Page 80 of Redemption

“You don’t deserve to be punished over and over again,” he says and cups her face in his large hands. His calloused skin feels rough on her own, but the gentle way he touches her puts her on cloud nine. It’s been so long since he’s touched her with such tenderness. Or looked at her with anything other than hatred.

“We’ll have to agree to disagree.”

“It’s both of our faults, but it’s more mine than yours. And it’s time I take some of the burden off your shoulders.”

“I’ve gotten pretty good at carrying it,” she jokes, trying to lighten the mood.

He gives her a sad smile and pulls her down to him, kissing her lips. “You’re not alone anymore, baby.”

“You have no idea how long I’ve dreamt of you saying that.”

“Can I ask a favor?”

“Anything.”

Sitting up, he smiles. “Will you make me lunch?”

A wide smile appears on her face. Cooking for her family has always been her happy place, and besides the sex, it’s what she misses the most. “What do you want me to make?”

“Whatever you want. I miss so many things about you, and your home cooking is at the top of the list. It’s something I could never substitute.”

“Hopefully, the sex wasn’t as good either,” she says and jumps up to slip his shirt on. “Then again, you did get the one thing I’d never agree to.”

His brows furrow as he looks at her. “What’s that?”

“A threesome. I heard all about your busty blondes.”

He pinches his face and covers his eyes with his hand. “Karmen-”

“It’s water under the bridge. As long as it’s just us from now on.”

Climbing out of bed, she takes in his naked body with appreciation. Even unaroused, the sight of him sends an electrical current through her body, zapping her in the most delicious way possible.

“Only us. Unless you want to invite a busty blonde into the bedroom.”

“Not a chance,” she laughs. “I’m a possessive woman. What’s mine is mine.”

His lips find hers, their tongues tangling, and desire pulls at her core again. She’s missed this every day since he stopped paying any attention to her, and she wants to stay just like this forever.

“Now, go make me food, woman,” he jokes and slaps her backside.

“Nothing would make me happier,” she says and walks into the kitchen.

Even though she should be wondering how and why this happened, she pushes the thought to the back of her mind and decides to live in the present. The past haunted her for far too long, and it’s time to let it go. Let it all go.

Chapter 29

Griffin’s Beach

Grayson

Staring up at the old brick building that feels like his second home, Grayson smiles. Not getting up and going to work for weeks has felt like pure torture. The doctor only cleared him for desk duty, but at least it involves more than a shower and stuffing his face until his girl comes home. As much as he loved his sexy nurse willing to tend to every single need he had, not having a job to get to every day started messing with his sense of purpose.

Aside from a vacation or being sick as a dog, he’s never been the type to do nothing for more than a few days. And usually, those few days are still active. Productive. That’s what he needs. Productivity.

The moment he steps foot in the small but bustling bullpen, he feels his sense of purpose return for the first time in weeks. Being a dedicated police officer for over a decade shows how much he loves helping people in his community. Catching the bad guys. Solving puzzles. Making the streets safer. It’s where he belongs, and one day, that Captain title will be his. Travis will step down or get promoted, depending on how long Julian milks his job. Either option works for him.

He sits at his desk and nods to the others who glance over at him, but no one makes eye contact. He’s been at home for weeks, but it feels longer. And it appears everyone feels the same way because they all keep glancing at him with anxious glances. The air around him shifts, and he feels a sense of unease.

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