Page 35 of Wanted by the Lawman

“Yeah. Daily,” he admitted.

Her eyes filled with mysterious moisture. Would she cry again? Heaven help him if she did. It wasn’t as if he was already weak around her.

“Tell me how so, Zander.” The soft tone of her voice made him weaker. “What turns your world upside down?”

Then he found himself blurting, “I was with Rudy when we told the dead girl’s parents that their daughter wouldn’t be coming home. Couldn’t even tell them how she died. Worst part, we have no freaking clue who did this to a young girl who had her entire life ahead of her.” Damn. Why did he go and do something like telling her about his case? Yeah, he knew why. She made him vulnerable—made him want to talk about his emotions. He never liked telling someone that a loved one was gone and would never come back home. He’d grown tough, immune on some catastrophes, but he could never grow tough enough not to feel something for families who’ve lost someone they love.

“I’m sorry. That must have been hard.”

He took a step back, pulled off his hat and dropped it to the counter. “There are so many bad people out there, Wynn. Sometimes it feels as if we’ll never catch them all.” His voice wobbled.

“I couldn’t imagine doing the work that you do. I’d have to see a therapist every day.”

“My family helps. They’re a great support. I skip the therapist and have dinner with them on Sundays.”

“You’re lucky to have a close-knit family.”

“You could come with me some time.” Now why in the hell had he gone and asked her? Had he lost his mind? He didn’t have to worry. She’d turn him down.

“If you don’t think they’d mind…”

He couldn’t retract his invitation now. “They’d love it.” Indeed, they would. His family had an open invitation to anyone who wanted to sit down for a hot meal. In fact, Zander could remember having neighbors, friends, you name it, at the dinner table more than not. Not to mention, his mom and sister would be stoked to have him bring a female. They’d been after him for so long to move on.

“Then it’s a date.” Once the words were out he could see that she’d realized what she said. “I didn’t mean date…I only meant…I have no clue what I meant.”

That one word…date…put a whole new spin on what was going on between them. He hadn’t invited her as a date, and he knew she didn’t accept it as so either, but it certainly did open a few new avenues inside his brain. His spine tingled all the way down to his ass.

It also triggered the part of him that wanted to hold her for complete satisfaction reasons.

He knew he’d feel pleasure with Wynn. Knew they could be good together.

Their gazes met—an exchange of silent words. The few feet between seemed to lessen. In her expression he saw curiosity and something else.

Keep it professional, buddy.

Who was he kidding? They’d crossed that line a long time ago.

He took a step back and tore his hand through his hair. “Come hungry to the family dinner,” he muttered. He knew he’d be starving.

She laughed, causing her hair to tumble over one shoulder. The highlights caught the sunlight making her look like she was wearing a halo. If he didn’t get the hell out of her house soon he was going to find out if her lips tasted as sweet as he guessed they did. He already knew the answer. He had no doubt her intoxicating flavor would drive him through loops.

“Thank you for the gifts. I’m super stoked that you thought of me. And the lock. Maybe I’ll try out my new tools. Jeff did mention that I needed a new lock and he’d be happy to install one.”

Her words socked him so hard in the gut he had to deny himself the need to bend her over. He didn’t want the deputy, or anyone else, touching her locks. “I tell you what, he did a lot upstairs, so let me handle the downstairs.” And everything— especially everyone—in it.

“You must have nothing better to do than to help me out.”

“All I planned to do was drink a beer and watch a game. No biggie.” He’d rather be here anyway.

“I’ll only let you install the lock if you let me fix you dinner. It’s the least I can do.”

There was no denying those pretty eyes. “Okay. It’s a deal. Looks like Susie-Q has no plans of moving from her spot anytime soon anyway.”

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