Page 89 of The Way We Are

Even being confused as hell doesn’t stop me from nodding. I promised to give Savannah the world, so if she needs something that’s free, I have no reason to deny her request.

The motive behind her appeal comes to light when she paces around the table where Regina was interrogating me. She wraps her arms around Regina’s shuddering frame. I don’t know what she whispers in her ear, but every movement of her lips eases the shaking hampering Regina’s tiny frame.

After taking a moment to relish Savannah’s nurturing side, I enter the hallway, shutting the door on my way out.

35

Ryan

“I think you should reconsider Regina’s suggestion.”

My eyes drift from the roadside to Savannah sitting in the passenger seat of my truck. These are the first words she has spoken to me since she joined me at the curb of Ravenshoe PD nearly thirty minutes ago. Although I am dying to find out what she discussed with Regina, it feels wrong snooping on obvious girl talk.

They have decades in age between them, but I’m certain that's what Savannah and Regina did for the hour I was left lingering outside. They talked like the women they are.

“The academy has an excellent program that will nurture your natural protectiveness,” Savannah adds on when I fail to reply to her first comment. “And you’ll looksuper-hotin a uniform.”

Her last remark isn’t one I’ve heard the past week. Although I appreciate her compliment, it doesn’t alter my mindset. We barely left Ravenshoe PD without cuffs on our wrists; I’m not willing to go back there for anything.

“I’m not interested in becoming an officer of the law.” I overenunciate my last four words, hoping the playfulness in my voice will cushion her disappointment.

Savannah sighs before slipping her feet under her bottom and turning her torso to me. “Why? If you can give me one reason why this isn’t a good idea, I’ll drop it.”

I’d rather grill her about the red rims circling her eyes than answer her question, but since I want to keep our conversation light, I decide to answer. “It just not something I’ve ever considered doing.”

“That’s not a good enough excuse, Ryan,” Savannah replies with a cute roll of her eyes. “Try again.”

“It’s not my...thing,” I say with a shrug of my shoulders.

Savannah’s sculptured brow becomes lost in her hairline. “And flipping burgers was?”

“No... It’s just...” I stop speaking when I fail to find a plausible excuse.

I’m scraping the bottom of the barrel of excuses, as every one I’ve given the past week, Savannah has rejected. If her reasons for denying them weren’t authentic, I would have more than half a leg to stand on. I’m running out of excuses.

“You need a job. Regina is offering you a place on her team. I don’t understand your hostility?” Savannah’s tone relays she isn’t being malicious. She's genuinely confused.

“I’m not being hostile. I’m just—”

“Stubborn,” Savannah interrupts, knowing she has hit the nail on the head.

I swing my eyes from the road to Savannah when she discloses, “I like Regina, Ryan. She sees in you what I always have. You are perfect for this role. You are protective and commanding. You respect authority without being walked over. You are a detective in waiting.”

“Detective?” I ask through raised brows. “It’s a mighty big jump from a police officer to a detective.”

Savannah quirks her lips, not the least bit deterred by the touch of laughter in my reply. “I call it as I see it, Ry. I thought that’s one of the things you like about me?”

“It isn’t one of the things Ilikeabout you; it’s one of themanythings Iloveabout you.”

My accolades award me a heart-stopping smile I’ll never tire of seeing, but that isn’t the only trait coming out to play. The fire in Savannah’s eyes is as blinding as her smile, a wicked glint that warns of imminent danger.

My assumptions are proven dead accurate when our conversation veers in a direction I never saw coming. “Would you like to see me in handcuffs, Ryan?” Savannah asks, her voice a seductive purr that thickens my blood.

I’ve barely had time to replenish my suddenly dry throat when Savannah continues her inappropriate—and highly fucking erotic—ploy of persuasion. “If you accept Regina’s offer, you’ll not only have unlimited access to handcuffs, but you’ll bring home a big, heavy, and dangerouspistolto play withevery night.”

I don’t care if she lays her hand on the Bible and pleads innocence, her last sentence had nothing to do with a deadly weapon. She's staring right at my crotch, the hunger in her eyes amplifying the seductiveness of her words.

“I know what you’re doing,” I mutter, returning my eyes to the road, needing to focus on anything but her beautiful face before I get us killed. “It’s not gonna work.”

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