As she stands there, her face scrubbed free of makeup, her hair in a high ponytail, dressed in a pair of tiny black cotton shorts and a red graphic half shirt with white lettering I can’t read, she’s so fucking hot I can’t stand it.
“This is making a lot more sense,” Mitch says.
The words don’t break her hold on me.
But when her expression suddenly shifts and she gets that determined look in her eyes, I tense right up.
Instantly on high alert.
Her shoulders roll and straighten.
Oh no.
I give her a slight headshake, silently imploring her not to come in my direction.
She ignores me, flips her ponytail, and heads on over.
“She’s not coming over, is she?” Mitch’s question finally breaks through my lust.
The room blares into focus.
I sigh. “She is.”
When she’s standing at the edge of our table, she puts her hands on her hips. “Sheriff.”
“Jessica.” My gaze catches on the expanse of her smooth, flat stomach, and I try my hardest not to remember my lips trailing over her skin.
“It seems I can’t escape you.”
“It’s a small town.” I gesture to the smug, grinning asshole sitting across the table. “This is Mitch Riley. He’s married to Sophie’s best friend, Maddie.”
She turns and beams at him. “Ryder told me you were nice enough to volunteer your house for the party.”
Ryder and Sophie are building a house, and construction just broke ground, so they’re in a small temporary place over on Pinecrest not suitable for a large gathering.
“It’s our pleasure. My wife grew up in a big family and loves a full house,” Mitch says.
“Mitch is also a lawyer.” I offer, wanting to keep her attention off me.
She gives him an assessing look. “Where do you practice?”
“I’m at the state attorney’s office,” Mitch says.
“What’s your view on lawyers?” Her voice is full of flirtation.
Or is it my imagination? I can’t fucking tell anymore.
Mitch laughs. “That they’re boring as shit and mostly assholes.”
She laughs right along with him. “Fabulous. We’re going to get along just fine.”
Mitch’s smile widens, and he’s clearly amused by her. “That’s all it takes? Disdain for our chosen profession?”
“I’m afraid it’s a requirement for me.” She cocks her hip and gives me a very pointed look. “But for the record, I’m a lot harder to please than that. A lot.”
I keep my jaw clamped tight to keep from engaging her.
This is the problem with her. She cannot help herself. The woman has no ability to play it cool.
