“An angel can be many different things to many people.” No one said an angel can’t be badass, as she would call it. No, I don’t think Eve is bad in any sense of the word. When she pushes back, it’s in the protection of others.

“Okay then. What is an angel to you?” What she really wants to know is how I see her. That’s what she’s digging for.

“Many people might not think you’re introverted, but you are.”

“How can I be introverted?” She’s puzzled not because she thinks I’m wrong but because now she’s contemplating the idea. “And what’s that got to do with being an angel?” Her nose scrunches again, and the strange thought of wanting to kiss it fills me.

“Being introverted does not mean you aren't social. You just don’t crave the spotlight, but you will take it if you need to. In fact, it’s your loyalty to the people around you that thrust you back into the world. Your joy is in helping others. To serve what you believe is a better good. You’ll always be the first to show up, and you somehow always know what the people around you need.”

“Wow.” Her eyes water. Well, fuck. That is not what I meant to do.

“And you are breathtakingly beautiful, but that’s a drop in the bucket of who you are.” She’s more than I’ve ever deserved. I should keep my hands off her, but I can’t. Not any longer. The more I’m around her, the more I crave her. I thought I had it bad before. I’m beyond fucked now.

She licks her lips. “I don’t know what you need.”

“I need you, Eve.”

“You need me?”

“More than you’ll ever know,” I admit. She stares at me for a long moment.

“Maybe I need you too Marco. You have this way of making me feel cared for.” Yes, I know that is something that she craves and needs. A mark left by her parents that I would give my dying breath to heal.

She pushes back from her chair at the kitchen island, getting up. Did I go too far? Normally, I’m good at reading people, but Eve throws me off. I try to catch everything, but she can be very distracting, and I could miss something. If anyone could make me do that, it would be her.

Eve walks around the kitchen island where I’ve been standing to hide my hard-on. She comes right to me. Her hand comes down on my chest as her body comes flush with mine. I fight a groan. She drops her head back. I fist my hands at my side so that I don’t grab her. Because once I do, there is no going back.

“I don’t chase.” She licks her lips as she parts them. The invitation is clear. I want to pounce.

“After a man.” She grips my shirt, her fingers tightening in it.

“Don’t be a smartass.” She fights a smirk.