Page 107 of Trap ’N’ Trace

She wanted to kiss the old man then yell at him for keeping her in the dark.

“What are you doing here?” Her heart raced as she gave him her first genuine smile of the evening. God, he was handsome. “What are you all doing here?” She reached down to pet Remy and Angus.

“We came to give you your birthday present.” One side of his mouth quirked as he handed her the gift. She took it but couldn’t tear her gaze from his and the love shining in his eyes. At least, she hoped that’s what it was. “Open it.”

She turned the gift over and slipped her fingers beneath the tape. As the beautiful gold foil paper parted, she gasped, letting the wrapping fall to the floor. The cover of the book was pristine. Dogs of Character, by Cecil Aldin.

Gently, she opened the book and her jaw dropped. A first edition, 1927 and signed by the author. “Ohhh,” she breathed. The very book her father had searched for and never found. Her heart blossomed with so much love she thought it would burst from her chest. “You remembered.”

“Yeah.” He shrugged. “Turn to the next page.”

She did and saw he’d inserted a handwritten note. She read the words three times. Just to be certain she wasn’t dreaming.

I love you with every breath I take. Forgive me? Dayne.

Her throat constricted with worry. The words were incredibly beautiful, but she couldn’t take it if he left her again. “I don’t understand. What’s changed in the last two weeks?”

“First, I flew to Oregon to help out the authorities there. After that, I talked with my friends and family. I needed time to sort things out in my head.”

“Did you?” She held her breath.

He nodded. “You and I are different. This won’t be easy. There’ll be a helluva lot of compromises to be made by both of us, but I want to find a way to bridge our worlds. I love you too much not to. Are you still willing to see where this takes us?” The warmth and sincerity in his eyes filled her with so much promise, hope, and elation she could barely keep from flinging her arms around his neck.

She nodded back, slowly at first, then more vigorously as tears slid from the corners of her eyes. “Yes.” If that’s what it took, she’d make compromises every day for the rest of her life.

“I’ll do anything for you.” He framed her face with his hands. “I love you.”

She smiled and her body trembled with joy. “I love you, too.”

He kissed her. Right there in front of a gasping crowd.

“You’ve got to be kidding,” Colin hissed.

Clapping came from nearby. Dayne ended the kiss in time for her to see her friends clapping enthusiastically. Kevin whistled loudly and then the entire crowd joined in.

“Whatdya say we get out of here?” he whispered against her ear.

“Sounds like a plan,” she whispered back.

He swung her into his arms and carried her through the cheering crowd. Remy and Angus trotted after them, with her friends in tow.

Moments later, they were all standing in front of a cream-colored stretch limo she didn’t recognize. The driver opened the passenger door, and Dayne herded the dogs inside.

“Whose limo is this?” she asked him.

“Mine.” The sexy wink he gave her sent a tingle straight to her core. “For tonight, anyway. Hey, Walter.” He grinned at the older man. “You guys mind taking the other limo home?”

“Not at all.” Walter grinned back, giving Dayne what looked like a distinct nod of approval.

Kat swore a telepathic message passed between the two men. Considering Walter hadn’t been Dayne’s biggest fan after their initial meeting, Dayne certainly seemed to have won him over.

“Happy birthday, Kat.” Emily kissed her on the cheek, followed by Francine, Fiona, and Kevin.

Without her wrap, she should have been freezing in the March night air, but all she felt was a soothing warmth and happiness from being surrounded by friends that loved her, and Dayne. It was a happy birthday after all.

She slipped her hand into his then settled with him into the limo. The dogs sat happily panting on the opposite seat. The second the door closed, Dayne kissed her, his lips firm yet gentle, his tongue thrusting inside her mouth, tangling with hers as he pulled her onto his lap.

She kissed him back, clinging to him, wanting him to feel every ounce of love she had to give. Beneath her dress, her nipples tightened painfully. The bulge of Dayne’s erection beneath her buttocks hardened and lengthened.