Page 102 of Swept for Forever
I brushed my nose against hers. “Penetration’s not the holy grail, Otter. Trust me on that.”
She grinned. “So what’s the deal with guys and blue balls?”
“Only applies if they’re unloved and completely out of luck.”
She laughed again, easing even more into me. Then, with a spark in her voice, she said, “Next time, I’ll come prepared.”
Next time.
Heat flickered through me, but I just tightened my arms around her, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
For her, I’d wait. I’d follow. I’d encore all night if she wanted.
27
AUTUMN
Whatever snapped into place last night wasn’t going back. Dom had sautéed my heart, then served it back with a kind of care I hadn’t known existed. He knew what I was thinking, feeling, and wanting, and even what I was too afraid to say out loud.
We didn’t have to go all the way. We didn’t need to.
Because now I knew what it felt like to be met by someone who could be it,the person. And I knew, deep down, I wasn’t going to find that anywhere else.
While Lulu was holed up in what I loosely called “witness protection” with Mom, Dom and I headed for Hamilton, where the Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office was headquartered. The sheriff’s jurisdiction covered Blodgett Pass, Buffaloberry Hill, and other smaller towns that relied on county deputies for law enforcement.
I pulled up the wefie we took this morning—me, Dom, and Lulu in front of Mom’s house.
“You okay?” he asked.
“A bit nervous. What should I say about the sketch of me? I mean, of course, it could’ve been anyone. But surely he’llrecognize how close I am to resembling her. And Iwasat Blodgett Pass Trail.”
“Let me do the talking. I’ll nod if you should answer. Just tell the truth. I know the sheriff. My good friend Noah and his wife got tangled in a messy case back then. Bozeman PD was involved, but the sheriff did right by us.”
“Noah and his wife live in Buffaloberry Hill?”
“Yes. And Claire, the vet, remember?”
“Right.”
“She’s Noah’s sister-in-law.”
“Ah, I see.” I exhaled, turning that over. “So the sheriff’s solid? No chance of him being bribed?”
Dom nodded. “By the book. Slow sometimes, but that’s just the pace out here.”
I chewed on that for a second. “The man I saw on the trail…he must be powerful. Or cunning, at least. To frame me just like that.”
“Yeah.” His fingers tightened over mine. “But I’m here, okay? No one’s laying a hand on you.”
The Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office was quiet when we arrived. Dom guided me toward the front desk, his hand grazing the small of my back.
“The sheriff in?” Dom asked the receptionist.
She gave him a look like she hadn’t seen a man in years. “Sorry, hon. He’s out right now.”
“I’ll wait,” Dom said.
“Suit yourself,” she replied, still smiling, her eyes following us. I didn’t need to guess where.
