Page 5 of Billionaire Protector

And he most certainly wouldn’t think about how good it felt to hold her again.

He never released her, although why, he didn’t know. It wasn’t like she could go far. He’d just catch her if she did. He steeled a hard gaze at her. “If you think I’m going to fall for that again, you’re out of your mind. People may change, but foxes don’t turn into kittens. No way you’re sheriff.”

He might not have been able to straighten her out as a kid, but now this town was his responsibility, and he took his responsibilities seriously. Sarah Tanning was going to become the perfect citizen, even if he had to look after her personally. He ignored the anticipation the thought brought.

“I’m not tricking you.” Sarah looked far too smug as she continued in confident tones. “Didn’t your dad tell you I took over as sheriff a few years ago? What about when they hired you? Didn’t anyone mention your boss’ name?”

“Of course.” It was the only thing keeping him calm right now. “And last I heard, Sarah Tanning and Sherriff S. T. Sloan aren’t a match.”

“Actually, they are.” Her gaze remained direct. “You weren’t here when I changed my name. I wanted a fresh start when I graduated high school, so I took my mother’s maiden name, although I kept Tanning as a middle name. Thus Sarah Tanning Sloan, better known as Sheriff S. T. Sloan.” She smiled. Widely.

“Impossible.”It had to be. Because if not…“Not to relive the past, but you broke every law in town. How could you possibly become sheriff?”

Sarah’s gaze hardened to sapphire shards. “Although you personally convicted me of every crime, I was never arrested. I had a clean slate when I went to community college. I did well, attended university and got a job working for an out-of-town police department. Later I came back and worked as a deputy here for a few years. Your dad retired, and I got the sheriff position.”

Still unbelievable – he hoped. There had to be some evidence to disprove her assertion. He perked up. “What about James and Pete?” The two deputies worked with his dad for years and would undoubtedly have seniority for a promotion. Everyone assumed they were next in line. “You wouldn’t have gotten it before them.”

She shrugged. “James moved away to become sheriff of a larger town, and Pete took early retirement. That left–”

“You?” Cole didn’t let her finish.No. No, no and no.“I don’t believe it.”

“It’s true.” She waved breezily. “It makes sense if you think about it. It would explain why I’m here, and why I threatened to arrest you.”

Yes, it would. It would also explain how she knew extensive fighting techniques, as well as her presence, far better than her being the arsonist. Although her culpability seemed logical earlier, it made less sense now. Sarah may have been a mischievous and unruly child, but she’d never actually caused serious harm.

“Prove me a liar,” she murmured. “Call your dad.”

Her soft challenge riled him, and once more he fought the urge to pull her close, to unbalance her as she did him. Yet hehad to focus on the possibility she was telling the truth. Calling his father was an easy way to uncover whether she was lying.

Easily holding her with one hand, he retrieved his cell with the other. His father answered on the first ring. “Hello.” Jack Carter sounded perfectly awake despite the late hour. No doubt he was still accustomed to all those graveyard shifts he worked as sheriff.

“Hey, Dad, I’m sorry to call so late, but I have an important question. Who took over as sheriff when you retired? I remember asking a few times, but I don’t think you ever answered.” He hadn’t thought much of it at the time, but now it seemed an intentional oversight.

His father paused, rocketing his concerns to the stratosphere. It had to be someone other than Sarah,anyoneother than Sarah. He’d take Big Foot if it meant not answering to the all-too-alluring woman still squirming in his grip. Yet a sinking feeling deep in his gut previewed his father’s answer. “Did I forget to tell you? It’s your old friend, Sarah Tanning, only she goes by Sarah Sloan now. Did you catch her yet?”

Cole looked down at his quarry. “In a manner of speaking, yes. I’m sorry again for calling so late. I’ll let you get back to sleep now.” Reality crinkled and cracked as Cole hung up the phone. He studied the woman in his arms, the woman who for once had told the truth. “I guess you really are who you claim to be.”

“You guess?” she demanded, all feminine power despite her tiny stature. “Are you still searching for a way to make this all go away?”

Hell, yes.

She lifted her arm as high as she could in his grip. “Are you going to let me go?”

Hell, no.

The thought was immediate, firm and completely inappropriate. As was his inexplicable hesitation before hefinally released the athletic limb. “So you really are…” He shook his head. “The sheriff. My… my…”

“Can’t say it?” She sported that same mischievous smile as when she’d stolen the chocolate sprinkle cookie out of his lunch box. Repeatedly. “Your boss. Your superior. The one you answer to.” She stood up straight, with a strength he remembered well.

He also stood to his full height. “Did you forget all-superior empress?”

Her smile widened. “Yes, I did. It’s fine if you want to call me that. So will you be able to handle it? Will you be able to accept orders from me?”

At this moment, nothing seemed as difficult, or impossible, as taking orders from the woman before him. She may officially be his boss, but he’d spent the last ten years as an elite military officer. No way could she know more about catching bad guys than him. She might think she was in control…

But he would always keep it.

“I’ll take your silence as a yes.”

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