Page 13 of Beneath the Blue Moon

***Casey***

Goddamn, that sheriff is too hot! I had to get away before

I had my way with him right there on the dance floor. His body felt incredible

against mine, all hard and strong. I can just imagine what it feels like

completely naked. And Oh. My. God… that fucking hard-on! He can definitely do

some damage. I can see us clearly—hot, sweaty, passionate sex… and then repeat.

I just know once wouldn’t be enough. He looks like the kind of guy who would

pick me up, slam me against the wall, and fuck me senseless.

Fuck, I need a bucket of ice. Just thinking about it has got

me worked up. He might be just what I need to relieve a little stress; Lord

knows I am not looking for a relationship. I run to the back and get an ice-cold

glass of water. The door bursts open and Janice hustles in, wide-eyed.

“Casey, how did you do that?”

“What are you talking about, Jan?”

“How did you get the sheriff to dance with you?”

“He sort of asked me.” I shrug.

“He never does that. On the rare occasions he does

come here, he has a few drinks then leaves. He never smiles, doesn’t talk to anyone,

and definitely doesn’t dance.”

“You’re exaggerating.”

“No, I’m not. People around here are kind of scared of him.”

“Scared? He seems like a nice guy to me.”

“He’s a good guy, don’t get me wrong,” she says. “He just… doesn’t

socialize much.”

“Huh. Interesting.”

Very interesting… even though I think she’s blowing things

out of proportion. I have never seen a less scary man in my life.

“Doesn’t even date women from around here. Always some

gorgeous, model-type from Hollywood or wherever.”

“As hunky as he is, he’s a small-town sheriff. I highly

doubt his women are models and actresses.”

“Fine. Don’t believe me. But if anyone can reel him in, I

know it’s you, Casey.”

“I’m not trying to reel anyone in.”

“Mm-hmm. Just promise me you’ll tell me how good the sex is.

A man like that….”

She closes her eyes, shivers, and draws a shaky breath. With

a giggle, I pat her on the shoulder as we make our way back to the bar.

“A lady doesn’t kiss and tell, Jan.”

By the time my shift ends, I’m dog-tired, and my feet ache something

fierce. However, we made a killing tonight, and Rusty is open to trying some of

my other ideas. I’ve already expanded our drink offerings, but I want to do

much more. I tuck my tips into my pocket and kiss him on the cheek.

“Good night, Rusty. See you tomorrow.”

“G’night, darlin’.”

I was a little disappointed when the sheriff left, but it’s

probably a good thing he did. I don’t think I’d be up for any action in my

current state. When I walk through the doors, I find him in the parking lot,

leaning against a shiny black GMC pickup truck. I guess he didn’t leave after

all.

He smiles as I walk over to him.

“If it ain’t the sheriff. I thought you left.”

“No. I’ve been here… waiting for you.”

“Well, here I am.”

“Where’s your car?” he asks, looking around the parking lot.

“Oh, it was such a beautiful night I decided to walk.”

Which I now regret. I don’t know if I can take another step.

This is why they say hindsight is perfect. But it looks like I have a ride.

“So, you were planning on walking home?” He raises a brow.

“Yeah.”

“I can’t have you walking alone at this time of night.”

“I walked the streets of New York City at this time of night,

and I managed. I think I can handle the mean streets of Canid.”

He straightens to his full height and clenches his jaw. As

he opens the passenger door, he gives me a look that he probably gives to

criminals. Despite the fact that he looks menacing, I still don’t think he’s

scary. Jan was so exaggerating.

“Get in. I’m taking you home.”

Well, damn. Aren’t you bossy?

“When you put it like that, how can I refuse?”

His face relaxes, and he flashes a beautiful smile. I climb

in and watch as he makes his way around to the driver’s side.

“You lived here all your life, Sheriff?”

“Born and bred.”

“You like it here?”

“It’s home.”

“I’m from New York. Staten Island, aka the forgotten borough.

I miss it a little, but I like it here so far. It’s really quiet, nice people.

It has its advantages.”

Like a bronzed god for a sheriff. I kick my wedged

sandals off and place my feet on the dashboard, wiggling my toes.

“You don’t mind, do you?” I ask.

“Um… no, of course not.”

That uncomfortable look is on his face again, and he keeps

glancing at my legs. Huh… a little leg cleavage has the sheriff feeling the

heat?

“Where did you learn to handle a bar like that?” he asks.

“I worked as a bartender all through college. By the time I

graduated, I was a manager.”

“What did you study?”

“Business at NYU. I’m gonna run my own bar one day.”

“Why a bar?”

“I just love the atmosphere. Plus, you have to admit, I’m

pretty good at it.”

“Yes, you are,” he agrees.

“You like being a sheriff?”

“I love it.”

“You would. You strike me as one those alpha-male types.”

His laugh begins as a low rumble. Did I say something

funny? He throws his head back, his chest shaking with laughter.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing… just… What about you? Are you the alpha-female type?”

“All the way, baby! I was born to lead.”

He looks over at me, his eyes flush with desire. My heart beats

an erratic rhythm as I stare into them.

“Could you pull over here for a sec?” I ask.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

He pulls over, and I slide next to him. His breathing

becomes heavy. The sexual tension in the small cab is so thick you need an

electric saw to cut it. He grips the steering wheel hard and looks straight

ahead.

“Sheriff?” I touch his cheek and turn his face toward me. “Are

you going to kiss me or not?”

“I want to.”

“Then do it already.”

I lean in, and he cups my cheek, stroking it with his thumb.

His milk chocolate eyes are the last things I see before I close mine. His lips

are soft, his kiss tentative, yet awareness jolts through my body. Pulling back,

he gazes at me in wonder. I know he felt it, too. He covers my lips with his,

slowly teasing. I slide my hand to the back of his neck, urging him to take

control. And he does. His arm slips around my waist, pulling me onto his lap. I

part my lips and his tongue sweeps into my mouth, tangling with mine. God, he

smells good! Like pine trees and… heaven. This is how men should smell.

Whimpering, I wrap my arms around his neck. His hand slowly wanders

up my leg, over my hip, and stops at the exposed skin between my shirt and

shorts. His touch warms my very core, and I want more. All of a sudden, I don’t

feel tired anymore. I try to move into a better position, but the steering

wheel hinders me. Reaching between his legs, I grab the lever under his seat,

and it slides back with a jerk. Startled, he pulls away. Breathing heavily, I

straddle him, grab his shirt, and yank his lips back to mine. He moans, sinking

his fingers into my hips. I run my fingers through his hair, reveling in the

feel of the soft, silky strands.

His lips move over mine with an unmistakable hunger, one I

feel compelled to satisfy. The erection between his legs calls to the dampness between

mine. He tugs on my hair, and I realize he’s removed the ties. Both hands

tangle in my hair, roaming my scalp, and I rock my hips against him as we

devour each other’s lips. I whimper at the sensations flowing through my limbs

as I rub my pussy against his hard dick. I need him inside me. I make quick

work of the buttons on his shirt and push the sides apart. He jumps at my touch

but lets out a long, deep moan when I run my fingers across his rock-hard abs. This

is so much better than I thought it would be.

I reach for his belt, but he grabs my hands and breaks our

kiss. I open my eyes, and his are shut tightly, his features conveying some kind

of internal battle.

“Sheriff?”

He takes a deep breath, and his lids flutter open.

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?” I ask.

“We can’t.”

“Yes, we can.”

I try to reach for his belt again, but he tightens his hold

on my hands.

“We shouldn’t.”

“Why? Don’t tell me you don’t want to, ’cause what I’m

feeling between my legs tells me you do.”

“I do. More than you know, but… not now. Not here.”

Oh, God! Of all the men in town—and probably the

whole world—I had to choose the one who turns down a ready and willing woman. I

climb down and move back to my side of the truck, pouting like a six-year-old.