AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m a case to you now?” Eveline asked, that damn pen still resting against her lower lip.
Fuck it.
From the second Ox had met her, he’d been drawn to her. Had constantly thought about her and their night together, even after he’d kicked her out and told himself she was the enemy.
He took the pen and notepad, placing them behind him. He scooted closer on the couch and framed her face so he could stare deeply into her eyes, needing her to believe him. “You’re more than a case to me.”
Ox closed the distance between them and took possession of her mouth.
Immediately, her arms came around his shoulders, and he adjusted his hold so he was cradling her.
He threw everything he had into the kiss. Wanting her to know she was important to him. That she wasn’t just someone that needed protecting. That was a given, but it wasn’t the reason he wanted her.
Eveline chased away the shadows of how close he’d come to dying. How close he’d been to missing out on meeting her and having this with her.
Ox slowly broke the kiss, resting his forehead against hers, their breathing ragged. “Do you believe me when I say you’re not a case to me?”
She nodded before resting her head on his chest.
There was no doubt she could hear the pounding of his heart. The way it beat just for her.
They stayed cuddled together for endless moments, enjoying the moment and the closeness they shared.
“I think I should do what Angel suggested.”
Nothing could’ve shocked Ox more than what Eveline had just uttered. He pulled back, still touching her but not as tightly. “I’m sorry, what did you just say?”
A ghost of a smile played across her lips. “This is becoming a habit. Me saying something and you asking me to repeat myself. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you need to get your hearing checked. But you don’t need to, do you?”
Yeah, he’d heard her, and he didn’t need to get his ears checked. He didn’t like what she’d said—nor would he admit how much sense it made. Having someone on the inside would be beneficial. “No, I don’t. And I don’t like this.”
“Inside knowledge is valuable. Plus, I can see if Gerald has gone back on his word and is working with a cartel.”
The possibility that Eveline was going to be walking into danger sat like a lead ball in his stomach. He wouldn’t be by her side to keep her safe. Ox hated that. Hated the very idea that something could happen, and he couldn’t stop it.
Like with Penni.
“I don’t want you to do this,” he blurted.
Eveline pulled away from him. “You heard what I told Angel, right? Same thing applies here. I know what I’m doing. I know what I’m getting myself into.”
Ox paced over to the window, needing to put space between them before he did something stupid like gather her up and storm out of the building. Take her to his place and keep her there until the danger passed.
He couldn’t.
Wouldn’t.
He wasn’t a caveman. Never had he dictated what a woman he was seeing could do and not do. Then again, he hadn’t been in a situation like this. Hadn’t been as close to anyone as he was with Eveline.
Everything about her was different, and he was acting in ways that weren’t normal for him.
The moment she rose from the couch, Ox knew. It wasn’t because of the squeak of the leather; it was because everything in him went on high alert.
Every heartbeat was in time with her footfall as she made her way to his side.
“You have to trust me, Kyle. I’ll be careful. I promise.”
Ox didn’t doubt she believed she’d be careful, yet he couldn’t shake that this was a bad idea.
