Page 44 of Hidden Hero

Cora laughed. “He was trying to teach me, but I’ve only thrown one dart?—”

“Yes, and she hit the board on her first try!” Jeremy finished.

“Come on, dart-virgin Cora. Let’s see what you’ve got!” someone shouted from behind the bar. Aiden MacFarlane grinned as he tossed his dishrag over his shoulder. His brother, Brogan, walked closer, now interested in the activities.

Jeremy shot his friend a glare as others in the pub turned around to watch Cora. Several people leaned or stood to see what was happening.

Cora looked up at him, and while her smile remained and her expression didn’t change, he could see the stiffness of anxiety settle on her face. “You don’t have to do this,” he whispered. “Fuck ‘em. I know this makes you uncomfortable.”

“No. It’s okay. But maybe you’ll need to talk me through it again.” She leaned closer. “Although, not quite so… suggestively.”

He lifted a brow and smirked, and he breathed easier seeing her shoulders relax. “Damn, Cora. That was half the fun.”

He turned back to the gathering, now seeing several of their friends who he knew would be supportive. “Remember, folks, we’ve only had one lesson,” he joked.

He stepped behind her again, only keeping his hands to himself with great difficulty. Talking her through the steps, she flung the dart, once more hitting the board and making it even closer to the center. The crowd cheered. She threw three more, getting better with each throw.

By the time she finished, she turned and smiled, her gaze on him. He threw his arm around her and pulled her to his side as they walked back toward the others. His gaze landed on the newcomers standing next to Hunter—Mark and his wife, Karen. Ryan, the captain of the local Virginia Marine Police, and his wife, Judith, had also entered the pub and immediately headed over.

Cora greeted Judith, and as Jeremy looked on, he realized that the four women were connected through their careers in the medical field. And, of course, the men all were in law enforcement.

He grinned, thinking that if he had to choose a group of people that Cora would feel at ease with while throwing a dart, this would be the group. So with encouraging words said once again, Cora stepped up to the line, and Jeremy moved directly behind her. He barely needed to whisper instructions as she held the dart perfectly, then pulled back and tossed it, once more hitting the board.

Their friends clapped, and she laughed as she executed a curtsy. Jeremy loved the look on her face, especially when she beamed her smile his way. She stepped closer and stuck out her hand. “Thanks for the excellent teaching.”

He eagerly took her hand in his, warmth moving through his body once more. “Anytime, Cora.” Leaning closer, he whispered, “And I mean that sincerely. I like spending time with you, so I’ll come running anytime you call.”

Her eyes widened as they stayed locked onto his. “I’ll remember that.”

He wished they were alone, but with an audience, he turned to face the others while maintaining hold of her hand.

They continued chatting with the group of friends. Hunter assisted Belle in sitting at the bar, making sure she was resting while they waited for their takeout. Mark, Karen, Ryan, and Judith chatted while waiting for the server to clear off a table for four.

“Have you already eaten?” Judith asked, her gaze on Cora.

“Oh yes, I came in early and had dinner. Jeremy joined me.”

It was on the tip of Jeremy’s tongue to tell the others it was Cora’s birthday, but he remained quiet, completely against his norm. He often shouted out things or kept group conversations going with a witty remark or even a smart-ass comment.

But around Cora, he wanted to do better. She was a confident woman, and if she wanted to share that it was her birthday, she would. And since she remained quiet, he decided it wasn’t his place to make that announcement. And, in truth, he liked that they had shared it all themselves for the most part. Dinner. The carrot cake. Him teaching her how to throw a dart. All of that was now his alone.

As the gathering began to break up when the server had the table ready, and Brogan handed over a bag containing Hunter and Belle’s dinner, Jeremy turned to Cora. “Do you need to head home?”

Her brow furrowed as she pondered his question, and he waited to see what she’d say.

“I don’t have to go now,” she admitted. “You were so nice to buy me dinner and dessert and teach me darts. Would you like to share a drink?”

Thrilled, he glanced to the side to see the bar was now filled, with no seats available.

“Actually, I didn’t mean here,” she said. Leaning closer, she lifted on her toes so that her mouth was closer to his ear. “It’s been lovely to see friends, but when it gets this noisy, I can’t hear myself think.”

“I’d love to go somewhere else with you,” he said in haste as he tried to think where they could go that wouldn’t be crowded. “Did you have a place in mind?”

“Actually, I thought of my place.” She shrugged as she chewed on her bottom lip. “I know it’s not very exciting to hang out with me and two cats.”

For a few seconds, he held back the urge to grab her hand and race out of the bar. From her modest dress to her quiet confidence, no one could accuse Cora of being forward. Certainly not like the practice flirts or all-out propositions he’d received in his life. Managing to keep his expression straight, he smiled. “I’d love to have a drink with you at your place.” Wanting to ensure she was comfortable, he threw his hands up and grinned wider. “And I promise to keep my hands to myself and no hanky-panky.”

She slipped on her coat and pulled her purse strap across her shoulders. Then she looked at him and, with an equally straight face, replied, “I didn’t say that hanky-panky wasn’t allowed.” With that, she turned and started to walk away, leaving him standing there with his mouth hanging open, his heart pounding, and his cock deciding it was time to get over the drought.

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