Burned
by Dr. Rebecca Sharp
Rocco Damiani has trust issues. It’s no wonder since he was given a burn notice by the CIA. No work history, no money, no connections. No identity. Not quite the fresh start he was looking for, but at least he has a good job and loyal friends.
As Covington Security’s Systems Specialist, Roc’s clients know that their homes and businesses are safe in his hands. When the alarm is tripped at a seaside mansion in town, he goes to investigate and walks in to more than he bargained for—his teammate’s little sister.
Carina Lozano is investigating a crime. She knows certain things about certain bad guys…but without certain proof, the only thing that’s certain is that she’s in trouble. Especially when she lies to the sexy security specialist who works with her older brother.
Roc realizes there’s more to the story and wants to help. The good news? She lets him. The bad news? She's still holding something back. But it's not long before the case and their chemistry become explosive.
Roc treads carefully because with a burned identity, he’s got nothing left to lose—except his heart. And when Carina finally offers him the truth, will he be able to trust her again?
Spice Level: 5/6 | Story Score: 7.75/10 | Rating: 4.5/5 |
This was a TikTok rec that I’ve unintentionally saved like three times. And it’s been taunting me. I don’t know why books that sound so good scare me, but they do, and I was so scared this one was gonna let me down. Well, now I’ve read it, and I can say that TikTok has had my back twice this month! For sure! I have every intention of going back and reading the rest of this series. It makes sense really though, because this is very on the order of the Brynne Asher the Killers series. Strong story, strong characters.
My only question…why do the pierced giant monster dick men always end up with the virgins in these books? Huh? I think it’s unnecessary. I mean, I feel like anyone NOT experienced with what he was packing would’ve still had a fucking hard time. I don’t think her lack of experience made this better.
If they were wanting to establish that he felt so tarnished and she was untouched…alright. But I don’t think the canyon in this opposites attract story was needed. It was fine, but eh. Could’ve squeezed more of those sex scenes if he was breaking her in half every time. Just saying.
Ok, anyway: So Carina goes to stay at a friend’s family’s house for a bit of a “vacation” which really is her providing a second look at a possible government fraud case her friend is working on. Well, night #1, she sets off the alarm and Rocco finds her. She kisses him before telling him that she’s his best friend/coworker’s little sister. This is a story of insta-love. Rocco, already in love and protective, tasks himself with keeping her safe while she’s in town and also figuring out whatever secrets she’s hiding. Carina looking into this case brings all kinds of trouble into the light.
Rocco is a former CIA spy who was burned by the government and technically doesn't exist anymore. When Carina’s FBI boss (boss’s boss) calls to tell her that her next task is to spy on the man, she can’t really argue, so she takes the opportunity to get to know him better and hopefully prove him innocent. Looking into that case causes a whole lot more heat.
Through these issues, Rocco is fighting his attraction to his friend’s little sister and trying to figure out how to not frag the woman he loves into a relationship with no future, because how can anyone build a life with someone who doesn’t exist (no SSN, no DL, no bank accounts, etc.).
Carina is a wonderful FMC. She’s smart even if incredible naïve. I mean, her family has always been very government-sided and now she works for the FBI. It makes sense that she thinks they’re the good guys, however, who trusts any group entity completely. (Or is that skepticism just mine?) I appreciate that Carina was strong enough to initiate the relationship with Rocco when he was being weak. She was the one who had no idea what she was doing and she still managed to know what she wanted better than most every MC. Carina is also kind and thoughtful.
Rocco is our typical tortured hero. He was undercover for four (?) years in a Columbian drug cartel before the CIA just cut him off entirely, leaving him to be tortured and having to escape back to the US without any contacts. He no longer trusts people, he doesn’t trust himself…he basically runs on questions and revenge. He wants Carina from the second he sees her, but like every tortured hero, he pushes her away - pretty brutally at times. BUT, for all that push and pull, Rocco wants to protect her from the world and himself and he genuinely cares.
Overall, I loved this book. The dirty talk was great. The sex scenes were intense…but in a different way. The relationship felt good and real.
-SPOILERS-
Ok, so Rocco…ten inch dick with a 9-rung Jacob’s ladder piercing. Carina, virgin. Obviously, as I stated above, like I wasn’t a fan of her being a virgin in this. HOWEVER, this is the FIRST book I’ve read in SO LONG that the H was like “I need to be careful with her” and HE FUCKING WAS!
Then, the blow job scene. Good God. I’ve never read a scene that made choking on a cock a SWEET thing and by God, it was! I had to send those pages to friends because how can you use those terms in the same sentence? Choking and sweet? But Rocco managed it and daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn. I love him.
I honestly wish there had been more sexy scenes in this one because they were soooo much more of what I want to read than normal. Maybe it’s because I’ve been reading dark books but a man that loves his girl and will protect her, even from his own inclinations, but still fuck her until she’s delirious…thank you, author!
Book #6 in the Covington Security series | 368 Pages | Trope Challenge: -Not on Challenge- |
“Hey there, partner.” Dante’s smooth voice danced through the line. “You alright?” No. I was being ripped apart by jealousy and guilt and by wanting to fuck his sister seven ways from Sunday. So no, I wasn’t fucking alright.
- Burned by Dr. Rebecca Sharp
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