Page 22 of Home Town Knight

She shrugged. “What are you going to do next? Interview the victim’s friends?”

“Yep. That’s on the agenda. See if they can shed light on what happened.” I stood, and Gen matched my movement.

“I assume you’ll also download the surveillance camera footage from the hotel? When I ran inside, I saw they had CCTV in the manager’s office.”

I nodded calmly, while internally I was racking my brain. Had I discussed surveillance footage with Keira? I could’ve sworn I had, but now I wasn’t sure. Lack of sleep had me off my game.

“You didn’t know about the hotel’s camera, did you?” Gen asked smugly.

“It was on my list.”

“Sure it was. I’m happy to consult further on your investigation. I won’t even charge. It would be my honor as a Colorado citizen.”

“Right. So you can criticize my every move and find more things to accuse me of.”

Her eyes widened, then narrowed. “I’m doing my job as a reporter. And you’re hiding things. I know it.”

“How?”

“I have it on good authority there’s a corrupt official in this county, and all signs point to you. Until you answer my questions, I’m not leaving Hartley.” She took a step toward me. “Might as well get used to it.”

“No, you’re not leaving because you’re an eyewitness and could be in mortal danger if the killer finds out.” I took a step toward her. “I won’t let a witness get injured on my watch.”

“So heroic of you.”

“I know that’s hard for you to believe, but it’s true. I’m a good guy.”

“Good guys don’t have to go around insisting they’regood guys.” She gestured as she spoke, her hand nearly swiping me.

“You don’t want to see the real people or the tough decisions, only to judge. You clearly have a vendetta against law enforcement.”

“You still haven’t actuallyreadmy articles, have you? Or even made it to the bottom of the page of my bio. Because if you had, you would know what bullshit that is.”

I was close enough now I had to dip my chin to look at her. Gen’s scent filled my nose, setting off a chemical reaction in my veins. “After last night, all I wanted was to get my mindoffyou. Why would I want to stay up half the night learning your life story?”

“It would take you half the night to read a few articles, Tex?”

“I sure hope you’re not implying I’m an ignorant redneck. I’m a redneck, sure, and I’ll own that proudly. But I’m far from dumb.”

“Iwasn’timplying that. But hey, if the cowboy boots fit…”

“You just love pushing my buttons, don’t you?” My hands went to my hips as I shifted my weight, and the movement made our bodies brush.

“More like you’re pushing mine. And you’re gettingwaytoo close.”

“Am I?”

Both our voices had lowered. She tilted her head. “Yes.” Her hand lifted, and I fully expected her to plant her palm on my chest and shove.

But instead, she cupped the back of my neck and tugged me down.

My hands landed to either side of her on the wall, caging her in. Our bodies connected. Stomachs and hips. My mouth stopped a millimeter from her lips.

“Kiss me,” she whispered like an accusation. All hot breath and anger and lust.

I crashed my mouth onto hers.

I had her pinned against the wall. She grabbed two handfuls of my uniform shirt, pulling me closer as our tongues dueled. Giving every bit as much as she got. My hat knocked onto the floor.

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