In the Arms of a Hero (Baytown Heroes #8)

Chapter 1

1

An old love song began, the melodic tune drifting over the gathering. Aaron could hear the sound of chairs scraping as couples stood and moved to the dance floor, but he didn’t take his eyes off the woman sitting next to him. The woman he’d spent the day observing made him wish he could turn back time to when they had first met. She was utterly captivating, and he’d so willingly let her go. Or maybe I ran like a coward.

That thought gave him pause. He had never considered himself a coward, but those words had left his brother’s lips almost a year ago. Said about the very woman Aaron now gazed at.

Pulling himself back from the brink of the cliff where people jump off when they drown in past regrets, Aaron returned his full attention to the woman who now sat next to him. She had taken a break, and he’d convinced her to sit, desperate for a chance to have her attention on him and not all the others.

Standing, he held out his hand, anticipation now firmly etched in his expression. And etched deeper inside his chest if he were truly honest. A hint of renewed hope lingered in her blue eyes.

Her pink lips curved into the most beautiful smile as she lifted her arm and placed her hand in his. Wrapping his fingers around hers, he gave a gentle pull as she stood. Linking their fingers, he guided her to the dance floor.

The wedding ceremony had been a success, and the bride and groom had just left the reception after thanking their guests and begging the gathering to stay longer to enjoy the rest of the food and the DJ. The flight the couple had booked to the Poconos had been canceled, and the alternate flight was leaving an hour earlier than they’d expected. It was too late to move the wedding to an earlier time, but the couple had made the most of their reception. Guests stayed to continue eating, drinking, dancing, and talking with friends.

Once out on the wooden dance floor, he sucked in a deep breath. The outdoor wedding venue had been exceptional. The sunset over the Chesapeake Bay had created a one-of-a-kind panoramic view behind the couple as they exchanged their vows. The briny breeze had been gentle, and the vows had been accompanied by the call of gulls over the diamond-sparkling water.

The woman who held his attention had quietly moved around the venue and guests for hours as she photographed the event, capturing longing glances, smiles, kisses, and laughter. Aaron had no doubt that the couple would have a meaningful recording of their day.

With her in his arms, he guided them to the edge of the dance floor closest to the water. The black of the night kept the bay from being seen, but the scattered wedding lights twinkled illumination on the surf lapping at the shore. The familiar song filled his ears, and his gaze was firmly settled on the woman in his arms who peered up at him. The feel of her body held close to his made his blood race and his pulse pound. She was different. Special. He’d known it then. He knew it now.

He whirled her outward impulsively, then curled her back into his embrace. She threw her head back and laughed, the sound moving through him, making him want to hear it again and again. He bent forward, dipping her, and she clutched his arms as a squeal flew from her lips. Holding the position for a few seconds, he brought her up and pulled her close. Her smile was still wide, and a blush graced her cheeks.

He wanted to kiss her. Really kiss her. It wouldn’t be the first time, but it would be the first time he knew what he wanted, what he felt, and would fight to keep.

The music changed, and once again, allowing impulsivity to guide him, he whirled her outward for a beat and then curled his body around as she came back toward him.

A sound ricocheted over the water, and she jerked in surprise, losing her footing as she stumbled. She would have fallen to the floor had his hand not firmly held hers. Gripping her tighter, he watched in horror as oozing red covered her upper chest. Her eyes widened as they held his, and a guttural gasp left her lips. Or maybe it flew from his mouth.

For an instant, he couldn’t move, but as her body became limp, he lowered her to the floor. Ignoring the cacophony of screams and shouts from the gathering all around, he watched as her eyes closed.