affirmed when she saw his silhouette on the front porch swing, slowly rocking. Waiting for her return. How much better was that than just a pair of guinea pigs wheeking for their dinner? Max Savoie fed her soul to a fullness that scattered the darkness of her day. But tonight, she feared there were storm clouds on that horizon.
She left her car out front. Though he was no longer a servant in the household, Giles St. Clair, the big former thug turned attorney-in-the-making, insisted on fussing over it like a proud parent, putting it to bed in the carriage house as if practicing for the baby he anxiously awaited.
“Heya.” A greeting rumbled low and carefully neutral.
“Hey, yourself.” She climbed the steps as if approaching gallows strung with the noose of their tentative parting.
His slitted stare locked on hers, rising as she grew closer, flaring hot when she fit hands over his shoulders and stepped knees up onto the swing on either side of his hips.
“I owe you an apology.” Not the words she’d planned to say, but they leapt from her heart too quickly for her to catch. Apparently, they were the right ones.
“You owe me a kiss first, Detective.” He tapped his lips. “Pay up.”
She’d have surrendered everything for the luxury of his kiss, but what followed would be so much sweeter after the necessary humbling. Forehead resting against his, she vowed, “I love you, Savoie.”
“Yes, I was feeling that in my office. Should I expect MacCreedy to arrive for a kiss-and-make-up, too?”
She made a face. “Way to spoil the mood.”
Big hands cupped her bottom, giving a lusty squeeze. “Oh, I think the mood is just fine. Apology accepted. You know how I am when you get all squinty eyed and official with me.”
“I don’t squint!”
“I’ve felt knife blades less sharp.”
Cee Cee settled back on his lap to scowl. “You know I was just doing the job.”
“I do. But the job ends at those gates, sha. Agreed?”
Because his hands were getting all touchy feely, she was quick to nod. “Off the clock.” Until a cell phone buzzed. “You or me?”
Max’s hands dropped away from what they were doing. “Me.” He reached for it reluctantly. “Apology tabled, Detective. Savoie.” Then he sat up straight, nearly dumping Charlotte from his knees. “When? On our way.”
– – –
Colin’s conflicted thoughts regarding the Babineau matter lifted the minute he stepped into his brother Rico’s apartment. The essence of home and family embraced him as tightly as Evangeline’s hug.
“Hey, kiddo. Where’s everyone?”
“Out on the patio. We’re watching the storm roll in.”
They moved toward the sound of voices. His brother’s laughter mingled with two lighter tones, one of them tightening about his heart the way Evie’s arm cinched his waist.
His mate. The mother-to-be of his children, beginning with the son they’d made between them.
Her dark eyes immediately sought his for a gaze too hot for immature audiences. Mia Guedry now Terriot, small, deliciously curvy, and deadly to those who were fooled by the first obvious two. An instantaneous combustion of lust and longing fueled their fixed stare. A whole new purpose rose along with his welcoming smile.
“Ready to go? Some nasty stuff moving in, and I’d just as soon get home.” And into bed.
“Just been waiting for you.” My whole life, her small smile confided.
Rico groaned. “Take it behind closed doors, please. Preferably your own.”
Colin winked at Amber. “Good idea.”
The blissful trio walked the couple to the door. A perfect moment for both brothers. Damn, we’re lucky. Rico caught his look and gave a small, agreeing nod. Yes, we are.
As the couple rode down in the elevator, Mia noticed his turmoil.
“What’s wrong, Dreamboat? Is it Cale?”
A tug at his lips. “No. Something else that doesn’t need to concern us tonight.” Tomorrow was soon enough. He rested his cheek atop her thick dark hair and breathed her in, forcing his worries away on a lengthy sigh. “You’re my world, Mia.”
“Good.”
As the ’62 T-bird given to him by Max Savoie roared onto the street, those swollen heavens tore loose, sheeting the windshield despite aggressive wiper blades. A warm squeeze of Mia’s hand on his thigh coaxed a glance her way as they entered the Quarter. Every wish he’d ever made was answered in her adoring gaze.
Looking ahead both at the street and toward the pleasures to come, Colin noticed a mammoth sanitation vehicle in the oncoming lane moving at a damn fast clip. Nothing to concern him, since he was in a hurry, too . . .