AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Todd’s easy demeanor hardens in a fraction of a second. The man practically bristles at Garrett’s presence. It reminds me of a protective father I always wanted but never had. No, mine had to be a deadbeat. “Can I help you, Chief?”
“That depends.”
I shoot Garrett awhat the fuck?look, but he ignores me. After the way he rushed off last night without a kiss, without a promise to call me or even acknowledge my existence in the future, I guess we’re really back to the same-old spiteful tension. I shouldn’t have expected anything less after I basically threw myself at him. Shouldn’t have wasted my time tossing and turning, worrying about him on that call like some fool wondering if she could handle being married to a cop.Stupid, stupid, stupid.
Todd folds his arms over his chest, and looks up at Garrett. The older man might be several inches shorter, but he’s not the least bit intimidated by the police chief. Maybe it’s the plain clothes. Maybe it’s the shit eating grin. “What’s Earl complaining about today?”
“Haven’t heard from your brother yet this morning.” Garrett finally shifts his gaze to me. “Just noticed Bess out front. I was concerned.”
Though I’m a tiny bit thrilled that he remembered her name, I’m mostly annoyed. Because I finally see this for what it really is. He thinks Todd Crowley has pegged me as some easy mark. Some naïve girl who can be taken advantage of by greedy mechanics. And while that might be true anywhere else, it’s certainly far from the case in Caribou Creek.
For a small moment last night, I swore Garrett saw beneath the mask. That he was different. But it turns out, he thinks I’m just as hopeless and clueless as everyone else does. The jerk.
“Chief, I don’t believe this is any of your concern. Unless you decided to let my brother tow Aurora’s car again. Then I might be sending you the bill for damages.”
“I just want to make sure you’re being fair, Crowley. That’s all.”
“Fair?”
I spin on my heel and stab my finger into Garrett’s chest. “Outside.Now.” I look over my shoulder at Todd, making sure to smile brightly his way. “I’ll be right back.”
Todd nods, as though he understands I can handle myself. He might be the only one who does.
“What thehell?” I hiss at Garrett the second the door closes behind me.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were having car trouble?”
“Was I supposed to do that before orafteryou arrested me?” Betty Bennington, who’s powerwalking across the street in her bright sweatsuit, snaps her head in our direction. I wave at the sweet elderly woman who likes her pancakes covered in sliced bananas, hoping to chase her off with a chipper everything-is-fine smile.
Last night, I flirted with the idea of being the talk of the town for shacking up with the chief. Stupid me thought it would be scandalously fun to give this town something to talk about other than the weather and the latest tourist to make a fool out of themselves. I would’ve welcomed Betty’s attention and the rumors that would’ve no doubt followed. Now, I’m embarrassed by the fantasy.
“I’m just looking out for you.”
I drag Garrett by the arm around the corner of the building to give us some privacy and lower my voice to keep from drawing any more unwanted attention. “Nobody asked you too!”
“Are you always so hostile to those who want to help you?”
“Help?” I let out an incredulous laugh and throw up my hands. My fingertips brush his chest, bringing to light how little distance there is between us. How crowded we are between buildings. It becomes harder to focus on being mad because my traitorous body is craving a repeat of last night in Garrett’s kitchen. “You’re not helping me. You’re treating me like some clueless girl who can’t navigate life without arm floaties.”
“Arm floaties?” Damn Garrett and the sexy way his eyebrows draw together in confusion.
Stay mad, Aurora. Stay mad.
“Forget it.” Before I can march off, Garrett catches me by the elbow. His soft touch stops me in my tracks, the electricity of the contact igniting all of the nerve endings in my body. The way he kissed me last night…I’ve never experienced anything like it in all my life. An all-encompassing kiss that turned my bones to molten liquid. It was a high I didn’t know existed. Part of me is desperate for another hit. Part of me wishes I’d never given in to the temptation. Now that I’ve experienced that incredible euphoria, I’ll never be the same.
“You’re not helpless. Not clueless. Not naïve. Not by a long shot.” His words sound so genuine that I allow my walls to quake for just a moment. I shove both hands into my jeans pockets to keep them from fisting his shirt. Because right now, all I want to do is press my lips to his. To forget that I’m due at the diner in ten minutes. To forget that I have responsibilities. To forget that anything exists outside of the two of us. Damn this insatiable lust. “You’re one of the most incredible people I know, Aurora Gray.”
“You don’t have to say that just to be nice.”
“Knock it off, Gray. You know I’m not nice.”
I let out a laugh that dissipates the tension. “Fair point.”
“I mean what I said. You can put on that clueless girl act for everyone else, but you’ll never fool me.” I dare to get lost in those stormy eyes for a moment simply because I don’t want to fight it. I know this is dangerous. I’ve craved this man since I first met him. I’ve spilled drinks and meals on him because his mere presence rattles me in a way I’ve never experienced. I know if I fall for him, I may never find myself back.
I care about him.
I don’t want to, but I do.
