Page 76 of Sizzling Desire

And fuck if it doesn’t wreck me.

I tighten my hold on her just a little, savoring the way she feels against me. She glances up at me, lips twitching in amusement. “You’re staring,” she whispers.

I lean in, dropping my voice low. “Damn right, I am.”

She rolls her eyes, but there’s no real annoyance there. Ifanything, her fingers curl just a little tighter against my forearm, like she likes the way I’m looking at her.

We take our places at the front of the altar, watching Kate and Hudson exchange their vows. The ocean stretches behind them, the soft crash of waves blending with the reverent hush of the guests. It’s a perfect setting for a perfect moment, and yet, my brain won’t stop fucking running.

I try to focus on the ceremony, on Kate’s tearful smile, on Hudson’s steady, unwavering gaze as he pledges himself to her, but the whole time, my mind is wrapped around one thing. One person.

Grace.

I steal a glance at her, watching as she blinks back the sheen of emotion in her eyes. She’s standing so still, hands clasped on the bouquet, back straight. But I know her, and I know that mind of hers is running, just like mine.

Does she see it, too? Can she picture what it would be like if this were us standing up here, making promises we can’t take back? Because I can. I see it so fucking clearly that it steals my breath.

I imagine her in white, walking toward me instead of beside me. Her hands in mine. Her voice, shaky but strong, as she vows forever.

For the first time, I let myself really think about it. About what it would mean to be with her—not just for now, not just while we navigate this baby, but for good. For always.

The thought is like a fire, burning through me, igniting something deep in my chest that I can’t put out.

Grace shifts, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and I swear, my fucking heart stumbles.

She has no idea, does she? No idea how damn gone I am for her.

The crowd erupts into applause as Kate and Hudson sharetheir first kiss as husband and wife, and I force myself to drag my eyes away from Grace. Now isn’t the time.

But soon. Soon, I’ll tell her. Soon, she’ll know.

The reception is already in full swing when I take a moment to step away from the dance floor. I need air. Space. A chance to get my damn head on straight before I do something stupid like pull Grace into a dark corner and demand to know what she sees when she looks at me.

Chance is already at the bar, nursing a whiskey, his eyes scanning the crowd like he’s looking for a problem to solve. Or a fire to put out.

Captain Morgan is beside him, his ever-present scowl firmly in place, though there’s a hint of something softer in his eyes tonight. Nostalgia, maybe. The guy’s been on the job longer than I’ve been alive, and with his retirement looming, I know he’s taking every case personally.

I clap a hand on his shoulder as I approach. “Boss.”

Morgan grunts. “About time you made an appearance, Kane.”

Chance smirks into his glass. “He was busy drooling over Grace.”

I ignore him. “Any updates on the case?”

Morgan sighs, rubbing a hand over his face. “Nothing. The arsonist’s gone quiet.”

“Too quiet,” Chance adds.

I nod, my jaw tightening. It’s been weeks since the last fire—the one that nearly took Grace from me. Since then, we’ve been chasing ghosts, following leads that go nowhere, searching for a threat that seems to have vanished. It’s unsettling as hell.

Morgan takes a sip of his drink, eyes narrowed. “I don’t likeit. Either they’re laying low, or they’re planning something bigger.”

My stomach clenches at the thought.

Grace is pregnant. The idea of anything—anyone—threatening her and the baby?

Yeah. Not fucking happening. “We’ll find him,” I promise, my voice like steel.

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