Page 50 of Mountain Man Officer

“Hand it over,” he demanded.

We argued, but I won. I snapped my credit card into the plastic tray and called for the waitress.

“We can get the next one,” Macy said to keep the peace.

Dillon scowled.

“That was nice,” Lindsey said as soon as we were alone in my truck.

“Yeah,” I agreed. “Really helps to destress.”

“Have you been stressed?” She turned to me as I backed out of the parking lot.

“Yeah, well, the case. And… I didn’t know if you were going to be homeless.”

She sat back, smiling. “I didn’t know either. It was close there for a minute.”

“Where are your parents, if you don’t mind my asking?” I kept one eye on the road and the other on her delicate form.

“They passed away,” she said. “My dad from a heart attack when I was seven, and my mom from cancer ten years ago.”

“I’m sorry,” I said.

“I still miss them,” she mused. “Like for example, it would have been awesome to call up my mom and say, ‘hey, there’s this hot guy that wants to move in with me. Well actually he tried to evict me first, it’s a long story.’”

I grinned.

“What about your parents?” she asked.

“They passed away as well,” I said. “Car accident.”

“I’m sorry.” She snuggled down against my shoulder. “It looks like we’re all alone in the world.”

I slipped one arm around her, pulling her close. “I guess so.”

We followed the taillights of Dillon and Macy’s car past the turnoff for our cabin. Their access road was just as rocky and narrow as ours, and I was glad we had come in my truck instead of Lindsey’s car. It was hard to see in the all-consuming darkness that settled on the forest. I parked right beside Dillon and killed the engine. Before opening the door, I leaned down to kiss Lindsey on the top of her head.

She stirred in my arms, looking up at me through the veil of night. I lowered my lips to hers, tasting pasta sauce and wine. Her kiss was hungry. She dug her fingers into the collar of my shirt, bringing me closer, as if we could fuse together. The kiss went from sensual to erotic in a fraction of a second, and it was all I could do to keep my hands off her. We finally remembered where we were and broke contact, breathing heavily.

“Let’s make this a quick visit,” I said roughly.

I couldn’t see her respond, and she didn’t say anything. I hoped we were on the same page, but then I heard her door open. A moment later, I could feel emptiness on the seat beside me. I groaned, opening my own door and sliding out into the night.

“This way,” Dillon’s voice called to us.

I had lost Lindsey, and I couldn’t see anything. I circumnavigated the truck by sliding one hand along the frame. I found Lindsey on the opposite side, just as hesitant. My eyes began to adjust. Now I could see the outline of the truck and Lindsey’s perfect silhouette leaning against it. The little dress clung to her midriff and swept across her thighs, making the curve of her backside accessible. All I had to do was reach out and brush that tiny bit of fabric aside, before reaching up to fill my hands with well-toned flesh.

The porch light flicked on, and suddenly the driveway was washed in yellow. Macy was all the way at the door, fitting her key into the lock. I turned away from Lindsey as if I had been caught reaching up her skirt. She held her hand out, and I took it politely. No matter how long this wine-and-games session with our neighbors was, it was going to be too long.

We walked hand in hand into Dillon’s cabin. The layout was nothing like ours. The kitchen and living room were in the middle, with bedrooms and bathrooms collected at both sides. There was no hallway, and there was a great cathedral ceiling that made the whole place look like a rich man’s hunting lodge.

“This is a great cabin,” I said, appreciating the architecture.

“My uncle had it built,” Dillon answered.

A teenage girl emerged from one of the bedrooms, closing the door softly.

“How were they?” Macy asked, pulling two twenties out of her purse.

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