Page 10 of Just A Kiss

“Me? Not sure how you came to that conclusion since I’m standing way over here.”

“Damn it! This is cashmere, and it’s ruined now. Not to mention, it’s one of my favorite sweaters,” she wailed as she pulled at the wet jersey clinging to the roundness of her breasts.

“Well, that is a pity.” The snort of disbelief from her was testimony that she had little faith in the authenticity of his offered sympathy. Suppressing a grin, he turned sideways and gestured toward the door. “I guess that means you need to get back to the B & B, pronto. Who knows, if you get it washed before it dries, you might be able to save it.”

“Ten points for effort, Sheriff Scott.”

One eyebrow inched higher. “Effort to do what, Miss VW Bug?”

“Daphne,” she said through clenched teeth. “My name is Daphne. Please use it, and you know what for.”

“I’m confused. Using your name or...”

“Tsk,” she negated his pretend confusion. “The effort to get rid of me. I’m not leaving until I do what I came here to do.”

“Which is what exactly?”

With hands on her hips and one foot tapping on the carpet, she was the epitome of confidence—and not to mention annoyed. An emotion flashed a warning in her eyes that she was slowly losing her patience.

“Come now, Sheriff Scott. You’re a clever man. I wouldn’t lose a bet that you already ran a background check on me, right?”

“Your name is a regular on the front page of national newspapers and magazines, Ms. Fowler. Doing a background check would’ve been a waste of time.” She didn’t have to know she had hit the nail on the head. No need to boost her self-confidence further, especially since he had done it to satisfy his own curiosity over who the woman behind the career truly was.

“So, you know why I’m here.”

“Do I?”

The rhythmic toe-tapping on the carpet quickened, followed by a drawn-out exhale before she continued with thin lips.

“My sources inform me that you have a person of interest in custody in the sex ring case you’re investigating. I would like to offer my assistance, Sheriff Scott.”

“I appreciate the offer, but since we’re only in the beginning stages of gathering information, you would impede rather than assist. So, thank you, but no thank you.” His eyes narrowed. “You really should be leaving Provo, Ms. Fowler.”

“Provo was always intended to be a one-night sleepover, Sheriff Scott. I’m actually on my way to Spanish Fork.” The hesitation was marked. “I believe that is your dominion, isn’t it? Where the actual investigation originated?”

“I have a very low tolerance for manipulation, Ms. Fowler. I suggest you tread very lightly.”

“Ah, the big, bad wolf is marking his territory, isn’t he?” She tilted her head sideways. “Don’t worry, Sheriff. I have no intention of stealing the credit. All I want is to help you find all those cretins who are doing such horrible things to innocent children.”

“You’re sadly mistaken if you believe I started the investigation to make a name for myself, Ms. Fowler. I couldn’t care less about receiving credit for cracking open the case and making arrests. All I want is to see justice done.”

“Then it’s a done deal!” She smiled so widely, her lips almost stretched right around her face. “We’re exactly on the same page, so working together makes perfect sense.”

“To the contrary. The only sensible thing to do would be for you to pack your bags and hit the road back to Salt Lake City.”

“Be practical, my dear sheriff,” she cooed as she walked closer.

Carter’s gaze locked on her swaying hips as she approached him. He felt the vision of wrapping his large hands around those rounded curves like an electric shock coursing through his body to zap his cock with a thousand volts. It had been a while since he got an instant chubby—and a stiff one at that. He was hard-pressed not to reach down and adjust his jeans for a more comfortable fit.

She stopped mere inches from him, so close, he could feel the heat of her breath against his lips as she breathed the words out in a husky voice.

“Why won’t you let me help?”

“What exactly are you offering to help with, Miss VW Bug? The investigation or easing my hard cock?”

Her eyes flared, and her breath stuttered as a becoming rosy blush blossomed over her cheeks. It was evident the little chit wasn’t used to a man being one step ahead of her.

“Well, you know what they say about women, Sheriff?” She cleared the croak in her throat before continuing.

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