Page 38 of The Sheriff & the Nurse

She blinked at him. No. She didn’t want to sit through a movie; she wanted to talk things out with him. To have him kiss her and hold her because he wanted to, not to prove something to Dr. Hampshire or her nursing friends.

“Sure,” she said, then cussed herself for being a wimp.

He gestured toward the living area. They settled into his wraparound leather couch. He gave his house some commands. The lights dimmed and a projector screen rose out of the floor in front of the fireplace.

“That’s amazing,” she said.

“Thanks. Rhett thought of it since my ceilings are high and we didn’t want to waste wall space with a screen.”

“I love all the windows in your house.” She loved his house.

“Me too.” He angled toward her and their arms brushed. “What are you in the mood for? Comedy, drama, suspense, romance …” He turned away and grabbed a remote off the coffee table. Clicking it on, he said, “I have a bundle with Netflix, Peacock, and Apple TV Plus.”

“Do you watch a lot of movies?” Her mind was caught on him offering ‘romance’.Yes, please.

He shrugged. “Usually too busy, but if I’m home alone and don’t have anything to read, I’ll find a movie. I’m not much into TV series.”

“Neither am I.” She didn’t like the thought of him home, all alone, without her. “How about a romantic comedy?”

His gaze became a little deeper. With the low lights on, the setting was prime for romance. “Do you have a favorite?”

“Have you seenHitchwith Will Smith, Kevin James, and Eva Mendes?”

“Ah, yes. A classic for sure.” He grinned and pushed some buttons, typing in Hitch and the movie came up. He pushed play and settled back against the couch.

Lily eased back as well, their arms brushing.

“You can push this button.” He reached down between the cushions, his arm brushing her knee and shooting sparks through her leg. “And your chair will recline.” He held the button, and her footrest came up as the back cushion reclined.

“Oh?” She reached down on the pretext of finding the button. Their hands brushed and then their fingers tangled together.

Clint’s eyes were a smoky blue in the soft lighting.

He lifted their joined hands and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. Lily’s breath shortened. Then he released her hand, and she felt a huge letdown. He pushed a button on the side of his cushion and his seat reclined too. Then he slid his left hand against her right hand. Their palms aligned and then their fingers. He threaded their fingers together and rested them on his leg.

Lily had difficulty breathing as she leaned back into the comfortable leather couch and tried to focus on the movie. Clint’s hand around hers and the slight movement of his thumb across the back of her hand commanded all her attention.

She’d held hands with Miles more times than she could count. It had never felt like this, even as giddy seventeen- and eighteen-year-olds.

As the movie progressed, she hoped and prayed he’d make a move. He didn’t. It was almost the last scene and Will Smith had just told Eva Mendes that she hadn’t hurt him and that he never went past a certain point in a relationship. Of course the viewer knew his heart had been broken years before and he was scared. Was that Clint’s issue? Sheryl Dracon had broken his heart in two and he was afraid to get in another relationship?

She was scared too—scared that he was only with her because of duty, scared he would reject her. But she had to be brave, make a move, and see if he reciprocated. Nerves twisted her stomach as she pulled her hand free from his grasp.

He turned toward her with a questioning glance.

Lily held eye contact and ran her hand up his arm, over the smooth muscles of his bicep, and to his well-formed shoulders. He swallowed and studied her.

She cupped the back of his neck with her hand, twisting toward him and resting her other hand on his chest. He pulled in a quick breath, his gaze full of her. She arched up and pressed her lips to his.

Clint hesitated for a fraction of a second.

Fear filled her. She’d been too bold. He’d only kissed her in public. He was going to reject her, tell her she should date Walker, tell her he wasn’t healed from Sheryl, tell her he was only doing all this pretending because he was the mighty sheriff.

Then Clint’s mouth moved against hers. He turned toward her, and all the fears vanished. Light and joy filled the room as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her thoroughly. Very, very thoroughly.

Time passed. Maybe. She was in a cloud of happiness that nothing or nobody could touch.

Clint drew back slightly and gave her an irresistible smile. “The movie’s over.”

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