“Sheriff.” I wished I didn’t have mud and pine needles all over my jeans. “Lovely evening for a stroll.”
“You’re trespassing, Regina. This whole road is private property.” I heard the frown in his voice.
“I work here.”
“Not anymore. Mr. Roberts gave you notice today.”
My mouth fell open. I knew small town gossip was fast, but not that fast. “How do you know?”
“Mr. Roberts told me.”
“Well…” I crossed my arms in front of my chest. I couldn’t quite pull it off, because my boobs got in the way. “Did he tell you that he didn’t even give me a reason?”
“He doesn’t have to. It’s a right-to-work state.”
“I’ve worked here since I was sixteen!” The rain came down harder and I gritted my teeth, realizing how ridiculous it was to have an argument with this man. He’d caught me in the act. If it’d been any other officer, I’d probably be face down in the mud, getting Mirandized.
“Get in the car.”
“No.” I really was out of my mind. My head tipped back as Cole Townsend advanced, all six feet of him. He’d always been tall, even as a kid. And serious. A nice guy but he didn’t have to work hard to look dangerous. Nobody messed with Sheriff Townsend.
Except me.
He held the flashlight up so I couldn’t see him, but he didn’t shine it in my eyes. The shadow silhouetted the clean line of his jaw. I couldn’t see his face, but I knew he had serious green eyes, and blond hair he’d worn in a buzz cut since joining the force.
He was just delicious.
“I forgot my wallet when I left. It must have fallen out of my purse, and I’d never drive without a license. That’s why what’s-his-name gave me a ride. Now, if you’ll excuse me…” I turned back to the fence and started to climb it. Well, tried anyway. My limbs wouldn’t work right. I ended up pulling on the links, grunting in frustration.
Heat hit my back and I froze.
“Nice try,” Cole literally breathed down my neck. His arm wrapped around me to slide my wallet out of the front of my jeans’ pocket.
“Why, Sheriff Townsend,” I cooed, trying to keep my cool even though my panties were swimming. “Is that a gun or are you excited to see me?”
“It’s a gun.” He pulled me to face him, away from the fence. “How much did you have to drink?”
I held up two fingers and giggled.
“I don’t believe you. One shot wouldn’t do this to you.”
I held up five fingers.
He shook his head in disapproval.
“Oh come on, Sheriff. You never got drunk and went a little wild?”
“No.” He pulled me towards the car. I went willingly, until I remembered my plan to be a pain in the ass.
“You really are Mr. Perfect.”
“I am not.”
“Really?” I tugged my hand out of his. “Tell me one thing you’ve done that would get you in trouble if anyone knew.”
“I’m about to do something right now.”
My eyebrows shot up at his dark tone. I was almost afraid to ask.
