Page 54 of Reckless Kiss

Esme tensed against me. “Investigative report?”

“She’s a producer,” Jeffry explained. “You know, news?”

“Ah.” Then she kissed my cheek. “I’m going to drop my bag in your room and take off my shoes.”

Before she could pull away I grabbed her hips and pulled her against me. “Ourroom, darling.”

She hesitated then nodded. I watched her walk away, enjoying the sway until she was out of sight. Jeffry punched me in the arm. “I knew you two would be perfect for each other.”

Perfect. I felt like a part of me left the room every time she did and the ache wouldn’t stop until she returned. I rubbed my chest as I reached into the fridge for a beer. I waved for him to join my in the living room.

But his statement kept rattling around in my brain because he was right. Esme was perfect for me. I was content with my life and enjoyed the role I played. Taking the stigma away from sex was something I prided myself on. Helping another beautiful woman see the beauty in herself gave me pleasure. My entire existence felt built completely around that model because even at work my job was to help shepherd athletes in their careers, see their potential and ask for it to be valued. I saw this as my purpose in life and hadn’t really considered the idea that there was more for me.

Not until Esme threw everything I thought I knew into a tailspin. Now I no longer wished to merely guide, now I needed to participate, to be greedy, even to my own detriment. My brain had been completely bypassed by my heart—and to be perfectly honest, my dick—I gave no thought to consequences. She could ruin my life and break my heart as long as she gave me some of her time.

I knew that was reckless. I understood that it was dangerous. I also didn’t care because instinct dictated that I throw myself into the eye of Hurricane Esme and take my chances. Instead of a generic mission to do good in the world I now had a very specific mission to bring good into the life of one person. A woman who needed to be loved more than anyone I’d ever known.

“You’re really broody,” Jeffry grumped.

“Broody?”

He nodded. “Staring off into space with a frown. I kind of feel like you’re looking for a fight.”

A fight? Maybe. Part of me wanted to march out to the cars outside watching for Esme and pick a fight. I didn’t think anyone had ever stood up for her, drawn a line and demanded it not be crossed. She’d never had a champion. Instead she was her only support system. It wasn’t right. Someone with so much to offer shouldn’t be used. She should be celebrated. Worshipped.

“I was just thinking.” Thinking I’d never felt soneeded.As if everything I’d done in my life was nothing compared to the journey ahead of me. “About Esme.”

Jeffry got one of those ridiculous grins. “She’s fantastic. I’m really happy that she makes you happy.”

I knew he meant that too. Even if I confessed the full extent of my relationship to Jeffry he wouldn’t hold a grudge. He was too practical. “I hope I make her happy, too.”

His smile faltered. “Leo, I’ve worked in the same building with her for a while, plus those dates, and never once have I seen her as relaxed as she is now. I don’t know if it’s the sex or just you, but you are definitely making her happy too.”

I cocked an eyebrow. “The sex?”

“Like you two haven’t had sex. You’re the master. I don’t have any data, but I’m assuming all those hours in bed have been put to good use. Therefore I’ve made the assumption you are very skilled in the art of sexual pleasure. Which, I’m sure, would put just about any woman in a good mood.”

“It’s more than the sex,” Esme said as she breezed past Jeffry and tucked into my side, her heels and jewelry gone. Then she nuzzled behind my ear. “Leo makes me feel safe.”

There were several beats of silence where my heart pounded in my chest and Jeffry was too stunned to make one of his trademark quips. It gave me time to absorb the enormity of her confession, feel the warmth of her body pressed against mine, the tremble of her hand on my thigh.

I cupped her face and whispered. “I’ll always keep you safe.” Then I brushed a kiss across her lips.

Jeffry cleared his throat loudly. “Not in front of the kids!”

Esme smiled and gazed up at me lovingly. It made me feel ten feet tall.

“I can kick him out,” I growled.

She shook her head. “I’m not going anywhere.”

And she sounded like she meant it, which made me feel even taller. “All right then. Let’s talk about something else.”

“Tell me about your breakthrough this week!” Jeffry sounded like a kid asking for candy. “Team Roughneck was all crazy from what I hear.”

It took me a moment to realize the question was directed at Esme, not me, despite the use of the word “team.”

She laughed and relaxed into my side again. “Oh, they were. The DNA recovered from the burial site was unexpected.”

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