of my head.
Impossible! He’s in my bed. And…I invited him there. I’m a glutton for punishment. But what choice did I have? Luis is a very bad man, a drug dealer and the leader of a dangerous gang that happens to have his headquarters next door. Sure, I could move. But what happens to the next person who gets caught in his clutches?
I’m doing my duty as a citizen by aiding the police with their investigation. My civic duty, that’s all.
Breathe in, breathe out. Turning off the water and reaching for the towel, I dry off and secure it tightly around me. I run the brush through my hair. Looking in the mirror, I catch sight of the ring on my finger. It’s exquisite. Did Damian choose it himself? Maybe not. They may have props for just these occasions. He’s done this before. He’s been undercover, and probably had to pretend to be married to another woman. I’m getting too close and need to cool it. Still, it’s just what I would have chosen for myself.
Remembering that my pajamas are in the bedroom, I groan. Here goes nothing. In my room, Damian has his back against the headboard, and his head lifts from the book he’s reading.
“My pj’s are in here,” I say stupidly, gripping the towel more tightly in my fist.
“You’re nervous,” he says. “I can take my chances and go back to the couch.”
“No, no. I’m just not used to having someone in my room.” I reach under the pillow and grab my shorts and tank, holding them in my hand, but unable to drop the towel.
Damian puts down the book, faces me, and shuts his eyes. “Tell me when I can open them,” he says.
Leaves you wanting more:
After I pick up the Chinese food, I realize that Chloe may not be a fan. Maybe she’s a burgers-and-fries kinda girl. By the time I get back to her place, our place, I’m carrying Chinese, burgers, and tacos. I know it’s over the top, but since I’m turning her life upside down, it doesn’t hurt to go the extra mile.
On the first knock, Chloe calls out for me to come in. I’m quickly irritated. I just finished telling her that Luis is a bad guy, one who, I might add, is right next door, and she’s leaving the door unlocked. We’re going to have to have another talk about safety.
I stop dead when I see her up on her knees on the narrow counter, teetering to keep her balance while putting dishes in the cupboard. I react instinctively, hands on her hips as she shrieks in surprise when I lift her down off the counter and set her on her feet. She loses her balance, but I’m holding her steady as she whips her head back, her blonde hair flitting across my face, so damn soft.
“You scared the life out of me,” she says, a hand to her chest as she catches her breath.
“What the hell were you doing up there? What if you fell and hit your head? You could have been lying there for hours. Next time I’m out, I’ll buy a stepladder, but you need to stay off the counter.” Internally, I’m telling myself to shut it, but I can’t seem to help myself. If I came in and she was on the floor, I would have lost my mind.
What happens next, I don’t expect. Chloe turns to face me, hands on her hips, piercing blue eyes boring into mine. “Now listen here, Detective Locke, I’m letting you into my home to help your cause. This is my home, and if I want to dance naked on my counter, I will. However, I will take your concern as a good thing and let it slide this one time.” She holds up her index finger for dramatic effect, then steps back to the counter to continue what she was doing, but I grab the stack of dishes and put them on the rack before she can get to them.
Standing behind her, I lower my voice. “I’m sorry. I saw you losing your balance, and I reacted badly. Let me unpack the kitchen with you. You direct, and I’ll do the grunt work.”
She doesn’t turn around, but in a soft tone replies, “I’m sorry for losing my temper too. I don’t usually do that. Today’s been extreme.”
“I brought dinner. Why don’t we eat, then we can get back to it?”
She glances up. “What did you bring?” Her smile beams my way.
I burst out laughing, and when she joins in with unrestrained laughter, I feel something inside me stir. I haven’t felt this way with any other woman. I’ve had girlfriends, nice women, but for one reason or another, we never lasted. I’d lose interest, they’d hate my job, my dedication to my work, or we’d just drift apart. Chloe’s hitting the mark in all the right places. She’s sweet, feisty, and so fucking beautiful, I can’t take my eyes off her.
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