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Chapter 20
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Exposure Chapter 21
Noah swallowed and turned away from Raven, facing the window and the view, but not truly seeing it. He shoved his hands in his pockets and tried to prepare himself for what rehashing his past was going to do to him, to her."My mother had a daughter through a previous marriage when she met my dad. Fresh on the political circuit, they got married quickly and had me. Melissa was eight years older than me and spent a lot of time with her dad, so we weren't exactly close. Neither of us harbored any resentment, there was just such a big age gap."Pressing his palm to the frame, he leaned into his hand and hung his head. "She married Mario Francesco when I was ten, and none of us had any idea he was a legal aid for Rizzoli. My father was part of the Democratic Party and went up against Rizzoli in a few elections. Mario found out about misused campaign funds, but that was the tip of the iceberg. When the feds dug deeper, they found money laundering and drug pushing out of New Jersey. We did
Exposure Chapter 22
Not knowing what else to do, Raven encouraged, and then forced, Noah into the bathroom. He preferred to shower at night and, after such a long, stressful day, a bath was a decent way to unwind before crashing. The room was just as generous as the one in his condo, but the color tones were dark blues and grays instead of mossy green. The shower wasn't as luxurious, but the tub was big. The room smelled like him, like spice and comfort, even though they'd just arrived, and she realized, after a moment, that it was from oils he'd dripped into the water.He climbed in and she followed, sitting behind him and urging him to lean against her. Since making love, he'd been silent, and she suspected the guilt was eating away at him. The desperation, the sheer frustration rolling off him afterward, was heart-wrenching.Tears threatened when she thought about everything he'd been through, been forced to endure by no fault of his own. Lesser men would have let his parents take the girl or had t
Exposure Chapter 23
They woke late in the morning and, though Noah wanted to burrow under the covers and make love to Raven, Aubrey was no doubt anxious for them to come down. He didn't get to see her near as often as he wanted and Skype just wasn't the same.Aubrey drilled Raven with questions while they ate breakfast. Raven took them in stride, patiently answering each one. He'd never seen her around kids, but she was a natural with Aubrey. Afterward, they went to Aubrey's art room to color, and he got a great shot of their heads huddled together working on the same drawing. That one was going up on the wall before they left.He'd been anxious to get Raven alone for the shots he wanted, but late light would be better for what he had in mind. He sat back in the chair in Aubrey's room, listening to his two best girls chat about stuff and smiling at how full his heart was. Odd, that. Finished with the picture, Aubrey held it out for Raven. "To take home.""For me? Really?" She grinned and swiped a str
Exposure Chapter 24
Leaving Noah to have a few minutes of private time with Aubrey, Raven climbed the steps to the third floor and stopped in the living room. Aubrey wasn't kidding. He'd printed and framed the photos already. The arrangement was different, too. Three shots of her and Noah were together in a floating frame, with family portraits around it. Studying them closely, she could scarcely believe the couple was them. They resembled a jewelry ad or greeting card. So happy, carefree. Loving. God, they looked-real. Not friends with benefits, but the genuine article.Panic threatened, her chest growing tight with too little air. She fought it. Seeing them together shouldn't frighten her. This was Noah. Protective, loyal Noah. He was the same person and so was she. The only difference was the physical relationship. She glanced again at the pictures and knew she was lying to herself. A man didn't look at a woman like that if he wanted only sex, if he had any intention of returning to a safe friends
Exposure Chapter 25
Noah dropped the camera and was between her thighs before her tremors ceased. Crashing his mouth to hers, he pushed for entry and stroked his tongue inside, doing with his mouth what he wanted to do with his cock. He had no idea if she was serious about giving head, didn't know if that was a trigger for her, so he kissed her like his life depended on it, because his sanity did.She wrapped one leg around his waist and rolled him to his back. He cupped her neck, holding her to him. When she raked her nails down his chest and her mouth followed the path, he thought he'd blow. Lower, lower.He grabbed her hips. "Only if you want to, baby. If it-""I want to," she moaned against his nipple, taking it between her teeth and sinking in.His head hit the mattress. "Holy fuck."She grinned against his flesh, licking her way down past his naval to-"Holy, holy fuck."Her tongue swirled around his head, darting into the slit and spreading the moisture beading. His cock was so full with see
Exposure Chapter 26
Raven lifted her brows at Nicole and bit back a smile. Nicole, just as amused, widened her eyes, pleading with Raven to stop.Michael Hawthorn, Hoan's agent, was more than a little surprised by her assistant being in the meeting to set up the exhibit. And by Nicole's low-cut peach dress, which molded to her curves. His gaze kept drifting, even while he fiddled on his phone to check his event calendar.He smoothed a hand down his tie. "I think the end of March would work best. What do you have open?"Nicole checked her ledger. "The twenty-eighth? That's the last Friday."He nodded and adjusted his tall frame in the chair. "That works. When do you need the pieces by and how many?" As it had been since he'd arrived, his tone was clipped and curt. Gone was the smooth, amused man who'd strolled into her office a little more than a month ago to initiate Noah's reveal.They both looked to Raven. "Nicole will oversee this show, so you can deal with her directly. I'll step in if need be."
Exposure Chapter 27
Noah checked his watch and pulled Raven closer to his side in the backseat. "We only have an hour until we need to be at the charity event." He wanted to say fuck it and cart her back to Aubrey Castle until all this blew over, but too many people were depending on him. His company hosted this event every year. Proceeds went to a battered women and children's shelter. A twisted way for him to try and save Melissa and Aubrey, a decade too late."Do we have to go?""You don't, but I do." He kissed her temple and closed his eyes, imagining all the damn things that could've happened to her. "I'd really like you to come, though. It might take your mind off everything." He'd get a few glasses of champagne in her and take her home, where he'd fuck the memories from her head. It was a good plan."I'll go, since it'll make you feel better."She didn't like crowds and, after her day, the fact she'd do this for him stirred emotions to the surface. "Thank you," he whispered against her hair
Exposure Chapter 28
The charity function was in a ski lodge hotel on the northern tip of Anchorage. People were bustling about and socializing as she and Noah walked into the open lobby. A massive fireplace was lit in a corner, the inlaid stones traveling up to the thirty foot ceiling. Exposed beams and crystal chandeliers added to the rustic chic décor. Several round tables were scattered through the room, covered in white linen. The centerpieces were pinecones in a lead glass bowl, dusted with silver glitter. A bar was set up on the far wall with an amazing ice sculpture of a whale's fin."Geez, Noah. You really go all out." She liked that it wasn't pretentious. Classy, not pompous. Her shoulders relaxed. She took a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. "So, what goes down at this shindig?" Having not attended his event before, she didn't know what to expect. In the past, she'd donated money on behalf of the gallery and waited for him to tell her about it the next day."There's a table in the back
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Exposure Chapter 53
Raven closed her eyes and lifted her face to the sun, basking in the glow of summer that was too short-lived for Alaska. Brine and cut grass blended with the lingering scent of rain to remind her how much life was around her. Letting the warmth consume her, she tugged Aubrey closer to her side and fought the small wave of insecurity that sometimes still rose.It had been four months since she'd almost died, but she'd come a long way. The nightmares from her kidnapping had become infrequent. Noah was always there when she woke with a soothing voice or his solid arms enveloping her to quash the fear. Fear didn't belong in happily ever after, and today was an ever after day.The ceremony had been short, with her and Noah reciting their own vows. Only about twenty people had been invited, and they were currently lingering on the other side of the island. It had turned out to be such a great day, but it wasn't about the wedding. Not to her. No, it was about all the wonderful things that w
Exposure Chapter 52
"Sir, you came in hypothermic. You need to lay back."Noah withdrew his arm from the nurse's clutches with barely restrained homicidal impatience. "Someone fucking tell me something! Is Raven okay?"Sighing, the nurse relented. "Let me cap off the IV and I'll go find out."Gnashing his teeth, he jerked a nod.She removed the tubing from his arm, flushed the part still inserted in his vein, then taped the exposed portion. "All set. I'll go hunt up a doctor for you."As she stepped out of the cubicle, Hintz strode in and tossed some clothes and shoes on the foot of the bed. "They don't know anything yet, sir."Now that he was detached from the IV and heart monitors, Noah rose from the bed. Pain shot up his stiff legs, but he managed to keep upright. Shoving into the sweatpants Hintz brought, Noah shucked the hospital gown and pulled the tee over his head."It's been two hours." Noah fisted his still damp hair. He couldn't focus on anything but getting to Raven, seeing her with his
Exposure Chapter 51
Max cut through the southern strip of town and onto the port access. The SUV screeched to a halt several yards before the bend where the road ended. Noah got out and met McCannon at his car behind theirs. The rest of his security team followed.McCannon's gaze swept the perimeter. "It's up that hill?"Noah nodded. "If you follow the curve, the shack should be visible."They ran in silence to the dead end and crouched at the base of the hill. Lowlight peeked through the slats of the shack, but he couldn't make out any sound or movement.McCannon looked at his agent. "You go in from that end," he said, jerking his chin toward the open expanse just left of the location. Trees and boulders would offer them some cover. He pointed at one of Noah's guards. "Take him. Stay low. No shots, no one moves, unless I command."The two men, veering left, climbed the hill in a low crouch and ran for the cover of rock.McCannon pulled out his cell. "Cops and medics are on the way." He shoved the p
Exposure Chapter 50
"That's how I knew it was you." Nicole grinned and sipped her champagne. "Raven would never let anyone but you see her that vulnerable." She pointed with her flute to the displayed photo in front of them. "I won't tell anyone."Noah shoved his hands deep in his pockets. "I appreciate that." He wasn't adverse to coming out as Hoan now that the trial was over, but he'd rather things settle down first and allow the feds time to catch Soreno.She sighed wistfully. "Such a shame, though. I harbored a secret crush on you. We would've had such beautiful babies."He couldn't help but laugh. Just in case, he skimmed his gaze over her to avoid insult or hurt feelings. "You are quite lovely, Nicole. But I'm taken." Completely and without bounds. Would this night never end?"I was only kidding-" She trailed off, eyes rounding.He tracked her gaze. Two FBI agents followed McCannon through the front door. One stayed there while McCannon and the other strode across the room to Max near the rear
Exposure Chapter 49
Raven had finally broken free of a few customers and was determined to rescue Noah from his conversation when Nicole stepped in her way. Raven fisted her phone in her hand, banking down the irritation."Two things." Nicole flipped her hair over her shoulder. "First, the caterer is asking for more small serving plates. Which I'll go get from storage in a moment."When she paused, Raven lifted her brows, unable to hide her amusement. Nicole's cheeks were flushed and she had an uncanny twinkle in her eye. Which had nothing to do with caterers or plates. "And second?""I find it interesting that Hoan is Noah spelled backwards. Or almost. A nice anagram." Her eyes narrowed playfully.Briefly closing her eyes, Raven fought a grin and failed. "I'll get the plates from storage. I need a break from the crowd anyway." An hour into the showing, and they were back to back with people. "As for the other thing, do keep it mum. He has a pen name for a reason.""I knew it," Nicole ground out, eye
Exposure Chapter 48
Jet-lagged, Noah folded himself into the chair behind his desk and glared at all the messages. When he'd started his business, it had been out of love for the outdoors and being in the elements. Nature soothed. Took no prisoners. Never pretended it was something it wasn't. Since all the success, he'd spent more time behind a desk than out doing what he wanted. Being Hoan on occasion allowed for reprieve, but it wasn't the same. Maybe it was time to sell.He scrubbed his hands over his face and leaned his head back. Ten days away from Raven on his recent photo shoot had done nothing to alleviate his need for her. He thought some distance would clear his head or offer up some direction. It hadn't. He still didn't know what the fuck to do.For a decade, he'd lived in fear, had his life whittled down to a skeleton and doing little more than going through the motions of existence. The women, the cameras, his company-nothing filled the void.And then he'd had Raven. In his bed, his home,
Exposure Chapter 47
Her throat closed, but she picked up her glass and forced a sip of water to cool it.Mom blathered through the rest of the meal about her current boyfriend, and by the time Raven got back to the gallery, she'd been so shaken she didn't even say hello to Nicole. Walking past her assistant, she climbed the steps to her office and sank behind her desk, shaking. She had no idea how long she'd been staring at her blank monitor when Nicole strode in later."You have a lot of explaining to do, missy."Raven looked up, taking in Nicole's blonde locks and green eyes. Now that was the kind of woman Noah deserved. Nicole was kind and gave her all in everything she set about doing. She loved hard and often, was pretty and sweet. And she was talking to Raven, but she hadn't heard a thing."I'm sorry. What were you saying?"Nicole sighed. "I said Michael Hawthorn dropped off Hoan Dwell's photos for next week's exhibit. You never mentioned you were one of his models. You little skank." She grinn
Exposure Chapter 46
Raven closed her computer program and flagged Max outside her office door. "Ready for lunch with my mom?"Her bodyguard's eyes narrowed a fraction, but his lips curved in what passed as a smile. "I'll sit off to the side, Miss Crowne, if it's all the same to you."She patted his shoulder as she passed him. "Smart man."He chuckled as they descended the steps. At the bottom, he held the door for her and scanned the sidewalk before falling into step with her.The restaurant was only a couple of blocks away and she needed the air. By the tension in Max's gait, he didn't like her out in the open, but she wanted a clear head for lunch with her mom. Plus, her recent troubles with Noah were bothering her, so best to walk it off.After they'd made love last weekend and he'd taken her to incredible new heights, Noah had-shut down. There was no other word for it. He'd mentally vacated and hadn't come back. She had no idea what had spurned the shift, and when she'd hinted at the freeze, he'd
Exposure Chapter 45
He picked her up and set her in the middle of the bed, then grabbed what he needed from the nightstand and joined her. Leaving the items next to her hip, he rose over her and kissed her. It took restraint not to plunder and seize. What he was about to do, where he was going to take her, required time and patience. If done right, the reward would be worth it, for both of them.She met him, deepening the kiss and arching her back so that the rosy peaks of her nipples grazed his chest. Her fingers clutched his hair, tugging in desperation. One of many reasons why he loved her was her response to him, his touch. No man before him had been allowed, and it left him humbled. Honored.Kissing his way down her throat, he stopped to suck her nipples on his descent. With every lash of his tongue her breathing grew more shallow, needy. He settled between her thighs and stared at her plump folds."Already so wet for me." He met her gaze and flicked his tongue over her opening.She bore down, th
