Burning Truth (Lost and Found Columbus #3)

Chapter 11

11

S evern watched Addie eat her ice cream and had totally inappropriate thoughts. Sometimes it was hard to separate work from real life. Granted, he didn’t do a lot of personal protection jobs like this. He usually worked and managed the group. So, maybe the proximity was getting to him, and he was feeling an unusual... protectiveness toward her. A softening.

It was more than that, he knew. The woman was gorgeous, too pretty to be with him, of course, but he had no way to get away from her. At least until this mess was done with. They had to catch the arsonist. Then he could go back to his safe, singular life.

He was beginning to realize how fun it could be just to be with a person, though. She didn’t seem to care that he was a beat up, scarred fuck. He was sure she’d seen some of the looks he’d gotten at the ice cream store.

Addie looked at him like it didn’t matter, though. If anything, he’d felt the heat from her gaze on him. He felt the tension that had been building between them, and he realized that lines were being crossed on her part, as well.

Did he nix the situation in the bud, though, and keep it entirely professional? Or did he roll with what he was feeling, and needing...

Addie would not be a bar hookup, fucked and forgotten. Severn wasn’t sure he even wanted that anymore. Addie actually made him wonder about the long-term.

What the fuck was he thinking...

Addie glanced back. She was smiling, her bright green eyes glittering, and she tossed some comment over her shoulder at him. For a second he was just lost in the look of her, minimal make-up, casual, yet stunningly gorgeous. She was almost too perfect to be real.

And he liked her. Liked talking to her, and learning about her. She had a true love for people and doing the right thing.

And she didn’t ride him about what he was thinking, or feeling. In the office earlier, when his brain had taken its own little vacation, she could have asked him about what happened. And he would have felt obliged to tell her something. She didn’t push, even though the questions had to be about to burst from her. He kind of felt bad thinking she was a vulture when he first saw her at the coffee shop fire. She had the curiosity of an investigator, but the sensitivity of a real person. She didn’t thrive on drama. She had more integrity than that.

When they got back to the truck, he opened her door for her, then swung around the front. Cranking the ignition, he pulled carefully into traffic. Then he glanced at her. “How did you get into reporting?”

Snorting, she shook her head. “I worked at the station as an editor, reading over copy. When Layla took the job in LA, they were scrambling to fill her spot. Ron put me in there because of my looks. No other reason. Didn’t even look at my resume.”

Severn frowned at her. “You didn’t plan to be a personality?”

She made a face at him. “No way,” she said, voice firm. “I went to college to manage a station, not be on TV. My mom says it’s all experience, though, so I might as well roll with it for a while.”

Huh. That was interesting.

Most of the on-air personalities he knew were always gunning for the spotlight, dreaming of that big break that would catapult them to national fame. Addie, it seemed, was different. She wasn’t just another pretty face looking to get noticed. There was depth to her.

“You’re good at it, though,” Severn said, keeping his eyes on the road but glancing at her every few seconds. “People respond to you. They trust you.”

Addie shrugged, looking out the window at the city passing by. “I think it’s because I actually care about the stories. About the people behind them. I’m not just trying to get a soundbite for ratings. I want to tell the truth. Show the reality of what people are going through.”

Severn nodded. “Yeah, I’ve noticed that about you. It’s rare.”

“Maybe,” Addie said softly, a hint of a smile on her lips. “But it makes it worth it. Even when things get scary or dangerous. I know I’m doing something that matters.”

Severn’s chest tightened a little at her words. There it was again, that pull he felt whenever she talked like this. It wasn’t just physical attraction—though that was definitely there, and strong—but a deeper connection. A respect for who she was and what she stood for. He wanted to protect that. Protect her. He believed in doing the right thing, too, no matter what.

He cleared his throat, trying to shift his thoughts back to safer ground. “So, you’re just biding your time then? Until you can manage your own station?”

“Maybe,” Addie said, turning back to him. “I like the idea of running things, making the big decisions. But part of me wonders if I’d miss the fieldwork. Being out there, talking to people, seeing things firsthand. There’s a rush to it, you know?”

“Yeah, I get that,” Severn said. “It’s probably why I stuck with this job, even after...” He trailed off, his thoughts drifting to the photo in his office. To the men in those suits, to the explosion that had changed everything.

Addie didn’t press him, didn’t ask what he was thinking. Instead, she reached over and placed a hand on his arm, a simple, gentle touch. “You don’t have to talk about it,” she said softly. “But if you ever want to, I’m here.”

Severn swallowed, the unexpected lump in his throat making it hard to speak. “Thanks,” he managed. Her hand was still on his arm, warm and steady, and he wondered if she could feel the way his pulse had quickened under her touch.

He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, focusing on the road. They were almost back to her place now. A small part of him wished the drive would last longer, that they could keep talking and not have to face the reality waiting for them.

Pulling into her neighborhood, he parked the truck and turned off the engine. For a moment, neither of them moved. The silence between them was comfortable, not awkward. Severn could feel the weight of her gaze on him, could sense the question lingering in the air.

“Severn,” Addie said finally, her voice barely more than a whisper. “I know you’re supposed to be protecting me, but... you don’t have to carry everything alone. I’m here too, you know?”

He looked at her, really looked at her. There was so much sincerity in her eyes, a genuine care that made his chest ache. He’d been alone for so long, by choice and by necessity. Opening up, letting someone in… it was a risk he wasn’t sure he knew how to take. But maybe Addie was worth the risk.

“I know,” he said quietly. “And I appreciate it. More than you know.”

Addie smiled at him, a soft, genuine smile that lit up her face. “Good. Because we’re a team now, whether you like it or not.”

He couldn’t help but smile back. “Yeah, I guess we are.”

They got out of the truck, and Severn walked her to her door, keeping a careful eye on their surroundings. The night was quiet, the only sound the distant hum of traffic. Addie unlocked her door and keyed off the alarm, then turned to face him.

“Thanks for tonight,” she said. “For the ice cream, and the conversation. I needed it. I needed the normalcy of it.”

“Me too,” Severn admitted as he followed her in.

For a long moment, he just stood there, watching her delicious behind disappear inside. For the first time in a long while, he didn’t feel so alone. Maybe this wasn’t such a bad thing after all.

“I’m going to watch the nine o’clock broadcast,” Addie said a little while later.

“I’ll join you.”

Addie sat in the corner of her couch, and Severn settled a little ways away, stretching his long legs out in front of him. She was very aware of him beside her, within arm’s reach, and she wondered what he would do if she slid over to snuggle.

The thought made her tummy clench. Maybe in a little bit...

They watched the news, but apparently it had been a slow day. There were several puff pieces that had been prerecorded. One piece she thought had already been aired.

“Well, I guess I’m glad it’s quiet.”

“Yeah,” he murmured.

Addie’s phone dinged. Her gaze met Severn’s. His mouth had gone tight-lipped, like he was forcing himself to stay quiet.

Addie reached for her phone. Then puffed out a breath when she saw it was a friend of hers.

“It’s not him,” she said, her voice clipped.

Her fucking heart was racing because she’d thought it was the arsonist. They’d had a really nice evening, and she thought she’d been relaxed, but this had shown her how relaxed she wasn’t.

She responded to her friend, then tossed the phone on the table. “My nerves are going to be shot by the time this is done.”

Tears filled her eyes, and Severn sighed, reaching out for her hand. “Hey, you’re all right.”

She sniffed, hating the weakness. “I know. I’m just worried. The thought of people being hurt because of me...”

Severn shifted toward her. “No. We talked about this. It’s not because of you. Anything that happens is because of him, and his actions.”

“But I’m not giving him access to me tonight. And I have a feeling he’s going to retaliate.”

“Then we’ll deal with it.”

Severn reached out and stroked some hair behind her ear, and she closed her mouth, relishing the touch. Unable to help herself, she took his hand in her own, running her fingers over the rough surface. The palm was mostly smooth, but the backs of both hands were layered with scars. And the ring finger of his right hand seemed a little short. The scars didn’t bother her, though. They just seemed to be a part of Severn.

“I wasn’t crazy about the idea of having you with me, and definitely not in my house,” she said eventually, “but I’m really glad you’re here.”

“Same,” he said, smiling slightly. “I’m not usually in the field. I tend to run things from the shadows or the office.”

“Well, I appreciate you. We’re both out of our comfort zones.”

Severn tugged at her, opening his arms, and she scooted closer. Then she settled in against him, her head against his chest. Oh, yeah. This was where she needed to be. She let her arm lay across his flat stomach and melted into his side. He felt incredibly warm and strong, and she was so very aware of him. Every move he made, every look, she felt. Now, she could hear the steady beat of his heart. It seemed like his respirations had picked up a little. Was her nearness affecting him as well?

They’d been getting closer, and Addie wondered if he was open to a relationship. Did she dare ask him?

“You’re not,” she hesitated, “involved with anyone, are you?”

Severn snorted. “I’m not, no.”

The sound made her think that someone would have to be crazy to be involved with him. Or at least, that’s what he thought. “Why not?” she probed.

He drew in a deep breath. “I’m not everyone’s cup of tea. I’m short with people, and have little tolerance for stupidity. And I’m not the prettiest arm candy.”

She leaned back enough to look up at him. “I would disagree with that statement. As well as a large portion of my viewership.”

Huffing out a breath, he squeezed her to him. “They’re only seeing the romance of the situation. Life is hard right now, and people like to be entertained with a fairy tale.”

Addie frowned, not liking the cynicism in his words. “Do you believe in love?”

For some reason, she held her breath as soon as she uttered the words, her heart pounding fearfully in her chest.

He was quiet for a long time. “I don’t know,” he said eventually. “Theoretically, I suppose it exists. My buddy Brian certainly seems to think so. And after seeing him and Sage together, and the family they’ve created with the boy, I can understand why he feels that way. They’re amazing together. And Parker and Andromeda certainly seem to be in love, I guess. And Brodie and Calanthe. But it’s not something I’ve really seen or felt. How about you?”

“Not even your parents,” she asked, craning to look up at him again.

He rolled his lips, like he wasn’t sure how to explain it. “They... appreciate each other, but my mother is very reserved. I’ve never seen her gush over my father about anything. She takes his kiss, occasionally, but I don’t think they’ve ever been in love. Mother was raised in boarding schools since she was six. I think it stunted her emotional growth a little. Somehow, they’ve made it work for more than thirty years, though.”

Addie drew in a deep breath, dropping her head to his shoulder again. “Well, I knew all my life that my parents were in love. It was gross when I was a kid. You know how kids scoff at that kind of stuff. The older I got, though, the more I appreciated the example they set.”

“It’s good you had that,” he said, stroking his hand down her shoulder.

For a moment, the surreal nature of their situation hit her. “I feel like I’ve lost control of my life,” she murmured.

“You haven’t,” he said, his voice low. “It just kind of feels like it, I know.”

Addie sighed, feeling like she wanted to say something, but wondering if she dared. Actually, she wanted to do something, if she could get up the courage.

“What are you thinking,” Severn asked, his voice barely more than a whisper.

“That I want to make a decision for me, and my life, and my enjoyment.”

There was a long pause. “And what is that?” he said finally.

Rather than answer him, Addie sat up and turned to him. She reached, but he met her more than half-way, his hands strong and his lips hard. It seemed like they’d each been thinking the same thing, but she’d been the one that had to make the move. She would have to think about that later.

Even though he stayed semi-reclined on the couch, letting her lead, Addie could feel the tension radiating from his body. And it gave her the courage to squeeze closer. At some point, she turned and went up on her knees. His hard hands seemed to be helping her, but when she would have stopped beside him, he took over, lifting her hips over his own.

Addie gasped at the intimate contact, but it was exactly what she’d been hoping for. Now she could kiss him the way she wanted to.

Falling forward, she found his mouth again. His hands gripped her hips as she kissed him, squeezing her ass cheeks almost in time with the movements of her mouth. Her tongue darted out, teasing at his lips, and he opened for her. Oh, he tasted so good...

Then his hands moved up her ribcage, and she felt his thumbs brushing the bottom slope of her breasts. He teased just at the edge of her bra, then he went higher, over the tips of her nipples. Addie gasped at the arousal that ran through her.

“You have such perfect breasts,” he said, a raspy growl in his voice. “Even in the van, I find myself watching them bounce.”

Addie chuckled. Her breasts were pretty nice. “Oh, really? I don’t feel like that’s how you should look at a job.”

Severn stopped what he was doing and gave her a direct look. “You’re more than a job. You have to realize that by now. I don’t do this, have never done this, with any other client.”

Tears actually started in her eyes. “Really?”

“Really,” he affirmed, then cupped her head to draw her down into another kiss.

Addie lost track of the amount of kisses that he gave her, just enjoying how they made her feel. Her panties were soaked, and something was going to have to happen soon, because her body was literally throbbing with excitement.

Sitting up, she ripped the shirt over her head, exposing her satin-cupped bra. Her nipples stood at attention, and a rakish smile tipped his lips as he reached out to run his fingers over the peaks. “Now, isn’t that just a beautiful sight.”

Addie felt the hardness beneath her get even harder, and she couldn’t help but arch back and grind a little as he played with her breasts. Fumbling, she ripped her bra off completely, tossing it aside, and his hands immediately cupped her, lifting and squeezing.

She would have to climb off of him to get rid of her shorts, though.

Severn seemed to sense her frustration, because he gave her a slight smile. “Just a minute, woman, and we’ll go upstairs and do this right. I need you to sit right here for just a minute and let me love these.”

Well, when he asked so nicely...

While he was playing with her boobs, she was going to explore. Reaching down, she unbuckled the black belt he wore, then the button. When she reached for the zipper, though, he brushed her hands away. Moving quickly, he unzipped his fly. It was such a masculine movement, and Addie knew she could watch him do that forever.

Then he pulled his cock out, and her body liquified. It had been a while since she’d had sex, and the last guy had been lackluster, at best. She had a feeling Severn was going to rock her world, and possibly ruin her for anyone else. His cock was long and cut, the head flushed a deep lurid pink with arousal. Addie wanted to rip her shorts away and sink onto him.

She shifted to get off him, desperate to strip. Severn grinned, seeming to understand what she needed. His cock bounced in front of him as he stood, too. “Get upstairs,” he said, and spun her by her shoulders. Then he smacked her ass.

Addie didn’t need anymore encouragement. Giggling, she ran up the stairs, only slowing at the top of the landing as her shorts tangled her feet. Severn very helpfully gripped her hips in his hands to stabilize her, and her ass cheeks brushed against his hardness. Oh, maybe they could just...

He smacked her ass again. “You’re not stopping here,” he laughed, and she glanced over her shoulder to catch the look on his face. She’d never heard him laugh before, and she hadn’t realized that until just now. The stern lines of his face eased, and he looked so much younger, more carefree. Addie vowed to make him laugh more.

After they had sex.

Kicking the shorts away, she rushed into her bedroom. Bouncing onto the bed, she turned to watch him.

Severn’s cock was beautiful, and it made her mouth water. As she watched, he shucked his black pants and kicked them away. Then he leaned down, digging in one of the pockets. Addie looked at the beautiful line of his ass, and she wanted to reach out to run her hand down the shape, but he was too far away. When he stood, he had a condom in his hand.

“I’m glad you’re thinking about that,” she murmured. “I certainly wasn’t.”

Not that it mattered. She had an IUD in, so she wouldn’t get pregnant, but it was smart to take precautions.

Addie lifted her arms, and Severn came to her, resting on one knee at the edge of the bed. She tugged at his t-shirt. “Come on, nothing between us,” she murmured.

He hesitated for a moment before ripping the shirt over his head and tossing it away. Addie stared, in awe of his beauty. Severn would argue, she knew, but he had to be the most attractive man she’d ever seen. His body was perfection, long and strong like a swimmer. She didn’t care that his skin was a little damaged. He obviously thought it was way worse than it actually was.

Addie smiled into his eyes and wiggled her brows. “Now we’re getting somewhere.”