Page 5 of Taken by the Lawman

“I love that opener and you know it. I could have sworn I used it here last.” He started opening the drawers.

“I packed everything, and I didn’t see it. Second question, how’d you get in?”

He reached into his pocket and brought out the key, dangling it on his finger. “You gave me the key, remember? To feed your fish while you were on assignment.”

Wow, her memory really did stink. She grabbed the key from him and tossed it onto the counter. “Thank you for taking care of Jack and Jill. Couldn’t you have called and asked about the opener?” She wasn’t in the mood for company and just wanted to crawl into bed, but she felt she owed him some time because he’d been a good guy to come and feed her fish, even after she’d broke things off.

“That opener cost me a fortune.” He slammed the drawer. “How about we order in from that take-out Chinese place you really like.”

That’s when she shifted and laid her fingers on his wrist. “Brad…”

He must have read her frustration. “Rough day?”

“Yes.”

“Then more of a reason to let me order in.”

She’d walked straight into that one. Stepping over to the cabinet above the sink, she grabbed a mason jar and filled it with water, drinking it down. “I’m grateful for your help with the fish, but I’ve been on assignment for two days, had an important meeting, and all I want to do is enjoy my last night here. In bed.” Hearing his slight groan, she added, “Alone.”

“What will one dinner hurt?” His eyes shone. “I thought maybe you’d changed your mind about us after you had some time to think.” One corner of his mouth lifted.

Time away had even solidified her decision more. “Look, I know you must want something—”

He took a step closer and touched her shoulder. It wasn’t a romantic touch like from that of a passionate lover, but more of a friendly one that only made her happier that she ended things. “I respect your decision, but we can still be friends, right? I’m only asking for dinner. I promise I won’t persuade you to let me stay.”

Although she wanted to show him to the door, she did want them to remain friends. “Dinner? Fine. Let me get changed and we’ll eat across the street.” Pizza was fast and easy.

With a disappointed shrug, he finally nodded. “Okay.”

In the bedroom, she made quick haste in changing into a pair of yoga pants, T-shirt and running shoes, just in case she needed them, and five minutes later they were sitting at a table in the small restaurant eating individual slices of pizza and drinking inexpensive Merlot from cheap glasses.

They were the only two in the place except for the young man and woman working behind the counter that would sneak kisses when they thought they could get by with it. The girl, probably no more than nineteen or twenty, would giggle then look up at the young man as if he was her hero. Kiersten couldn’t help herself. She smiled at how innocent and joyful their love seemed to be. Then she looked at Brad and was overcome with guilt. She should have never entered a friends-with-benefits relationship with him. They’d never been on the same page when it came to what they enjoyed in bed. Admittedly, Kiersten liked it a little rough…even kinky at times. When the gym wasn’t enough to de-stress, she found sex was the best alternative, but Brad had been a two on the Richter scale when she needed at least an eight point nine. One man had done that for her. He’d been off the charts in seismograph oscillations. That had been almost two years ago…

“Kiersten, are you listening to me?”

No, she hadn’t. “In truth, Brad, were you really looking for your bottle opener?” She took a long sip from her glass. Although the wine wasn’t the best, it did ease some of the tension in her muscles.

His broad cheeks flamed. “No, I wasn’t, but I wanted to see you. I’ve missed you.”

“Brad—”

“Just hear me out.” He wiped his greasy fingers on a paper napkin. “You and me, we’re good together. I know you said you’re moving out of the city, but I’ve thought about it and I think we could work something out. I don’t own a car, but my cousin Yenny wouldn’t mind letting me use his Volvo—”

“I’m going to stop you there. I didn’t break things off because I’m moving, Brad. You deserve to find someone who can offer you the things that I know you want. I’m not that woman and I never will be.”

“I thought you liked…you know…when I did my signature move.” He wagged his brows while shimmying his shoulders.

Tucking a loose strand of hair back into her ponytail, she swallowed against the constriction in her throat. She thought he could be referring to the handful of times he’d gone down on her and sang the ABCs against her, but she could be wrong. It didn’t matter. “Let’s not go there.”

“Is there nothing I can say?”

“No. I’m sorry.”

He paled considerably, then emptied his glass and stood. “I think it’s best I go now.” He grabbed his trench coat and pulled it on. “Take care, Kiersten. I do mean that.”

“Thank you, Brad.”

The glass door shut behind him and she went back to sipping her Merlot, running her finger around the rim. She was grateful that she and Brad could still be friends, and relieved that they were over.

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