Page 48 of Blackwood

“It’s just that I walked down the road for a good quarter of a mile. I should have seen it.” I crossed my arms over my chest as goose bumps from the frigid air or the ghost car raced across my skin.

“I don’t know.” Sheriff Crow snugged his hat on his head again. “But it’s here now. I guess that’s the most important thing.”

“Yes. Sorry. I should be thanking you for finding it.” I nodded at him. “I really appreciate it.”

“Just doing my job. Sorry it took so long. I been dealing with that hunting accident for days. Anyway, how’s the leg?”

“Much better. Garrett’s taking good care of me.”

“That’s what I want to hear. Maybe Bonnie will stop chewing my ass about letting you stay out here now.” Sheriff Crow grinned. “Then again, I like it when she gets onto me in front of Ty. I think the jealousy spices up their marriage, and it certainly inflates my ego.”

“Honesty from an elected official?” I laughed. “What reality are we living in?”

“I need to work on that for the next election cycle.” His easy smile was contagious. No wonder Bonnie had a crush.

“These are nice.” Rory walked over and ran his hand along the handlebars of one of the ATVs. “You still planning on doing your surveying, Miss Vale?”

“Looks like it. Garrett was nice enough to get the ATVs, so it should cut my field time in half.”

Rory looked up and caught my eye. “You know, I’m pretty familiar with these parts. I’d be happy to help you—”

“You’re about to freeze out here.” Garrett’s voice turned gruff as he walked around the car and took my upper arm. “Come on inside.” He started walking me toward the steps but called over his shoulder to Sheriff Crow. “Glad you and Junior Mouseketeer Rory stopped by.”

“It’s Deputy Fields.” Rory snapped.

Sheriff Crow cleared his throat. “Uh, all right. We need to skedaddle. Got a report of a…a poacher on Mr. Bowry’s property. Yep.”

“We did?” Rory didn’t seem convinced.

“Yeah, come on, son.” Sheriff Crow chuckled. “Let’s go check it out and leave them to it.”

“Nice to meet you, Miss Vale.” Rory’s hopeful voice only spurred Garrett to tighten his grip as he helped me up the stairs.

“I’m fine,” I hissed as Garrett walked me through the front door and slammed it behind us. “I can walk.”

He whirled to face me. “I know, and Rory Dickhead watched every step you took.”

“He was just trying to be polite. What’s your problem?”

He backed me into the door, and my body tingled with the memories of what happened the last time we were in this position. “My problem is that I don’t like him looking at you.”

The sound of the sheriff’s engine died away.

“That doesn’t give you a license to be an asshole!”

“I think it does.” His voice lowered.

I met his eyes and licked my lips. He followed the movement and bent his arms at the elbow until his body pressed against mine. My breath hitched, and I gripped his waist.

My desire for him, the fire that had burned low over the past few days, roared back. I couldn’t deny it, not anymore. Rising onto my tiptoes, I kissed him. He answered, smashing his lips against mine in a blaze of passion as he cupped my face. A low growl rumbled in his chest as his tongue swept into me. I trembled, all hint of the cold disappearing.

My nipples hardened and crushed into his chest as he ran one hand down to my ass. He squeezed hard, and I moaned into his mouth. His other hand dropped to my throat. I dug my nails into his sides as he pulled me close. My panties grew wet, and I ground against him shamelessly.

His hand tightened at my neck, and I bit his bottom lip. The sting of pain seemed to bring him back to himself in the worst way. He broke our kiss and stared down at me.

“What?” My voice barely made a sound.

“I won’t hurt you. Not like this.” He backed away and held his hands up. “I won’t.”

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