Authors: Melody Snow Monroe
“You’ll have to ask them. I just dropped off my official report before coming here.”
He was conservative in his opinion, but that probably made him a great arson investigator. She had to admire him. Even with him not committing, this story would make a nice follow-up to the first story. It sure beat curly versus straight fries. She really had thought Shane or Cody would be more into the murder theory, but they both seemed to be fact-based men. She liked that they didn’t jump to conclusions. It was a trait she needed to develop more.
Cody placed his hand over hers, and her heart did that skittering thing it did when he was near. “So we’re on for the Labor Day festivities?”
“You bet. Has it changed much? Is there still a parade down Main Street?”
“That and more. There’ll be tons of vendors. I think the whole town closes down except for those merchants on the parade route.”
“I can’t wait.” That was the truth. Getting the chance to spend time with these two would be the highlight of her return.
After they finished their drinks, they went their separate ways. She was halfway to the office when the police chief called. At first she thought he was going to give her information on the Tanner case.
“I’m calling about the bike thefts that occurred at the elementary school.”
Her shoulders sagged, but she kept her gaze on the road. “What do you have?”
“A teacher spotted a tall man slinking about the school yard last week. I went out there, got a description, and finally got a name. It’s one of the homeless men who wander around town. I picked him up and he admitted to taking the bikes and pawning them. If you want to come interview him, I have him in custody.”
Not her most exciting crime, but it would be of interest to the parents of the elementary-school-aged kids. “I’ll be right over. Thanks.”
It was always nice when the information came to her.
Once she spoke with the homeless guy, she returned to the station, wrote up an article on the Tanner case, then did a quick story on the bike thefts. She caught the tail end of the 5:00 p.m. news. Shane came off looking really good. Not to mention hot. She bet the public would eat him up. She’d give the chief a few days to digest the arson report. Then she’d see if he planned on investigating the crime.
Time to go home and enjoy Intrigue. She called her mom and made a date for her to come over Saturday night for dinner. Growing up, the two of them had been really close, but when she’d gone away to college then gotten the big job in Denver, she hadn’t visited as much as she would have liked. Now, she hoped to make up for lost time.
* * * *
Monday morning finally rolled around. While she enjoyed visiting with her mom, Jessie was a little disappointed not to have heard from either Cody or Shane. She figured there hadn’t been any more news, or one of them would have called. Both the woman and reporter in her were disappointed.
Fortunately, she’d gotten the holiday weekend off. Even better was that she got to spend it with Shane and Cody. While both men excited her equally, they were definitely different men. Shane was the more serious of the two. The fact he’d kissed her in the park still surprised her. He hadn’t appeared nearly as interested as Cody, but then again, back in the days, Cody wanted only one thing from a woman. While she wasn’t shy about having sex, Jessie was looking for a guy, or in this case, guys, to settle down with. Too bad Cody didn’t seem like the type to stay with one woman for long. Her goal was to change his mind.
Since the weather was in the low eighties, which was unseasonably warm for this time of year, she wore a tank top under a button-down shirt, shorts, and sandals. Dressing so casually was freeing.
She hopped in her car and arrived at Cody’s right on time. He answered before she got to ring the bell. Instead of asking her in, he stepped outside, looking ready to go. He wore jeans and a T-shirt under a leather jacket.
Two questions reached her brain at the same time. “Where’s Shane?” She wanted both men.
“He had to take care of some business. He’ll be joining us when he can.” He tilted up her chin. “You’re not too disappointed that you get to spend time with just me, are you?”
She laughed. “You don’t lack self-confidence, do you?”
“Not usually.”
“Aren’t you going to be hot in that jacket?”
“It’s for safety.”
She didn’t understand.
He took hold of her arm and led her toward the garage. “You mind taking the bike? Traffic can be a bitch during these parades.”
They were a good five miles from town. She’d be hot and sweaty by the time they arrived, but if he wanted to ride, that was okay by her. “Sure.”
He clicked open the door and there stood a shiny, black motorcycle. Not what she thought he meant by bike. Her eyes must have widened, for he chuckled.
“Did you think bicycle?”
“Yeah.”
“Sorry. I should have warned you to put on some jeans.”
“I’ll be okay.”
His lip curled partway into his mouth and his gaze scanned the length of her as if he was thinking if one of his pairs of jeans would fit her, or if they should ride back to her place. “We can go back to your house, and you can change.”
She might be tempted to ask him in, and when she took too long to put on her jeans, he’d wander into the bedroom. He’d see the bed and ask if they could try it out. “I’m good. I’d be too hot in long pants.”
“Okay, but watch that your leg doesn’t touch the bike. It can get hot and burn you.”
“I’ll be careful.” She appreciated the fact he was so concerned about her welfare.
He picked up a helmet and placed it on her head then snapped closed the chin strap. His fingers nearly burned her skin. She needed to stop reacting with every touch.
Right. Like that was going to happen.
He tapped the top. “Comfy?”
She nodded. She’d never worn a full-face helmet before, and it was a bit claustrophobic, but she’d deal. He donned his helmet and slid onto the bike. It was now or never. She adjusted her backpack purse, lifted her leg, and slipped behind him. The best part about riding on a motorcycle with such a hunk was that she could wrap her arms around him and squeeze tight.
The cycle jumped to life. “You good?”
Oh!
There was a speaker in the helmet. “Yes.”
The ride to town was wonderful. While she’d lived here for the first eighteen years of her life, she didn’t remember the countryside looking this nice, or the ride this exhilarating. The traffic picked up halfway into town. Cody was right. Parking would have been difficult if he’d driven his truck. He parked behind the buildings on Second Street, which was parallel to Main. They had about an eight-block walk, which would allow her to spend more time with him.
When they got into the mix, there were kids everywhere. The noise was quite loud, but the energy was wonderful. They passed a stand selling cotton candy. Without asking, he bought two sticks and handed her one.
“I haven’t had one of these in forever.” The first bite seemed mostly like air and was almost too sweet.
He opened his mouth and managed to stuff half of it in at one time. She laughed. “You got half of it on your face.” She leaned closer. “Let me.” Peeling the sticky goop off his cheek took some doing, especially with her hands shaking. Their lips were only inches from each other, and most of her body seemed to be transforming right before her. Her pussy was the first to wake up and take notice.
“You aren’t so pristine yourself. You’ve got the candy stuck on your lip.”
She licked her lips. “Did I get it?” She tilted her head for his inspection.
He leaned closer, and his ocean-blue eyes lasered straight to her lips. “No. Here, let me help.”
In that second, her heart stopped. He sucked on her bottom lip and her stomach somersaulted. She wanted to drag the rest of the cotton candy all over her body and have him lick it off.
“There. All gone.” He leaned back and smiled.
The line had been drawn. He wanted her, and she wanted him.
Chapter Six
Jessie had to force her mind on the activities instead of what just happened. Cody licking her lip might not have been a big deal to him, but it shook her to the core. Emotions long thought buried broke free. And that was from a half kiss!
He tugged on her hand, acting like he was a teenager in love. From the way he was glancing at everything, he wanted to explore each new adventure. She was game to go along.
The Labor Day parade consisted of homemade floats that were manned by a lot of drunken cowboys, the high school band, and random groups that had some theme going on. “I take it there is no committee who oversees who gets to be on the parade route?”
He laughed. “The only requirement is that your group must be dedicated to having a good time.”
“I like that.”
Down one of the side streets sat carnival booths. A lot of the kids were swarming around each of the stands. One booth had bobblehead dolls that popped up and down at random intervals. The man running the booth explained something about having to shoot them down in order to win a prize.
After the kid finished with his try, Cody stepped over to the man in charge. “How many do I have to shoot to win one of those prizes?” He nodded to the shelf full of dolls and stuffed animals.
“You get three shots and have to hit down two bobbleheads. It’s two dollars a try.”
He grinned and paid the man. “This is for you.” He winked at her, picked up the gun, and took aim.
The concentration on his face surprised her. She expected him to joke around.
Ping
. He hit the first bobblehead. He glanced at her, smiled, and straightened his shoulders. The second shot missed.
He spread his legs wider, but she refused to think about whether the new position put pressure on his cock or not.
“I’m going to get the next one.”
For me?
Ping
. He hit the third one, and she jumped up and down.
He gave her a quick hug. “So what do you want?”
You?
“Oh, you mean what prize?” She knew he couldn’t read minds, but he had an uncanny ability to read faces.
The man in charge pointed to the section of prizes she could choose from. There was a pink flamingo dressed in a cowgirl outfit. “I’ll take the pink cowgirl.”
The owner handed her the doll. She faced Cody, leaned up, and kissed him on the cheek. “As a kid, my mother could never afford to buy me such things.” She hugged the doll to her chest then put it in her purse. “I’ll treasure this. Thank you.” At twenty-nine, she shouldn’t be so excited to have a doll, but since Cody won it for her, she’d give it to her little girl someday.
“You need someone to keep your new friend company. Give it a try.”
He was sweet. “Me? I can’t shoot.”
“I’ll help.”
If it involved having his hands around her body, she would give it a go. “Okay.”
Cody grasped her shoulders and placed her in front of the stand. He paid another two dollars and handed her the rifle. He leaned over and stood cheek to cheek, sending her pulse into the red zone. His right hand slipped over hers. She lifted the gun and let him guide her. When his chest flattened against her back, she had a hard time breathing.
“Relax, and keep your eye on the bobblehead. Try to judge when it’s going to pop up, aim, and shoot.”