“Arsen! My man!” Nico Mayson calls as I exit my truck in front of his house. Nico and Sophie are having an end of the school year get-together for their kids, and for some reason, the man has invited me. “Still driving that thing, huh?” The bastard is always hassling me about my F-150.

“Hasn’t been found on the road dead, yet,” I laugh back, shaking his hand. “Why exactly did your pretty wife want me here? It’s for kids.” I try to hide my scowl. Nico and I have been friends for a couple of years now after a run-in with a perp at a sandwich shop that we were both eating lunch at. The dipshit tried to rob the place. Needless to say, he didn’t get too far.

“Fucked if I know. But she was insistent.” Nico shakes his head at his wife’s antics, but we both know the man would do anything for her. In fact, he has done pretty much everything for her. As mushy as I fucking sound, their love is the kind that happens once in a lifetime. The Mayson’s call it the “boom”, I call it good luck and a damn miracle.

As soon as we enter the house, the sound of kids screaming and laughing assault our ears. “More than just your bunch here today, huh?” I raise a brow at him in question. Nico shrugs and smiles with false innocence.

“Arsen!” Sophie’s soft voice calls from somewhere. I can’t see her, but she can see me.

“Uh, Soph? You buried in all these kids?” I laugh, only half kidding.

“Oh, quiet, they deserve it.” Her grinning face appears around the corner to the kitchen. “I’m so glad you could make it.”

Before she can reach up to kiss my cheek, Nico is pulling her back, growling, “Watch it, wife.” She swats his hand but doesn’t move.

“Go on out back. The BBQ is on. Food and drinks are spread out. Mingle.” It’s her overly sunny demeanor that has me suspicious as she pushes me out the patio door.

Walking outside, there are at least twenty kids running around, and even though I’ve met the Mayson’s, I’m not so sure I could identify any of them.

“Detective Daniels?” I hear my name and spin around to see Asher Mayson walking towards me. We’ve met twice; both times because of trouble at his club.

“How you doing, Mayson?”

He eyes me critically. We never did get along. “Fine. What are you doing here? Someone call in a noise complaint with the kids?” His smirk holds mockery.

“Nope. Nico and Soph asked me over.” I look around, trying my best to ignore him.

“No kidding.” He seems thoughtful for a second. “You got kids?” I hate small talk. I hate it, even more, when the subject becomes touchy.

“Nope.”

He’s puzzled now as he watches me. “Then what the fuck do they want you here for?”

“Asher,” Sophie scolds, coming out behind us. “He’s our friend, and we invited him.” Her tone doesn’t leave much room for argument.

“Whatever,” he mutters, walking away.

Soph rolls her eyes before looking back to me. “I was hoping Marina would be here by now, but I guess she’s not coming.”

And that explains everything. Laughing, I shake my head. “Soph, I’ve told you, I’m not interested in you setting me up. I can find my own woman.”

The stubborn lady laughs and walks away, handing out popsicles to all the kids. The noise pollution grows louder and has Nico and I chuckling at the midgets’ excitement.

“She really invited me here to set me up?” I ask him once the kiddos have quieted down some.

“Yup. Marina Parks is her name. She’s Talon’s kindergarten teacher. Soph met her last year, I think.”

“You haven’t?” I ask him, thinking it strange.

“Very briefly at the beginning of the year. Scared the crap out of her. Couple more times after that, but mostly she meets Soph for lunch.” He laughs at the memory.

“Tell Soph, thanks, but I’ll pass.” I turn to leave when he stops me.

“She’s a nice person. A little young for you, maybe, but nice.”

Nice?

Nice.

Nice…

Who describes anyone as nice anymore? Isn’t that a polite way of saying they are boring? Whatever. Doesn’t matter. I’m not up for this matchmaker shit.

Turning to leave, I’m stopped short when I see the smallest, hottest little body walk through the front door. Her rustic red-brown hair curling around her sweet cherub face. Her lips look moist but stained a bright red that almost looks natural. Her vibrant blue eyes would be too big for her face if not for her ridiculously long eyelashes. Lashes that curl just the tiniest bit to make her eyes glow.

“You made it!” I hear Sophie come rushing from behind me and the stunning new guest smiles shyly. Hesitant to show any emotion. When her gaze slides over to me, her cheeks heat, and if I’m correct, her breath catches.

Fucking delicious little morsel she is.

“Still wanna tell me you’re not interested?” Nico slaps my back as he walks past me to join his wife. “Miss Parks, how are you?”

I wait with anticipation for her sweet voice to reach my ears. “Fine, Nico, thank you.” Timidly, she pushes hair behind her ear at my friend’s intense attention. Her voice is like sunshine and peaches. Which makes no fucking sense, but goddamn, has she got my full interest.

Walking closer to the trio, I see her shrink back and have the feeling it’s because of my size. For as big and intimidating as Nico is, I’ve got a couple inches and about twenty pounds on the man. Her gaze flickers around the room before Sophie grabs her attention.

* * *

I don’t know why I’m here. I shouldn’t be. I can hear the kids’ laughter from the street as I stand beside my small, sunshine yellow Volkswagen Beetle with the long eyelashes over the headlights. The parents from my class organized a collection for those as a Christmas gift because of my long eyelashes. It’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.

“Come on, Ari, get in there.”

Great. Now I’m talking to myself.

Shaking my arms at my sides and up through my shoulders and back, I step forward, walk up the path, and knock.

No answer comes after a few minutes.

Probably because of the children.

Pushing back my nerves, I test the handle to find it unlocked. Opening the door, I tell myself if I don’t see Sophie, I’ll just leave.

Once I enter her house, two things hit me at once. A surrounding sense of home and warmth, and the gorgeous man across the room on the back patio with Nico. His ash-colored hair and whiskey eyes draw me in.

“Marina!” Sophie’s ecstatic voice breaks my gaze from him, thankfully. Though, my body is completely aware of his presence. “I’m so glad you could make it!”

Pushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear as Nico makes his way over, my eyes meet the stranger’s, who is oddly more intimidating than Sophie’s hulking husband. The couple speaks to me, but I barely register my response as the mystery man comes over.

Tattoos peek out onto his hands from his forearms, and my body hums. The artistry in the act has always piqued my curiosity.

Stepping back the closer he gets, my back hits the door, and Nico and Sophie share an obviously knowing look that I can’t interpret. “Detective Arsen Daniels, this is Marina Parks. The new kindergarten teacher for Talon this past year.” My friend’s face lights up with triumph as she introduces us.

I’ve never been one to talk to strangers or be outgoing, so when he smiles at me with a crooked grin and dimples appear, I find I want to talk to him just as much as I want to run away. His jaw is strong, square, with enough stubble to say he hasn’t shaved in a few days.

I squeak and jump back at the rough timber of his voice, and he reaches a hand out to shake mine. “Nice to meet you, Marina.” The deep rumble of his words rushes through me like a freight train, making me tingle in places that have been long dormant.

“Pull yourself together, Ari,” I mumble under my breath.

“Ari?” His voice sends a shiver up my spine.

“Crap,” I mutter again. He heard me. Mortified, I stick my hand out to hold his. “Nice to meet you, detective.”

“Arsen,” he says, his hot gaze roaming my body from head to toe. Scorching every piece of flesh with his inspection.

“What?” Is that my voice? All breathy. Belatedly, I realize he’s still got my hand.

“Call me Arsen, Ari.” My body pulses in tune with each word spoken.

“Arsen.” I try to take back my hand.

He pulls me forward slightly so my body presses to his, murmuring “good girl” as he leans down to lightly kiss my cheek. His soft lips set my skin on fire with his brand. The rough stubble on his face scratches me, and I close my eyes briefly.

“Nico, Soph, thanks for having us,” he says, and I’m upset to realize he came with someone. “But we’re gonna go grab dinner.”

I go to step out of his way, and his arm entrenches me as he guides us out the door that I’d literally walked through just a few moments prior.

“Wait, what, we?” No one answers me as Sophie waves, and Arsen guides me down the sidewalk. What just happened?

“Which one’s yours?” His voice awashes me in comfort and longing as his question registers in my brain.

Pointing to my cheerful, pint-sized car, I reply, “That one.”

As we stop in front of it, he looks back and forth between me and the vehicle. His gaze amused. “Of course.” His laughter picks up momentum as his amusement becomes more apparent.

“I don’t get it?” I grumble at him, quickly becoming annoyed with this overbearing brute of a man.

His merriment fades as his golden gaze meets mine again. The hand around my shoulders slides down to my waist, and I feel it to my toes. My body arches into him as he turns to fully face me. His other hand grazes my cheek as his knuckles brush along my brow.

“These beautiful long lashes, they draw a man in. Suck him into your web.” I can feel the stain of a blush hit my cheeks at his words. “So, of course, you would have matching lashes on your little bug.” Amusement laces his words again, and I’m not sure if I should be insulted or flattered.

Looking at my car, I smile, refusing to be embarrassed. “They were a gift from my class.”

I continue to feel his intense stare on me as he slides a lock of stray hair behind my ear. “They’re perfect.” My eyes dart to him then. The emotion and intensity in his own pierce me to my soul, and I get the feeling he’s not talking about the car decoration.

Clearing my throat, I don’t know how to handle him. “Why did you drag me away?” I don’t know if I’m complaining or not because I didn’t really want to come today in the first place, but I don’t understand him.

“You ever see something you want and decide to just go for it?”

“Umm, well, I bought this car,” I say, not sure where he’s going with this.

The way he bites the side of his lip draws my attention there. I have tunnel vision where he’s concerned it seems, and his face feels closer.

“You got the car; I want the girl,” he murmurs just before our lips touch. I barely have time to register the act before he’s pulling me tightly into him.

His touch enflames me.

His lips overwhelm me.

His body engulfs me.

Sweet heavens.

This man.

He could be my everything.

If only I weren’t meant to have nothing.

* * *

Fireworks.

This must be how they feel when they explode. The first touch is soft then quickly turns explosive. Marina is a slow burn of fire as she accepts my kiss. Her little moan, the one she tries so hard to stifle, makes me grin against her lips.

“That’s my girl.”

“Your girl?” she asks in a husky voice she doesn’t recognize.

“Let me take you for dinner,” I eventually respond. I have the feeling she’s the type of girl who likes to be given the choice even when I know I’ll be having the final say.

“Okay.” Her eyes remain closed as she licks her lips slowly, making me want to take another taste. “But, later on.” She points back to the house I just dragged her out of. “I was invited. I should stay for a while first.”

Licking my lips, I size her up. She’s small, sweet, and hot as sin. I’m huge, arrogant, and probably intimidating her. Running a hand across my mouth roughly, I’m torn between my need to have Marina to myself and letting her get to know me.

“Alright.” I reluctantly agree but am rewarded with a stunning smile as she looks up to me. I tighten my grip on her fingers, though. If I’m going to suffer through sharing her attention, I’m damn well going to do it with her hand in mine.

“Interesting,” Nico mumbles as we walk back through the door. I shoot him a glare, and he turns away, not doing a very good job at masking his amusement.

Marina, tugging on my hand to either get free or to follow her, I’m not sure which, has me ignoring my friend and following along anyways. She leads me into the backyard. The noise level is nearly deafening again.

Spotting an empty lounge chair, I guide her to it. Sitting against the back, I pull her down between my legs. She’s stiff, at first, but relaxes when one of Nico’s twins, Willow, I believe, comes over to us.

“Talon thinks you’re pretty.” She giggles, brushing her fingers through Marina’s glossy hair.

“Well, thank you.” Her soft voice is filled with awe and something else.

“Momma says you have pretty eyes, too.” Willow’s fingers trace Marina’s face. “But they’re too sad.” I sit up straight at that; my eyes glued to her expressions as Willow talks. “Daddy says you need a man. Momma tells him to be quiet.” She leans in to whisper. “Only she uses the not nice voice.”

Marina’s laughter is forced as she says, “Your Momma is right.”

“So, you’re not sad?” The little girls head tilts curiously.

Before Marina can answer, Sophie calls to her. She waves her over to a group of women that are all staring and smiling at us.

I let her go reluctantly. Whatever it is Willow saw in her face has clearly gotten under her skin. I can wait for more. We have forever.

* * *

I don’t know what I’m doing. Why I’m here. Why I stayed. I don’t know anything.

It physically hurts my heart to see so many kids loved so thoroughly. To see so many happy couples sneaking light kisses, holding hands, stealing looks full of love.

Why are you here, Ari?

I shouldn’t have come. When Willow asked me if I was sad, I almost cried because, yes, I am terribly sad. I don’t think I’ve entirely processed my loss. It’s only been a year, and yet, it feels like a lifetime.

I just don’t understand life sometimes, I guess. I had everything going for me, and now, there’s this black hole waiting at the edge of a cliff in my heart. It hurts to breathe through the pain.

I can feel Arsen’s eyes on me during the rest of the party. When Nico and two other men drag him away, relief and disappointment wash through me, equally. The attraction I feel for him isn’t something I’ve encountered before. It’s new, fresh, exciting. Sophie told me she thinks I should go for it. That he’s an incredible man.

She’s been privy to all my fears, my unreasonable thinking. She confessed to me that it was why she had Talon ask me to come tonight, knowing it would be difficult to say no to the sweet boy. She was right. It was hard. Harder still at the hope in his eyes when he asked.

Talon and a few of his classmates have been the sweetest this evening, acting like cute, little servers carrying trays of food around the party. Holding out chairs for their moms.

I’ve never seen so much love in one evening.

I’ve never felt so much envy burn inside me.

“Hey, Sophie, I’m going to get going now. I have to pack for my visit with my parents next weekend.”

“Oh, sure.” She looks around distractedly. “Thanks for coming, Marina. I know you didn’t want to, but everyone loves you. This celebration is as much for the success you’ve given our kids as it is for them to ring in the summer.”

“I know.” I lean in to hug her. “Thank you for everything. Have a great summer.” I hurry out before she can stop me and convince me to stay longer.

Digging through my purse for my keys, I run into a brick wall of muscle as I step off the porch. “Oh!”

“You owe me dinner,” is rumbled above my head. Arsen’s piercing gaze swallows me whole. I did promise him dinner. I suppose it won’t hurt; I didn’t eat much during the party.