Heartbreaker: A Filthy Dirty Love Novel

There was a connection between them that was as rare as it was perfect. A connection that he’d tried to refuse yet one that had become stronger since he’d touched her again. A connection he needed to explore.

When he broke off the kiss and backed away, her cheeks were rosy, and her lips were pink and swollen. Her light eyes screamed fuck me. “That’s why,” he told her, dragging his thumb across her damp lips. “There’s something here, no? Something that’s a little bit curious and wildly addictive. But there are also risks. Risks that are very serious because of our jobs. I’ve made my choice to accept those risks. But you need to make them for yourself.”

She blinked once, then her eyes became less heated and more focused. “I’m willing to take those risks, too, if you can promise that this thing between us doesn’t become public knowledge.”

His mouth twitched. “You think I’m going to kiss and tell?”

She didn’t falter and shrugged. “Everyone has friends. I don’t mind you sharing your life with those friends, but I want to make sure you trust them enough not to say anything. This”—she gestured between them—“getting out would be a big headache for me.”

He parted his lips to respond and then shut them, stunned. A smart, strong mind was incredibly sexy. She threw him off his game a little. He’d expected to be the one worried that she would talk.

Regardless, he explained, “My close friend Grey knows about you, but considering our jobs,” he added to reassure her, “and the trouble it would bring for us, I don’t intend to speak of our relationship in detail with him or with anyone else. Do you?”

She walked around him and took the spot on the armrest where he’d been sitting earlier. “To be perfectly honest, I’ve already told Emilia every single detail about what happened between us.”

Emilia was part of the police force. He didn’t like that connection. “Even what happened at the barbeque?”

“Not yet, but I will.” At his frown, she added, “She’s my best friend, Maddox. We don’t have secrets. But I can promise that she’s also a vault. What I tell her will never get out.”

The honesty between the two women left Maddox feeling uncertain. On one hand, he didn’t known Emilia like Joss did. On the other hand, Emilia clearly hadn’t told anyone about Joss and Maddox’s one-night stand a year ago, so he put his trust into Joss now. “All right,” he said, conceding. “If you trust her, then that’s good enough for me.” Besides, Joss had a lot to lose if this information got out, including her reputation. That meant she trusted Emilia a great deal. “Now, let’s be very clear on this, all right? If you want out, you’ll tell me, yes?”

She paused, watching him intently and then burst out laughing.

“Something funny?” He frowned.

“Sorry, but yes.” She sighed away her laughter, her cheeks flushing pink, her eyes twinkling. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re the biggest contradiction ever?” Her mouth twitched as she obviously fought more laughter. “Did you know that you have a reputation for being a heartbreaker?”

“Yes, I’m aware,” he grumbled, not proud of that title. He never meant to break a woman’s heart. He never made them any promises. But some women couldn’t handle a one-night stand even if they originally said they could. Hence why this conversation was so important. “But do let me in on why me being a supposed heartbreaker is so amusing to you.”

Her eyes still laughed at him. “From what I’ve seen of you so far, you seem upfront and honest, so I’m trying to understand how anyone could have misread you so much.”

“And that’s funny to you?”

She smiled. “What’s funny is how serious you are about all this.”

“I don’t play games,” he reiterated. “I can’t give you a relationship, but I can give you an adventure. You need to be okay with that for us to proceed. I don’t want to hurt you.”

She rose then and moved to him, placing her hands on his folded arms. “You won’t hurt me. I can handle a friends-with-benefits relationship with you. This is good, and if it ever becomes not good, I’ll tell you.”

“We’re all clear, then? No misunderstandings?”

“Crystal-clear. Just sex. I got it.” She gave a sexy grin, pressed herself against him, and practically purred, “So, about this just sex we’re having. What exactly do you have in mind?”

“Something filthy, of course.” He grinned, unfolding his arms to grab hold of her.