Page 40 of Wanted by the Lawman

“Yes. I think we’re dancing around the attraction.”

He laughed. “Is that what you call this? I pegged it as rejection.” His eyes twinkled.

Her mouth dropped open and she politely closed it. “Wait. You think I rejected you?” Butterflies fluttered the inside of her stomach.

He nodded. “What would you call it?” He lifted a thick brow. “Last time I saw you, we were getting along, things were progressing, and suddenly you were exhausted and ready for bed.”

“Oh, you saw through my excuse?”

“As if I had x-ray vision.”

“I-I know I acted erratically. I asked you to leave when things were headed down a path of no return. I got cold feet.” Her cheeks warmed. “Things had gotten hot so quickly.” She swallowed. “It caught me off guard.”

“I’m flattered that you remember things as ‘hot’. You don’t owe me an explanation though. I didn’t mean for things to get out of hand so fast, or at all. I understand you are just out of a relationship and I have no desire being a rebounder.”

Placing her sandwich back on the paper, she leaned on her hands and stretched out her legs, crossing her ankles. “A rebounder? How so?”

“You know, that in-between relationship that must occur when a woman, or man, breaks up with a significant other.” He popped the last bite of grilled cheese into his mouth and downed the rest of his water.

“I know what a rebound relationship is, but I disagree that everyone must have one after a break up. My relationship with Rory had been over a long time ago. I grew out of him.” She plucked at the paper bag.

“But you stayed.” He reminded her.

“Yes, you’re right. I stayed. How about you, Lawman? Did you know it was over between you and your ex, or did it just happen quickly?”

He brought his gaze to hers. “Ah, so you’ve gotten the 4-1-1 from Lanie?”

“It’s not a secret is it?”

He shrugged, pushing the capacity of the seams in the T-shirt. “Guess not. Looking back, I guess I knew things had moved down the wrong path and I stayed.”

“Why?”

“Overlooking things is how every foolish man responds when he finds himself loving the wrong woman.”

“Well, women find themselves in the same situation sometimes. I did love Rory at one time, but he liked my alter ego better than the everyday me.”

“Yeah?”

She pulled off the corner of her sandwich and ate it. She shifted, stretching her legs further. He caught her off guard when he brought one foot into his lap and massaged her arch. She blinked. The butterflies in her stomach were in all force. “Well…” She cleared her throat and prayed her voice would work. “He had filled my closet with sexy costumes…” His fingers glided over her heel. “Made of lace and leather….” Now his fingers were on her ankle, warming her from inside out. “I-I had every wig of every color and length imaginable...” How could his hands be so warm? Like sunning in the desert. Before she knew it, she’d divulged everything. “He wouldn’t touch me unless I was “dressed” for the occasion. Oh, and a porn on TV.” Her inner thighs trembled.

By the scrunching of his brows and tight jaw he was wrapping his head around her words and his fingers stopped the magical massaging. “You’re telling me he only wanted you, sexually, if you were dressed like a hooker?”

“You catch on quickly. Yes.”

He showed no emotion one way or another. “Interesting.” He pressed his fingers into her foot and she sighed. “I can’t imagine a man not wanting you just the way you are.”

She chuckled. “He said those same words once upon a time.”

“He also probably told you he was an upstanding businessman, right? So, how could you believe him on anything else?”

“It is true that some men aren’t into the girl next door, or curves.”

“Yeah, an idiot. Curves are sexy.” His gaze scooted down her legs. “Although Sam wasn’t sweet and innocent by a long shot, at least she didn’t make me feel like shit about myself. This Salvano has big issues.” He swept one finger over each toe. The action made her as ooey gooey as the American cheese on the bread she was eating. “When I saw you at the gas station I wanted to get to know you better, curve and all. So much that I made a jackass out of myself. No wonder you couldn’t wait to get the hell away.” He laughed. “Those cookies sure did taste good.”

“I’m glad you liked them. I have a sweet tooth. A big one,” she admitted.

“This feels nice. Easy conversation. Touching you.” His eyes shone.

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