Page 2 of Criminology of a Character

“Did something happen?” he asked, and she hated how his first reaction to finding her home early was one of panic. Maybe Griffin’s demand that she rest was needed more than she realized.

“It’s nothing. I have unused PTO that’s expiring soon.” She cupped his sculpted jaw. “Griffin wants me to take it and relax, that’s all.”

“I can help you relax.” Eamon smirked as he leaned down to trail his lips over her skin. “It’s a smart idea, though.” He lowered his chest to hers, his weight pressing her into the mattress, and Bel automatically wrapped her arms and legs around his powerful torso. “You could stay here. I’ll cook and clean so you can rest, and I’ll make sure you get enough exercise,” he teased, kissing her scars in a way that drove her crazy.

“Stop trying to get me to live with you.” She swatted his back to silence him because if he kept kissing her like that, she’d never leave, and she didn’t want that. Not yet, at least. They couldn’t rush this. Their relationship was too important to treat carelessly.

“I’m not.”

“Liar.”

“Fine, I am.” He stole a kiss. “But at the moment, I’m only guilty of offering my home for your vacation. What do you plan to do if you return to the cabin?”

“I don’t know. The weather isn’t great, and my family’s busy. I’ll probably just read or deep clean.” She twisted to meet his gaze. The soulless black of his eyes would forever remind her of the monster she’d welcomed into her life, but they no longer terrified her. Love colored their darkness. A love unlike anything she’d ever experienced. It was in his eyes, in the way he unconsciously leaned toward her whenever she entered a room, in the way the same hands that could snap a man’s neck with a single twist held her with such care.

“Well, if you won’t stay here, are you open to doing something with me?” Eamon sat up and dragged her into his lap, scratching Cerberus’ belly as the dog curled against his legs. “We could be together, but it wouldn’t count as living together.”

“Sneaky, but continue.” Bel wrapped her arms around his neck as her toes settled against Cerberus’ warm fur.

“Dr. Frank Victors invited me to a charity event. It’s raising money for an organization that provides lifesaving cosmetic surgery for orphans or people who’ve been in horrible accidents.” His fingers traced her scars as if he didn’t realize he was doing it. “I’d planned to just write a check since I turned down the invite. The event is on a private island.”

“Dr. Victors owns an island?” She asked. Frank Victors was the world-renowned plastic surgeon Eamon had hired to workon her scars, and while she knew the doctor was wealthy, he hadn’t struck her as the owning an island type.

“No, another surgeon does,” Eamon answered. “A Jake L. Hyde I believe. The rich and famous vacation at his resort, and he often holds charity events there. From the photos I’ve seen, it’s gorgeous, but it’s too romantic to visit alone. You had to work, so I declined. I wasn’t going to a tropical island without you, but….” he drew out the word as he smiled, and Bel hated it when he grinned like that. She was the only person he let see that smile, and it was so unbearably beautiful that she was in danger of granting him his every wish.

“Now that you’re off, we can go,” he continued. “Picture it, Isobel. An all-inclusive resort. Private beaches. Award-winning chefs. Cocktails, and romance, and you in a tiny bikini.” He trailed his finger over her ribs, the touch sending a shiver racing down her spine.

“I don’t own tiny bikinis.” She rolled her eyes.

“I’ll buy you one,” Eamon said. “A different one for every day, if you like. All string and no suit.”

“Does that mean you’ll wear a speedo?” Bel teased.

“Why? Do you want me to?”

“Absolutely not! Please don’t.” She faked a disgusted shudder. “But I wouldn’t say no to short shorts.” She pinched his powerful thigh, not at all embarrassed that she loved the idea of his legs on display.

“Okay, I’ll wear short shorts, and you’ll wear a barely-there suit because I can fight… as can you.” He winked, and she tried but failed not to laugh. “What do you say, Detective? Would you care to vacation on a private island with me?”

“That’s some jet,”Reese said as they pulled onto the tarmac. “You sure there’s no room in your suitcase for me?” He threw his daughter a wink.

“I packed mostly bathing suits, so I can definitely fit you,” Bel said, enjoying how Eamon stilled at the mention of the bikinis he’d bought in front of her father. Seemed even alpha predators were intimidated by girl dads.

“I’m glad you’re doing this.” Reese parked and twisted toward the backseat to meet his daughter’s gaze. He’d instantly agreed to both babysit Cerberus and drive them to the airport when she called, and Bel wondered if the men in her life had been conspiring against her. Her boss demanded she take her vacation days just when her boyfriend received an invitation toa private island while her father was free to care for her pitbull. She squinted at the back of Eamon’s head. They definitely had a group chat.

“Have fun and don’t worry about baby boy here.” Her dad scratched Cerberus’ ears. “He’ll miss you, but I have a full itinerary planned. We’ll have a blast.”

“I know he’ll love his vacation at Grandpa’s.” Bel hugged her dog’s thick neck. Besides her kidnapping, this would be their longest separation, and she wished she could pack him in her suitcase. If she’d insisted, Eamon probably could’ve arranged for him to accompany them, but Cerberus would enjoy sharing pizza crusts on her dad’s sofa far more than a plane trip to an unfamiliar resort.

“I’ll send you photos and videos of his adventures,” Reese said. “Plus, you’ll have so much fun that you’ll be home before you can miss him.”

Eamon grunted his disbelief as he stepped out of the car.

“Okay, you will miss him, but he wants you to go,” Reese said. “He thinks his mom deserves to relax.”

“Dad pulling out the big guns,” Eamon’s muffled voice teased from the trunk as he pulled out their luggage.

“Don’t tell me you haven’t used Cerberus to your advantage,” Reese shouted through the rear window at him, and Bel couldn’t help but smile at how Eamon’s chuckle rumbled the air.

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