Page 46 of Sworn to Protect

Before I can figure out how to defuse the situation, Mackenzie sighs. “Nate’s been helping me with the kids while I study.”

“I’m sure he has.” Linda turns her laser focus on me. “I bet you’re gathering all sorts of information, huh?”

What the hell?

I blink. “Uh, I’m not sure what you mean.”

She wags a finger at me. “Oh, you’re good.”

Mackenzie stifles a laugh while I sit there dumbfounded.

Linda leans in, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “High-level classification stuff. I get it.”

I stare, still lost.

“Don’t worry. Your secrets are safe with me.” She smacks my arm, winks, and saunters off, probably to spread whatever ridiculous theory she’s concocted.

Mackenzie grins. “Oh, boy.”

I exhale. “What the hell was that?”

Mackenzie leans across the table as if she’s the one with hot gossip. “Rumor has it, you’re writing a spy novel. Or you’re the new James Bond.”

“So, does this make you my Bond Girl?” I arch a brow. “Do I get to have my wicked way with you later?”

Mirth dances in her eyes as she smirks over the rim of her glass. “Hmm. We’ll have to see how cunning you are.”

I watch as her lips wrap around the rim and take a sip. The simple move has me shifting in my seat. Damn, what I want those lips to do.

“I’ll be whatever you want me to be.”

Her breath catches, just for a second.

Then she recovers, raising her glass. “Careful, Dixon. Promises like that can get a guy in trouble.”

I lean in. “Maybe I like trouble.”

Her grin widens until her gaze flicks toward the bar.

Linda whispers to someone else, and both sneak glances our way.

Mackenzie groans. “I’m not ready to answer people’s questions.”

“You don’t have to.” I give Mackenzie a wry smile. How our conversation segued into a discussion about our fathers and town gossipers is beyond me. I need to step up my dating game. “Look at us talking about shitty dads and dodging gossip hounds when we’re supposed to be having fun.” I push to my feet and grab her hand. “What do you say? Let’s show them how it’s done.”

Her eyes stay focused on me as she lifts to her feet. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” I nod and lead her to the dance floor. The jukebox has been playing country songs all night, so when in Rome... I lean down and ask, “Come on, Let’s two-step.”

“You any good?”

“Not even a little.”

She slides her hand into mine, letting me pull her onto the floor. “Here’s a secret, sweetheart. Neither am I.”

I grin. “Guess we’ll just have to figure it out together.”

And just like that, she lets go for the first time all night.

---