“You have the same effect on me,” he murmured.
On a throaty moan, she left her seat, returning with napkins to wipe up the spill. Then, she excused herself to the lavatory.
In an attempt to redirect his thoughts and quell his growing need, he fetched his laptop from his computer bag and scrolled through emails.
A moment later, she returned. “Any leads on the club fire?”
He showed her the surveillance video of a man dressed in black, his face concealed by a hoodie.
“I’ll bet that’s your guy. But he’s not making it easy on us, is he?”
Her use of the word “us” wasn’t lost on him. “The arson detective emailed me. They’re checking for an accelerant and hope they can trace its whereabouts.”
She sipped the lukewarm coffee. “Why are you getting out of the kink business?”
“Time to move on.” He offered her a ripe strawberry. As her lips closed over the bright red fruit, he envisioned her mouth around him. Heat blasted him as she chewed the succulent berry.
“Everything ends, doesn’t it?” A flicker of sadness flashed in her eyes.
“Not everything,” he said. “Some things are meant to last forever.”
“Mmm.” She studied his face for a few seconds. “Maybe so.”
The three-hour flight passed quickly. When the plane touched down and taxied to a stop, Sin thanked his pilot and they exited the craft. The balmy Florida air felt phenomenal compared to the frigid D.C. temps they’d escaped. After picking up a rental car, he drove them straight to the condo.
“Good evening, Mr. Develin,” said the valet.
He greased the man’s palm, took Evangeline by the arm, and escorted her into the pristine building.
“This is beautiful,” she said.
A circular white sofa took up a chunk of real estate in the spacious lobby, while dozens of tiny lights dangled overhead like stars in the night sky. The rear wall of windows faced the ocean. One wall housed a plant garden, the vines growing in a haphazard direction. At the nearby desk, the concierge smiled warmly.
“Good evening, Mr. Develin, ma’am.”
Sin acknowledged the man with a nod before continuing on to the elevators.
The luxury penthouse condo boasted magnificent views from every direction. After Sin opened the French doors, they stood on the balcony while the valet brought in their bags.
The ocean always soothed him. Closing his eyes, he inhaled the salty air. The gentle breeze carried away the constant pressures of his life. If only this were a vacation…
“Is the condo yours?” she asked.
“The six of us— Dakota, Maverick, Colton, Crockett, Jagger, and I—bought it years ago. Now, we’re all too busy to enjoy it.” He extended his hand. “How ‘bout a tour?”
She slid her hand into his and his skin heated. He was not a hand holder, but he craved her touch. As they walked from room to room, he caressed her soft skin with his thumb.
When the tour ended in the living room, she broke away and asked about the plan. He suggested they stop for dinner on the way to Rico’s.
“I’m going to change. Meet you back here.” She grabbed her overnight bag and retreated into one of the guest bedrooms at the end of the hall.
He didn’t like being separated from her, but she needed to feel safe in his home. That, above all else, was his driving motivation. Home was the one place where a person should always be secure. Because of that, he would never infringe on her space.
After showering, he changed into a black shirt and black pants, then dropped into a chair on the balcony to wait for her. When she joined him, adrenaline shot through him.
“Wow, you look gorgeous.” He stood, kissed her cheek, and inhaled her fresh scent. “I’ve never seen your hair like that.”
Her tousled, wavy mane gave her a wild, uninhibited look. She’d framed her light eyes with smoky shadows, something she used to do when they played at The Dungeon. Taking his time, he drank her in, his gaze lingering on her rocking hot body.
She’d chosen a long-sleeved, off the shoulder, body-hugging maxi dress. The V-neck offered a hint of cleavage, but it was the long slit that stopped at the apex of her thigh that hijacked his attention. He couldn’t take his eyes off her.
“You are…” Rarely at a loss for words, he struggled with how to describe perfection. “Beyond stunning. My God, you are so beautiful, Evangeline.”
She smiled up at him and the maelstrom of crap they were dealing with faded into the background. “You look very handsome, Sinclair.”
He loved that she had used his full name.
They stopped for dinner at a beachfront restaurant and were seated at a half moon table facing the ocean. Rather than sit across from each other, they slid to the center and sat side by side. Having her near anchored him in every way that mattered.
“Tell me about yourself,” he said. “What do you do when you aren’t working?”
“Sleep,” she replied.
“You work as much as I do.”
The waiter took their drink order, discussed the evening’s specials and left.
Evangeline’s phone buzzed with an incoming text. “I have to check this. My sister is over eight months pregnant and I’m her birth coach.” Evangeline read the text. On a sigh, she replied, then set the phone face down on the table.
“From your sister?” Sin asked.
“Yeah. Charlene Caraway introduced her to someone and he’s latched on to her. I’m concerned.”
“Why?”
“Her boyfriend ghosted on her and she opted not to tell him about their baby. I don’t agree, but it’s her choice. Anyway—” She paused while the waiter delivered their drinks and took their entrée order. “She’s an anxious first-time mom. I keep reminding her that she’s not alone. I’ve gotta believe a lot of new moms are nervous, at first.”
This was the first time she’d mentioned anything personal. He appreciated that she was more forthcoming about her life this time around. “Is she falling for this new guy?”
“I’m not sure. She definitely likes the attention. Joey is a pastoral counselor. He suggested adoption because she’s concerned about raising her child alone.”
He sipped the dry Chianti. “And you’re against adoption?”
“God, no. I’m against a stranger inserting himself into her life and becoming her confidante.”
A food runner delivered their salads and they paused for a moment to eat.
“She texted me that Joey brought over adoption papers for her to sign. I told her not to sign anything. I don’t want her to make a rash decision. This isn’t a pair of shoes you can return because you bought them on impulse. This is a person, an innocent baby.” She shuddered and took a long draw of wine.
“I will help you any way I can,” he replied. “Just say the word.”
“Thank you.” He loved making her smile.
Her phone buzzed. After reading the text, she released a breath. “She promised not to sign anything.”
“Sounds like your sister will be okay until you get back.”
“You’re a good listener,” she said, her shoulders relaxing. “So, what’s it like to have a twin? Did you drive your mom and dad insane when you were kids?”