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“Okay,” I said. “I get it. I don’t need more examples, fun as they are.”
“Is that gal at your place pissing you off every second she’s there, or is there something else going on?”
“She’s fine. I’m just…” I didn’t really want to explain to my second-in-command that Callie Ellis drove me to distraction twenty-four-seven. And thatnothing going onwas a big part of my problem.
I wanted something to go on.
In my bed.
I was starting to feel guilty as hell for wanting her so much. And for ignoring her because steering clear was the best way for me to keep things professional. It seemed like the only way to keep what little dignity I thought I had left.
“You’re out of sorts because you’ve got a beautiful woman living in your house, and you don’t know to handle it. Good thing I know a cure. My cousin’s coming to visit this weekend...”
Damnit. Cathy had been trying to set me up with this cousin for months. I frowned, refusing to even pretend like I was interested.
When she was done and suggested she introduce this cousin to me, I said, “No. And get the hell out of my office.”
Cathy grinned and shook her head. “Try to be less grouchy, Blake. Date my cousin, take up boxing, meditate. Do something, okay?”
“Out.” I pointed at the door.
She walked out humming “I Shot the Sheriff” in the original Bob Marley style and skipped to singing the words during the part about not shooting the deputy.
My phone buzzed, an alert from the motion sensors I’d set up around my house. Probably another damn deer. I scrolled through the various camera views but didn’t see any animals big enough to set off the sensors.
I scrolled through the cameras in the house. I felt guilty every time I did a sweep.
I liked looking at her so damn much, it made me feel a little like a dirty old man every time I checked.
I didn’t see her in the house. She was either in the bathroom or her bedroom. I waited a couple of minutes listening carefully for any sound.
Nothing.
I knew better than to assume something was wrong and go off half-cocked. That didn’t stop me from heading out of my office while already dialing Callie’s phone.
Callie didn’t answer. I didn’t leave a message.
I called her four more times while I drove like hell, eventually hitting the siren to get past some farm equipment and slow drivers on the highway to my house.
By the time I got home and checked every room, shouting her name, my heart slammed inside my chest like a bass drum that somebody handed to a coked-up monkey.
I started scanning footage on the cameras outside to find the moment when she must have left the property. I needed to see what direction she went.
I needed to see if she left alone. My heartbeat pounded in my ears at the other option. If someone took—
The front door opened.
Callie walked in, ropes of hair that had fallen from her ponytail hanging limply around her face. She glanced up and froze.
I must have looked like I was about to fly into a rage, because she held her hands up. “Before you start yelling at me, I already know what I did was stupid.”
I didn’t think or consider what I did next. I crossed the few feet between us and pulled her into a hug. The relief upon seeing her walk in okay got the better of me.
I needed to stay the hell away from her. But at that moment, I needed to hold her more.
I had to feel her in my arms, to make sure she was real and unharmed.
“Are you ok?” I asked.
