Page 87 of Rain or Shine

“Protecting my fashion sense? Such a gentleman.”

Shane chuckles, and I feel it all the way between my legs. “There is nothing gentlemanly about what that outfit has me thinking right now.”

“Are you saying you find the boots and hat sexy, Shane?” I wet my lips, and his eyes fall to my mouth.

“I find everything about you sexy, Harloe. You ride a horse wearing that?” He takes a drink of his water, and I love that he’s so worked up by me he can’t seem to cool off.

I rest my elbows on the table, bringing us closer. “No, I wear jeans when I ride a horse. But I could ride you wearing this.”

Shane coughs as he takes a sip of water, nearly choking on it. “Fuck.”

“You okay, Shane? You seem a little flustered all of a sudden.” I slip out of the booth, popping my hat on my head, as I start for the door.

He slides cash onto the table, fumbling from the booth himself to catch up with me. Right as I’m about to reach the door, Shane slips an arm around my stomach, pulling my back against his firm chest.

“You think you can tease me and then just run away?”

I’m breathing so hard I might pass out. Glancing up over my shoulder, I meet his gaze. “What are you going to do about it?”

His gaze falls to where I’m biting my lower lip. “Keep running your mouth and find out.”

“I am most definitely going to do that, then.”

He chuckles, finally pushing the door open and holding it until I step through. But we only make it halfway across the parking lot before a cop car pulls directly into our path, nearly running over my toes.

Shane’s arm wraps around me, pulling me to him, and I swear I hear him growl.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing? You’re gonna hit someone,” Shane says to the cop climbing out, not the least bit worried that Virgil, Zander’s sheriff buddy, could arrest him.

He’s a good foot shorter than Shane, nearly at my eye level, but his ego makes up for any difference between them.

“You got something to say about my driving? We can continue this conversation back at the station if you’d like.”

Shane shifts forward, but I throw an arm out, stopping him. This isn’t Vegas, where Shane probably has sway over the cops. Here, they have the ability to make things extremely inconvenient for Shane and his club.

“We’re fine.” I force a smile, glancing from Virgil to Shane. “I wasn’t paying attention to where I was walking, but no harm, no foul.”

Shane’s teeth grit. He’s a live wire behind me. But he takes the hint and keeps any further thoughts about it to himself.

Virgil grins like he’s proud of himself, and it takes everything to not smack that smug look off his face. “How are things at the bar, Harloe? I sure hope our investigation isn’t holding anything up on your end.”

My eyebrows pinch. “What investigation?”

“I’m surprised Will didn’t tell you. The insurance company has some questions about how the fire started. We assured them we’re looking into it.”

“The fire department already determined it was arson,” Shane says with an edge to his tone.

Virgil’s eyes narrow. “And who do you think would have started it? This town is filled with good people who would never consider such a thing. Unless, of course, they happen to own a struggling business and decided to take things into their own hands for an insurance payout.”

“You think I started the fire?” My heartbeat thunders between my temples.

“I’m not jumping to any conclusions. Just following the investigation where it goes. Helping out the insurance company.”

“I’m sure you are,” Shane grumbles.

Virgil grins, knowing he got exactly what he was looking for. “I should get to breakfast. Busy day ahead. Cases to solve.” He taps his gun and walks past. “Enjoy your day.”

When he disappears into Maureen’s Eatery, I release my hands, realizing I was clenching them so hard my nails cut into my palms.