Free FORBIDDEN LOVE by LAURA HARNER

preliminary cause of death from the ME. Blunt force trauma,” she said with a sigh. She dropped the photos inside her bag. She ran over the possibilities in her mind for a minute, before pushing aside her thoughts. Her eyes drifted to the door and she watched Hawk come through. Tall and broad in a charcoal business suit with a sky-blue tie against a dazzlingly white shirt. He quite simply took her breath away. He removed his cowboy hat and brushed his hand through his hair as he scanned the room. Dani fought a smile as she thought of what those hands hand done to her just a few hours earlier.
    “Oh, my. So that’s who you’re fucking,” Tolley said with a grin.
    “What? Oh, no,” Dani said casually. “He’s a witness. A good-looking man, no doubt, but just a witness.”
    “Tell it to someone who doesn’t know you like I do,” Tolley said. Then he stood and waved. “We're over here.”
    Dani rolled her eyes. “Sit down, you idiot. I’m having breakfast with you. Hawk can wait.”
    “Dani, honey, no man that fine should ever be made to wait,” Tolley said, as Hawk made his over to their table.
    “Danielle, good morning,” he said. “I see you’re still eating, I’ll just wait over there until you’re ready for me.”
    Before Dani could say anything, Tolley put out his hand, “Todd Tollefson. Call me Tolley. Please join us.”
    “Thank you. I’m Hawk Charbonnet. It’s nice to meet you. Are you a detective, as well?” Hawk asked, sitting down and accepting a cup of coffee from the now very attentive waitress.
    “I’m a forensics detective. But I’m pretty good with people, too. Known Dani long?”
    “We just met yesterday, as a matter of fact.”
    “Hmm. She doesn’t usually move that fast. Treat her right; I’ll be watching.”
    “Tolley!” Dani said, shocked by Tolley’s possessive tone. He’d never acted like this with anyone she’d dated, let alone with someone she just met.
    “It’s all right, Danielle. I think Tolley and I understand each other. There’s nothing between Danielle and I, but if there was, you’d have my word.”
    “Interesting. That’s what she said, too.” Suddenly Tolley smiled and the world brightened. “I suppose I better finish eating and get back to work. Have a piece of toast, Hawk.”
    Dani shook her head as Hawk took a triangle of Tolley’s toast and spread it with strawberry jam. Before long, the men were swapping stories about the use of technology in advancing forensic science. It seemed one of Hawk’s companies produced the very piece of equipment that Tolley coveted.
    “Are you going to eat the rest of those?” Hawk asked, eyeing her eggs and hash browns.
    Dani laughed and shoved her plate in his direction. “Help yourself.”
    Tolley got up to leave, wrapped Dani in his big strong arms, and lifted her off her chair. “I love you, Dani, so don’t get into trouble with whatever it is you’re plotting.” He set her back down and planted a kiss on her head.
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Tolley,” she said. “Oh, by the way, I do have a small favor to ask. Someone left a nasty little bug in my apartment. I took a picture, but left it where it is for now. I’ll email you the photo, see what you can tell me about it.
    “Now, get back to work so I can finish mine. Let’s meet for drinks at Mudbugs tonight to figure out this apartment thing. Think about what I said about a roommate.”
    Hawk stood to shake Tolley’s hand but was pulled into a hug, as well. “She’s my best girl,” Tolley said. “Treat her right. And don’t worry, you two, your secret’s safe with me, but you both need to lose those goo-goo eyes. By the way, Hawk”—Tolley flashed a deceptively sweet smile that Dani knew was pure trouble—“if you ever decide to play for the other team, I’d love to be your bat boy.” With that parting shot, Dani and Hawk were alone.
    “Well,” Hawk said with a smile.
    “Yep, that about sums him up,” Dani