The barbs connect, sharper than the pine needle in my sock. I’ll deal with that pain later. Right now, I need to talk some sense into her. “Help me understand. Did you think the guy who shot your ex was going to walk up, introduce himself, then let you shoot him?”
She huffs, rolling her eyes to a patch of blue sky peeking through the maple canopy. “Of course not. Jeesh. But unlike you, I wasn’t about to let him hunt some other unsuspecting hiker—someone who can’t defend herself. He’s a serial. I know it. He was too methodical, too good at tracking. Also, he kept mumbling the same thing over and over. The guy’s unhinged.”
A woodpecker hammers in the distance, each knock, adding to my throbbing headache. Voice tight, volume low, I glare. “You’re done. Either come with me now, or I put you under arrest.”
“Fine. When he kills someone else, it’s on you, bub.” If not for the seriousness of the situation, I’d take her over my knee and spank her.
“Let the law do its job.”
“Neanderthal.”
“If we’re done name-calling, move it. I’ll follow. Oh yeah—while we’re at it? I’ll relieve you of your weapon.”
She stares at my palm, jaw tight, like she’s winding up to argue.
“Don’t even think about it.” Brows furrowed, I shoot her my most intimidating stare.
“Fine.” She slaps the pistol into my hand.
While she mutters under her breath, totally unfazed, Becca trots ahead, tail wagging—another beautiful day in the neighborhood.
Chapter 20
Briana
I should’ve guessed Pol would call the sheriff the second he dropped me off. But what choice did I have?
Doctor Herman pipes up in my head, his typical annoying persona, reasonable and calm.“Be honest, Briana. You could’ve waited for an Uber. You wanted the lawman to come find you.”
I mutter, “I honestly thought he’d help me take down the stalker, not treat me like some reckless wannabe warrior.”
God, I am such an idiot.
When we reach the gravel lot, I climb into the passenger seat. Becca sits behind me, her chin on my shoulder. Her master settles behind the wheel, jaw clenched, eyes forward.
The only adult in the truck, I go for it. “I’m sorry I jumped your bones last night. Won’t happen again.”
He snorts. “If anyone should apologize, it’s me—and I’m not. Best sex of my life.”
“Well.” My perfected harrumph is way better than his. “At least you enjoyed it.”
His eyes flick toward me. “Don’t tell me you didn’t.”
“It was… alright.” I guess I shouldn’t’ve poked the bear.
Dark gaze unreadable, he throws the truck into park, hops out, then yanks my door open. “Kiss me. Prove you didn’t like it.”
“Challenge accepted.” Jumping down, I grab the back of his neck, determined to end it after planting a fat juicy one on his lips.
The second I taste coffee laced with spearmint, my plan melts. The warm, wild, highly addictive kiss takes on a life of its own.
One of us groans—not sure who—but it’s the starting gun of a race we never meant to compete in.
His hard, hungry body pins me to the truck. Possessive, he tugs my shirt loose of my cargo pants. His fly’s halfway down when—
His mobile rings.
Eyes wide, mouths open, we freeze. His cheeks flush Rudolph-nosed red. I’m pretty sure mine are worse. Swinging his truck door wide, I dive inside and bang it shut.
