Page 140 of Controlled Burn
Dean
The rec room was still.
Talia sat alone, water bottle sweating in her hands, hair damp and clinging to her collarbone.
The trap had worked. Brooks had accessed the dummy server just like they'd baited. The fake footage landed in Jake's inbox. The rage came next. Then the unraveling.
Jake was suspended.
But not gone.Sheknew better.Hewasn't the kind of man who just disappeared. Not when he thought he was right.
Unless Brooks got to him first.
Talia
The door opened behind her. Dean.
He looked like hell—eyes bloodshot, jaw clenched, tension rolling off him like steam. The line between him and collapse was wearing thin.
He poured a glass of water. His hand shook.
"I heard about Jake," he said.
Talia didn't answer right away. "It was time."
Dean's throat bobbed. "I should've seen the signs."
"You weren't the one whispering in his ear."
"No,"he rasped. "I was too busy trying not to touch you."
Talia stepped closer, slow and sure. Dropped to her knees.
"Look at me."
He did.
"I'm not breaking,"she said.
"I am."
"No,"she whispered. "You're bending. There's a difference."
Dean's breath caught.
She placed her hands on his thighs. "If you need to break something—break me."
This time, he snapped.
He hauled her up with both hands and shoved her hard against the lockers. The metal rattled loud enough to echo through the empty room. His mouth was on hers—rough, consuming, a clash of teeth and breath.
He yanked her joggers down in one harsh pull. She kicked free, gasping into his mouth. His calloused fingers dragged between her thighs, finding her wet already, and he groaned against her throat like it broke him.
"Jesus, Talia—"
"Don't pray,"she hissed. "Fuck."
And he did.
