Page 12 of Thirst in the Mountains

I hesitate as I look up at him. “It’s just a selfie…”

“I want to see the happy dog,” he says, but there’s something else in his voice. Something that makes my stomach flutter.

I go back.

He stares at the photo for a long unbreathable moment. His jaw clenches slightly and he makes a sexy little grumble in the back of his throat. I’m wearing my pajama shorts and a tank top—not too revealing, but they are showing some curves. Definitely more curves than I’m showing now with this frumpy old hoodie

“Send those to me,” he says, finally releasing my wrist.

“For the case?”

His lips twitch. “Yeah, for the case. I’ll put them in your file.”

He gives me his number and I put it into my phone. I add the pajama selfie and a couple of other good ones. Me and Cutter always take the best selfies together.

I hit send with a little shiver.

I guess I have Mr. Hot Cop’s number in my phone now…

And he has mine.

“He appreciates you,” Emmanuel says. “I can tell.”

“You think?” I ask, looking up at him. He’s even taller up close. That beard is a sight to see from this angle. It might just be a landmark here in Montana. If it’s not, it should be.

“Dogs don’t fake that kind of peace,” he says with certainty in his deep voice. “He knows he’s safe with you.”

“I’m not sure if he is,” I say, feeling nervous all over again as I slide my phone back into my pocket. “That’s why I’m here. The guys I took him from came to my place last night.”

Emmanuel tenses up, but doesn’t say a word.

“They broke into my house looking for him.”

“Did they… hurt you?”

He looks so intense as he waits for my answer. He looks like he might put down his badge and go full-on vigilante if I say yes.

“They didn’t find me,” I tell him. “I was hiding at my neighbor’s house, but they’ll be back. Angelo isn’t letting this slide. I took Cutter five months ago and he’s still not over it.”

“Fivemonths?” he says, staring at me in shock. “You’ve been in my town for five months?”

“Yeah,” I say. “Why? Is that okay?”

“How did I not run into you before,” he says. “I would have remembered seeing you.”

And I would have remembered seeing you.

“I work a lot. Mostly nights. I’m a server at Jack Jameson’s Bar and Grill. Have you ever been?”

“Of course,” he says. “But not lately.”

I feel my cheeks blushing as I lean in. “You should. I mean… for thefood. We have amazing burgers.”

Those sexy eyes are locked on me as he nods. “I’ll be there my next night off.IfI can sit in your section.”

I brush my hair behind my ear, wondering if I’m reading these signs right. Maybe he doesn’t have a girlfriend after all.

Oh, come on, Lucy. There’s no way no girl has gotten her hooks into a man this sexy. Be realistic.

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