Something About a Sheriff (Wild West Book 2) Read online

  Was she even willing? Some women wouldn’t appreciate being told what to wear and where to go. He hoped Cecily was different, though. Fucking hell, did he want her to be different.

  When he’d flip-flopped from not wanting a woman in his world at all to angling for a certain little day spa owner, he had no idea. But it was there, leaping to life like a fire barely smothered.

  He spent a long time on the phone with Aiden about their case the previous day. He slogged through piles of paperwork. Skipped lunch to go out on a few other calls. So he had the evening open and a brick of worry in his chest.

  He got ready slowly, with Echo watching his every move. The dog gave him the side-eye, knowing he’d be left behind, as Judd showered and dressed in black pants and a button-down shirt. He added a bolo instead of a tie and plucked up his best black hat from the coat rack by the door.

  “Be a good boy,” he said to Echo.

  The dog gave a mournful answer.

  “I’ll bring you some steak bones. Don’t chew my boots while I’m gone.”

  Echo responded with another low whine.

  When Judd got to Cecily’s, he’d built up and torn down their night together a dozen times. She might be excited to see him, and they’d have a great time. He’d kiss her again and things would go further.

  Or she’d slam the door in his face and ask what the hell he’d been thinking, directing her life in such a way?

  Drawing a deep breath, he went to the brand-new front door. It was white steel with a triple-paned security window and unbreakable glass. He could picture Cecily painting it the same robin’s egg blue color she’d spruced up the front of the building with.

  Damn, did it make him feel good to do this for her.

  Pulse throbbing in his ears, he knocked and waited.

  Fucking hell, could he be any more screwed up in the head?

  He liked Cecily. Wanted to know her better. But worse, he wanted to take care of her, buy her pretty things and show her how special she was. How special she could be to him.

  He was opening himself up to a world of hurt.

  A face appeared in the door window. A flash of a green eye and curls.

  Here we go.

  When she opened the door, she was wearing the red dress.

  His breath stopped half in, half out of his lungs. Heat slammed him in the chest and spread down to his groin.

  The floaty confection swirled around her knees and invited him to touch her curvy thighs—and more. The neckline plunged just low enough to invite dirty thoughts of his tongue licking up and down that crease between her breasts, tasting her silky-smooth skin. Her curls were half up to show off her earlobes with the dangling, sparkly earrings he’d sent over.

  She smiled, a nervous stretching of her red lips over white teeth. “You’re late.”

  “I’m sorry.” He leaned in to kiss her cheek, feeling like a damn schoolboy picking up his prom date. He was old enough to get through this without stumbling over himself, but was he controlled enough to keep his hands off her long enough to have dinner?

  Strip her now.

  He drew back enough to keep from kissing her the way he really wanted to, but her spicy perfume still filled his senses. Dazzled, dazed and drugged with lust, he put a hand on the small of her back and led her outside.

  She took a minute to lock up her new door using an electronic key pad. When she finished punching in the code, she looked up at him, cheeks flushed. “Thank you so much for the door. I’ll pay you back as soon as I can. And for the dress and things.” She waved a hand down to her feet where the black heels strapped across her high insteps.

  His gut clenched. Okay, if he was to go on with the evening, he needed to admit something to himself.

  He didn’t just want her.

  He wanted her.

  This date wasn’t about making her forget her worries since moving here or even to get under her skirt, though he wanted that bad enough.

  “I’m not asking for repayment. And we need to get one thing straight between us before we go.” He looked down into her eyes.

  She nibbled her lower lip. “What’s that?”

  “You don’t owe me anything. Just because I sent you this… doesn’t mean you need to go out with me.”

  She nudged him. “Well, I know that, silly. But I’m looking forward to that steak you promised me.”

  He snorted. “You don’t even eat steak.”

  “Then why are you taking me to a steakhouse?”

  “Because they have a damn good vegetarian menu and it’s the nicest place in town.” The corners of his eyes crinkled though he didn’t give her a smile. Yet. He had one more thing to say.

  I don’t want you to feel obligated to give me anything in return tonight. Okay, Cecily?”

  She blinked. Flushed deeper. “You mean like sex?”

  The word dropped between them like a boulder neither could ignore. He nodded.

  “Let me put this out there, Sheriff. I don’t for a minute believe I have to put out because you bought me a pretty dress and plan to take me for dinner. You’re an honorable man, I sensed that from the start. But I will be paying you back for the door. That lock alone must have cost hundreds.”

  He’d never tell. “If you’re ready…” He led her down the sidewalk. She walked next to him, heels clacking on the pavement, drawing glances from pedestrians out for the same reason they were. It felt good to be with a beautiful woman, one who wasn’t pretending.

  At least she didn’t seem to be.

  He shook away the grim thoughts. His gut instinct told him Cecily was all she showed the world with a side of apple pie. But Cassie—

  She’s not Cassie.

  “Howdy, Sheriff.” The passerby tipped his hat in greeting.

  Judd gave a nod and a “Hello.”

  The man openly eyed Cecily. By the time they reached the end of the street and the steakhouse, word would have traveled up and down Bracken that Judd was taking out the new day spa owner. There’d already been talk after the previous dinner.

  After they passed the man, Cecily drifted closer, her shoulder bumping his arm. “His eyes were ready to pop out seeing us together,” she said quietly.

  “No doubt word will spread. I don’t care, do you?”

  “No. I was thinking it kind of looks good, doesn’t it?” She waited expectantly.

  He stared down at her in confusion. She looked fantastic, and he cleaned up pretty well when he tried. Together, he had to admit, they fit. Their reflection as they passed the shop windows told him as much.

  But he didn’t think that was her meaning.

  “If someone in town is the one responsible for breaking into my shop, they’ll know they haven’t broken me.”

  He’d seen the steel fibers within her, how she picked up the remnants and moved on, made the most of it. Nobody could break her, at least in his thinking.

  “Good point, and you’re right.” He gripped her elbow and steered her toward the entrance of the restaurant. Huge logs flanked the door with a carved sign arching between them.

  “This looks so picturesque, just like the type of place you’d come after a tiring day of skiing,” she commented as they entered.

  “Wouldn’t know about the tiring day of skiing. I don’t ski. But they grill a fine steak.”

  As soon as the hostess spotted them, she smiled and waved them to the table he had waiting. Once he’d seated Cecily and faced her across the burning candle, goblets of water and menus, he wondered what the hell had changed his mind about his no women rule.

  It sure as hell wasn’t his momma’s talk the other day. Or Aiden’s nagging practically each time they spoke on the phone. Putting himself out there was a risk all its own, and the fact he was investigating a crime in her place of business meant he was crossing lines.

  Looking at her beautiful oval face and the way the red dress made her skin glow, though… He almost didn’t even care that she technically had another man’s last name.


  “Everything on the menu looks great.” She scanned the entrees. “I hardly know what to choose.”

  “Will you let me?”

  Her gaze flew to his. “Order for me?”

  Dammit, he shouldn’t have asked. It was a control thing, taking care of her in all ways. And something he definitely should not do. Cassie had claimed to enjoy it, yet in the end, she’d—

  He put the brakes on that train of thought and looked at Cecily. “I mean, I don’t have to. You know what you like.”

  She pushed a tendril of hair over her shoulder, the action making her earring sway. “I’ve never had anyone order for me before. Actually, I’ve never had anybody buy me an outfit either. How did you know my sizes?”

  “Emerald Davies knows a size as soon as she looks at a person, or at least that’s what she told me.”

  “Oh yes, Emerald. Sweet woman. I hear she has great nails now too.” She grinned at him and sat back. “Now about dinner. Once I read about this man who walked into a restaurant and told the waitress to have the chef choose his meal for him.”

  Judd cocked a brow. “And how did it turn out?”

  “He got the most memorable, delicious meal ever.” She closed her menu and sat back. “I leave it in your hands.”

  Satisfaction blossomed inside him, warming him all over. From the start he’d known something about Cecily called to him, and he hadn’t been wrong. She liked what he had to offer.

  But Cassie had too—at first.

  He wished to hell he could stop thinking about his ex. He was over her—he just had trust issues. He scanned the menu and when the waitress appeared to take their order, Cecily riveted her gaze on him while he ordered her beer-brushed tofu skewers with barley and a house salad.

  She smiled at him. He ordered his own food and was thankful when the waitress left them alone again. This night was giving him so many highs and lows he was getting whiplash.

  “Sounds delicious. Thank you,” she said.

  He searched her sparkling eyes and felt his lips tug upward. “You can thank me if you like it.”

  “I will. Now, there’s something important I have to ask you.” She fiddled with her water glass, spinning it in small degrees.

  Worry settled in him, but he didn’t let his face reveal that. He was a master of his emotions—it came with the job description.

  “I spent some time this afternoon making calls to Nevada about my dilemma. Basically, I can petition for an annulment if both parties agree.”

  Relief was a balm in his chest. “That’s good.”

  “It is, if I didn’t have another problem.”

  “Which is?”

  “I can’t find Cole Brady.”

  He arched a brow. “Sure it’s not Braden?”

  She reached over and smacked him in the forearm. “Now you’re messing with me. I wondered if a guy like the sheriff might be able to steer me toward an address?”

  “Hmm, seems the sheriff may have connections along those lines.”

  “So you’ll help me? I can’t believe the situation I’ve landed in, and now I have this to take care of on top of the trouble at my spa.”

  “I’ll have an address to you tomorrow.”

  “Thank you.”

  Time passed quickly and soon big sizzling platters were placed before them. As he watched her take the first mouthful, his cock hardened at seeing her savor the bite. Oh yeah, he wanted to pleasure her in every damn way that was humanly possible.

  But he didn’t think swiping the table clean and ravishing her on the surface was appropriate.

  Least he could do was let her finish her meal.

  * * * * *

  After watching Judd chew his food, Cecily was way more hot and bothered than a girl should be in public. Her panties were damp and she felt the need to fan herself. The man was walking sex in a Stetson, and her body was taking it allllll in.

  Every time she looked up, he was studying her. And the lazy way he looked at her had her perched on the edge of her seat. She barely resisted the urge to grind her pussy on the corner of the wood.

  Once he paid the bill, he led her outside. Twilight had fallen, and several of the shops were lit with twinkle lights, creating a magical atmosphere. She walked along slowly, getting to know this side of Bracken.

  “When does the ski season hit? I need to get my shop on its feet by then.” She glanced at Judd’s profile, his square jaw and Grecian nose making her fingers twitch with the urge to touch him.

  “Skiers start filling up the lodges as soon as the first flurry hits here. In the mountains, it’s good powder at that time. I’m sorry about the crimes, Cecily. I wish the evidence we’d collected had more substantial answers.”

  “Not your fault.”

  “I’ve got several eyes on the case, including my brother and cousin who work in the law. They’ve got their ears to the ground. It might not make you feel at ease, but often small crimes like this end in confessions when someone is sitting around a bonfire or they leak it to a friend at the bar. Once we get that lead, we are on our way to solving the case.”

  “I’m frustrated that we can’t just go arrest someone, but I understand.” She slowed as they passed the coffee shop window and she spotted her very first client at the Drift Away Massage and Spa. She waved to the woman and pointed to her hair. Cecily gave a thumb’s up and the woman grinned.

  She and Judd continued to the front of her own shop. She stood back and looked at her spa, sadness hitting her.

  “Cecily.”

  She tucked in the corner of her mouth. “It’s not where I wanted to be, you know? I wanted to have a steady clientele and some buzz in the streets of Bracken about my spa services.”

  “If it helps, I told everyone at the station about the massage.”

  Her brows leaped to her hairline. “You did?”

  “Yes, Birdie mentioned I looked less stiff and stressed and when I told her why, my deputies thought it was a good idea.”

  “For you to have regular massages?” A thrill hit Cecily’s belly at the thought of putting her hands on this hunky sheriff again.

  “Yeah.” His stare intensified. She shifted on her dainty high heels. Under his gaze, she grew aware of desires piling up inside her until they seemed as tall of one of the mountains in the nearby range.

  “Do you want to—”

  He cut her off with a shake of his head. “I can’t come inside, Cecily.”

  If he left, who knew how long it would be before she saw him again. Last time he’d all but run from her spa and she hadn’t heard from him for days.

  She had a choice to make. Judd was interested in her, no question. And she’d sat through dinner wanting to get up and straddle him in his seat and make him forget about the steak he claimed melted in his mouth.

  She cocked her head and gave him a deep, probing look she hoped got the point across. “Yes, you can come in, Judd.”

  A low noise vibrated from him. “Dammit. Put in your passcode and open that door.”

  She whirled to tap in the numbers. His body heat scorched over her spine as he leaned close to breathe into her ear. She caught movement of somebody walking by on the street, but need made her fumble the door open. In a blink, he had it closed and her pressed against it, arms pinned overhead.

  He slammed his mouth over hers, tongue warm and tasting of the craft beer he’d had for dinner. A moan escaped her, and he answered with one of his own.

  “You don’t owe me,” he murmured between nibbling kisses.

  “You owe me, far as I see it.”

  He stilled the small path of kisses he was pressing along her lower lip. “How’s that?”

  “You’ve been driving me crazy all night, looking at me the way you do. Are you gonna live up to those looks, Sheriff?”

  “Fuck yeah.” He reached under her skirt and wrapped his long fingers around her inner thigh. She gasped and her knees threatened to buckle as he inched his caress upward, higher and higher, all the way to the apex of h
er thighs. When he cupped her pussy through the thin cloth of her panties, he issued a growl.

  “You’re wet for me.”

  “You’ve been undressing me with your eyes all evening. What do you ex—” Her words cut off in a gasp as he eased his fingertip over her swollen clit.

  “I knew you’d be responsive like this. Fuck, baby doll. Spread your legs for me.”

  His dirty talk sent a spike of need to her core, and she wantonly set her heels farther apart on the floor. He ran his finger up and down her seam. What must he be feeling? Wet panties, for sure. Puffy outer lips nestled around her hard clit. She rocked forward into his touch.

  He bent to kiss her throat, biting a sweeping path that ended behind her earlobe. He dragged his teeth over the soft flesh and bathed the nibble with his tongue. She cooed as he kept her pinioned with one hand high on the door. Her back was to the window, and hopefully it was dark enough that nobody could tell what was going on.

  Judd didn’t seem to be letting up until her sanity was a thing of the past. He dipped his finger under the edge of her panties. When his callused finger met her slick heat, they shared a rumble of desire. He jammed his thigh between hers and set to work on driving her crazy.

  She pulsated, ribbons of heat wrapping around her. When Judd claimed her mouth, she sucked on his tongue and pulled low groans from him in return. Lust sent her shooting higher and higher.

  “Come for me, baby doll. I can feel you want it. Come all over my fingers.”

  “Oh God, yes, sir!” Shudders stole over her. She trembled in his hold as he ground her clit into her body. She couldn’t hold back, didn’t even want to try. She threw her head back, arching off the door and into his arms as her orgasm swept her, her cry harsh in the stillness of her spa.

  * * * * *

  Fuck, he wasn’t going to survive this encounter. She was a sub, born or trained, he had no clue, but one thing was certain--he couldn’t do a damn thing about it. She was so primed for him, ready for his touch. And eager. Hell, was she eager.

  Her hard pearl pulsed under his fingertip, and he ached to bury himself deep in her pussy—now.

  He brought her down slowly, watching the ecstasy rush over her beautiful face. With one last swirl of his fingertip through her wet folds, he released his hold on her hands. She slipped her arms around his neck.