I wanted to know the name of the cologne he wore. I wanted to go out to the mall, hit up a department store, buy a bottle of the amazing scent, and spray every damn throw pillow with it.

I was addicted.

Every small whiff I got of it made my mind haze over slightly with lust and desire. Every small innocent touch thrilled me to the core, making shivers of need rush up and down my spine like currents of electricity.

We were finally next in line for the photo booth, and I felt like I was squirmy with need. The innocent way he touched me as we waited and talked was getting to me. I wanted him. There were no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Something was happening between us. Something I was too afraid to label considering I had just met him, but it was something big, nonetheless.

“Finally,” he growled, taking my hand, and I laughed as he pulled me toward the curtain.

The photo booth not only served as entertainment, a way for guests to take home a keepsake of the evening, but as an extra way to raise funds. The girl at the booth collected the money donated, and people took the props they wanted to use to capture their evening behind the curtain. He handed the booth girl what looked like a fifty-dollar bill. About forty-five dollars too much.

“Gabe, I think you handed her the wrong bill.” I tried to whisper so he could get his money back.

“I didn’t,” he mumbled as he looked at the table of props. “We need props,” he reminded me, sounding almost impatient, and I wondered what the heck was up with him. “We gotta take more than one,” he said as he took a gold and red crown, fit for a king. My hand traced a black bowler hat before my eye caught sight of a sparkling, dainty tiara. I grabbed that and a word bubble that shouted ‘New Year, New Beginnings’ in a pretty, cursive font.

He grabbed one at what seemed to be random before lifting the heavy black velvet.

“Ladies first.” He winked, and I stepped in, slightly turning when his large body didn’t follow me immediately. A glance over my shoulder had me noticing him quickly reaching for another word bubble before following me in.

The large monitor and camera were set in front of us. A curtain of gold fringe behind us. I looked up at him, suddenly a little nervous about being alone with him.

“You gave her too much,” I said softly, and he shrugged.

“It goes to a good cause and gives me more one-on-one time with you. I call it a win.” He winked, and I shook my head slightly.

“What should we do in the first one?” I asked, probably enjoying the idea of being in an enclosed space with him a little too much.

Without a word he took the tiara from my hands and placed it on my head.

“My very own princess,” he cheekily whispered, and a giggle escaped me.

“I thought I was Sparky?”

“Very true,” he rumbled before placing the crown on his head. “Ready, my sparky queen?” he asked, and I winked at him before nodding. He moved quickly, pressing the button to start taking pictures.

“How about a funny face?” he suggested, and I nodded. He moved my body, placing it in front of his, leaning his head on my shoulder.

“Crossed eyes, tongues out,” he playfully ordered, and I laughed doing as he suggested. The flash lit up, and I looked at him.

“Cute one?” I asked, and his Adam’s apple bobbed before he nodded. Placing his head at my shoulder, a strong hand curved and holding my hip. I smiled at the camera. The flash snapped again. I looked next to me, his face just right there. So damn close.

“What about now? Should we—” The words died midway out.

He was holding a word bubble that said ‘My Midnight Kiss All Year Round.’ I grinned brightly. He was definitely smooth. He couldn’t have timed it better.

We leaned into one another, and I swear it felt like time stopped. For a small moment, his mouth hovered over mine. His warm, minty breath made my body tremble.

“So, this is what it feels like,” he murmured.

“What feels like?”

“The moment before life as you know it takes a turn and you know nothing’s going to be same ever again,” he warned in a low tone, and the tip of my tongue traced my bottom lip. He was giving me a chance to back away. To take the easy road. But I knew if I did, we’d step out of the curtained photo booth and go our separate ways, and I’d wake up every day of the new year regretting it.

“Promises, promises,” I whispered, watching his lip quirk up before I closed my eyes and we both leaned in the last tiny bit of space.

Our lips touched for the very first time just as the camera immortalized the image of our first kiss, lights flashing behind my eyes. I knew it was the flash of the camera, but I also knew I would always light up kissing Gabe.

The gentle hand he’d had at the back of my neck was now possessively holding my face. He licked the seam of my lips, demanding access, and I could only open and give. His tongue moved in smoothly, his taste flooding my mouth, making my body quiver for more.

The soft, perfect first kiss quickly heated up, escalating all too quickly. His hands tilted my head this way and that. He didn’t leave any doubt in my head of who was in control. He nipped and sucked my lips, and I gave as well as I got. Both of us lost in the moment despite knowing in the back of my head we were in public. His lips slipped away from mine to the edge of my jaw and to my neck. A needy, too loud groan escaped, and I felt his smile against my skin. Shivers rushed through my body, my skin too hot and tight. I needed his mouth again.

“Kiss me,” I urged, and his mouth crushed to mine. Teeth scraped. Tongues fueled. Before I knew it, my hands were on his belt and he pulled away, leaving both of us panting breathlessly.

“Sweeter than I could have imagined,” he harshly groaned, and something came over me. Lust mixed with something undefinable. I pulled him back into me, our mouths fusing together. His hands grabbed my ass and squeezed, and I wished he’d rip the dress off my body and take me.

As if reading my mind, his hands gripped tighter, and I moaned loudly but was too far gone to care. God, I wished my dress had a little more give, so he could lift me up and I would be able to—

“Daisy.” My name had never sounded better. “Sparky,” he groaned.

“More, Gabe.” I looked up into his eyes, realizing for the first time the world before had been in black and white. He’d kissed color into my life. For twenty-five years, I had simply been existing and only now finally knew what it was to feel really truly alive.

“Humph. Humph,” someone loudly cleared their throat behind us, and my body went solid. Reality washed over me as Gabe gently pulled me into his embrace, shielding me from the world. For a split second, our eyes met, and the way he was looking at me told me not to worry. No matter what, he would make it okay. The moment slipped past as our stare broke and he looked over my head.

“What?” I closed my eyes, my arms wrapped around his waist, and I tried to stroke his back soothingly, so he wouldn’t bite the poor photo booth girl’s head off.

“I’m sorry, but the line is getting long and some of your pictures are ready.”

“We will be right out.” He sighed, and I heard the faint sounds of the girl’s footsteps and the swoosh of the curtain closing behind her.

He looked down at me as my eyes moved from his thickly corded neck to his warm stare, and I didn’t care if we had just been caught pawing at one another like teenagers. His hand moved off my waist, leaving a trail of heat and sensations in his wake.

“You’re so damn beautiful,” he said, and I laughed nervously. The wonder and awe in his voice did crazy things to my heart. It pierced and penetrated all the way through to my soul.

“You’re too much.” I shook my head before pressing my thoroughly kissed lips together.

“I’m exactly what you need.” It almost sounded like a promise, and I wondered what alternative realm I was living in. His thumb caressed my cheek. “You okay to get back out there?” he asked sweetly.

“Yeah.” I nodded. “I think I just need to get something to drink before we get back to the table. I’m definitely very thirsty,” I flirted and enjoyed the deep chuckle that vibrated from him. It felt good.

“Get my girl something to drink. Check.”

His girl. Damn, he was smooth. I really liked the sound of being his.

What the hell had kissing Gabe done to my head?

I buttoned the tux jacket, glancing down as we walked, thankful it was long enough to cover the raging hard-on I was sporting. We stopped at the bar, where I got each of us a bottle of water and a glass of champagne before heading to the table. I pulled out her chair and kissed the top of her head before sitting beside her, my arm behind her. When was the last time I had pulled a chair out for a woman who wasn’t my mother or sister?

I didn’t miss the wide-eyed look my sister shared with Maverick. Nor did I miss the way Maverick looked like he was torn between laughing or being concerned. Either way, they were full of curiosity about what was going on, and I didn’t blame them. I had never been the type of man to indulge in public displays of affection.

But I didn’t care. They would have to wait for answers. Right then and there, all I could handle was giving my girl all my attention.

Snuggled close, we whispered back and forth. Shared flirty touches and naughty smiles. We were in our own world. Dinner was served, and even though I put a little space between us so we could eat, she would find a way to reach me.

Conversation and laughter flowed as easily as the champagne poured. Daisy’s soft hand would find its way to my thigh, and my blood would go up ten degrees. I was officially teetering between heaven and hell. I was dying to feel her skin against mine. Her shoulder would brush up against mine when she turned toward me mid-laugh, and it was like an out-of-body experience. I could see myself falling deeper for the girl. Every little thing she did made me want her more. My body was homed in on every move and sound she made, and I was strung tightly by a thin thread that was mere moments from breaking.

“What do you want?” Her friend, Titan’s daughter, asked the newbie cop that had hit on my sister when she had first come back into town.

“Hey, beautiful.” He salaciously winked, and Ruby rolled her eyes before they started to talk a little.

I glanced at Mav noting how my best friend’s jaw clenched at the sight of the newcomer. Maverick was hopeless. My sister was head over heels for him. They were solid. There was no reason for him to get all Neanderthal-like.

Daisy shifted in my arms, and the scent of her shampoo hit. I thought about a guy hitting on her. Someone trying to take what was mine, and I finally understood my best friend. I got that need that drove a man into insanity to make sure everyone knew who she belonged to, despite how barbaric it might be.

“You are very charming, Miss Titan,” I overheard Rocco say.

“And you are infuriating,” she hissed in a whisper.

“I’m actually here to get the big man,” Rocco shared before his eyes met mine. “It’s that time, Blanco. They need your pretty face.”

“Who?”

“The MC. You know, for the bachelor auction,” Rocco reminded me, and my jaw tightened.

I didn’t want to leave.

I didn’t want to be anywhere other than next to my girl.

My nosy, well-meaning sister. Thankfully, I had a backup plan.

“That’s right.” Daisy’s voice had me turning my attention to her. “It’s almost time.”

I could see the apprehension in her eyes. She didn’t want me to go any more than I did.

“You going to bid on me?” I asked lightly, trying to coax a sweet smile from her. Instead, she worried her lower lip, and I tilted my head with curiosity.

“I will. I just don’t know if I’ll be able to win.” She would. She just didn’t know it yet.

“I promise I’ll make it worth every dollar.”

“Oh, I bet.” She laughed. The sound warmed me deep inside my chest cavity. “The problem is, I’m just a city employee.”

“Don’t worry, Daisy. Gabe is last. My boys in blue will make sure wallets will be lighter by the time his turn pops up,” Rocco joked, and I scowled toward him. “I mean, I’m pretty sure we know who will bring in the most money.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, not missing the taunting tone in his voice. Fields was up to something. I just wasn’t sure what.

“Come on, Blanco. It’s okay, man.” My jaw clenched. The guy was too full of himself for his own good.

“What’s okay?” Maverick asked gruffly.

“Tonight’s event is for your boys. We’re happy to raise money any way we can.” Rocco smiled, but I knew exactly where he was going.

“You insinuating the police department will raise more than us?” Maverick asked, obviously amused. He looked like he was about to laugh.

“I didn’t say that, but…” He shrugged. “But my guys aren’t against putting a little wager on it. Can you say the same about your guys?”

“Jesus.” Mav shook his head. “You sure you want to do this, Fields?”

“Why not? There is gonna be an even number of your guys and ours up there. Five on each side. Not my fault if one of yours… well…” He shrugged way too cockily for his own good as his pretty boy face melted into fake disgust. I wanted to punch him. My eyes caught Ruby’s face, and I could see she was thinking the same thing.

I knew exactly what he was insinuating and who he was talking about. Our newest recruit.

Kid in his late twenties that had transferred back from San Diego.

Aaron Garcia was a good kid.

Strong and smart, reliable and trustworthy. He’d fit into the small-town firehouse and settled in easier than most. He just wasn’t the best looking.

“I don’t think you know what you’re getting yourself into.” I smirked, more confident than I felt, but I knew Rocco’s type.

Hell, I used to be just like Rocco Fields. A cocky sob who played the field, chasing skirts and playing it fast and loose when it came to the fires we fought. Always looking for an adrenaline rush and too full of himself to see past the end of his nose.

“I think you guys are a little chicken,” Rocco arrogantly remarked. And I smirked. Looking at him was definitely like looking in the mirror of days past. When the hell did I grow up? I wondered silently to myself.

“What do you wanna bet?” Maverick asked, and Rocco smiled even brighter.

“I’ll put in a hundred. Our guys get the most money in—”

I laughed and glanced at Maverick. His cold eyes moved from Rocco and met mine, and I saw it. He had something better in mind.

“Money’s too easy.” Maverick casually shrugged before resting his elbows on the table, leaning his body toward Rocco, “We lose, we clean the showers at your station once a week for a month.”

“Hmm… and if we lose?”

“You and your boys in blue fluff and fold the bedding at the station once a week for a month.” The smile on my face widened. I liked where Maverick was taking this. We hated doing laundry, and with budget cuts, a regular service wasn’t always a priority and we would have to dedicate an entire day to laundry between calls. And even then, it was very rare and far between. Nice clean sheets at the station once a week sounded great.

“Deal,” the cocky son of a bitch said, leaning back in the chair and throwing his hand over Ruby’s shoulder.

“You gonna bet on me, babe?”

“I’d rather bet on an old shoe,” Ruby responded.

“Your loss.” He shrugged, and I glanced over to Frank.

“How about you move your arm away from my kid and you don’t lose it,” Frank Titan warned, and I had to bite away a smile at how the kid paled and took his arm off Ruby’s chair.

“You guys should get going,” Daisy said, and I looked at her. She was clearly amused by what was going on. “I’ll walk you.”

“Actually, why don’t you come with me?” Sofia chimed in, and I leaned my forehead against Daisy’s. Any tension about Fields and his bullshit faded away. The girl was like magic.

“I’ll do this, and we can get out of here after.”

“Get out of here, huh?” She smiled, and I noted a tiny dimple that popped up. How did I miss that?

“Yeah.”

“Winner gets first dance with her bachelor,” she shared, and I peeked over at Sofi, praying she’d do exactly what I told her to.

“Winner will. But after—”

“Let’s play it by ear.” Daisy smiled, but I saw it didn’t reach her eyes. Was she nervous about another woman? Jealous of someone else dancing with me? If she had any idea how inside out she had me feel, she wouldn’t be. But she would understand soon enough. With time she would get she was all I could ever want.

And time was all we had.