Pierced Hearts (Southern Charmers 1)

“Pretty much. The territorial vibe is raging,” Dave agrees.

Darby giggles and tries to step back, but I hold her to me firmly. “Dave and Martin are friends of mine from Charlotte, Pierce. I’ve known them for years. They happen to be vacationing here. We met through Scottie and his partner.”

At the term partner, some of the tension eases, and Miller chuckles.

“That’s her elusive way of saying we are no threat to you,” Dave points out.

“Now is where you stop sneering like an animal and shake their hands,” Darby tells me.

I keep one arm around her, offering my hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“Scottie told us Darby had a new man in her life. We saw you online, but it’s easy to understand why Darby lived like a nun now.”

“Shut up!” Darby swats Martin’s arm.

It’s my turn to grin smugly. “Quite a coincidence running into each other on a beach in Kiawah Island.”

“No kidding. We were sitting back there,” Martin throws his thumb over his shoulder, “and I told Dave that Darby was picking up shells. I’d know that body and form anywhere.”

At the last piece of information, the tension returns, and my grin turns into a frown.

“Martin was my masseuse,” Darby clarifies.

“Wait, is that Runner?” Dave asks. Runner’s supersonic hearing kicks in, and he dashes our way.

“You better brace, Dave. He’s coming full force,” Darby warns.

The dog barrels into their legs, hopping and barking while they both rub him down. “We were so excited to see Darby; we didn’t even see him. Who is he playing with?”

“Those are Pierce’s children, Maya and Cole.”

At the mention of their names, both their heads pop up, their eyes casting between Darby and me. Shock settles on their faces at the realization of who I am. An uncomfortable silence stretches out until Darby speaks. “I’m guessing Scottie left that part out.”

“Yeah, you could say so.” Martin pats Runner one last time and stands straight, crossing his arms over his broad chest. All sense of joking from a minute ago is gone. There’s no telling what he knows of our history, but it’s evident he’s trying to figure me out. “It seems you worked a miracle.”

These men obviously had a place in her life in Charlotte. For them to know anything about me says they mean something to her, which is important to me.

“It’s funny how life has a way of working out. I’m guessing you probably have some questions for Darby. Why don’t you join us for dinner, and you can grill her on how I wore her down?”

Darby’s fingers dig into my chest, and her breath hitches. They exchange a glance then agree. “We’d love to.”

“I brought dessert,” she adds.

“I’ve been craving a taste of your stuff for a long time.” Dave smacks his lips appreciatively.

We agree on a time and say our goodbyes, the three of us and Runner joining Maya and Cole at the shoreline where they are studying the sand intently.

“What are you looking at?”

“We’re looking for shark’s teeth.” Maya squints, leaning closer to a shell. “Neither of us has ever found one.”

I glance over Darby’s head at Miller, and he wiggles his eyebrows. He’s the one who planted this in their heads, and I know exactly why.

“Lucky for y’all, Darby is the best shark’s tooth collector I’ve ever known.”

“I don’t know about that, but I’ve found a few,” she replies shyly.

“A few? You kicked all our asses when it came to finding those suckers,” Miller throws back.

“Okay, I have a keen eye.”

“Would you help us?” Maya asks sweetly, her eyes growing bright.

“Absolutely. Let’s walk a bit.”

My kids fall in step with her, Miller and I falling behind while Darby explains her best methods. After a few minutes, she stops, shaking her head. “This is better at low tide or early morning.”

“Low tide isn’t until seven-fifty-two p.m.” Miller recites the information. “And we’re grilling steaks tonight.”

“Then we’ll come in the morning,” Cole decides. “Darby can teach us how to hunt then.”

“That’s a good idea,” Maya agrees with a smile. “Dad can make breakfast.”

Darby’s eyes fly to mine, and I shrug innocently. We’ve all been dropping hints for Darby to stay, and each time, she declines, but her effort is wavering. Let’s see what she comes up with this time.

“Guys, I appreciate the offer, but I’m not prepared to stay overnight.”

“You’re up,” Cole and Maya say at the same time, running to the ocean. Miller stays behind to watch them as I take Darby’s hand and head back toward the house.

“If you think we’re going back into that house where you can seduce me to stay, I’m going to kill you!”

“That wasn’t my intent, but I’m game if you can’t help yourself.”

“You’re not going—” She gripes the rest of the way, and I enjoy her spirited argument with herself.

I guide us through the French doors of the master bedroom, taking a quick second to appreciate the spot I fucked her earlier, and lead her into the bathroom. I yank her to me, kissing her hard to shut her up. “Look around.”