Chapter 16
Briana
No matter how outrageous I behave, nothing rattles Sheriff Kade O’Malley. How the hell am I supposed to douse this slow-burning lust, when he’s so damn agreeable?
Perhaps, I can use his attraction to my advantage. Reaching over the cupholder, I place my hand high up his leg. “You mentioned the FBI found my personal items. Can I get my wallet back?”
“Sorry. Evidence.” He stretches his arm across my shoulders, his rough fingertips finding the tight knots in my neck.
As zings shoot straight to my core and heat pools between my thighs, I realize I’ve played right into his hands.
“Surely, they’ve got everything off my phone by now?” I moan when his massage hits an erotic nerve behind my ear. The bastard knows exactly what he’s doing to me.
A pro at this game, he smirks. “Yeah, but you still can’t have it.”
“How long will it take?” A sliver of reality pricks my consciousness. I have no money, no credit cards, no tent, nothing.
“I couldn't possibly guess. Where should I drop you off?” How can he be so clueless?
“A homeless shelter?” What other options do I have?
“There’s one here in Burlington, but I wouldn’t recommend it.”
Not guilty at all, I slide my pinkie up his jeans until I’m pressing against the unmistakable shape of his hard-on. “Well, how about I borrow your camping gear?”
Without looking, he gently removes my hand and places it back in my lap. “Your family’s booked in a five-star resort. I’m sure they would love to have you stay with them.”
His words hit harder than they should. Tears sting my eyes, but I can't explain why. I’m no crybaby. I’m a damn fighter pilot.
Coughing, I roll down the window, letting the fresh air blast away the emotions. In my head, I hear the fights, the blame, the way they twist everything to make it my fault. Thanks, but no thanks.
Once I’ve wrestled my feelings into submission, I turn to him. “In case you hadn’t noticed, my family and I don’t mesh. How about I spend the night in jail? Warm bed. Coffee. No expectations. I’ll be fine.”
He glances at me, eyebrows raised. “You’re not kidding?”
“Well, I’ll be damned. I shocked the sheriff.”
A grin spreads across his face. “Can’t shoot my deputy. I don’t have one.”
We both laugh. When the chuckles fade, something shifts making it feel right to speak from the heart. “Listen, an empty cell would be welcome. You’d know where to find me. Also, if you can find me a pad and some pencils, I could sketch.”
His dark eyes catch my face, the smile slipping. “I don’t get you. You’ve got a loving family. Why reject them?”
“Their love comes at too high a price.” For a moment, I consider dumping all my baggage on him—laying it bare—but think better of it. “So, will you lock me up?”
“No. You’re staying with me.” While pastures, cows, and corn blur past the window, I picture him naked, climbing up my body…
Oh hell to the no. “Your tent is fine. I’ll pitch it outside your back door. Honestly, I'd prefer it.”
“Nothing will happen—unless you insist.” He shoots me a glance, one brow arched.
When our eyes lock, I tilt my head to his fly. “Might want to tell him your plan.”
“Questioning my integrity?” His hands grip the wheel tightly, neck muscles taut.
Ah. So the man does have a snark threshold.
“No.” My tone softens. “I believe you. I will gladly stay at your place, but only until I get my replacements. Speaking of… Can I use your phone? I need to start cancelling everything—order a new license.”
Just thinking about all the calls makes me groan. “Can’t you ask your FBI pal to give one credit card back? Pretty sure not many people are murdered by a small plastic card.”
His smirk returns with all forgiven. “You could send your fancy lawyer to get them back.”
“Yeah, right.” Rolling my eyes, I connect to the web to begin the long, mind-numbing process of reporting my cards stolen. By the time we pull into his muddy driveway, my head is pounding.
In direct contrast to my mind’s turmoil, his cabin’s the epitome of calm. Made of solid, weathered logs, it nestles to the edge of the woods. It’s a real-life postcard, including a barking dog.
“Wait here for a moment, I wasn’t expecting company.” Is he… blushing?
Before I can tease him, he’s out of the truck, jogging up the steps. A few minutes later, Becca quiets, then breathless, he opens my door.
“Sorry about that.”
His no frills, ex-military bachelor pad is exactly what I pictured except for the ancient appliances. The kitchen sink has likely been there since World War II.
“Hungry?” He opens the fridge, breaking into my thoughts.
I am, but one should never rack up favors. In my experience, they accrue too much interest. “Nothing fancy. Peanut butter and jelly is fine.”
As I sit, he turns with a knowing, half-smile. “You’ve got serious issues, Flygirl.”
“You have no idea.” My mumbling wakes up my inner Herman who adds his two cents.
“He’s astute. I like him.”
Shut up, no one asked you.
“How about hamburgers, frozen fries with leftover veggies?” There’s something about the deep timbre of Kade’s voice. When his quiet, intent gaze catches my attention, desire runs deep within my belly.
“Yeah. Sure.” Focusing on his linoleum, I turn away. What I really want to eat is not on the menu.
While I fantasize him and me between the sheets, he pours dog kibble for his circling pet. After, he sets art supplies in front of me.
Lust set aside, I dive in. My best view of the stalker? From above—right as he nailed me with a dart. So that’s where I start.
I’m still sketching when he takes the pencil from me.
“Let’s eat.” Standing directly behind me, his lips brush my ear. I can’t help remembering our kiss. Sex with him would be amazing. Also, no doubt, the worst mistake of my life.
His hand lingers for a moment longer. With a sigh, he places my plate down before taking the seat across from me.
As I bite into one of the best burgers I’ve ever had, his phone rings.
It’s not on speaker, yet I hear my father’s voice booming. “I will make your life a living hell. I can and I will. Not only you, but your family—your friends—everyone will suffer if my daughter is not brought to my hotel immediately.”
Swallowing hard, I hold out my hand. “Let me talk to him.”
Screen held at arm’s length, I count to ten while waiting for his tirade to end.
“Father, stop. I’m fine. And before you ask, no—I’m not telling you where I’m staying.
I’m not suicidal. I haven’t been since I was sixteen.
You need to go home. Take everyone with you.
If you do, the lawyer can stay. I swear if you keep threatening me, I’ll cut you from my life—this time, forever. Is that blunt enough for you?”
“You don’t know what you are saying. You were doing drugs again. We have to put you in rehab—”
“No. Go away. Seriously. I am hanging up now. Don’t call back. I don't want to hear a peep from Mother, my brothers, my sisters, the shrink you hired, or the President of the United States—in case you’ve got him on speed dial.”
I tap the red icon, then return Kade’s device. “I'm so, so sorry. I’ll make sure he doesn’t follow through on any of his threats.”
He chuckles. “He doesn’t scare me. I’ve dangled my feet from a helicopter while being shot at—only thing holding me up was my Marine buddies.”
I recall the bullet entering the 'copter, picturing the insurgents’ truck as this hero returned fire. “Glad you jumped in when you did.”
“Me too.” His eyes turn to me, now burning with desire. “I tried to find you, Flygirl. Wanted to thank you, but your unit had moved out. Back then, I never caught your name. Gotta say, I thought about you a lot.”
Like Alice falling down the rabbit hole, the table, the room, then everything vanishes. All at once, I’m in his arms. Mindless, we tear at each other’s clothes.
Lips latched onto his, I grip the back of his neck. His groan vibrates against my lips as his tongue claims mine.
I fumble for his fly and—
A shriek erupts outside. Half air raid siren, half banshee, it rattles the windows and kills the mood.
“Ah, shit.” Pulling up his jeans, he snatches his shirt from the ceiling fan. “I need to go.”