Inside the Lines: Without a Trace series, a contemporary erotic romance novel by Ally Bishop Page B
Authors: Ally Bishop
Ads: Link
hold in the wails that fight for escape. I wriggle to get my arm free, and he shifts back, giving me enough space to do so.
“Jesus, Lux, what happened? Did I hurt ye? What is it?”
When I don’t respond—can’t—he wraps himself around me, pulling me on top of him as I battle with an inner demon that I refuse to let win. He strokes my hair and shoulders, whispering nonsensical words that are oddly comforting in his deep voice.
And then I fall asleep, victorious over the dark.
Chapter 10
Good News
There is nothing more embarrassing than crying after sex. Okay, there probably is. But in my small corner of the world, that’s pretty much the worst. And of course, Fin only wanted to know how he could help. This morning. Because not only did we have sex on the first date—which is not an unusual thing for me—but we also slept through the night—which is highly unusual for me. And there’s nothing worse than dressing in the same clothes from the night before. Bleck.
Nonetheless, I learn three things about Fin as a result. One, he is adorable in the morning. Like he’s seriously one of those guys that wakes up warm, handsome, and delicious. I know—hate him, right? Except that there’s the second thing I discovered, which is that he’s even more amazing in bed the next day. And three, he’s a ridiculously sweet guy. Perhaps even a good guy. And he wouldn’t say good-bye this morning until I assured him that last night’s emotional brouhaha had nothing to do with him, was a result of being exhausted, and I would be fine.
Which causes me all kinds of concern on the subway ride home because I ruin good guys. Or at least, I ruin relationships with good guys. Despite my best attempts in the past, I’ve never been able to get things to last, and if I’m honest, it’s my issue. Or issues...
When I get home, all I can think about is Fin’s parting kiss, the last taste of his skin, and the final touch of his hand on the back of my neck.
Fuck.
I do not have time for this. Or the emotional bandwidth. Or…whatever. I just don’t. And when I walk in the door, Noah is already on the case.
“Wow. That was either a very high-paying client, or someone got fucked good last night.” He raises an appraising eyebrow and circles me. “Hm, I’m going with a good fucking. Anyone I know? Or should know?”
I give him a withering glance, uncomfortable with his harmless insinuation that cuts just a bit too close. “Given all the times you come in with rumpled clothes and I don’t give you shit, I should get a pass.”
He clucks. “Now, Lulu, don’t get all pissy. I know the walk of shame when I see it. And darlin’, you got the swagger.”
I head for the coffee, thankful he left a bit of tar behind. I make a face and dump cream in the sludge to make it palatable, then swallow it down. Noah joins me in the kitchen and gestures to the morning paper, but right now, it doesn’t appeal.
“I’m going to get a shower.”
His clever eyes miss nothing. “Damn, Lux…you got it bad for this one. It’s written all over you. And you won’t talk about it, which means he’s either a client, which is a no-no, or someone new you don’t want me to know.” He taps a finger against his lips. “Interesting.”
I heave a sigh. “I will deal with you after I feel human. And you stop annoying me.”
But even the heavy blast of the shower head doesn’t wash away the doubts and fears coursing through my mind. Or Fin’s scent.
“Are you going to see him again?”
Noah’s made a fresh pot of coffee, which went a long way to earning him my good graces. I gave him the short version of last night and this morning, though I omit the crying part. “God, like I have an answer for that.”
“Perhaps the better question is, when are you going to see him again? Because he’s clearly under your skin, Lulu, my pet, and you’ve got it bad. I don’t think even Evan had you this turned around.”
I stick my tongue out at
“Jesus, Lux, what happened? Did I hurt ye? What is it?”
When I don’t respond—can’t—he wraps himself around me, pulling me on top of him as I battle with an inner demon that I refuse to let win. He strokes my hair and shoulders, whispering nonsensical words that are oddly comforting in his deep voice.
And then I fall asleep, victorious over the dark.
Chapter 10
Good News
There is nothing more embarrassing than crying after sex. Okay, there probably is. But in my small corner of the world, that’s pretty much the worst. And of course, Fin only wanted to know how he could help. This morning. Because not only did we have sex on the first date—which is not an unusual thing for me—but we also slept through the night—which is highly unusual for me. And there’s nothing worse than dressing in the same clothes from the night before. Bleck.
Nonetheless, I learn three things about Fin as a result. One, he is adorable in the morning. Like he’s seriously one of those guys that wakes up warm, handsome, and delicious. I know—hate him, right? Except that there’s the second thing I discovered, which is that he’s even more amazing in bed the next day. And three, he’s a ridiculously sweet guy. Perhaps even a good guy. And he wouldn’t say good-bye this morning until I assured him that last night’s emotional brouhaha had nothing to do with him, was a result of being exhausted, and I would be fine.
Which causes me all kinds of concern on the subway ride home because I ruin good guys. Or at least, I ruin relationships with good guys. Despite my best attempts in the past, I’ve never been able to get things to last, and if I’m honest, it’s my issue. Or issues...
When I get home, all I can think about is Fin’s parting kiss, the last taste of his skin, and the final touch of his hand on the back of my neck.
Fuck.
I do not have time for this. Or the emotional bandwidth. Or…whatever. I just don’t. And when I walk in the door, Noah is already on the case.
“Wow. That was either a very high-paying client, or someone got fucked good last night.” He raises an appraising eyebrow and circles me. “Hm, I’m going with a good fucking. Anyone I know? Or should know?”
I give him a withering glance, uncomfortable with his harmless insinuation that cuts just a bit too close. “Given all the times you come in with rumpled clothes and I don’t give you shit, I should get a pass.”
He clucks. “Now, Lulu, don’t get all pissy. I know the walk of shame when I see it. And darlin’, you got the swagger.”
I head for the coffee, thankful he left a bit of tar behind. I make a face and dump cream in the sludge to make it palatable, then swallow it down. Noah joins me in the kitchen and gestures to the morning paper, but right now, it doesn’t appeal.
“I’m going to get a shower.”
His clever eyes miss nothing. “Damn, Lux…you got it bad for this one. It’s written all over you. And you won’t talk about it, which means he’s either a client, which is a no-no, or someone new you don’t want me to know.” He taps a finger against his lips. “Interesting.”
I heave a sigh. “I will deal with you after I feel human. And you stop annoying me.”
But even the heavy blast of the shower head doesn’t wash away the doubts and fears coursing through my mind. Or Fin’s scent.
“Are you going to see him again?”
Noah’s made a fresh pot of coffee, which went a long way to earning him my good graces. I gave him the short version of last night and this morning, though I omit the crying part. “God, like I have an answer for that.”
“Perhaps the better question is, when are you going to see him again? Because he’s clearly under your skin, Lulu, my pet, and you’ve got it bad. I don’t think even Evan had you this turned around.”
I stick my tongue out at
Similar Books
