Page 34 of Rio's Release

My eyes shift to the window. Deputy Carson cruises slowly past, his window down, his gaze on my father’s tire shop.Can he see us through the glass doors?

I stiffen, my pulse racing. Wetting my lips, I gather up my purse and the keys.

“You okay?” Rio twists, his gaze following mine to lock onto the squad car. “He bothering you?”

“I have to go.” I push past him, heading to the door. I need to get out of here before Deputy Carson turns around.

Rio’s hand clamps around my elbow. “Shelby. Wait.”

It’s our first touch in six years, and a rush of something I thought I’d long ago buried shoots through me, followed immediately by my knee-jerk reaction—the one I seem to have to all men these days. I jerk free. I don’t let men touch me. Ever. Not if I can help it. Not anymore. I back away and watch the astonishment climb his face.

“Shelby, I’d never hurt you.”

My eyes flood, and I step back. “I have to go.” Everything inside me tells me to run, but there’s a small sliver that wants to fling myself against him and remember the feel of him holding me in his arms like he did during the three times I visited him in prison. I tamp it down and turn away.

“Shelby, wait,” his deep sexy voice rumbles behind me, and I obey, stopping in my tracks. He has that control over me. What we once felt has that much control over me. I can’t help it. The sound of his voice after all these years affects me to my core. I stand stark still and feel him come up behind me, the heat of his body radiating to mine.

God, how I want to lean back against him.

His voice is at my ear, but he doesn’t try to touch me again.

“Christ, how I’ve missed you. You have no idea.”

I breathe in and out, still as a statue, letting those words melt over me like warm honey.

“Have lunch with me. Please.”

I’m drawn around to look at him like I have no control over my body. Like I’m his to command.

His eyes shift to the street. “Doesn’t have to be here. We could go anywhere. Name the place.”

“I can’t.”

“Just one lunch, Shelby. That’s all I’m asking.” He raises his palms. “After that, I’ll never bother you again, if that’s how you want it.”

I lick my lips. Lunch with him. I’d like that more than anything, but do I dare? Is anyplace safe? Not in this town.

“Please,” he asks again.

I give in. “All right.”

“Where?”

I bite my lip, thinking. “There’s a place in Mesilla, fifteen minutes southwest of here. I’m in a silver Mazda. Follow me.”

“Absolutely.”

“What about your friend?” I ask, lifting a finger to the man outside talking to Jenny.

“Right. Zig. It’s his truck we’re riding in. What about your friend?” he counters and studies my eyes. “You’d feel better if she came along, wouldn’t you?”

I nod.

“Then they’ll come.” He steps to the door and whistles.

I lock the place up, then turn to Jenny. “Come on. We’re going to lunch.”

Her eyes track to Rio and back to me. “Who is going to lunch?”

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