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Chapter 12
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Exposure Chapter 13
Raven looked up when Nicole climbed the steps to her office. Not that she was getting much work done anyhow, but the intrusion grated on her raw nerves. She needed alone time, needed to think. It had been almost a week since she'd moved in with Noah, having agreed to continue on, and even though things were going swimmingly, she sometimes had trouble breathing.The intimacy of sharing space with him was both jarring and comforting. They went from understanding each other as friends to knowing the tiny details only lovers could obtain. He liked to sleep in the nude on his stomach but, by morning, he was curled along her back with a possessive arm around her. He hated the sound of teeth brushing and eggs cracking, but loved the click of her heels on the hardwood floor of his living room and the rustle of clothing when she undressed. He listened to soulful jazz when trying to unwind, country when he was happy, and cranked angry rock when attempting to drown out his day.After he arriv
Exposure Chapter 14
"You told me the conviction was in the bag." Noah tossed his keys on the table and moved deeper into his condo. Two charter fishing trips after three guys called in sick with the flu was not on the agenda today. Neither was the impromptu phone conversation with his FBI contact, who was pissing him the fuck off. "Three weeks ago, you assured me it was finally done."Noah rubbed the back of his neck. He never would've taken steps with Raven if he hadn't been handed the confirmation that the threat was all but gone. Then, out of nowhere, the tables turned and he'd been on edge ever since. His ulcers had ulcers. Those bastards could take her away from him in one pull of a trigger.James McCannon sighed wearily into the phone. The flick of a lighter sounded, followed by the drag from a cigarette. He answered on an exhale. "Look, Noah. We weren't expecting Rizzoli to learn about where the evidence came from, nor the hit he put on you.""No shit. But why does that matter? You said there we
Exposure Chapter 15
A week later, with an Elements exhibit starting in twenty minutes, Raven turned away from the door in her office and sat on the edge of her desk, listening to her mother blubber about a recent breakup. She cradled the phone in one hand and plucked dead blooms from her potted plant with the other.When there was a pause, Raven said, "I thought you were seeing someone named Daniel."Her mom sniffed. "Oh no. Daniel was weeks ago. I thought things with Richard were going so well."They always did, until a few weeks passed and Willow Crowne fell head over heels. Surprise, surprise, it ended shortly after that. Raven had had this conversation so many times, but it still pained her that her mom was hurting. "I'm sorry.""Me, too." She blew her nose. Loudly. "Enough about me. How are you? Are you seeing anyone? Why are you calling me on a Friday night?"Her mother liked Noah, but the two of them were a temporary thing, so no sense in telling her because it would only get her hopes up. The
Exposure Chapter 16
Noah held the door for Raven and slid into the back of the limo after her. Once they were underway, he closed the partition so Max couldn't hear their conversation. He had two goals and two goals only tonight: to find out what her mother had said to upset her and to make her forget in as many creative ways conceivable.But first- "Here." He pulled a box out of his coat pocket and handed it to her."What's this?""Open it."She lifted the lid and gasped at the watch. Silver and gold, the face was small and the band adjustable. It also had a tracking device inside, just in case."I love it. Thank you."He removed the watch from the box and clasped it around her wrist. "Do me a favor and wear it whenever you're away from the condo."Her finger traced the face. "Why?"Staring at her profile, he decided not to lie. "Because if something happens to you, I can find you if you're wearing it. The trace inside links to an app on my phone."Her gaze slid to his. "You scare me when you ta
Exposure Chapter 17
How fitting her and Noah's last day together be Valentine's-a holiday they both despised and was the epitome of everything they rejected about romantic love. In the past, no matter who they'd been dating, she and Noah spent Valentine's Day together, usually watching an action movie in her apartment. Except this year, he demanded they do something different.She glanced down at the dress laid out on her bed. This morning, she'd packed up her things and told Noah she'd return to her apartment after work. Their time was up. Other than a clench of his jaw and a tight nod, he had no response. She'd come home from the gallery to find the dress and a note. She'd tried to sever the physical aspect of their relationship cleanly, just as he'd wanted-as she'd wanted, even though a tiny part of her hoped-Wear this tonight. I'm taking you out. How did he even know the right size? And shoes, too. A thin slip of a dress, it was ankle-length and dark red, with the neckline coming to a V between h
Exposure Chapter 18
Noah followed Raven into her apartment and shut the door with Max on the other side to stand vigil. Wordlessly, she went down the hall toward her bedroom, so he plopped on the couch with his head in his hands. His shaking hands.Ten years and he'd taken every precaution to avoid this exact moment. Looked like his FBI contact was right. There was a hit out on him. But why taunt Raven by following her instead of just taking a shot? Not that he wasn't grateful.And he hadn't been with her. Max Gerard was the best, Noah wouldn't have hired him if he wasn't, but shit-he hadn't been with her. That little incident could've been something much more than a tail. Tonight was just a warning. Something could've happened to her, and he wasn't fucking there. He'd stood in his condo this morning like a dumb fuck and had said nothing as she packed, despite how everything inside his head screamed not to let her walk. He thought he was being irrational, clouding the friendship line with sex, so he'd
Exposure Chapter 19
To HaveRaven grabbed the armrests of her seat and pinched her eyes closed. She'd been in Noah's float plane before, but this was different. The helicopter didn't offer the same smooth ride or peace of mind. Sure, she was being silly, but with her stomach in her throat it was hard to think rationally.After his rather cryptic announcement back at her apartment, Noah had told her to change into comfortable clothes and then ushered her out the door. God. He had a helicopter. His own helicopter. At his disposal. They'd taken off in Anchorage and were heading to destinations unknown somewhere north. He refused to tell her where.She wondered what he meant by meeting his family. Having been introduced to his parents a few times in college before their fatal car crash, she'd known he had no other living relatives besides some distant cousins on his mother's side. What could he possibly have meant by that statement?From the seat beside her, Noah patted her hand. "You okay, baby?" His voi
Exposure Chapter 20
With Raven leaning against the doorframe, Noah pulled a blanket up to Aubrey's chin and leaned over the bed to kiss her forehead, reassuring her he'd be there come morning. Her blonde hair spread out over the pillow, her blue eyes sleepy, he had to resist not rubbing the ache in his chest. His whole adult life had been about protecting this precious little girl, when he'd barely been of adult age himself. And she needed her sleep. "I love you." He rose and headed for the door."Love you more. Does she like coloring?" Aubrey asked through a yawn.Noah lifted his brows, pleased Aubrey was sending out feelers for Raven. In no time, they'd be past the awkward phase and Aubrey would love her to no end. That's how she rolled. Her trust was never-ending. "Raven's a master colorer."Aubrey laughed. "That's not a real word."Raven smiled, exhaustion in her features. "I don't know about master, but I can hold my own. How about we get right on that after breakfast tomorrow?"Leaving Aubrey
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