Page 34 of Big Daddy Sheriff

That night, Grace finally returned Alyssa’s calls.

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry I didn’t get your calls. I didn’t even see your texts. They all came in at once when we got back into civilization.” Grace laughed. “Well, if you can call Big Cedar civilization. We do have cell reception, at least.”

“And good internet,” Alyssa pointed out.

“Truth! Where are you right now?”

Alyssa took a few minutes to fill her friend in on the recent events. And her new relationship with Quinn.

“What? You’ve only been in town a couple of days and you already have a Daddy?”

“Sure do!” Alyssa cried, beaming with pride. “And what a Daddy he is!”

Standing across the kitchen island from Alyssa, Quinn looked at her, smiled, and winked before going back to checking messages on his phone.

“Sorry to just show up out of the blue,” Alyssa said to Grace. “But when the detective called, I realized it was urgent. I just had to get out of town fast and you were the first person I thought of.”

“Don’t be sorry,” Grace answered. “You’re welcome anytime. Do you want to come see me tonight?”

“Nah. You’ve got to be tired from all that hiking. And I think me and Daddy have other plans,” Alyssa said.

Both women giggled.

“Enjoy. And come see me tomorrow.”

They said goodbye and ended the call.

Alyssa had every intention of taking her friend’s advice. She suspected she was going to enjoy the night just fine.

Alyssa had known what was coming.

The tension between her and Quinn had been strong since the moment they’d met. Today, though—and the hours leading up to this moment—it had been outright palpable.

The electricity had started with little glances toward one another. Their gazes would meet, lingering a bit longer than necessary, their eyes suggesting exactly what they had in mind but neither actually voicing it.

Still, they both knew. And it had made everything they had to do that day—just the little chores of daily living—tedious and mundane. She’d almost resented everything that kept her from him.

And then it started, in the kitchen. Thankfully. Finally.

Alyssa wasn’t sure if it was her imagination or if the heat she’d felt radiating off Quinn was real. But it almost reminded her of what she’d seen, walking along that two-lane highway when she’d arrived in Big Cedar: a heat mirage, vapors rising heavenward, causing the atmosphere to burn intensely.

The moment he placed his hand on the back of her neck and massaged it, sending a jolting electric current through her, she had her answer.

It was indeed real.

That was all it took; the spark that ignited the flame that would blossom into a raging inferno.

Now, they’d left the kitchen and moved to the bedroom, though it had been a long, slow trek, neither able to tear their hungry lips away from the other to actually focus on making it to their destination. But they’d managed, after considerable effort.

Alyssa was lying flat on her back, staring up at the ceiling, but not seeing it or anything else.

Her mind was a blur of ecstasy and passion.

Quinn’s head was between her legs and he was feasting on her womanhood as if he were starving. She arched her back and released an ear-splitting moan.

Quinn’s tongue was so warm as it lapped at her in wide swaths. Her juices trickled onto it, and he was eager to collect them, swallowing all she gave him, seeming as if he wanted more.

Her body met the challenge.

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