Page 73 of Smoke Show

I locked my office, eager to find Eve and update her. She and her helpers had just about finished breaking down the auction tables, and Kristen shook her head when I asked if she needed any more help.

"No, you folks did most of the hard stuff already. I'll finish and lock up. Y'all have a good night now."

It wasn't late, but I was exhausted. I could only imagine Eve felt the same. But the last thing I wanted was to be alone.

"Come back to my place?" I asked.

"I'd love to."

Hands linked, we walked to my car, and I drove us home.

“Wine?” I offered after helping Eve strip off her coat.

She nodded, and I led the way to my kitchen. As much as I wanted to strip her out of her dress and lose myself in her, she deserved to know about Wes.

I waited until she’d taken her first big sip before broaching the subject.

“Gwen, Zander, and I worked to set up surveillance for tonight’s silent auction.”

Surprise washed across Eve’s face, making me feel bad for not telling her earlier about our plans.

“You did?”

I nodded. “Gwen didn’t want you to worry, but given the silent auction manipulation, I’m glad we did it. We caught Wes Johnson fixing the bids.”

Eve’s brows arched. “Wes?” She shook her head. “He was just trick-or-treating at my place a few weeks ago. He’s just a kid. Why?”

I swirled my wine, watching the red settle into a calm pool before sipping again. “I don’t know. But we’ve turned the footage over to the Sheriff. Hopefully, we’ll get to the bottom of this soon.”

Eve sighed, and I shot her a commiserating smile.

“You were amazing tonight,” I said, more than ready to change the subject.

“Oh, yeah?” Eve’s eyes heated, sending an answering warmth sliding through me.

I tugged her to her feet, smiling when she grabbed her glass and followed me down the hall to my bedroom.

“Most definitely,” I murmured, setting my glass carefully on my bedside table and sitting along the edge of my bed.

Eve stood above me, the sleek lines of her dress hugging her curves, like a dark goddess of mischief. She tossed back the rest of her wine, placing her glass next to mine, before setting her hands on my shoulders.

Blood rushed to my groin, and anticipation washed through me.

“You looked so sexy tonight,” I complimented, letting my hands trace her sides, enjoying the slip of the leather-like fabric beneath my fingers before tugging her closer.

Eve’s eyes lit at the nudge, and she took control, shoving me back. I let my weight carry me down to the bed, tipping her with me, until she sprawled over me.

“I love it when you take control.”

“Is that what you’d like tonight, Brady? For me to take control?”

“Hm,” I hummed, pretending to think it over, loving the way desire for me was etched in every line of her beautiful face. She settled her hips over mine, rolling them in a move that stroked my erection, making her impact on me obvious. “I do love a strong woman.”

She leaned over, clasping my hands in hers above my head, coming in close to nip at my lips in a small bite of a kiss.

“Is that what you think I am, Brady? Strong?”

A flash of vulnerability in her expression made me pause. What had been play turned serious. I didn’t want Eve to ever doubt how I saw her.

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