“It means I can control the strength of the visions, now.” She raised her hand toward his chest like before. “They’re still there, but I can force them to become sort of muted.”
“Muted?” he parroted her, trying like hell not to show how strongly the idea of her touch affected him.
He wasn’t sure he was ready for her to discover his true feelings. Had no idea how she’d react if she found out just how much he cared for her.
If she touches you, she just might see.
Nervously licking her lips, Eden brought her hand closer. Almost touching him now, she nodded.
“I can push back the visions and the colors that come with them, so they aren’t so overwhelming, like before.” Her golden eyes met his. “I’d really like to touch you.”
Fuck. Me.
Unable to choke out a response, Alex kept his mouth shut. With a single nod, he held his breath and gave her permission.
Eden drew in a slow, deep breath, the quiet sound somehow filling the space around them. There was a slight tremble in her hand as her fingertips brushed against his thin button-up.
Positioning her hand over his heart, Eden took another deep breath before pressing her palm flat against his chest. An electric pull zinged through him from the point of contact. The sensation was so strong, he almost reared back, away from her magnificent touch. Almost.
Eden’s short, quiet intake of air was the only reaction he saw in her. But when she closed her eyes and smiled, Alex knew she’d seen more than he’d ever intended.
No point in trying to hide it now.
With that thought in mind, Alex closed his own eyes, finally letting go of the thoughts and feelings he’d been keeping bottled up inside.
The protectiveness he felt for this woman. His need to keep her safe and away from harm.
Suddenly, he wanted her to see it all. To know just how much she meant to him. Maybe then, she’d understand why he didn’t want her anywhere near this newest case.
Alex thought of how it felt to see her smile at him. He remembered how the sound of her laughter could brighten even his darkest days.
Eden’s breathing picked up, and Alex felt his heart rate spike. There was no way she couldn’t feel it, too. Though she hadn’t spoken a word, he understood exactly what she was seeing.
The truth. She sees the truth.
He’d worked so hard trying to hide it. Had become a master at schooling his expressions and ignoring the overwhelming reaction he’d always had when it came to this woman.
Back when they’d worked together, he’d forced himself to keep his true feelings hidden. But now, even after all this time apart, Eden knew.
One simple touch was all it took for her to see the truth…Alex was hopelessly and completely in love with her.
Chapter Three
Eden’s mind filled with a multitude of colors.
Bright, vibrant colors mixed with warm, soothing shades. A few dark, unpleasant strands swirled and twisted, interlocking with all the others. But at its core, the combination was incredible.
Images flashed behind her closed eyes, taking her by surprise. She’d been receiving pictures through touch as far back as she could remember, but these were different. These images were solely of her.
Though Alex hadn’t said anything, she didn’t need him to. Eden knew she was seeing herself through his eyes.
She could sense how she made him feel, the joy and peace her smile had brought to him during those rough days they’d experienced together.
Eden had always known Alex cared for her. It had been there, in his eyes. Though she’d dreamed of taking their friendship to the next level, the frustratingly sexy detective had never given her any indication he wanted more.
Finally touching him allowed her to see and feel what he felt for her. The realization was both shocking and exhilarating.
Despite his efforts to keep his feelings for her hidden—something else she’d seen just now—he could no longer deny the truth. Neither could she.
