Protecting What's His (Line of Duty #1)(61)

Her breath turned shallow. “Be quick.”

His fingers flew to the button of her shorts.

The doorbell rang.

“Fuck.” They groaned at the same time.

But Ginger’s lips spread into a smile as she bounded off the bed. Three months was the longest amount of time she’d ever spent apart from Willa. Derek knew she missed her sister terribly. The end of Willa’s semester abroad coincided perfectly with the grand opening of Ginger’s new furniture store, Sneaky Peet’s. They’d spent the last two weeks painting and transporting her inventory to the space in Wicker Park. Several local papers were already creating a buzz about the trendy new store. Derek had every faith that the shop would be successful with Ginger running the show.

“Baby, wait.”

At the bedroom door, she turned with one hand on the doorjamb, eyes shining with excitement. All bare legs and tousled hair, she knocked the breath out of him. Still did every single day.

“Yes, Lieutenant?”

He smiled, then turned serious. “You’re moving in today. Do you know how happy that makes me?”

Ginger launched herself at him, knocking them backward onto the bed. Straddling his chest, she leaned down and kissed him the way Derek asked her to when he needed reassurance. The way she’d done ten months ago in that motel shower when he needed it most. A kiss that didn’t require words.

Another round of banging on the door.

“Mommy and Daddy!” Willa called from the hallway. “Zip up your pants and open the door.”

Ginger kissed him one last time and ran from the bedroom laughing.

Derek smiled after her.





About the Author

Tessa Bailey lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and young daughter. When she isn’t writing or reading romance, she enjoys a good argument and thirty-minute recipes.

www.tessabailey.com





Acknowledgments

To my husband, Patrick, who in addition to working incredibly hard himself, never complains about having to watch the baby while I write (or just sob quietly in a corner wishing I’d never quit smoking). You’re more than I deserve.

To Heather Howland for taking a chance with a new author and being patient throughout this unfamiliar, whirlwind process.

To my mother, father, and brother, who better not be reading a word of this book. I love you so much. Thank you for your understanding.

A special thanks to my friend Maggie (aka “Robin”) who read my very first manuscript three times and insisted it was totally amazing when in reality, it was horrific.

And to my ladies! The funniest, craziest girls on the island of Manhattan whose real-life adventures inspire all the female relationships I write about. Best night of my life!