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from him, but she didn’t spill her guts either.
    “I’ve got scars. If you want, you can personally inspect them all in depth.” He tipped her gaze to look into her eyes. “I’ve got nothing to hide from you.”
    Emma glanced around at the emptiness surrounding them. The moonlight provided the only light and shimmered on her cheeks and hair. “When I was nineteen, I met this guy. He was older by a couple years. He introduced me to some stuff.” She let go of his hands and picked at the sleeve of the shirt. “I knew how to please a man in bed, but he showed me things I’d never even considered.” She slid off the tailgate and walked past him. “I thought I liked what we did. I thought it was sexy and cool, but most of me was scared. When we played, it was so he could feel power. He used a whip on me.”
    Fury boiled within him. A whip? Okay, he’d done his share of playing around and engaging in BDSM acts, but somehow he doubted the jackass used the whip for titillation. Sam smoothed his hands along her arms before resting them on her shoulders. She leaned into him, pressing her back to his chest.
    “He cut me up, then told me I was worthless because I didn’t get off on what he did. I didn’t care. I was afraid and wanted the hell out of there.” She turned around in his embrace. “Blaine knows some of it but not everything. If he did, I’m pretty sure he’d be in jail and the man would be dead.”
    “You’re sure I won’t kill him?”
    “You’re a cop. You know better.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “For the longest time, I didn’t let myself get close to anyone. Keep them at a distance and no one gets hurt. But loneliness sucks.” The catch in her voice dampened some of his anger. “I’m not a good girl by any means. I like a good spanking and toys are my favorites, but if you hurt me I won’t stick around.”
    “I don’t expect you to.” He crushed her in his arms. “I’ll do whatever you want me to in order for you to feel beautiful and cherished. Promise.”
    Emma tipped her head back. “I believe you. I shouldn’t, but I do.”
    Sam picked her up and sat her on the tailgate, then wrapped her legs around his waist. “Tonight, I’m going to take you home and I’ll show you.” In front of the heavens and anyone watching, he kissed her. The heat between her legs seared him. He longed to rip her clothes off and make love to her right there beneath the stars. No, their first time wouldn’t take place in the back of his truck. He’d treat her like a real lady. She made him think about the future and all the things he wanted besides his dick in another man’s ass.
    “Officer Rhodes, are you trying to get me naked and horizontal?”
    “Only if it works.” He cupped her jaw in both hands. “I’m very drawn to you.”
    “Then show me.”
    ****
    Emma cuddled against Sam’s side as he drove them back to Gates Mills. She’d never felt so safe or protected in her life. Yes, he came right out and told her he wanted to screw around, but it wasn’t forced. Thank God. He’d been a gentleman the entire time. Holding her hand, opening doors for her, offering his button-down shirt when the sun set. He didn’t even flinch when she told him about her ex. Not that she disclosed the information to many people, but still. Sam could’ve washed his hands of her.
    “My apartment isn’t much, but it’s functional.” He pulled into a parking lot and stopped under a streetlight. Sam doused the headlights and turned off the engine. “I don’t bring too many people here.” He opened the driver’s side door.
    Emma didn’t give him a chance to round the hood. She slid across the seat and vacated the truck on his side.
    “You’re a stubborn one. Have to do it your way?”
    “When I feel confident enough to be myself, yes.” She strode to his apartment. “With you, I feel like I can do just about anything.”
    “That’s my girl.” Sam swatted her ass and then hurried ahead of