Risking it All (Crossing the Line, #1)

blooming once more as she watched his mouth fall open, letting out a groan. As she’d only ever done by herself, she pinched her nipples, tugging them a little between her thumb and forefinger.

Between their bodies, the pace of his stroking accelerated along with his harsh breaths.

“Tell me you wish I’d fuck you,” he demanded. “Tell me you want it bad.”

“I…”

“Say it, baby.” He sucked in a breath, eyes beginning to look glassy. “We both know it’s true.”

He was right. She did want him. In a way that startled her. But once she said it out loud she wouldn’t be able to take it back. Still, the words climbed her throat, wanting to escape. She desperately wanted to see him climax. To be the reason he lost control. Let go, Sera. Just once.

Keeping her gaze locked on him, she squeezed her breasts tight, then let them fall out of her hands and bounce. “I wish you’d fuck me.” She leaned down, bringing their mouths close. “I want it so bad, Bowen.”

“Oh, God.” His body reared up, hips pumping, a growl erupting from his throat. He worked his length up and down so fast his hand became a blur, then she felt warmth between them, coating her throat and breasts. It shouldn’t have turned her on or filled her with feminine pride, but it did. Seeing the physical result of her touch, her voice, it made her feel powerful. Sexy.

Two feelings she’d never experienced until now. With Bowen.

When his body stopped shuddering, he looked at her through hooded eyes that coasted

down

her

body

with

appreciation. Then stopped. As if a switch had been flipped inside him, he jerked upright and began wiping her off with his T-shirt.

“Dammit. You make me crazy, Sera.

You know that?” Color still high on his cheekbones, he shot her a look, half disbelief, half amusement. “By the way, I didn’t think you’d actually say it.”

Heat crept up her neck. “It worked, didn’t it?”

His lips tipped into a smile. “Yeah, Ladybug. It worked.” He dropped his Tshirt, then leaned forward to press a kiss to her mouth. “What the hell am I going to do with you?”

“I could ask you the same question.”

Just then, the door at the top of the stairs began creaking open. In a split second’s time, Bowen wrapped his arms around her and jerked her into a protective hold. With her face pressed against his throat, she felt his neck turn to see who’d interrupted them. When she heard Connor’s familiar voice, she sagged into Bowen.

“Jesus, Driscol. Control yourself, huh?”

He only drew her closer. “What do you want?”

“A couple of Hogan’s guys just walked in. I don’t think it would be wise if they saw you two coming out of here together.” Bowen tensed at Connor’s warning. After a moment, Connor added, “They’re not going to care that you just came down here to mess around.”

Keeping her blocked from Connor’s view, he tried to fix her clothing, but she slapped his hand away and did it herself.

After giving her a look, he relented and pulled his own T-shirt back on, seemingly

unconcerned

about

the

dampness at the hem. “Do you have a suggestion or did you just come down here hoping to get an eyeful?”

Connor snorted. “There’s another staircase leading to the hatch we use for deliveries. Down the hallway, past the office. Use it.”

They were already on their feet, moving down the stairs.

“Thank you, Connor,” she said, pausing at the bottom, watching a silent communication pass between him and Bowen.

Connor nodded. “Listen, Driscol?”

“Yeah.”

“This is my last favor.”





CHAPTER EIGHT


Sera woke up staring at the scales of justice painted on the guest room ceiling.

In another time or place, the irony of it might even be funny. Right now, mere hours after allowing one of New York City’s most notable criminals access to her body, ehh, not so much. To make matters worse, she’d actually been disappointed last night when they came home and he didn’t try to touch her again. He’d told her to make herself something to eat, then closed himself in his room without another word. She’d stood at the kitchen counter and eaten a bowl of Cheerios before reciting her nightly ritual of Our Fathers before heading to bed.

She should have been grateful for time to think and regroup. Instead, she’d found herself staring at the door, willing it to open. This attraction she felt for Bowen didn’t seem possible to control.

It was getting in the way of her investigation?louding her judgment, distracting her. Last night, after finding her brother’s name in Hogan’s ledger book, she’d welcomed that distraction, but in the light of day, hiding wasn’t an option. Colin had to have had a solid reason for taking payouts, and now her job would include finding it. Otherwise, bringing down Hogan could mean incriminating her brother in the process.

Last night, she’d gone down to Hogan’s office seeking answers, but today she only had more questions.