Radiant Surrender (CSA Case Files Book 6) by Kennedy Layne

her—.
    “Jessica.” The way Gavin said her name it was as if he knew what her answer would be come morning and he was just warming her up for what was to come. She was fine with that and she couldn’t wait to prove to him how wrong he was in regards to how she would respond to him. She wouldn’t second-guess her decision and she sure as hell could handle what he’d dished out. “Lie down. Now.”
    Jessie couldn’t help but slowly close the distance between them, sit, and gradually lower herself to the couch. Gavin’s left arm was still leaning on the fabric and his right arm was now draped over the back with his coffee cup in hand. She shifted until the back of her head rested on his muscled thigh. She would have thought this would have helped her relax, but she was filled with tension and jumped slightly when he took his time covering her with the afghan.
    “Close your eyes.” Gavin spoke in a low, rich tone that he’d never used at work and it had such a sensual, authoritative aspect to it that Jessie didn’t hesitate to do as he’d asked. She inhaled deeply and felt at war with her emotions over what was happening to them from outside sources and what they were experiencing personally. His directives made things easier and she finally felt the tension ease from her muscles. When his warm fingers brushed the hair away from her forehead, her eyes quickly opened. “If this is how well you listen…”
    Jessie had to bite her lip to keep from smiling. Gavin hid this part of himself from others and she was pleased to know he had a lighter side. She was even more thrilled to know that he felt comfortable enough to share it with her. Her lashes drifted closed once more and visions of them together were the only thing she saw. As his touch never left her, she fell into a light sleep secure, in knowing he was watching over her and what the morning would bring.

Chapter Ten
    B eing exposed to Jessie for too long was a mistake. She confounded Crest in a way that no other woman ever had and therein laid the problem. She wasn’t the young naïve girl that he’d hired years ago. She was now a naïve twenty-six year old woman who’d created a fantasy around a lifestyle that the public and media were now blindly romanticizing ever since that damned book series took over the world. Did it contain the correct elements or a somewhat overly simplified basic truth? Yes, in a manner of speaking. That was akin to trusting a butcher to doing your next surgery. He technically had all the right tools. To Crest, it was the frame of mind of the submissive that was most vital and damn if he didn’t find her strength to be the most appealing thing he’d ever seen or witnessed. This was why he’d stayed away and kept his distance. She was the flame to which his wings were drawn…the radiance that his darkness craved. The question remained…what would she do if he were to expose her true motivations? Discovery sometimes unearthed facts that should be left in their graves.
    Crest pulled his holster a little tighter across his shoulders. He was delaying waking the sleeping beauty that was still curled up on the couch. The sun had risen around ten minutes ago and he should have had their collective asses already in the car and on their way. As it was, he’d had another cup of coffee and he wanted to postpone the inevitable conversation.
    “Yes.”
    The one syllable word was whispered and Crest stalled in putting away the washed cup he’d used last night. She’d given her answer. He finally managed to close the cupboard and fold the dishtowel, giving himself an extra thirty seconds before turning around and finding those emerald green eyes watching him closely. Was Jessie really prepared for the monster she was about to unleash? Perhaps that was the better question. If he gave her a taste of what she as a submissive would experience with him as her dominant, that might actually have her changing her mind before his carefully