Laughing, they both bowed to the crowd. “Thanks for all the help!” Darius called down to his crew. “Nate, we need to talk.”
Nate laughed. “Job’s yours again, Chief. No questions asked.”
Whoops and cheers went up from the crowd. Kate threw dramatic air kisses, as if they were royals on a palace balcony. Lord and Lady Armor-All, perhaps.
Darius drew her close and whispered in her ear, “Are you sure you want to stay in this crazy town?”
“With you? Absolutely.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
The entire world looked different now that he and Kate were together—for real, and for good. Even in the always dingy Moose is Loose Saloon, colors were brighter, sounds were jazzier, his bass practically played itself. Darius grinned as he thrummed the strings to match the pace set by the drummer. He finally had his black hat back, and he had Kate, and Dylan, and that meant that every little thing was right with the world.
He knew the very moment that Kate blew in like a spark on the wind, eyes bright and smile naughty. She blew him a kiss that sizzled onto his skin.
He shot her a look of pure locked-and-loaded lust.
She found the table he’d saved for her near the stage. Maya joined her, wearing an off-hours outfit of slinky black velvet. They chatted intensely, heads together, as the band finished out the song.
The set ended and the singer called for a break. Darius wiped off his face and sauntered to the table to join his love and his colleague.
He and Kate indulged themselves in a long, passionate kiss that nearly knocked off his hat, while Maya looked at the ceiling and whistled a tune.
“You two done yet?”
“Sorry,” said Darius, not feeling sorry at all. “Carry on. What’d I interrupt?”
“I was just filling in Kate on the perp. It turns out there’s already a warrant out for his arrest in Cali. So I sent him back.”
Kate pretended to glare at her friend. “As his lawyer, I should have been informed—” She broke off with a laugh. “God, I’m not even going to joke about it. Did I tell you that I cancelled my California bar membership so I can never get sucked into their games again?”
“Yeah, and I heard you’re going for the Alaska bar,” Maya said. “Think you remember how to study?”
“Oh, it’s much easier this time.” She smiled blissfully at Darius. “Someone keeps bringing me snacks and backrubs.”
“Spare me the sappy visuals,” Maya grumbled and turned to Darius. “I got a message that you wanted to talk to me about something.”
“It’s S.G.. She came to me with a request.”
Kate jumped in. “She saw how happy Dylan is now that he found his real father.”
“So Dylan’s doing well?”
“So well. No more fights with other kids. He’s taking summer classes to catch up. He’s doing great.” Kate glowed as she recounted Dylan’s achievements; Darius loved the fact that she now considered his son part of her own family.
He took Kate’s hand and ran his thumb across her palm as he addressed Maya. “S.G. came to me asking if there’s a way to find her family. I explained that we don’t even know if they’re alive, but she wants to find them anyway. I told her it’s not my department but that I’d talk to you. Any chance you can help her out?”
Maya’s warm brown eyes gleamed. “Would she be okay answering questions about her childhood? I’ve been checking a few things out, but I didn’t want to go too far unless she was ready. You sure she’s up for this?”
“It was her idea.”
“Good. Okay, tell her I’ll arrange a meeting soon.” Maya already had her phone out and was tapping something with her thumbs. “This is pretty exciting, actually. I’ve been hoping she’d want to explore her background. You know what, guys? I think I might head back and put my notes in order.”
“You sure?” asked Kate. “There’s a hottie over there watching you.”
Maya barely glanced toward the blond man in the Henley a few tables over. She paused briefly, then shook her head. “Damn. But no. What’s a man compared to a hot investigation?” She stood up and pushed back her chair. “You can catch a ride with Darius, right, Kate?”
“Don’t worry about me. I hear they have cabins out back.” She leaned against Darius’ shoulder and he wrapped his arm around her. It felt like…perfection.
“Well, don’t burn them down,” Maya quipped as she left.
“No promises.” Darius growled and hovered his mouth over Kate’s. “I have big plans for tonight.”
“You do?” Her dark eyes teased him and her curving lips drew him in for an irresistible kiss.
Oh yes, he had very big plans. For tonight, and all the nights that came after.
Very big, very naughty plans.
Thank you so much for reading! Coming next is Love At First Light, out in late summer. You can find all the Lost Harbor books here. Want to be the first to hear about new books, sales, and exclusive giveaways? Join Jennifer’s mailing list and receive a free story as a welcome gift.
About the Author
Jennifer Bernard is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance. Her books have been called “an irresistible reading experience” full of “quick wit and sizzling love scenes.” A graduate of Harvard and former news promo producer, she left big city life in Los Angeles for true love in Alaska, where she now lives with her husband and stepdaughters. She still hasn’t adjusted to the cold, so most often she can be found cuddling with her laptop and a cup of tea. No stranger to book success, she also writes erotic novellas under a naughty secret name that she’s happy to share with the curious. You can learn more about Jennifer and her books at JenniferBernard.net. Make sure to sign up for her newsletter for new releases, fresh exclusive content, sales alerts and giveaways.
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Also by Jennifer Bernard
Lost Harbor, Alaska
Mine Until Moonrise
Yours Since Yesterday ~ Book 2
Seduced by Snowfall ~ Book 3
Wicked in Winter ~ Book 4
The Rockwell Legacy
The Rebel ~ Book 1
The Rogue ~ Book 2
The Renegade ~ Book 3
The Runaway ~ Book 4
The Rock ~ Book 5
Jupiter Point ~ The Hotshots
Set the Night on Fire ~ Book 1
Burn So Bright ~ Book 2
Into the Flames ~ Book 3
Setting Off Sparks ~ Book 4
Jupiter Point ~ The Knight Brothers
Hot Pursuit ~ Book 5
Coming In Hot ~ Book 6
Hot and Bothered ~ Book 7