Page 5 of Don't Look Back

All of the curtains are drawn shut tightly. Light filters through the fabric, but I can't see any movement inside. I breathe out a long sigh and scrub a hand down my face. I have a problem. I'm falling for a woman who wants nothing to do with me.

I wish I had the balls to go knock on her door and demand she has dinner with me. Not only do I think she’d be pissed if I tried that, I'm almost positive she’ll call Skylar. I don’t want to deal with a pissed off Skylar. She gets punchy when she’s angry. And I don’t need a black eye for Christmas.

I stare at Leslie’s house for a few more minutes before I shift my truck into gear and slowly pull away from the curb.

I want to know more about the girl behind the shy smile. I need to figure out why she won't give me a chance and beg her to make an exception.

I'm going to make her mine. It’s only a matter of time.

Chapter 4

Leslie

“I’d like to go on record,” I squeak out as I stare at Colton through my fingers which are still semi covering my eyes.

“You’re not being questioned, Les.” Colton rolls his eyes.

“Well, I’d like to make an official statement!” This time I drop my hands to my sides and stare at him like the adult I'm supposed to be.

“Oh, please, don’t let me stop you then.” He removes the blood-soaked towel from his nose and motions for me to proceed. He’s being rather dramatic in my humble opinion.

“I didn’tintentionallyassault a police officer.” I scrunch up my nose, more than a little scared of what’s going to happen. Could I get arrested for this?

I can imagine it now…Elementary School Secretary Arrested After Assaulting Town’s Sheriff.

“Oh, I’m so glad you didn’tintentionallygive me a bloody nose.” He rolls his eyes again.

“You know, if you keep rolling your eyes like that, you’re going to hurt yourself. I mean seriously, Colton, you’re being a little dramatic,” I huff out, planting my hands on my hips.

“A little?” He narrows his gaze on me and closes the distance between us. “Les, I'm pretty sure you might’ve broken my nose.”

“Well, you scared me! I defended myself against a possible attacker!”

“Oh my gosh! We live in Maple Springs! We don’t have possible attackers! The only thing you need to be scared of is Mrs. Goods setting her beady eyes on you. I think I trust the devil more than I trust that woman.” He shakes his head and shivers like the woman is going to appear in front of us.

“I'm sorry, okay? I don’t do well with being scared. I blame it on-” I stop myself from blurting out my biggest secret and pinch my lips shut. The last thing I need is Colton knowing why I came to Maple Springs.

How I'm not actually Leslie Jameson from Kentucky, but Zoey Moore from Philadelphia.

“What do you blame it on?” Colton asks slowly. He’s watching me carefully. He’s always seemed like a goofy and flirty man, but now I'm wondering if he’s more than that.

I need to keep my distance from him. No one can figure out why I'm here or I could be in trouble.

“Oh, shoot! I forgot I have a meeting in ten minutes. I hate to do this, Sheriff, but I really do need to be going. Will you be alright?” I glance at him before turning away so he doesn’t see through my lie.

I take quick steps out of my office and down the hall. I don’t have a meeting and I honestly don’t know where I'm going right now, but anywhere sounds better than being in the same room as Colton.

“Leslie! Stop!” Colton jogs down the hallway after me. There are little droplets of blood falling all over the tile floor. Great. I’m probably going to have to clean that up because Earl, our custodian, is sick today.

“What?” I groan, not wanting to talk to him at all.

“You’re not allowed to give me attitude after socking me in the face. Damn, woman! Who taught you to punch like that?” He shakes his head, still pinching the bridge of his nose.

I have a feeling this isn't the first time he’s been punched in the nose and I'm sure it won't be the last. He’s way too comfortable with blood dripping all over his shirt.

But damn does he look good in that uniform. Most sheriffs I’ve seen wear those tan and brown uniforms, but not Colton. His uniform is navy blue, making his bright blue eyes sparkle all the more. His shirt stretches across his chest like it was custom made for him, unlike how they hang on most cops. His pants fit like a glove, hugging him in all the right places. I swear he’s drool worthy in a uniform and every woman in town knows it.

His dark brown hair is perfectly styled and combed to the side. The wavy strands make him look a little boyish and it softens his sharp jawline. The ever-present smirk on his lips helps with that too. He looks more approachable and less intimidating because of it.

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