Page 7 of Caught With the Sheriff

I stop by the diner and barely grunt at Bev. She’s used to it by now though and she immediately heads to the back to get me my usual. An egg sandwich and hash browns on the side.

“To go, Bev. And can you add another breakfast sandwich and hash browns and blueberry pancakes and maybe a platter of scrambled eggs and bacon too.”

Her eyes widen but she doesn’t say a word. She knows I won’t answer her. She also knows that the gossip will catch up to her sooner or later. Probably from my own mother.

“Shit. Add another platter of blueberry pancakes, Bev.”

She nods at me and rolls her eyes.

I sit down in the seat right by the door, my toes tapping in my boots. But I can’t sit still and I stand up to pace around.

The town is starting to wake up and there’s a slow stream of customers heading our way.

Luckily, Bev hands me my bags and takes my card as I pace by her. “You okay, Sheriff?”

Jerking a nod, I take my stuff and head for the door. “Thanks, Bev.”

She sighs. “Yep. Have a good day, Sheriff.”

It takes me fifteen minutes to get to Willow’s place and I leave the bags and head for the door, my hands clenching at my side.

Banging on it, I rest my other hand on the door jamb until those soft eyes peer out the little window. “Open the door, Willow.”

“Why?” She asks me, breathless and a little hoarse. Like she just woke up.

Now I’m picturing her lying in bed, her curls like flames across the cream sheets and pillowcases. Her eyes would open up and she’d smile at me, her soft arms reaching out for me.

Shaking my head, I jerk my ass back under control. This woman fucks me up so quickly. I can’t go for more than five minutes without thinking about her.

“I need to take care of something I missed last night.” I missed her.What the fuck is wrong with me?

The door creaks open slowly and she eyes me like I’m a bomb about to go off.

“Good, you’re dressed. Get your shoes.”

Her red brows lift and she stares at me, her mouth hanging open. Pink and pretty. A little cupid’s bow at the top that my tongue wants to lick.

Shit!

“I’m gonna take you back to my place for awhile. I need to take care of some extra stuff here.”

Her shoulders stiffen and she bristles like a little kitten. She’s damn adorable in her pretty, soft green sweater. It makes her hazel eyes look more green.

“What exactly do you need to do?”

“I’m gonna change your locks.”

Her head rears back and her full lips tighten. “Is that something the Sheriff does around here?”

I love the little suspicious note in her voice. It’s so cute.

“Not all the time,” I growl.

She huffs and goes to shut the door. “I don’t need your pity, Sheriff. I’m guessing you looked up the reports for the incident and now you feel sorry for me. I don’t need it.”

“I do not feel sorry for you. But I want to do this for you.”

“Why?” She huffs again.