His laugh rumbled up and free, taking flight into the air and over the ocean he sometimes called home.
"No dreadlocks." He rocked their h*ps closer, igniting the ever-present spark between them. "Although, I've been thinking about a new tattoo."
That fire kindled hotter. "Oh, really? Where? What?"
"A bird."
"An eagle? Cool."
He shook his head. "I'm thinking more along the lines of a wren." He placed her hand over his heart. "Right here."
Darcy sighed, totally hot and completely melting all at once. "Maybe I should look into a tattoo for myself."
"We won't be the most conventional couple on base."
"What woman needs conventional when she can have pineapples, coconut oil and more.''
She stretched up into another kiss, tracing the spot along his chest over his heart—a heart that picked up pace under her hand as Max lowered her to the soft pad of grass for a lifetime of more.
Much more...
>With Darcy.
A woman so incredible as she fought like hell to stay awake, holding on to life and giving him any advantage she could. He only had maybe six inches of Perry's chest in sight. Darcy too close.
Her only chance lay in Max taking that shot. And praying she didn't launch over the cliff.
The Glock weighted heavy in his hands. He stared at her one last time. Hoped she would read his intent and prepare. Prayed she would see how much he loved her.
Max cocked his head to the side, aiming. "Perry?"
"Yeah, boss?"
Max pulled the trigger.
The bullet tore through Perry's shoulder. Propelled him backward toward the edge, his arm banded around Darcy's waist.
"Max!" she screamed.
No! He launched forward. Darcy flung her arms out, kicked backward as she angled over the side with Perry. Max ran, reached. Her hand clapped against his wrist even as Perry's body dragged her down.
Max's fingers clamped around her forearm, and he wasn't letting go. Ever. He set his feet. Jerked. Perry's crazed eyes met his over Darcy's shoulder for one expanded second.
And then he fell away.
Max yanked Darcy into his arms. He buried her face in his neck to shield her from the vision below and thanked God she wasn't down there, as well.
For once he was grateful for those fast reflexes his power-tripping father had honed in him over the years. "Damn it, you scared the hell out of me."
Her limp arms looped around his neck as streaks of morning sun fingered through the sky. "I guess that means you were worried and you care. But we're gonna have to work on your delivery, Doc."
"We've got time for that." Thank God they had time. He cupped her face and studied her dilated pupils. "Are you okay?"
"Just doped up on some kind of...dolphin drug," she answered, her words slurring as her lids drooped. "Maybe you could take me back to our room and have your wicked way with me. Except I probably couldn't stay awake much longer."
He laughed into her hair. No question, it took more than tranquilizers and a brush with death to down Darcy. Damn it, yes, he loved this incredible woman. "You're a tough one, Darcy Renshaw."
"Well, like Perry said earlier. I'm one tough lady to kill," she answered just before sagging in Max's arms.