Take - Page 103

I headed in Frankie’s direction. The paramedic had cleaned her head wound, and she had a bandage at the edge of her hairline. Now, she just looked tired.

“Hey.” I sat beside her on the back of the ambulance.

She turned to face me. She plucked nervously at her shirt. “So, I promised myself that if I made it out, I’d tell you.”

“Tell me what?”

She fidgeted, pressing a hand to her stomach.

“Frankie?”

“God. I just survived a killer, so this should be easy.”

I cupped her cheek. “Just tell me.”

“I’m falling in love with you.” The words tumbled out of her. “I know we said just sex, and no emotions, but I just survived a crazed international killer criminal. I have emotions. So many. For you.” She heaved in a breath. “I’m falling in love with you, Reath Fury.”

I froze, unable to look away from her face.

She swallowed. “You do have a heart, Reath. I’m going to show you that you do.” She rubbed her chest. “You don’t need to say anything, just—”

I yanked her onto my lap, and she let out a small squeak. Then I took that mouth that had first captivated me with mine.

She moaned. I knew the kiss was deep, possessive. I let everything I felt for her pour into the kiss.

When I pulled back, she was panting. I pressed my forehead to hers. Now it was my turn to take a deep breath. “I’m falling in love with you too, Frankie.”

Her mouth opened. “You are?”

“I am. I’ve never said those words to any woman before.”

“Oh.” Her hands clenched on my shirt.

“I’ve been falling for a while. My brothers kept trying to tell me, but I kept denying it. You came into my life and turned everything upside down.”

She smiled. “I didn’t mean to.”

I ran my fingers along her jaw. “I know. It was just you. So smart, and full of life. You made me realize that I did want love, that I did need it. And while it still scares me, what I feel for you makes me stronger, not weaker.”

“Reath.” Her hands slid up my chest, her palm spreading over my beating heart. “Being with you made me realize that I’d thrown myself into my work to the exclusion of everything else. That I was a little like my dad and Jack, avoiding what really mattered.” She fiddled with my shirt. “Can you say it again?”

“I’m falling in love with you, Francesca Parker. I only ever plan on saying that to you.”

She smiled. “Good. I’m really happy about that.”

“I’m glad. Now, it’s your turn to kiss me.”

She was very happy to oblige. She gripped my shoulders and covered my mouth with hers.

44

REATH

As I slid inside Frankie, she sighed with pleasure.

It was a sound I loved.

I moved slowly, watching her eyelids flutter. I hated seeing the bruises on her neck and face, but then she opened her eyes and smiled.