Page 15 of Taken by the Lawman

“Mine is at the dry cleaners. Yet, this is an addiction, and a very lonely lifestyle.” He tipped his bottle and drank thirstily. “Who was the guy at the pizza place?”

“Back to him?”

“The curiosity is killing me.”

She moistened her lips. “A friend.”

“Did you dump him?”

“Do you ever mince your words?”

“No.”

“It’s none of your business.” She’d leave it at that.

“Ah, I see. You can ask but you can’t answer.”

“How about we change the subject. Do you think anyone has any idea who we are?” She scanned the room, looking at all the twenty-somethings which made Kiersten feel even older.

“Nah, no one has a clue.” He glanced toward the dance floor. “Completely for appearance sake, would you like to dance?” He had already put his bottle down and was off his stool.

“I don’t dance,” she mumbled.

“Pfft. I don’t believe that for a second.” He smiled and she felt the heat of it all the way into her bones.

She looked back where couples were joining each other on the floor. Fact was, she liked to dance, but she hadn’t in years, back in those days when she attended galas and such. Suddenly she didn’t have any excuses to use to turn him down. Sliding off her stool, she jutted her chin. “Promise not to step on my toes, lawman,” she teased.

The slow country song played from the jukebox and he surprised her when he took her hand and led her the short distance to the dancefloor. He stopped, and she stepped against him, his fingers covering hers as he gently placed his other hand at the small of her back where it fit so perfectly.

The second they moved together her breath came out in a rush like air being released from a balloon, too quiet for any of the small crowd gathering around them to hear. The music played loud, but her heart thudding in her eardrums was louder. Their steps took on a mutual pattern, following the rhythm of a silent union.

She hadn’t been held this close in a long time by any man outside of Brad, but what she had with him was different—worlds apart. In truth, snuggling wasn’t a part of their relationship. No hand holding. No sneaking of kisses when no one was looking or deliberate surprise touches while they made dinner together. Anything of the sort had been off limits and prohibited. She’d set the firm rules from the start.

Deegan’s hand slipped from her back to her hip and the material of her jeans was no resistance to the scorching heat warming her blood. His solid thighs moved against hers and her nipples beaded. Her knees wobbled, but she leaned into him, accepting the security he offered in his strong arms. Feeling the onslaught of a wild mixture of sensations, she laid her cheek against his shoulder and closed her eyes to manage the combustion of feelings. They could easily do something stupid, but she wouldn’t. Couldn’t. This wasn’t the right time to add more to her plate. She was supposed to be balancing work and becoming a mother.

Lifting her head, she cleared her throat. “Any sign of Mont?” This was her simple way of reminding him, and herself, that they were here on a case.

“Mont? Who’s that?” He flicked a glance around the room.

She looked up at him. “Deegan?” His brows raised and their gazes met in a heated exchange. She followed his lead effortlessly as they moved seamlessly together as if there was no beginning or end to each of their bodies. He was sleek, athletic, powerful and a force to be reckoned with. “Seriously?”

“No, I haven’t seen her,” he said quietly. Then he leaned closer and nuzzled his nose in her hair, pulling her closer. His warm breath caressed her cheek sending wave after wave of shivers down her body. “How do you think we’re passing off as a couple?”

“Just watch those hands, lawman,” she warned, but she craved having his hands all over her.

A strong woman could admit her weaknesses and the only one she had was the man holding her in his authoritative grasp. He managed to strip her of all her protective walls and leave her vulnerable. Most people searched for this feeling…dreamed of finding the one person who made her feel like she was the only woman in the world. Hell, she was no different. Every woman secretly wanted a prince charming who saw her as an equal. But this was a fairy tale that ended with a dose of reality. They didn’t have a place together in their lives. She refused to date a lawman and getting involved with him would be professional suicide. Although she had her days where she wanted to walk away, she always woke the next morning feeling convicted in catching a criminal. It was in her blood…or the Cade curse as she and her siblings referred to it. Her grandfather had been a policeman, her father too. Each of her brothers. She’d known while she was still in pigtails that there were two things she wanted in life. To wear a badge and enjoy the family ranch. No wonder her love life was doomed. While most young girls dreamed of their wedding, cutting out magazine pictures and gluing them in a scrapbook, she had been visualizing hooking that shiny badge at her waist, holding the cool steel grip of a gun, and wrapping her handcuffs around a criminal’s wrists.

Yet, Deegan understood above everyone else.

Without thinking, she brought her arms up around his neck and he grasped her hips with those magical fingers as they moved to the hypnotizing tune of the song. He had moves, which didn’t surprise her. She’d already found that out a few years back. Closing her eyes, she allowed herself to imagine this being her place in life…in his arms. Would life be easy? That’s how he made her feel. Comforted. Protected. Special. And this left her confused. She wasn’t looking for a man, not anymore. And she most certainly didn’t need protection from anyone. She’d spent most of her life convincing her brothers to back off. They had always scared away interested boys, and later men. Kiersten had a feeling Deegan wouldn’t be easily scared, even by her abrasive brothers. Although they could bring a bad guy to tears with one look, Deegan had that capability too. She’d watched him in action.

What was she doing even allowing her brain to wonder about such things?

The song ended and she removed her arms, although every ounce of her wanted to stay connected with him. His lips thinned as he dropped his hands from her hips.

Once they were seated at the bar again, and two more beers were ordered, she started feeling more relaxed. Every time the door opened, they’d both glance that direction, but neither of them seemed overly concerned whether Mont showed up. “I don’t think she’s coming,” Kiersten said, sucking on a lemon wedge and wincing.

“Stay positive.”

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