“One drink,” she agreed slowly.

“One drink.” He smiled.

She grabbed her coat and headed out into the frigid chill of Alaska in January, wondering if she was about to make the biggest mistake of her life and not even caring anymore. She needed to live a little.

Chapter Forty-Two

Darby woke up slowly to the feel of bare skin beneath her cheek.

It was still dark outside and for a moment she didn’t know where she was. She tensed.

“Morning,” Eban murmured into her hair.

She relaxed and released her breath.

“Mmm.” She pressed closer, weaving her limbs with his, enjoying him in the way she’d always wanted to. “Good morning.” She kissed his chest. “Did I dream about a race across a frozen lake with a wanted murderer last night or did that really happen?”

“Unfortunately,” he grimaced, “it really happened. I don’t think I’m going to be able to get over that or let you out of my sight for the next year.”

She beamed up at him. “I’m okay with that, although you will get pretty bored.”

“Yes, please. Boredom. I can’t wait.” He dragged his hand through his hair. “I think I went gray last night.”

“You didn’t go gray.”

She felt him laugh beneath her. “On the inside I turned gray.”

“Did you mean what you said about moving closer or applying for a job in Hawaii?” she asked softly.

“Yep.”

“I thought you loved CNU?”

“Sweetheart, I do love CNU. I love my work colleagues. I love my job.” She met his dark gaze. “But I love you more.”

Her insides melted. “I don’t want you giving up your job for me.”

“I’m not.” He shrugged. “I can be a negotiator almost anywhere, but you can’t exactly study volcanoes anywhere. We can figure it out together. I certainly wouldn’t mind being in Honolulu for a few years. I can think of worse places to live.”

She stretched luxuriously and then stilled as the sound of a car engine drew closer.

“Someone’s coming.”

“Ignore them.” He grumbled, pulling her up to meet his mouth. The sound of footsteps on the steps outside had them both freezing. Then the knock on the door and the sound of voices.

“Darby? Eban?”

Eban swore and rolled out of bed in one movement. Darby grabbed the pajamas she hadn’t worn and struggled into them. Then she ran to the bathroom while Eban got dressed and opened the door.

She used the facilities and quickly washed, then ran back out to launch herself at Haley who stood in the kitchen wearing a fake fur coat with the casual ease that most people wore jeans.

“You’re safe.” They rocked one another in a warm embrace and then Haley let go and Darby was enveloped in a massive hug by Quentin.

“When did you get here?” she managed to squeak out.

“About fifteen minutes ago. We flew all last night after we heard about this killer abducting you. Are you all right?”