She glanced over her shoulder.“What time do you get off duty tonight, honey?”
The words were out before she comprehended what she was doing.She didn’t know who was more surprised—herself or the sheriff—but she had to give him credit.His body tensed, but that was the only sign he gave that she’d caught him off-guard.
“Five,” he responded.“Would six thirty work?”
Maxie tried not to blush when Roxie gave Zac a once-over and clicked her tongue in approval.
What had she done?Honey?
Her lungs expanded, close to bursting.What had possessed her?She rubbed her thumb over the bandage until the pricks on her finger ached.It had been a spur-of-the-moment impulse.It was the only reason she could think of to have him at her side, but she couldn’t believe she’d blurted it out.
She didn’t take risks like that.She was a timid sort!
“Where should we meet you?”Lexie was asking.
Maxie shifted in discomfort.She couldn’t think of anything but the way she was still sitting on the town sheriff’s lap.A sound erupted from his throat, and his arm clamped around her waist, stopping her movement.
“The Indigo Iguana,” he said, taking charge.“It’s on Riverfront, south of the landing.”
The blush on Maxie’s face got hotter.Had she made an awkward situation worse?What must he be thinking?They’d barely even spoken before.The best she’d been able to do until minutes ago was spy on him through a cluttered window.
Big, buff and blond.That was about all she knew about him.
“Indigo Iguana?”Roxie scowled.“Seriously?”
He grinned, and Maxie’s belly clenched.Oh damn.She’d missed blistering.The man was beyond hot.
“Seriously,” he echoed.“The food is good, and the setting is casual.Is that okay with you, Beauty?”
Beauty?
He tugged at her hair.He was talking to her.“Mmm-hmm,” Maxie murmured.
She was in over her head.The man was muscled and warm and, she was beginning to suspect, wickedly smart.His touch was already dancing over her.He stroked her hair, patted her bare arm and smoothed her dress.Her nerve endings buzzed, and she was doing her best to ignore the hard press against her hip.
What had she been thinking?Why had “honey” popped out of her mouth?
Lexie clapped her hands.“Perfect.We’ll take in the sights, go see the Falls, and then meet up with you.”She wrote her number on the pad on the desk.“Here’s my cell.”She picked up her purse and caught Roxie by the arm.
Her sister stayed planted where she was.Maxie felt the stare and the emotion behind it.Roxie’s eyes were dark and deep.
“Come on, Rox.”
The twin didn’t budge.“You’ll be there,” she said, her voice tight.
It wasn’t a question, yet it wasn’t quite a demand.
Maxie nodded.
Finally, Roxie gave up her ground.Lexie tugged her along but stopped halfway through the door and peeked back.“It was great to meet you.”
Roxie walked backwards with a growing confidence in her step.She smiled deviously at Zac.“You too, Sheriff Sexy.”
Oh God.
The two were out the door in a poof, but suddenly Maxie didn’t want them to leave.
Sheriff Sexy, indeed.
