Page 69 of Evidence of a Folktale

“I know, right?” Violet giggled.

“I say go for it. He has a good job, and he’s well-liked at the station. I don’t see any reason not to give him a chance.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” Bel pulled her into a hug. “Love you.”

“Love you too. Get home safe.” Violet returned to her table, and Bel watched with an achein her heartas Olivia aimed for the exit.

“Olivia.” She chased after her and grabbed her arm before she could leave the bar. The vodka’s courage made her do it, and she might as well act while it offered its aid. “I know you don’t want to talk to me, but I’m sorry. I did what I did for a reason, and I stand by it, but I still love you.”

“Bel…” Olivia trailed off.

“I know, I know.” Bel let go of her. “I love you, that’s all.”

Olivia fled, and the dismissal should’ve wounded Bel, but her brain was too hazy to get the memo.

“Hey, Detective, anyone evertellyou how gorgeous you are?” a male voice growled as a dark truck parked before the front door. “Hurry and get in the car before your boyfriend arrives.”

“I would be careful, sir,” Bel said as she hopped into the passenger seat. “My boyfriend’s the jealous type. He’d kill you if he found out you were hitting on me.”

“Then we can’t let him find out.” Eamon slid a hand behind her neck and pulled her across the center console, kissing her deeply. “How drunk are you?”

“Sober enough to remember I hated that Olivia wouldn’t look at me, but drunk enough to get in a stranger’s car because he’s hot.” She traced her fingers suggestively over his thigh as he pulled out of the parking lot.

“I’m sorry things are rough between you two.” Eamon peeled her hand off his leg and brought it to his mouth. “But this hot guy is glad you got in the truck with him.” He kissed her knuckles.

“Oh yeah?” Bel leaned across the divide and kissed his cheek, sliding her free palm up his thigh.

“I’m driving, Detective,” he laughed. “And the roads are still a mess from the storm.”

“You could drive blindfolded and handcuffed, and still be the safest driver on the road,” she said as she grabbed his jaw and pulled his lips to hers. “Are you telling me that the man who can survive an IED blast can’t steer while kissing?”

“Are you challenging me?” he growled, returning her kiss with more force than she’d expected.

“What’s the fun of dating an ancient immortal if you can’t do this?” Bel undid her seatbelt, her vodka courage inspiring her for the second time that night.

“Isobel,” he warned.

“Eamon,” she moaned, her body suddenly burning with need, and all her insatiable longing craved was him.

“You asked for it.” Eamon jerked the steering wheel and slammed on the brakes. The truck skidded to a halt on the side of the dark and empty road, and without giving her a chance to register their surroundings, he dragged her onto his lap.

Bel gasped as he expertly ripped her clothes free of her body, and she lost all control of her inhibitions. It didn’t matter that anyone could drive by and see. Eamon’s skin against hers was all she cared about. Something about this setting. Aboutthe idea that they might be caught, the reality that they needed each other so desperately that they couldn’t wait to get home drove them to madness, and the windshield fogged as they moaned and gasped and writhed. It was wild and messy, her handprints left all over the windows. It was raw and honest, his handprints left all over her body. It was ravenous and filthy, filled with dirty words spoken in her ear and confessions of devotion whispered against her mouth. The encounter was not a quick affair. It lasted and lasted and lasted until Bel couldn’t breathe, until her muscles grew sore, until even Eamon was out of breath, and then with a roared confession of absolute adoration, they collapsed in the driver’s seat. They remained locked together for so long that she fell asleep atop his chest, and the next thing she knew, it was morning. Eamon had somehow gotten her into bed without waking her, and surprisingly, she didn’t have a hangover. He must have given her something before tucking her in.

“Good morning,” she said as she joined him in his kitchen after she showered.

“Here.” He handed her a cup of coffee fixed exactly how she liked it. Theperks of dating a man who could hear her coming down the stairs. Coffee was waiting the second she set foot on the kitchen tiles.

“Hi, handsome.” Bel stooped and kissed Cerberus,who waschewing on a massive toy in his dog bed beside the stove. “Did you eat?”

“He ate and went for a walk,” Eamon said.

“Wow, busy morning. How long have you been up?”

“I couldn’t sleep,” he answered as he popped bread into the toaster.

“I’m sorry.” She sagged against the counter to study his profile. “My behavior last night was… not what you needed. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

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