Chapter 1
ONE
Katie Scott, followed closely by her black German shepherd, Cisco, ran up the driveway and paused at the front door to catch her breath after the long run.
John Blackburn was a close second.
“Okay, you win,” he said, breathing hard and slowing, stretching out his legs.
“I didn’t know it was a race.” She smiled, which was something she found herself doing a lot when she was around John.
They both worked at the Pine Valley Sheriff’s Department and had recently started seeing each other. Katie was a detective heading up the cold-case unit along with her partner Sean McGaven. John was the forensic supervisor in the crime lab.
“I can’t believe you run like that every day.” John moved closer to Katie.
“Sure. Well, maybe not every day.”
“You know you could have been a Seal,” he laughed. John had been a Navy Seal for three tours before following his passion for forensics and joining the department.
There had been a connection between the two officers ever since they met several years before—and not only due to them both being military veterans—but it wasn’t until the events of a recent case that they admitted their attraction for one another.
It took John almost dying to make Katie really see him and realize she wanted to be with him.
Katie opened the front door. “C’mon, there’s time for breakfast,” she said.
Cisco rushed past, heading for the kitchen and was soon heard lapping up water.
“Sounds good.” John followed Katie into the kitchen, slipping his arms around her waist and pulling her close. “I could get used to this.”
Katie turned and kissed him. “Me too.” She felt his heart beating and his warm skin next to hers.
It was the first time in a long while that Katie felt relaxed and happy.
She was enjoying learning more about John and slowly building a relationship with him.
She had been worried that working together and having a relationship might be a problem, but they were both professional at work.
The cases they investigated were the priority and that made their bond that much more special.
Cisco interrupted, sticking in his wet muzzle between them.
“Oh, Cisco. Really?” said Katie. “He’s a typical German shepherd.”
“I don’t think so,” John said. “He’s a hero and has proven himself even after his military service.”
Katie smiled. Having someone new in her life had been a bit scary at first, but watching John playing with Cisco had helped her fears subside. He knew what Katie and Cisco had been through together and that made her feel at ease.
“I’ll fix us some eggs and bacon,” she said.
“Need help?”
“I got this—I think Cisco wants you to go outside and throw the ball for him.”
“Even after that run?” he said. “Cisco, where do you get all the energy?” They went out in the backyard.
Katie watched them for a few moments. She sometimes still couldn’t help remembering her past with Chad, her fiancé who had been her childhood sweetheart, and how important he had been in her life.
But things change. Their sudden breakup came close to destroying her, but she wouldn’t let it.
It used to make her sad being alone without him, but after finally moving forward it stung less. And now she was excited for her future.
Katie and John enjoyed their breakfast as they chatted about places they wanted to visit on vacation one day and places they had already seen. They didn’t mention work, wanting to learn more about each other instead.
Katie glanced at the clock on the stove. “We need to get ready for work.”
She got up and John stood too, taking her hand and pulling her to him. His intense, sexy eyes watched her. She smiled.
Minutes later, the hot steaming water ran over John as he showered before work. Katie stepped in with him. John kissed her passionately as steam filled the bathroom.