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Derek hoped for her sake she didn’t try to change her ht every single insecurity swi around in that beautiful head to keep her Hell, he had insecurities, too Could he er happy outside of bed? He’d spent thirty years re e to deer open up and trust him, he couldn’t keep her at a distance Nor did he want to

Despite the troubling details he’d discovered about her past, he still needed to learn so much about her In addition to her loyalty to Willa, he knew her to be strong-willed and perceptive, funny and co a different path than her mother, but still used her looks toA fact that set hie He alone would see to her needs now

He felt her slip into bed with hi to see what she would do, Derek kept his breathing even and reht, but he felt her lift the covers and scoot across the bed, closer to hi over and pinning her, Ginger’s arainst him

Powerful relief h him Derek realized he hadn’t fully expected her to feel the saed herthe her fe his body’s response to having her in his bed

“I know you’re awake,” she whispered against his ear,him smile “I shared a room witha big faker

“Guilty I think I’m afraid to turn around and see what you look like in e will haunt me when I leave for work this afternoon”

Her laugh soundedthe pillows “But if you don’t turn around, you won’t see the sexy lingerie I wore just for you”

Derek flipped over with such speed, Ginger squealed and threw up her hands Kneeling over her, he yanked down the covers and narrowed his eyes at her oversize sweatshirt and leggings “Oh, you’ll pay for that”

Her sht It’s like I can’t warm up”

He’d been right to avoid looking at her Seeing Ginger snuggled in his bed, so casually dressed with her hair fanning out onto his pillow, Derek’s heart wedged itself in his throat She had to be theon the planet, even sleep-deprived as she appeared

“Coet you warm”

He lay back down alongside Ginger, sliding an arm underneath her so she could rest her head on his shoulder She hesitated only ainto the warmth of his bare chest

“Is the wounded officer okay?”

“Yes, ”

“Good” She blew out a breath “I guess I made kind of a scene”

Derek sighed “I don’t think any of them particularly minded the interruption While we’re on the subject, could you try and pay a little closer attention to your attire in public? I’d barely recovered froht your apartment flooded Now the entire homicide division knohat you wear to bed”

“Actually, I don’t wear anything to bed I fell asleep last night before I could get undressed” Ginger laughed when Derek groaned, pulling tighter against him “How can you be so jealous of other men, Derek, when you know there’s only been you?”

“Baby, I’m jealous of men who haven’t even seen you yet”

She s to worry about, but I think I’d be wasting my breath”

“Tell me anyway”

Leaning up to kiss his lips gently, Ginger obeyed, whispered the reassurance to him twice When she tried to deepen the kiss, Derek pulled back

“Don’t try to distractwhy you were so dressed up yesterday afternoon”