There’s nothing wrong with a harmless little crush, right?

And who better to crush on than the gorgeous man next door?

The one who would never look twice in my direction.

Except he does.

The first time he pins me in place with his dark gaze, I’m rendered speechless.  The first time he lays his hands on me, I melt.  And the first time he takes me, well…I fall to pieces, wondering if I’ll ever be the same again.

Everything about him screams danger.

And yet I’d be lying through my teeth if I didn’t admit that was part of the attraction.

Chicago is supposed to be a new beginning for me.  A chance to find my bearings and live again.  The man next door is the last person I should be getting involved with.

And yet, here I am.

A moth dancing too close to the flickering flame, hoping I don’t get torched.

Protecting What's Mine was created by Jennifer Sucevic, an EGlobal Creative Publishing signed author. 

Protecting What's Mine

The late August sun beats down on me, but the wind rolling in off the lake cuts through it.  It's the perfect time of the day for a run.  I try to get out here every morning.  I've quickly become addicted to the endorphins pumping through my system.  Until I started running again, I never realized how much I missed it and the connection it gives me to my dad.


Once I hit Lakeshore Drive, I continue along the wide path until reaching my halfway point.  I started out doing three miles a day.  Now I've pushed it to four.  I don't have to walk anymore.  I'm running the entire distance.  Silly as it sounds, it feels like an accomplishment.


The past couple of months and all of its changes- moving back to Chicago, being accepted to graduate school, and gaining some much-needed control over my life- make me feel like everything is falling into place again.


Chapter 14: Grace