Page 26 of Surly Sheriff
And later, she would recall their time together, over and over and over, like an exceptional movie or book that must be rewatched or reread, each time revealing another facet or detail missed the previous time.
Beau took hold of her hand still resting over his heart, breaking her reverie. “Don’t overthink this, Raegan.” He broughther hand to his mouth and brushed his lips over her knuckles. “We kissed. And we will kiss again.”
“We will?”
“Oh, yeah. But not in a store with large windows facing a public street. Because the next time we kiss, we are not stopping until I’ve tasted every inch of you.”
She shivered at the scorching heat in his eyes and the promise in his words. “Every inch?”
His voice deepened. “Every inch, baby. Every inch.”
*
Every inch, baby, every inch.
Rae suffered through supper with an effusive Bella and Nate, and averyquiet Beau. The food — grilled steak, potato, and corn salad — was delicious, but she could not manage more than a few mouthfuls. Beau’s words played havoc with her imagination, rendering her a useless bundle of nerves and wanton need. Beau, however, kept his head down and ate as if it were his last meal, avoiding eye contact when she looked his way.
Did he regret their kiss? His promise? She hoped not.
Every inch, baby.
She shivered, and called herself all kinds of a fool, knowing anythingmorewith Beau would be a mistake. Pleasurable, but a mistake.
But dammit, she wanted him. Badly.
Disappointment flooded her when the man holding her mind hostage excused himself directly after dinner, asked to use Nate’s truck, and rushed out of the house.
“It’s for the best, Rae,” she muttered, scraping the leftover potato into a plastic storage container.
“Did you say something?” Nate asked, stacking the last of the plates into the dishwasher.
She shook her head and rinsed the glass bowl. “Just talking to myself,” she said, handing it to him.
Nate placed it in the dishwasher, inserted a capsule in the slot, and closed the door. “Rae, thank you—”
She held up her hand. “Donotthank me again, Nate. I’ve enjoyed the last few days, and helping Bella has been a blast. Now, go up to your wife and see that she gets a solid night’s sleep.”
Bella had insisted on manning the store tomorrow, and as Sunday had short trading hours, Nate had crumbled under Bella’s pleading on the provision he accompanied her. Rae was certain Bella would be spending the day on the couch while Nate ran himself ragged.
“Are you—”
She gave him a not-too-gentle shove. “Go, Nate.”
He grinned. “Goodnight, Rae.”
“Night.” She watched him climb the stairs before pivoting back to the counter. A slash of light swept across the kitchen, and the rumble of a truck engine reached her.
Beau was back. She debated between fleeing to her room or wiping down the counters. As she had never shirked from confrontation, she picked up the cloth and started rubbing the granite.
Rae heard the kitchen door open and close, and put extra force into her movements, ignoring his entry.
He cleared his throat. Right behind her.
She jumped. And rubbed harder.
His arm reached around her and placed a small square package before her.
She stilled and stared at the object.
