Free Raw Exposure by Aliyah Burke Page B

that close to me all night?”
    Sweetcheeks. She ignored the fluttering of her heart and stomach as she held his unwavering gaze.
    “I was shot in the arm, not the head to make me lose common sense. You make a valid point—these men work as do their wives, so I’ll take ya up on yer offer.”
    “Affrica,” Tyson said.
    “Leave off, Tyson. Affrica can make her own decisions.” Jayde’s calm voice came next.
    Everyone stood. Affrica couldn’t miss the glares from Tyson and Scott toward Reeve. Deciding not to mention it, she helped Lex clear the table then hugged the women before their husbands.
    “Thank you,” she said. “For not letting me die there.”
    Scott pulled her close for a hug. “You never have to thank us.”
    Then, it was Tyson’s turn. “Are you sure about this?” he asked as his arms banded around her, mindful of the injury.
    “Aye. He’s harmless. Not to mention scared o’ ya.”
    Harmless. Not even she believed that one.
    “Humph.”
    She drew back and held hazel eyes before glancing to Scott and back again. “Find him, please.”
    Both men grew somber and nodded. She knew they would do everything in their power to locate her brother whose plane had gone down in Antarctica. Scott stepped away and called to his brother for a private chat. Five minutes later, she walked beside Reeve down to his car and climbed in with a final wave over her shoulder to all.
    Bag on her lap, she closed her eyes as he drove, maintaining easy breathing. She had no clue where he lived and, honestly, right now, was too tired to care. Sleep was essential for she had a job lined up in Oregon before she eventually flew back to Ireland. Granted, she could sleep on the train but her body still hadn’t caught up from her jaunt in the desert for her nights were plagued with nightmares.
    She stirred and looked around when the car slowed and turned. They drove into a garage, and the door lowered behind them. A light overhead illuminated the area fit for two cars. The place was immaculate and a surprise.
    “Come on, sweetcheeks,” Reeve said after he climbed out, opened her door, and took her bag.
    “Must you call me that?”
    “Must? No. But I love the way your eyes sparkle indignantly when I do.” He winked and walked off toward a door she assumed led inside.
    She followed with an amused sigh. His place was open and also as spotless as the garage had been. She gazed about the condo. Tile and hardwood floors and stark white walls with some framed pictures, which to her felt out of place. It deserved to be mentioned that she wasn’t all-knowing of what made Reeve tick, so perhaps it did fit him.
    Stainless steel appliances graced his kitchen, and a large glass window area overlooked Chesapeake Bay. She smiled as she stared down at the boats out there at night, their lights beacons through the darkness.
    “Nice place.” She peeked over her shoulder at him.
    He didn’t respond just jerked his head in silent indication to follow, ambled down to an open door, and gestured inside.
    “Here you are. I’ll have the bed made up in moments.” He paused and swung around toward her, his eyes liquid heat. “Unless you want to stay in my bed, with me.”
    She didn’t pretend to think on it. Sure, they may go toe to toe and argue but the sparks never diminished between them. Sparks which had been there from the very beginning. There was no declaration for the future; this was all about the here and now.
    Affrica stepped flush to him and dragged her tongue along her bottom lip as her arms simultaneously wound around his neck. The pain of her injuries drifted to the back of her mind.
    “Dinna wish it any other way.”
    A deep rumble rose from his chest, and his hands settled along her lower back. They stared at one another, breaths coming shallow and fast. Her exhaustion faded away with each breath she took, the rich and heady scent of Reeve Leighton giving her energy.
    Reeve flexed his fingers before he removed them to curve