by Emily Bishop
“Looks like we do have evidence. Do you want to try and bribe me now or later?”
Jordan hesitates, and Ben laughs in his face.
“Welcome to true justice, buddy. You’re not gonna like it.”
He looks back to me with a grin, and I nearly giggle with relief.
“Be right back.”
He takes the criminals outside, one at a time. I don’t move. I can’t. Time passes and sounds echo from outside. The whoop of sirens, a commotion, a shout, people talking and doors slamming. I’m not sure how much time passes, but finally, Ben walks back in. When he sees me still on the floor, he crouches down and cradles my cheek in his hand.
“Are you OK? Did they do anything to you?”
I can tell he’s scared to ask the question, and I shake my head.
“No. Thankfully you got here in time.”
“Good,” he says. He pulls me into his embrace, and I rest my head on his chest as he cradles me in his strong arms. My breath returns as I melt into him, finally feeling safe.
I’m finally free.
“Are Jordan and James bleeding in the back of your car?” I ask.
He glances down at me with a smirk. “No, they’ve been escorted to the hospital the town over in the back of two separate ambulances. And, likely, I’m going to be investigated for this, but it was all worth it to protect you, Naomi.” A moment passes as he continues to hold me close. He releases a breath and leans back, his eyes searching mine. “You sure you’re all right? I need to go back to the department and sort out this mess. They’ll want to speak to you too.”
I nod, though I don’t want him to go, and I don’t want to talk to anyone other than him. He grasps my hands and together we rise.
“Maybe I could come back after, and stay the night?”
I smile up at him. “I would like that.”
He grins back down at me. “I would, too.” He leans down and plants a gentle kiss against my lips, then rests his forehead against mine.
There’s a promise of a new future, and a new chance at life. This time, I’m not going to waste it.
Chapter Thirty
Ben
I can’t seem to get this right.
I turn the wrench a few more times to tighten the bolt, then I walk back over to the front of the motorcycle and mount. I kick at the starter. The engine grumbles, then sputters out.
“Hmm.” I like these kinds of puzzles. They calm my mind. Not that it needs much soothing these days.
“Ben, are you still working on that crappy old bike? We have to get ready!”
I glance up and see Naomi standing on my front porch. Her hair is down, the silky tresses dancing in the gentle breeze. I want to capture this image of her and keep it in my mind’s eye forever. She’s wearing a pale pink dress and a sturdy pair of cowboy boots. Just seeing those boots has my dick tingling.
Those were the ones she wore last night.
Naomi jumps down the steps and saunters over to me, her dress flowing as she walks. As I watch her approach, I’ve never been happier. I didn’t ever think that this would happen to me.
She is everything. My whole world.
She approaches me on my bike, and I reach out and pull her onto my lap.
“Oof,” she says in a cute little voice. I tilt her chin up and kiss her perfectly plump, delicious lips. She settles into my lap and wraps her arms around my shoulders as she deepens the kiss. If I don’t end it, I will end up fucking her on this bike.
That’s not such a bad idea.
She pulls away and looks up at me as our foreheads touch. “We have work to do, Officer. I need your help with the final touches.”
“I love you.”
She smiles, and everything is right with the world. Her fingertips trace the line of my jaw as her gaze takes in my face, finally landing back on my eyes.
“I love you, too, you nut. Now let’s get going.”
“I have a better idea,” I say, and I place my hands on her hips and slide her along the crease of my jeans. Her eyes glaze over, and I think I’ve got her on board to have sex on my bike, right in my front yard, in broad daylight. Then she jumps off my lap, and it will have to wait.
“Come on, horn dog. You’ve made a big promise for later.”
“Happy to keep my promises.” I step off the bike and shift my half-hard dick as I fall in step with Naomi. Together we make our way to the front porch again, and I run ahead of her to open the front door.
“After you,” I say, and I step aside.
She smirks up at me and saunters through. I land a playful slap on her perfect ass, and she yelps, then giggles.
“You need to eat first, then we can go. I advise you to eat fast, because I am not a patient woman.”
“Oh, I don’t know. You’ve been pretty patient with me,” I say. I tug her hand and twirl her into the circle of my arms. I hold her close and brush a strand of dark brown hair from her face as I gaze with adoration into her beautiful eyes.
How did I ever get this lucky?
“I had to be. You were the worst when we first met. You’re lucky I’m as trusting and patient and considerate, and understanding…”
I lean down and bite gently on her neck, and she laughs.
“You were none of those things. I loved you anyway.”
“You had a funny way of showing it.”
“So did you.”
“Are you done? I need you to put food in your mouth so we can get going.”
“I need to put something in my mouth, but it’s not food,” I say, still nibbling on her neck.
She pushes me away with another laugh. “Ben, we can’t have sex all the time. We have to do things with our lives.”
“Having sex is doing something with our lives. I would argue it’s one of the best ways to pass the time. Science backs me up.”
“I back you up, but this is important. I want to make sure everything is perfect.”
I release a dramatic sigh and walk over to the kitchen table. Naomi has prepared a breakfast of fresh waffles, fried eggs, bacon, sausage, and freshly squeezed orange juice.
I am so glad I’m in love with a chef. I’m even happier that she loves me enough to make such a spread. I’ve never eaten so well. In fact, I’ll have to sneak in an extra workout after this.
Maybe one that includes Naomi.
I sit down and load up my plate. Naomi sits next to me and slides a piece of bacon and an egg onto hers.
“That’s not going to sustain you for the day,” I say, and she shrugs.
“I’m too nervous to eat. What if something goes wrong? Maybe we made the wrong choice by reopening in the same place that burned down.”
I reach over and rest my palm on her hand. I force her to look me in the eye. “Nothing bad is going to happen. You’ve aptly renamed the place, and it’s going to be a huge hit. Besides, everything that was wrong with the building was fixed in reconstruction. It’s a perfect location. Everything is going to be great. Now stop worrying and eat your food.”
“You’re so pushy,” she says with a grin.
“Look who’s talking,” I retort.
We eat our breakfast in comfortable silence, and I manage to get Naomi to eat one extra egg for the protein. Together, we leave the house and slide into my old truck. Naomi takes a bracing breath, and I reach over and lace her fingers in mine.
“You’ve got this,” I say, and she nods.
“Yes. Totally.”
I drive the truck down to the oceanfront and park in the lot next to Naomi’s old apartment. I glance out at the line of boats, many of which are out at sea presently, including the one that Jordan stole. This time, its rightful owners are taking it for a ride.
I grin as I think about how fun it was bringing that asshole to justice. He thought he was invincible. I even managed to sneak a confession from him about Naomi’s brother. Alex should be arriving to join us for Naomi’s big day.
Everything is as it ought to be. I finally feel like I’ve
made up for nearly all my mistakes.
Naomi slides out of the truck and walks up to the glass front doors of her new restaurant. She pulls the door open and steps inside, holding it for me as I follow close behind.
The whole place had changed. It’s still a seafood joint, but there is new carpeting, fresh tablecloths, and an entirely new kitchen setup out back. Along the walls, Naomi’s images of the town have been blown up to make fantastic art, and the place has a cozy feel, even though it’s a little more upscale.
We make our way into the back kitchen, where Paul and Katie chat beside the ovens. They hear us and both turn.
Katie is wearing a bright red dress and a matching bow. With her blond hair and pale complexion, she looks healthy and vibrant and beautiful, and I’m grateful to see it. Images of her tied up, frantically needing help, have haunted me for quite some time. Now that she’s smiling, I feel a little better.
I’ll never fully forgive myself, in the end.
“Hey, guys! Ready for the big opening?” Katie asks.
Naomi’s eyes are bright as she gazes around the kitchen, but when she looks back at me, her expression changes. “We are. Just one thing before we get everything ready outside.” She walks over to me and grabs my arm, pulling me back into the dining room. “You’re feeling guilty again,” she says, ever observant.
I don’t bother denying it. I stopped being anything less than 100 percent honest with Naomi after the Jordan case ended. It’s been a much happier world ever since. Naomi leads me toward a booth in the back, and she points to a small plaque on the side.
Curious, I bend down and read it.
In loving memory of Logan Tremaine, who died in combat on April seventeenth.
My throat tightens, and I look up at Naomi. She takes my arm in her hand and turns it so that my tattoo is fully visible.
“You told me once about a friend of yours who died in combat. That when that happened, you decided to leave the military and try civilian life. I noticed his name and the date on your arm a while ago and did some research. I thought we could honor him here and keep him in our lives, always. After all, if it wasn’t for him, I never would have met you.”
I’m speechless. I stare at her with my mouth open, and I force myself to close it. To my dismay, my eyes mist over as I look at the plaque again.
“This can always be our table, so he can sit with us,” Naomi says, then she glances down. “I hope this wasn’t too presumptuous of me. With the little I got from the insurance payout, I needed pretty much all the help I could get, and you were there for me. I wanted to make it special for you, too.”
My throat constricts as I try to swallow back my emotions, and I clear it and focus back in on Naomi. The love in her eyes radiates all around me, absorbing me with its glow. There’s no better time to do this.
I slowly lower to one knee and stare up at her. Her eyes widen with surprise as I reach into my back pocket and pull out a diamond ring encased in sapphires.
“Naomi. You have brought happiness into my life when I thought I would know nothing but the dark. You helped me come back to life. You helped me become the man I want to be. I would be beyond honored if you would do me the honor of becoming my wife.”
Tears fill her eyes, and she grips my hand as she stares at the ring. She sniffles. “I… I can’t believe it. You want to marry me?”
I can’t help but grin up at her. “I’m on my knee with a ring, Naomi. That’s kind of how this whole thing works. There’s a part on your end though.”
She cups her face with her hands and laughs. A tear spills down her cheek as she nods. “Yes. Yes, of course I’ll marry you!”
I rise then and wrap her in my arms. My lips crash against hers as I claim them as my own for all time. The sound of applause erupts around us, and we turn to see the crowd gathered for the opening of our new restaurant. Naomi blushes, and I slide the ring onto her finger.
“Now, let’s go open this place up, shall we?” I ask.
Naomi glances back at Katie and Paul. Katie wipes a tear from her cheek as she smiles at us, then steps up to join us near the front.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the Phoenix of the Sea is ready for business!”
Naomi slides her hand into mine, and we make our way outside, ready to face our new beginning.
Together.
There’s more...
Thank you for reading! If you’re left craving for more, get the prequel to the book you just read! Get the chapters before chapter 1 to find out more about Ben and Naomi.
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One Secret Could Destroy Everything.
Aurora
Fate has taken everything from me. My mother, my home, my happiness.
It’s gained me a bad rep in this town.
I hate every second of it, until Jarryd Tombs strides into my life.
Famous actor and a specimen of perfection.
He’s everything I want. And exactly what I can’t have.
Especially since he’s jeopardized my master plan: To rebuild my image.
But he won’t take no for an answer.
His life is about to implode. And our secret, too.
Jarryd
Aurora is mystery made flesh.
Sexy.
Elusive.
Meeting her was a big mistake. But a beautiful one.
Now, I’ll pay the price.
One night with her will destroy everything I’ve worked so hard to build.
If the press finds out, if my ex finds out, our plans to film in this small town are done.
Money gone with it. And Aurora’s struggling reputation crushed.
That should stop me, but it doesn’t.
I won’t keep “us” a secret anymore.
Chapter 1
Jarryd
Lights sparkled among the tents, and the scent of buttered popcorn drifted out of the entrance to the Moondance Fairgrounds, accompanied by low chatter and the tinkle of music from a carousel.
“You OK, man?” Luke asked, elbowing me. My buddy, a Clark Gable look-alike without the mustache, wore concern like a badge.
“I’m fine,” I replied and took another swig of beer. “If you looked up ‘fine’ in a dictionary you’d find my picture right underneath it.”
FINE: Jarryd Tombs, 6’4”, dark hair, that hooked nose, bulky as hell and busting out of a suit. See also: HEARTBROKEN.
“There aren’t pictures in dictionaries, Jarryd,” Luke replied.
“You see? This is why I need you around, bud. You’ve always got the inside edge. The information that sets me apart from the other actors.”
“Smartass.” Luke cuffed me on the shoulder, and a bit of beer splashed from my can.
“Now look what you made me do. How am I s’posed to drown my sorrows if you make me spill it?” I forced a half-smile—I couldn’t produce any other kind right now.
“Here, you hold the others. I’ll pay the entry fee.” Luke nodded to the tiny stall nearby and handed me the pack of beers.
I swung the Bud Lights back and forth as we approached the entrance to the fairgrounds, drawn on by the promise of one huge-ass bag of popcorn. “Extra butter,” I muttered.
“What’s that?”
“I said ‘extra butter.’” I didn’t make any sense. but I was allowed this, for once. Tonight, I didn’t have to have it together. Work wasn’t on the agenda. All I had ahead of me was a long night of melancholy, food, and beer.
“Hello? Anybody in there?” Luke tapped on the window in the stall.
“Just a sec.” A scraping, the sound of zipper—what the hell?—and finally, a guy, thin as a rake and sporting a pair of wireframe glasses, scooted around the side of the stall, tugging on his pants. “Hey, there. You want in?”
“Depends on what you mean by that,” I said.
Luke waved me to quiet. “Yes, we want two tickets, plea
se.”
“Two tickets.” The stall guy opened the door then then paused and scanned me. “You look familiar.”
“I’m nobody,” I replied and stifled a beer burp. “An illusion.”
“Is he drunk?” Stall Guy asked. “He looks a little –”
“Just tipsy.”
“Then I can’t let you in, sorry. No alcohol allowed on the property.”
“This isn’t alcohol,” I replied, lifting the Bud Light. “It’s elixir. The stuff of the gods. This is the lifeblood of the ancients.”
“Uhhh.”
Luke rolled his eyes at me. “Actors,” he muttered. “What if we lose the beer?”
“I did not agree to that,” I said.
The forest and the nearby entry to what looked to be an RV Park hazed slightly. Sharp air and those smells. Man, I needed to go on a ride or something, make myself forget.
It shouldn’t be this difficult to get over a woman. People did this every damn day. Shit, that’s a depressing thought. How many people in the world are heartbroken, right now?
“Cut us some slack?” I caught the tail end of Luke’s question.
“I don’t know, man.”
“Look, we’ll leave the beers out here. We’re not that drunk. I’ll pay double for the tickets if I have to.”
Stall Guy wriggled his nose, scratched it.
“This is a special circumstance, you see,” Luke said and lowered his voice. He cast a furtive glance in my direction. “My man here, he’s lost his fiancée.”
“No shit,” Stall Guy said and didn’t sound too bothered.
“He walked in on her with another—”
“That’s enough,” I said, a whip-crack command. “No need to spread it to the locals, Luke.” This was supposed to be a low-key visit to Moondance, and to the fairgrounds.
“All right. I guess I can let you in.” Stall Guy eyed the beers. “But you’ll have to, uh, leave those with me. I’ll confiscate them, yeah.”
Confiscate. Another word in the dictionary, this one with the note See: Drink Greedily underneath it.
“Fine, that’s fine,” Luke said.
We shuffled to the front, while Stall Guy darted inside, opened the window, and clicked on a tiny light inside. It cast weird shadows down his nose. Kind of made him look like an oversized rat.