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Which is why I need to put some space between us before I pounce again. “I need to get to the diner.”
“I’ll give you a ride.”
“I have two legs more than capable of walking a block and a half.” My feet, however, seem to be cemented in place. “You should go home and get some rest. You look tired, Chief.”
“Late night.”
“Had another hot date?” Though I only meant to fish about that call, my attempt to tease comes out as full-blown jealousy. The twinkle in his eyes tells me he knows it too.
He reaches a hand toward my cheek, tucking a loose strand behind my ear. Purposely dragging his fingertips along my skin, knowing full well the effect it’s having on me. Wetness pools between my legs instantly. No amount of self-pleasure is going to be enough. Not anymore. “I was on call, Gray.”
I playfully roll my eyes at him. His fingertips curl beneath my jaw and tempt me closer to his lips. Dammit! I hate how badly I crave another bone-melting kiss. “I never did get a goodbye kiss last night,” I say in nearly a whisper.
“Let me make it up to you.” He leans forward, his forehead pressed against mine. I can’t stop staring at his lips. I comb my fingers through his scruffy five o’clock shadow turned beard. Our breaths mingle as we move closer. I’m a feather’s width away from his kiss.
My phone chimes.
“Dammit,” I groan. The alarm is my five-minute warning. “I’m going to be late.”
“Too bad.”
Against my better judgment, I tug his face to mine and steal the kiss I’ve been craving. Our lips move together hungrily as I fist his shirt. His hands are in my hair as I invite his tongue in for a quick but passionate tango. He tastes of bitter coffee and peppermint.
My phone chimes again, and I force myself to break apart the kiss. “I have to go,” I insist, the flat of my palm planted against the heat of his chest and both of us panting heavily. For just a second our eyes are locked and time stands still. It’s just him. And me.
“I…have to go.”
He raises both hands at his sides. Surrender or something else?
Doesn’t matter. There isn’t any time. I turn to leave, nearly stumbling, but I have to keep going. It’s either run, or jump into his arms.
Garrett struts leisurely behind me, and I justknow, that smug smile is back in place. Only this time, I don’t mind it so much. “I’ll see you around, Gray,” he calls just before I reach the corner of the building.
It’s official. I’m screwed when it comes to police chief Garrett Bradley. One hundred and ten percent screwed.
CHAPTER10
Aurora
“Wow, talk about a rush,” Freya Reid says to me with a heavy exhale when the diner hits an afternoon lull. She flips a towel over her shoulder and leans against the empty counter. Her ponytail cascades down toward her elbow, showcasing a bright green streak down the middle of her blonde hair.That’s new.
We’ve been running nonstop since the doors opened. The usual break between breakfast and lunch never came, so it’s a relief that midafternoon has been a little kinder to our aching feet. The brewery event has tourists flooding into Caribou Creek in record numbers. It’s definitely been good for local business owners’ bottom lines, including the diner. But I’m relieved for a moment to catch my breath.
I need to double check the scheduling before I run it by Grandma Rose. Something I planned to do earlier this morning before Garrett distracted me. The sheer memory of his lips against mine is enough to make my pulse instantly triple.
The man is quicksand. Ishouldcare more than I do about what getting tangled up with him might cost me. Whether it’s a tangle of the sheets or of the heart. It’s not my reputation in town I’m worried about. I think the residents of Caribou Creek would actually be quite amused by the turn of events.
It’s my inability to concentrate on all my goals when he’s in my orbit. The man is all-consuming. It’s dangerous.
“Thanks for helping out today,” I say to Freya when I sense she’s studying me too closely. I tug up the V-neck of my shirt to cover the blush.
Freya shrugs, apparently deciding not to call me out. “What good is a flexible schedule if you can’t help out your best friend from time to time?” She pats her apron. “Plus, the tips have totally been worth it.”
I can’t argue with her there. I’ve made enough in the past couple of days to nearly pay Jade back in full. Another hundred and ten bucks and I’ll be completely out of debt with her.
Which reminds me, I need to check in with Garrett.
He texted me earlier and said we needed to talk about my court date. Then he followed that text up with another that left me hot and bothered all day. The lug couldn’t be bothered to come to the diner and flirt in person. Just as well. If I thought I was nervous around the man before, it’s nothing compared to how I feel now. I’d probably drop an entire tray of food in his lap, and in the laps of anyone near him.
