Page 35 of Home Town Knight

“Because of family ties. It was nothing I did. And after I got elected, they learned pretty soon that I wasn’t going to look the other way. I sent my own cousin to prison. That was the last time the Rigsbys ever claimed me as family.”

She played with the rim of her glass. “I knew some of that already. That you were a member of the most powerful family in the county. And I knew they were involved in a serious criminal conspiracy that blew up last year.”

“You assumed I had some part in it, but managed to avoid the consequences? Maybe you thought I helped my family get lighter sentences. Tipped them off so they could try to get away.” They had tried to avoid responsibility, but not because of me. They’d taken advantage of the leaks I hadn’t known about in my department.

“I had planned to ask you about your connections to the Rigsbys in our interview that got derailed.”

“There’s a lot more to that story. I could tell you the rest someday. But I gotta be honest, the version will depend on whether you’re asking me as Genevieve Blake, the reporter. Or as my friend.”

“Are we friends?” There was an openness to her demeanor that I hadn’t seen before tonight. Not even when we’d been mostly naked in her hotel room. Maybe it was the two glasses of wine. Or the truths we’d been sharing.

“We understand each other better, at least. Do you still think I’m a corrupt cop?”

“I don’t want to believe that of you,” she said softly. “I really don’t.”

“Then trust your gut. I’m trying to trust mine. I have to ask you something. You claim you have reason to believe there’s a corrupt official in my county. Do you have concrete evidence you can show me to back that up? Because if someone’s abusing their power on my home turf, I want to root them out as much as you do. Probably more.”

She bit her lip. “I…can’t. Not yet. Not without jeopardizing my source. The evidence I have isn’t specific enough to point to a particular person. I suspected you for other reasons, like your ties to the Rigsbys.” Gen hesitated. “I can also tell you my source isn’t anyone who works with you.”

I nodded. That reassured me. I also understood her reluctance to expose a confidential source, and I didn’t take it personally. “Fair enough. But if you and I cooperate on this murder investigation, we’ll make more progress than if we keep fighting each other.”

“I think so too.”

My pinky brushed up against hers on the table. I remembered the soft give of her mouth when she’d opened up to me. The welcome weight of her body when she’d straddled my lap on the hotel bed. My cock remembered it too, and a heady surge of desire had me swelling.Achingto pull her against me. To sink into her so we could forget our troubles for a little while, the way we’d tried to do yesterday.

That was not advisable. Not by a long shot. I should’ve said goodnight right there in the restaurant and left before temptation pulled me in.

“Can I walk you to your cabin?” I asked instead.

Her eyes flashed with a sign of the same longing I felt. “Maybe I shouldn’t be seen with the sheriff. Might make other diners ask questions about who I am.”

Shit, I should’ve thought of that. “You could walk out first. Wait for me. There’s a hallway just past the reception desk. Meet me there?”

Gen grabbed her coat and scooted out of the booth.

I waited several agonizing minutes, then got up and followed. I had my jacket slung over one arm, hat hanging from my fingers. We’d already split the check, half on my credit card and half on her room bill. That had only been over the server’s protest that Jessi had intended to comp us.

I nodded at several familiar faces on my way, stopping briefly to chat. Came with the territory. Meanwhile, I sweated and prayed Gen wouldn’t leave yet.

What I really wanted to do was ignore my constituents, pretend I’d gotten an emergency call, and run the hell out of here like Clark Kent on his way to becoming Superman. Except instead of donning my cape, I’d toss my badge for a little while and just be a regular guy who was desperate to get my hands on a beautiful girl.

Wanting Genevieve Blake was foolish. I knew it. Yet I couldn’t seem to stop.

I passed reception and took the hallway that led to Jessi’s office. Gen was tapping her feet impatiently and staring at the carpet.

“Hey,” I said.

She looked up and smiled hesitantly. But her gaze turned smoldering when I backed her up into a little alcove. There was almost no foot traffic here, and even if someone glanced down the hallway, we’d be out of sight.

I carelessly dropped my coat and hat at my feet. “Dammit, I can’t believe how much I want you.”

“I want you too. I can’t think straight.”

My hands went to her hips, thumbs digging into her jeans to caress the curves beneath. Her hair had been down all day, and it looked great on her. But I couldn’t decide if I’d liked it braided better, if only so I could let it out and mess it up myself. I pushed my nose into her blond locks and inhaled.She smelled like red wine, black pepper, and thebestworst decision.

I figured this wasn’t the time to be shy. “Take me back to your room. Let me have you the way I didn’t get to last night.”

“Owen,” she breathed, like a plea. “We really shouldn’t.” She whimpered, gripping my shoulders. I kissed her ear, then trailed my lips along her jawline to her neck.

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