Page 14 of Legends: Easton (Legends of Fire Creek #3)

She glared at Easton who grinned at his own quip. She playfully punched his bicep and tried not to react at the solid muscle she felt through the fabric of his sleeve.

“I’m serious. My life took a turn about the time I found Roxy. She needed someone to take care of her. I needed someone to help me forget.”

“Is that why you’re staying with Darby Anne for a while? To forget?”

Bailee shrugged. “Something like that.”

“What happened?”

She waited until Roxy returned, and Bailee threw the stick again.

Standing in the cloak of darkness, she felt her vulnerability was hidden from the man with the intense stare.

He’d gotten under her skin enough to make her want to confide in him.

Her gut told her he would understand. She wasn’t sure how.

He was a bartender, not a cop. But something told her that Easton got her in a way few people did.

“You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.” He gave her an out before she could reply. “It’s none of my business. I only came out here to keep you company.”

Bailee quirked a brow. “You mean Gran sent you out here to keep me company. She won’t admit it, but I think she’s trying to play matchmaker.”

Easton chuckled, and now that her eyes adjusted to the dark, she could tell he pushed his hands into his pockets. “In all the time I’ve known your grandmother, she’s never tried to set me up with someone. Becky has, but not Darby Anne. I never pegged her as a matchmaker.”

“She’s not really,” she admitted. “I think it’s more of an attempt to distract me or make me loosen up. Have some fun while I’m here.”

“Is having some fun so bad?”

Bailee accepted the stick from Roxy and threw it again. The dog could play this game all night if Bailee’s pitching arm would hold up.

“No. Relaxing my guard might.” The words slipped out before she was aware of what she said.

She could almost feel Easton stiffen, the tension rolling off him in waves.

“Okay. I think I may have to insist you tell me what’s going on because I get the impression that it’s not good. Are you in trouble?”

“No.” An image of the man at the grocery store flashed in her mind’s eye. “Well, possibly. Actually, I don’t know. I’m not sure of anything right now.”

“Talk to me, Bailee.” This time, he took the stick from Roxy and threw it, giving her a chance to collect her thoughts.

She sighed. “I think I’m just spooked. I spent the last year in deep undercover.

The one person I trusted to have my back is the one who betrayed me.

He was the reason I had to go undercover, but no one knew it.

I had to bring him down, and I took down a lot of other criminals in the process.

I left town because I got word that there might be some residual blowback from the case.

We figured out of sight, out of mind. Then today, I bumped into this guy at the grocery store that gave me some bad vibes.

He didn’t say anything or do anything really.

But it’s hard for me to ignore that bad feeling when it comes. ”

“Your instinct was telling you something was off about the guy. How often is your gut wrong?”

“Not often. That’s why I sent a picture of him to a friend of mine with the ATF. She checked into him and came up empty. Gran didn’t recognize him and the cashier had only seen him once, but that doesn’t mean anything. They can’t possibly know everybody who comes through town.”

Roxy was obviously tired of playing because she trotted over to them without her stick and settled on the ground close enough to Bailee’s feet for her to feel the dog’s body heat.

Bailee wondered if her pet was trying to comfort her in her own way, and a slight smile twisted her lips at the thought.

“What can I do?”

Easton’s voice was both deep and soft, causing goosebumps to rise on her skin.

She shifted her body toward him, surprised by the question.

He didn’t say she was imagining things. He didn’t try to convince her to drop it or to dismiss what she was feeling.

He didn’t try to step in and take over and act like a control freak.

He simply asked if he could help, and the difference in his response versus the men she was usually around impressed her.

“No offense, Easton, but you’re not a cop. It’s probably best if you don’t get mixed up with what I have going on.”

His hand grasped hers and held it lightly. “I served a tour in the Army, so I’m not without certain skills. No, I’m not a cop, but I can handle myself and watch your six if you need me to. All you have to do is ask.”

She tilted her head to study his shadow, as if that would give her a different insight into the man. “Something tells me there’s more to your story than a simple tour in the Army.”

“Is that something triggering your gut instinct again?”

“Yes. How off the mark is it?”

“Maybe one day I’ll tell you. But first tell me…is there something I can do to help you?”

“Actually, yes. Eventually I have to go back to Louisville. Keep an eye on Gran for me? I doubt she’ll have any trouble if I’m not here, but I can’t be sure.

My brother can watch out for Mom and Dad once he’s back from his assignment, which should be any day now, but I don’t have anyone to make sure Gran’s okay. ”

“You got it. That’s an easy one to agree to. Your gran’s the best. She’s been very good to me, so it’s the least I can do for her.”

Relief flooded her body, and she was sure it came out in her voice when she replied. “Thank you.”

He traced a finger across her forehead, the touch light and gentle. “Anything to erase the worry creasing that pretty forehead.”

“You have a line for every occasion, don’t you?”

“Yes, but I didn’t use a line this time. I only spoke the truth.”

Bailee’s heart picked up speed, the thumping vibrating in her ears and drowning out that little voice that reminded her not to get to close to this man. Electricity surged between them. Her body swayed slightly, pulled toward him of its volition.

One moment she was wishing for more light to see if he was affected by their proximity as she was. The next his head lowered, his breath caressing her face, his lips brushing against hers. Once, then twice. The slightest touch teased her senses, making her wish for more.

His lips sealed over hers, his tongue nudging her mouth open.

As her lips parted, he deepened the kiss.

A thrill caused her belly to flutter, and she gripped his biceps to steady herself.

She memorized the soft pressure of his lips, the masculine feel and taste of his mouth, the warmth of his body against hers.

All too soon, he pulled back. His face hovered above her for several moments before he dropped his hands and stepped back.

Bailee’s lips tingled, and her mind was blank. No words came to her, and the silence stretched between them. Roxy stood and pressed against her legs, and Bailee lowered her head, breaking the spell she was under.

“I should probably call it a night.”

He took another step back, and she had a wild thought that maybe he regretted kissing her.

She should be the one with regrets, not him.

He’d been flirting with her from the first time their paths crossed.

She was the one who couldn’t afford any distractions, especially in the form of sexy bartenders.

“Tell Darby Anne good night for me? And thank her for the meal. It was excellent as always.”

“Of course.” She hated how tight her voice sounded and hoped he didn’t notice.

His palm caressed her cheek, his thumb tracing the outline of her mouth. “Remember, I have your six, Bailee. You can count on me. All you have to do is ask.”

Her annoyance with him melted away, and she leaned into his touch. “I’ll remember. Thank you.”

“Goodnight, Bailee.” His hand dropped to pet Roxy’s head. “Goodnight, Roxy. Watch after the ladies of the house, okay?”

Roxy barked once as if answering his question. With a light chuckle, Easton turned and walked over to his house. Bailee watched him until he stepped inside, and then she released a long breath. Roxy nudged her hand, and Bailee scratched behind the animal’s ears.

“Oh, Rox. I think I may be in more trouble from that man than the people back in Louisville.”