Fighting Light: Moon Harbor Series, #4

By Kate McWilliams

Fighting for their dreams never felt so good…

 

Landry Garner has big goals in a small town, and she's been working nonstop for years to achieve them. When her dreams are swiped out from under her one too many times, she'll do whatever it takes to create the life she wants. The only problem? Her hot new boss, who happens to be a former one night stand.

 

Saint Adams is ready for a change. After an injury that threatens his MMA career, he's testing out a new life as a bar owner in Moon Harbor, Maine. The only thing he's conflicted about? The sizzling chemistry he has with his new employee. If he can keep it in his pants, this might be the fresh start he's looking for. But Landry has him seriously questioning his own willpower.

 

Just as Saint settles into his new life, someone throws a wrench in his plans, taking a strike at both his business and the woman he's falling for. But he's made a life of fighting for what's his, and he's not going to stop now.

 

Fighting Light is a steamy small town romance with heat, heart, and a happily ever after. For more information about the content, please see the author's website.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kate McWilliams
• Release date: Jan 15, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224337439

Book preview

prologue

LANDRY

Can I get you anything else?

The hot mystery man looked at me for a moment, a moment that shot a zap of electricity down my spine. He nodded once.

Yeah, one more pint, please. He slapped a twenty down on the bar-top.

Sure thing, I added with a smile, though my mood was anything but chipper. Besides Mystery Man and a few tables worth of locals, there wasn’t much serving to be done, so I just bided my time until I could go home. I’d been roped into bartending on Christmas Eve. Everyone else had an actual family they wanted to spend the evening with. Imagine that. I rarely talked to my parents, and certainly didn’t want to spend more time with them than I needed to, so I took the shift.

Normally, The Anchorage wasn’t even open on Christmas Eve, but this year, Moon Harbor had put on an extensive tourist event to try to get more people in town during the winter. It seemed to be working because I’d never seen so many people in town for Christmas, and despite the slow evening here, my tips this past week had been awesome.

I returned his change and he just slid it back toward me.

Keep it. He grunted, but it wasn’t in a grumpy way, more of a guttural response. The man had a deep voice that gave me the tingles. I moved away before I made a fool of myself, and took a glass to the tap.

Setting the full pint glass in front of him, I considered the hottie. He was definitely a tourist. I was born and bred in Moon Harbor—had never even left for college—so I knew everyone in town. And I would have noticed this guy. I took a sneaky look at him while putting his tip in the jar on a back shelf. His dark hair was long, almost to his shoulders, but it suited him. He had a full beard and tanned skin. His dark eyes were mesmerizing. But he was quiet as a mouse, even if his countenance was anything but mousy. 

I could talk someone’s ear off and often had no problem doing so. But something about this guy got to me. He gave me butterflies and chills at the same time. Intriguing and dangerous. He’d been in for drinks the past three days and still didn’t introduce himself. Must be from the city. He always only had two beers. So he was conscientious about drinking, or at least wasn’t a lush. That was a positive. But he hadn’t engaged in conversation with a single person any of the times. Was he quiet or socially awkward? Was he content or lonely?

Hey Landry, can we get the check? I was interrupted from my analysis by one of the tables at the front. When I looked up at Mystery Man, he’d actually turned his head to see where the voice was coming from. So he was paying a bit of attention, it seemed.

Sure thing, Bob. I printed out the bill and headed over, engaging in small talk with the Hendersons and their extended family. When I couldn’t help myself and glanced back at Mystery Man, the butterflies in my stomach took flight into my chest. He stared straight at me, and didn’t look away when our eyes met. I thought maybe he needed something, and waited for the tell-tale customer gesture, but none came. Instead, he slowly dragged his eyes down my body and then back up again, giving me a sly smile, before turning back toward his drink and taking a sip. 

What was that? The man did not strike me as a flirter, but… Was he trying to flirt? And why did that excite me so much? I spent another couple minutes with the Hendersons, then took Bob’s card over to the register to run it. I felt Mystery Man’s eyes on me the whole time.

You going to finally engage in conversation? I asked, unsure where my bravery came from. Normally I had no issue talking and flirting with anyone who seemed interesting enough, but this guy did something to me. He made me nervous, but I couldn’t deny I liked it.

He laughed, or what might constitute a laugh from him, more of another grunt really, but his eyes held mirth.

I don’t often feel the need to converse. 

I blinked, unsure I heard him correctly. The grunting man could talk, indeed. And that deep voice with a smile on his lips was even better than I expected.

Well I’m not going to make you if you don’t want. My voice had taken on a flirty tone without my meaning to, but I didn’t regret it. This man was hot and I had nothing else to do tonight, might as well have a little fun.

Oh, I think I might want.

I took in a deep breath and stepped closer to him. 

What’s your name?

He opened his mouth, but then so did Bob.

Hey Landry, we’re heading out, you got my card?

I smiled, my eyes still on Mystery’s amber eyes, Bob’s credit card still in my hand. His lip turned up at the corner and he took a sip of his beer.

Coming! And I noticed a little growl from Mystery’s throat as I said the word and bounced away, swaying my hips a little for effect.

I spent another few minutes with the Hendersons, walking them to the door. And then picked up cash from the Millers’ table, who left right after. By the time I got back to Mystery Man, there was only one table left, a group of asshole townies that I hated but had to pretend to like. They were bombed by now, and had to be leaving soon. Please leave soon.

Landry, come over here and take a shot with us. Speak of the devil. Mark Hanson was a couple years older than me and had tried to take me to prom when we were teens. Even then I could tell he was a weirdo and turned him down. But ever since, he’d been on my heels, trying to get me to go out with him. Not all the time, just when he was lonely. It was gross, but he was mostly harmless. But he came in here often and my boss didn’t want to lose his business, so I played nice. 

No more shots, Mark, we’re closing up soon. A round of boos and gripes came from the table, so I went over to try to smooth it over. But my patience this week for drunk people was waning.

Mark slid an arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him. Repulsion settled in my gut, but this wasn’t abnormal for him, so I did what I usually did and played along because I was too weary not to.

I moved a few inches away, but patted his shoulder. To him, he’d feel like I was paying attention to him, giving him a win. To anyone sober looking at the situation, they’d see me treating him like a child. This was how it always went.

Fucking bullshit, give me a shot. He slapped my ass, and I yelped. Okay, this was not how it always went.

Mark, what the hell? I backed farther away and stared him down, but he wasn’t looking at me. His friends quieted and a couple exchanged looks, but the others were too blitzed to notice.

Come on, Lan, he said, slurping the last of his long island iced tea, why don’t we have a little party here, huh?

I’m closing up. Mark reached out for me again, but I was too far away and he was too drunk to steady his arm.

So you can come back to my place.

That will not be happening. Why don’t you guys head out and I’ll settle your tab later?

The others grabbed their things and stood, shuffling around to get their coats on. Mark just sat and stared at me.

Lan, come here. He beckoned me closer with his finger, but I didn’t move.

No.

Come on, I need to tell you something.

I believe she said no.

I turned my head to look over my shoulder and caught Mystery Man approaching and wow, standing right in front of him really put into perspective just how huge he was. He towered over me, must have been six foot five, but who could tell at that point? The butterflies were a riot now and my breath quickened. It had nothing to do with Mark and his little game and everything to do with this man. 

He set his hands on my hips and pulled me back against him to look intimate. And it was intimate, but his grip was lighter than it looked, really just for show.

And I don’t appreciate you touching my woman’s ass. If you don’t want me to rip your hand off, I suggest you get the fuck out of here.

I played along and raised my eyebrows at Mark, gesturing to the door. He looked at Mystery like he wanted to say something, but then the behemoth straightened and somehow raised up even higher, and Mark wisely slunk off to the exit.

The room was quiet for a moment, and the man’s hands fell away.

Sorry I touched you, I just figured it was easier to get rid of him if I did a little roleplaying.

Oh, that’s fine, I liked you touching me. Wait. What the hell? Why did that just come out of my mouth? 

Mystery smirked and one eyebrow shot up. But then he moved around me and started bussing the table. I shook myself out of my daze.

Oh, you don’t have to do that, I said, grabbing some cups and following him to the back.

I know.

Well, why are you?

He shrugged and set the cups in a bus bin and then went back to get the rest.

Um, that’s not an answer. And I appreciate you jumping in back there, but you don’t have to like, swoop in and save me or whatever.

You’re all alone here. On Christmas Eve. And don’t seem to be in any real hurry to get anywhere else. I don’t have anywhere to go. So I think maybe we can relate, at least a tiny bit. And if I can help make your night better, even just a little, well, that seems worth it to me.

I blinked. The man had a way of surprising me, apparently. Because he just said more in that minute than he had in the past week he’s been coming in here.

Well, that, I— I didn’t know how to respond, but Mystery just kept on clearing the table. He pulled the rag from my belt loop and started wiping. And that finally shook me from my confusion. I put a hand on his shoulder from behind.

No, stop, it’s not your job. His muscle tensed under my palm and another zap of electricity hit me right through my body, down to my toes. He turned around and straightened again, but this time he was right in front of me, so close, our chests practically touched. My breasts rose and fell with each breath I took and his eyes took note.

Something in the air shifted. I didn’t know what it was, or how to explain it. I’d never in my life experienced it. I lifted my head up higher, licked my lips. Waited for him to move one way or another for what felt like hours.

And then the crash. 

His lips ravaged mine in one swift movement. His hands gripped my waist and pulled me against him. I threw my hands up around his shoulders to hold on for dear life. Because I was on a rollercoaster now, at this Mystery Man’s mercy. And no way in hell was I stopping the ride.

SAINT

Landry’s lips molded to mine and her soft curves melted against me. Every move I made, she followed, countered, in a way that set my skin on fire.

She didn’t know me, and I was grateful for it. Because I shouldn’t have been here in Moon Harbor. Shouldn’t have been drinking at the Anchorage all these nights. And I damn sure shouldn’t be kissing her right now, gripping her body in my hands, and yearning for more. But as it turned out, not a single part of me cared about what I should be doing. I was going on instinct here, and my instinct about Landry was taking me to heaven.

She mewled and grabbed onto my shoulders even harder, as if wanting to climb me, to get closer. So I lifted her up in one swift movement and felt her legs wrap around my waist. The caveman in me wanted to shout in triumph but I wasn’t about to take my lips off hers.

I walked us back into the kitchen again, away from the glass windows of the main room. Setting her down on one of the prep counters, I began to feast at her neck. She tasted like peaches and sin and I wanted more. I wanted it all. 

There was a feral part of me that I had to acknowledge here. I’d never hooked up with someone this randomly. Usually I’d pick up a girl at a work event and take them home for some fun, but that was after actually getting to know them a bit. My visits to the Anchorage so far had been quiet. I hadn’t gotten to know Landry, aside from her name, and that she was one of the more solid employees here. 

I noticed her, of course. I noticed the fuck out of her. She was gorgeous and sweet and funny. The way she moved around the bar with practiced ease, the way she chatted with the locals and gave tips to the tourists. She was a natural at being social, and I hadn’t been in a social mood, well, ever. But especially not lately.

So while I wasn’t surprised I was interested in Landry—how could I not be—I was surprised I acted on it like this. But I didn’t regret it, and neither did she it seemed, because with every swipe of my tongue and scrape of my teeth, she whimpered, moaned, sighed into the quiet room and the sounds were music to my ears.

Please. I need more, She said, breathless.

More, huh? I nibbled my way down to her cleavage, kissed the soft mounds that rose up with each breath.

Mmmhmm.

Like what, Landry? What do you want me to do to you?

I don’t—I don’t know, I just need more. Her eyes were closed tight, causing a cute little wrinkle in the middle of her brows.

You want me to make you come?

She gasped.

Yes. Make me come.

Open your eyes.

She did, and I looked down into those deep blue pools. Her pupils were dilated. She was turned on, and needy. And who was I to deny her what she wanted? 

You want me to lick your pussy?

Those eyes widened in surprise for just a moment, before she schooled her features and nodded.

Yes.

Yes what? I asked, needing to hear she was sure, but also just wanting to hear those dirty words fall from her plump lips.

Yes, please lick my pussy. I need it, she ended on a whisper.

My cock strained against the zipper of my jeans and a deep growl formed in my throat without my meaning to, but it was too late to care. I leaned forward, taking her face in both of my hands and planting a hard kiss on those tempting lips. And then I dropped to my knees.

Landry was already unbuttoning her jeans, and she lifted up as I grabbed them and pulled them down her legs. She toed off her shoes, kicking the jeans off after, and then leaned back. 

Uh uh. Take your shirt off too.

My shirt?

I want you naked so I can enjoy every single inch of this body.

She whipped it up over her head and reached behind to unhook her bra. And as it fell, I took a gulp. The sight of Landry laid out for me, naked and ready, wet and waiting… It was like staring at a masterpiece of art and a full feast all at once. I wanted to both marvel at her beauty and dig in. 

Spread your legs for me, baby.

As she did, she leaned back farther and her tits jiggled. My cock screamed at me from my pants, but I ignored it as much as I could. Whether I got off tonight or not, this right here would be a memory that could keep me warm for the rest of my damn life.

I placed my hands on her thighs, slowly running them up and down, while I kissed one knee, then the other. My lips made their way up her legs, taking in the scent of her, the taste of her, as I relished in the soft moans she made.

When I got to the crease of her thigh, I nipped at her, loving the way her legs twitched. And then I pushed them farther apart and found my mark.

I ran my tongue gently up the crease of her, then pressed soft kisses