Page 10 of Diamond

“No? So there’s no new boys’ club around Saddle, Sheriff? Because after Benson retired, things sure as shit changed for the worse. The mayor sold out. The cotton farm gone. Realtors aren’t even getting properties listed before Lanzetti buys up.”

I back her into a corner. “I’m on your side. You don’t have to be suspicious of me.”

She presses her palms against my chest, and I love the warmth radiating through my shirt. “Right, because not all men are bastards, right? I got the memo on that.”

“You might think I’m here to stir trouble, but I’m not. I’m here to do a job.”

“Really? So, what part of the job is this?”

She has me there, but I don’t answer. Why am I here?

She glares at me, and if I’m not mistaken, there’s something in her eyes other than anger… Her nipples pebble under the thin fabric of her tank. What I’d give to rip that material to one side and taste those perfect buds.

“I’m here because I moved to this small town to raise my daughter in peace and quiet. I don’t like Lanzetti. I have a hunch, and my gut never normally lets me down. I came to see whether you were okay.” I cage her in, and I relish the way her eyes skim down my body. It makes me even harder.

“You’re just here to save the day, is that it?”

I cock my head to one side. “Always a fucking smart mouth.”

“You could be a good sheriff and show me what that mouth can really do, but I’ll bet you’re just a do-gooder who only plays at being bad cop, right?”

My lips part slightly as my powers of speech are surrendered. She didn’t.

Oh, but she did.

I stare right into her icy depths. “Is that a challenge, Princess?”

Diamond

The way his huge frame towers over me makes me shiver. As do his eyes. The way they wander over my body makes me want to drop to my knees and worship him. And I don’t worship anyone. The way every cell in my body responds to him. My nipples pebble at the idea of him touching me.

“Maybe it is.”

“I didn’t come here to seduce you,” he says.

“No?”

He shakes his head. “I came here to warn you.”

“I know. To stay away, don’t cause trouble, stay off his property, blah, blah blah. Do you see what I’m talking about now? The prick has it coming, I swear⁠—”

He places a finger over my lips, and my already wet panties practically dissolve. This fucking man. “We both know that mouth is gonna land you in trouble, and that isn’t what I meant. I came here because I heard about Lanzetti’s offer. Duncan told me. I might not know the exact details, but I do know something.”

My eyes widen. “What do you know?”

“If I tell you, it stays between us, and only us.”

I frown. “Why are you telling me?” I can’t help the suspicion in my tone. “Sharing trade secrets seems off for you.”

His top lip curls in a sneer. “You act like you know me.”

“I know enough.”

Now it’s his turn to look surprised. His eyebrows shoot up. “Such as?”

“Maybe I underestimated you.”

“You don’t know what I know yet.” He cages me in, and I like it.