Page 7 of Hot Lovin'

“Quinn, if they’re as dangerous as you say...” I trail off, not wanting to finish the thought. Aiden’s face floats in my mind, eyes brimming with silent pleas for help.

“Which is why we need to be careful. Strategic.” The chair groans in relief as he stands. “We’ll work together on this. I have resources at the station who can help. We’re in this together, Lottie. For Aiden.”

For Aiden. The words resonate deeply, anchoring me. With Quinn’s support, maybe we can help Aiden find the safety and love he’s been missing.

We stare at each other for several long seconds, and I swear the air thickens around us. My nipples harden beneath my linen shirt, and I squeeze my thighs together as heat pools in my core. Dear God, what is this? This overwhelming desire to climb his big body like a tree and impale myself on his sturdy branch?

I shake my head at my ridiculous metaphors. Get a grip, Lottie. The problem is, I do want to get a grip—on Quinn Jordan.

“You’re doing a great job, Lottie,” Quinn says, breaking across my lusty thoughts. “I can see how much you care. Aiden’s lucky to have you on his side.”

I clear my throat. “Thanks, Quinn. That means a lot. It feels like I’m not doing enough, like I’m failing him.”

“You’re not failing him,” he says, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that sends a shiver down my spine. “You’re giving him hope. And that’s more than enough.”

I swallow hard, the weight of his words sinking in. “Hope,” I repeat, my voice barely audible. “That’s what we all need, isn’t it?”

Quinn nods. “Hope and someone to stand by us. Aiden has both now.”

We exchange a look that feels like an unspoken agreement, a silent vow to protect and support Aiden no matter what.

“Teamwork,” I quip, trying to lighten the mood. “Like peanut butter and jelly, or... coffee and klutzes.”

“Or sheriffs and social workers,” he counters, the barest hint of a smirk playing on his lips.

“Let’s hope this partnership turns out better than my coffee escapades,” I say, managing a wry grin.

He picks up his hat and prepares to leave. “Be careful, Lottie.”

“I always am,” I reply, my body warming at his concern.

As Quinn heads for the door, he pauses and glances back at me. “I expect a full hazard report next time you bring a beverage into my vicinity.” He pauses, his mercury eyes intense on mine. “And next time you throw something hot at me, make sure it’s you.”

My mouth drops open in shock as the door swings shut behind his tight ass. Did he just say what I think he did? That he thinks I’m hot? And… was that an invitation to throw myself at him? I wouldn’t know how, not in a sexual sense.

I press my hands to my hot cheeks and shake my head, sure I misunderstood him. It’s funny how life throws curveballs at you, like making you embarrass yourself in front of the one person in town who embodies law, order, and a startling amount of protective instincts.

I glance at the files before me, the scribbled notes and heartbreaking photographs, and square my shoulders. Aiden’s counting on me. On us. If his parents are as dangerous as Quinn said, our fight for Aiden might be fraught with more than spilled coffee, but it’s a fight I’m willing to take on. For Aiden, for Sunrise Bay, and maybe a little bit for the gruff sheriff who’s far more than meets the eye.

Forcing myself to return to the task at hand, I dive back into the files. Aiden needs me focused, not flustered over Sunrise Bay’s sexy sheriff and how my heart insists on performing acrobatics whenever he’s around. Or how the humidity rises in my panties every time I see him.

I turn back to my computer screen. For now, it’s back to the mission. Saving kids, one case at a time.

Chapter 4

Quinn

Lottie’s office door swings open with a creak that begs for oil, a sound I’ve become accustomed to in the last week. The woman herself is at her desk, buried under a mountain of paperwork that seems to multiply every time she blinks. But it doesn’t faze her; nothing does. It’s something I’ve grown to know and admire about her.

I’ve made discreet enquiries about Sunset Bay’s newest social worker, and I’m yet to find anyone who doesn’t hold her in high regard. She goes out of her way to engage with people and make them feel important. The eternal cheeriness she radiates should be annoying, but somehow, it isn’t. No, my little coffee-tossing goddess throws out optimism like confetti and brings color to everyone she interacts with.

Lottie looks up, surprise in her eyes, before she smiles. It lights up the room like summer in the dead of winter. She thaws parts of me I thought had frozen over for good and wakes up parts I thought were long dead—parts I’d almost forgotten existed.

“Hey, Quinn,” she greets me before she looks down at her paperwork, her pen dancing across a form. “What brings you by? Not bad news, I hope?”

“Actually, I’m here on a different kind of mission today.” I pause, waiting for her to look up, her golden eyes curious.

“Oh?” She caps her pen, leaning back. “Do tell.”

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