by C. A. Szarek
“I want that, too.”
“Meaning, hurt might come with the territory. We’ll argue, but then we can make up. It’s what love’s all about.” Nikki kissed him. It slipped into something long and deep, leaving her quivering in his arms.
“Hmmm, is this making up?” he breathed against her mouth.
“It’s a start.” She kissed him again until this time he parted their lips.
“I love you, Nikki Harper. But I don’t like your last name.”
Nikki pulled back, studying his eyes. Her stomach flipped.
He looked as if he was fighting a smile. “Stand up, sweetness,” Pete whispered between soft kisses he pressed all over her mouth.
She locked her wobbly knees as the love of her life got down on one of his. He dug in his pocket and presented her with a little black box.
Nikki’s heart pounded so hard her head spun. Her vision blurred and she covered her mouth with a hand to hold back the sob.
Pete opened the box, revealing a one-carat marquis solitaire—her favourite cut. “Will you ditch the Harper and be my Nikki Crane?”
A giddy laugh bubbled up. Leave it to her man to be unique in his proposal. Nikki nodded, because words wouldn’t cooperate.
He exhaled and kissed her knuckles before sliding the ring onto her left ring finger. It fit like a glove.
“It’s gorgeous,” Nikki whispered, turning her hand until the diamond caught the light.
“You’re gorgeous,” Pete said. His eyes were misty and she gasped.
“I can’t wait to marry you.”
“I promise I’ll make you happy. I love you so much.” His jaw clenched in an effort to contain his emotion and her heart melted for him even more, if that was possible.
She caressed his cheek. “I love you, Petey!”
Pete growled, shooting to his feet and pinning her to his chest. When their eyes met, Nikki flashed a grin. Then he proceeded to kiss her into oblivion.
Epilogue
Five months later…
“Pete, you good to go?” Andi’s voice made him jump. She paused just inside the doorway. Her chestnut hair was piled on top of her head in an attractive mess of curls, and the royal blue sheath hugged her body. It was sexy yet understated, with a split up the side.
He did a double-take. “Damn, you look hot, partner.”
Andi blushed and touched her cheek.
Nikki had picked the style out for the bridesmaids and Andi—maiden of honour—swearing they’d be able to wear them again. Not that his anti-feminine partner would.
Seeing her all dolled up reminded him what a beautiful woman she was.
“Hey now, that’s my wife,” Cole said, coming from the other side of the room, a grin on his face that belied his stern tone. His dimples flashed, then he locked eyes on Andi. “Hmmm, babe. Never mind this wedding nonsense. Maybe we could just get out of here?”
Pete laughed.
She mock-glared, her face an even brighter shade of red.
Cole crossed the room and kissed her. His partner loosened up and snuggled into her husband for a moment.
“Mama, you look pretty!” Ethan announced. He held onto the small ring bearer pillow he was to carry down the aisle.
Andi reached for his hand. “Thank you, baby.”
Pete grinned. The kid had saved her further embarrassment. He looked adorable in his little tux with a royal blue cummerbund like Cole, Nate, Pete and the rest of the groomsmen. His red hair was tame, his curls trimmed.
“You look so handsome.”
Ethan beamed.
“Actually, you all look awesome.” Andi’s blue eyes swept over the three of them before returning to her son. “You remember what you’re supposed to do? Just like we practised?”
The little boy nodded, his blue eyes solemn as he recited his task.
“Good job, squirt,” Pete said, slapping his little hand with a loud high-five.
“Nikki’s gonna be my aunt!”
Cole chuckled.
Pete’s head spun. This was it. She was about to become his wife. His pulse thundered in his ears and his stomach flipped.
“Dude, you all right?” Cole hit his shoulder.
He met his friend’s steel eyes. “I’m great. About to be someone’s husband.”
“It’s not that bad,” Cole said, making a face in his wife’s direction.
Andi punched his arm and Pete laughed.
“There’s my partner under all that girl getup.”
She laughed and nodded. “Yup. They’re ready for you. Ethan, Cole and I need to go.” Andi took her son by the hand.
Cole patted Pete’s chest. “Take a deep breath. It’s all good. You’re about to begin your life, not end it.” His buddy winked and led his family out of the room.
Pete took two deep breaths.
Nerves flipped his stomach until it was a giant knot as he stood in his childhood church and waited for the love of his life to come to him.
The more people who weren’t Nikki who walked down the aisle, the antsier Pete got, even though their bridal party was made up of family and friends. All grinning as they took their spots. Everyone couldn’t be happier for them.
He couldn’t look at his mother as his father seated her in the front row. She was already misty-eyed. Pete couldn’t lose it before he even saw his bride.
When his gaze swept her family’s side, Gram grinned at him.
Nate winked as he came to stand beside Pete. It did nothing to calm him.
Everyone laughed and awwwed when Cole had to grab an over-excited Ethan and make the kid stand still at the altar next to them.
When The Bridal March started, his heart was in his throat.
Then she was coming to him, on Chief’s arm.
The most radiant thing he’d ever seen. Family, friends, the whole crowd melted away and Pete couldn’t tear his eyes from Nikki.
It wasn’t the intricately beaded princess dress. It wasn’t her long shimmery veil. It wasn’t even her beautiful red locks that were done up in a complicated, curly style.
It was her big brown eyes that shone just for him.
Nikki was his. She always would be.
Chief gave her away when prompted.
Then she was at the altar with him, holding his hands. Looking deeply into his eyes. Pete could feel the love radiate all over.
She cried when she pledged herself to him.
His voice was heavy and scratchy when he said his vows.
When the preacher told him to kiss his girl—his wife—Pete almost lost it. He wasn’t going to cry in a church full of people, so he gathered her to him and covered her mouth with his.
Coherent thought quickly dissolved as Nikki opened for him like she always did. She pressed closer and he got lost in her.
Until a catcall, then a whistle had him reluctantly pulling away. He might have been embarrassed he was in a church, but when his wife grinned, Pete laughed and kissed her again.
“Hey, hey, save that for later,” Nate called.
Cole stood next to his younger brother, flashing two thumbs up.
Nikki’s cheeks were adorably pink when Pete met her eyes. He cupped her face.
People cheered as the reverend introduced Mr and Mrs Peter and Nicole Crane for the first time, but he couldn’t look away from her. His heart jumped and he was convinced that wherever Nikki was concerned, it always would. “Thanks for taking a chance on me,” he whispered.
“Sometimes even a paper collision is a sure thing,” Nikki said.
Pete laughed and put his arm out to her. “Shall we go, Mrs Crane? We have a party to get to, I hear.”
“They won’t start without us, Mr Crane.” She winked.
With one last much-too-quick kiss, Pete led his wife towards the beginning of their forever.
Also available from Totally Bound Publishing:
Crossing Forces: Collision Force
C.A. Szarek
Excerpt
Chapter One
&n
bsp; Cole cursed. He stared into the rear-view mirror in the busy parking lot, but saw nothing. He’d been so close this time.
The damn local police were breathing down his neck, and that was the last thing he wanted…or needed.
Cooperation, my ass. They needed to get the hell out of his case. He’d been too involved for too long, and he wasn’t about to let some Podunk police chief tell him what to do.
Not to mention that dumbass detective getting himself shot. Cole didn’t need the locals piecing it all together. He had to wrap up a few things before letting them in on his case. Full disclosure wasn’t on his list at all.
That bastard Maldonado had got away from him. Even two months later, that still chapped. But he’d tracked him here and been in town a few weeks with no clues. Until the shooting. Two goons dead and a police detective shot twice. And Maldonado had slipped back into the shadows. Cole’s gut told him the coward was still in town… He hadn’t—or couldn’t—move on. But where the hell was he?
Cole’s cell phone rang, yanking him from his thoughts.
“Lucas,” he said.
“Where the hell are you?” Olivia Barnes, his supervisor, barked at him. “Chief Martin called screaming at me. He said you told him to kiss your ass? What the hell, Cole? I told you to cooperate with them.”
Cole snorted. Chief Martin had misquoted him, but not by much.
“I don’t need them, Olivia.”
“Oh, don’t Olivia me. This was an order from higher up. Get that through your thick skull, dammit. Get to that station and make nice. Now.”
Cole sighed. His boss didn’t respond. Though her tone had brooked no argument, he’d been tempted to tell her to kiss his ass. It wasn’t like his record wasn’t tainted, and it wouldn’t have been the first time he’d told her off. But he held his tongue. He was damn good at his job, and Olivia knew it. Cole would play along, for now.
“All right,” he answered. Olivia was silent on the other end of the phone. Too silent.
“All right?”
“You’ve ordered me, correct?” Cole said dryly. He could almost hear her eyes narrow.
“Just like that?”
“Just like that. C’mon, Liv, I can be a good boy.”
She harrumphed. “Okay. Go kiss Chief Martin’s ass.”
“Can’t promise that, but I will go to the station.”
“Good. I can’t afford any more damage control, Agent Lucas.”
Uh oh, Agent Lucas? “Sounds like a warning.”
“It is.” Olivia lowered her voice. “I don’t want to have to yank you off the case, Cole.”
Like that would happen. “I’ll call you later.”
She started to say something, but he ended the call imagining her outraged expression—one he was quite familiar with. He smirked. Yes, he would play along…for now.
The drive to the station was short, but didn’t alleviate his irritation with the whole damn situation. He slammed the car door and winced, berating himself. He loved this car. Cole patted the hood in apology, admiring the brand new, deep metallic blue Dodge Challenger. It looked mean as hell. Like it was made for him. He’d even contemplated keeping it when this was all over.
He groaned when he took in the smallish Antioch, Texas police station, but headed inside. The asshole desk sergeant practically growled when he introduced himself, as did Chief Martin over the intercom. He ran into the female, literally, right after Sergeant Asshole-of-the-year had finally acknowledged his existence and buzzed him into the back. And although his head smarted, seeing a beautiful woman was the highlight of his morning.
“Whoa, sorry,” she said, smiling. Her chestnut hair was pulled back into a ponytail and she had the bluest eyes he’d ever seen. She was tall and slender, and he liked what he saw. She was wearing a white button-down dress shirt and snug khaki pants, and the outfit was somehow incredibly sexy.
Cole almost missed the paddle holster at her waist, but when he saw it, he couldn’t help but admire her subtly rounded hips. Her badge was on a chain around her neck, swaying gently with her movements. A detective.
“No, I’m sorry. You all right?” he answered, trying to tear his eyes away.
“Sure. You?”
He nodded. Cole bent and helped her retrieve the scattered case file contents. He latched onto a crime scene photo. Not only was she a detective, she was working his case—the pictures were all-too-familiar evidence. No doubt the local case was tied to his. He bit back a cringe.
“Ah, I don’t think we’ve met.”
They both straightened and she thanked him for his help. He tried not to stare at the items in her arms.
“Oh, I guess not. Detective Andi MacLaren. Nice to meet you.” She held out her right hand, but he couldn’t help but glance at her left before accepting her shake. No wedding ring. Good.
“Andi, huh?” He met her eyes.
“Well, it’s Andrea, but not even my mother calls me that.” She smiled.
Instinct told him she was a no muss, no fuss, hard-working kind of girl. Not overly feminine, but extremely appealing. A smattering of freckles spread across her high cheekbones and trailed over her nose. She wore little or no makeup—that drew him as well. Not his normal type at all, but gorgeous.
“And you are?” she prompted.
Cole jolted to attention. He’d been staring. And she looked as if she was oblivious. Should that bother him? Yes. Women always noticed him.
“Special Agent Cole Lucas, FBI.”
Her eyes widened, then she flashed a grin that could have only been called impish. It rivalled one he was known to give from time to time. “You’re Agent Lucas? You’ve had Chief in a tizzy all morning.” Was that admiration in her tone?
He smiled back. “Guilty,” he admitted, winking at her.
“Agent Lucas,” Chief Martin shouted from the doorway to his office.
Cole caught Detective MacLaren’s eye and shrugged. “Guess I’m being summoned.”
She chuckled.
“Hope to catch you later…Andi.” He flashed a grin, then trotted towards the angry police chief before she could answer.
Andi watched the FBI agent head towards certain doom and shook her head. He exuded cockiness. It took a great deal to rile Chief, but when Paul Martin lost it, look out. The whole force would avoid him for days.
She tried not to stare at Special Agent Cole Lucas’ fine form as he jogged down the hall, but found it hard to avert her eyes. God, he’s hot.
Tight jeans and a black T-shirt that clung to every muscle—and he wasn’t lacking any. He was tall, probably three or four inches over six feet, and he had eyes the colour of steel. His hair was coal black and neatly trimmed. She grinned, remembering his name was Cole. And damn if he didn’t have dimples when he smiled. He’d destroyed her image of proper suit-wearing FBI agents.
Unfortunately, he reeked of bad boy and he definitely knew how good-looking he was.
A man to avoid.
She didn’t consider herself available anyway. Noticing him meant she wasn’t dead, right?
Glancing down at the fat case file, she sighed. She’d have to make sure it was all back in order. Andi headed to her desk. She had a few calls to make, and she was planning on stopping by the hospital to see Pete. Her partner had been shot twice a few weeks ago, but was recovering well and itching to go home.
They had no clue as to who had shot him…yet. But Andi was determined to catch the bastards. Working the case alone had been a challenge, though she was up to it. Pete would never blame her for the lack of progress, but she did. She couldn’t wait until he was back at her side. She missed him.
She scanned his too-empty desk, then her own. A picture of Iain and a tiny newborn Ethan caught her eye and she smiled, her heart thumping hard. She still ached for her husband, who’d been killed in the line of duty just over three years before. She’d loved him and always would. Their son Ethan had only been six weeks old. Now three, he got her through each day. Andi was looking forward to
getting home to him that evening.
The case file caught her attention and she scowled. Duty called. She opened it, biting back another sigh.
After signing into her computer, she opened her confidential informant database and scrolled down, scrunching her nose even though she found the phone number she needed. Calling CIs was her least favourite thing—Pete usually handled it.
About five minutes later, Andi hung up the phone, frustrated because she’d got nowhere with a lousy CI. She jumped when it rang again, then groaned when the caller ID flashed Chief’s direct extension. She, like everyone else, was on avoidance mode with him.
“What’s up, Chief?” she asked, keeping her tone light.
“My office, MacLaren,” Chief Martin barked. Andi winced. What the hell? She’d done nothing to incur his wrath.
“Coming,” she said, cringing as she heard the click.
Andi slipped into Chief Martin’s office, smiling at his administrative assistant, Nikki. Her desk was right inside the door of the smaller room of the chief’s large, two-room executive space.
“You can go right in. Beware…” the redhead said in a conspiratorial tone.
“I know it,” Andi said, winking.
Nikki grinned, her brown eyes sparkling. Andi had liked her since she’d been hired about a year earlier. She was young and open, but she was skilled at keeping Chief Martin in line and everyone admired her ability to do so. But, evidently, the buck stopped at far-too-handsome-for-their-own-good FBI agents.
Swallowing hard, she headed into her boss’s office. A scowl marred Agent Lucas’ handsome face. What the heck? Their initial meeting had been light and friendly. What had she done to warrant that particular expression?
She looked away from him, meeting Chief’s hazel eyes. His moustache twitched. He ran a hand through his thick, greying brown hair, and motioned for her to sit with the other. Andi slid onto the chair next to the FBI agent.
“MacLaren, this is Special Agent Cole Lucas.”
“We’ve already met,” Agent Lucas cut in, earning a glare from Chief Martin.
She glanced between him and her boss, nodding.
“It just so happens that your case may coincide with his,” the chief continued.