Page 1 of Just A Kiss

Chapter One

Just outside of Provo, a city in Utah...

“Just a small-town girl. Livin’ in a lonely wo-o-orld!” Daphne wasn’t concerned that belting out her favorite rock song probably made Suzie, her bright yellow VW Bug, cringe. She was having too much fun, and besides, Suzie should be used to it by now. It was Daphne’s favorite pastime on long driving trips.

“Yes! Love this song,” she shouted, turned up the volume, and slammed her hand along the rhythm of the drums against the steering wheel.

“Oho, you’re in trouble now, Suzie!” she whispered loudly when flashing lights appeared in her rearview mirror. “Maybe he just wanna pass by, so let’s slow down a bit, shall we?”

Checking the speedometer, she let out a sigh of relief. She was still under the speed limit, thank heavens! Easing her foot a little off the gas pedal, she moved toward the side of the road. The road sign they had just passed indicated they were two miles outside of Provo, where she intended to spend the night before heading out to her end destination—Spanish Fork.

“Ah, damn. No such luck, Suzie,” she muttered as the black-and-white SUV with the blue and red warning lights still flashing stayed behind her. “It’s us he’s after.”

Bringing the car to a stop, she cut the engine and opened the window as a tall, muscular officer with brooding steel-gray eyes stopped next to the car.

“Oh, my,” she whispered. “He’s a hottie, Suzie. A heartthrob extraordinaire.” Daphne’s heart fluttered as she looked up and was immediately enamored by his chiseled jaw and salt-and-pepper hair.

“Morning, officer,” she said, watching his lips move, but all she could make out was a garbled sentence and a couple of words here and there. Not surprising since all she could think of watching his very kissable lips moving was to wonder how they would feel nibbling her throat. Not to mention envisioning how perfectly he would fit between her thighs as he stripped off her knickers and had his wicked way with her.

“I’m sorry, what did you say, officer?”

He leaned closer and promptly stole the little breath she had left. Upon closer examination, she became lost in the silver flashes of his steel-gray eyes. The dulcet tones were soaked in a gravelly undertone that warned her he brooked no nonsense from anyone.

“Perhaps if you turned the volume down, you might hear me clearly.”

“Oh! Of course! How inconsiderate of me,” she lilted as she turned down the song still bleating over the radio. “There! Is that better, officer?

“License and registration,” he commanded in a gruff voice.

“That’s me, Daphne Fowler,” she cooed brightly while batting her eyelashes as she handed over the documents.

He didn’t acknowledge her attempt at flirtation, barely glancing at her.

“Do you know how fast you were driving back there, Ms. Fowler?”

“Oh gosh, I don’t think I was since the needle was below 75 mph before I slowed to a stop.” Another flutter of eyelashes. “I just love belting out Journey whenever it comes on!” An exaggerated giggle escaped her lips—an uncontrolled reaction when she was nervous. This man had an effect on her she hadn’t felt in years. His handsome face held her spellbound.

“Exactly,” he said sternly. “You were going 15 miles over the limit. That’s reckless driving.”

“Oh,” she lowered her eyelids contritely. “I didn’t realize.” Blinking up at him, she offered a tentative smile as she poured on the charm. Her finances were okay as long as she controlled her expenses. An unforeseen speeding ticket definitely would tip the scales unfavorably. “Please accept my sincerest apologies, officer. I just got so caught up in the music. Can you blame me for rocking out to an absolute classic?”

Flashing her most dazzling smile, she prayed he’d let her off easy. Oh, c’mon, Officer Sexy! Give a girl a break, she wailed within herself as his expression remained impassive.

“I’m afraid your tendency for losing yourself in music and not paying attention to speeding signs isn’t a good enough excuse for breaking the law, Miss Fowler.”

“How about just letting me off with a warning? I promise I’ll pay attention from now on.” She waved her hand dramatically as he ignored her. “Please don’t throw me in the dungeon, good officer. Have mercy on this fair maiden!”

“It’s sheriff, and this is Utah, not medieval England,” he barked gruffly.

“My apologies, Sheriff,”—she squinted at his name tag—“Scott.” An impish smile curved her lips upward. “Love the salt-and-pepper hair, by the way. Very distinguished.”

He narrowed his eyes at her boldness. “Perhaps spending a night in jail is exactly what you need.”

“Y-You’re not serious,” she whimpered, but on the inside, she smiled. Finally, he showed some reaction to her not-so-subtle attempt at seduction. His threat didn’t bother her since she knew he had no legal right to lock her up. “C’mon, Sheriff Scott, not even a teensy-weensy smile for a distraught woman?”

“If that’s how you act when distraught, I cringe to see you when you’re not,” he grumbled under his breath as he began writing the ticket. Daphne’s gaze drifted to his muscular forearms as he scribbled. She was smitten with this handsome, slightly rough-around-the-edges sheriff. Well, her libido was. Proof was in how her nipples had turned into hard little nubs when he had glared at her. If only he wasn’t so obviously unimpressed by her flirtatiousness.

He’s a tough one. Usually, when I open the charm taps, men turn to putty in my hands. Guess I’ll have to find the right trigger for this gorgeous gladiator.

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