Page 19 of A Deceitful Pact

“Well, the woman hates you, she thinks her son should have your job, is it really a surprise that she gave you these awful sheets?”

“I thought it was a very thoughtful gift.” She turns her head to the side like she’s mad at me, and it makes my cock jolt inside her.

“Yeah, if you're in a nursing home.”

“Don’t be cruel,” she warns, gripping my jaw the same way I grasped hers in the bathroom, and when I grin at her, she slowly releases me.

“Come on, I’m just teasin’ ya. You’re right, it was thoughtful, and if you like ‘em–”

“I detest them,” she admits, curling her lip and trying not to laugh.

“So why the fuck are they on your bed?” I make her flinch when I start to laugh, too.

“Because, despite how ugly they are and how much the woman hates me, it was a real nice thought.” She smiles

“Careful, sheriff, anymore talking like that and folk might start to think you got a heart.” I tease her some more, and her smile starts to fade.

“I have a heart, it’s just a little tainted,” she admits in a soft, meek voice that makes me want to murder whoever tarnished it.

“Get some rest.” I stroke her bottom lip with my thumb instead of breaking the rules and kissing it. A long silence passes between us, her breathing regulates and my cock remains rooted inside her, ensuring that my seed stays in place. Eventually, she gives up the fight and closes her eyes. Her breaths get deeper, and when I’m sure she’s asleep, I lean down and press my lips gently against hers. I know it’s breaking the rules, but that seems irrelevant when I’ve already broken the most important one of them all. It’s undeniable that I’m falling in love with Riley Hale, despite her demanding me not to. I don’t know what hurt her in the past to make her close her heart off, but I’m determined to make her open it up again.

RILEY

“What happened?” Harriet, who works the front desk at the station, looks at me oddly as I step through the door.

“Nothing happened, what makes you think that?” I snap back far too quickly. I’ve been a paranoid wreck since I woke up this morning with Sawyer Anderson in my bed. Gossip spreads fast in this town, and having his truck parked outside my house all night is sure to have been spotted by someone.

“You were smiling.” Harriet looks freaked out.

“I smile all the time.” I walk steadily across the room, regretting falling asleep with his cock still inside me. I didn’t know it was even possible for a man to stay that hard for that long, and this is a lesson very well learned. Never underestimate a man who’s determined to get you pregnant.

“No, you don’t.” Hayden steps out from the back office, placing a coffee on the reception desk for Harriet and folding his arms suspiciously.

“Well, maybe I'm just having a really good morning… Do I have any messages?” I steer the conversation onto the reason why we’re all here. Workplace banter has never been my kind of thing; these people aren’t my friends, they are colleagues, and they have no business knowing the details of my private life.

Though I have to admit it would be nice to talk to someone about the arrangement I have in place with Sawyer, and by someone, I don’t just mean the solicitor I have to contact today. I mean someone who will listen and offer advice…like a friend. I’ve never really had time in my life for friends, but here in Clearwater Creek, life is so much steadier. People take the time to talk to each other, and as much as it surprises me to admit it, I really enjoyed the time I spent with Isabel and Maddison yesterday.

“Mrs. Walsh called to say there was another dog crap on her front lawn this morning; and Jean called to ask if you liked the brownies that were in the hamper. She’s thinking about doing them for the mayor’s wife’s luncheon next week.” Harriet brings me up to speed.

“From crime lords to dog craps,” I mumble under my breath before I head down the hall toward my office.

“So shall I tell Jean the brownies are a go?” Harriet calls after me, and without giving her an answer, I enter my office, slam the door behind me, and take a long, deep breath.

I should have called in sick today. I could have spent the day at home getting my head around the huge life decision that I made last night. I’m conflicted and confused. Waking up with Sawyer still in my bed felt far too comforting, and although things were a little awkward between us while he was getting dressed, it did make me wonder if we’ll be making a habit of it during this whole conception process.

No kissing, but sleepovers? Is that weird?

My phone vibrates in my back pocket, and when I pull it out and see a text from Sawyer, I feel my cheeks automatically lift from another smile.

How ya feelin’, Sheriff?

Sore!

I fire a quick message back at him and instantly regret it. That was far too much of an overshare, and no doubt Sawyer will get off on knowing I have a permanent reminder of last night each time I walk.

That’s what you get for playing with the big boys.

I decide to ignore his last remark and focus on more important things. The first of them being the contract that we need. Turning on my computer, I tap my fingers on the desk while I wait for the ancient thing to load.

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