Page 59 of Rules

"No, no, she's fine, we're just following up on her security system installation," I lie smoothly. "Ruth's on the phone in the back."

"Oh good. I see," she says, though her tone suggests she sees far more than I'd like. Her eyes drift to my rumpled uniform. "Well, I usually hand pets directly to their owners, but Joey seems eager to see you."

The Chihuahua wriggles and whimpers to be free of her grasp. Our transaction complete, she hesitates, clearly fishing for gossip.

Joey licks my cheek. "He looks great," I mutter, then force a polite smile. "Thanks for bringing Joey back. I'll make sure he gets to Ruth."

"Oh, I'm sure you will," she says with an eyebrow rising to her hairline. Her accusing smile makes me want to crawl into a hole. "You have a good day, Sheriff." She winks and turns away.

I lock the door behind her, exhaling slowly. Joey wiggles enthusiastically.

"Damn it, that's going to be all over town by noon tomorrow," I pet him. The dog tilts his head, untroubled by the thought of gossip. Lucky bastard. I start toward the back room, but my feet grow heavier with each step.

No way are you going back to pick up where you left off. She's going to want more than just tonight. That means dating, being seen together in public.

I stop dead in my tracks, the reality of the situation crashing down on me. What would people say? The respectable Sheriff dating a woman thirteen years his junior? The whispers, the judgment, the speculation. I've built my entire life, my whole identity, around being the steady, dependable, by-the-book Sheriff of Whispering Pines.

"He should be focusing on his job."

"Did you hear who the Sheriff's with?"

"Another break in and where's our Sheriff? Gallivanting with a girl half his age."

Those busy bodies aren't going to get the details right. They're just going to talk and talk.

Ruth deserves way better than me. I'm a dangerous threat. Criminals, Michael, they find out about her and poof they use Ruth against me. I can't do that to her. For her own safety it's better for me to drop this now.

Yeah, that's what I have to do. It's the only responsible thing. My own happiness be damned, her safety is the primary here.

Joey squirms in my arms, eager to get to his owner. With a deep breath, I step through the back door.

Ruth stands exactly where I left her, still wearing nothing but that black lace bra, matching underwear, and those knee-high boots that will probably feature in my dreams for years to come. Her copper hair has fallen partly from its bun, framing her face in wild tendrils. She's never looked more beautiful.

My resolve weakens instantly.

"Hey, sweet boy!" Ruth exclaims, rushing forward to take Joey. The dog practically leaps into her arms, covering her face with excited licks. "Look at your pretty haircut! What a handsome man, yes you are!"

She cuddles him against her chest, and I experience a flash of jealousy toward a ten-pound Chihuahua.Get it together, Trenton. Remember her safety.

"I have to go," I blurt out, already turning toward the door.

"What?" Ruth's voice stops me. "Tobias, wait."

I pause but don't turn around. I can't look at her, not like that. Not if I'm going to do what I need to.

"I need to leave," I repeat, my voice flat.

"Leave?" I hear her set Joey down, followed by the sound of the heels of those damn boots. "What about... this?" I can imagine her gesturing between us.

"What about it?" The words come out harsher than intended and I immediately feel bad but I don't do anything about it.

"Are you serious right now?" Her voice rises with incredulity. "What do you mean, what about it? I'm practically naked here. Not five minutes ago you had your fingers inside me. Th-a-t's what this is."

I finally turn to face her, steeling myself against the hurt and confusion in her eyes. "I shouldn't have done that. It was a mistake."

"A mistake?" The color drains from her face, then rushes back in a wave of angry red. Her tone is a mixture of hurt and fury. "You're fucking joking, right?"

"Ruth, I'm sorry." I take a step back, maintaining distance. "I got carried away. It was unprofessional. I shouldn't have."

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