to say.
I stepped outside, and pressed the ‘call’ button.
She answered on the first ring. “Ava! Where the hell are you? Everything’s crazy here.”
“What do you mean crazy? What’s happened?” I figured she couldn't be in too much danger, if she was able to call me.
“People are everywhere here. Cops, FBI agents, and more thugs. They’re on the streets; they’re coming into our apartment. I need to see you.”
My fingers tightened on the phone. “No. I’m not coming back now. You can tell me whatever it is over the phone.”
“No way. Anyone could be listening. I’m not going to get killed for ratting them out.”
“Jenny… I want to help you. Do you have any money? Maybe you should leave town.”
“No. I’m not leaving. When can I see you?”
“Soon,” I said.
“Can I come stay with you?”
“No. That’s not a good idea. Listen, if you need some money, I can send you some. Just get me an address.” I could take a change and mail some cash if she needed it.
“No. I’d rather see you.”
I sighed. She wasn’t listening. “I have to go. If you need money, text me an address. I’ll send you some cash.”
Then I hung up. She kept calling me over and over. If she didn’t stop, I really was going to block her number.
I slipped back into the sheriff’s office, only to see Tyler standing in the hallway with his muscular arms crossed. It was still amazing to me that he could make even a drab sheriff’s uniform look so good. “What are you doing?” he asked.
“Just getting some fresh air. September is really nice here.”
He looked doubtful, but he didn’t argue with me. “I’m free for the next hour. Do you want me to take you home for lunch?”
“Sure. There's a load of laundry that I really need to do.”
“Laundry wasn't exactly what I had in mind,” he said.
His mouth was set in a hard line but his eyes were sparkling.
“Are you suggesting a lunchtime tryst?”
“I am most certainly suggesting that. Are you interested?”
I deliberately licked over my lips, slowly, and as sensuously as I could. I felt ridiculous, standing in an office building in the middle of the day, but Tyler seemed to like it. His eyes raked over my body. I’d worn dressy trousers with a pin-striped shirt that day, and they highlighted the curves of my waist and my backside.
He grabbed my hand and tugged me toward the door. “Let’s go.”
“Won't everyone wonder where you've gone?”
“Even the sheriff gets a lunch break.”
He left Sadie with Mrs. Smith and dragged me to his car at breakneck speed. He made the trip back to the farmhouse in record time.
“I'm glad you're the sheriff or we’d have been pulled over for speeding,” I said.
“I didn't break a single traffic law.”
“What brought this on?”
“That outfit. The way you walk. The way you smile. Pretty much everything you do.”
“So you want me all the time?”
“You got that right.” As we pulled into the driveway, he took my hand and placed it over the front of his pants. Through his pants, I felt his rock hard erection throb.
“You really do want me.”
He unbuckled his seat belt and leaned over. He took my face in his hands, and pulled me close, covering my mouth with his. He kissed me hard, and didn’t let up for several seconds. By the time he was done, I was breathing hard, and my designer panties were definitely wet.
He hopped out of the car, and came around to my side, opening the door for me. Before I could step out, he scooped me into his arms.
I squealed, but wrapped my arms around his neck. He carried me up the porch steps with ease. Using the keypad and only one hand, he opened the front door with little difficulty as well.
Once we were inside he carried me up the stairs without missing a beat. Once we were inside his bedroom he put me down.
“I love this outfit, but I want it off of you now. I want to see your body again.”
Apparently he intended to take it off himself. He brushed my hair to the side, and kissed my neck, then my collarbone. Then he began to unbutton my shirt. Once it was off, he laid it carefully over the dresser. “I don’t want this one getting crumpled,” he said.
“I’ll have to remember how much you like it.”
He gave me a sexy smile. “Good.”
He left my bra on, but he did stop to kiss the swell of my