Taming Deputy Harlow Read online

  She could see his enthusiasm for whatever would appear and it struck a chord in her. She met few people who had this kind of zest for life, more than aspirations to succeed, but for simpler things.

  “There.” He pointed.

  She looked but saw nothing. “Do you come here every night?”

  “I have been. It’s curing me of city life.”

  “You prefer big cities?”

  “I thought I did, before Kadin offered me a job.”

  She saw something deeper in that response and would have asked, but suspected it related to the serious topic he’d rather avoid.

  “Come on. I’ll keep you warm.” He got out of the truck and came around to her side. Her boots were spiky and might sink into the soil. She put her hands on his shoulders as he helped her down from the truck. Exciting prickles of pleasure ran a current from everywhere she felt him. Chest. Hips. Thighs.

  She stared up at him, seeing the dark swirl of passion come over him, too.

  He lowered his head and then his eyes caught sight of something. “There.”

  She turned and he stood behind her, his arms going around her, heating her body to the point where she almost didn’t see the herd of wild horses. They made their way up the hill to the top of the butte, some grazing, some looking majestically off into the horizon as though enjoying the moonlit view. She picked out the lead stallion. He walked with his head high and ears perked, sensing their presence before the rest of the herd.

  Rearing up, pawing the air, the horse whinnied loud and stomped and clawed the ground with one hoof. The herd scattered a bit, but calmed when they saw no danger, resuming their moonlight leisure.

  Nothing like this existed in Never Summer. The sight stole her breath and her heart.

  The stallion ran the flank of his herd, getting them to move farther down the mountain, and soon they were out of sight.

  Wordless, filled with awe, she turned to Jamie. “That was incredible.”

  “Yeah.” He faced her. “Almost as incredible as you.”

  He slid his arm around her, drawing her to him. “Tell me you feel this, too.”

  Still breathless from the inspiring sight of the wild horses, she said, “Yes.” He didn’t have to explain he meant the passion that had begun the moment they saw each other.

  The suddenness of this nudged a feeble warning just before he touched his lips to her. Soft and patient, he kissed her with warm reverence. Any hesitation fled as desire flared into roaring flames.

  Chapter 3

  Reese floated in an infatuated current all the way back to her hotel. Jamie’s big form sitting across the truck from her engulfed her senses. His strong thighs parted, his muscular arm extended as he gripped the steering wheel, his shadowy profile masculine and sexy. His blue eyes turned to her, zapping her with that electric attraction. Her whole body throbbed with desire. She tightened her hand on the door handle.

  What about him so allured her? Was it his distance from her—his address, so far from hers? She had to admit, she felt safe opening up to him, especially sexually. He presented no danger of trapping her into commitment. After college, she’d promised herself the freedom to explore her life goals, without anyone—any man—holding her back.

  He stopped the truck.

  Not wanting the night to end, she didn’t move.

  Killing the engine, he got out of the truck and walked around the front. Even the way he moved turned her on, with that long stride, unhurried and sure. Opening the door, he held out his hand.

  “You didn’t strike me as the old-fashioned type,” he said.

  She put her hand in his. “I’m not. I just don’t know what to do with how hot you make me.”

  Taken aback at first, he stepped back as she got out.

  “Come again?”

  “Again and again.” She smiled along with her teasing. What more of an invitation did he need? She felt bold, maybe too bold, but she also knew if she didn’t act now, this night would be gone forever.

  “Not old-fashioned at all.”

  “Not easily drawn into bed with a man, either,” she said. “But you...” She let her gaze roam down his broad chest, at eye level.

  He shut the door behind her, a definitive thud. Decision final. She heard the fob beep, indicating he’d locked the truck. All the while, he held her eyes in a long, heated look.

  “Let’s see where this leads us,” he said in a deep voice that revealed his interest.

  She walked beside him up to the double front doors of the three-story Victorian hotel, white brick with recently painted black shutters. Soft lighting added to this real-life fantasy. Her intense attraction to this man only added to the excitement that stole her caution. Something about him made her feel safe to be impulsive.

  Inside, the sole clerk turned to greet them as they passed to the antique elevator. The smell of old wood and sound of cables protesting joined the fiery chemistry electrifying the air. Jamie put his hand on her lower back, further inflaming her. She looked up and back. He looked down, and as the elevator stopped, he lowered his face to kiss her.

  She turned and slid her hands up his deliciously hard chest and pressed herself to him. With a gruff sound, he kissed her deeper as the elevator door shut. She didn’t care how long they stood there. Arrows of pleasure pierced her from her core outward. She’d experienced nothing else like it. Ever.

  When the elevator began to move again, Jamie lifted his head and she laughed along with his chuckle.

  “Oops,” she said.

  And then all traces of smiles vanished as passion took over again.

  He held her head and kissed her again. She thought she’d go out of her mind with ecstasy right then. But the elevator stopped and the doors began to slide open.

  Jamie stepped back from her and she quickly moved to stand beside him. Back on the main level, a man and woman in their fifties looked from Jamie to her before entering. Reese tried to conceal her breathlessness. Jamie didn’t appear affected. He concealed the mad desire they ignited for each other rather easily. She fleetingly wondered where that ability came from before the older woman glanced over at them and distracted her.

  The elevator rose to the third floor and stopped. She waited for the older couple to get out first. They went one way down the hall and Reese walked with Jamie in the opposite direction.

  At her room, she unlocked the door and then pushed it open. Jamie held the door while she entered and followed her inside. Now that they were alone in her hotel room, the energy became much more personal and significant. What was she doing? The last time she had sex was in college, so maybe she could blame the long drought for this impulsiveness. That and the deep ache she had for Jamie.

  She removed her jacket and draped it over one of two chairs on each side of a table in front of the window. The drapes were still open and during the day she had a view of the street. He walked toward her, passing the dark mahogany cabinet with a television on top.

  Removing his suit jacket, he put it on top of hers and then turned to face her, his incredibly blue eyes communicating intent that hadn’t dimmed since the elevator. He lifted his hand and cupped her face. Just that touch alone stoked the fire to a hot burn. She closed her eyes, in a state of awe and wonder that he could do that to her.

  It’s the fantasy.

  Feeling his warm lips cover hers, she lost all thought of questioning whether she wanted this. She did. Oh, how she did.

  Pressing against him as she had in the elevator, she sought more of him. He held her tighter and gave her what she asked and more. Time slipped away as she savored the contact and caresses of his mouth and tongue.

  Jamie tugged at the pins holding up her hair. They fell and she shook her hair to release the rest. He sank his fingers into the strands and kissed her.

&nb
sp; She pulled his shirt free of his pants and he loosened his tie. Pulling the tie over his head, he watched her begin to unbutton his shirt, letting her push it off his shoulders. Shrugging out of the shirt while she ran her hands over his smooth, hard chest, he unzipped the back of her jersey dress. The dress sagged off her shoulders and dropped to her feet. She stepped out of the pooled material as he stared at her breasts and underwear.

  “Something else you bought today?”

  “Yes.” Even before he’d dropped her off at the hotel, she’s secretly prepared for this. At the time she hadn’t really thought anything would happen, but imagining it had sure been a delight. The lacy black panties and matching bra proved to be worth it.

  He removed his shoes and unfastened his pants. Down to his underwear, she admired the protrusion before he moved forward, guiding her to the bed.

  “My boots.”

  “Leave them on.”

  She scooted back on the bed as he crawled over her.

  “All I want you in are those and that bracelet,” he said.

  She opened her legs as he lay on top of her, his erection pressing against the lacy underwear.

  A fire so potent that she stopped breathing for a second scorched her. She arched as he took her breast into his hand and ran his thumb over the hard nipple through the material. Reese pushed down the hem of his underwear, getting impatient for what she’d longed for ever since he’d kissed her that first time.

  He unclasped her bra and the contraption sprang open, releasing her breasts from the frilly binding. Instead of removing his underwear, as she’d hoped for, he put his mouth on her breast, licking and then sucking with sensual care.

  Reese tipped back her head and moved her hips to grind against him. He loved her other breast, making her wait longer. When he finished tasting his fill, he ran his tongue down the center of her torso to the top of her underwear. She was going to erupt if he didn’t hurry.

  Taking her panties in his fingers, he pulled them off, removing them all the way over her boots and dropping them to the floor. She lifted her knees, digging the spiky heels of her ankle boots into the mattress, and put her hands over her head.

  Jamie made a gruff sound as he saw her pose and then quickly removed his underwear. Not too large and definitely not too small, he made her thirst for him more. Now.

  As breathless as her, he slid his hands up her legs as he positioned himself between them. Then he guided himself to her opening.

  “Yes,” she rasped.

  He filled her and drew back before pushing in again. Everything fell away except him, his ruggedly handsome face, passion-filled eyes, his breathing, and the ripple of arm and chest muscles as he moved back and forth. Wild sensation took her mind away with unbearable pleasure.

  She cried out as she reached her peak almost instantaneously. He may have been surprised, but she didn’t notice in the grip of such an intense explosion.

  As he continued to thrust back and forth, another wave of pleasure began to build. Gradually he increased his tempo and she could tell he was close. So was she. She ground herself against each penetration and as he reached his limit, she cried out again, writhing with him.

  Several tumultuous seconds later, he rolled off her and they both lay on their backs awhile, catching their breath. Then he turned his head and opened his arm for her. Uncertain over what she felt about this, she curled to his side. He said nothing and she said nothing. If he felt anything like her, no words could adequately explain what had just occurred.

  When she’d invited him into her hotel room, she thought she’d be safe getting a little reckless. Now she wasn’t so sure. Upon reflection, maybe she should have paid attention to the strength of her attraction to this man. Now she felt strongly that she’d like to see him again. She’d learned the hard way that that didn’t work so well for her. She had plans, short-term plans for her life that she would not, and could not, alter. She had to stay true to herself. She couldn’t allow her feelings to sway her. She wanted to be sheriff someday.

  What feelings were these, anyway? She’d just had fantastic sex with a drop-dead gorgeous man. What woman wouldn’t love a night like this?

  Tomorrow she’d be gone. This would fade into a pleasant memory. Maybe when she achieved the sheriff position she’d be ready for something serious. Even that amendment churned inside with dread. The thought of sharing a checking account frightened her, and not just the financial part. She didn’t think she’d be able to relinquish control, to have someone else managing that for her—or with her.

  Stay focused on telling Kadin your news.

  That should be plenty to keep her mind occupied and off how much Jamie made her feel. But it paled in comparison.

  * * *

  Jamie woke with a smile lighting his heart. He couldn’t have dreamed a woman would feel better than Reese. This fit exactly what he envisioned for his new life. Rising up onto his elbows, he didn’t care about his sappy grin as Reese stepped out of the bathroom. Expecting her to still be naked, he was surprised to see her fully dressed.

  “You should have waited,” he said. “I’d have taken a shower with you.”

  She eyed him warily. “I...didn’t want to wake you.”

  His smile dropped away. Something was off about her. He threw off the covers and stood, still naked. She averted her gaze as he approached. “If you’re uncomfortable about last night, don’t be.” He slid his hand to the back of her neck and kissed her chastely.

  She moved away and then stepped back from him.

  A sense of warning doused what remained of his elation and prospects of a great future with her. “Is something the matter?”

  “I need to go talk to Kadin.”

  That wouldn’t take long and they’d already gone over most of the case yesterday. He supposed she might be anxious to solve her four-decade-old murder case.

  “All right. I’ll get ready and take you there.”

  “I think it would be best if you went home to get ready. I’ll drop in your office before I leave this afternoon.”

  She seemed eager to get rid of him. How could she so easily push him away? This was not what he expected at all, not after the magic they’d generated together. He wrestled his disappointment under control.

  Maybe the intensity scared her. And they had only just met yesterday. He shouldn’t rush her. He may be ready to take that plunge, but maybe she wasn’t.

  “All right.”

  “Good.” A flicker of a smile curved up her mouth, but seemed rather forced. “I’ll see you there, then.”

  With that, she left him standing nude in the bedroom, unmade bed to his left and the smell of her shower wafting from the bathroom.

  She might be running scared, but he wasn’t about to let go so soon. One night wasn’t nearly enough.

  * * *

  Sitting in the bright lobby at DAI, Reese stared out the front window. Last night tracked through her head, from the treat of seeing the wild horses to the moment she fell into contented sleep, wrapped in Jamie’s strong arms. Any more of that and she’d be lost. She’d belong to a man who’d sweep her away from everything she’d worked so hard to achieve. He didn’t realize it, but getting messed up with her would only lead to a broken heart. She’d be doing him a favor by leaving as casually as possible.

  If only her knotting stomach would agree.

  The front door clicked open and the sight of Jamie in tan pants and a dress shirt with a tie and a leather jacket came with a familiar electric zap. She could see his glowing blue eyes from all the way across the lobby. She began to get hot just watching him stride toward her. Even her subtle rejection this morning hadn’t dimmed his inexhaustible supply of confidence. She might have gotten herself into a fine mess with this one.

  He stopped in front of her.

  T
he receptionist had gone in the back office and hadn’t returned. They were alone.

  “I can see now we should have had a much more in-depth conversation about our expectations,” he said.

  “It’s too soon to talk expectations,” she replied.

  “I was in the military before I joined a private military company. I didn’t have time for serious relationships. I had a couple, but they didn’t last and didn’t come near what we had last night.”

  “Jamie...” She stood.

  “What about you? You’re pretty young, so I’m guessing you haven’t had many, if any, serious relationships.”

  Why was he going into this now? He seemed to have a habit of getting right to his point. He knew precisely what he was after, and right now that was her. Maybe he was operating on unfamiliar ground. He’d never gone after a woman this seriously before.

  She decided his tactic was wise. Just come out and lay it out for him right now. “I’ve dated and been with two men fairly long-term. They lasted a year and two years. I’m not looking for anything serious right now. You said it—I’m young. I’m not ready for that yet.”

  In his silence, she couldn’t tell if that crushed his hopes or not.

  “Of course,” he finally said. “We only just met yesterday. It’s far too early to be talking serious relationship.”

  Did they have an understanding? Why did she get the feeling he’d strategically set his course in action?

  “Ms. Harlow?”

  Grateful for the interruption, Reese said to Jamie, “I’ll stop by your office on my way out.”

  “Mr. Tandy will see you now.”

  Reese stepped around Jamie and followed the receptionist through the back offices. The receptionist let her pass at Kadin’s door.

  Her heart thumped harder and faster. How would Kadin take the news she was about to drop?

  He approached the door and, seeing Jamie walk toward the opposite office, called after him, “Jamie. You might as well join us.”

  Reese smothered a gasp. “No, it’s all right. You and I can just talk.”