Chapter Five

The days and then weeks passed quickly, and every one of them made her attraction to the sheriff even stronger, and as time went on, she had a hard time hiding it. What made her feel better was that she’d caught him looking at her with a heated expression in his eyes. It was a look she hadn’t seen him use with anyone but her.

“So, you and the sheriff are hot for each other?”

She spun around to see Fletcher blocking the lunchroom door. “What?”

“You and Dickhead got a thing for each other.”

The anger in his tone made anxiety race up her spine. Everyone but one deputy was in the station at that moment. Her anxiety turned into full fear when he stepped into the room and closed the door.

“Open that door, Fletcher.”

He shook his head and leaned against it. “No. I want to know what he has that I don’t?”

“Nothing is going on with him and me.”

“Bullshit. I see the lovey-dovey looks you give him when you think no one is watching.”

She was starting to get mad. “What is your problem with him?”

“He’s an outsider and shouldn’t have gotten the job.”

“You think it should have been you?” she asked.

“I grew up here. I know everyone, so yes. I would have been a better choice.”

“Can I be honest with you?”

He tensed. “Sure.”

“How many people in this town do you get along with?”

“That has nothing to do with being a good sheriff.”

“The hell it doesn’t. People respect him, Fletcher. You usually just piss people off.”

“That’s bullshit, and you’re not answering my question.”

“Which one?” she asked. Her anxiety rose when he took a few steps toward her.

“The one about you fucking the sheriff?” he yelled.

Her mouth dropped open in shock, but before she could say anything, the door was thrown open, and Zeke stood there with a look of menace on his face that she’d never forget, but she still didn’t fear him.

“Is there a problem here, Deputy?”

She watched Fletcher clench and unclench his hands and thought he was going to hit Zeke. She took a few steps to get in between them and held her hands out to Fletcher. “Please stop and calm down.”

She looked over her shoulder and saw what looked like fury in Zeke’s eyes as he stared down at her.

“Go back to work, Deputy,” Zeke growled without taking his eyes off her.

Fletcher cursed and then stormed out, leaving her alone with a furious man.

Zeke grabbed her shoulders and made her stand in front of him, tilt her head back, and look up at him.

“Listen up, Little Sub. I’m only going to tell you once. Don’t you ever, and I mean ever, get in between two hostile men. You could have been really hurt.”

“I knew I could defuse the situation and didn’t want you hurt.”

He sighed and ran his hand up and down her arms. “Honey, do you really think I’m afraid of Fletcher?”

When he said it like that, she felt ridiculous. “No, of course not. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. Just don’t do it again, or there will be consequences.”

She shivered at the threat, not in fear but desire because she knew he’d never hurt her.

“I’ll be a good girl.”

He cupped her chin in his huge hand. “You better.” He stared at her for another moment and then released her, much to her disappointment. “I have a project I need your help with.”

“Okay.”

“I’m building a house out on Sand Road.”

“Oh, it’s so pretty out there.”

“Yes, it is. I’m having trouble with the interior.”

“Like what?”

“Like everything.”

“Okay, so what do you need from me?”

“I want you to give me ideas.”

“Oh, well, sure, but I don’t know your taste.”

“At the moment, it is bland and black. So, anything will be better than that.”

She grinned. “Okay.”

“I’ve got some magazines. I want you to go through them and tear out pictures of things you think would look good. This also includes the kitchen and bathroom fixtures.”

“Are you sure you trust me to do this?”

“Yes, but I’ll have a say in the matter.”

Kayla snorted. “Since it’s your house, I’d expect it.”

“Okay.”

“I need to get back to work.”

“Hold up. How often is Fletcher harassing you?”

Kayla sighed. “It’s no big deal.”

“Don’t say that. It is, and I want to put a stop to it.”

“I’m used to it.”

“That tells me you’ve had to deal with him for a long time.”

She sighed and nodded.

“Well, that bullshit’s not going to ride with me.”

“Zeke, you’ve only been here a few months.”

“Enough time for people to get used to me.”

He was right about that. He fit in better than Fletcher did, and he’d lived in the town his whole life.

“I better get to work, but first, what’s your favorite color?” she asked.

“Why?”

“Well, let’s say you love blue but hate green. I won’t look at an idea with those colors.”

“Anything but orange.”

She smiled. “So, pink is a good color for you?”

“You’re being a smartass, Little Sub.”

She snorted and walked out of the room. She laughed when she heard him bark, “No pink.”