Page 112 of Beneath the Blue Moon

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Just as I’m about to start freaking out, I hear the front

door open. Rushing toward the sound, I breathe a sigh of relief as he steps

inside. I run to him, throwing my arms around his waist.

“I didn’t know where you were.”

The fear that gripped me when I went upstairs and didn’t

find him is inexplicable. He wraps his arms around me and my anxiety begins to slip

away.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I wasn’t thinking.”

For some reason, I start sniffing the air like a bloodhound.

What’s that smell? Movement beyond the door catches my attention, and I

peek behind him to see Charlie stepping in with a mischievous smile.

“Are we interrupting?” he asks with a grin.

“Charlie!”

Excitedly, I transfer myself to his arms, and he hugs me

tightly, planting a kiss on my cheek. Someone grabs my arm, pulling me away,

and I look up into Brick’s smiling face.

“My turn.”

With a giggle, I slide my arms around his waist. When he releases

me, I smack them both on their chests.

“What was that for?” Charlie asks, grabbing his chest.

“That, Mr. Rowan, is for not coming to see me this entire

time. I should be mad at the two of you.”

“We just wanted to give you some time,” Brick explains.

He steps aside, and two other men walk through the door. My

mouth falls open as I recognize Heracles.

“Her–”—I catch myself—“Hello!” I grab his hand, pulling him

toward Ethan. “Ethan, this is the guy who helped me the night I was attacked at

the bar,” I explain excitedly.

“I know. That’s Sam.”

“Sam… You disappeared that night, and I didn’t even get your

name.”

“My apologies. That’s Brad. He was the other guy from that

night.”

“Oh, the one who ran off into the woods chasing the scumball.

Too bad you didn’t catch him.”

I shake his outstretched hand and thank him belatedly for

his help. Brad’s grey eyes smile at me. Damn, Ethan has too many gorgeous

friends. After I release his hand, he runs it through his unruly chestnut hair.

“Are you guys cops, too?”

“Ex-military,” Brad answers.

“Oh. Oh! You should all stay for dinner. I made pot roast.”

Four pairs of eyes simultaneously look toward Ethan for approval.

I place my hands on my hips and scowl at them.

“I extend an invitation, and you have to look to him for

permission?”

“We just don’t want to intrude.”

“You’re not, Charlie. Best friends never intrude, and

neither do ex-military heroes who run in and save the day.”

I grab his hand and begin to pull him toward the living

room. Ethan clears his throat.

“Casey.”

I smile over at Charlie and give him a wink. “Uh-oh. Cop

voice.”

I turn around with an innocent smile. His arms are folded

over his massive chest, and he’s giving me his alpha-male glare.

“Yes, Sheriff?”

“Clothes.”

I look down, and that’s when I realize I’m wearing nothing

but his T-shirt. My smile turns devious, and I snake my arm around Charlie’s

waist.

“What’s the matter? Are you afraid one of your friends is

gonna steal me away?”

The others chuckle but his eyes are fixed on the arm I have

around Charlie’s waist. Turning to Charlie, I trail my finger down his chest.

“What do you say, Charlie? That kiss was pretty hot.”

Playing along, he curls his arm around my waist.

“It was. Maybe we should try again, see if it was just a

fluke.”

Unable to contain my laughter, I double over, the others

joining me. Ethan is not amused. He grabs my hand and drags me up the

stairs to our bedroom.

“You should see your face!”

“Casey.”

“Ooh, should I be scared? When are you going to learn that

your big bad wolf voice doesn’t work on me?”

He stares at me for a moment, seemingly caught off guard, then

he shakes it off, and his eyes harden once more.

“I know you were just joking around, but don’t. I mean it.”

I study his face, realizing how much it bothers him. Could

there actually be something that scares Ethan McKenzie? To think the thought of

losing me would scare him pulls at my heartstrings. What am I saying? The man

was about to shoot himself in the head for me. I walk over to him, placing my

hands on his cheeks.

“It’s you, Ethan,” I whisper. “Only you.”

“I know.”

He kisses my forehead, and I release him to rummage through

my bag for something to wear. He grabs a T-shirt from his drawer, and I watch

as he drags it over his head.

“Good. Now, set the table while I get dressed.”

Watching him leave the room, I notice his face is no longer

creased with worry. It seems all he needed was a little reassurance. My poor

alpha male.