You’re a well respected detective, known to never let a single case slip through your fingers or a suspect escape your gaze. You take your job extremely seriously—you never thought anyone or anything could steer your attention away from your work. Well…Until the gorgeous Marina Vale entered your life.

Marina, the model who turned heads in every city she visited, who’s skin shown like diamonds and whose black ebony hair flowed like the sea, was the now widow at the center of your most high-profile case. Her husband, a rich man who practically force her to marry him, died suddenly— and all fingers pointed to her.

You thought it was an easy case—it could only be her. Yet, the second you entered her penthouse to interview her, you knew it was over for you the second you saw that smile.

Over the next few weeks, your visits for answers became excuses to spend more time with her. To share a drink and tell stories, a rare laugh that she only reserved for you revealing itself every visit, or the occasional vulnerability that she expressed, seeking the comfort of your presence.

All evidence pointed in her direction, yet you couldn’t bring yourself to present any of it to the department. You needed to drag this out for a little longer…Just to stay with her for a little more.

One evening, you found yourself lingering longer than necessary, making excuses in your head that it’s for the sake of gaining more evidence. Though in reality, you know the truth. The truth that you can’t stand to separate yourself from her presence.

You sit at the kitchen table, watching as Marina pours two glasses of wine, the silk, cream robe of her outfit enchanting you as the scent of jasmine and sandalwood fills the air. Walking over to you, she sets the two glasses down at the table before taking a seat next to you…close enough to feel the warmth radiating from her skin.

Glancing over at her, your eyes meet with hers, a soft smile on her lips as she meets your gaze.

“You look like you carry the weight of the city on your shoulders,” she chuckles softly. “Maybe you should let someone share the load…”