Page 20 of Claimed by the Lawman

As he made his way across the parking lot he wondered why Tyler had asked him to come there. Although the place was crowded, he spotted her almost immediately. She was seated at a booth in the far corner.

Her head had been lowered and when she looked up, their gazes locked. He saw something in her eyes that was much like the feeling deep in his gut. Whether he wanted to admit it to himself or not, these feelings could only be chalked up to the confirmation that she still did something to him. He wished now he’d texted her and told her that he couldn’t make it, but he was here and he couldn’t turn around and walk away. He never could when it came to her. Once upon a time he would have crawled across a desert to be near her. Have times really changed?

As he mazed his way through round wooden tables, greeted by familiar faces, he replied back with a nod and a dip of his hat, but his gaze remained connected to the beauty sitting in the booth. God, she was beautiful. His heart responded like a rock band’s drums.

He approached the table and her full, slightly pink lips turned up into a smile that triggered an ache inside him so deep that he’d never be able to scoop it out. Then she did something that shocked him. She stood and walked toward him, and he couldn’t control the yearning to skim his gaze down the dress she wore. The short tight material fit her curves showing off every soft dip and fullness of her ample breasts. A sight like this did wonderful things to his body, way beyond just an attraction or sexual need. Uncontrollable, amazing things happened to him. To lie to himself and say that she wasn’t the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes upon would be useless, not when in all his life he’d never seen a prettier face and mouth. Everything from her pert, freckled nose, bright blue eyes, and wide flawless smile screamed “try to catch me if you dare”. Oh, he wanted to catch her alright, but the hell if he’d give in to the lust and risk a broken heart a second time. He’d been there, done that, and that horse already rode off into the sunset—or had it? His body certainly didn’t get the message. After what they’d shared in her kitchen last week, an innocent dance, he’d attempted to keep things professional between them, but his naughty dreams were anything but professional.

She stepped against him and brought her arms around his neck, like a perfectly fitting lock. He caught her scent that was nothing but pure intoxication of his senses, like falling into an abyss of black velvet. When he pulled back and her cute little nose scrunched, he winced. “Thank you for coming.”

“You said you needed to see me.” He noticed that his voice was unusually tight.

“Jasmine?” She brought up a thin brow and one corner of her mouth dipped.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She leaned in and sniffed his neck. He should be immune to her, but his body and mind were at odds. The hair stood on his nape as she pulled away, sighing. “Yeah, I’m right. She wears jasmine lotion or perfume.”

“It’s not what you think.” He tore off his hat and pressed it against his thigh. Why the hell didn’t he tell her the truth? That he’d had his pants around his ankles when she’d called and his boner had deflated like a popped balloon. Damn, he knew why. He didn’t want her to know that he’d tried to have sex with Sadie Mae, although Tyler must already have an idea. The town was only so big. Although, as of fifteen minutes ago, he and Sadie Mae were no longer an item. It hadn’t even bothered him when she threatened to pleasure another man. That was proof enough that he needed to move on and let her find someone who could care about her.

“And what am I thinking exactly, Kace?” She swiveled and sashayed her way back to the booth, hypnotizing him with the gentle sway of her flared hips in white lace. His forehead broke out in sweat as he slid into the cracked red vinyl seat and waved for Bonnie.

“Your order should be right up. Can I get you something to drink, Sheriff?” the middle-aged brunette with large green eyes asked.

“I’ll take a water,” he answered.

“Another beer, honey?” Bonnie asked Tyler.

“Sure.” Once Bonnie left, Tyler smiled. “You’re not drinking?”

“Best I stay sober. Did you place an order?”

“Two burgers with everything and an order of fried pickles to share. I don’t want to send my thighs into too much shock. I also have my eye on the dartboard. I have to prove that I never let anyone “allow” me to win.” Her eyes were dazzling jewels.

If she only knew he’d pulled himself from between slender thighs she’d know just how much he could use a drink, but when it came to the woman across the table he needed to keep his head clear. And his body in check.

When her beer arrived, she brought it to her lips and watched him curiously down the pony necked bottle as she took a long sip. Amusement sparkled in her irises. She set the beer down and picked at the label. “I’ve heard a rumor that you and Sadie Mae are a couple.”

Tyler wasn’t wasting any time getting to the bare bones. “Yeah, and I’ve also heard wind that you and I are back together since you arrived in town. That’s news to me. How reliable are rumors after all?” He drank half his water.

“Point taken. I’m sorry. If I interrupted something…” She tapped her pretty short nail against the glass.

“I don’t think you were.”

“Was she pissed?”

“She wasn’t happy that’s for damn sure.”

“I’ll have to apologize to her when I meet her.” Her tongue darted out to lick a drop of beer from the corner of her lips. He reached down and adjusted himself under the table. Bittersweet. The goods were working at the wrong time, but at least he wasn’t broken.

“Don’t bother. I’m sure she’ll be fine.” He wished she’d hurry and tell him what was so important that she needed to see him right away. He didn’t figure she wanted to invite him into Lolli’s for a date. “So, what was so important?”

She giggled. “No reason to be so impatient. The music’s nice and the beer is good, unless you’re in a hurry to get back to jasmine?” She leaned back against the cushion of the seat. “I don’t have anywhere to be.”

“Burgers will be done shortly,” Bonnie yelled from a few tables over.

“You said you needed to see me right away. If this is about the case…” He blew out a long, uneasy breath. A soft touch on his arm made him jerk. He brought his gaze back to her, feeling his body warm.

“I just wanted to tell you that I visited Kyle Mansfield today.” She played with a tendril of her dark hair, winding the silken strand around her knuckle out of habit.

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