She rolled her eyes. For years, Eli Cooper had teased her like an older brother and his ascent up the political ladder had made him only more insufferable. “This is Beck Rivera, one of your bravest at Engine 6.”
“Rivera?” The mayor’s lips firmed. As the official boss of the CFD, part of Eli’s job was keeping tabs on the firemen, and with his antics, Beck had clearly not eluded the mayor’s notice. “Incident back in November. Tough situation all around, but I hear you acquitted yourself well. On the mend?”
Beck nodded.
“You’re one of Sean Dempsey’s foster sons. You lost me a shitload of money at the Battle of the Badges.”
“I’m one of his sons. And I recommend that next time you don’t bet against a Dempsey.”
Eli’s mouth hooked up in appreciation of Beck’s snappish correction. He parted his lips to say more, but checked it when one of his lackeys whispered in his ear.
“Have to go kiss some rich donor asses. Good to see you, monkey.” Man-to-man nod at Beck.
As the mayor and his entourage left, Beck drew a callused finger over her jaw. “Since when are you on such good terms with our fearless leader?”
“Oh, didn’t I tell you he was an old friend? I had the nicest chat with him last night about bureaucracy and red tape and how absolutely nothing gets done at city hall over the holidays. He’s trying to put a stop to all that lollygagging. Part of his platform, you know.” She shot him a wicked grin.
Beck grasped the lapels of the jacket he had caped her with and drew her flush, his eyes dark with molten hunger. “You didn’t have to do that. But thank you.”
“What use is the Cochrane name if I can’t pull in a favor every now and then?” She dropped a kiss on his sensuous lips. “Besides,” she whispered, a teasing glint in her eye, “I was only doing what’s best for you.”
Beck drew back and studied her playful smile. “Querida,” he chided, “too soon.”
She laughed. “I’m just getting started, Beck Rivera. The next step? Branding you as mine.”
That earned her a sexy Beck growl. “I like the sound of that, mi amor. Think of me as a new canvas for your portfolio. This heart, this soul, this body . . .” He held her hand over his chest and the wild th-thunk of his heart. “Use me, Darcy.”
She planned to. Just imagining the artistry she could create with this man filled her heart to bursting with love, life, and magic.
“I already know how I want to ink you next, Beck. Something old school, maybe a heart with my name.” She lowered her palm to his tight, trim ass, that part of him she had noticed first in a dingy CFD gym all those years ago, and gave it a healthy squeeze.
“Right. About. Here.”