Page 52 of The Night Ride
I sauntered over to where Beth opened the counter for me and said, “Hey, why don’t you come on back.”
“Hey, babe.”I tugged her into my arms and kissed her, thinkingtake thatto the blonde.But then I forgot everything, even petty revenge, but the woman in my arms as she sighed and went pliant.Beth’s surrender was sweeter than any sugary confection she concocted.Because this was a fierce warrior woman who had survived on her own for far too long.
I couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to come home to her after every deployment.To see her in the crowd waiting for me.And I yearned for it, for her, but I was in no place to commit and drag her into the life her brother didn’t want her to be part of.
I broke the kiss.Not because I wanted to, but if I continued, I’d be leading her back to her office and locking the door.
Beth blinked.Her inky lashes like delicate butterfly wings.Those soulful hazel eyes blurry with need.And I almost reneged, said to hell with it, and dragged her into her office.Because she looked at me with stars in her eyes, like I was a man worthy of her affections.
I didn’t know that I was after everything I’d seen and done.But she made me want to be a better man.
I lifted a silky strand that had escaped her bun and tucked it behind her right ear.“Hi,” I smiled, putting on a show for our audience.
“Hi.Hungry?I made your favorite.”
“The peanut butter cookies, with the candy peanut butter pieces?”
“Yep.Those are the ones.”
“Killing me here, woman.But I can’t resist, not even if I tried.”I dropped my gaze to her lips, lowering them down her elegant neck to her gorgeous rack hidden by the apron.
The innuendo had its desired effect.Pink entered her cheeks, but her eyes sparkled with desire.Exactly the goal I aimed to achieve.
Beth swallowed, her pulse hammering in her neck.“Well, why don’t you have a seat out here.I’ll bring you the fresh batch.And you can eat while I finish up in the kitchen.”
“Sounds great.”This way I could keep an eye on the thief.I released her and wished I could pull her back in.Herfriendeyed us with far too much interest for my liking.
Beth headed into the kitchen, returning with a full plate of peanut butter cookies and a glass of milk.I couldn’t remember the last time I had milk and cookies.
“Why don’t you have a seat at one of the empty tables and I’ll come grab you when I’m done.”
“Sure thing, babe.”I leaned down and kissed her cheek.Then took the offering from her hands.
I sat at one of the empty tables and took my time eating the peanut butter cookies.Man could Beth cook.The cookies were just the right mix of peanut butter and sugar so that it was sweet, a little gooey, and the candy crunch combined to make it epic.
Through it all I caught her friend staring like she was calculating how quickly I might change my allegiance to her.It would never happen.Because the woman was a viper in sheep’s clothing.She’d been fooling Beth, but it’s because of her tender heart.I’d been around too many women like her in my day.Women who showed up at bars near the base, trying to score a military guy to spend their hard-earned paychecks while they were away.
I wouldn’t let this woman spoil anything for Beth.Because Beth deserved every happiness, while her employee should be behind bars.
Chapter seventeen
Ishouldreceiveanacting award, I thought as I locked up the shop and ushered everyone out the door at the end of the day.
“Are you certain you don’t want me to count the till?”Tracy asked, appearing concerned and helpful.
Why?So you can forge the numbers?I stared at a woman I had thought was my friend.But if Aiden was to be believed, and I had no reason to doubt him, she had stolen from me today while I was in the kitchen.And then quite a bit more over the past two years.Almost twenty thousand dollars was the latest figure the forensic accountant had calculated.And I had no reason to doubt them.
Pasting a fake smile, I said, “Nope.I’ll take care of it.”Hoping like hell that Detective Garrison could arrest her tonight so that this chapter would be done.There would still be more I would have to address with the rest of my employees, like the newly installed cameras, and that there was a former employee who had been stealing.
Tracy glanced past my shoulder at Aiden.“Be careful with that one.He looks dangerous.”
I wanted to roll my eyes.As if Aiden would ever hurt me.She cast aspirations on him, when she was the one who had done more damage with her betrayal.I needed to count out the days totals first before I called the detective.And I had to watch the footage for myself.I wasn’t saying that I didn’t believe him.But I needed to see her betrayal with my own eyes.
“I’ll be just fine.Have a good night.”
“Ah, I see you want to be alone.Well, I’ll get out of your hair then.”Tracy winked and walked to her car.
I shut and locked the door, blowing out a frustrated breath.Everything had already been stored for the night and cleaned.All that was left were the books.
