Page 146 of Renewal After Dark

“She’s great.”

“I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks. You won’t, you know… say anything about it, will you? Early days yet.”

“Of course not. I’m all too aware of how things spread like wildfire around here.”

Duke chuckled. “I remember the buzz about you guys when you all but moved in with her after the bike accident.”

“It was a five-alarm Gansett Island scandal, as my dad says.”

“Sure was. Not looking for anything like that myself. We’ll be over to grab the bags with the truck. Thanks for packing it up for her.”

“No worries.”

Duke returned home on the well-worn path between his home and Rosemary’s. He missed her more than ever now that he was dating—or whatever you wanted to call it—her precious MK. More than anything, he hoped Rosemary knew that he’d take good care of McKenzie and Jax and that she’d approve of his growing feelings for them.

He was about to start some yard work when the truck came into the driveway, and all thoughts of anything that wasn’t her and them faded to the background as he walked over to greet them.

McKenzie put her finger over her lips as he approached the open driver-side window.

Duke leaned in and saw that Jax was sacked out in his seat. “Want me to carry him in for you?”

“Yes, please.”

While he walked around to the passenger side, she released the seat belt and handed it to him so it wouldn’t make noise retracting after he opened the door to retrieve the seat.

She followed him up the stairs to the apartment. “He can go right into the crib, seat and all.”

As Duke carried the sleeping baby into the bedroom, he gazed down at his sweet face, noting how his lips were puckered as if he were having deep thoughts. A fierce feeling of protectiveness came over him as he placed the carrier in the crib. The realization that he’d do anything to keep the child safe was as profound as it was unexpected.

“All set?” McKenzie asked when he met her in the kitchen.

“Yeah, I was just watching him sleep. He’s so damned cute.”

“Aw, that’s sweet.”

He scowled at her.

“Easy, tiger. I already knew you were sweet.”

Duke stepped closer to her, putting his hands on her hips as he leaned in to kiss her. “Missed you today.”

“You did? Really?”

“I really did.”

“I hate to tell you, but that, too, is sweet.”

His low growl made her laugh, which he stifled with a kiss. “I have some news for you, but if you’re going to keep up with that sweet nonsense, I might not tell you.”

Who was this playful guy, and where had he come from? He’d never been this way with a woman before and had to admit it was kind of fun.

“Tell me.”

“Are you going to behave?”

“Absolutely not.”

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