Page 15 of Claimed by the Lawman

Growling, he chastised himself for being so damn gullible back then. He was no longer that kid who had hopes and dreams and foolish wishes.

Dropping the ring back into the small cup, his large hand hit one of the containers and clumsily he tried to catch it, but it was too late. Like a dominos effect, they all tipped, and a perfume bottle fell off the edge of the vanity and hit the floor with a crack.

“Shit!” He bent and picked it up, seeing a very small break in the glass, but at least no perfume was leaking out. However, if Tyler was anywhere close, she had to hear the avalanche of bottles and she’d know he was snooping through her things.

He knew he’d better get out before he did any more damage.

She was bent over on the bathroom floor when he stepped out of the bedroom and he stopped dead still in the middle of the hallway. The frayed hem of the jean shorts were hiked high up on her firm bottom, showing off a good bit of rounded ass. As she scoured the floor with a towel, her hips moved and her bottom tilted higher as she reached to wipe an area next to the tub.

Holy hell. He gave his head a shake, feeling his body jerk alive. He was going to make a big damn fool of himself if he didn’t stop acting like a desperate asshole.

She looked at him over her shoulder. A few strands of hair had fallen loose from the topknot and she blew them off her face. Her cheeks were flushed and that smile…the one that could win wars was back on her sexy lips. “Which did you like best?”

“What?” Had he missed something?

“The vanilla scented lotion or the orange flower petals and cedarwood perfume? It was a Christmas gift.”

And he was busted.

“Is it expensive?”

“Only a hundred an ounce, but who’s counting.” Her eyes turned a shade lighter as she laughed. “Glad to see the towel fits.” She swept her gaze down his bare chest, all the way down to his toes.

“Need any help?” He could name at least ten ways he could help her.

“Nope.” She stood and swiped her hands down the back pockets of her shorts. “I’m as wrinkly as a prune. I’ll call a plumber and let them handle the rest.” Her gaze settled for a long three seconds on the towel that he knew didn’t hide his attraction for her. There was nothing he could do at this point to pretend like he didn’t have an erection. She brought her eyes back up and the telltale flush of her cheeks and trembling bottom lip certainly didn’t help matters. “Are you still on duty?”

“Always.”

“Then instead of offering you a shot of something strong, how about a tall glass of something cold? You still like raspberries in your tea? I haven’t been able to find anyone who makes sweet tea like your momma.”

After all the salivating he’d done since he’d arrived, he was a bit parched. “Sure. I’ll take a glass.”

“Give me a few minutes and I’ll meet you in the kitchen. I better get out of these wet things and get your clothes in the dryer.”

That was his cue to leave and, like a zombie, he handed over his pile of clothes. “You sure you don’t mind drying these things?”

“It’s my fault that you were soaked and I owe you. I’d need a boat right now if you hadn’t come along like you did.”

“Glad I could be of assistance.” He smiled, feeling his body relax some. “I’ll meet you downstairs.” He grabbed his belt and hat, and took the stairs one at a time, happy he could walk.

“Hey, Kace? You mind grabbing the tea and berries from the fridge?” she called from the top of the stairs.

“Will do.”

In the kitchen, he did as she requested, placing the pitcher and vat of fresh berries on the counter. By the time she swept in, now wearing a bright pink T-shirt and running shorts, he was sitting at the table and his body had loosened up only to feel a familiar rising threatening his man parts.

“Clothes are in the dryer. Now for the tea.” She sashayed her way across the tiled floor to take down two mason jars from the cabinet, dropped in some ice then poured the tea. In a bowl she mashed the raspberries. “Speaking of your momma, just so you know, I plan on visiting her and your Pa soon. I haven’t seen them in forever, not since the funeral. They came all the way just to pay their condolences, of course you already knew that, didn’t you?”

He worked his bottom lip, not answering.

She looked over her shoulder and smiled at him. “Come on, you didn’t think I would notice you sitting in the back wearing that grizzly frown? Rather rude of you not to say hello.” She went back to smashing and with each movement her hips swayed.

“That yuppie seemed to comfort you just fine,” he said grumpily.

“Believe it or not, you two had a lot in common.” She brought the fruit covered spoon to her mouth and licked.

“Yeah, two long lost brothers.” He sniffed. Because he couldn’t take much more swaying and licking, he turned his gaze and concentrated on the old antique clock above the doorway. A woman dressed in nineteenth century garb was painted in the center and her arms were the hands and the numbers were baked goods. “How old is that clock?”

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