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

Glancing down at my fingers, I force myself to ask a question that's been eating away at me.  "Am I the reason you don't have someone special in your life?"


The last thing I want is for him to put his life on hold for me.  He's been doing that for too long.  It's time for both of us to start living again.


My eyes lift to meet his curious blue ones.  "It just seems like you've been spending so much time with me lately.  I don't want to get in the way of your social life."


He chuckles before relaxing in his chair.  "Is that what you think?"


I shrug.  I'm not sure what to think about the situation.  I know that Dominic used to have a pretty active dating life and now... not so much.  "You don't have to babysit me.  I'm okay on my own."


"I don't consider us spending time together to be babysitting.  I love that you now live here, that we can get together whenever we want."  He gives me a look.  "You have to know that."


Chapter 20: Grace