to know you better before I restrain you again.”
And just like that, her pussy spasmed with dampness, and she craved the hard pressure of his mouth taking hers. She opened her mouth without knowing what she was going to say then laughter from the hallway reminded her where they were, and she pulled away instead, putting space between them that did nothing to quell the neediness his presence stirred up.
“I’ll pick you up at six.” Shawn pivoted and strode to the door, saying without turning around, “I’ve got your address.”
Flummoxed, Lisa stared after him. “How the heck did he do that? And why did I let him?” She couldn’t help the flutter of anticipation skating through her, wondering if it was just their brief past or a stronger reason for her consuming interest in him.
****
“It’s nice to see you again, Deputy Sheriff.” The perky brunette greeted them as they entered the restaurant, her eyes devouring him as if he were on the menu.
“You, too, Tiffany. A table for two, please.” He usually ignored the girl’s harmless flirtations but didn’t care for the cool look she gave Lisa.
Shawn removed his hat and laid a hand on Lisa’s lower back as they followed the waitress to a table. Lisa’s calf-length skirt swirled around her bare legs as she walked, the lime-green blouse a soft contrast to the dark denim. Her muscles tightened under his palm, but she didn’t shift away from his touch despite the guarded look that hadn’t left her face since she opened her door to him. The dim lighting in the restaurant wasn’t enough to disguise the shadows in her eyes that hinted at secrets and plaguing thoughts she’d thus far refused to share.
He couldn’t appease his curiosity and concern without answers, regardless of her continued evasions. Buck had taught them to meet challenges head on, and he hadn’t walked away from one since. That spark of defiance in her eyes she tried hard to suppress whenever he pushed her buttons never failed to get a rise out of his cock, a nice perk that went with his uplifted spirits since meeting her.
“Thank you.” Shawn nodded to Tiffany, taking the menus she handed him with a girlish blush.
“What can I get you to drink, Deputy Sheriff?” The quick glance she gave Lisa wasn’t as friendly.
“I’ll have a whiskey and Seven. Lisa?”
“A large Coke, please.”
“Be right back.” Tiffany spun around with a suggestive smile at Shawn.
Lisa regarded him with amusement as he sat down, one slim brow quirking. “Is she even out of high school?”
“Started college last fall, so no worries there if I was interested, which I’m not. I prefer women to girls, especially those who aren’t timid about exploring alternatives to meet needs left unfulfilled.” Handing her a menu across the candlelit table, he asked, “How long did it take you to try a private club as opposed to vanilla sex?”
“A few years and two failed relationships. Do you know everyone in town?” she asked without pause, smoothly changing the subject. She opened her menu and lifted it up between them, but Shawn saw through her attempt to hide her expressive face.
“Just about. I moved here twenty years ago. Did you grow up in Arizona?” Reaching across the table, he pushed her menu down and watched her brows dip in a frown as her eyes snapped up to his face. “Better. I like looking at you when we talk.”
Shawn could all but see the wheels turning in Lisa’s head as she formed her answer, indecision swirling in the green depths of her gaze. The look of resignation crossing her face as she answered puzzled him.
“I don’t recall living anywhere else. What do you recommend?”
“That you accompany me to Spurs tomorrow night,” he tossed out to throw her off her game of steering the conversation away from her. After checking her out and learning she hailed from the same state as he, his suspicion they’d met before had increased.
Her sigh conveyed irritation. “I meant from the menu, and I already have plans.”
“I know what you meant, but I wanted to see your reaction, and how hard you would try to come up with an excuse to turn me down even though you not only want to but need what I can give you. If you don’t want the prime rib, which you won’t find better, try the orange-glazed chicken. Saturday night works just as well. You’re welcome to go early with me, or you can meet me there.”
Tiffany returned