💙

I didn't want to take this case. I know it's bad not wanting to take down a murder and drug dealer, but Luna makes it really hard. I want her back in the office behind her computer out of harms way. And out of other men's sight.

But I agreed because I saw how excited Luna was to have another case in the field. I'll give her just about anything, only if it won't cause her harm and if there is possible danger, I will be there to protect her. So I agreed.

After taking a shower and freshening up I put on the blue swim trunks that Luna got me for Christmas after she caught me swimming naked in the pool a few months prior.

For her I got bras and underwear that she picked out but never brought when she forced me to go to the lingerie store. I got so mad when she didn't buy them because it was too expensive, then when I offered to pay she said no. I asked her how much she wanted them and she said a lot. So the next day I went back and picked out every single item she picked along with a few of my own choices. I spent nearly 700 dollars on lingerie. Then I hid it in the closet with the guns because I know Luna barely goes there.

✨LAST CHRISTMAS✨

Luna jumps into my arms placing endless kisses to my face as I sit crisscrossed by the fireplace in front of the Christmas tree. I laugh and hold her in my arms adjusting her as I sit back up.

"You're welcome, Angel Face. Thank you for all my gifts."

My girl got me clothes, cologne, more shampoo after she used up all of mine, expensive aviators that I secretly longed for, organizers for all my crap, luxury cuban cigars that she somehow managed to attain. I don't really want to know how and I didn't care especially when she showed me my last gift. A vintage arcade game that I loved playing when I was growing up. It was only a picture but she said it was supposed to arrive the next day.

This is when I knew Luna ruined me for anyone else.

After cleaning up our presents we ate breakfast cuddled in front of the fireplace while watching Christmas movies on tv. That's how most of the day went. Luna had a flight early tomorrow to go home. I didn't want her to leave but I knew that she should spend time with her family so I took this day to have her to myself.

The next morning Luna slipped into my bed and crawled into my arms. Her scent made me smile because I've come to associate it with home. Luna was home. Her warm vanilla scent with minty hair because she always uses my shampoo. Soft, smooth skin that rose with goosebumps when I dragged my fingers over a certain spot on her arm. I never want to loose this.

Opening my eyes, I find Luna has fallen back asleep in my arms, her cute lips parted and her long lashes brushing slightly against her cheeks.

"Honey bear?" I whisper into her ear.

She moans and climbs on top of me straddling my waist and resting her arms against my chest. "Come with me," she sniffles resting her face in the nook of my neck.

"It's your time to spend with your family."

I feel a wet tear fall against my skin, causing me to immediately hold Luna in my arms to try and comfort her. "I want you with me. You shouldn't be alone for Christmas."

"I won't. You call me every hour."

She pulls back and looks at me with the eyes. Oh my gosh and they're watery. How the hell do I compete with that?

Trying to give myself some leverage or even a simple grounding, I sit up and position her in my lap that's comfortable. She cuddles back into me and places her head on my shoulder looking up at me.

"Please?"

With another sigh she pulls back and climbs out of bed. I quickly throw my legs over the side and pull her back into me.

"My little elf," I hum gently pushing up her shirt and placing kisses to her hips along the waistband of her new lace panties. "Don't be mad at me," I whisper against her skin.

I run my fingers over her hips as hers slip trough my hair and tilt my head up. "I'm not mad. But I do have a flight to catch and if you aren't ready soon I'm leaving you and taking an Uber."

Tapping her ass, I stand up and nod, moving around her so I can get ready as she walks out to do the same. I take her to the airport, using my badge in order to walk her all the way to the gate. I sit with her until her flight is ready to board. She gives me one final kiss to the cheek before stepping away from me and scanning her ticket to go onto the plane.

The rest of the day I did nothing without Luna. I didn't have work to distract me so I just took a nap. When I woke up I saw three texts from Luna one telling me she landed, the other telling me that she's in the car, and the third telling me that she made it to her parents house.

Sometimes you don't realize tension until you actually feel yourself relax. Knowing that Luna made it home safe allowed me to relax.

On Christmas Eve Luna called and we talked for hours. Then at 12 am on Christmas she called to wish me a merry Christmas. I didn't mind because I wasn't even sleep. I could tell she was tired though so I talked her to sleep before finally hanging up when she didn't respond anymore. She kept me company all Christmas, texting, calling, FaceTiming. I loved her for never leaving me. I love her for everything.

✨

Making it downstairs, I find Luna humming and shaking her hips in nothing but a sexy red bikini as she makes breakfast. My dick is going to have a hard time today with her in that sexy as hell outfit.

"Damn," Derek groans in my ear.

I honestly hate that he can see what I see. But when Luna turns around to me and smiles I could care less about Derek. He can look but I'm the only one who gets to touch. And I do just that when she walks up to me and wraps her arms around my waist. I reciprocate her affection, taking in my daily hug that I usually receive every morning.

"Are you going out like this?"

She rolls her eyes and turns back to the breakfast she's making. I know she's tired go me asking the question but I'm overprotective. Her cute ass should be used to it after 2 years.

"I learned my lesson, Carter. I'm going to put on a cover up."

I roll my eyes and sit over in a stool in front of the island. Luna slides two pancakes onto a plate with bacon and eggs then does the same to another before pouring each of us a glass of orange juice. Finally she sits down next to me and we eat talking about today's case.

After breakfast we clean up and head to the beach where everyone is supposed to be. Where our targets are supposed to be.

The Miami division narrowed it down to two people with really good connections to the guy we are searching for. Alex and Anna a ditsy couple who loves drugs. They are the people we have to find within thousands of college students. This should be fun.

When I arrive to the beach, I pull into a private parking garage not trusting any of those college students anywhere near it. I open Luna's door and together we walk across the street to where the beach is. Luna suggests splitting up but I don't want to do anything of the kind, especially not with the way all these wandering eyes are looking at her body.

She said she would cover up. Wrapped a thin piece of fabric around her waist. I swear if anybody lays a finger on her, I'm disabling them and then I'm snatching Luna out of here to hide her in bed until our flight.

The choice isn't mine because Luna slips out of my grip before I can tighten it. All she tells me is that she's going to the water and then she disappears into the throng of people. My heart races and my breathing picks up. I can't see her.

Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath before shutting my mind off to work. She'll be fine, I know she will. Now I have to search for Alex and Anna.

Looking at the picture on my phone I scan and move through the crowds of people for what feels like hours. They all look the same. Then I finally spot them, standing up on an elevated platform labeled VIP.

How do you even get VIP here? Who set that shit up? Whatever.

"Babe, I found them. Come over to the East side by the VIP deck."

She laughs. "Axel, I already found them." I look up onto the deck and spot Luna who I somehow managed to overlook.

What the hell?

She spots me too and quickly waves me over, getting the attention of the targets and telling them that her husband was coming. I walk over to the stairs and watch Luna push the man guarding it out of the way to let me up.

"Baby you have to meet Alex and Anna they are so sweet!"

She pulls me over to Alex and Anna, quickly introducing me to them and telling me all about what they've been talking about. They talked about a lot and I just sit there pretending to be interested. This is the most boring thing I've ever done in my life. Until Luna looks up at me and places a gentle kiss to my jaw. Then again I'm only interested in her.

"You guys are so cute!" Anna exclaims a little too cheerfully.

Is she on drugs now?

Luna just laughs and looks at me. "Now do you understand why I had to tie this man down before another girl could get to him? We eloped on a whim our sophomore year and I don't regret a single minute of it." Luna sighs.

Anna just pouts at us and it's really weird.

After hours of laughing, drinking, talking and partying we exchange numbers and agree to meet back at the beach around midnight. In 4 hours.

The second we get into the car I already know what's on Luna's mind. Chicken Tenders. Once I've pulled off into the street Luna slides over in the bench chair and curls into my side resting her head against my shoulder and throwing her legs over mine. I don't mind it. I actually like it and it's making me consider getting my own car with a bench chair so I can receive this type of affection more often.

It's obvious our relationship has experienced a major shift since we've been in Miami. The question is how do we handle that. But that question isn't on Luna's mind.

She looks up at me with tired, slightly dazed eyes and asks, "Can we get chicken tenders?"

I laugh and kiss her nose, wrapping my arm around her and holding her close as I drive with my other hand. She glares at my response to her question telling me that there is nothing funny about that.

"I'll get you whatever you want, Goody Bear."

And that's what we do. We get food and stall time until we have to be back at the beach to meet with the friends we made today.

When we arrive Jake comes through the earpiece. "Hey guys there are two small ports that you can stick into Alex and Anna's phone. It's in the bag I gave you do you have it on you?"

Luna looks around and finds it on the floor of the backseat. She pulls it out then unzips it to find the two ports, Jake was talking about.

"It takes a max of 30 seconds to copy the date. But I have complete faith in you, Luna."

I roll my eyes at his blatant attempt in flirting with Luna.

"Thanks, Jake."

"No problem." He clears his throat nervously. "Um, maybe when you're done playing couple with Carter—"

My jaw ticks. "Jake I suggest you stop right now, before —"

"Carter!" Luna scolds cutting me off. With a huff she climbs out of the car and apologizes to Jake.

Then a small fire begins to burn in the earpieces.

"Guy's are barbaric idiots," Emily groans.

"Girls like to make guys run around. Y'all don't know how to just speak your mind and be straight forward. You make us guess so we can play your little games and give you what you want." Derek says. That may have been the most accurate thing Derek has ever said.

I agree. Maybe I shouldn't have agreed out loud because Luna turns and glares at me.

"Oh shut up, Carter," she starts with an eyeroll. "You cannot be one to speak. Straightforward my ass. You do dumb shit and expect to just get what you want."

I know what she's referring to and she may be right. Not once have I confessed my actually feeling for her, I just went straight for sexual seducing which is the worst approach I could've ever made. But Luna sure as hell can't reprimand me.

Walking around to her, I push her back onto the hood and hover over her. "If I spoke my mind Luna you would cower out of your own little fears."

I regret my words in an instant when she swallows and straightens up defensively. "You put up a real good act and I wish you would just drop it. I'm not the only one afraid, you asshole. Strip away the covering and let the truth out, Carter."

I think we should both take that advice.

She pushes away from me and walks to the little campfire that I can see in the distance.

Stupid, Jake, look what you started.