Page 7

I’m pretty sure she’s trying to flirt her way out of this, and while I like it, I’m not that easy. My hands go to my hips, and her eyes go to my biceps. They widen slightly before quickly returning to meet my gaze. If it weren’t so dark, I’d almost think she was blushing.

“I could take you to jail… Or I could give you a hell of a ticket… However, I’m willing to let you off with a warning.”

That gets me an immediate smile. “Thanks.” She starts to get in the car again, but I stop her.

“I wasn’t finished.”

She pauses and looks up at me. “You weren’t?”

Tabby is the niece of Bob Green, pastor of the small church in town. I attend somewhat regularly to keep the townsfolk happy. She is rarely there. It gives me an idea.

“I’ll let you off with a warning and…” Stepping back, I turn as if I’m ready to walk to my cruiser. “You’ll be in church tomorrow to make up for it.”

“Church!” Her voice is just short of a shriek, and I bite back a grin. “Why do I have to go to church?”

Pausing, I allow a cocky grin. “Because I have a feeling it’s the one thing you’d hate more than a hefty fine.”

She jams her hands on her hips, and I can almost see her doing an angry little stomp. “That’s blackmail.”

“I could give you the ticket instead. I expect it’d be around… Five hundred dollars.”

“Five hundred!”

“You’re breaking at least three laws.”

“Bastard,” she whispers.

“What was that, Miss Green?”

The cicadas grow louder, filling the empty air like a pitcher of water.

“I said I guess I’ll see you in the morning.”

“I’ll follow you home. No more driving without a license. I won’t be as lenient next time.”

“That was lenient?” She’s grumbling, and I grin at the cute sass in her walk away from me.

I’m in my car, shutting off the flashers and starting the engine. It only takes her a moment to do the same, and we slowly follow the highway into town, through the oak-filled neighborhoods and out past the four ancient storefronts belonging to Betty, Wyatt, Emberly, and Daisy.

Tabby takes a turn and drives to a little strip of land down the road from the church, a small cottage I know she calls home.

I wait until she shuts off her car and gets out. A pair of red heels dangle from her fingers, and she doesn’t even look back as she jogs up the short flight of steps to her front door. A jiggle of keys, and she disappears into the house with a slam.

Her lights flicker on, and I’m sure she’s in for the night. I can’t help thinking about how I’ll see her tomorrow in the tiny sanctuary.

&n

bsp; Three

Tabby

Chad Tucker is the most annoying man on the planet.

Dropping my heels on the floor of my bedroom, I slip out of my skirt and go to my small bathroom. I step into my footed tub and turn on the hot water, sitting on the side as I wash the sand off my feet with the sprayer.

Making me walk a straight line…

I know he did it just to piss me off. As if I’d drive drunk. I do some crazy shit, but nothing that would endanger the lives of others. He should know better with his damn biceps and that damn tight waist. My panties got hot when he put his hands on his hips.