Page 228 of Hot Cops

Evan had accepted her invitation, stripping off his uniform until he was left in only boxers. Then he’d joined her in the cool water. And just like now, she’d swum into his arms, the two of them kissing and floating, content to cling to each other, swaying with the water.

The fireworks display ended, allowing them to hear the sounds from the beach more clearly.

“Orange Blossom Special?” Annie asked, picking up on the tune of one of her favorite songs.

Evan smiled, nodding. “Do you want to get dressed and head down to the beach? I suspect the party still has a few more good hours in it.”

She shook her head. “No. I’m happy here. With you.”

They kissed once again. Then a thousand more times. Annie wasn’t sure how long they stayed in the water, but by the time Evan suggested they get out, she noticed the party had quieted and the moon had shifted a bit farther along the sky.

Grasping a towel, Evan dried her, wrapping her in the soft terrycloth before retrieving the other for himself. He spread the blanket over the grass at the edge of the shore. They lay down together, both falling to their backs to stare at the night sky.

Evan reached out, clasping her hand. They didn’t talk for a long time. Annie was lost in her thoughts—reliving the wonder of the night.

Then she recalled his fears. Evan had truly thought he’d been failing her. Just the idea of it caused her heart to break. She’d been so wrapped up in her own sadness and self-pity, she’d let those hurts affect her marriage and upset Evan.

She shifted to her side, facing him. “Evan?—”

He looked at her. The expression on his face told her he knew what she was going to say. “No. Not tonight.”

“But—”

“We need to talk about it, Annie. And we will. I promise. I mean, God only knows what I’d be without you.” He rolled toward her, pulling her beneath him. “But for tonight, can we just focus on Annie and Evan?”

His request required no thought. She understood what he wanted and she knew how important this time was. They had some rebuilding to do. Some trust to reestablish. There was plenty of time for them to talk about the future—about children, conception, adoption. None of that mattered if they didn’t fix what they’d broken in their search for those things.

She reached up to touch his face, careful to school her features. “No. We can’t.”

Evan frowned at her refusal.

“We can’t be Evan and Annie tonight.” She gave him what she hoped was a sultry smile. “But Iwouldlike to spend some more time with that sexy lieutenant. Damn if he doesn’t know how to make sparks fly.”

Evan chuckled.

And then, before her very eyes, her dominant, sexy, amazing husband transformed himself into the man of her dirtiest fantasies. He stripped the towel from her body, and then parted her legs with his.

She closed her eyes, sighing when his thick erection parted her sensitive folds, thrusting deep.

“Open your eyes, Ms. Iser. Look at me.”

She obeyed, giving him a sexy smile. “Yes, Lieutenant.”

EPILOGUE

Evan walkedinto Sparks Barbeque after his shift ended. He’d promised Annie he’d pick up their dinner—nothing like barbeque to go—on his way home. Macie was in her usual place behind the bar.

“Jeannette is just finishing up your order. Good thing you called ahead. This place is packed. Lots of people looking to kick off the long Labor Day weekend with beer and barbeque.”

Evan grinned. “That’s my plan too. Only I’m doing my celebrating at home.”

Macie gave him a funny look. “You’re a cop. Didn’t think you guys found much pleasure in three-day holiday weekends, between the traffic and the drunks.”

“Didn’t say I was celebrating Labor Day. Or at least…not the kind of labor you’re thinking of.”

Macie tilted her head, confused. “Have you already started drinking? What the hell are you talking about?”

“I’m saying that I’ll be celebrating a different sort of labor day in about seven months. Right around the fourth of April.”

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