Page 72 of Badges
That’s when I notice he isn’t in his uniform, but a snug pair of jeans with a button down western-style shirt.
Damn he’s sexy.
I should say that.
My tongue refuses to form the words, though.
Instead, I fixate on my sister. “I’m so happy to hear that! Where is she? Can we go and get her right now?” I jump out of bed, then frantically try to straighten my crooked tank top that’s revealing more than I want it to.
His eyes flick down, following my movement, then he clears his throat.
“She’s up near Billings. I don’t have the exact address yet, but I’ll leave as soon as I do.” He leans against the frame, crossing his arms over his broad chest.
It makes the fabric so tight on his biceps it looks like it might rip.
I want him to squeeze me to him until I tear in half.
Except when I walk towards him, he backs into the hall, careful not to touch me.
Damn him.
No, damn me. I’m the one who fucked this all up.
“Did you already have coffee? I can make us a pot?” I try to throw out a peace offering.
“I’m fine, thanks. I was going to head up to Val’s for lunch.” His gaze narrows, like he’s waiting for my reaction.
My stomach twists. “Oh. That’s nice.”
I hope he knows that’s code for “I hate that you’re torturing me like this”.
All I want to do is climb up the trunk of his body and beg for forgiveness.
He jaunts his hip against the counter. “Did you want to come with me?
Play it cool.
“Sure.” Maybe a little time with him will give me the chance to apologize for overreacting.
I just can’t seem to make myself spit out the words.
He lingers like he wants to say something, but turns away. “Will half an hour from now work?”
“Yea.” Filling the decanter is enough of a distraction at the moment.
What am I going to do? Apologize because he fucked my mom?
No, but I will because I held it against him.
He’s right. I was a kid. I had no claim to him before a few weeks ago.
Do I even have one now?
I would if I pulled my head out of my ass.
While the coffee is brewing, I change out of my wrinkled sleeping clothes and put on a dark blue blouse with a pair of white shorts.
Top button? Let’s just leave that undone.
