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

One of my favorite things to do is stroll along Michigan Avenue and peek in all the brightly colored shop windows.  This is exactly what Chloe and I are doing today.  Chloe has been invited to a fancy work dinner and needs a cocktail dress.  I would loan her one of mine, but she's six inches taller than I am and not as curvy.


She eats like a teenage boy going through puberty and never gains any weight.  It's so unfair.  I don't like going out to lunch with her because she'll order a burger loaded with the works, chili cheese fries on the side, and a large Coke.  She always polishes everything from her plate.  I order a salad and a Diet Coke and am up a pound the next morning.


She's also allergic to working out.  I've cajoled her into running with me along the lakefront a few times, but we always end up walking after two blocks.  Whatever genes she inherited need to be cloned.


Chapter 32: Grace