However, her father was currently in Texas, meeting with Seth Kingston about plans for streamlining the operations of his ranch. In that, at least, Dax felt some good had been done. Which meant, he was missing a golden opportunity to have Dani all to himself for the night.
Dani gave him the run down, one more time, on her friends. He knew all about Caleb and Caitlyn. He and Caleb bonded over the injuries which cut their careers in the military short. He knew nothing about Brent, other than the man had recovered billions in Spanish gold somewhere off the Florida Keys, then promptly had some of it stolen by pirates.
He knew nothing about Erika, except out of the entire crew, she seemed to be the only one not married, engaged, or otherwise attached.
They pulled up and parked outside Caleb and Caitlyn’s home. Before he could put the truck in park, Dani was already out of the truck and squealing at the top of her lungs. She and Caitlyn hugged, but it was the man standing beside Caitlyn which gave Dax pause.
That bastard had better be Brent because any man who hugged his girl with that degree of familiarity was going to have his balls cut off. But then another woman exited the house and joined the happy friends. She reached out and took Brent’s hand in hers and gave Dani a cautious hug.
“Come on, Dynamo. The party is starting.”
Dynamo hopped out of the truck and went to greet everyone with the enthusiasm only a dog could muster. Dax followed behind and took the first opportunity to pull Dani to his side.
“Dax,” she said with a squeal as he stole a kiss, “this is Brent and his fiancée Brie.”
He shoved out his hand and shook with Brent, then gave Brie a kiss on the cheek. “Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise,” Brent said. He didn’t seemed pleased about the kiss, but fair was fair.
Brent, Caitlyn, and Dani headed inside which left Brie and Dax out on the lawn with Dynamo.
“Are you as terrified as me?” she asked.
“We’re the outsiders.” He gave a slow nod.
“Soon to be outlaws,” she teased. “I hear you and Dani are engaged.”
“We are, although her father is dead set on waiting until Dani is done with all her schooling.”
“I can understand that.” Brie lowered her voice to a whisper. “As the outsiders, we need to stick together.”
“I prefer outlaws. But, I agree we need to stick together. Nice to meet you.”
She took his hand and they gave an exaggerated shake. “Likewise.”
“Well, shall we join the festivities?”
“If we must.” Brie glanced toward the house and gave a dramatic sigh.
He laughed. He was going to like this chick.
“I hear you’re a boat captain.”
They drifted off into casual conversation about their careers and how they met their soon to be significant others.
Beer and wine flowed. Dax joined Caleb out back with Brent to monitor the progress of the roast beast. At least that’s what Caleb called it.
While the girls caught up inside, the guys tended the grill and exchanged tall tales outside. Brent turned out to be a really cool guy.
“So what happens next?” Dax asked. “Is all the treasure gone?”
“Well,” Brent said, “they only got a little bit of it. It took a few weeks for us to pull the rest of it up, but they got away with some priceless artifacts.”
“And you got to keep it all?”
“Oh no. The treasure belongs to the Spanish government, but there was a finders fee.”
“Really?” He had a feeling that finder’s fee was no small thing.
Brent didn’t elaborate and he didn’t push. He had grown up with wealth and it was bad manners to pry.
A short while later, Caitlyn poked her head out the back door. “Brent! Erika is five-minutes out.”
Everyone had been waiting for Erika to arrive. Brent and Caleb weren’t the only ones who left Bear Creek and rarely made it back.
Like them, this was the first time in years that Erika had come home. But Dax understood the pull. She was making a name for herself in the Coast Guard. There were very few females with her rank and her billet as captain to one of the ultra-elite cutters.
Brent jogged inside at the news.
“Do you mind tending the beast?” Caleb asked.
Dax could see Caleb wanted to be there to greet Erika with all his friends and gave a nod. While everyone waited inside for Erika’s arrival, he turned to the grill and considered how lucky he was to have stumbled upon a dog who led him to Bear Creek.
A short time later, everyone tumbled out the back door and spilled onto the lawn. Caleb brought him a fresh beer as he took the roast beast off the grill to rest.
They sat around a campfire ring and chatted about everything and nothing, a group of friends spending a night together as if the years separating them had never happened.
Dani sat in his lap, and for the first time in a very long time, Dax felt like he’d found home.
“Oh!” Erika said. “Brent, I didn’t tell you, but we have a lead.”
“What?” Brent’s shout drew everyone’s attention. “You’re kidding?”
“Nope.” Erika shook her head. “Give me a few months and I bet we recover that stolen Spanish gold.”
Everybody lifted their bottles in a toast to take down the evil pirates.
As for himself, Dax tugged Dani to his side and whispered in her ear.
“You’re the one I want. You know that?”
She cupped his chin and pressed her lips to his temple.
“Yes and you know what I want to do tonight?”
His brows lifted and he thought of a snarky response, but she leaned close and whispered in his ear.
“I want to camp by the river. You know where I mean?”
How could he forget?
“And I want to watch you walk out of the river buck naked and save me with your rope.”
“I can think of nothing more I’d rather do.” He held her tight and worked to hide the raging hard-on in his pants.
There was still dinner to get through, and more sitting around the campfire trading tall tales. He was going to have blue balls before the evening was through.
But he didn’t care. He had the best girl in the world, and a future filled with endless possibilities.
* * *
Thank you for reading Dax & Dani’s story. We hope you enjoyed spending some time beneath the Montana sun.
If you enjoyed The One I Want series and love contemporary romance we think you’ll love reading Heart’s Insanity, book 1 in the Angel Fire Rock Romance series.
Skye Summers endured a tragic past. She wants what the past stole, and despite lingering scars, she’s surviving and thriving. Now she cures the sick, heals the wounded, and takes care of those clinging to life. The only person she can’t heal is herself, because Skye is too broken for love.
Ash Dean has it all: Fame, fortune, and the adoration of screaming fans. The constant parties, drugs, alcohol, and an endless string of one-night stands are taking their toll. He gives and his fans take, until he’s lost within the crowd. He wants someone to see him for the man he wishes to be rather than the one he’s become.
One fate…
Two lives…
Three Days…
That’s the proposition…
It would be insane to accept and Skye’s a fool to agree, but she’s tired of playing it safe.
It’s time to take a leap of faith, besides what could go wrong?
You can grab Ash & Skye’s story.
Just click HERE.
And of course, if you enjoyed Dax & Dani’s story, we’d love to hear what you thought. Please consider leaving a review. A sentence is all it takes and we certainly appreciate every word!
Final Thoughts Jet&Ellie
We hope you enjoyed this book as much as we enjoyed writing it. If you enjoyed reading this story, please consider leaving a review on Amazon and Goodreads, and please let other peop
le know. A sentence is all it takes. Friend recommendations are the strongest catalyst for readers’ purchase decisions! We’d love to be able to continue bringing you more love stories.
Second, call or e-mail a friend and tell them about this book. If you really want them to read it, gift it to them. If you prefer digital friends, please use the “Recommend” feature of Goodreads to spread the word.
Please check out Ellie’s other books. If you enjoyed The One I Want series, you’re sure to enjoy her other works. There’s a little bit for everyone, from sweet to steamy, to dark and suspenseful.
Or visit her blog https://elliemasters.com/, where you can find out more about her writing process and ours.
Come visit The EDGE: Dark Discussions where you’ll have a chance to talk about Ellie’s works, their creation, and maybe what the future has in store for our writing.
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Thank you so much for your support!
Love,
Jet & Ellie
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Contemporary Romance
The One I Want Series
By Jet & Ellie Masters
each book in this series can be read as a standalone and is about a different couple with an HEA.
Aiden & Ariel
Brent & Brie
Caleb & Caitlyn
Dax & Dani
Rockstar Romance
The Angel Fire Rock Romance Series
each book in this series can be read as a standalone and is about a different couple with an HEA. It is recommended they are read in order.
Ashes to New (prequel)
Heart’s Insanity (book 1)
Heart’s Desire (book 2)
Heart’s Collide (book 3)
Hearts Divided (book 4)
Dark Romance
Captive Hearts Series
each book in this series can be read as a standalone and is about a different couple with an HEA. It is recommended they are read in order.
She’s MINE
Embracing FATE
Romantic Suspense
Changing Roles Series:
this series is about one couple and must be read in order.
Book 1: Command
Book 2: Control
Book 3: Collar
HOT READS
each book is a standalone novel.
Off Duty
Nondisclosure
Down the Rabbit Hole
Romantic Suspense (standalone)
each book is a standalone novel.
Twist of Fate
The Starling
Redemption
HOT READS
Becoming His Series
this series is about one couple and must be read in order.
Book 1: The Ballet
Book 2: Learning to Breathe
Book 3: Becoming His
Sweet Contemporary Romance
Finding Peace
~AND~
Science Fiction
Ellie Masters writing as L.A. Warren
Vendel Rising: a Science Fiction Serialized Novel
About the Author
ELLIE MASTERS is a multi-genre and best-selling author, writing the stories she loves to read. These are dark erotic tales. Or maybe, sweet contemporary stories. How about a romantic thriller to whet your appetite? Ellie writes it all. Want to read passionate poems and sensual secrets? She does that, too. Dip into the eclectic mind of Ellie Masters, spend time exploring the sensual realm where she breathes life into her characters and brings them from her mind to the page and into the heart of her readers every day.
Ellie Masters has been exploring the worlds of romance, dark erotica, science fiction, and fantasy by writing the stories she wants to read and was finally able to rope JET MASTERS into sharing her passion for romantic stories. When not writing, Jet & Ellie can be found outside off-roading, riding ATVs, scuba diving, hiking, and breathing fresh air.
They have lived all over the United States—east, west, north, south and central—Ellie grew up under the Hawaiian sun while Jet grew up under the California sun.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
WWW.ELLIEMASTERS.COM
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THE END
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Dax: Military Heroes (The One I Want Series Book 4) Page 21
