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“You can settle this at the local sheriff’s office or the one in Salt Lake City. Alternatively, you can use the online link for payment,” he said, handing her the ticket. “Don’t let me catch you speeding in this state again.”
“If it means seeing you soon... I’d be doing donuts in the main streets and stomping on the gas pedal 24/7, Sheriff Scott.”
A frown scrolled over his brow. “Your boldness is going to come back and bite you in the ass someday, Miss Fowler. I suggest you curb your sassy nature. The next stranger who stops you in the middle of nowhere, with not a soul in sight, might just take you up on your offer.” He stepped back, crossed his arms, and tilted his head to the left. “Off you go, and don’t forget my warning.”
“Ah, it warms my heart that you care so much,” Daphne smiled and sighed dreamily as his eyes flashed darkly. “So stern, yet so tempting,” she mused to herself as she started the car.
“I’ll be seeing you, Sheriff Scott,” she called out as she pulled off, smiling brightly at his ominous frown.
The super sexy, totally kissable sheriff had just issued a challenge, and Daphne Fowler, although described as a ditzy nerd, was also very intelligent and one of the sharpest knives in the drawer. As an investigative journalist with numerous awards already stacked up, she was always alert and ready for action. Once she sniffed out corruption, she didn’t stop until she solved the case and helped to bring those to justice who did others wrong.
Sheriff Scott might not be a criminal, but he ticked all the boxes of the perfect man-list that she had engraved in her mind. He’d put himself on her radar, and there was no way she would let him get away. It was hunting time for Daphne Fowler.
“Oh, yes, Sheriff Scott. You will be seeing me again. That is a promise.”
Chapter Two
“Good Lord, please let her just pass through Utah. I don’t need a little snip with an itch that begs to be scratched on the loose in my state.” Carter Scott’s gravelly voice echoed softly back at him as he stood watching the bright yellow VW Bug speed off. “Seems the speeding fine didn’t have much impact on her to follow the law.” Shaking his head, he got into the SUV. “That woman is trouble, with a capital T.”
However, as he recalled the way the beautiful brunette had flirted with him, the ghost of a smile spreading over his face proved he hadn’t been totally immune to her efforts. The hard ridge pressing uncomfortably against the zipper of his pants was unexpected since he was known for his iron control. That the little chit had such an effect on him was a surprise. He never gave in to temptation. He had learned early in his career not to give in to the wiles of women. Besides, he didn’t have time for the hard work and attention a relationship required.
“Except that little curvy feline isn’t after a relationship,” he muttered as he got into the truck and pulled off. “She’s out to get dick, that much she made very clear. Lord help the poor bastard she catches in her web. That woman is sure to wring a man dry.”
Carter only hoped she wasn’t out to cause trouble. As the Utah County Sheriff, he took his job seriously. Luckily, his office was situated in Spanish Fork, and the chance of running into her again was scarce. He was only in Provo for a brief visit to his sister and to welcome the new local sheriff to town.
“With all the crap this investigation is unearthing, a distraction like her is the last thing I have time for.”
Carter Scott was born and raised in Utah. As a boy, he spent his summers working on his family's ranch, where he developed a strong work ethic, hauling hay, chopping firewood, and tending to the animals and the land.
He earned an associate degree in criminal justice from Utah Valley University and began his law enforcement career as a patrol officer at the Pleasant Grove Police Department.
Carter worked his way up through the ranks and was eventually appointed chief of police until he ran for Utah County Sheriff. His leadership and dedication to improving law enforcement earned him the role of sheriff that same year.
Apart from joining the Utah County Metro SWAT Team to become the forward operations commander, he also worked on a U.S. Marshals’ joint criminal apprehension team.
To improve himself even further, Carter graduated from the prestigious FBI National Academy program in Quantico after completing their intensive three-month training.
“Sheriff Scott, are you there?” The voice sounding over the police radio and filling the inside of the SUV was clear and urgent.
“Go for Scott,” he responded. The call came from the local sheriff’s office since they knew he was in town.
“This is Deputy Sheriff Cooper.”
“What can I do for you, Tanya?” Carter had worked with Tanya Cooper on numerous cases in and around the Provo area. The case they were currently investigating stretched from Salt Lake City all the way to Spanish Fork, maybe even wider.
“We just took a one-on-one into custody who is a potential match on your list in the Black Diamond investigation.”
Carter allocated project names for each investigation, specifically so no one used the name of one of the main suspects when referencing it. It was an additional safety measure to keep information intact to ensure there were no leaks from within the department.
“I’ll be there in ten. Carter out.” With his expression grim, he punched down on the accelerator. They had been searching for a break in this case for almost a year. They had many pieces of the puzzle, but there was always one crucial part missing. He hoped this thug proved to be what they needed to finally make arrests that would stick and end up in a guilty sentence.
“I’ll be seeing you, Sheriff Scott.”
Carter cursed as the sensual promise of the sassy brunette echoed through his mind.
“What the actual fuck?” he growled irritably. She wasn’t his type. He liked blondes. Any shape or size, but his preference had always been blonde women. Brunettes just didn’t do it for him.
That she wasn’t rake thin—from what he could see of her, she had the perfect amount of curves to excite him—was irrelevant. He didn’t like sassy women who scratched where it didn’t itch.
