Page 42 of Brazilian Surrender
Chapter Thirteen
“What do you think will happen?” she asked after a long time.
He caressed her hair and inhaled deeply. Their limbs entangled in such way he wasn’t sure where he began and she finished. Never—not even with his wife—had he experienced such intimate sex. His veins still throbbed from the aftermath, his body reeling from the powerful passion they shared.
He pondered her question. Did she ask in relation to them, to her stalker, or to sex? He could tell her that from then on he wouldn’t tie her up unless she asked him. He’d be okay screwing her without restraints because the recent experience brought so much and didn’t overwhelm him. It’d only made his want for her clearer.
If she wanted to know about them, he couldn’t yet answer. He’d tried to keep from thinking about it as much as he could, and so far that strategy worked. Despite the big catharsis of not needing to tie her up anymore, what else could he offer her? Did she even want him that way? Just because she seemed like the type who wanted a happy ending didn’t mean she believed he’d be the one to give it to her. And bringing such conversation into their relationship currently would only cause stress. They needed to work together to figure out who wanted to hurt her. Jaeger would be happy to punch the bastard.
“I’m working with the detective on Lee’s case. I can tell we’re close. I’m sorry I don’t have something more concrete right now, but when we least expect it’ll fall into place.”
“I hope so.” She sighed into the curve of his neck.
“We’re on the lookout for the guy who broke into my place. The one we identified. The police have been informed.”
“I can’t imagine how hard it must be to Mark. I called him and he’s devastated. Doesn’t want to see anyone. Must be tough, having to answer questions and think clearly after losing a the one you love,” she said, then perhaps realizing what she said, she cursed low in Portuguese and shifted in his embrace. “I’m sorry. I should have—”
He caressed her hair. God, he could do that for hours. “It’s okay. You’re right, there isn’t a perfect time to investigate. Some people take a long time to get over losing someone, and waiting is a luxury police and detectives can’t afford.”
She lifted her head and stared at him. “Are you over your wife? You can be honest.”
He nodded. “I won’t ever be over losing my son.”
“I completely understand. Do you have any faith? Do you believe in something?”
“I can’t believe in anything that would justify my son being taken from me. I got mad at God, and I don’t know if we’ve made up.” Didn’t know if they ever would.
“You can choose to be mad at whoever you want; it’s within your right.”
“Really? You think that?”
“One day you’ll be tired of being mad. And things will make sense.”
“What will make sense?”
She kissed his shoulder. “Acceptance.”
He winked at her. “Is this a consult?”
“No, but you should take advantage while my prices are low. When I’m done with my internship it’ll all be different,” she said, nudging his elbow.
Since she mentioned prices, he remembered the hefty check she’d handed his secretary after he accepted her as a client. He’d never cashed it, then ended up ripping it apart. He would never accept a cent from her, but he was afraid if he mentioned it to her it’d sound pretentious. So he’d instructed Therese to just say she had no more due if she ever asked or at the end of his assignment. In such a little time she’d shown him so much; protecting her was the least he could do. “Are you returning to Brazil?” he asked casually, wishing his heart didn’t skip a beat as he waited for her answer.
She tossed her hair to the side. “I’m not sure. I didn’t come with the idea to stay forever, but forever is such a long time. Then I have to say I really got used to the lifestyle. Everything is easy and it’s nice, people not knowing me. I’m not a celebrity in Brazil, but my brothers are well known, so I always felt people knew me before they really knew me, you understand?” She flashed him a shy smile. “It’s nice to live somewhere I’m not in their shadow and I’m my own person, especially given my occupation.”
What a woman. She had anything she wanted at her fingertips in her homeland, and yet she chose a do-over far away to be her own person. “I understand you.”
“I know you do.” She propped herself on her elbows and traced his lips with her index finger. A low rumble awakened his body, heat moving through him, desire stirring low in his groins.
He nipped her finger. “Are you going to abuse your new privilege of touching me?”
She angled closer, cupping his face, and peered at him in a way that quaked his insides. Her eyes grew bigger, glossier. “Count on it,” she said before she kissed him. The scary part wasn’t getting used to her touch, but craving it.
…
“I’m glad you joined us for lunch,” Leonardo said, cutting his steak. “We would have done more, but you seemed so busy.”
Camila glanced at her beautiful niece, Lyanna, sitting at a high chair and coloring. Well, she held the crayon and scribbled on the paper, so that was good enough.
