Page 36 of Undeniable

“Can we please talk about something else?” Her tone was defensive, and I felt bad for pushing her. But not bad enough to stop. God, I was a bastard.

“It’s unrealistic because that hasn’t been your experience?”

“I certainly haven’t had ‘mind-altering’ sex,” she said with a derisive snort. “And come on, butterflies at first sight? Kisses that make your toes curl? It’s called fiction for a reason.”

“I didn’t take you for a cynic,” I said, surprised by her reaction. She was typically so positive.

“I prefer realist,” she sniffed.

“Care to make a wager?” I asked.

“What kind of wager?” she asked. Cautious. Curious.

“I’d be willing to bet that if we had sex,” I said, enjoying her shaky inhale. I could just imagine the same sound echoing through my bedroom as I pushed inside her. “You’d be singing a different tune.”

She barked out a laugh. “Someone’s awfully cocky.”

I smirked. “Just stating the facts.”

After that, our conversation turned to other topics, but I couldn’t get what she’d said out of my mind. These days, it was rare that Olivia wasn’t on my mind.

And as I fell asleep that night, I wondered if I’d ever get to meet her. If I’d ever have the chance to change her mind about sex. Because if it were up to me, I’d prove to her that toe-curling kisses and mind-blowing orgasms were, indeed, very real.

CHAPTERNINE

“Hey.” Connor’s voice echoed through the speaker on my phone, filling my house with his presence. “What are you doing?”

Boy was his voice sexy. Deep and rich. I kept trying to imagine the man behind it.

It had been weeks since we’d started talking, and we rarely went a day without checking in. I felt like I knew so much about him, and yet, I still had no idea what he looked like. I had an image of him in my head, but I had no way of knowing if it fit him. It was both exciting and infuriating, but it wasn’t like I was going to ask him to send me a selfie. Not unless I was willing to send one back—and I wasn’t.

I crouched down, filling Luna’s bowls with fresh food and water. “I just got home. I’m feeding Luna.”

“Hey, Lunakins,” he called in a cutesy voice that made me smile. She weaved through my legs before darting for the food bowl.

“Any more issues with your boss at work?”

“He’s backed off—for now. How was your day?” I asked, hoping he’d leave it at that. I still hadn’t explained Seth’s request, and I didn’t want to.

“Mostly good.” I could hear the smile in his voice, but I also sensed his exhaustion. “I had my final doctor’s appointment and officially graduated from physical therapy.”

“That’s great!” I said, genuinely excited for him. “Does that mean you get to go back in the field?”

“Not yet,” he said, and I couldn’t get a read on his tone.

“Still, it’s a step in the right direction. And one that definitely calls for a celebration.”

“I’d love that, but I don’t think it’s in the cards.”

“No? Why not?” I placed the food bag back in the pantry and went over to the chair that looked out my big front window.

“One of my buddies was protecting a high-profile principal. There was no visible threat beyond the obvious ones. No stalker. No…” He paused. “Sorry. I shouldn’t be talking about this with you.”

“Don’t stop,” I said, gripped with fear. “What happened?”

“There was a chase. The principal only had minor injuries, but my buddy…” He sighed, and I heard the weariness in his voice when he said, “He’s in the ICU.”

I placed a hand to my chest, suddenly realizing that easily could have been Connor. He’d been injured, not that long ago. But I’d never stopped to consider the very real danger he faced every day. Hadn’t wanted to.

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