As they headed toward the parking lot, they had to decide who was going to drive whom and where. Gaines strained his brain to figure out how he could get Luna in his Jeep alone, not for nefarious reasons, but simply to spend some time with just her. Fortunately, Cullen made a suggestion. “Chris, why don’t you drop Luna at her house, and I’ll bring Chi-Chi back to her car. We can pick Luna up in the morning on the way to the center. You know how to get to my place, right? It shouldn’t take more than twenty minutes to jockey everyone around.”

“No problem. Give me your address again, and I’ll put it in my GPS.” Cullen gave him the info and Gaines punched it into his phone. He would transfer the information when he got in his vehicle.

“Cool. See you in a few, bro.” Cullen did a slight jog to the passenger side of his SUV to assist Chi-Chi. Gaines did the same with Luna, who was now shivering. And it was seventy-eight degrees outside.

When Gaines touched her elbow, he could feel her trembling. “You OK?”

“Yes. Just got a little chill.”

He took off his jacket and placed it over her shoulders. Luna relaxed into his powerful yet gentle hands as he massaged her arms. “Better?” he asked.

“Much.” She hoisted herself into the Jeep. Funny how a simple touch could warm one’s entire body. As Gaines moved to the other side of the Jeep, she tucked her head inside the flap of the jacket. She inhaled his masculine scent. She rested her head back and closed her eyes, immersed in the touch and fragrance of him. It wasn’t cologne. It was simply him.

He jaunted over to the driver’s side and bounded in. “Should I turn up the heat?” he asked innocently.

Oh, if he only knew how much he already had. Without thinking, Luna easily rested her hand on his thigh. “I’m good. Thanks.”

Gaines was pleasantly surprised by the gesture and did nothing to dissuade her. It felt natural to him. He would have preferred if the invitation had been to stay at her place, but he knew she wasn’t ready yet. To break the silence, Luna asked, “So how much was that bottle of champagne?”

“It was $299,” Gaines said sheepishly.

“Wow! How long ago was that?”

“About twenty-four, twenty-five years ago. I was young and stupid. Sophistication was not in my wheelhouse.”

“Well, you’ve come a long way, Marshal Gaines.” Luna smiled.

“Me? Sophisticated? Hardly.”

“I beg to differ. And you know better not to differ with me.” Luna gave him one of her brightest smiles.

“Yes, I am a quick study. Or so I’ve been told.”