Page 27 of Deputy Brand Gets Her Man
“Oh. You’re leaving?”
The disappointment in his voice seemed genuine. But then again, he was good at deception, right? She’d been smart to think this was a bad idea and stupid to ignore that feeling.
“I should get home. The bad thing about sharin’ a driveway with your parents is they know every time you leave, and every time you return.”
He moved a step closer and reached out, smoothing her hair behind her ear, caressing her cheek in the process. Her body responded with tingles and delicious chills and a deep longing.
“It was amazing,” he said.
“I agree.” It wasn’t a lie, not that she owed him the truth when he’d been lying to her.
His fingers trailed up and down her nape. “I…want to…you know, see you.”
Sure he did.
But why? What the hell was he up to? And how was she fixing to find out if she gave him the brush-off now?
Actually, hanging out with him would make it easier to learn the truth. But she didn’t know if she had it in her.
She took a deep breath and said, “I don’t know yet. This is…unexpected. And I’m a little…”
“Disoriented? Confused? Scared?” he asked, then said, “So am I.”
But his earlier words replayed in her head. I don’t feel good, deceiving her like this.
If he felt bad, then maybe he had a conscience, some sort of moral compass that applied to people, not just puppies. Maybe she could get him to tell her the truth. Maybe she could find out for herself.
“You seem pretty sure of yourself to me.”
“You’re not what I expected, Willow. I was unprepared for you.” He bit his lip and stopped talking.
“Whatever that means.” She heaved a sigh and pressed a palm to his cheek, a gesture so impulsive she couldn’t prevent it. It happened before she knew it. And she whispered, “Say more,” and she latched onto his blue eyes with hers and willed him to spill his guts.
“I…I’m not sure of myself. Most of the time, I’m not even sure who I am. I was being groomed to take over for my old man, my education customized around it. And first time I got sent out with the guys to bust some loser’s kneecaps…” He didn’t finish. Instead, he repeated. “I don’t know who I am.”
“I do,” she said.
His brows rose. He was so good looking she wanted to kiss him, even after what she’d heard. “Tell me, then. Who am I?”
“Whoever you decide to be. You’re the one in charge of that, you know.” She searched his eyes and decided she had to get a look at that phone and find out who he’d called tonight, who he’d told that he was deceiving her. And yes, she’d feel guilty for snooping on him but she’d heard him admit he was deceiving her, so the way she saw things, it was justified.
He was hunting for something. Something physical. Something that might be buried behind the former boarding house. And he was going back there after she started her shift tomorrow night.
Well, she’d be ready.
He leaned in for a kiss, and she pretended not to notice as she swayed out of reach and changed the subject. “By the way, the gang wants to hold a bunkhouse bonfire tomorrow night. It’s my night off. But I said I’d ask if it was okay with you.”
They were still standing very close to each other. Her hands were at her sides, but his were on her hips.
“It’s your bunkhouse,” he said. “I’m squatting here. But sure, it sounds like fun. What should I do?”
“Everybody contributes something. Beer or pizza or chips and dip. Ethan’s organizin’ it, so talk to him.”
He moved a little closer. “I don’t want you to leave, Willow.”
She lowered her head so he wouldn’t see how damn good those words felt to her, even while she reminded herself they were as likely a lie as the truth. She had no business feeling so dang excited about the two of them, while also feeling terrified. Her feelings were coming on like a landslide.
“It’s better if I go,” she said. “Trust me, once the family gets hold of this…whatever this is, they’ll be plannin’ our nuptials and namin’ our firstborn, and nobody wants that.”
