Page 63 of The Daredevil

At first, I had considered this fake relationship an experiment. But now it had turned into something more. That first kiss had shocked my system and changed the trajectory of the desired outcome. When I saw those men looking at her at the museum, I didn’t like it. I wanted them to know she was mine. All those thoughts had slammed into me, confusing the hell out of me. But one thing I knew for certain: I wanted her.

“The shower would give you an energy boost. We can watch a movie later if you’d like.”

“Thanks for everything.” She offered a weary smile, then her eyes flickered with mischief. “I suppose there are benefits to having a boyfriend.”

“I can show you my list of ‘benefits’ when you’re ready.”

That got a smile out of her, and the anxiety weighing in her eyes completely vanished.

“I’m sure you do.” Her eyes sparkled. “You haven’t seen my list yet, honey bunny.”

I laughed at her endearing address. No one had ever called me that, but I loved hearing it from her.

Tilting my head, I considered her. “You surprise me.”

“We’re both full of surprises.” She strode toward her bedroom, stopped, and looked over her shoulder at me. “For what it’s worth, I love all the surprises I’ve discovered from you.”

The smile stayed on my face as I went to the garage to retrieve her belongings. Everything I’d done so far wasn’t because of the fake dating agreement. That had just been a tactic to deter the truth. My feelings for her had been real from the start, and I’d been meandering through the maze of emotions, trying to figure out what I should do.

At least for me, it had been real. I wanted her not because of some damn fake relationship.

On my way back from the garage, I called the PI, asking him to get me the videos from any buildings around Michelle’s home for the entire week. He could hack into people’s security systems and retrieve what I needed instead of me waiting on the local police force to do so. There were protocols law enforcement had to go through, and I didn’t have the patience for that. My woman’s safety was a priority, and I’d break any law to keep her safe.

Breaking rules wasn’t new to me, and I’d do it over again for her. She might think I was a respectable doctor and a successful business executive who followed the rules. But no, I didn’t succeed or survive in a new country by playing nice. I survived because I studied the rules, bent them, broke them, and remade them into my version. Which was why I loved running my own business—my world, my rules.

That was how I designed Level Two of WaterFyre Rising, which was behind schedule. Michelle had interrupted my life and thrown my routine off, but I didn’t care.

The realization that I’d put the development of my video game on hold to focus on Michelle stopped me in my tracks. Where did Royce Viktorsson go?

I didn’t recognize the person I’d become. He seemed beyond me. I was now a man who had put a womanbeforean important project that had been my love since I was a teen. The WaterFyre Rising video game had saved me.

She’s rebuilding you. She’s remaking your heart.

I heard that quiet voice in my head. Though I didn’t fully understand it, my body sensed a restructuring of my heart, which terrified me. I was feeling things I’d never felt. What if I got lost while I allowed myself to explore this unknown territory?

The best adventure is the one you know nothing about.

I’d scoured the world for the thrill, to find something that moved me. And now there was a woman who could do more than move me—she had the power to resurrect me.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-ONE

MICHELLE

After shampooing my hair,I opened the rose body wash Kiera had given me for my trip. As a fashion photographer, she got a lot of free samples from high-end fashion and beauty brands. I did too for my blog, but her connections were better.

The floral scent mixed with something light and soothing was exactly what I needed to calm my body.

I was glad Royce offered to let me stay at his place because I couldn’t imagine the anxiety that would’ve kept me up at night, wondering when that person would return to hurt me. Maybe the next time, I wouldn’t be so lucky. Who was it?

Wash off the negativity. Rest your mind for the night.

My thoughts swung back to what Royce had said earlier.I can show you my list of ‘benefits’ when you’re ready.

The muscles in my inner thighs tightened as I tried to imagine what kind of list he had. A soap bubble flew across my body and popped as an idea appeared in my head. What would it be like to have Royce touch me? How would my body react?

I wanted the intimacy with him. We were both adults, and we were “dating.” Having sex fell into the dating category perfectly. I didn’t need an excuse to want him.

For tonight, I didn’t want to think about danger or someone after me. I wanted to feel something other than fear and stress.