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Chapter 36
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Exposure Chapter 37
To KeepRaven let out an uneven breath against Noah's lips, his words ringing in her ears. To him, she was beautiful. Not a head case or too much effort. Even though she knew her attributes, he was the first man to make her feel beautiful. And, it seemed, she was enough for him. Whether pushing limits or just making love, there was always a fever, a need. He was patient and understanding. History told her their heat would cool over time. Except the desire wasn't waning or depleting, as she'd expected. He still wanted her just as much as their first night together.Hope bloomed in her chest. She'd always trusted him and the attraction was obviously there. Because of him, she'd experienced unimaginable pleasure. Normal was possible now. Every time he touched her, she fell deeper and deeper for him. Not just the idea of a relationship, but theirs. Them, together.It was exciting and frightening. Beautiful and scarred.She tested the binding around her wrists, cinched above her head,
Exposure Chapter 38
By the time Monday rolled around, Noah seemed to have a tangible hold on his rioting emotions and could at least look at Raven without remembering Max shoving her to the floor. Most of the time. They'd stayed the weekend and hung out with Aubrey, decompressing. Raven's gallery was still in lockdown until the forensics team was through, so Noah did some work from his laptop at home to keep her company. They'd called the hospital to check on Max about fifty times per Raven's request, and their bodyguard was recuperating nicely. McCannon thought it unwise to visit the hospital until they could get more on Soreno. Max was set to be released today anyway.From the kitchen alcove, Noah eyed Raven pushing her dinner around her plate, having barely eaten any of the baked chicken she'd made. She'd been quiet most of the day, too, only speaking when asked a direct question. After they'd made love at the castle, she appeared to relax, but now he was worried about her depression. For years, she
Exposure Chapter 39
"What about that guy?" Nicole jerked her chin, indicating another prospect.Raven glanced across the crowded bar to a man sitting alone, nursing a beer. "No."Flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder, Nicole huffed. "Why? That's been no for about every guy I found."Raven sipped her fruity cocktail, wincing at the sweetness. "If you can't pick a decent drink, you sure can't pick out a date."Nicole narrowed her eyes. "What's wrong with him? He's cute."They'd been at the bar for thirty minutes, fresh off another successful show at the gallery, and Raven wanted to relax. She hadn't been out for fun in ages, and this week had been a mad dash to pull their scheduled exhibit together after the forensics team was through.Playing along, Raven glanced at the man in question. "He's in the right age bracket, probably early thirties, so he's mature enough. But he's in a swanky bar and ordered a beer on tap. He also hasn't made any attempt to take in his surroundings. He's fresh off a broken h
Exposure Chapter 40
"Get us the fuck out of here." Noah slammed the car door and faced the front seat, too riled to attempt consoling Raven next to him. She hadn't looked upset by the time they walked out of the police station, but she had to be rattled.When McCannon had called them into the station, Noah figured they finally had something on Soreno. They had something all right. They had a handwritten note that had been shoved in the mailbox.If I wanted her dead so soon, she'd be dead. Consider the other night a warning. Revenge is best served cold. She'll be cold soon. She won't die quickly and there won't be mercy.All Soreno wanted in the end was to crank her fear so she'd make a mistake. Or maybe Rizzoli had orchestrated the words himself. People didn't think clearly when scared out of their mind or worked into a rage. And Noah was in a rage. The note implied they'd torture her first. Noah had no doubt she'd beg for death by the time Soreno was through with her."Fuck," he muttered, scrubbing his
Exposure Chapter 41
Stepping into his space, she pressed against him and tilted her face up to his. "Later."He narrowed his eyes, but said nothing. Whatever she had up her sleeve, he'd willingly play along.After getting the keys and cooler, he told Hintz to stay on the mainland. He and Raven walked down the dock to the twenty foot boat and climbed aboard. Leaving Raven inside the aft cabin in the steering station above the rear room to stay warm, Noah checked the gas tank, back up containers, battery, and gauges before untying the boat from the dock.He climbed the steps into the cabin and started the motor. "Ready, baby?"Grinning, she nodded.Easing them from shore, he made sure to get past the harbor and inlet islands without creating a wake before letting loose. Once in the open water, he glanced at her. She leaned over the seat to take in the scenery, her eyes bright and a faint smile tracing her lips. Stunned by her beauty, he found it hard to take his eyes off her. Even in the dusky lowlight that
Exposure Chapter 42
Their feet crunched over snow and pine needles as they made their way silently across the island. They headed deeper into a forest-like cluster of trees, where Noah stopped every now and again to gather fallen branches. She'd glanced over her shoulder once to check on him, but looking at his handsome face just made the panic edge closer, so she didn't do it again.He'd taken any semblance of control away from her. He, of all people, knew how much she needed that. She'd conceded a lot since they've been together, and now she didn't even have an apartment to go back to. Not that she'd want to live anywhere Soreno had touched, but still. Everything was moving so fast. Their relationship, her feelings. He'd had years to pick this apart, examine the angles, accept how he felt. She'd had two months, and that was after he'd plowed her down with the truth.Things weren't bad between them. Not at all. She'd finally started feeling like a woman and not a shell. Noah had opened her sexually and
Exposure Chapter 43
"I'd like you to bend me over the nearest surface, Noah, and fuck me senseless. I'll beg for you to do it harder-"Click, click, click."-faster. I'll scream your name until you'll feel-"Click, click."-the vibration straight to your cock." She held her breath, cheeks flaming both from the cold and heat. Click, click, click, click, click, click.She must've had the "up to no good" expression perfect, because he pulled the camera from his face and adjusted his erection through his jeans."Over here now." He pointed to her right. "This needs to be fast. Lay on your stomach, keeping the blanket under you. I'll direct you from there."Teeth chattering again, she shivered and did as instructed. Cold wind skated over the bare skin of her back, causing goosebumps."Fold your arms in front of you. Rest your chin on them." Click. "Not right," he muttered. "Shove one hand into your hair." Click, click. He growled, actually growled, and looked over the lens at her as if trying to puzzl
Exposure Chapter 44
By the time they made it back to the mainland, it was late afternoon and pitch black. Stars fought for purchase with the Northern Lights in a mesmeric display over the inky water. A bitter wind swept down the mountains and across the ocean, but the brisk cold revived him.Noah pocketed the keys and offered his hand to help Raven out of the boat. His chest still ached from the tender love-making, and from the way she'd fought him. He was starting to think she might never get to the place where he was, that place where he couldn't live without her, where love hurt so good he couldn't breathe. After everything, she was still holding back. Time might fix that, but he wasn't so sure anymore. Every time he touched her, he wondered if it would be the last time.When her feet hit the dock, she gasped and took off for the end of the pier. Max waited on shore and caught her with a grunt. "Easy, Miss Crowne.""I'm sorry." She patted his chest. "I didn't mean to hurt you. How are you feeling?
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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
