The fire blazed high as more wood was added, warming the cool evening. The sun hung low in the sky, painting the evening in an array of ever-changing colors. The constant breeze off the bay skimmed over the gathering. Mitch’s grandfather’s old fishing cabin had been the sight of many beach parties for the Baytown Boys and their friends over the years.

Gareth sat in the sand with his knees bent, Katelyn between them, her back pressed to his front. Wrapping his arms around her, he placed his chin on her shoulder as they watched the sun dip. Her large-neck sweatshirt had slipped to the side and he bent to nibble on the soft skin exposed on her neck and shoulder.

Giggling, she playfully complained, “That tickles.” As his movements halted, she quickly added, “But don’t stop.”

The bonfire was roaring, already casting shadows and light over the faces of those sitting around its warmth. Katelyn, with Gareth’s arms around her, smiled at the large gathering. “You warm enough, babe?” he asked. With the fire ablaze, she nodded against his shoulder, unsure which was warmer—the fire or her back pressed against his body.

Jillian leaned against a large log, Grant tucking her in close to his side. Callan, Jason, and some guys from the Coast Guard played volleyball on the beach. Jade and Belle shared a blanket on the sand. Ginny sat in a beach chair, her legs stretched out in front of her.

Mitch walked from the deck with Tori, trays of snacks in their hands that they set on another blanket near the group.

“Got more beer!” Aiden called out, carrying a beer-filled cooler with Brogan toward the bonfire. Setting the cooler on the sand, they opened the top and grabbed a few to pass around.

Brogan walked by and offered a beer to Ginny who glanced up in surprise. Taking it, she nodded her thanks and her eyes followed him as he moved around the group offering more beer.

Katelyn observed Ginny’s gaze on Brogan but as soon as he turned around, Ginny jerked her head toward the sunset. Brogan made his way back over, sitting on the sand next to the pretty police officer. Neither spoke to each other but Katelyn smiled at the way they both spared glances at each other and wondered if they would ever get together.

Zac came walking over, a young blonde on his arm. He looked over the gathering and said, “Hell, this looks just like old times.”

A pang shot through Katelyn as she realized she thought the same thing…only now she was with Gareth and not Philip. Gareth’s arms tightened around her and his warm breath tickled her ear as he asked if she was all right.

Twisting her head so that she was a whisper away from him, she smiled. “Yeah…I’m great,” she replied, and realized she truly meant it.

Gareth’s heart felt lighter as her words settled into him. He wondered if he would feel like Philip’s replacement when with their friends, but was slowly beginning to accept that his place was solidified with the group…and in her heart.

“So, I hear Silas is all pissy about the golf tournament being cancelled,” Jillian stated, bringing everyone’s attention to her.

“Hell, Silas gets pissy about anything that doesn’t go his way,” Aiden quipped.

“We probably lost some money that would have come in from the golfers eating in town, but I don’t think they really shop in town much when they come in for a tournament,” Katelyn added.

Grant said, “Well, you can add in the resort manager as well, as far as being pissy. He bent the ear of the mayor, who in turn, jumped all over Mitch the other day about closing Walter’s case.”

The group turned toward Mitch, who said nothing, but snuggled closer to Tori on their blanket by the fire.

“Do you think it was someone he knew?” Belle asked softly, her eyes wide. “Or could it have been someone out there just killing people and he was in the wrong place at the wrong time?”

Mitch quickly replied, “You know we can’t speculate on an active investigation but, Belle, there’s no evidence of some kind of a serial killer.”

“So, we should be okay?”

Gareth picked up on her unease and reassured, “Everyone should be vigilant but, then, you should be anyway. But as Mitch said, there’s no reason to think that anyone other than Mr. Berry was the intended victim.”

“Well, he didn’t just float up on the golf course,” Callan said, plopping down by the fire. “Kind of makes me wonder if someone didn’t have it in for The Dunes as well. Let’s face it…dropping him off at the golf course really brought things to a halt.”

“Was Walter going to play in the tournament?” Katelyn asked, twisting back around to Gareth.

Gareth sat up straighter, sharing a look with Mitch, Grant, and Ginny. They hadn’t even considered that angle! “Don’t know, Katie girl, but you can bet we need to find out,” he whispered.

* * *

Turning off the downstairs light, Katelyn glanced over her shoulder as Gareth double-checked the front locks. Smiling, she caught his eye as he turned to face her, his smile matching hers. Her heart skipped a beat as electricity filled the air. The desire to have his body rock hers in the moonlight filled her senses. “I’m glad you’re staying,” she said, her voice soft.

“Nowhere else I’d rather be,” he replied, walking slowly toward her, stopping only as his hands lifted to caress her shoulders. His thumbs moved in circles on her neck, the silky skin still slightly cool from the outdoors. “We need to get you warmed up.”

Her gaze held his as she moved into his arms, feeling them slide from her shoulders to her back, pulling their bodies closer together. “Mmmmm,” she murmured, her cheek pressed against his chest, his heartbeat pounding in her ear.

Bending quickly, he scooped her up, carrying her easily up the stairs and straight into the master bathroom. Setting her feet on the cushy bathmat, he bent over to turn on the faucets to fill the tub, throwing in some bath salts.

“A bath?” Katelyn grinned.

“I remember you said that a bath gets you warmer than a shower.”

“I figured you had another way to get me warm,” she teased.

“Oh, don’t you worry, sweetheart…I’ve got my ways,” he promised, grabbing the bottom of her sweatshirt and pulling it gently over her head as she raised her arms. Next came the camisole and her bra, landing in the laundry basket in the corner. She slipped off her shoes as his hands reached for her pants, the sound of the zipper slowly sliding down barely heard over the running water. His thumbs hooked into the waistband and her jeans and panties began their torturously slow journey over her curvy hips and down her legs.

Not wanting to rush a moment of her unveiling, he knelt, kissing her thighs, nibbling his way to her knees and down her calves. She lifted each foot as he pulled them off, leaving her standing naked for his perusal.

As he stood, he ran his hands over her curves, appreciating each inch of soft skin until he stood over her once more. Holding her hand, he assisted her as she stepped into the tub, sinking down until the hot water engulfed her, resting her head against the rim.

She moaned in appreciation and he felt the sound in his groin. Toeing off his shoes, he slipped off his jeans as she rolled her head in his direction, her lazy grin now appreciating the view as much as the warm bath.

“You got room in there for one more?” he asked, pulling his sweatshirt over his head.

She eyed the play of muscles in his arms as they maneuvered the material and then gazed in awe at the muscles in his chest and abdomen. “Jeez, you’re so ripped,” she observed, her voice almost reverent.

Grinning, he leaned his naked body over the tub and repeated his question. “Any room for me?”

Jarring out of her admiration, she sat up, the water teasing her nipples. “Oh, yeah. For you…anytime.”

Stepping into the tub, he slid down behind her and gently pulled her back against his front. With her head on his chest, he had a clear view of her glorious body as the water undulated around them. Not normally a fan of a bath, he had to admit this felt amazing and as her ass cheeks pressed against his ready-to-go cock, it was even more phenomenal.

Reaching over, she took a cloth and fragrant soap and began to lather. He reached around, taking the cloth from her, sliding it over her arms and chest. Dropping it, he used his hands to continue stroking her breasts.

Throwing her head back against his shoulder, she pushed her aching breasts out, silently begging for more attention—he was eager to comply. Cupping their fullness, he circled his thumbs over her nipples alternating the soothing motion with a light pinch. Unable to keep her hips still, she pressed her thighs together in a feeble attempt to meet the need for pressure between her legs.

Sliding one of his hands down over her tummy, he cupped her sex underneath the water, teasing the flesh before inserting one finger. The flutter from deep within blossomed outwards as he nuzzled her ear, his warm breath mingling with the steam still coming from the hot water. Clutching his wrists, she held on as he continued his ministrations. Playing her body masterfully, he discovered her sweet spots—the ones that made her moan, the ones that made her wiggle with need.

Gently sucking on her earlobe as his thumb pressed on her swollen nub, she came undone, her body shivering in his arms as her orgasm consumed her, leaving her limp against his body.

Feeling the water cooling, he murmured, “Let me get you out of here and into bed before you get chilled again.”

“I don’t think I can move,” she mumbled, her eyes still closed.

Chuckling, he placed his hands on her shoulders and pushed her forward, slipping out and wrapping a towel around his waist before bending to scoop her up. Placing her feet on the soft bathmat again, he picked up another thick towel, the small heater in the bathroom keeping them toasty. Kneeling, he started at her feet, drying each one off as she clung to his shoulders to keep her steady. Moving excruciatingly slow, he dried off each leg, kissing as he went. He inhaled deeply as he dried her trimmed curls, the scent of her sex mingling with the fragrant soap smell as intoxicating as any drug. Standing, he dried off her abdomen before giving each breast careful consideration. By the time he made it to her neck, her legs were a quivering mess barely able to hold her up.

Grinning, he scooped her up once more, stalking into the bedroom where he bent to throw back the covers before laying her on the cool sheets. Before she had a chance to chill, he followed her, covering her with his body.

His heat pressed into her as she begged, “Please…I need you…I need you now.”

With his upper weight supported by his forearms on the mattress, he cupped her face, staring into her eyes. “You never have to beg me, Katie girl. I’m here for you.” Lowering his lips to hers, he owned her with a kiss that was everything all at once. Soft and strong. Determined and delicate. Patient and primal. And she was lost to the feelings coursing through her body.

She spread her legs for him as he settled between her thighs, his arousal nudging her ready sex. Plunging his cock deep inside at the same time he plunged his tongue into her mouth, he almost exploded at the overwhelming sense of tightness combined with the unique taste that was all Katelyn.

Restraint cast away, he plunged as her feet on his ass and fingers clutching his shoulders urged him on. Sweat beads broke out on his forehead as he felt his lower back tighten and his balls draw up. His pelvis stroked her clit with each thrust and he felt her core squeeze as her head pressed forward, her lips landing on his neck, her teeth nipping at the tender flesh.

As her orgasm milked him, he rocked once more, groaning as the muscles in his neck corded. Continuing to thrust until the last of his cum filled her, he dropped onto her chest, barely registering the ‘oomph’ coming from her lips. Rolling to the side, he pulled her with him, so she was lying half on him, their legs tangled together.

As their bodies cooled and their heartbeats slowed, he brushed back her sweat-slicked hair from her face, peering deeply into her eyes. “I love you, Katelyn.”

She smoothed her fingers over his lips as her own mouth curved into a smile and a tear slid down her cheek. “I love you too, Gareth.”

His heart pounded at her words, his thumb gently sweeping away her lone tear. “I can’t change your past, but I want to be your future.”

“You’re never in comparison with my past…” Licking her kiss-swollen lips, she added, “I once told Jillian and Tori that I had no idea if Philip and I would have even made our relationship last into the adult world. So, don’t you see? I did love him…but as a very young woman. But now, I’m older…wiser…and definitely know what I want.” Smiling again, she slid her hand from his shoulder to cup his strong jaw. “And what I want is you.”

This time their kiss sealed not only their lips, but their hearts as well.