Page 89 of Savage Redemption

“Eva? No, I couldn’t. It’s private. Intimate.”

“It’s certainly all those things, but if you have questions, Eva may be able to help.”

“She’ll tell my dad.”

“Perhaps. They’re very close. But maybe not. She loves you, too, and she’ll want to help you get your head around this. Itiscomplicated, and maybe a bit frightening at first. I bet she once had all the same fears and doubts that you do now.”

“Eva? Fears and doubts? Hardly. She’s the most fearless person I know.”

“Maybe your father has something to do with that.” I kiss her again. “Talk to her.”

CHAPTER 23

Rosie

CouldI talk to Eva about something so… personal? Ever since she came into our lives ten years ago, I thought there was nothing I couldn’t talk to her about. She was there as my violin tutor, just for the summer, or so I thought. It didn’t work out quite that way. She was just wonderful. Kind, and funny, and so, so clever. I adored her from Day One.

Luckily, so did my dad.

I never thought of Eva as being a replacement mum. My mum is Louisa. Always was, always will be. My dad made sure I knew that. All those photographs, the mementos. Eva was more a big sister, my best friend. We’re close, always have been, but… this?

I don’t have the time to mull it over quietly, though. Adan is busy distracting me with his seductive kisses and exploring fingers. The buttons on my blouse give way to his insistent attention, parting to reveal the upper curves of my breasts.

I abandon my churning thoughts and give myself over to the moment. I reach for his shirt and unbutton it, then turn my attention to the buckle on his jeans.

He pauses to let me do my work, then he draws the leather through the belt loops. The slow, lazy swish of leather against denim sends shivers down my spine.

Sweet Christ, what is he doing to me?

The quirk of his lips is knowing, as though he reads my thoughts, understands my confusion. But he says nothing, just continues on his sensual journey.

His lips trail a path between my breasts, pausing to nuzzle my navel before moving lower. My own jeans present a barrier. He glances up at me, then proceeds to undo my button and lower the zip.

“Lift up,” he commands.

I comply, and he peels away the denim, my underwater as well. I was already barefoot, so that leaves me gloriously naked from the waist down.

“Roll over,” he murmurs.

“Why?” I peer at him, surprised and suddenly suspicious. “You said you wouldn’t…”

“Trust me,” he whispers.

I do. Of course I do. But…

He waits, one dark eyebrow arched.

And, I roll onto my stomach.

He smooths the tail of my loose shirt up, into the small of my back, then stops to gaze at me. “Beautiful arse, Rosie. I always thought so.”

“You never said.”

“Did I not? I used to watch you, walking about, in the kitchen, doing your work. I could barely take my eyes off you.”

“I noticed. It used to scare me, sometimes. I thought I was doing something wrong.”

“You were perfect. You still are.”

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