Protector for Hire (25 page)

“No need,” Mac said. “I’ve already alerted them to the situation. They’re aware of how we intended to handle things in the event that self-defense became necessary.”

“It’s possible they didn’t expect a wedding proposal in the middle of it,” Stella pointed out. “That was a lovely little improvisation.”

“Thank you,” Schwartz said, his eyes still on Janelle’s. “Might as well keep life interesting.”

Janelle laughed. “I don’t think I have to worry about life being anything other than interesting with you.”

“Looks like you’ll get to find out,” Schwartz said, and pulled her into his arms.

Epilogue

Janelle took a sip of her margarita and leaned back against Schwartz, breathing in the scent of tropical flowers and salty ocean air.

“This was nice of Mac to lend us his house for the honeymoon,” she murmured, savoring the feel of her new husband’s bare chest against her back.

“Mmmm,” he agreed, nuzzling her neck. “It’s only fair, since he and Kelli get to enjoy a secluded retreat in the Montana wilderness.”

“Hope you left extra dog treats. And Pop-Tarts.”

“And cond—coffee filters?”

“Yes. Plenty of coffee filters.”

He grinned. “I also bought a new cover for the hot dog pillow and reinforced the toothbrush holder.” His mouth was warm against her neck, and the vibration made everything inside her hum with pleasure.

“It’s nice here,” she said. “Mexico was a much better honeymoon choice than Hawaii.”

“Uh-huh. Not that honeymooning with my family wouldn’t have been delightful.”

Janelle laughed, recognizing the fondness in his voice. They’d spent a lot of time with the Pattons in the last few months, hanging out with Sam and Sheri and the twins on Kauai, and volunteering to help Kelli with one of her spay and neuter clinics on the other side of the island while Mac looked on in pained pride.

They’d even jetted over to Oahu to see Schwartz’s parents, with Stella making no secret of the fact that she was happy to welcome Janelle to the family.

“You’re good for him, honey,” she’d whispered to her after dinner one night. “Thank you for bringing my baby back to me.”

“My pleasure,” Janelle had whispered back, grateful to be part of this loving—albeit heavily armed—family.

Now Janelle closed her eyes and slid her hand up Schwartz’s bare leg, toying with the hem of his swim trunks. “I hope Sheri doesn’t go into labor early. I want to make sure we’re there when the baby comes.”

“We will be,” he said, moving on from her neck as he kissed his way down her shoulder, nudging aside the strap of her bikini top. “The arrival of the first Patton granddaughter is a big deal. Pretty sure Mom’s arranging a military flyover and a twenty-one-gun salute.”

“Again? I thought she already called in all her favors for Grant and Anna’s wedding.”

“Stella Patton has endless favors she can call in,” he said. “How about we stop talking about my family now and focus on clothes.”

“Clothes?” she breathed as his mouth skimmed the top of her breast. “What about clothes?”

“Getting out of them,” he said. “Though I haven’t forgotten my promise to take you shopping in Cabo this afternoon. That’s as close to city life as you’re going to get for a little while.”

“I don’t mind,” Janelle said. “I’m looking forward to trying out full-time wilderness life when we get back.”

“I’m glad. But don’t forget my offer.”

“The one with the ice cube and the feather?”

He laughed, kissing his way down the slope of one breast and into the valley between them. “That one, too. But I meant the one about moving to the city if that’s what you want.”

“That’s nice,” she murmured, meaning his mouth on her nipple more than his offer to relocate for her. She could hear the ocean crashing against the shore, and somewhere in the distance she heard the cry of a gull.

“I appreciate the offer, Schwartz,” she breathed, stroking the thick muscle of his thigh. “But that’s not what I want right now.”

“Oh yeah? What do you want right now?”

She grinned and slid her hand up the leg of his swim trunks, then drew back to look him in the eye. “How about I show you?”

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Acknowledgments

As always, I’m deeply grateful to my talented critique partners and beta readers for catching typos and gunk that might otherwise make me sound (more) idiotic. Linda Grimes, Cynthia Reese, Minta Powelson, Bridget McGinn, and Larie Borden—you bitches rock!

Huge thanks to my agent, Michelle Wolfson, for keeping this snowball rolling and for getting us to the point where we can both say, “Holy crap, it was worth the wait!”

Thank you to Heather Howland for the gift of Schwartz, who turned out to be my favorite of the Front and Center men. I’m also grateful for your help scooping Janelle out of the TSTL bin and onto safer ground. Thanks as well to the entire Entangled team for all the fabulous copyedits, cover art, promotion, publicity, and everything else that makes my book world go ‘round.

Big hugs and thank yous to James Jaggard for letting me pick your brain about twigs, berries, and big scary kitty cats. You’re the man.

Smooches to Janelle Alexander for letting me borrow your name back before I had any idea Janelle would end up having a story of her own to tell.

I couldn’t do any of this without the love and support of my family, Aaron “Russ” Fenske, Carlie Fenske, Cedar Zagurski, Violet Zagurski, and my amazing parents, Dixie and David Fenske.

Thanks especially to Craig Zagurski, my friend, foot warmer, chauffer, wine drinking companion, videographer, in-house comedian, sex scene tester, and husband. Love you, baby!

About the Author

Tawna Fenske
traveled a career path that took her from newspaper reporter to English teacher in Venezuela to marketing geek to PR manager for her city’s tourism bureau. An avid globetrotter and social media fiend, Tawna is the author of the popular blog, Don’t Pet Me, I’m Writing, and a member of Romance Writers of America. She lives with her husband in Bend, Oregon, where she’ll invent any excuse to hike, bike, snowshoe, float the river, or sip wine on her back deck. She’s published several romantic comedies with Sourcebooks, including Making Waves, which was nominated for contemporary romance of the year by RT Book Reviews. She also writes interactive fiction capers for Coliloquy and the steamy, heartwarming Front and Center series for Entangled Publishing. Tawna’s quirky brand of comedy and romance has won praises from Kirkus Reviews, which noted, “Up-and-coming romance author Fenske sets up impeccable internal and external conflict and sizzling sexual tension for a poignant love story between two engaging characters, then infuses it with witty dialogue and lively humor. An appealing blend of lighthearted fun and emotional tenderness.”

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