Page 38 of Marked for Danger

Slowly, he began pushing inside her. The feel of being filled by him, of their bodies joining together as one, was almost overwhelming Izzy’s breath hitched as he began to move, each thrust driving them both closer to the edge of ecstasy.

“God, Iz,” Grady moaned.

“I know.” She smiled up at him. “I feel it, too.”

The corners of his lips curved, her whispered admission clearly bringing him joy. Their bodies moved in a rhythm as old as time, each thrust pushing them further into a world of pure pleasure.

Their moans mingled in the air, a symphony of desire that echoed through the room. The intensity built with every stroke, with every passionate kiss, until they were both on the precipice of release.

In the final moments of their union, Izzy and Grady held on to each other, their bodies writhing in the throes of passion. As the they reached their peak, their cries of pleasure filled the room, mingling with the sound of their pounding hearts.

And even when their bodies were depilated, they clung to each other. Their bodies trembling with the intensity of their unbreakable connection.

As their breathing slowed, Grady gently withdrew from her sensitive core, collapsing on the bed beside where Izzy lay. Turning on her side, their bodies became a tangle of limbs and shared heat as they savored the afterglow of their lovemaking.

Unlike the other times they’d been together, Izzy felt no urgency to make a quick escape. In fact, as their gazed remained locked in a look that spoke volumes, she realized she never wanted to leave.

His arms. Their shared bed. His life.

How this man wormed his way past her impenetrable defenses would forever be a mystery. But as she lay in Grady’s arms, Izzy knew she’d found something truly special—a connection that transcended the boundaries of physical desire.

Suddenly, surprisingly, she couldn’t wait to explore every facet of their love together. As she eventually let her lids fall closed, Izzy knew she would never be the same.

Chapter 8

Grady paced his unit’s bullpen while he waited for Izzy and her brother to arrive.

Last night had been a game changer of epic proportions, and even now—hours later—he was still trying to wrap his mind around the fact that Isobel Garcia was in love with him.

Izzy, a woman who never let anyone in, had confessed to being in love with him. And he couldn’t be happier about that if he tried.

She’d been right when she said they still had a lot left to discuss, and he’d planned on doing just that over the breakfast he’d intended to make. But those plans changed when he was called into work a new lead that, like so many others on this case, had yielded squat.

By the time he and Dec had chased their tails all over town, it was already mid-morning. He’d hated leaving her, especially when she’d looked so beautiful—so peaceful—lying naked and asleep beneath the covers.

But duty called, so he’d waited until the uniformed officer taking his place had arrived. After giving the seasoned officer a quick rundown of the situation—as well as stern orders to call him if he even though he smelled something off—Grady had left Izzy his own note before driving into work.

Now here he was, acting like a nervous Nellie as he waited for her to show.

“You’re gonna wear a hole in the tile if you don’t sit your ass down and relax.” The comment came from Declan, who was messing with a rubber band while sitting at his desk.

“Hard to relax when I know Izzy’s in a vulnerable position that could put her in the line of fire.”

The rest of the team was out working other angles that were case-related, and Riedell was in his office with the door shut. The man had been on and off the phone ever since Dec had been back.

“She’s riding here in a police cruiser with her very own cop as a bodyguard,” Declan pointed out. It was clear the guy thought he was worrying for nothing.

“I get that, but I was standing right next to her when that bullet damn near took her from me,” Grady shot back.

He realized his blunder the minute the anger-fueled words escaped.

“Took her from you?” A slow grin spread across Dec’s face. “I knew you were holding out on me.”

“I wasn’t…” Grady sighed and plopped his ass in the chair across from his partner. Licking his lips, he tried to explain in a way the other man would understand. “Fine. I’ll tell you, but you have to swear not to utter a single fucking word about it to Iz. Got it?”

“Dude, I’m not a complete asshole.”

“I know, it’s just…” Another sigh. “Do you remember that night a few months back when we all went out for drinks to celebrate closing the Schellenberger case?”

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