“How about moving along, then?”
“Yes, sir.” But he didn’t budge.
The officer waited for a minute, then looked at Susan. “Is this man giving you trouble?”
“He’s been giving me troubles since the day I met him,” Susan replied sweetly, “but I think things are under control. Thank you.”
“Why don’t you both move on, then.”
“We will,” she said and smiled up at Sam.
“Now,” the officer prompted.
Sam returned Susan’s smile and, brushing his thumbs over her cheeks, said in a low voice, “Your place is closer.”
“Yours is nicer.”
“All that way in two cars?”
“Follow me while I drop off the Jag, then we’ll go together.”
“I like the sound of that. I want you close.”
“I like the sound ofthat.”
“Uh, excuse me,” came the police officer’s voice, less patient this time. “This is a public street. I doubt the good folks of Newport would appreciate prolonged tête-à-têtes at this hour.”
Sam had an inkling that something was coming when Susan drew herself straighter, but he wasn’t quick enough to catch her when she slid around him and approached the cruiser.
“Officer, Iamthe good folks of Newport, and quite frankly, I resent your interference.”
“Susan,” Sam murmured as he put an arm around her from behind, “let’s just do as the good officer says.” He began drawing her back toward the Jag.
“You don’t have to take this from him,” she argued. “You’re a lieutenant.”
Sam gave the officer an apologetic grin. “She’s a spirited one,” he said, and guided Susan into the car. As soon as he closed the door, the police cruiser started to roll off.
“He’s a cop, you turkeys!” Susan shouted through the open window. “He’s one of you—”
Sam silenced her with a sound kiss. By the time he let her up for air, she had an arm draped around his neck. In her eyes he could see subtle accusation for what he had done, but the accusation faded quickly, fallen prey to the deeper feelings that had been released before the cruiser had arrived.
“I’ll be right behind you,” he said softly.
She nodded.
“Drive slowly.”
She nodded again.
Unable to resist, he kissed her again, then returned to his car.
CHAPTER19
Savannah spent the weekend with Jared on his boat. She had to laugh when she thought of how casually he had called his small yacht a boat. Built of fiberglass with interior trimmings of ash, its amenities included a galley as modern as Savannah’s kitchen, a washer and dryer, a king-size bed, and a luxurious bath.
Jared had had the craft put in the water on Friday, but there was plenty of cleaning and polishing to do before he was satisfied with its condition. Working alongside him, Savannah enjoyed every minute.
Not that they worked the entire time. They talked a lot, slept a lot, and loved a lot. She had never been happier.
