Chuckles surrounded them, though no one was brave enough to laugh outright with James fired up. He pouted, but Devon sandwiched him between her and Neil, then distracted him with a kiss. “Don’t let it ruin your night. You’ve worked so hard. The office is perfect. Laurel, Jace, and Nolan moved in today so you’ll have your sister nearby for good. Everyone loves it. You deserve to celebrate pulling off this huge project.”
“Fine. But you better make sure she’s good as new.” James wagged his finger in Nolan’s direction. The big guy saluted, then went back to admiring his new tat before dragging Laurel into his lap for a kiss that Jace leaned in and joined.
When Laurel pulled away, her face flushed, she said. “There’s something else I want to show you guys. All of you actually.”
She looked up and met Ms. Brown and Tom’s approving gazes before she drew a folded envelope from her purse.
“Is that…?” Jace’s eyes bulged and Nolan’s face threatened to split in half.
“An acceptance letter. Yeah, it is.” Laurel was so pretty when the weight of her struggles vanished and only pure happiness remained. James flew to her along with Tom, Ms. Brown, Kate—who cuddled her tiny baby close to her chest—Sola, Kennedy, and all the rest of the people who adored her. At their core, Nolan and Jace wrapped her in one jumbo hug.
Those lucky bastards. Maybe if Marcus was willing to share Kennedy she would quit blowing him off. He’d seen the way she’d looked at Jordan, Kason, and Wren or James, Devon, and Neil. Sort of like she was staring at Jace, Laurel, and Nolan right then, that combination of wistful and sad making him ache to wrap her in his arms and promise her anything that would make her smile again.
While everyone else was distracted, Marcus swooped in, grabbing a glass off another tray for each of them before ushering Kennedy into a quiet corner behind the massive screens James had installed for them to view surveillance footage on. It surprised him when she didn’t fight and instead accepted a drink from him, downing it in a few impressive glugs without so much as a cough.
“What’s up?” he asked her, seeing straight through her painted-on smile. Despite the deep rose of her lips, it wasn’t as beautiful as one of her natural and genuine sorts.
“Nothing.” She shrugged, then eyed his glass too. “Just not always easy being solo among so many hopelessly in-love couples. Throuples. Whatever combo they’ve all got going on out there.”
Marcus nodded. “I’m happy to partner up with you when we’re not out in the field. We do make a hell of a team, you know?”
“I don’t need some kind of pity date, thanks.” She rolled her eyes.
Oh no. No way was he going to let her do that. Marcus advanced, backing her up against the wall hard enough that he heard a clunk as her shoulders and tight ass hit it. He planted his palm on the wall and leaned in. “Is that what you think I offered?”
He hoped she could tell how hard she’d made him in an instant. And if she had any lingering doubts, he was happy to chase them from her big, beautiful mind. God knew his own rational thoughts had fled because he dropped his face to hers and nibbled on her lip before sealing his mouth over hers.
She didn’t shove him away or bite him and tell him to get his damn hands off her.
No, she kissed him back.
Kennedy’s fingers traced the waves shaved into his hair as if she’d imagined doing it plenty of times before. She hiked one leg onto his hip and threw herself into eating at him as completely as she committed herself to saving lives on their missions.
Marcus let her take the lead for a little while, but it wasn’t long before he met her lash for lash of her tongue. His free hand cupped her ass and dragged her close to his body as he leaned in. It was only when he had to breathe or pass out that he separated from her, his heart pounding against her chest as if he’d just finished his morning run.
“You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for you to let me do that.” Marcus slid his lips to her jaw then her neck as they caught their breath.
“It’s a horrible idea.” Kennedy started to stiffen in his grasp. Damn it, no.
“Because we work together?” Marcus wondered. “Jordan obviously doesn’t give a damn. He practically gave Nolan a thumbs-up when he ordered him to shack up with Jace and Laurel.”
“Not because our boss would care, but because being distracted in the field could get someone killed. And I have to wonder if Jordan might see that differently, given his past. I like what I do and I’m damn good at it. The last thing I need is for you, or anyone else, to fuck it up. I’m not sure I can work with someone I care about knowing they might be the next person I have to sew back together…if I’m even able to.” Kennedy glanced away and swallowed hard. “Besides, I don’t do dating. It’s overrated.”
Ah ha, that was closer to the truth. Or a more relevant reason anyway.
For one moment, he glimpsed the agony she tried so hard to hide most of the time.
“Who hurt you?” Marcus whispered.
“It doesn’t matter because I learned my lesson and no one will ever do it again.” Kennedy wiped her lips with the back of her hand, then slammed her eyes closed for a few seconds. When she opened them, every trace of heat and passion had vanished and only cold resolve remained. They transitioned from the cobalt of the wild ocean to the icy blue of frost in an instant. “Enjoy the party.”
Marcus nodded and let her escape. For now.
The one thing Kennedy wasn’t taking into account was the fact that he wasn’t a damn quitter, and just like the times they spent weeks staking out the location for an op, he could be patient when needed.
After all, now they weren’t only co-workers. They were also neighbors. Avoiding the attraction between them was going to be impossible. Sooner or later, they were going to have to tackle it head on, and he would be ready when that day came.
Marcus held his glass up in her direction, then drained it in one long sip.
When her gaze latched on the flex of his throat and the wetness lingering on his lips from the amber liquid, he grinned. Whenever it happened, and they finally caved to the sparks that always flew when they were together, it was going to be worth the wait.
To find out who might bring Marcus and Kennedy together, read their story LOST.
If you’d like to start at the very beginning with the Powertools Crew, you can download a discounted boxset of the first six books HERE.
Yes, I know it says complete series but I wrote a seventh book more recently and haven’t gotten around to updating the boxset yet, sorry!
You can find the seventh Powertools book, More the Merrier, HERE.
They are also featured in four books in the Powertools: The Original Crew Returns series starting with Screwed HERE
If you missed out on the Powertools: Hot Rods series, you can buy all eight books in a discounted single-volume boxset by clicking HERE.
To read more about the Hot Rides gang, start with Quinn, Trevon, and Devra’s story, Wild Ride, click HERE.
Did you know Jayne brought the original Powertools crew back for four more books? Click HERE to get caught up.