My cock was so hard that it felt hazardous and rather noticeable. With every word she spoke, my dick throbbed behind the fly of my jeans, begging for the chance to fill her and make her cry out with pleasure. I was sure someone would notice and call Lyons on me for indecent exposure, but it didn’t happen.
Fucking thankfully.
Then that prick walked in and I just knew he was going to give my woman—because that’s what she is even if she doesn’t know it yet—a hard time. I sure as fuck wasn’t going to let it happen and took the opportunity given to me to touch her and lead her out of the coffee shop.
Knowing that asshole, Thad, which is the most appropriate name the guy could have been given, is her ex still feels like fire licking at my skin. He got to touch her? To kiss her? To steal her laughter and her light? Yeah, I wanted to beat him until those memories of her vanished under blood and violence.
However, since I took an oath and wear my badge with pride, whether I’m in uniform or not, I held myself back. But you better fucking believe I remembered his name and face. Did I run a background check on that complete dickwad? You better fucking believe it.
Nothing came of it since he only has a few speeding tickets. It’s been bugging me because I wish there was something there to allow me to give him a little bit of a hard time. Even if it meant stepping on another Sheriff’s toes.
It wouldbe worth it.
The dude is fucking slimy as fuck. It’s difficult to imagine him being in a relationship with Helen.
Being around her feels like a breath of fresh air. I’ve never felt this way around anyone before. It’s scary as fuck, but I’m used to scary. If I didn’t feel fear when doing my job, I would stop. Fear is good, it keeps you sharp even as you face it head on. I do it to ensure the people I’ve lived with, the people who have created the fabric of my life, remain safe.
It’s the least I can fucking do.
After draining the rest of my drink, I rub a hand over my face.
“So?” In that one word there is a wealth of challenge. Granger can hear it considering the way he arches an eyebrow. Yeah, he’s not going to let this go, no matter what. “What does it matter where I’ve been spending my time,” I grunt the words, my jaw clenched.
I know what will happen the moment I mention Helen. For all I know, Granger has met her before. While they don’t fucking golf together or something ridiculous like that, because Granger isn’t the type of guy to do shady dealings on the back nine, they might know each other.
“You don’t think part of the friendship pact isn’t to keep an eye on you and make sure everything is good? Especially when a new pattern erupts in your life, one which disrupts the status quo?” Granger leans even farther over the table, his eyes lighting up with mischief.
I ball up one of the small napkins on the table and toss it at him. As he dodges it and barks out a laugh, I hear, “Hey,” shouted from the bar.
When I glance that way, Maverick, one of the owners, is glaring at me. Like I’m not the sheriff in the room. But he’s right.
“Sorry,” I mouth while holding up my hands.
He onlychuckles and shakes his head. But he probably also knows I’ll make sure to pick up the napkin before I leave. If I don’t, it would bother the fuck out of me.
And I swear, somehow, my grandmother would know.
“What are you doing over there?” Granger is eyeing me now, starting to see there is more to this whole thing. My half-hearted deflection doesn’t help matters. “Is there something going on with the dog fighting case?”
I narrow my eyes and remind him, “You know I’d tell you if there was an update on it, but I appreciate that you’re not like Cowell with needing to be more involved.”
His eyebrows pull together and confusion is written all over his face. I let out a sigh.
“Lyons called me because Mayor Cowell was hounding him for more information and asked me to show up for the meeting. He hoped it would show Cowell that we’re working together and devoting resources to the case.” I grumble, “Even though we haven’t found a damn thing and neither have another few surrounding counties.”
“There’s no doubt in my mind that you’re doing all you can to find the people responsible and preventing them from finding a foothold in our county,” Granger’s voice is serious as he holds my gaze.
This isn’t about reelection or his name being on the plaque outside the mayor’s office, this is him telling me, one of his oldest friends, that he’s got my back.
I lift my chin in acknowledgement, in gratitude.
“But there’s more,” Hunter’s the one to throw those words out there.
“Fuck,” I grunt under my breath and huff out an annoyed breath. “You two are relentless.”
“We’re theonly friends you have,” Granger points out unhelpfully, “it’s our job to be relentless.”
Burke is included, always. Just silently right now. My gut clenches when I think about him, but I push it aside.
