Read Online title by Desiree Holt - Free Book Online

the spray to cover both of them.
    But instead of reaching for the soap, he pulled her close to him and put his mouth to her ear.
    “Rachel, I have something I want to say to you and I want to do it now, because it’s always possible something could go wrong tonight.”
    She froze. “You said I’d be safe. I believe in you, Gabe. In your ability to take care of me.”
    “That’s not what I meant.” He let out a long, slow breath. “This…thing I’m involved in. Tonight may be what finally brings it to a head.”
    When he paused, she said, “And?”
    “And I have to tell you you’re more than just a now-and-then person to me. You keep me sane, Rachel. You keep me from losing my mind when I have to be someone else and I wonder if it’s worth it all.”
    She ran her hands up and down the wet planes of his back. “Are you trying to tell me something?”
    “Yeah and it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Which I guess is why I’m making such a mess of it.”
    The cold knot settled in her stomach again. “If you want to tell me you need to move on, Gabriel, then go ahead and say it. I’m an adult. I won’t try to stab you in the shower or dissolve in hysterics.”
    His big body tensed. One hand cupped her chin, tilting it upwards. Despite the water spraying down on her, she stared up at him. The look in his eyes nearly brought her to her knees.
    “Move on? Darlin’, that’s the furthest thing from my mind. What I’m trying to tell you is, when this thing is over tonight, I’m going to ask Killian to change my status, not send me out on such long-term assignments anymore. I want to spend more time at home. Your home. With you.”
    She was so shocked her heart nearly stopped beating. “With me?” she parroted.
    “If you want.” His eyes bored into her. “Or maybe I’m reading something into this that isn’t here. If so, now’s the time to tell me.”
    She managed to lift herself on tiptoes and press her mouth to his. “Whatever you’re asking me, the answer is yes, yes, yes.”
    The kiss might have lasted longer but the shrill sound of Gabe’s phone pierced the steam-filled air.
    “Damn,” he swore. “Timing is everything, right?”
    He turned off the shower, handed Rachel a towel and picked up his phone.
    “Peralta.” He listened for several seconds, nodding his head. “Got it. We’ll be ready.”
    “Time?” Rachel asked.
    He nodded. “Hustle that cute little ass of yours into some clothes and make your call. We’re ready.”
    Rachel was only partially dry when she dragged on jeans and a t-shirt, dug out her phone and, hands shaking, pressed the speed dial for Nina Chan.
    “Oh, Rachel,” the other woman cried. “Thank heavens. Are you all right?”
    “I’m fine, Nina. What’s this all about? There are a million messages on my machine and the phone’s been driving me crazy. Are you keeping tabs on me for some reason?”
    “Oh, my, no, no, no.” It was easy to hear the strain in her voice. “It’s just that I was so worried about you. You never, ever leave a function early and you looked so strange.
    I thought maybe you were sick. Besides, everyone was asking me questions about you. I about worried myself to death over it, thinking maybe I should check on you. But when I finally called there was no answer.”
    “Questions?” Nina’s hand tightened on her phone. “Like who?”
    “Oh, you know. Like Mr. and Mrs. Harris. And Lincoln Harris too. He seemed to think there was some kind of problem.”
    “Did he, now? I wasn’t aware my movements were of such interest to him.”
    There was silence for a second. “Don’t be mad at me, Rachel. I…we…everyone just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
    “Well, you can call them all and tell them I’m just fine. I was just…busy.” Rachel had been warned not to say she’d left the house for any reason.
    “Ooh,” Nina squealed after a moment, “is it that hot hunk I saw you dancing with?”
    “That’s him. So you can