Page 14 of Entranced in the Mountains
I don’t even see what Ryland does—it’s like watching a storm shift. One second the guy is coming in hot, the next, Ryland has him face-down on the grass, knee pressed between his shoulder blades, and his arms pinned. The guy is completely disarmed and helpless.
My insides come alive as I watch him manhandle these criminals. Arousal courses through me like wildfire, catching me off guard.
He’ssohot.
I want to feel those hands on me like that—pinning me down, holding me in place. I want to feel him on top of me. I want to feel himinme.
The rest of the carnies disperse as Ryland and the other cops shove the ones that are under arrest into the police trucks.
The crowd is humming, excited from the show and looking proud of their local cops for keeping them safe. Some people are recording on their phones.
When it’s all done, they let out a collective cheer for their town’s police force.
I feel a wave of pride—I don’t know why—as I watch Ryland wave respectfully to his people.
He suddenly looks around like he’s searching for something or someone. I think it might be me, but for some reason, I hide behind the big guy beside me.
“Can wepleasego now?” Sloane says, tapping my shoulder and making me jump six inches, I get so startled. “Where have you been?”
“I… Uh…” I look back at Ryland, regretting that I hid, but the moment is over. He’s busy with the criminals.
Sloane grabs my wrist and starts pulling me back toward the stage. I reluctantly let her.
Mira and Tessa won’t even look at each other when I return. But I guess what else is new?
I don’t get involved. I don’t say a word.
I just grab my harp and roll it to the van.
My eyes immediately dart over to the flashing lights on the police trucks when we walk out from behind the stage.
I immediately find Ryland and keep my eyes on him as I walk across the festival, nearly rolling over a small dog with my giant harp case in the process.
“Sorry!” I say as I hurry along.
Ryland finishes talking to an officer and then lifts his head. His eyes land on mine, as if he knew, as if hefeltme looking. His gaze fixates on me across the crowded field and he nods slowly.
My cheeks go red. My feet slow.
“Let’s go, Ellie!” Sloane says, huffing out a frustrated breath. “I don’t want to miss Thomas.”
I shake my head and hurry along, although I do sneak a few more peeks at the hot Sheriff.
He’s still in action, still giving orders, still radiating that alpha male energy, but his gaze is still locked on me.
Just… on me.
Everything inside me tilts toward him like a moon being pulled by immense gravity.
And my feet stop moving.
Sloane huffs out an angry breath, doubles back, grabs my arm, and pulls me the rest of the way to the van.
We turn the corner and I don’t see him again.
Tessa explodes when we get into the parking lot. “You bowed right in front of me like I wasn’t even there!”
“It’s called stagecraft, babe,” Mira fires back as she slides the van door open. “You should try it some time.”
