Page 30 of Vodka and Chocolate Drops

“Well, if you find out, tell him I don’t like him.” Amber straightened, ready to make her exit.

The women gasped, asking about fifty questions at once as Amber turned, almost slamming into Scott. She placed her hands against his chest, sparks zipping up her arms as she made contact. He smelled like heaven and looked as fit and manly as ever in his police uniform.

He gallantly touched the brim of his hat. “Ladies.” He looked at Amber in a way that made her “Hey, Scott,” come out all breathy.

She needed to school her brain. He was her best friend. Just because everyone thought they should be together and they’d almost-kissed on Valentine’s Day didn’t mean she should start swooning. It was ridiculous. Utterly.

The two women made room for Scott at their table.

“Sorry, ladies. On duty, but another time.”

“Amber was just telling us she doesn’t like her father.”

Scott glanced at Amber, who gave a small shake of her head.

The jukebox began playing Adele’s “Make You Feel My Love” and Amber cringed. It had been her and Russell’s song. Why had he bothered going through all the motions of a relationship if he didn’t care and had only been using her? Had any of it been real? She had a feeling that for men like Russell it was always just a game.

“Amber, may I have this dance?” Scott asked, already ushering her away from the ladies.

“I don’t dance.” The last thing she wanted to do was dance to this stupid song with a man who made her feel as if… as if love might actually be possible one day.

“You look like you’re going to rip someone’s head off, so just shut up and let me distract you. Telling those ladies stuff about how you’re feeling is not going to go well for you in the long run.” He placed a palm on her hip, holding out his left hand, waiting for her to take it. She stepped into his shadow, the heat radiating from his body wrapping around her, his touch sending shock waves of longing through her.

So much for schooling her brain. It was running through the gutters, splashing and yelling “Yippee!” as it daydreamed of all the things her body could do with this hunk of male specimen cozied up against her.

“Besides, you danced with me in February.” Scott’s lips curved into a slow smile, his tone teasing.

Yeah, they’d danced. And then she’d almost kissed him. Kind of like what she wanted to do right now.

Which was silly. Kissing her best friend would just make things messy and complicated.

Scott two-stepped them onto the empty dance floor and the heat of his hand began to leach through her light sweater, making her aware of how close he was. She lost track of where her feet were supposed to be and nearly fell into Mandy’s table, but Scott caught her, swooping her up as though she’d meant to do a grand dip. He handled her with care, making her feel as though she was graceful. She wanted him to do it again. And again.

Naked.

Okay, she really needed to get out more. She was lusting after Scott in ways that twisted her brain.

“When are you two going to kiss?” called Wanda over the music.

Great, she saw it, too. In fact, the whole quiet pub probably did seeing as they were the only two dancing.

“She’s going back to the city. They’re not going to kiss,” Liz grumbled.

“Scott’s leaving, too,” Wanda pointed out.

“Ladies, enough,” he said. “Just because it was their song doesn’t mean I can’t dance with her.” He gave them a look as though to say, “How do you think she feels?” His tone was light, authoritative and protective, making Amber struggle with the desire to rest her head against his shoulder and never let go.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “But don’t you think it’s better to just ignore them?”

Scott studied her for a long moment. “Ignoring problems doesn’t work.”

“Fighting gossip just fuels it.” She ran her hand over his shoulder, taking in its size.

“Were you finally going to come to the city with me?” she asked, referring to Wanda’s earlier comment about him leaving. He’d possibly assumed, rightly, that as soon as Russell broke up with her she’d take off again. But so far, she hadn’t quite gotten there.

Too many things to clear up first.

Scott slowed their dancing as a call came through over the walkie-talkie clipped to his lapel.

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