Hunt
A Marine can fall asleep just about anywhere. A cot in a warm cell is a hell of a lot better than a rock on a mountain.
When I wake, a young man barely out of college makes coffee. As he passes me a paper cup, he avoids my gaze as if I could kill him with a look.
Around ten, the sheriff arrives. After the shapely woman drops her coat on the desk, she unlocks my cell and saunters to my bunk. “I called your superior. I don’t know what kind of leverage you have, but I’m supposed to let you go on about your business.”
I shoot her my most winning smile. “Yes, ma’am. I totally appreciate it. Now, if you’d like, I’ll get out of your hair real fast.”
My fingers are itching to call Wulf. I don’t care what the higher-ups say. Those hired thugs in the woods don’t need counting. They need incarceration. Hopefully, Axel will have the clout to make it happen.
Last night, I could’ve sworn the officer wanted me to fuck her. I’m guessing it’s the reason for her scowl as she hands back my stuff. “You have no clue, do you? The Mexican border gets all the attention while our budget is cut. Arrests last year exceeded the previous seventeen combined. Meanwhile,youget a friggin’ pile of money to study squirrels.”
After signing her forms, I hold up my hands. “Honestly, Sheriff. I’m in no way political. I simply like animals more than people.”
Scoffing, the fortyish two-by-four shoves my coat in my hand then leads me to the door. “Go back to Burlington or wherever the hell you’re from. You’re going to get someone killed.”
“What about my car?” I pray it’s still where I left it. Otherwise, I’ll waste hours trying to procure another.
“Call an Uber. You can wait at the diner.” When Miss Hell-Hath-No-Fury points across the street, I zip up my mouth and coat.
“Thanks.”For nothing.Exiting, I almost plow into yesterday’s gorgeous pixie racing up the icy walkway.
My unruly cock twitches for absolutely no reason except her blush.
Biting her lower lip, she reaches a gloved hand to mine. “Umm… I heard you were arrested last night. Sorry, some of those trails are posted and…”
“Hey Kelly, what’re you doing here?” Loughlin’s smile doesn’t reach her eyes, but the other woman doesn’t notice.
Instead, her grin widens. “I’m taking your prisoner to breakfast. Want to join us?”
“Go ahead, be my guest.” As the shorter of the two slams the door, I glance at the time.
What the hell is going on here? My sleep-deprived brain is having difficulty understanding these women. “Aren’t you supposed to be at work?” If memory serves, the last time we spoke, O’Malley was pissed off because her cat liked me better.
Grabbing my arm, she tugs me across the street. “I asked Jeremy to cover for a couple of hours. He owes me—What? Aren’t you hungry?”
Her hopeful grin sends a bolt of lust to my libido, but I tamp it down real fast. I need to focus on what I saw last night. One mistake, and there is no coming back. Still, a man needs to eat. If all goes well, maybe she’ll give me a lift to my SUV.
“So, what changed your mind about me?” I capture her green eyes as they flick over her menu.
“Huh? Nothing. No one wants to see you hurt.” Her offhanded tone sets off alarms.
She’s hiding something more than Dante. Perhaps I should keep her on a short leash. The primal brain, the one below my belt, cheers my logic.
“I’m sorry we got off on the wrong foot.” Her first sincere smile catches me off guard.
Hell, she’s a spring day after a frigid winter. I’ve heard of shit like this but never thought it would happen to me.
Shifting in my chair, I place my hand on hers as we both reach for the cream. “It’s not you, it’s me. I’m Prince Charming. Ask Monstro if you don’t believe me.”
Her blush spreads to the tips of her ears and down her long neck. “Are you flirting, Mr. Gurion?”
As she plays with an errant curl, I enter the minefield. “Why? Is there a boyfriend in the picture?”
“No. Is there a Mrs. Fish and Wildlife?” Irises widen as she draws me in further.
Under her spell, I chuckle. “Not even close.”
