Which, frankly, makes it even stranger for the sheriff from the next county over to be here right now. My stomach clenches and I push away the fleeting thought that he could be here because of me. It would be creepy if he was. Right?
There’s something in his grey eyes as he takes me in. Interest mixed with amusement. “Am I not welcome here? And it’s just Rhodes,” he tells me, amusement in his tone, “especially when I’m not in uniform.”
“Yes,” my eyes sweep over him. Frankly, I don’t even try to stop myself from thinking about what he would look like without clothes. It’s wrong, but kind of right at the same time. “I noticed.”
He steps closer and the heat coming from his body is tantalizing in the best of ways. “Did you now?” There’s a challenge in his voice, one a traitorous part of me wants to rise to.
“Good morning, Helen,” comes from behind me and I take a step away from Rhodes and regret it instantly. His warmth shouldn’t feel comforting, but it does and the moment it fades, I find myself wanting it even more.
I smile at Gianna who runs Uncommon Grounds with her husband, Graham. They were both a few years ahead of me in school. We weren’t close back then but became friends when they moved back to Dogwood Ridge after college. From the way they tell it, they became obsessed with coffee while in school and were determined to bring a good cup of coffee back to their hometown.
And they sure as fuck succeeded.
“Good morning,” I chirp while trying to ignore the man standing behind me.
When he moves close enough that I feel him at my back, I almost let out a sigh of relief. My jaw clenches and Gianna’s eyes widen slightly, not reading my reaction as me stopping myself from launching myself at him.
“Do you want your usual?” Her eyes are darting between me and Rhodes as I force myself to relax.
“Yes, please.” I try to assure her with a smile, but her shoulders are still up around her ears. “Have you ever met Sheriff Wilder from Loudon County?” I make a motion to the man behind me who easily slides into the spot at my hip like he was always made to stand next to me.
It makes no damn sense. Sure, he’s the hottest man I’ve ever seen, and there is something about him that makes me want to curl up on his lap and relax into his hold. How do I know that his arms would feel solid and secure around me?
But relationships have a way of never working out for me. If it’s not one thing, it’s another. It’s not easy to trust men. I’m sure a therapist would be able to take copious notes in a binder about all the reasons why.
Sure, it starts with my father and the way love was always transactional, but it’s not the whole story. Not at all.
“Oh,” Gianna’s voice brightens as the concern on her face smooths out into something almost sly, “no, I haven’t.” She looks toward Rhodes and extends her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Sheriff.”
As they shake hands, I try very hard not to glare at them touching since it’s ridiculous for me to feel even a smidge of jealousy. Gianna is blissfully married to Graham and she’s always friendly with customers. That doesn’t stop the desire I have to slap the smile right off her face.
My hand clenches at my side without me realizing it. When Rhodes covers my hand with his, I jerk slightly, but then warmth fills my chest.I glance down at where he’s holding my hand and prying my fingers open and entwine them with his.
“It’s just Rhodes,” his voice is deep with a hint of gravel that has my nipples perking up and taking notice, “when I’m not in uniform.”
Gianna laughs and I have to fight the way my lip wants to curl up into a sneer. Rhodes squeezes my hand and my body relaxes instinctually. How fucking strange.
“Rhodes,” she repeats, her cheeks turning pink while I narrow my eyes at her. “Can I get you something as well?”
She looks between us with an expectation we haven’t earned. It’s not like this was planned, I certainly didn’t expect to see the man at my side today. I probably would have chosen something different to wear if I had, since the leggings and oversized sweatshirt I’m rocking isn’t exactly me putting my best foot forward from a fashion standpoint. I’m all about comfort today.
“Just a cup of coffee, black,” he tells her.
When she flashes a smile and spins around to get our drinks going, I can feel Rhodes’s grey eyes boring into me. I glance his way and my breath hitches. The hunger in his eyes wraps around me and feels like a physical touch.
“Are you getting something that is more sugar, flavoring, and milk than coffee?” There’s a tease in Rhodes’s voice as he asks and I’m unable to hide my smile.
“Maybe,” I offer knowing just how right he is. I shrug one shoulder, “Honestly, I wouldn’t even be here if I hadn’t run out of espresso. Though,” I motion toward the over-the-top machine on the back wall of the shop, “I don’t have anything like they have here. It is better, but I’m good with making my iced concoction at home.”
The grin he flashes me is downright boyish as he leans against the counter, his full attention on me. It hits me and has my heart rate picking up. Having all of his focus on me makes me dizzy.
That’s probably not normal.
“How many of those fancy syrup bottles do you have?” His grey eyes sparkle with mischievousness which is sexy as hell.
“Only two,” I haughtily offer.
The low chuckle that comes out of him rumbles through my chest. His eyes roam over me, and it feels like he’s stripping me slowly. “Vanilla?” He arches his eyebrow in challenge.
