Page 9 of Rules

"No." The word comes out forceful, almost angry. "God, no, Ruth. It has nothing to do with that. Nothing." His eyes travel over me, betraying his words. "I think you're beautiful."

"I'm beautiful but not good enough to have a relationship with? That means then you must think I'm easy? That you can just make out with me then walk away?" The hurt is making me reckless now, pushing for answers I'm not sure I want to hear. "Is that it? You're just looking for a roll in the sheets?"

"DAMN IT, Ruth! That's not it either." Frustration colors his voice, the first real emotion he's shown since backing away from me.

He runs a hand through his hair, making the silver strands stand up. "There are rules about these things."

"Rules?" I echo, bewildered. "What rules? We're both single adults. I own my business, you're the Sheriff, not a priest. Is there a rule I don't know about, one against the Sheriff dating?"

"I'm no priest but I have rules." He looks almost haunted. "Rules I set for myself. For good reasons."

"Such as?" I press, not willing to let him off the hook.

"Such as protecting the people in this town. Including you."

"I don't need protection from you, Tobias."

"Maybe you do." The raw honesty in his voice stops me cold.

Before I can respond, his radio crackles to life, making me jump.

"Attention all units. Ten-ten at the Gaiter Bar. Officers on scene ten-seventy-eight."

In an instant, the conflicted man before me is replaced with on-duty Sheriff Trenton. He grabs the microphone attached to his shoulder and responds crisply.

"Charlie Charlie - one Alpha - ten-seventy-six."

"Ten-four, Charlie Charlie - one Alpha. Ten-seventy-seven?"

"Less than five minutes."

"Ten-four, Charlie Charlie - one Alpha - five minutes, roger."

With practiced efficiency, he takes my hand, pulling me behind him as he heads for the front door. Joey follows, nails clicking on the floor. I can hear the radio continuing to crackle with other officers responding.

"Ruth, I'm sorry, I have to go. An officer needs help." At the door, he turns, his expression softening for just a moment. "Please believe me, it has nothing to do with how you look.You're gorgeous." His hand squeezes mine briefly. "My job... who I am, who you are, it's complicated."

"What’s complicated, exactly?" I demand, but he's already moving away.

"Please, go home." He calls over his shoulder as he sprints to his cruiser. "No more late nights."

"Be careful!" I shout after him as his lights flash to life. Then, in a wail of sirens, red-blue strobes, and he's gone, leaving me with more questions than answers.

I stand in the doorway watching his taillights disappear, emotions warring inside me. Joey whines at my feet, sensing my distress. Or missing Tobias, at this point I don't know which one.

"Unbelievable." I lock the door with more force than necessary, then scoop up Joey. "Did you see that?" I hold him at eye level. "One minute he's kissing me senseless, the next he's making up some nonsense about rules." I lower my voice, mimicking Tobias's deep bass. "'Go home, Ruth.' Like I'm some wayward teenager out after curfew."

Joey tilts his head, utterly unhelpful.

"And the worst part?" I continue, carrying him back to my office. "I'm still thinking about those kisses." I touch my lips, which still tingle from Tobias's attention. "What kind of masochist does that make me?"

I gather my laptop and notes, shoving them haphazardly into my bag. The spreadsheet can wait. I've had enough emotional whiplash for one night.

"Rules," I mutter, checking the back door lock. "What rules would possibly prevent two grown adults from admitting they're attracted to each other?" Joey offers no insights beyond a sleepy yawn. "And for the record, I'm going home, not because he practically ordered me to. I'm going because I'm tired. That's all."

As I turn out the lights, I can't help wondering what Tobias meant about needing protection. I don't understand what or where he's coming from. He makes no sense to me.

Outside in the parking lot, I scan the shadows, suddenly aware of how isolated the strip mall feels at night. Tobias's warnings echo in my mind as I hurry to my car, Joey tucked securely under my arm.

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