He nods. “I’m not familiar with town yet, but I’ll take your word for it.”
I lean in just a bit, knowing I shouldn’t because he can probably see down my shirt. “Would you mind coming to the meeting with me? I mean, I know you’re new to town and probably have a ton of stuff going on with the move, but I think the sheriff talking about the climbing numbers of today’s troubled youth could really drive the point home.”
“Oh, well,” he mumbles, thinking it over.
“It’s completely fine if you can’t or don’t want to,” I say, feeling stupid for bringing all this up. I totally just ambushed the guy.
“Why don’t you let me think about it? I’ll dig into some files here and see what the recent spike has been. I think statistics and facts will wow them more than just some new sheriff in town.”
I’m beaming. “Really? Thank you!” I’m excited already, and it’s because I know he’ll find the exact same things I’ve already looked at—soaring numbers of troublemaking kids who need more options.
He waves his hand in front of his face as he stuffs the last of his lunch into his mouth. “Don’t worry about it. If the numbers are as high as you say, I’m sure everyone will agree with you.”
“I also plan on getting a few of the elders from town to speak about it. I know Mrs. Walsh has dealt with some vandalism, and Mr. Brock has witnessed some theft.”
“It all sounds like a very good plan that is well thought out. But if you’re planning on the town paying for it or applying for government help, you really should look into some estimates.”
“Good idea,” I reply, acting like I never thought of it. But I don’t exactly want to tell him that it’s all coming out of my pocket. When my parents passed, they left everything to me, and it’s more than enough to live off of for any ten people. I’ll never burn my way through this money. Might as well put it to good use.
As the office starts filling back up, we go our separate ways, me to my tiny hole of an office and him back to the glass windows that leave him exposed to everyone’s eyes. Talking to him over lunch does make me feel a little more comfortable being around him, though. Just from the few minutes we talked, I can tell he’s a good man who’ll do anything that’s within his power to support the greater good. He’s a little hurt and maybe even broken inside about losing his friend to the same accident that took my parents. Speaking of which, how is it possible that we never ran into one another?
We both lived in the same city and were in some way involved in the same accident. The whole thought of him being in the same room as my parents when they died leaves goosebumps on my skin. My parents were good people who shouldn’t have died that day. They were loving, caring, and generous. I couldn’t even dream of where I’d be right now if it weren’t for them. They gave me the best childhood anyone could ever ask for. And sure, they were loaded, but they weren’t over the top flashy like some people.
We lived in a modest house. It was a two-story Victorian-style home that was white with black shutters and a big wrap-around porch. I remember spending every summer with Mama out on our knees, planting flowers. The cars they drove were regular cars, not fancy sports cars. And to top it all off, my dad worked in insurance, meaning that when they passed, I not only got everything they had, I also got a huge insurance policy. I was raised to be smart, educated, and responsible. I never threw money around and still don’t. I bought my cabin with twenty grand in cash. I drive a silver Chevy Cruze. I’ve spent money on the move, but I also made more money by selling the house and the family items I didn’t bring with me.
And now, I’m working and bringing in a decent paycheck. I have more than enough money to support me for the rest of my life, and that’s even if I build this youth center and quit my job, never making another penny. This isn’t something anyone here knows about me, though. Like I said, I don’t flash money around. I don’t wear designer clothes, and I’m not big on shopping anyway. If I had to pick one area of my life that I consider to be a little frivolous, it would be my computer addiction. But I specialize in IT, coding, and gaming, so computer systems are a must. I know I’m not like normal women my age, but I’m okay with that. It’s who I am, who my parents raised. And it’s who Bryce Moore is checking out right now.
Six
Bryce
Fuck. She’s too good for me. I know I should turn my back on her and leave her hanging on this favor she asked, but I can’t and I won’t. I go to my office and do the digging I told her I’d do. To no surprise of my own, I see that she’s exactly right. Crimes committed by kids twelve through nineteen have gone up 27% in the last five years alone. If someone doesn’t steer these kids onto the right path, it will be very easy for them to make a wrong turn on a one-way street and head down the road toward a lifetime of crime. Sure, some could easily grow up and grow out of it, realizing they had made a bad decision, but some won’t. Some people never learn. If they did, we wouldn’t need as many officers as we do.
I take the reports I find and print them off. I also convert the data I find into bar graphs and a a flow chart that shows how this number could continue to spike if we don’t intervene. The numbers are enough to scare anyone who’s concerned about their kids, this town, and the safety of its citizens. I tuck them into a file folder and stuff it under my arm as I walk to her office.
I’m just reaching out to knock when she turns to face me. A smile forms across her lips as she removes her headset. “Hey.”
I show her the file folder and shake it a bit to get her attention. “You were right. Count me in on that meeting.” I shoot her a grin that makes her smile widen, nearly blinding me.
She lets out a squeal, does a little happy dance in her seat, and says thank you at least a dozen times. I laugh and shake my head before walking away and leaving her alone to soak in her excitement and what looks to be the latest Animal Crossing game.
Friday rolls around, and as promised, I take most of the precinct out to The Place to goof off. The guys decided to alternate who goes this week and who goes next week. However, Nina works every day from eight to five, so she’s lucky and gets to go every week. Or I’m lucky. I’m not sure how to look at it.
As we’re all packing up to leave the station, I bump into her at the exit. “Hey, you’re coming to The Place, right?” I point over at her.
She flashes a weak smile. “I don’t know. It’s not really my scene. And I have a lot of work to do on my sketches.”
I stand in the middle of the doorway, making all the guys walk around us. “You showed me those sketches this afternoon. They’re perfect. Come on, let’s go celebrate.”
She scrunches up her nose and pulls her eyes away. “I don’t know…” she starts, but I cut her off.
“One drink. Come on. Show the new boss a good time. I’ll let you ride in the cruiser. And I’ll turn the lights on for ya,” I joke, and it works.
She laughs. “Okay. Fine. One drink.” She points her long, index finger my way, and I hold up my hands, showing her my palms.
We load up in the cruiser, and her scent slowly fills up the cab and drifts my way. Again, she smells of fruit and fresh laundry, with a hint of woodsy smoke. I don’t know why, but I love that smell more and more.
I used to come home from bonfires, annoyed that the smell had clung to my clothes, but just the hint of it on her has me wishing I had a strong glass of bourbon to go with it. I bet the sweetness of her and the robust bourbon would mix like a dream come true. I force myself to focus on the road instead of her sitting at my side as she lazily twirls the ends of her blonde hair, like I make her nervous.
I park the cruiser, and she looks over at me as she unclasps her seatbelt. “Hey, you said you’d turn on the lights.”
I laugh. “Really?” I ask, tilting my head to the side to examine her.
Her brows raise. “Well, are you a man of your word or not?”
I roll my eyes but reach up on the dash and turn on the lights. “Happy now?”
&nbs
p; “Where are the sirens?”
“Different switch. And I didn’t include it in the deal, so you’re out of luck.” I can’t help but smile over at her.
“Just my luck,” she teases, holding her hands in the air.
We both walk into the building, and the bar is already lined with our men. I motion toward the bartender. “A round of drinks on me.” I turn to look over at Nina. “What’ll you have?”
“Just a glass of red wine, please.” She goes to sit at a table while I order her red wine and a glass of bourbon for myself. The bartender stops pouring beers for the guys to wait on me. After she gives me my two glasses, I take them and walk over to where Nina is sitting. The bartender goes back to pouring beer for the guys.
Nina takes a sip as she looks over at all the excited men. “You’re really winning them over. You know that?”
He chuckles. “It’s the least I can do. I figured if there was a designated playtime, it would help to keep things professional around the office.”
She nods as a smile tugs at her beautiful, plump lips. “I have noticed fewer shenanigans lately. Brian hasn’t even brought out the whoopee cushion.”
I laugh as I hold up my glass. “To the youth center.”
She nods and taps her glass against mine. “Hear, hear.” We both take a sip.
As much as I’d love to spend the entire evening talking to only her, I’m afraid it may create gossip amongst the rest of the guys. I don’t want them to think I pick favorites. “Enjoy your wine. I’m going to go catch up with the guys. Make sure everyone feels welcome and invited. We’re a team, you know. That includes you. Get up and mingle.” I shoot her a smile before standing and walking toward the bar.
As I talk to the guys, my eyes keep going back to her. I want to sit across from her, see those blue eyes shining at me, see the way her lips turn up when I make her laugh. I want to talk and find out everything there is to know about her, but I also know it is wrong, and I shouldn’t get any closer to her than I do all the other guys. I’m torn between making her feel welcome and keeping up appearances.
After an hour or so of talking to the guys, I look over just in time to see Nina get up and leave the table. I ask for a cup of coffee, not wanting to get too buzzed. There needs to be a line with these guys. If they see me getting hammered and acting a fool, it will only invite them to act the same. Even though this is our playtime, we’re still the police force and remain responsible so as to earn the respect of the town.
I take my cup of coffee over to her table and have a seat across from her. “Didn’t feel like mingling?” I ask, taking a sip before setting it back down.
She shrugs one shoulder. “I’m pretty tired, so I think I’m just going to call it a night. Thanks for the glass of wine, though.”
I look to see her glass of wine only half empty. It seems she had the same thought about drinking as I did. She stands to climb out of the booth, but her hips knock against the corner. My coffee cup wobbles and spills into my lap. Luckily for me, it is no longer piping hot.
“Oh my gosh. I’m so sorry,” she says, grabbing napkins out of the dispenser on the table. She takes a handful and starts to wipe the table while I pick up my coffee cup and set it upright. I don’t even see it coming. I’m too busy picking up the mug and looking down at my soaked stomach and crotch. Her hands somehow end up in my lap. They’re full of napkins as she tries drying up the coffee on my thighs. She brushes against my dick, and it twitches. She must feel it harden because she suddenly looks up, her blue eyes locking with mine. Her lips part as her mouth drops open. She realizes exactly what she’s doing.
She stands up straight and drops the wet napkins onto the table. “I'm sorry about that. I was just…trying to clean up my mess. Clearly, I overstepped some boundaries. I’m going to go die now.” She quickly rushes out the door.
I look from the door that she just walked out of to the bar where all the guys are lined up. They’ve all turned around and are staring at me with goofy smiles on their faces.
“Alright, show’s over,” I say, using my finger to make a spinning motion for them to turn back around.
I need to go home. I can’t walk around this place looking like I pissed my pants. I walk up to the bar and pay the tab. “Alright, you’re drinking on your own now, guys. I’ll see you all tomorrow.” I wave and head for the door.
I walk out to the cruiser, surprised she’s not waiting for a ride back to the station. It’s not far. She must have walked. I climb behind the wheel and drive back to the station to find that her car is already gone, confirming my suspicions. I park the cruiser, lock it, and move to get into my truck. I don’t like driving the cruiser when I’m not on duty. There’s no better way to slow down traffic than a police car.
I get in my truck and start heading out of town, up the mountain. The sky is dark now that it’s pushing nine o’clock, but it’s a bright, cloudless night. The moon is big and bright as it hangs high in the sky, with millions of tiny stars surrounding it. Up ahead, something shiny catches my eye. I slow my truck down as I approach, finding that it’s a silver car. Her car. It’s broken down on the side of the road. I pull in behind her and turn my hazard lights on before climbing out. I look in the window, but she’s not behind the wheel. The hood is popped, so I step around to find her beneath it.
“Need help?” I ask, causing her to jump.
“Shit. You scared me.”
I can’t help but chuckle. “Sorry, I just saw you pulled over with the hood up and figured you could use a hand. What’s the problem?”
“I think there’s just a bad connection. It was like the car lost all power. I’ve been meaning to get it into a shop for a while now.”
I look at where the wires connect to the battery and see how corroded they are. “Hang on,” I tell her, rushing back to my truck. I open the backdoor and pull out the small toolbox I always keep in here. I look for a wire brush, and after I find it, I take it back to her car and start brushing off the corrosion.
About fifteen minutes later, I hook them back up and tell her to try starting it. She climbs behind the wheel and twists the key. It fires right up. She steps back out and walks up to me while I lower her hood back in place.
“Thank you so much!” She wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me in for a hug.
When her body presses against mine, it feels like I’ve been soaked in gasoline, and she’s the match. My entire body erupts in an explosion of tingles as I breathe in her scent. She’s warm pressed against me, and so soft.
“Anytime,” I manage to get out through my dry lips.
She pulls back with a smile, but when her eyes lock on mine, the smile fades. An electric current exchanges between us. Maybe she’s feeling the exact same thing I am. I wet my lips because they’re suddenly drier than before, even though I can’t figure out how that happened. Her eyes move down to my mouth, and she wets her own. I don’t even realize I move until our lips are pressed together.
Her soft lips part for me as her tongue comes out, demanding entrance. I know this is wrong, but maybe one kiss won’t hurt. I mean, we can blame it on the drinks if we need to. This could be the only shot I have at tasting her. Maybe it will help me work her out of my system.
My hands tighten on her hips, pulling her closer. If this is the only chance I get, I’m taking advantage of it. My lips work faster, and hers have no trouble keeping up. She tastes of sweetness, with a hint of bitter wine and her scent mixed in, creating the perfect combination. I let out a slight growl as I pick her up against me and set her on the hood of her running car. Her legs part for me, allowing me to stand between them. Her hands roam up and down my back, rubbing my shoulder blades and squeezing my lower back, almost like she’s trying to pull me closer. But her tiny body is no match for mine.
I’m completely lost in her. Wrapped up in everything about this woman. I think of taking her right here on the hood of her car, or dragging her back to my truck, where we’d have a little more privacy. I t
hink about taking her back to my place. I think of everything except why this shouldn’t be happening in the first place.
A car goes speeding by, blaring its horn and ending the moment. I pull back, and she pushes her skirt down her legs as she stands, trying to catch her breath.
“I’m sorry,” we both say in unison.
She lets out a giggle at the awkwardness of the whole situation while I rub my hand over my head and down the back of my neck, unsure of how to fix this.
“We should probably get off the side of the street. It’s dark. I don’t want either of us getting run over by a passing car.”
She nods, eyes wide with nervousness, or fear, or maybe excitement. I’m not sure. “Right.” She spins around to walk around the car but pauses and turns back to me, pointing her finger my way. “Thanks again… for stopping and helping with the car.”
I wave goodbye. “Anytime.” I stand back and watch as she climbs behind the wheel and drives away, leaving me standing all alone in my headlights.
Seven
Nina
As I drive away from him, my lips are still tingling with pleasure. In fact, my whole body is. That man can kiss! And his hands, his strong hands, felt so good pulling me closer. The way he let out that deep growl from within his chest when he lost control and picked me up, settling between my legs as I sat on the hood of the car…I let out a dreamy sigh just thinking about it. I have been wondering if this attraction I feel toward him was one-sided, but after what happened, it’s clear to see that it’s not.
However, it doesn’t exactly make it right. He’s my boss. Well, technically, he’s not my boss. I wasn’t hired by him. I was hired by the state police. But he is the sheriff. He’s the manager of our station. So, he kind of is my boss. Ugh, I don’t know anymore. Either way, I work with him. I can’t be in a relationship with him no matter how I try to justify it.
Grand Lake Colorado Series: A Complete Small Town Contemporary Romance Collection Page 21
