Page 121 of Vicious Temptation

When she slips a hand into her pocket, I know exactly what she’s reaching for. I slide mine over her wrist before she can pull out her ring. She stills but doesn’t resist when I ease her hand free and weave our fingers together.

At first, I’m the one holding on, but a few seconds later, her grip tightens around mine.

“It’s pretty,” she finally says, looking out over the water.

“Very,” I agree, even though I’m looking at her.

“Thiago, I’m sorry if my mom came off a bit…”

“Intimidating?”

She chuckles and shrugs. “Yeah. She’s a little overprotective, especially after everything.”

Remi pauses, catching herself before she says too much and wanders into a part of her life she hasn’t shared with me, one I shouldn’t already know.

“The tattoo shop?” I offer, giving her an out.

She nods. “And getting arrested. Well, she doesn’t know about that yet. None of them do, actually. But I know it’s coming. I’m just not ready to deal with the lectures and all that shit.”

“Understandable. But it’s only a matter of time before that mugshot makes the rounds. The precinct took it down, but you know the internet is forever.”

“Oh God,” she says with a laugh. “I’ll never hear the end of it.”

“You know there’s an investigation into who leaked that photo.”

“I mean, it’s a damn good shot.”

“That it is.”

Remi turns to me, her smile lighting up her face. “Thank you for what you did. For being a corrupt-as-fuck cop and using your connections to get me off.”

My laughter carries across the lake. “I’m glad my criminal behavior is appreciated.”

“It is.”

Her smile lingers as she squeezes my hand, completely unaware of how fucking undeserved that gratitude is. She thinks I broke a few rules for her.

If only it were that simple.

Thirty-Two

remi

It’s the first time today, since my last hug with Valentina before she boarded her flight, that I haven’t felt sad. And to my absolute horror, it’s because of Thiago.

He isn’t trying to keep me talking, push for answers, or get into my pants. He’s just...here, giving me space, letting me decide whether I want to talk, and actually listening when I do.

Strangely enough, the quiet with him doesn’t make my skin itch or send me scrambling for a distraction. I don’t feel the need to turn on music or fill the silence with pointless noise. I can just stand here, breathe, and that’s enough.

The lake is beautiful, but I don’t think that’s why I feel lighter. I’m pretty sure it’s him, though I’m not ready to figure out what the hell it means.

I slip my hand from his and bend to untie my boots.

“Is there anything in this water that’s going to bite my toes off? Sharks? Alligators?”

He laughs. “This is a freshwater lake in Pennsylvania, Remi. Not Florida or Texas. I think your toes are safe.”

I side-eye him even though I know he makes sense.