Suddenly Sexy

“That’s not heroic.”

“It is to us. You took care of us as if we were your family. You took the time to teach us the skills we needed, even though it wasn’t in your job description. You always looked after us.”

“I thought you found my protective nature suffocating.”

“I did sometimes. But the reason you are my hero is because your heart was in the right place. Even when I was messing up and didn’t have any experience to fall back on, you still supported my dream of becoming a private eye.”

He cradled her face in his hands. “I tried to stay away. I thought it was for the best, but I missed you.”

“Good,” she said. “I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one who suffered.”

“I quit my job,” he revealed as he caressed her cheeks with his fingers.

She stiffened in his hold. “Why the hell did you do that?”

“I’m moving here. For good.” Eric watched her expression. She didn’t look happy. Julie looked confused and distrustful.

“To help Perry?” she asked cautiously.

“No, I’m here because you’re here.” He pressed his forehead against hers and closed his eyes. “I’m in love with you and I want to share my life with you.”

His heart ached as time stood still. Was she going to accept his love, or would she push him away?

“You’re going to regret it,” she whispered. “You’ll get bored with the job. With me.”

He looked into her eyes. “Never,” he promised. “You are the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me.”

She tilted her head away. “I seriously doubt that.”

“Then I’ll show you every day how much you excite me. I want to wake up with you every morning and hold you in my arms every night.”

“Go on.”

“I want you at my side at work. I’ll request that we work as partners. Equal partners.”

“Are you sure you want to do that? You are a former special agent. You spent your whole career fighting crime. I spent mine folding uniforms.”

“We’re bringing our strengths and weaknesses to the table. Your instincts and my experience. Your enthusiasm will balance out my caution.”

“We make a good team,” she said, warming up to the idea. “But before you get any crazy notions, I want you to know that I’m not giving back the office. It’s mine now, fair and square.”

“We could share. We’re partners, after all,” he said, gathering her close. He didn’t want to take that office from Julie. She’d hated her cubicle and the workspace represented her hard-won success. But he couldn’t resist teasing her.

“No, but nice try.”

“Yeah, that wouldn’t be a good idea,” he agreed as he brushed his mouth against her forehead and swept his lips against her closed eyes. “We’d never get any work done.”

“You are going to have to earn that office,” she warned him, her voice breathless. “In the meantime, no one is working at my old cubicle.”

“I could always move into the supply closet,” he mused as he grazed his mouth against her cheekbones. “You can visit me anytime you want.”

“I just might accept your invitation.” She grasped his jaw with her hands and kissed him.

Eric tried to show an ounce of self-control, but he had been dreaming about her kisses for weeks. As soon as her lips brushed against his, his restraint snapped. He held Julie tight against him and deepened the kiss.

She tasted just as he remembered. Her soft lips yielded as he invaded her mouth. Julie caught his tongue and drew him in. She speared her fingers into his hair and held him tightly as she kissed him fiercely.

He needed this. He needed her sweet, hot kisses. He was starved for her touch and her affection. He was insatiable for Julie. He had been in danger of not feeling, not caring anymore, but Julie had changed that. She was his muse and inspiration. He may never be the hero she deserved, but he would be the man she needed at her side.

Julie tore away and pressed her swollen lips together. “Come on, Eric, let’s get out of here.”

She laced her fingers through his. Her hand was small and delicate, but he felt her strength. He loved everything about this woman, and he knew he could rely on her. No matter what they faced, Julie would have his back.

And Julie knew he would do the same for her. She didn’t have to ask. He would be there.

Eric raised her hand and kissed her fingers. “Where are we going?” he asked.