And that somehow had him stymied.
Maybe he could go into her shop and talk about security measures or something.But the last thing he wanted to do was scare her and make her even more wary.He tapped his forefinger against the insulated cup.Why not buy flowers?He squashed the idea before it had even fully formed.Guys bought flowers for women, and he wanted to make it crystal clear to her that he was available.
He took a cautious sip of the coffee, and the bitterness made him wince.He had to find a way to break the ice with her and fast.His digestive system couldn’t take much more of this.
Today.He had to find a way to go over there today.
Moving around the line of people, he stepped outside.Before he could come up with a plan, a blast of heat nearly melted his kneecaps.
Shy little Maxie had come outside to water her plants.
Bless those thirsty buds.
His gaze swept helplessly down her figure.The hanging planter she was working on was overhead, and she had to stretch to reach it.Her blue sundress swished around her legs, emphasizing her lean calves and pointed toes.God, he wanted to lick her right up.Sneak under that raised arm, press against those full breasts and eat at her mouth until she was wet and soft…
She stiffened, and her head turned towards him.
Zac stopped where he stood.
They were no closer than they’d been when he’d first stepped out of his cruiser, but there wasn’t anything separating them now.No windows stood between them, no bricks and mortar got in the way, and the difference was palpable.He could feel the attraction in the air.It was like gravity, heavy and insistent.
But then she smiled at him, and he forgot how to breathe.
He started moving towards her mindlessly.
He was going to kiss her.He didn’t care that they hadn’t said boo to each other.He was going to kiss her.He’d take her inside that shop and lock the door.
“Hi,” she said softly when he was only five feet away.
“Hi,” he grunted.
Movement behind her caught his eye.Lust might be short-circuiting his brain synapses, but he was still a cop.He took a second to check out the situation.
And was stopped in his tracks again.
The muscles in his thighs simply quit functioning.
He stared.Two women were walking up the street and talking in hushed voices.Two women with long, dark hair… Two women with rockin’ bodies and delicate features…
The coffee.It had to be the coffee screwing up his vision, because the scene unfolding in front of him wasn’t possible.
The two women walking up the street were dead ringers for the woman he intended to kiss.
Maxie felt the sheriff’s gaze click onto hers, and she forgot her plan.It flew out of her mind and into the wind.She stared at him, unable to look away.
He’d caught her.
As well as if he’d put his hands on her, he’d caught her.She hadn’t seen him come outside.She’d taken one glance away and he’d appeared.She’d known because she’d sensed him.Waves of attention had floated over her, warm, bold and undisguised.Her nipples had hardened, and her thighs had clenched.
Now that she’d looked his way, she felt well and fully pinned.
She lowered the watering can to her side, but then his gaze was captured by something behind her.The loss of eye contact brought her back to earth with a rude bump, especially when it didn’t return.He stood in front of her, a look of confusion settling onto his handsome face.
She shifted uncomfortably.Her sandals slid against the cement, and she rocked one back onto its heel.Had she gotten the wrong idea?Maybe he’d been walking back to his car.Maybe he’d been being friendly with thathi.
Or maybe he wanted to buy a garden gnome.
Footsteps clicked behind her, and embarrassment ran through her like hot lava.He’d been greeting someone else.She’d just assumed and had gotten in the way.Desperate to get out of the awkward situation, she turned to see who she’d stepped in front of.She kept her weak smile plastered on her face, ready to welcome a customer, a friend or, God forbid, his coffee date.
