Page 5 of Love Over Easy

It would be stupid to go outside for a short run. I’ve come this far; I can’t take a chance on getting caught now. I let the curtain fall back into place and head back upstairs. I lie down, but all I do is toss and turn. When I can’t stand it anymore, I pull on a pair of black sweatpants and my black hoodie. Instead of going out the back door, where an outside street light illuminates the area, I open a window on the side of the house and crawl through.

As soon as the sea air hits my lungs, I breathe it in and already feel better. As much as I’d like to walk to the beach, I don’t because there will be more people in residence at the oceanfront homes.

Keeping to the shadows, I start out at a slow jog down the street until I come to the end of the road. I turn around reluctantly and walk back home. Well, not my home now, but someone’s home. I can’t wait to meet people and make friends. That’s another thing I’ve never done. I’ve never had a true friend. All the girls I know want to pound me into the ground. Even though I lived on the island for ten years, I don’t really remember anyone from so long ago.

When I get back to the house, I put my hands on the windowsill to pull myself up. I’m so distracted by my thoughts that I don’t hear anything behind me. When someone grabs my arm, muscle memory and reaction have me turning around and decking the person with a right hook to the chin. There’s no thought. Just survival action.

Our eyes meet for only a fraction of a second. I note the stunned surprise in his eyes and I hear the click of metal as he crumbles to the ground. He is down and out for the count.

I drop to my knees and that’s when I notice I hadn’t just clocked any man. According to his shirt, I’ve KO’d the sheriff. “No, no, no,” I frantically mutter.

I pat his face with my hands. Or at least I try to, but my left hand doesn’t respond. I groan when I find I’m wearing a silver bracelet I didn’t have before. And wouldn’t you know the other end is connected to the sheriff’s wrist. Great. Just great.

“Shit!” This isn’t good. I’ve got to get away and I can’t do that unless I find the handcuff’s key.

It’s too dark to make out anything about the man, but as I’m frisking him down, I can’t help but notice the firm muscles of his thighs. I try not to let my hands explore each pocket as I search for the keys and I’m mostly successful. I want to run my hands over his chest to see if his abs are just as defined. My nipples stand at attention and my face warms.

This can’t be happening. I can’t be turned on by a man I’ve never met and who is, by all appearances, a law enforcement officer. One who certainly can’t take a hit.

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