Page 45 of Claimed by the Lawman

“I think it’s a bit too late for that. You made sure of that when you barreled into the restaurant and demanded that Jake do your bidding. If that’s how you treat your employees, then maybe you and Mansfield have more in common than I thought.”

“I’m Payne’s boss, Tyler. It’s my job to make sure he does his job correctly. He left a pile of paperwork unfinished and I sure as hell don’t have the time to do it for him.”

“Because you have to babysit me, right?”

“Tyler…”

“What the hell, Kace? You can’t complain and then come here acting like you’re my caregiver.” She was breathing so hard he could see the rise and fall of her chest, her beaded nipples pressing against the thin blouse. Her cheeks were flushed and her lips swollen. He almost felt empowered knowing that he made her feel this way.

He exhaled roughly. He’d almost forgotten that he was still holding his hat and smashing it against his thigh. This wasn’t how he usually acted. Normally level headed and controlled, he realized things were getting out of hand. However, when it came to Tyler, all bets were off. He couldn’t forget that he once loved her so deeply that he’d given anything to make her his. Well, his feelings now were quite similar, and it angered him. Knocked his world off its axis.

“Let’s talk.” He stared into her eyes. She stood there, not making a move.

“We certainly have a lot to talk about, but I’m not sure now is the time.” She inhaled sharply and glanced back at the restaurant. Thankfully, everyone had gone back to their dinner.

He couldn’t blame her if she told him to fuck off.

He deserved it.

If she only knew, though, how much restraint he’d used in not kicking Payne’s ass when he touched her.

“You can’t act like this,” she said when she brought her eyes back on him.

“And my deputy needs to get his work done. I’m not picking up the pieces,” he growled.

“Drop the work excuse. We both know this had nothing to do with paperwork and everything to do with the fact that you didn’t want me to be here with Jake.”

What could he say? He’d gone into Pizza Paradise all hell bent on breaking up the too comfy duo. “Guilty as charged.”

She stared as if she had to get a grip on the fact that he’d admitted to the truth.

Her bottom lip pouted, and he wanted nothing more than to draw her into his arms and hold her, kiss her, tell her that he wanted her more than his next breath. Instead of following his heart, he curled his fingers into fists, feeling fire race through his veins.

No matter what happened. No matter how many years passed, he’d never get over Tyler. She’d always own his heart and he wanted to own hers. Wanted to make her his for the rest of his life. And that was a dangerous game.

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