Page 17 of Taken by the Lawman

Although the man was tall and built, Deegan wasn’t intimidated. Fancy cowboy’s hands looked like they’d never touched a rope. And his teeth were a bit too bright white.

“No. I’m just having a drink,” Kiersten responded happily.

That gorgeous smile. Deegan felt a stabbing pain to his chest. He didn’t own her smiles so why was he feeling envy? This was ridiculous. They weren’t even dating and he felt protective over her.

“You have an amazing voice. I’m Dawson, by the way.” The man, who could barely be called as such, offered up his smooth, baby hand.

Kiersten shook it and Deegan emptied his beer.

“Would you like to dance?” Cowboy asked.

Bringing his gaze around, Deegan laughed. She’d never dance with a stranger, especially one who looked like he was barely out of high school.

“Sure. I’d love to.” She accepted and slid off the stool, looking at Deegan. “Don’t take my drink.” She winked and headed for the dance floor.

Swiveling on the stool, he tightened his grip on his bottle and watched Kiersten dance to the upbeat country song about a man too sexy for his truck. She moved so gracefully, lifting her hair off her neck, leaving tendrils of silken hair on her skin that made a man ache to twirl them around his fingers. Her laughter rang out, so joyfully, like she had no worries in the world. He wanted to see her happy like this often. Not with the cowboy, but Deegan would like to see her smile at him.

Could they ever be more while he worked at the bureau? He realized that as his boss, she had rules that applied. That was a big hurdle, but nothing he wouldn’t be willing to work out. Jobs came and went, but beautiful women that made his world spin didn’t.

Kiersten did a twirl and the cowboy caught her, pulling her against him, wrapping his arms around her waist. It took all Deegan’s inner force not to jump up, cross to the couple, and punch the guy in his throat. Maybe back in his twenties he would have done something so impulsive, but fifteen years later, after a contract in the military and a law career under his belt, he’d learned that a man only responds with his fists when all other options are off the table. Deegan considered himself patient, and as pissed as he was to see a strange man try to take advantage of Kiersten, he waited to see what would happen. He believed she could handle herself.

She stepped out of the stranger’s arms and gave her head a shake.

Deegan felt a sense of relief as he brought the bottle to his lips and drank, but realized it was empty. He sat it on the bar and decided he’d reached his limit. He was glad the cowboy didn’t push his boundaries again because Deegan would gladly draw a few for him.

At midnight, and still no sign of Mont, and Kiersten’s dancing clean out of her system, he walked her back to his truck, his hand possessively on the small of her back. Although he wouldn’t consider her drunk, he did see her sway a few times, although he didn’t bring it to her attention.

He pressed the key fob and opened the door for her. She turned and looked up at him, the engaging smile still on that lovely face. “This wasn’t such a bad idea after all. It’s nice to have some fun sometimes.” She threaded her fingers through her hair. The street lights caught the color of her eyes and infused twinkles in them. “What time is it?”

“Midnight. You partied hard,” he laughed.

“I hate to go,” she frowned.

“I can tell, but we have an early morning.”

She leaned in and pressed her finger into the center of his chest. “I. Told. You. She wouldn’t show.”

“Let me help you inside the passenger seat. I believe we’re heading the same direction.”

“I can manage. I’m not drunk, just feeling good.” She made a failed attempt to climb into the passenger side and luckily he caught her before the pavement did. She giggled and he finally managed to have her safely in the seat.

He reached over and slid her seatbelt into place, feeling her fingers in his hair. He looked up and their faces were within inches.

“You’ve let your hair grow out long.”

“It kind of suits the undercover thing.” He winked.

Move before you do something stupid.

He rounded the truck and settled into the driver’s seat. She was staring through the window which gave him time to get his emotions under control.

By the time they drove the few blocks to the B&B, they had sunk into a comfortable silence. But once they reached the room, her demeanor changed. “There’s only one bed.”

He had no problem sharing it, but even though she wasn’t drunk, she was at least tipsy and his dad taught him a real man never takes advantage of a woman who had been drinking. Deegan had always lived by that rule. “I’ll take the couch. It looks comfy.” He lied. He’d probably end up on the floor before the night was over.

She pointed at the barely-more-than-a-loveseat and laughed. “Your feet will hang over. I’ll take the couch and you take the bed. After all, you did make the reservation.”

“But you didn’t expect to be in Folklore this long. I’ve slept on worse.”

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