Copyright © Crissy Smith 2013. All Rights Reserved, Total-E-Ntwined Limited, T/A Totally Bound Publishing. "Last call! Last call!" Piper Maxwell shouted. Jace Anderson heard the familiar words from his place at the cash register behind the bar and his blood started to pump in anticipation. His body was alive with awareness of what was to come. He turned his head to the woman who'd made the announcement. His bar manager Piper Maxwell nodded to the two bartenders while smiling at his patrons. This was the best part of the evening for him. Jace and Piper, alone, the opportunity he craved night after night. He took the rag out of his back pocket and stepped around the bar into the seating section. He started to wipe down the empty tables to help clean up for the night. The dark wood table tops gleamed in the bar light. Smooth, quiet jazz flowed through air and comforted those within. The stained but clean oak floors had been battered but continued to hold strong. From any seat in the house, the windowed front offered the patrons a spectacular view of the beach yards away. Jace had opened the bar only a year ago but it was now home. Everything he had ever wanted in his life wrapped into one place. The people who worked for him were his family. The woman currently ringing up the last of the patrons' tabs... He shook his head. Piper was one of a kind. The closing procedures only took half an hour. He had a very efficient staff—they were well trained and all took care and helped one another. The kitchen had been shut down two hours ago so the small staff in the back had already cleaned up their stations and gone for the night. The four remaining employees, his two bartenders and two waitresses, finished up and happily waved good night. It had been a busy shift. Steady business. He couldn't ask for much more. Even in a struggling economy he still managed to make money. Lifting the last stool onto the table top, he glanced out the front window and saw the moon shining bright over the water. The astounding sight always made his breath catch. He'd moved to Blue Cove, California after his last tour of duty. Almost fourteen months ago. He'd read about the small coastal town when he had been overseas and always promised himself he would visit. Once he'd set foot on the soft sand and watched the crystal-clear waves roll, he'd known he was home. He'd gotten a business loan and opened Anderson's Lounge. Anderson's was the only bar located directly on the beach that he loved so much. He was able to serve the locals like himself as well as the few tourists who came to town. "That's it," Piper told him, switching off the back lights. Jace tore his attention from outside to glance over at Piper pulling a bottle from behind the bar. The light of the bar was the only illumination and the sight of the beautiful woman made his breath catch. It had become their nightly ritual to share a toast to another night accomplished. Jace always looked forward to this time. To this drink. One cocktail shared where Piper was relaxed and things tipped more personal. Or as close to personal as Piper ever allowed.