Page 18 of Taken by the Lawman

“Yeah, I guess you have,” she said with obvious reluctance. “Are you sure? Once my head touches that pillow, I’ll be out like a light. I’m exhausted.”

“Positive.”

She stepped over to the bed, grabbed a pillow and the top blanket and handed them over to him. “Have a good night’s sleep.”

He smirked as she stepped into the bathroom.

He didn’t count on sleeping, but he’d been awake for what felt like days.

Tucked on the too-small couch when she came out of the bathroom, he knew he wouldn’t get more than a wink or two. The only light still on was the bedside lamp, but it was enough that he could see her pretty damn good. Her hair was pulled back into a pony tail, her face was washed, and her jeans were gone. She had untied her shirt to second as a nightgown and it landed high on her toned thighs. She crawled into bed and clicked off the lamp, but he could hear the rustling of sheets as she tossed and turned. So he wasn’t the only one who was having a hard time getting to sleep?

“Deegan?” she said his name in a soft voice. “You still awake?”

“Yes,” he mumbled.

“You’re going to owe me big time,” she said in a sleepy voice.

He smiled. “Go to sleep, Kiersten. We’ll talk debts tomorrow.”

6

Wincing against the bright light flowing in through the open curtains, Kiersten groaned, wanting to fall back to sleep. She wasn’t sure what woke her until she felt the bed sink and her body slid toward the weight. Opening one eye into a slit, she saw Deegan. His hair was damp, his clothes were changed, and he looked magnificent, even to her blurred vision. She’d enjoy him even more if she didn’t have a throbbing in her temples. “How late have I slept?”

“Late enough to hopefully feel better.” He held up a small sealed plastic bag with a straw sticking out. Inside was a brownish-orange liquid with two slices of lemon floating on top. “Sandy was kind enough to let me in the kitchen so I could make this. It’s a remedy for a hangover. Oh, and I ordered coffee and toast.”

Lifting her head, she waited for the bout of dizziness to fade before she pushed herself to a sitting position, hoping to feel more human. Propping against the headboard, she looked up from the exotic drink to the steaming coffee, the last being the most appetizing, but it was hot and she was thirsty. Her mouth felt like she’d been sucking on cotton balls.

He handed her the bag and she held it up to look inside. “What’s in this?”

“Let’s see…apple cider vinegar. Ginger. Cinnamon. Lemon juice. Honey and the hair of a virgin.”

She snapped her gaze up and saw that he was grinning. “Did Sandy cut it from her own locks?”

“I wouldn’t let her innocence fool you. She asked if I wanted her to show me the honeymoon suite which I kindly declined.”

She took a drink and winced. It tasted bad…very bad. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

“To get to the castle you have to swim the moat.” He winked.

“I think you spent too much time with perky Sandy this morning.” She rolled her eyes.

“Now, now. Be nice. After all, she did give me an address.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a slip of paper.

Rubbing her forehead, she leaned in. “Is that the address for who I think it is?”

“Sandy informed me that RayAnn Mont is living a few miles outside of town. They’re good friends. Sandy even called our target to set something up for us to meet.”

“Wait, why would she want to meet with us? No one wants to meet with the Feds.”

“Oh, but she does. You and I own a modeling agency and are looking for the next top model.”

“That’s why you have that shit eating grin. You scored one for us.” A pain shot through her head and she rubbed her temple. “Sheesh. Why did I do this to myself?”

“You know nothing quite goes with karaoke like tequila.”

“If I was feeling better I’d so kick your ass for the sarcasm,” she moaned. She sipped more of the concoction and surprisingly it did start to help.

“Do you think you can be ready in twenty minutes?”

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