Pulling up to the harbor, Lance and Mitch looked out at the activity. The fishing boats had returned. Thomas was on board talking to the Taylors. Skip was walking on the dock, several teenage boys wearing Harbor Helpers t-shirts following him around.

“God, I hate this,” Mitch said. “Delivering bad news is the worst part of this job.”

He nodded, knowing no verbal response was needed. They climbed from the police SUV and walked toward the boats, all eyes turning toward them as they approached.

Skip stopped, nodding his greeting, staring at them. Shifting to the side, he said, “Boys, y’all are done for the day. You can head on home.” Waiting for the teens to hurry away, he came closer just as the Richard, Rick, and Harold came down from their boats. Thomas, right on their heels, filled the semi-circle in front of Mitch and him.

“With the look on your faces, I figured something wasn’t right,” Skip offered. “That’s why I sent the kids away.”

“Good deal,” Mitch acknowledged, looking at the small gathering. “No way to say this so it doesn’t hurt, so I’m just gonna let you know up front. The body found on the shore recently was identified as George. George Caday.”

Richard dropped his head, his chest heaving in a great sob and Rick grabbed his father. The two men held tightly to each other as Harold blinked rapidly, raising his gaze to the sky.

“Oh, Lord Jesus,” Skip cried, pulling out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiping his eyes.

Thomas shook his head slowly, his eyes searching out Mitch’s. “How…how?”

They gave the men a moment to let the news settle before Mitch said, “Skip, you got a private place where we can ask some questions? I know this is hard, but we need to get a handle on what he was doing and where he was.”

Taking a shuddering breath, Skip nodded toward the Harbor Master office. “Let’s head in there.”

The gathering moved toward the building and into one of the equipment rooms where they pulled out folding chairs and sat around a small table.

“Skip, we notice George’s boat isn’t docked. Is this unusual? Did you hear from him?”

Rubbing his eyes, Skip replied, “Didn’t happen often, but sometimes George would head out of the bay and he’d dock at the harbor up near Manteague. They got a harbor, but it’s not near as big as us. If he had orders from one of the restaurants up there, he might just do sea fishing and dock there for a few days. ‘Bout once a month he’d go there and we wouldn’t see him for days.” Lifting his blue eyes toward the others, he rasped, “I never guessed anything was wrong.”

Thomas cleared his throat before asking, “Officers, can you tell us what happened?”

Mitch replied, “We don’t know and the investigation is still ongoing, but it was a suspicious death. We haven’t released any details at this time, but we will soon.”

“I knew him far less than these men, but still…such a shock. Such a tragedy,” Thomas murmured.

Richard swallowed audibly and blew his nose, before saying, “Knew George most of my life. We grew up here in this town together. Fished together and even talked about going into business together.”

Rick looked at his father, his brows lifted. “I didn’t know that, Dad. When was that?”

“Long before you were born. But, when it came right down to it, I was afraid of trusting George.” Looking at the others, he hastened to add, “George was a good man, but he just wasn’t interested in building anything big. His goal was to own a boat and fish every day. Me? I wanted a fleet of fishing boats…something I could grow and pass on to my heirs. I guess what I mean is that I didn’t trust George and I to have the same business goals.”

“Gentlemen, is there anything you can tell us that might be pertinent to the investigation, about George? Where he might have gone? What he might have been doing?” he jumped in.

Sad expressions greeted them but no answers.

* * *

Walking into Finn’s Pub, Lance’s eyes adjusted from the bright sunshine to the darker interior of the comfortable bar and restaurant. His gaze immediately sought, and found, Jade. She was perched on a barstool at the far end of the bar, her smile infectious as she chatted with Brogan and Aiden. Inwardly pleased no other men were hanging around, he headed straight to her. As soon as her gaze landed on him, her smile widened, and he felt his heart tighten with emotion.

His thoughts shifted to the last counseling session with Charles and how unburdening himself made him feel as though he could breathe. As he walked closer, he knew he wanted this woman in his life—and not as just a friend. But to truly have her, he needed to open up to her as well, and he wondered if he could do that.

Jade watched as Lance approached, his expression morphing from a smile to a look of doubt. Tilting her head as he made it to her side, she reached out her hand, linking fingers with him, seeing his smile return. “Hey,” she greeted softly.

“Hey, yourself,” he replied, leaning over to kiss her forehead.

“Are you okay? You looked sort of…um…uncertain back there for a moment.”

Lance peered into her deep green eyes, marveling at how the color changed with the lighting or her mood. He appreciated her concern and squeezed her hand while reaching up with his other, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “I’m good. Honestly. Probably better than I’ve been in a long time.”

Her smile returned, warming his heart. He lifted his eyes to Brogan and Aiden, noting both of them grinning at him.

Brogan nodded in greeting and said, “You gotta run or can I get you a beer?”

Seeing Jade still munching on a club sandwich and fries, he said, “I’ll take a beer and a hamburger.”

While he was waiting for his food, Ginny came in, sliding behind the bar and into Brogan’s arms. Nodding toward Lance, she leaned forward, asking quietly, “How was your trip?”

“Not overly informative,” he replied, cryptically, receiving another nod from her.

“I take it, things aren’t going well?” Jade asked, her eyes searching his.

“It’s early, sweetheart. We’ll find out what’s going on, but unlike TV, these things can take time.” She pressed her lips together and he longed to kiss the tension from them. Soon, hopefully soon.

“You need anyone to keep an eye on her, man, you know she’s welcome here anytime,” Aiden said, his normally jovial manner set aside.

Brogan nodded, “Absolutely.”

“Guys, I don’t need to be babysat—”

“Jade,” Lance interrupted, pressing a finger to her lips, “we need to keep you safe…I want to keep you safe.”

Holding his gaze, Jade felt the slight pressure from his finger on her lips, his touch warm. As he moved his hand away and turned to his food, which had just been delivered, she reached up and replaced his fingers with her own, her lips still tingling where his touch had been. Looking over, she noticed Ginny was staring at her, a smile on her face.

* * *

Lance assisted Jade down from his vehicle and escorted her into his house. Putting more weight on her booted foot, she reported to be in less pain. “I know you just ate, but do you want anything right now?”

Smiling, she replied, “I think I’ll fix a cup of tea.”

He started to tell her that he did not have any tea, but stopped when he saw her pull out a box from his cabinet before putting water on to boil.

She laughed, saying, “The girls brought some over for me. Would you like a cup?”

He declined, but grinned, loving the feel of having her things in his house. Shaking his head, he could not believe how much he had changed in a couple of weeks. “You know, I really like you being here,” he blurted. Wincing at his words, he started to turn away.

“Oh, no you don’t buddy,” she said, grabbing his arm. “You can’t tell me something so sweet and then turn away.”

“You thought that was sweet? I thought it was kind of…sappy,” he confessed, his gaze searching her face.

Jade placed her hand on Lance’s chest, right over his heartbeat. “I thought it was beautiful. And for the record,” she grabbed his shirt with her good hand and pulled slightly, “I like my things here too.” He stayed upright, but his gaze dropped to her lips. Pulling again, she said, “Lance. Help a girl out. I want to kiss you but can’t stand on my tiptoes.”

Lance dropped his gaze from her eyes to her mouth, leaning down slowly until he was a whisper apart. Cupping the back of her head, he lowered his mouth over hers, the feel of her lips on his immediately sending his blood rushing to his cock and out of his brain.

Firm yet soft, her lips moved against his, taking his breath and stealing his wits. Banding her waist with his other arm, he pulled her gently against his body, the feel of her breasts against his chest making him dizzy with desire.

The sound of the kettle screaming pierced his lust and he lifted his head slightly. Reaching behind her, he slid the kettle from the eye of the stove, flipping off the heat, before smiling down at her again. Her dark hair flowed down her back and he brushed it away from her face, keeping his thumbs on her cheeks. “You are beautiful. The most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

Jade’s gaze never left his as her voice, whisper soft, pleaded, “Please take me to bed, Lance. Please make love to me.”

Picking her up into his arms, he carried her into his bedroom before carefully setting her down on the edge of the bed. “I want to make love to you, Jade,” his voice was rough with need, “but I don’t want to hurt you. I never want to hurt you.”

Swallowing deeply, she breathed, “The only thing you could do to hurt me would be to leave.”

“Never,” he vowed, leaning over her body and latching onto her lips. Sliding his tongue into her warmth, he explored slowly, teasing her tongue as his lips moved over hers, nipping and sucking.

Moaning, she reached up and tried to lift his polo, but with only one good hand, she was unable to pull it over his head.

Lance stood, hating to lose her lips for a second, but recognized her unspoken request to remove his clothes. Grabbing the bottom of his shirt, he jerked it up in a swift motion, tossing it to the floor. He toed off his shoes while his hands went to his khakis. In a movement, just as fast as the other, he divested himself of his pants and stood before her in just his boxers.

Biting her lip, Jade stared at the work of masculine perfection in front of her. From his head to his toes, she could not think of one thing she would change. Muscular, his chest tapered to a narrow waist and, if the bulge in his boxers was anything to go by, he was well endowed in every aspect. Suddenly nervous, she wondered about her battered body and how he would view her.

As if he could read her mind, he moved forward, kneeling at her feet. Reaching out, he undid the buttons on her blouse, making her think of the same action from last night, and yet it was so different right now. Sliding the material down her arms, he carefully moved it over her wrapped wrist. He hesitated and she knew the glaring, black bruise across her chest appeared painful.

“Sweetheart, I really don’t want to hurt you.”

Lifting her hand to his cheek, she shook her head. “Please don’t stop, Lance. We can be careful.”

Nodding, he reached behind her and unsnapped her bra, sliding the material down her arms and over her hand until it joined her blouse on the floor.

She blushed under his perusal, but as he lifted his hands to cup her breasts reverently, she leaned her head back, a groan of pleasure leaving her lips.

Lance marveled at the soft, pliant flesh, kneading her breasts gently while caressing her nipples with his thumbs. Leaning forward, he sucked one rosy nipple into his mouth, teasing the bud with his tongue. Moving between both breasts, he suckled, hearing her purr deep in her chest. Wanting to see her expression, he looked up just in time to catch her wince.

“Was that too rough?” he hesitated, suddenly worried.

“Huh? No, no! Keep going.”

Moving his hands up and down her sides soothingly, he pressed, “You winced. I saw you.”

She looked to the side and bit her lip, avoiding his eyes.

“Baby…”

“Okay, I breathed a little too deeply and maybe it hurt my chest…but just a little—”

“That’s it. We definitely shouldn’t be doing this now,” he stated firmly, releasing her and sitting back.

“No! I really want to. I need to. I need you, Lance. “

At the look in her eyes, so open, honest, and passionate, he couldn’t turn her down. Didn’t want to turn her down. In all honesty, he needed this just as much as she did. “Okay, but you have to tell me if I’m hurting you. Deal?”

“Deal!” she returned eagerly, grabbing his face and kissing him.

Pulling his mouth away regretfully, his hands moved to her pants and, with assistance from her, he slid them down her legs, snagging her panties as he went. Finally removing the last item, he dropped his boxers, freeing his cock.

Moving her to lay on her back in the bed, naked for his perusal, he worshiped her body, first with his gaze and then with his hands.

“Relax, baby,” he whispered. “Let me take care of you.”

Obeying his gentle command, Jade felt her body relax, his caress making her feel beautiful in spite of her bruises. She watched as he snagged a pillow from the head of the bed and lifted her injured foot, placing the pillow underneath to give her added support. She held his eyes as he climbed onto the bed next to her, keeping his body close while avoiding her injuries.

Lance kissed her again, his tongue teasing as it tangled with hers. Gliding his hand down, his fingers felt her pulse beating wildly at her neck before he cupped her breasts again, gently rolling her nipple. Swallowing her soft moan, he continued his exploration of her body as his hand slid over her tummy and between her legs.

Jade opened her legs wider, encouraging his access, jolting as his fingers slid through her slick folds. Entering her body slowly with one finger, his hand mimicked his kiss as both moved inside her warmth. The coil deep inside tightened as his fingers continued their ministrations and his kiss stole her breath.

Gasping, carefully this time, she clutched his shoulder with her good hand, her fingers digging into the muscles. Just when she did not think she could take the exquisite torture anymore, her orgasm rushed over her, sending tingles throughout her body as her core tightened on his fingers.

Lance felt her body respond and he lifted from her lips only long enough to observe her beautiful face, flush with pleasure, not an ounce of pain showing in her exquisite expression. Moving back in, he continued to move his mouth over hers in worship as his finger slid from her folds reverently.

Opening her eyes, Jade stared into his hazel ones, so close she could distinguish between the shards of gold mixing with the brown, mesmerizing her. “Wow,” she whispered her confession, feeling her face burn with a blush. “It’s been a while.”

“It’s probably been longer for me, sweetheart,” Lance said, his eyes never leaving hers. Seeing the slight widening in them, he nodded, “Yeah, seriously. I haven’t wanted anyone for a while and sex, just for sex’s sake, wasn’t anything I was interested in.”

Sliding her hand from his shoulder to cup his strong jaw, she smiled. “Me either. So, you don’t have to worry about running into any past lovers here in town.”

Surprised at how good that declaration felt, his lips curved into a full grin.

She watched as the smile changed his handsome, but usually austere, face into one of absolute beauty. “So, uh…are we going to…finish what we started?”

“I don’t want to hurt you and, like I said, it’s been a while, so…I’m good if we stopped right now,” he said, still lying to her side, his hand trailing patterns on her skin.

“But I want more, and as long as your weight isn’t on my chest, we should be perfect.” Her eyes begged him to not leave her side and as he moved off the bed, her heart plunged at the thought of his refusal. Closing her eyes for a moment to block out the sight of his magnificent body walking away, they popped open again at the sound of a condom wrapper being ripped.

“Last chance, baby. Full disclosure, I can’t be held responsible for making you moan so hard your chest twinges a little,” he warned her, face full of mischief.

Reaching to the side to snag a pillow, she launched it at him, laughing. “That a promise?”

Wriggling his eyebrows, Lance rolled the condom onto his aching cock before looking back at his beauty, beaming, her green eyes piercing his. Her arms raised, beckoning him to her, he couldn’t remember the last time he ever felt this…free…happy. And it was all because of her.

Crawling back over her, he carefully settled his body between her open legs, making sure her foot was still supported on the pillow. With his arms on either side of her, he propped his weight on his forearms, leaning down to capture her lips in a scorching kiss.

Placing his cock at her entrance, he felt her legs shift wider and halted, making sure she was comfortable.

Jade felt his hesitation and whispered against his lips, “I’m not made of glass. I promise I’ll let you know.” Twisting her head, she angled her mouth, her tongue teasing his, and swallowed his groan with a smile on her lips.

Easing his cock into her warmth, Lance fought to last, afraid he would unman himself and come immediately. Inch by glorious inch, he pressed inward until he was balls deep and the ecstasy was almost more than he could bear. Moving slowly at first, and then with greater urgency as he felt her heel pressing into his ass and her hand clutching his back, he thrust harder and harder until he was mindless with any thought other than her luscious body welcoming his.

With his balls tightening, he knew he would not last much longer. Wanting to take her with him, he balanced his weight on one arm and slid his other hand to her clit. Circling the swollen nub, he pressed gently, feeling her abdomen clench and her inner walls grab his dick.

Groaning through his clenched teeth, he poured himself into her, pumping until his cock was drained, feeling her orgasm rushing through her at the same time. He caught himself just before he crashed onto her chest, pulling out and rolling to her right side away from her injured left wrist and foot.

Jade, her sex still quivering, looked to the side at his panting body, his chest moving up and down with each ragged breath. “Wow,” she said again, unable to think of anything else to say when her body was sated and her mind was too full of emotions to make sensible conversation.

He turned his head her way and grinned. “Yeah…wow.”

“Does it make me sound stupid to say that I’m glad I was the first one in a while? Because I don’t want to scare you away, and I know we got to it pretty quickly considering how long we’ve known each other, but sex means something to me, Lance. It’s okay if it doesn’t mean everything…but for me, it at least means something.”

Rolling toward her, Lance leaned up on one elbow and peered down into the depths of green now holding his heart. He tucked a damp strand of hair behind her ear and said, “Jade, baby…it means the world to me…and so do you.” He had more he wanted to say, but for now, he just let his heart speak.