top of him. “Why don’t you show me your quick draw, Sheriff?”
She didn’t have to ask him twice.
Zach threw himself into the task and she rewarded him with a scream three minutes and forty-five seconds later. He felt like a king when he rose from the bed and padded naked toward the shower. “Ordinarily I’d invite you to join me, but … one more like that and I’d probably have a heart attack in my shower. I’d keel over on top of you, you’d hit your head on the tile, and it just wouldn’t be good. You’re better off using the shower in the other bathroom.”
“Don’t fret yourself, Turner,” she fired back smugly. “I’m done with you. For this morning, anyway.”
At his bathroom door, he hesitated and met her gaze. “So, in all seriousness, Savannah. Can I count on that? Is this more than a hookup? Are we in a relationship now?”
She pulled the sheet up over her naked chest. “Go take your shower, Sheriff. I’ll make coffee and then we’ll talk, okay?”
Zach nodded, but he cursed himself as he switched on the hot water. What was wrong with him? What happened to his patience? Had he totally forgotten how to deal with a skittish filly? He should never have asked that question. Never! His strategy of patiently waiting for her to come to him had worked superbly, and he’d enjoyed every minute of it. Why press her now?
Idiot. Impatient fool. Why couldn’t you keep your big mouth shut?
Because he wanted more from her than a one-night stand. Because he was falling for Savannah Sophia Moore, and he wanted her to fall for him right back.
Grabbing a towel from the bathroom linen closet, he wiped himself dry with brisk, efficient, frustrated motions. Minutes later, dressed and ready, he eyed the clock once again. He had fifteen minutes to get to the office. He could be a little late. He was the boss, after all. However, he liked to set a good example for his deputies.
Besides that, Gabi knew he’d had a date with Savannah last night. If he came in late this morning, she’d give him hell.
Savannah handed him a steaming mug of coffee when he walked into the kitchen. She smelled of his everyday soap, and she wore one of his T-shirts and a pair of his gym shorts. “Your dress …” he said, wincing.
“We left it down on the point. Under the circumstances, I didn’t want to run the risk of a fisherman calling in a report and you having to arrest me for public nudity. I didn’t think you’d mind sharing your clothes.”
“Peach, you’re welcome to anything you desire around here, anytime.” He sipped his coffee and forced himself not to add, Including me.
She drank from her own cup of coffee, drew a deep breath, then said, “Zach, last night was special, and I thank you for that. You treated me with respect and showed me passion like I’ve never known before. You are a wonderful lover and a great guy … even if you do carry a badge. I hope we can do this again sometime.”
Opening the refrigerator door, he bit back the question, Tonight?
“But if you’re looking for more from me, if you want a relationship, you need to understand that I’m not ready for that. I may never be ready for that. The last relationship I was in cost me six years of my life.”
“Dammit, Savannah.” He slammed the door. “I’m not Kyle Vaughn.”
“I know that, Zach.” She set down her cup. “What you need to understand is that the problem isn’t with you. It’s with me.”
“Oh, I’m pretty sure I’m aware of that,” he snapped back, then immediately regretted it. Frustrated with himself as much as with her, he shoved his fingers through his hair and closed his eyes. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be a jerk. If you’re not ready for more, you’re not ready. I understand that. Truly, I do.”
“Thank you.”
“I guess I’ll just have to be satisfied with spectacular sex.”
“How kind of you to sacrifice that way,” she said, her drawl pronounced.
“I am a prince of a guy.” He drained his coffee, then set the cup in the sink. Taking her hands in his, he stared down into her eyes. “I understand that you’re scared, honey. I understand that you have good reason to be so. But there is something I want you to understand. You are important to me. I care about you. I think I might be