The Girl Next Door (Shadow Agents 6)

Need sharpened within him.

“But I don’t know you. Who were you before you came here? You have secrets, Cooper. Sometimes, I can all but feel them between us.”

He kissed her again, helpless to do anything else. He kissed her, took her mouth and wanted to take her.

The desire he felt for her was stronger than anything he’d experienced before. Cooper had enjoyed more than his share of lovers. He should be able to hold on to his control easily.

Instead, he could feel it shredding.

Because of her.

“There’s nothing between us,” he said, whispering the words against her mouth. “Right now, there’s me and there’s you, and nothing else matters.”

Not the killer hunting them.

Not his secrets.

“Trust me,” he told her. “I won’t hurt you. You can count on me.”

Her lashes lifted. Her eyes were so beautiful and deep. There were flecks of gold in the darkness of her eyes. As he looked into her eyes, he had the odd feeling that she was seeing into him. Seeing past the mask he wore for others and straight into his soul.

His chest ached.

She’s not like the others.

Cooper kissed her once more, because he had to do it. Kissed her deep and savored her.

Then he stepped back. “When you do trust me enough, you let me know.” The words were low, growling from him. “Because you will reach that point. You’ll see that you can count on me, and I’ll be here. When you’re ready, I’ll be here,” he said again.

She stared back at him. Her lips were flushed, slightly swollen from his kiss. Her cheeks were stained red.

So. Beautiful.

He forced himself to offer her a smile. “And by here,” he said quietly, “I mean the couch. Because I think you need some time.” Before you become mine.

Once they crossed that line, there would be no going back.

She’d changed the rules for him. He didn’t think Gabrielle realized just how intense things could become.

Before his control broke, Cooper headed for the door. His fingers curled around the knob.

“I’ve had one lover.”

That stopped him.

“When I said that I didn’t jump into bed, I meant it.” Her words tumbled out. “I’m not looking to be a flavor of the week with you. I—”

“Sweetheart,” he said this without glancing back at her. His control was barely hanging on. “You’d never be that.” She was in a class all her own. “When we are together...” Hell, yes, they would be. “It’s not going to be about anyone else. No one from your past, no one from mine. It’s only going to be about us. About pleasure.” He opened the door. “You’ll trust me soon enough.”

He left her, because if he stayed even a few moments more, they would be on the bed.

* * *

WHEN THE DOOR shut behind Cooper, Gabrielle’s breath wheezed out.

Wow. She was...

Her eyes closed. She didn’t think she was ready to handle Cooper Marshall.