Page 16 of The Hero She Loves

“We need to find out where Price lives.” Park eyed the rundown bar across the street. A carved sign above the door said it was called Rusty’s.

“Keen for a beer?” he asked.

She cocked her head. “It just so happens I am. Wait a sec.” She pulled off her jacket, then unbuttoned her shirt. Park’s eyes widened.

But when she slipped the shirt off, she was wearing a black tank top underneath. She opened the passenger door of the Ram and tossed the jacket and shirt on the seat. Her gun followed, then she unclipped the badge from her belt.

She reached inside her pocket and pulled out a small tube of lipstick. She looked in the side mirror as she painted the bold red on her lips. Then she fluffed her hair in the reflection of the car window. Finally, she tugged the neckline of her tank down—showing off a healthy dose of cleavage.

She spun and smiled. Her entire demeanor changed. She looked looser, a little wilder.

This should be interesting.

“Come on, babe. Buy me a beer.” She slipped her arm through his.

His muscles tensed at her touch.

She stilled. “Sorry, is this okay?” She started to pull away. “I get that you don’t like being touched.”

He gripped her arm, keeping it twined with his. “It’s okay.”

She eyed his face. “You’re sure?”

“Yes.”

She nodded. “All right, then.”

As they headed toward the bar, Park realized something.

A part of him didn’t mind the lovely marshal pressed against his side.

The bar was wellbeyond seedy.

As she stepped inside, the wooden floor creaked, and was sticky with… Jenna didn’t know what and didn’t want to know.

A few rough-looking types were dotted around, sitting in the booths and at the bar. Two guys with huge, bushy beards were playing pool at a rickety, worn pool table. They stopped to watch her and Parker walk in.

She flashed them a saucy smile.

“Baby, I need a drink. I’msothirsty after all that driving.”

Parker slid a hand down and around her hip. She barely controlled her jolt.

“I’ll get you whatever you want, sweetheart.”

She liked his hand on her a little too much. Clearing her throat, she slid onto a stool at the bar. The bartender was a man in his fifties, with a weathered face, tattoos around his neck, and shaved gray hair.

“What can I get ya?”

“Two Jack Daniel’s, please. No ice.”

He gave her a chin lift.

Parker leaned against the bar and casually scanned the room. He’d no doubt clocked everyone sitting inside. Then he leaned into her, his mouth close to her ear. “No sign of Price or Olson.”

Jenna hadn’t expected Olson to be sitting in the bar. Still, a girl could hope.

The bartender plonked the glasses down in front of her. She grabbed hers and handed the other one to Parker. She clinked her glass against his and tossed it back.

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