Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34588 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 173(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34588 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 173(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
“Of course not. Besides, what is it any business of yours, Law?”
He’s about to say something but backs down. “You don’t belong in the car with anyone else.” He straightens up like he remembers he’s on duty and suddenly all the tension between us is gone.
Unexplainable ire fills me. I wanted him to kiss me or something, but nothing. Jackson was wrong. “Whatever. What are you doing here?”
“We were called by a neighbor about a noise complaint.”
“Makes sense since they’ve been partying all day.”
Taylor walks out, and I look past Law which forces his gaze to turn away from me to Taylor for me for just a moment. “Hey, Law, I’m about to take her over to Wrench’s place.”
“Not happening. I’ll take her there.”
“Taylor’s taking me there.”
He whips his head back at me, staring like I’ve lost my mind. The sheriff clears his throat and, with a calm voice, says, “You’re not leaving with Taylor, anywhere. I have questions to ask you.”
“Whatever you do, don’t ask her out. She’s got a guy she’s interested in already.” Law snarls at Taylor.
“Did you ask her out?”
“Yeah.”
“Get the fuck out of here right now.” Taylor takes off toward his truck.
“Wait, my things are inside.” I rush toward it when Law flips me over his shoulder.
“I’ll grab them.” He dumps me onto the hood of the patrol car before going to the pickup truck and gathering my belongings. They share a brief exchange, and then I find Law moving toward me with a stormy expression on his ruggedly handsome face.
“Trouble just seems to find you.”
“Maybe I am trouble.”
“That I don’t doubt, but it doesn’t help with the crowd your aunt associates herself with.”
“Trust me. That’s why Taylor was kind enough to take me to Mack’s place.”
His jaw twitches at the mention of Taylor. “What’s going on between you and Taylor?”
“Nothing. I just met the guy about fifteen minutes ago.”
“Let’s go, Ms. Gordon.” God, does that piss me off. Where does he get off to be mad about my relationships but then refer to me as Ms. Gordon with such formality like I’m just another civilian?
“I’ve had enough of bossy, handsy men today, Sheriff Lawrence.”
“Handsy men? Who the fuck put their hands on you?”
“None of your damn business. I’m not filing any complaints, officer, so fucking take me to Mack’s or give me my things back.”
“Watch it, little girl.” That’s all I am to him. He opens the passenger door, and I sit down in the patrol car quietly. “Buckle up.”
“Yes, Sheriff.” I salute him and then do it because I’m always conscious about my safety, even if I find myself in trouble all the damn time.
He climbs inside just as Jeff comes outside the apartment building, and I get a sick eerie feeling about that man. “So, is my aunt okay in there?”
“Yes, she was fine. Pissed that I interrupted their little party and thought you called the cops on them, but I explained that you weren’t the caller.”
“Oh, okay. Thanks.”
“So, what brings you back to Steeleville? Last I saw you, you didn’t say anything about coming home.” Coming home? I like that.
“My grandparents thought it would be good for me to live with my aunt since she needed some help, and they didn’t think I came to terms with everything that happened the last time I was here.”
“Have you?” He turns his head to me, staring intently like he’s not driving down the road.
“I think so.” No, I’m madly in love with you, and I can’t get over it. I smile at him softly.
“That’s why you carry a gun?” he asks, arching that strong brow and giving me a cocky smirk.
“That’s just damn common sense. We live in Texas, and you’re acting as if carrying a gun is out of the ordinary.”
“Good point.” He chuckles and I swear my panties are going to leave a wet spot in the seat.
“Well, you shouldn’t need protection on you.”
“That’s true, but when will I get my gun back?”
“Tomorrow. I was busy and didn’t have time to handle the matter before I was forced back out of the station.”
“It takes that long? I have my license for it right here.” I pull it out of my wallet. “See.”
“I’ll check it when we get to Wrench’s.” He’s intentionally ignoring my outstretched hand when just moments ago he stole several glances my way while driving.
“I don’t think you want me to have my gun back. Do you think I’m unstable?”
“Not at all, and even if I did….” I gasp. He tilts his head and smiles. “Which I don’t. I wouldn’t have the right to make that call. Anyway, I was worried about your safety and that of Mr. Motts, who could have pressed charges against you.”
“He assaults me, and he can press charges against me?”
“Yes, he committed a simple assault that you could sue him for, but he could have you arrested for a battery charge. He won’t if he has a single fucking brain cell in his head, and trust me, I wouldn’t arrest you even if he thought to defy me.”