Page 38 of Hot Pursuit

They found a place in line behind a pack of screaming six-year-olds. Nate lifted his fingers to pinch his brow, but Jo swatted his arm back down, refusing to let him rain on her parade. She tightened both of her hands around one of his, one small step away from jumping up and down with her excitement. And though Nate kept a staunch frown on his face, it was a struggle as some foreign sense of lightness sprinkled across his chest at the sight of her happiness.

When their turn was called, Jo jumped through the turnstile, rushing to find the perfect horse. “Hmm, white with gold reins. Pink and silver? There are too many options… Ooh! A unicorn!”

She jumped up and held the pole for balance.

Nate stood next to her with his arms crossed. “This is the most ridiculous I’ve ever felt in my entire life.”

She kicked him gently. “Get on the horse.”

“Excuse me?” Nate turned slowly in her direction.

Jo angled her head toward the pink horse on the opposite side—still not claimed. “Come on, get on the horse.”

“Jo, there is no way I’m getting on that horse.”

Her red lips dropped into a pout. A frustratingly good one. “You promised.”

“Promised what?”

“To play by my rules. To have some fun, for once in your life.”

She stared at him, hard.

He stared right back.

“Come on. Before someone else takes it.”

He didn’t move.

She slapped his ass.

Nate jolted. “What the he—”

“Nate,” she cut in smoothly, wide-eyed and innocent. “Don’t curse in front of the children.”

Jo reared her hand back.

Nate sighed.

And stepped around her.

And got on the damn horse.

“I want it to be known I didn’t go into this willingly.”

Jo grinned. “Noted.”

The music started, and the carousel began to turn. All around them, children started squealing. Jo gripped the pole for balance as she bobbed up and down, a childlike sense of awe written across her beautiful face. A sight he couldn’t look away from. Laughter spilled from her lips as she leaned her head back, auburn hair swirling in the breeze, and let out a little holler.

Jo turned, catching him staring. “One shout. Just one.”

He shook his head.

“Don’t make me undo another button on that collar of yours,” she threatened.

Nate lifted a hand to his shirt. He’d completely forgotten she’d loosened it. But he didn’t mind the extra freedom. He was too used to wearing a comm set, needing to cover it up. But today, he was free of those rules. Today, he followed someone else’s. So, with a shake of his head, Nate accepted her silent dare. He slipped another button free, let his head fall back, and released a quick shout.

“You’ve got more in you than that,” Jo teased and looked to the mirrors at the top of the carousel, finding his gaze in the reflection as she screamed. “Woo-hoo!”