Good Girls Don't (Donovan Brothers Brewery 1)

ress her. He just drew her close and held her, feeling the warmth of her skin sink into his hands. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you, Tessa. No matter how hard I tried.”

She melted into him, her stomach against his. Her mouth sighing against his neck. “I know. I thought I’d never touch you again.”

That now seemed like the most ridiculous thing he’d ever heard. That he’d never touch her. That he’d never taste her. How could he have ever summoned the will to imagine that? He was a goddamn fool.

“I need you,” she breathed, and Luke thought his heart would give up right then. As a matter of fact, it did. He was in love with her. He knew it right in that moment. Stupid or not, he was gone.

They stayed like that for ten minutes, letting things settle between them. He could’ve stayed that way for ever, he thought, but then Tessa snuggled closer and he had an even better idea.

“Come on,” he said. “Come to bed with me.”

“The bed, huh? This must mean something special.” She got up and stretched, then grinned down at him. “You know what’s even more special?”

He raised his eyebrows in question and Tessa reached for the floor to pick up the gift he’d dropped. Luke groaned.

“Fancy lingerie!” she cried.

“Those are Batman underwear.”

“I know, but it’s not just the logo. There’s a Batman utility belt and everything. And…” She leaned forward to whisper. “They’re supertight boxer briefs. Rawr.”

“No.”

She ignored him and stepped over the barrier of his knees.

“I’m not putting those on!” he called out as she sauntered toward the bedroom.

“Yes, you are.”

“No, I’m not.” But fuck it. He totally knew he was. Because it would make her laugh, and nothing made him happier than Tessa laughing. Except Tessa screaming his name, and that would follow soon enough, ridiculous underwear or not.

He’d tell her he loved her later. It was too soon. Too new. For now, he’d just have to show her. With Batman underwear. And anything else she ever wanted.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Two months later

THE FAMILIAR SOUND of a clip being ejected from a handgun woke Tessa from a deep sleep. She cracked one eye open, got smacked in the face by a ridiculous amount of sunlight and quickly closed her eye again.

The window was open. She could hear a melody of birdsong from the backyard, and a breeze had cooled the room to a pleasant chill. But her bed was sooo cozy….

The floor creaked near her door and Tessa opened both eyes wide to see Luke sneaking by. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“Hey, you. I’m sorry I woke you.”

“What time is it?”

“Almost ten.”

“You’ve been gone five hours?” His phone had rung in the early-morning darkness, but Tessa had been back asleep before he’d even left the bed. She snuggled farther into her pillow. “Is it a big murder case?”

“Actually…it might be. We’ll have to see what the medical examiner says.”

“Poor you. Come here.”

Luke smiled. “No, I’ve got to shower and change. I grabbed a few things from my place.”

“You should move your stuff over here,” she mumbled. He didn’t answer, so she forced her eyes back open again to find him shifting uncomfortably. “What?”