Page 1 of Unspoken Passions

Chapter 1

It’s a damn shame when a man is afraid of an innocent cup of coffee.

Sheriff Mick Donovan frowned balefully at the small, quirky coffee shop, his thoughts blurry from lack of sleep and frustration. He needed coffee. Hot, body-jolting, caffeine-loaded, life-affirming coffee. And this café had the absolute best coffee he’d ever tasted.

Unfortunately, the coffee shop was owned by the adorably sexy, completely-off-limits Ella Lanson. She was sweet, funny, and absolutely not-for-him.

All because of a promise he’d made five years ago.

He rubbed the back of his neck and sighed, wondering if he had time to go home and make a pot of coffee. Glancing at his watch, he knew that he didn’t.

Could he go without? Would he survive?

“Sir?”

Mick turned, glaring at his deputy, Bobby Thenson. “What?” he snarled, furious that they still hadn’t found the nest of sex traffickers that they knew were hiding out somewhere in his town. There were women being hurt by a team of criminals that were using Newnan as their hideout. The FBI was here, but even they were spread pretty thin because of the complexity of the case. This was an international human trafficking ring with a hub right here in Newnan, Georgia. He needed to get to the bottom of this. Newnan was his town and he protected his people!

Or he tried to. Apparently, he was failing miserably.

Thenson scratched his head, confusion obvious as they stood together on the sidewalk. The summer heat and humidity were oppressive, as usual. “Are we getting some coffee? I could really use a pick me up, sir.”

Mick realized that he’d been standing on the street, in the late evening heat, glaring at the young pup of a deputy. Bobby was going to be a great cop. He had compassion and intelligence, not to mention strength and common sense. That combination wasn’t always available in every law enforcement agent.

Before he could answer, the door to the coffee shop opened. Mick reluctantly turned his head, already knowing who was standing there.

“You comin’ in, Sheriff?” the saucy blond demanded, arms crossed over her chest, pushing those luscious breasts up higher. She was wearing a pair of jeans and a tee-shirt with the coffee shop’s logo just above her left breast and on her apron. He didn’t notice the damn apron, but he sure as hell noticed the logo!

Muttering a curse, he rubbed his jaw, wondering when he’d shaved last. It hadn’t been today. He’d been out searching the county for this damn nest of assholes who were abusing women! The FBI had named the ring of traffickers, “The Red Dress Cotillion”. As if they were a dance group instead of a group of criminals that kidnapped women, raped them, and forced them into prostitution.

“The coffee is hot!” the wench called out, shifting on her feet. “And I can tell from here that you’re in dire need of a cup or two.”

Even from across the street, he could feel the pull of Ella’s beauty. He swallowed hard and braced himself against the inevitable.

“Sir?”

Mick pushed away from his cruiser and nodded. “Yeah. We’ll grab a cup.”

“Or ten,” Bobby mumbled under his breath.

Mick snorted in quiet amusement and followed.

Bobby reached the door first and disappeared into the shop, leaving Mick on the sidewalk, staring down at the gorgeous thorn in his side.

“You okay, Mick?” Ella asked, her musical voice soft and soothing.

Damn, he wanted to comb his fingers through her soft, blond hair and pull her against him. He suspected that a few moments of her in his arms would revive him a hell of a lot better than her coffee.

“I’m good,” he lied.

Her beautiful, brown eyes narrowed suspiciously. Then she shook her head, those blond curls dancing around her peaches and cream skin. “No, you’re not.” She sighed and touched his arm, making his skin tingle. “Come on in, Mick. When was the last time you had something to eat?”

He hesitated for a moment, trying to remember. “I don’t recall.”

Her soft, full lips pursed in disapproval. “I’ll get you something to eat as well. You‘ll end up with heartburn, drinking coffee on an empty stomach.”

She was right, but the softness of her touch and concern in her pretty, brown eyes was almost painful. He wanted her.

Off. Limits!

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