Page 10 of Sheriff's Dirty Secret
“Since when does that matter?” I let my fingers skate over his thick arm.
“Oli…” I looked up as his voice drifted away and I lost his eyes. He was no longer looking at me but above my shoulder.
“Yeah?”
“Any chance your sisters were bugging you about the new sheriff?” My eyes widened.
“How did you?—“
“Because he’s coming over here and looks like he wants to cut my balls off.”
“What?” I asked, but before I could turn towards where Austin had been staring, I felt a change in the air.
It was him.
“Hey, Sheriff March?” Austin said, straightening as he tossed the towel he’d used to wipe the counter down casually over his shoulder. “Haven’t seen you here in a moment.”
I felt Luke’s body press behind me.
The heat penetrated through my dress, making me feel cold and hot at the same time. My body was acutely aware of just how close he stood. My nipples seemed to wake up and take notice.
“Been a busy couple of days,” he shared. “Did I interrupt something?” Luke asked, his voice just above a growl. His open-palmed hand rested on my shoulder, and I shivered despite the heat that coursed through me making me feel all warm and cozy.
Danger, Will Robinson!
“Na, Oli here was just telling me how she wanted a margarita on the rocks.” My eyes locked with Austin’s as I tried and failed miserably to ignore the man behind me.
“Make it two,” Luke said, and Austin might have looked at me, but all he did was nod.
“Can I get you two anything to eat?” I opened my mouth to cancel my margarita when Luke’s deep voice cut in.
“Two cheeseburger specials.”
“I’ll get that going. Be right back with your drinks.” Austin winked at me before he left. I felt Luke shift to my side. I hated how much I loved how he felt next to me. When I didn’t immediately look up at him, the sheriff’s fingers rose between us, tipping my chin up, gently forcing me to acknowledge him.
“Mind if we get a booth?” he asked. A muscle twitched beneath his eye like he was pissed.He is mad? Good!
“No thanks,” I replied tightly but had a feeling the sheriff wasn’t going to let it go.
Luke leaned closer. His hand cupped and stroked the side of my face so tenderly everything inside my yelled at me to lean into his touch.
“I know you’re pissed about the last time we saw each other but?—“
“Nothing,” I cut him off. “You know what? You can tell Austin to cancel my drink, not the food order, since you got two meals for yourself.”
“Oli.” The warning in his tone was clear, but I didn’t care. He’d made me think he was interested then told me to go home!
“I’ll see you around, Sheriff.” I quickly hopped off the barstool. At my age, I was over the stupid games men liked to play. Especially a man his age. He should know better. I grabbed my clutch and started to walk out.
Maybe coming out tonight was a bad idea? I should have stayed home. I had just made it out the door, but not three steps later, long, strong arms locked around me.
“Olive, I’m not playing games with you.” I turned around, surprised he let, me and laughed. Right. In. His. Face.
“You’re not?” I asked with a smile on my face while ignoring the handful of people probably watching the whole exchange. “I’m sorry to tell you, Sheriff March, but it sure seems like you are playing games. Games that grown men like you shouldn’t be playing anymore.”
He’d chased me, made me think he wanted me, and when I finally gave in, he hadn’t wanted me. He’d turned me away when I’d shown up on his doorstep. He was the one who had been playing games, asking me out, flirting and then rejecting me.
“Sit and eat with me,” he ordered tersely, one arm still locked around my waist and the other hand cupping my face.God, why is that so hot? What the hell is wrong with me?
