Hope fills me with a warm glow.Maybe he won’t tell me to get lost when I confess my true feelings.The thought gives me confidence I didn’t know I needed.?
“Madison, hon?”Mom nudges me and I turn to look in her direction.She helps us man the table every year while Dad takes care of signing tourists up for tours a few feet away at his table.“Would you please take these refreshments down to the Sheriff and her crew?”She’s holding a drink carrier loaded with hot coffee.“I threw in some cookies, too.Smiley loves your caramel frosting.I would go but one of our pickup orders called and they need another box added to their order.It’s for Michael and his gallery.You know how particular he is with his instructions.He’s on his way or I would do it.”
“Sure.”I adore Michael, even with all his theatrics.Plus, he and his gallery are some of my best customers.I take the drink carrier and cookie box from her and tilt my head at Rygar to indicate he should join me.We need to talk, and I’d prefer not to beg forgiveness with an audience.Also, there should be kissing of the variety that cannot be done in front of my parents.
I stroll toward the Sheriff’s blockade, Rygar on an intercept course.Halfway there, we’re face to face.“Hi.”?
“Madison.”?
B.I.L.L.:Commander, I am tracking communications for a minimum of four Dark Fleet agents near your location.?
Wow, I even missed that annoying, telepathic voice.“Hi, BILL.”?
B.I.L.L.:?Nice punch.?
“Saw that did you?”I ask BILL but watch Rygar for his reaction.The smoldering heat in his gaze does not disappoint.I ache to reach out and touch him.Tense silence stretches between us.I clear my throat.“I need to drop these off.Wait for me?We need to talk.”?
“Of course.”?
I beeline toward Sheriff Benson’s car as fast as I can walk without spilling their coffee.Smiley and Deputy Rhoades converge, relieving me of the goodies in short order.“Where’s the Sheriff?”?
Smiley shoves an entire cream and chocolate cookie into his mouth and speaks through the crumbs.“She’s with the smooth operator over there.”?
What??
I look over to the nearest stretch of sidewalk to find one of the MIB’s from the other day, none other than Special Agent Johnson himself, chatting up the Sheriff like he’s got a chance.I snort.Him and every other federal agent, tourist and ski bum below the age of fifty.She’s gorgeous, smart, deadly and has killer curves.Then again, maybe he’s just trying to get information out of her; information about Rygar.I need to protect him.Once I spill my guts and tell him how I feel, I’ll beg him to wait for me at his ship.?
“Idiot is asking about Bigfoot and aliens.”Apparently, Smiley doesn’t care for him either.??
Oh shit.“I gotta go.”?
“Thanks for the goodies.”Deputy Rhoades grins and wanders back over to his parked car where he leans his backside against the hood and watches the crowd.?
I hurry back to Rygar and grab his hand, pulling him along behind me.“Those MIBs are here.”?
“Where?”
“One of them is talking up the Sheriff.I’m not sure where his partner is.”Special Agent Brown is the asshole that pointed his gun at me under that napkin.Not a fan.
Rygar clasps my hand tight.His much larger palm dwarfs mine.The contact is electric, my attraction to him instant and undeniable.?Why was I trying to fight my reaction to him?Because it was too good?No.Too good to be true.Except, it is true.I understand that now.?
B.I.L.L.:?There are three additional Dark Fleet assets near you, with more on the way.Get out of there.?
“There are four of them now?”This is bad.I hurry back toward our tables, Rygar loping along as I jog on much shorter legs.“Come on.You can hide inside the store.”?
“No.”Rygar comes to a stop and pulls me into his arms.“No more hiding.Xandor and I came here to hunt, not run.We will not leave while you and Emily are in danger.”?
I want to kiss him, but I know if I start, I won’t want to stop.“We’re fine.Look around.Nothing’s going to happen to us here.The Sheriff and a bunch of deputies have the roads blocked.It’s broad daylight.The only ones in danger here are you.”?
And I won’t lose him again.The thought of those MIBs taking him, doing experiments on him, and never seeing him again is unfathomable to me.?
“Are you trying to protect me?”He traces my bottom lip with his thumb.Sparks erupt and cascade through me.I lean into his touch, hungry for more.How could I have thought leaving him was the right call??
Never again.He’s the peanut butter to my jelly.?
“Someone has to do it.”?
B.I.L.L.:?Excuse me?I try.The commander rarely listens to reason.?
