Protector: Doms of Mountain Bend Book 1 by BJ Wane (reading books for 7 year olds .txt) 📗

as Shawn turned a crooked grin upon the boy. She cursed that quick response, wishing she could stay detached from his charm.

“Hey, Deputy McDuff. Are you gonna arrest somebody?”

“Chad, please return to your seat and wait to get in line like you’re supposed to do,” she admonished lightly, walking to the door.

“I’m already here, so I’m first.”

“Chad.” Shawn’s deep rumble accompanied his hands falling to the little boy’s shoulders. Turning him around, he said, “Do as Ms. Halldor instructed. Setting a good example is important.”

“Fine, but I wanna watch you cuff ’em, so wait for me.”

Shawn shook his head, removing his hat and nodding to Lisa. “I’m here to visit with your teacher, not to arrest anyone.”

“Aw, shucks,” Chad grumbled, shuffling his feet back to his desk.

Lisa looked up at Shawn in surprise, itching to sink her fingers into his thick, dark-brown hair where it curled around his neck. She stayed a safe foot away from him as the students lined up, but that didn’t keep a small kernel of longing from forming, whether for the man or what he could do for her, she wasn’t sure.

“What can I help you with, Deputy Sheriff?” She was proud of her steady voice, so at odds with her quivering abdominal muscles.

“It can wait until you’ve seen your students off.” Moving out of the door, he made room for the kids to file past him, greeting several by name.

As she followed her students out, her arm brushed against his, the simple contact enough to deliver an electric jolt of awareness and put a dent in her already scorched defenses. He was still waiting by her classroom door when she returned from walking the kids out to the buses and waiting parents. Lisa squared her shoulders, determined to stick with common sense and not cave to her physical needs.

Before she could say anything, he followed her into the classroom and closed the door behind him. “We’re alone now, so you can drop the formalities. You’re good with the kids.”

“How do you know?” she asked, moving to her desk.

“I watched you the last fifteen minutes or so of class.” Undeterred by her less than enthusiastic response to his sudden appearance, he came forward and hitched a hip against the desk, his hat dangling from one hand as he scraped his other hand through his hair, just like she wanted to do. “You don’t need to worry about rumors of your attendance at Spurs getting out. This is a close-knit community, and despite the fast travel of gossip, those at the club respect other members’ privacy. If they don’t, they’re out.”

“I’m not officially a member, and I won’t be here long enough to be considered part of the community. Besides, who says I’m worried?” She feigned nonchalance, but his comment did stir up a ripple of anxiety. That was something she’d never had to consider while living in Phoenix due to the sheer size of the city.

Shawn’s deep chuckle vibrated down her spine as he reached out and gripped her chin. “You’re easy to read, Lisa. For instance, I can tell you’re not happy to see me. Why?”

She pulled out of his hold, his rough callouses brushing her chin, reminding her of the way he’d scraped across her sensitive nipples. Instead of answering, she asked again, “What brings you here, Deputy?”

His mouth curved in a sexy “I’ve got your number” hint. “Thursday is prime rib night at the brewery steak house. I’d like you to have dinner with me.”

Lisa caught herself before she stumbled back in surprise, his invitation for a casual date something she hadn’t expected. As much as an informal evening out appealed to her, it was the strong tug of that lure that made her pause, that and her growing infatuation with the man she only knew as her childhood rescuer.

“Considering my temporary stay in town, that’s probably not a good idea, but I appreciate the offer.”

“So polite,” he murmured, those sharp eyes never leaving her face. “And troubled.” Leaning over the desk, he cupped her nape and drew her forward until his mouth hovered above hers. “It’s dinner, Lisa, not a marriage proposal. We both have to eat, and, unless you plan to stay away from Spurs during the next two months, I want to get to know you better before I restrain you again.”

And just like that, her pussy spasmed with dampness, and she craved the hard pressure of his mouth taking hers. She opened her mouth without knowing what she was going to say then laughter from the hallway reminded her where they were, and she pulled away instead, putting space between them that did nothing to quell the neediness his presence stirred up.

“I’ll pick you up at six.” Shawn pivoted and strode to the door, saying without turning around, “I’ve got your address.”

Flummoxed, Lisa stared after him. “How the heck did he do that? And why did I let him?” She couldn’t help the flutter of anticipation skating through her, wondering if it was just their brief past or a stronger reason for her consuming interest in him.

****

“It’s nice to see you again, Deputy Sheriff.”  The perky brunette greeted them as they entered the restaurant, her eyes devouring him as if he were on the menu.

“You, too, Tiffany. A table for two, please.” He usually ignored the girl’s harmless flirtations but didn’t care for the cool look she gave Lisa.

Shawn removed his hat and laid a hand on Lisa’s lower back as they followed the waitress to a table. Lisa’s calf-length skirt swirled around her bare legs as she walked, the lime-green blouse a soft contrast to the dark denim. Her muscles tightened under his palm, but she didn’t shift away from his touch despite the guarded look that hadn’t left her face since she opened her door to him. The