Page 88 of Nothing to Fear

“Is there a story?”

“Not really,” she said, putting her dress in a dry-cleaning bag. “It was a swimsuit thing I did a couple of years ago.”

“They called you Sizzle Girl?”

“It was written on the page. I told you I did modeling?”

“Yeah.”

“I was at a party and there was this photographer… anyway, I ended up in the Breckenridge catalog and later on, there was a calendar. It was just a stupid thing, but people used to request me for parties. You know our floor is members only?” He nodded. “Apparently, there was a boost in membership numbers and people would come in, men and women, to request me specifically.”

“Sizzle Girl.”

She shrugged it off with a smile. “I don’t know how Tripp knew about it.”

“Tripp knows things,” he said, casting off his jacket. “Especially when it comes to current fads and beautiful women.You didn’t want to pursue the opportunity elsewhere beyond Breckenridge?”

“Oh no,” she said as he undressed. “Jeremy hated it.”

“The Germ again?”

“At first, I thought he was being protective. Things went downhill from there. I don’t know why, how he thought it changed things between us. As far as I was concerned, it didn’t. Maybe it did change me, maybe I did crave the attention.”

“Hey,” he said, coming to gather her against him. “We’re not letting the asshole in, remember?”

“Do I flaunt myself? Is it something unconscious that I do? Am I a lush?”

“You are beautiful, Savanna. That doesn’t require any flaunting. But, no, you don’t seek attention, male or otherwise.”

“I’d never make a fool of you.” Sliding her hands higher, she linked her fingers at the back of his neck. “Tell me you know that.”

“I know that.” One arm stayed around her while he tucked her bangs from her forehead. “And you should know I’m not worried.”

“About me?”

“About other men.”

Her lips curved. “Because you’re a Breckenridge?”

“We always do it better,” he said and winked. “And I see the way you look at me.”

“Okay, Hot Stuff.”

Never had a man accepted her with such ease. It wasn’t until right then that she caught up with the truth of Darroch Breckenridge, of all the Breckenridge men. They were well adjusted. Honest. Honorable. And, by far, more secure in themselves than any other men she’d been in relationships with.

Spinning her around fast, he stole her breath. “You got it, baby.”

“Did you lock the door?” she asked when he backed her up against the bed.

“I locked the door.”

“Are you sure? Because—”

“Baby…” His embrace clamped tight. “No one will get near you while I’m here.”

Odd way to put it, maybe, but the break-in had freaked her out. So much so that she hadn’t slept there since it happened.

When he picked her up and laid her down, all worries and fears faded away. This man, the one above her, kissing her mouth and caressing her body, he was something unique. Cut and smoothed to fit exactly against her, in body, in soul, in every way a man and woman could be made for each other.

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