Chapter 4
Chapter Four
GAVIN
Glancing at the station’s surveillance cameras, I notice Ms. Walker laughing and joking with Fitch at the front desk.
My fingers curl around the pencil and I break it into two pieces with one hand.
There shouldn’t be laughing and joking while filing a report.
Fitch will find himself on fishing duty if he isn’t careful.
I turn my attention to the mounting paperwork on my desk.
Not having a secretary is hurting this department.
We all chip in to handle those duties. Some more than others.
Our last secretary moved out of state with her mate to start a new life. She’s well missed.
Going over applications for the position is on my list of to-dos today.
Twenty minutes later, knuckles tap my door. I peek up from the paperwork and my jaw clenches.
“Come in.”
“Good morning, Sheriff.”
“Deputy Fitch, do you like working here?”
His brown brows lift. “Yes, sir.”
“Flirting at the front desk isn’t allowed. I should have you wash all the patrol vehicles for what I witnessed this morning.”
“Sheriff, I was just giving Ms. Walker some insight into our department. She said something funny and I may have chuckled.”
My fist curls on my desk. “I noticed something more there in your interaction. Did you ask her out to dinner?”
He gives a sly grin. “She’s beautiful. But I noticed the way you looked at her when you wiped her face yesterday. So I won’t overstep.”
I shoot to my feet and plant my large hands on my desk. “The woman couldn’t see. Was I supposed to leave her like that?”
He makes a face. “Sheriff, remember that one guy you brought in who’d been sprayed with bear spray? You barely helped him. Actually, you ordered myself and Blake to help him.”
“That’s different.”
“Is it?” Fitch’s grin doesn’t waver. He places an application on my desk. “I printed this for you. Ms. Walker applied for the secretary position. I think she’d be good for our office.”
He takes a step back. “And for you, Sheriff.”
“Out. Now.” I shout it. “No more flirting at the front desk.”
“Understood, Sheriff.” Fitch backs out of the office.
I notice everyone’s eyes are on me. “Back to work.” I bark.
Everyone averts their eyes back to their computers. Sanchez even picks the receiver up upside down.
I shake my head. Am I too rough on my team?
“No,” I grunt under my breath.
Dropping into my seat, I snatch up the application. My eyes move over every word.
I waste no time doing a background check on Ms. Walker.
It says she was a secretary at her father’s law firm for two years.
I notice she left the space blank for whether she’s beta or omega. Probably an oversight. Except nothing about this woman reads like an oversight.
Why is she hiding what she is?
Furthering my search, I find several pictures of her on the web. One where she’s dressed in a pretty gold gown that hugs her ample curves at the opening of her gallery.
I don’t like how I like looking at her. I don’t want anything from her. Definitely not sex. I like having sex with no strings. Sex with Ms. Walker would be angry and passionate. I know because I dreamed about fucking her last night.
I continue learning more about the candidate.
In one of the pictures at her gallery opening, she stands with a tall man with a tan complexion, his hand resting on her ass.
I catalog his face without meaning to — the sharp jaw, the easy smile of a man who knows exactly how good he looks in a tailored suit.
He must be her boyfriend. Is her boyfriend willing to have a long-distance relationship while she lives in Lupton?
Snap out of it, Gavin. Why the fuck do you care? You don’t.
I come across one picture on her social media where she stares into my soul.
Her amber eyes hold mine through the picture.
The smile feels like it’s just for me. I remember how soft her wrists felt briefly in my grip this morning.
And the way we stood so close together in the doorway.
There’s something between us I hate and can’t shake.
An internal office message box pops up on my computer screen.
Dispatcher Lacy: Sheriff, have you come across any good leads for a secretary yet?
I grind my teeth together.
Me: I may have a decent lead.
Dispatcher Lacy:
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I go against my better judgment and call Ms. Walker.
Her phone rings twice. “Hello?”
“Good morning, Ms. Walker. This is Sheriff Drake.”
I open another tab on my computer and run her name through our report system.
“Hello, Sheriff.”
“I understand you applied for the secretary position. Scanning the report system, I notice there isn’t a report under your name.”
There’s a beat of silence.
“Since I’m staying in town, I figured I could file the report later. Securing a job seemed more important than finding a hotel.”
I exhale. “Be here tomorrow for an interview at nine a.m.”
She squeals, and I hear the sharp double clap of her palms coming together on the other end, like she’s already decorating a desk that isn’t hers yet. “You won’t regret hiring me.”
“Ms. Walker, I didn’t— "
She cuts off my words. “See you tomorrow morning.” And disconnects the call.
“What the heck was that?” I slam the receiver down.
Just because she’s qualified doesn’t mean I’ll hire her. The thought of her being in close proximity every day might drive me mad.
I slip my fingers through my thick brown hair. I need to run. Being able to keep my control while in her presence is important.
I have a feeling I know why she didn’t file the report. The woman still plans to dig around on her own. We’ll discuss that tomorrow. I also plan to learn what Ms. Walker is hiding.