neck, scoots so close he’s almost sitting on my thigh, and gives me a gentle noogie.
“Liar, liar…” He chuckles, pulling me into his lap.
“Pants on fire?” I offer.
His gaze darkens. “You want that?”
“I always do,” I whisper shyly.
Barrett sprawls me over his lap, like a naughty student with a very dirty-minded schoolmaster, and fingers me until I’m desperate, almost miserable. Then he throws my fleece over the rug, urges me down onto my hands and knees, and enters me from behind.
Bliss of the highest order…
God, I think I’ll die before I come.
And afterward, a shower. And after that, we make omelets, and then I spend hours showing him how to make bread, and making the bread into bread pudding.
When we go to bed that night, Barrett nods off wrapped in my arms while I read something on my phone, over his shoulders. When he’s solidly asleep, I turn the twinkle lights on, pull the weighted blanket to the bottom of the bed, go into the kitchen, and pour lemonade. Kellan told me Bear hates lemonade, so if he wakes up dissociating, I plan to offer him a sip and watch his face scrunch back into the present.
I don’t get the chance. When he wakes up this time, he sits up for only a second before staggering toward the bathroom. I find him crouching in front of the toilet. He doesn’t seem sick—his arm is draped over the front of the seat, and his eyes are closed—so I wonder if he came here automatically, triggered by other nights when he was sick. I rub circles on his back and wrap an arm lightly around his waist when I notice his calves are trembling.
A few heartbeats later, he turns and curls against me. His head is down, so I can’t see his face, but I can feel him breathing—fast.
“It’s okay.” I cup his jaw and try to hold his body against mine. “We’re okay…”
I feel chills sweep his skin. He nods once, just a quick jerk of his head, like he’s trying to believe me. My heart aches as I whisper, “I love you. Can you come back to bed with me?”
He nods. Our eyes meet in a brief spark as we stand up together. His hand grips mine as we walk back to bed. He follows me closely, his face tired in the shadows. When our eyes catch this time, Bear gives me a tiny smile that makes my chest feel warm and tight.
When we’re tangled together on the bed, his body damp, his muscles tense, he tucks his chin against the top of my head—and I decide to gamble.
“Do you want to tell me…what it’s about?” I whisper haltingly.
I feel him take a deep, slow breath. He’s still so long after, I think he fell asleep, until he murmurs, “You.”
“The dream where you get sick…” My heart pounds hard. “It’s about me?”
His arms around me tighten. I can feel his sorrow, an invisible ribbon winding around both of us. Oh, Barrett…
I work to breathe around the lump in my throat, to make my voice normal when I ask, “What happens?”
His head shakes slowly. I feel like an ass for asking.
“It’s all right.” I pull the weighted blanket over us and smooth his damp curls off his forehead.
“We’re together, okay? That’s real life. It feels good to be in bed with you.”
“I know.” He shudders once more, just the barest little tic across his shoulders. I rub in between his shoulder blades, and pretty soon, he’s breathing evenly again.
The next morning, Barrett meets an inspector down at the studio. I spend my morning taking samples from the pond in the enclosure, then packaging them up and sending them off via UPS to a lab where they’ll be tested to ensure the water’s safe and healthy for the bears.
The nearest UPS place is downtown near Helga’s office, which is good because I have an appointment with her in two hours. I shower, and as I leave, I spot the paper bag from the Native American store on the counter. On the outside of it, Barrett had scrawled his friend’s address. I fold the bag closed, setting it on the passenger seat beside the little box of water samples. Before I open the garage, I peek inside, my intention to make sure it seems ready to mail. Barrett told me it was, but since he’s not around, I want to be sure.
When I look inside, I see a square of my thick, papyrus
<<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>>