Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22096 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 110(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22096 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 110(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
He grabs a pair of blue jeans, slipping into them. He doesn’t bother to button them or put on a shirt. “Nah, I bet somebody’s bull done got loose. Happens round here all the time.”
He’s bullshitting a farmer’s daughter. This is a ranching community. Nobody calls the sheriff for something silly like a bull getting loose.
He gives me a smile and cups my face. “Everything’s fine, pearl. You don’t have to worry about me.”
I turn my face to press a kiss against the palm of his hand. These hands that have fought for his brother, kept up his ranch, and tenderly cleaned me tonight. Pretty sure I’m in love with this man. “Then get him gone so you can come back and make love to me again.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Striker salutes me before he leaves the room.
I hear him close the front door behind himself then a horrible thought occurs to me. Everyone always assumes the worst of him. The sheriff may not give him a fair shake if something did happen.
Without bothering to get dressed in anything more than his long shirt that flows to the middle of my thighs, I rush up from the bed. He left the door cracked so their conversation floats through the air and I can hear everything.
Sheriff Luke Taylor says, “Strike, there’s been a report that you kidnapped Maisy from the barbershop tonight.”
I wonder who could have possibly called that in. I saw Derek and Wynter drive by right around the time that Striker plucked me up from the street. But they don’t seem like the type to call it in unless they thought I was in real danger, which clearly, I’m not. Unless you can count being in danger as likely to die from multiple orgasms.
Striker chuckles. “Is that right?”
“Is she inside?” Luke continues. He doesn’t sound amused at all.
“Yeah.” Striker must know that the sheriff can’t enter the place without a warrant. Surely, he has some clue of his rights. After all, this isn’t his first run-in with the law.
“Can I talk to her?”
I’m not going to let Striker look guilty of anything. He could send the sheriff away, but Luke takes his job seriously. If he really believes I’m in danger, he’ll do whatever it takes to rescue me. Except I don’t need rescuing from anyone, least of all Striker.
I swing open the front door and step onto the porch, forgetting my casual state of dress. It’s freezing out in this thin little thing. My toes scrunch against the cold porch boards. “What can I do for you, Sheriff?”
His flashlight scans over me, temporarily blinding me.
Striker swears under his breath. “Get that thing out of her face.”
Luke lowers the light and jerks his head toward me. “You got a problem if I talk to her alone?”
There’s no fear in Striker’s gaze, only amusement. He lifts his chin. “Go right ahead.” He squeezes my shoulder as he passes. “I’ll be inside if you need me.”
I put my hand over his and give him a smile before I turn my attention to the sheriff. I let my smile drop, letting him know I’m not happy that he just interrupted the best night of my life. “Is there something you wanted, Sheriff?”
Luke pulls off his hat and nods respectfully to me. He’s married to the florist in town, Austin. They have a beautiful son together. “I got a report that you may not be here voluntarily.”
“Who said that?” I demand. Why can’t anyone ever give my man the benefit of the doubt? Why do they always assume he’s guilty? This is the thing about small towns. It takes a long time for people to let you grow into a new person.
He runs a hand through his blonde hair that’s quickly graying. Probably the stress of the job and the little one at home keeping him awake. But one look at him with his family and it’s clear he adores them. “I gotta ask. Are you here voluntarily?”
“Yes,” I clip out the word. I’m standing out here with no underwear and probably getting frostbite on my toes. Maybe I’d appreciate the sheriff’s concern a little more if I were warm.
He studies me for a long moment. I guess this is the good side of living in a small town. There are no hurried wellness checks. People actually give a damn about you. “Alright then. You feel safe?”
“You grew up with Striker. Is he the type of man to just kidnap a helpless woman?” OK, I’m not helpless but I am trying to prove a point. Striker is a good man and for some reason, he loves this town that hasn’t always been kind to him.
Luke’s carefully blank expression doesn’t change. I’d bet anything he’s a good poker player. “I got to do my job, regardless of how I feel or what I think. Are you feeling safe, Maisy? You don’t have to protect anyone.”