“They did?” Molly’s voice rose to an excited high note, making him wince even as he laughed.

“They did. Want a ride to the station?”

“Yes! Please.” She couldn’t contain her excitement and gave a little hop that made John laugh again and hug her against his side.

“You’re so cute, Pax.”

She pretended to frown at him. “You meant stunningly gorgeous.”

“Of course I did.”

“I got Barney to promise we’d have the month to find Mom. Oh, and I also got our check.” She held it up for his inspection. By the way his eyebrows flew up, he hadn’t expected Barney to pay the full amount, either.

“Ours?”

“Well, duh.” She carefully tucked the check into one of her pockets and zipped it securely closed before climbing into the passenger side of his car. She sent a quick text to Cara, letting her know that she didn’t need a ride home, and waited until John had gotten in before adding, “We’re partners.”

“So I got my way. We’re working together.” He sounded way too smug for her to let that pass.

“I still say this will end in bloodshed and tragedy.”

“Probably.”

“Although I’m shocked by how much less you annoy me when you’re supplying me with regular orgasms.”

That made him choke before he roared with laughter. “Same,” he said once he was able to speak again.

Glancing over at that adorable dimple, she gave in to the urge to poke it with her fingertip. Gently grabbing her hand, he kissed it before returning it to her lap. She studied him as he drove, looking wildly happy, which, in turn, made her just as happy.

“I really do love you a ridiculous amount,” she said as they turned into the police station lot. She was shocked by how quickly the drive had gone. Apparently, staring at John Carmondy with googly eyes really killed some time.

His look was both hungry and incredibly tender. “I’ve loved you since I first saw you chasing that woman through the mall.”

“Doreen the scam artist? She was a really fast runner. If Charlie hadn’t cut her off at the south exit, she would’ve gotten away that day.” Molly frowned at him as he parked. “That was weeks before we met.”

“Yeah, but I saw you tearing through the food court, looking all determined and hot, and that was it. I was yours.”

“You couldn’t have loved me.” Even though she denied it, she adored the idea. “You didn’t know me then.”

“Didn’t matter. I loved you from that second, and I know you now.” He opened the door and got out, and she hurried to do the same, needing to hear the rest of what he was about to say. He waited until they were climbing the steps to the entrance to speak again. “The more I get to know you, the more I love you.”

Lieutenant Botha stepped outside, so Molly couldn’t hurl herself into John’s arms like she wanted. She had to limit herself to merely squeezing his arm for a moment before releasing him and smiling at the cop.