Page 69 of Guarded Deputy

“He was in law enforcement. He was Chief Deputy, working with Roy. A criminal was let out early due to supposed good behavior, and then once he was out, he killed my dad in a shooting.”

“I’m so sorry. I had no idea.” He wraps me tighter in his arms, creating a cocoon of safety. “I saw your mom with a man at the spring festival and assumed that was your dad.”

“That’s Gary, my stepdad. I was little when my dad passed away, so I don’t remember much about him, just loose memories here and there.” I sniff, trying to keep my emotions under control. I always wished I had more time with him, especially when people tell me how much I remind them of him.

“Are you okay?” Nate whispers.

“Yeah.” I lean back down, wrapping my arm around his chest and taking in the quiet and emotion-packed moment.

Nate’s fingers caress my arm as we both get lost in our thoughts. It’s comforting when it should be awkward considering it’s out first date. I’ve never talked about heavy topics like this with someone so soon after meeting them.

I shiver as a breeze sweeps over me, sighing contentedly.

“Are you cold?” Nate asks, rubbing my arm.

“Just a chill.”

“Let’s go.” He scoots up, and I want to fight him and keep him like this for a little while longer.

“I’m okay,” I argue weakly.

“Your skin is covered in goosebumps.”

“It’ll pass.”

“I know you want to stay like this longer, but I don’t want you getting sick.” He grabs my chin and kisses me hard and fast. “Do you think the coffee shop is still open?”

“They close at eight.”

“We’ll grab coffee another day then.” He puts our empty beer bottles in the cooler and stashes our plates in the pizza box. “Don’t want the seagulls choking on plastic.”

“Look at you being kind to the enemy,” I tease him.

“That little shit bit my finger.” He scowls at the sky as if the seagull were watching him.

“And yet you’re protecting him.”

“What kind of deputy would I be if I didn’t?” He gives me a blinding smile that makes him seem like pure temptation.

Bravely, I lean forward and kiss him before he has a chance to hop off the bed of the truck. Nate’s arms are instantly at my waist, pulling me close to him until one of my legs drapes over his lap. I don’t even bother to fix my dress. I’m too lost in him and the way his scruff scratches my skin in a delicious way that makes my entire body tingle.

Heat travels up my spine and fills my belly. His tongue tangles with mine, making me moan at the way his demanding lips take me.

Able to kiss him without reservations or fear of getting caught, I get lost in him. In the dark, with the saltiness of the ocean in the air, Nate and I take our time.

His hands roam down my back slowly as if feeling every dip and curve while his lips leave mine and trail hot kisses down my neck. Arching my back into him, I fight back a moan and hold the back of his head, keeping his mouth below my ear.

“Nate,” I whisper.

“Hmm…” His tongue swirls along my sensitive skin.

“So…good.” I’m breathless and desperate for more. My nails scratch his scalp and tug his hair.

How can kissing be this good? This enticing? This much of a turn-on?

I yelp when he grabs me until I’m straddling his lap, his erection bulging against me. I already knew he was packing, but hot damn, I feel him very close to where my body is pulsing for him.

His hands move further down my back until they’re trailing from my hips down my thighs.

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