arm around her.
“This feels good,” she whispers.
Gwenna pulls my head against her chest and starts to stroke my nape and shoulders. I fix my attention on the sweet sensation. Gentle fingers… Her other hand is wrapped around my shoulder, holding me against her.
My eyes feel hot. I don’t know why…she keeps on doing this. Why does she keep doing this?
The way she touches me… I inhale slowly, carefully, around the lump in my throat. I clench my jaw before I try to swallow. Gwenna’s fingers cut a slow path through my hair.
I mean to whisper “thank you,” but I groan instead.
“I love it that you like this so much,” she whispers.
All I hear is “so much.” Do I like her soft touch more than someone else would?
I feel her lips against my forehead. She keeps on stroking me. She kisses my right eyelid, then the left.
“Doesn’t work,” I whisper.
“What?” I feel her pull away from me, see her frown down on me. “What doesn’t work?”
I inhale slowly, my eyes on her waist. “Left eye. There was a clot there. A stroke. Just the eye.” My voice sounds rough, and I wonder in a distant way why right now is the time I chose to tell her this.
My gaze returns to her face, finding it troubled. I look into her eyes and feel my insides go cold.
“You can’t see at all from it?”
I blink down at the bedding, shake my head.
The moment spreads out around us, rippling like a stone’s punch through the surface of the water, slowly fading back to clear and calm. It doesn’t even last that long, although it feels as if it does.
Gwen’s palm brushes my cheek. She strokes my hair off my forehead, letting her nails tickle along my hairline.
“I didn’t know,” she murmurs.
I shut my eyes and focus on the way my ribs expand as I inhale. I’ve laid alone so many times and tried to pay attention to my body. To tell myself I’m still alive. I’m here, not there. The one thing that I always wanted most was to feel someone else’s arms around me. Thinking of it now, with her beside me, brings a feeling of contentment, followed quickly by a bite of shame.
“I think this is probably the wrong response,” she whispers in the dark, “but after ‘I’m so sorry you lost some of your sight,’ I’m kind of tempted to say how amazing it is. I mean…I couldn’t even tell. When we were sparring… How’d you do it?”
“It would be harder with someone else,” I say after a minute. “I couldn’t fight another Operator. Not most of them.”
She laughs lightly. “So I’m an easy target, is that what I’m hearing?”
I reach a finger out to trace her cheekbone, smiling softly at her. “Still harder than most,” I tell her, aiming to appease.
Gwen leans over, smooths my left eyelid shut, then feathers a kiss over it.
“I’m not sure when I’ll stop being impressed with you. I hope you don’t think I’m being patronizing. It’s just like…you always hear about these badass vets, like Michael Stokes guys, and I’ve never actually known one.” Her eyes shine with kind sincerity.
I smirk. “Michael Stokes.”
“You should pose for him. People would go crazy.”
I chuckle, shaking my head. I want to tell her that I’m at my fucking worst. That I’m embarrassed by myself. By how I’ve changed. I can’t even get a bullet through a target. I can’t shoot a gun or bow, although I’m trying to relearn. But I look at Gwenna in the darkness, and I know that shit holds no weight with her.
I take her hand and bring it to my cheek, and then I press a kiss into her palm. I search her eyes for…something.
She’s not afraid to hold my gaze. Her mouth is soft and thoughtful. After a long moment, her free hand tucks a curl behind my ear.
“Who are you?” I rasp.
She smiles, and there is something bared in it. It’s like the absence of pretense. It’s like she’s smiling all for me.
I cradle her hand, bringing it back to my cheek. “You make me feel almost good,” I whisper.
“Only almost?” She strokes under my chin, and like a fucking tiger, I have to struggle not to purr.
I don’t know what to say to that, so I don’t even try.
“That’s a sad smile you’ve got there, B.”
I’m smiling? I move her hand off my face, but don’t let go of it. Her fingers curl around my wrist, around my
<<Previous page Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 1 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 2 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 3 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 4 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 5 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 6 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 7 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 8 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 9 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 10 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 11 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 12 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 13 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 14 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 15 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 16 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 17 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 18 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 19 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 20 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 21 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 22 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 23 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 24 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 25 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 26 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 27 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 28 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 29 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 30 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 31 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 32 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 33 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 34 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 35 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 36 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 37 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 38 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 39 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 40 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 41 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 42 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 43 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 44 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 45 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 46 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 47 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 48 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 49 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 50 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 51 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 52 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 53 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 54 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 55 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 56 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 57 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 58 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 59 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 60 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 61 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 62 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 63 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 64 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 65 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 66 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 67 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 68 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 69 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 70 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 71 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 72 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 73 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 74 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 75 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 76 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 77 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 78 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 79 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 80 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 81 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 82 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 83 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 84 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 85 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 86 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 87 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 88 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 89 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 90 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 91 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 92 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 93 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 94 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 95 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 96 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 97 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 98 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 99 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 100 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 101 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 102 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 103 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 104 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 105 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 106 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 107 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 108 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 109 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 110 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 111 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 112 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 113 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 114 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 115 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 116 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 117 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 118 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 119 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 120 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 121 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 122 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 123 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 124 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 125 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 126 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 127 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 128 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 129 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 130 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 131 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 132 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 133 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 134 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 135 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 136 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 137 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 138 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 139 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 140 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 141 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 142 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 143 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 144 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 145 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 146 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 147 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 148 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 149 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 150 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 151 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 152 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 153 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 154 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 155 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 156 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 157 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 158 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 159 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 160 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 161 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 162 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 163 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 164 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 165 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 166 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 167 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 168 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 169 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 170 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 171 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 172 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 173 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 174 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 175 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 176 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 177 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 178 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 179 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 180 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 181 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 182 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 183 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 184 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 185 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 186 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 187 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 188 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 189 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 190 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 191 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 192 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 193 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 194 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 195 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 196 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 197 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 198 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 199 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 200 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 201 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 202 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 203 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 204 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 205 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 206 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 207 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 208 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 209 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 210 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 211 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 212 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 213 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 214 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 215 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 216 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 217 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 218 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 219 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 220 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 221 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 222 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 223 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 224 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 225 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 226 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 227 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 228 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 229 Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James - Page 230
Next page>>