How to Land Her Lawman (9 page)

She narrowed her gaze at him. “Look, Will, don't be nice to me. I don't deserve it. Just leave. I know you want to. We'll call it closure and move on.”

“Who says I want to leave?”

Now she was really confused. “I was dishonest with you. Why would you want to stay?”

There was a smokin' hot look in his eyes when he said, “Because I really want to take you to bed.”

“Oh, my—” April's heart started beating so fast she couldn't seem to form words. That required a thought process coming from a brain that wasn't fried. Finally she managed to say, “I don't see how it's possible that you would want me after what I just told you.”

“I understand,” he said simply. “I get how this town works and what you've been going through. On top of that, you get points for coming clean.” He moved closer, until their bodies were barely touching.

“But the fact that I could even do that—” She caught her top lip between her teeth.

“The thing is, you didn't really do it. There's evidence that my sister has been, shall we say involved, since the beginning.” There was the steely-eyed detective. “Do you have an on-again, off-again thing with a ski instructor named Jean Luc?”

“No.” But she couldn't help smiling.

“My sister has always been good at making stuff up.” He nodded. “And when I asked you out— There's a reason you said no, isn't there?”

She sighed. “I hate to rat out your sister, but she convinced me that playing hard to get was the best way to get a man to notice you.”

“Not in your case. All you have to do is walk into a room.” His voice went all husky and deep. “So, my sister has been more invested in this mission than you are probably aware.”

“Please don't be mad at her.”

“I'm not.” And he truly didn't look peeved. “But it shows how much you need to convince this town that you're here because you want to be and not because you were left behind.”

“That's true.” Pretty much.

He stared at her for several moments. “So, I have an idea.”

“Your sister had one, too. Apparently it's in the Fletcher DNA.” She blew out a breath. “I'm afraid to ask what it is.”

“You don't have to ask. I'm happy to share.” He reached out and tucked her hair behind her ear. “If you want a fling, I'm completely open to that.”

“Wow, you're such a giver.” Her pulse was going wild at the suggestion. But rational thought managed to break free of the sensual haze. “There's just one problem with your idea.”

“And that is?”

“At the end of the summer you're leaving Blackwater Lake. I'll still be the girl you left behind. Twice.”

“I see your point.” He nodded thoughtfully. “Okay. How about this? We have a fling and before I leave, you can publicly dump me.”

“Where's public?” she asked skeptically.

“You pick the place.”

“Main Street? Farmer's market on Sunday morning? The Grizzly Bear Diner?”

“Any or all of the above,” he agreed.

She thought it over and deemed the terms to be very generous. Besides, she really wanted him and the yearning inside her was turning into an unbearable ache. She held out her hand. “You've got yourself a deal.”

He took her fingers into his large palm and squeezed, then released her and scooped her into his arms. When she wrapped her arms around his neck, he nuzzled her cheek and whispered into her ear, “I've got something else in mind to seal this deal.”

His breath on her ear sent tingles skittering through her body. They'd been heading in this direction ever since she'd brought him that chicken casserole and he'd invited her in for a glass of wine.

He carried her as if she weighed nothing and she knew
that
wasn't true. But the gesture made her feel safe, protected, not alone. And, being completely honest, it was romantic. He swept her away, literally, into her bedroom. As long as she didn't get swept away for real, where was the harm? She was no longer that young girl who was barely a woman. She was fully grown with a mind of her own and knew what she wanted.

And she wanted Will.

He set her on her feet beside the bed and cupped her cheek in one hand as he lowered his mouth to hers. The fire she'd banked in order to get her confession out burst into flame once again. They kissed and kissed, trying desperately to get closer, but it wasn't enough. He was a great kisser and she could do it forever, preferably without clothes.

In the next moment, as if he could read her mind, he was pushing at her shirt, yanking it up over her head. Before it hit the floor, she was shoving at his T-shirt and he pulled it free and threw the thing somewhere. Shoes were kicked off and the rest of their clothes were tossed anywhere. Will reached around her and hauled the quilted bedspread down to the foot along with the blanket and sheet.

Then his hard-muscled body and heat were pressed up against her, nudging her toward the mattress. She sat and scooted over to make room for him, but before joining her he reached for his jeans and took something from his wallet.

Condom. Thank you, God.

He slid in beside her and gathered her close, letting their bodies come together, bare skin to bare skin. The feeling was indescribable and the dusting of hair on his chest tickled her breasts in the most erotic possible way. She leaned back far enough and brushed a hand over the contour of muscle and grazed his nipple with her thumb, causing him to hiss out a breath.

“Problem?” she teased.

“Not unless you stop.” His voice was ragged.

So she did it again and he groaned before nudging her to her back. He kissed her neck, then moved lower and sucked the tip of her breast into his mouth. With his tongue he flicked the nipple, then pulled back to blow softly on the wetness. It drove her wild and she'd forgotten how much she loved him doing that. She couldn't believe he'd remembered. And that wasn't all.

He kissed and nipped his way down her body until she was writhing with need.

“Will, I don't think I can wait—” She could hardly breathe. “Please...”

“Your wish—” His voice was so low it was barely audible.

He reached over to the nightstand and grabbed the packet, then ripped it open. After rolling it on, he came back to her and settled himself between her legs.

Slowly he filled her and the sensation simultaneously stole her breath and made her sigh. He moved inside her, a measured rhythm meant to retrace steps from their last time together.

But April wanted more. She wanted now. And she wanted new.

Her hands wandered over his body, tracing lightly over his abdomen until he groaned. He lowered his body closer to hers, limiting her wandering hands. She smiled, knowing he didn't want to be rushed but doing it anyway. Lifting her head, she drew close enough to kiss his neck, tracing his earlobe with her tongue.

“April—”

“I know.”

And then she lost track of everything, preoccupied with her senses, just letting her body feel and build slowly, breathing faster and faster. Without much warning she went right over the edge and cried out as pleasure rolled like a thunderstorm through her. He held her close and pressed deeper, then deeper still until he groaned and followed her over that sensuous cliff. They clung to each other until their breathing returned almost to normal.

Will exhaled slowly then kissed her forehead before rolling out of bed. “I'll be right back. Don't you dare go anywhere.”

As if, she thought.

She didn't think she could have moved if her life depended on it. Her body was happy and relaxed. She closed her eyes, but was aware when the light in the bathroom went on. A minute later the room was in shadow again and Will was back.

He slid into bed, pulled the sheet up over them then drew her to his side with one strong arm holding her close to him.

“And that's how you really seal a deal.”

“I like it,” she said drowsily.

She was too sleepy and sated to realize all the implications of sex with Will. Her only thought before falling asleep was how very much she liked this fling thing.

Chapter Nine

A
fter closing up shop for the day April drove home, parked her compact car in the driveway, then walked straight across the alley to the Fletchers' back door. Kim had called and said they needed to talk, so here she was, knocking on the door.

Almost instantly her friend answered and grinned. “So, my brother sneaked out of your house late last night. Or was it early this morning?”

“More like late last night,” April confirmed.

She smiled and felt as if she'd been doing that all day. Surely everyone she'd seen had known that she had sex with Will Fletcher last night and didn't regret it.

“Is it safe to assume that the two of you didn't spend all those hours discussing old times?”

“It is safe to assume that.” April sighed. “There was physical activity involved.”

“You slept with Will.” Kim looked both pleased and aggravated. “He's never even taken you out to dinner.”

April followed her into the Fletchers' kitchen. “Keep your voice down. It's possible they didn't hear you in Cleveland and I'd like to keep it that way.”

The two of them stood by the island. “Dad and Tim are out and Will isn't home from work yet.”

“Seriously, Kim, he actually has taken me out to dinner.”

“Not since you set out to seduce him.”

Wow, April hadn't really done that, at least not by herself. If seduction had been involved, both of them were guilty. A little pizza. A little wine... Will kissed her and they both went up in flames.

“To put a finer point on it,” she said, “He did buy dinner. He brought over a pizza because the wedding stuff was getting to him and he needed a calm place to decompress.”

“Oh, please. He's not that delicate. And, just so we're clear, that's not the same as going out and doesn't count.” Then Kim tsked before grinning broadly. “Was it awesome?”

April felt heat creep into her cheeks when she thought about the way he'd touched her. Everywhere. And she'd been like putty in his hands. “Yes.”

“And?”

“I'm not sure there's anything more to add.”

“Where do things stand between you? Where do you go from here? What are your expectations?”

“We're just going to have fun.” Then April decided her friend should know the whole truth. “Don't be mad, but—”

“That's never a good way to start a sentence.”

“I told him about the plan to dump him. And that it was your idea. For the record he guessed that you were involved. I'm sorry.” She studied her friend's expression, trying to gauge her level of annoyance. “I just couldn't go to bed with him and not tell him about the plan.”

“I knew you couldn't do it.” Kim smiled. “You're so honest and it's why I love you. But I knew if things headed in that direction you'd never seal the deal without spilling the beans.”

“So you're not mad?”

“Did you have a good time?” the other woman asked.

“Yes.” April felt the glow from deep in her soul and wondered why Kim even had to ask.

“Then no way I could be mad. You haven't looked this happy in a very long time and it's wonderful to see.” She turned serious. “Are you okay with this just being a summer thing?”

“I know he's leaving when Hank goes back to work. This time I'm going into it with my eyes open. So, yeah, I'm okay with it.” She snapped her fingers. “I forgot the best part. He agreed to let me publicly dump him before he leaves.”

“He's a good man,” Kim said fondly.

The front door opened and closed. Moments later the man in question walked into the kitchen. He smiled at April. “Hi.”

“How was your day?” She smiled back, fully aware that the glow she'd been rocking all day had just amped up by a factor of a hundred.

“Good.”

“Don't mind me,” Kim said. “Just pretend I'm not here.”

Will looked at her. “Hi.”

“Hey.” She looked from him to April. “Luke is picking me up in a few minutes. We're going to Bar None for a drink and dinner. You guys should come with us. We'll make it a double date.”

“And why would we want to do that?” Will asked.

“Because you owe her a dinner after what you did last night.”

April looked at him and shrugged. “She saw you coming out of my house at an indecent hour.”

“Who put you on sibling surveillance?” It was hard to tell whether or not he was annoyed at getting caught.

“I made her tell me what happened,” Kim confirmed. “And, just so you know, I approve.”

“I'd expect nothing less.” Will's expression was wry. “After all, it was your idea.”

“You don't have to thank me.” His sister waved a hand dismissively. “Just say you agree to a double date. You and April. Luke and me. It will be fun. We've never done that before.”

“So why should we do it now?” he said and sent April a look that said he was deliberately giving her a hard time.

“If you don't,” she warned, “I'll tell Dad you spent the night at April's.”

“I'm willing to take my chances.” The look on his face was one that he reserved for torturing his sister. “On second thought we should go with her and Luke.”

“I'll bite,” April said. “Why?”

“I haven't had a chance to really get acquainted with the man my sister is going to marry. Maybe he should know what she's really like.”

“Do your worst,” Kim challenged. “You don't scare me.”

“What do you say, April? Are you up for a double date?” he asked.

She had the ridiculous feeling that she would follow him anywhere. And this wasn't the first time she'd experienced it. When he went to Chicago, she'd so wanted to go with him but couldn't leave her mother. For whatever reason, fate had deemed that the two of them were not destined to be together forever. Just for this summer. And the only ridiculous thought she had right this second was that they were wasting precious time.

“Yes, I'd like to double date.”

“Okay. April wants to go, so that's what we'll do,” Will declared.

“Good choice,” Kim said. “I was about to play the man-of-honor card.”

Will groaned. “You're going to make sure I regret saying yes to that, aren't you?”

Kim just smiled.

Thirty minutes later the four of them were sitting around a bistro table at Bar None. Delanie Carlson had taken their order of beers for the guys, white wine for the women and burgers all around. The place was packed and not only because it was Friday night. It was also summer and the tourists were out in force.

April watched Will make conversation with Luke. The high school football coach was a good-looking man with nearly black hair and brown eyes. He was physically fit, muscular, smart and completely crazy about Kim. Fortunately he was also a local boy and her friend wouldn't have to choose between the man she loved and the town that was woven into the fabric of her soul.

With a server in her wake, Delanie carried over a big tray. The two women set out drinks and food. “Anything else I can get you?”

“I don't think so,” Kim answered.

“Okay. Enjoy. And just holler if you need anything.”

“Thanks, Delanie,” all four of them said together.

Her mushroom Swiss burger was as big as a Toyota, so April cut it in half, then took a bite. After chewing and swallowing she said, “I didn't realize how hungry I was. This tastes really good.”

“It sure does.” Will's eyes gleamed as if to say it didn't taste as good as
she
did. Then the look faded and he turned his gaze on his sister's fiancé. “So, Luke, did you know that you're marrying a world-class meddler? As in my sister interferes in other people's lives.”

“That's a little harsh,” she defended. “I'm more of an idea person.”

Luke didn't appear to be the least bit surprised or put out. “What did you do now, love of my life?”

“I came up with a brilliant plan. April's mission was to flirt with Will, have a thing for the summer, then be the one to end it before he goes back to Chicago. If she pulls that off, no one will feel sorry for her when he leaves.”

Since everyone in town knew the story, April didn't bother going into her disastrous history with Will for Luke's benefit. “What Kim didn't factor in is that I'm not a skilled flirt. Give me a camera and I'm good. Give me a man and...” She shrugged as if to say “Insert appropriate slacker word here.”

“I thought there was something wrong with her eyes at first,” Will said.

The heated look he turned on April made her toes curl. “I tried to bat my lashes and it wasn't pretty.”

“Yet here you two are,” Luke pointed out. “So apparently my winsome and wonderful wife-to-be came up with an idea that had merit.”

“And then some, my handsome, heroic husband-to-be.” Kim looked at her man and raised an eyebrow. “He spent the night with her.”

“Oh.”

Will set the remaining half of his bacon cheeseburger down on his plate. “That's not the point, Luke. Before it's too late you should know that my sister is an epic interferer. And she's not likely to change, so beware. If she turns her powers on you, my friend, there could be hell to pay.”

“Another way to look at it is that putting so much effort into the people she cares about is part of her charm,” Luke said.

“Oh, my.” April sipped her wine. “He's such a good man.”

“I have to ask,” Will persisted. “Does Tim know that you're going to side with his mom all the time?”

Luke laughed. “He does if he's as smart as I think he is.”

“You've really got it bad,” Will observed.

“Oh, you're so dramatic,” Kim scoffed. “I bet you're really good when you go undercover.”

Will's expression hardly changed, but there was something cold and intense in his eyes. “I try to do the best possible job whatever the assignment.”

“I'm glad you appreciate me.” Kim leaned over and kissed her intended's cheek. “My brother puts most of his energy into the police force. I wish he could find balance.”

“Life and death, sis. That's the balance.”

It didn't seem as if the other couple noticed, but April felt the shift in him, the darkness. He'd told her that dedication to his job had been responsible for his failed marriage, at least partially. And he'd also revealed that he'd married the wrong woman.

What if he married the right one?
she thought. Would that balance him? Or was he unbalanceable?

She would probably never have an answer to that question because all he'd promised was a summer fling ending in a public breakup.

* * *

Will parked his SUV in the lot behind the sheriff's office and exited the vehicle. He looked at the spectacular blue sky and the towering Montana mountains and dragged in a deep breath of clean, fresh air, then grinned. This was the best he'd felt in probably years, a little carefree and a lot relaxed.

Sex with April no doubt had something to do with the relaxation. That particular tension had been gnawing at him since seeing her again. But it was even more than that. It was talking to her, being around her. Laughing. He hadn't realized how much he'd missed that. And dinner last night with Kim and her fiancé had been fun, and fun had been in short supply for a while now.

When he walked inside the office, Eddie and Clarice were already there. “Morning,” he said.

“Hey, Sheriff.” Clarice looked at him more closely. “You look perky today.”

“Do I?”

“Yes, sir. Does it have anything to do with April Kennedy?”

“And why would you ask that?”

“Word around town is that the two of you were seen at Bar None last night,” the clerk explained.

He really should have expected this. After all, his sister was the one who'd warned him to make sure the first time he saw April again was private and away from prying eyes. For some reason, today he couldn't muster the will to care that it was all over Blackwater Lake that he and April were dating. And under the conditions of their arrangement the more public their relationship, the more satisfaction April would get out of ending things.

“We were there last night,” he admitted. “Had a great time with my sister and Luke. But you probably already know that, too.”

His dispatcher smiled broadly. “That was brought to my attention, yes.”

“Okay, then.”

“I just made a pot of coffee, Sheriff,” she said.

“I could use a cup.” There was a table in the back of the room where the pot was kept along with supplies to keep it full. He walked back and grabbed one of the mugs sitting rim down and poured the hot black liquid into it. Clarice made it a point to wash up the mugs every day before she left and that was much appreciated.

Will walked back to her desk and leaned a hip on the corner. “What's up? Anything going on this morning that I should know about?”

“Pretty quiet. Got a complaint from out at the Harris place. During the night the barn was spray painted with words I refuse to repeat even though I know you've heard them all. Seems every summer we have to be the graffiti police. Eddie's going to check it out.”

“Probably kids,” the deputy said, joining him by the desk. “But I'll go out there and file a report.”

“We'll need pictures. Do you want me to give April a call?” He wouldn't mind talking to her. Just hearing her voice always made him smile. Interesting because when she took pictures, she never told the subject to smile but clicked away while chatting with them, just capturing honest emotion.

“Sheriff?”

Will looked at the deputy. “Hmm?”

“I said I don't think it's necessary to bother April. This is the third call we've had with the same complaint. So far there's been no real evidence, but I'll take a couple pictures with my cell phone for the report. Just to be thorough. Unless someone catches them in the act...” Eddie shrugged.