Page 25 of Seducing the Sheriff (Charming Butte #2)

Chapter Thirteen

Greg

Cash gaped at me with a startled expression. “What kind of box? Where did it come from? What’s inside?”

I barked out a laugh. He really should look into being a detective. Solving mysteries was clearly his happy place. Smiling, I took the bag of food from him. Hopefully, I’d also be his happy place someday.

“Come on,” I said. “I revved up the chiminea after I called you. We can eat outside, and I’ll tell you everything.”

Cash blinked several times. “You’re killing me.” He tilted his head. “Wait. When did you get a chiminea?”

I chuckled as he followed me through the entryway to the kitchen. “I didn’t. I found it behind the shed earlier when I was rooting around for a spot for the sheep.”

His jaw went slack. “You have sheep already? I was here this morning, right?” Cash dragged his palm across the top of his head. “I feel like an abductee having a missing time episode.”

I couldn’t hold in a round of laughter. I was going to send the poor guy over the edge.

I grabbed some paper plates from the cupboard. “I assure you, Sheriff. No aliens were involved.”

Cash gave me a smirk. “Why do I feel that in the course of duty I might hear that said to me non-jokingly one day?”

“You just might. But no sheep. I was only taking a peek at the area around there after speaking with Dex earlier.” I grinned as I split up the food on two plates. “Beer?”

Cash snorted. “I have a feeling I’ll probably need it.”

We finished gathering everything we for our meal, then made our way out to the deck. Was it weird that it already felt like he belonged here with me? Even if it wasn’t, I planned on keeping my mouth shut so it didn’t become weird.

Once we settled, we each took a bite of our food, but I sensed Cash’s nervous anticipation. To be fair, I’d been chomping at the bit to find out what was inside the box, too. I’d been behaving myself and not messing with it in case I disturbed any vital evidence.

Cash set down a half-eaten burrito on his plate. “Okay, fess up. I need details.”

I wiped my mouth with a paper napkin. “So, after I got back from meeting with Dex, I started working on the spot under the stairs, dealing with the closet and so on. As I was pulling out the old rotting wood, I spotted a couple boards that seemed out of place. It took some effort, but once I tore them out, there it was.”

“What? What was there?” Cash leaned forward, his food apparently forgotten.

“An old jewelry box. Filthy from all the dirt and dust over the years, but I can tell it was once a beauty. I’m guessing it’s from the thirties.”

Cash’s jaw went slack. “In other words, around the same time as the body.”

“Yup.” I rubbed my hands together, excitement coursing through me. “That’s why I called you. I didn’t want to disturb it. However, since you’re part of law enforcement…” I shrugged. “I figured it’s okay for you to take possession of it.”

Cash straightened, his brow furrowing. “So…” He glanced away, taking a sip from his beer. “Right. Of course, that’s why you called.” He regarded me again with a tight smile. “Makes sense.”

“Umm…” Had I said something wrong? On the possibility meter regarding my social acumen, I figured the chances were high that’s what I’d done. I ran my words through my mind. “Wait. No.”

He’d already settled back in his chair, so this time I was the one who leaned forward. “That wasn’t the only reason I called you. I’ve been thinking about you all day.”

This was it, this was my defining moment. I had to take a chance or simply crawl back into my emotional prison and live out my days in the New Mexico desert all alone.

“It’s okay, Greg.” Cash chuckled shakily. “I think I got carried away after all the comments from the locals.”

I straightened in my chair. “Wait. What do you mean?”

Cash shook his head. “It’s fine. I’m sure they’ll lose interest once they realize we’re not a couple, that we’re only friends.” He let out a light laugh that would’ve sounded casual if it didn’t also carry an edge of sadness. “You know how small towns are. Everybody talks.”

Cash picked at his food, and it felt like a boulder had landed in my stomach.

I swallowed hard. “Everyone thinks we’re a couple?”

Cash nodded but wouldn’t meet my eyes.

“Really?”

A slow smile pulled at the corners of my lips as the boulder disintegrated and was replaced by flutters.

If it meant what I thought it did, the lovely citizens of Charming Butte were okay with us being together.

And why wouldn’t they be? Obviously, Dex and Meyer were open about their relationship.

If the fire chief was gay, what would be different about the sheriff’s situation?

Cash wrapped up his remaining food as he rose. “Listen, I have to get going. But if you can show me where the box is, I’ll take pics of the location, then I’ll bring it back to the office.”

I shot up from the table like I’d been zapped with a cattle prod, knocking over my chair in the process. “No!”

Cash froze, his eyes going wide. “What’s wrong?”

I almost face-planted as I kicked my errant chair out of the way, yanking Cash to me and crushing our mouths together.

Cash dropped his paper plate, taco innards splattering across the deck.

He responded to the kiss by taking control, trapping me in his embrace, pressing the hard planes of his chest against mine.

I let Cash lead me backward toward the patio door, our lips never parting. My heel caught on the threshold, and I stumbled, breaking the kiss momentarily. He steadied me with strong hands on my waist, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

“Careful,” he murmured, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine.

Inside, the house was cool and dim compared to the bright heat from the firepit on the deck. Cash’s hands were everywhere—twisting in my hair, skimming down my sides, cupping my face. I couldn't get enough of him. I tugged at his shirt, desperate to feel his skin against mine.

“That mattress ready for action?” He chuckled against my lips.

I groaned, my need for him so maddening, “Only one way to find out.”

We moved in a tangle of limbs and half-shed clothing, bumping into the hallway wall, pausing to press hot, open-mouthed kisses against each other’s necks, shoulders, any exposed skin we could find.

Cash backed me against the doorframe of the living room, his hands sliding beneath my shirt to trace the curve of my waist.

“Want this off,” he growled, tugging at the hem.

I raised my arms, letting him peel the fabric up and over my head. His eyes darkened as they swept over me, and I shivered under his gaze, feeling both exposed and powerful.

“Your turn,” I whispered, reaching for the buttons of his shirt with trembling fingers.

One by one, I unfastened them, revealing more of his tanned skin with each flick of my wrist. When I finally pushed the shirt from his shoulders, I ran my palms up his frame, tracing the defined muscles of his chest and abdomen.

“You have any supplies?” I hadn’t thought far enough ahead to this crucial moment. Not only didn’t I have a real mattress, but I hadn’t been with a guy in so long that protection hadn’t been a concern. “Cuz I’d like to bottom for you.”

The corner of his mouth tugged into a smile. “Funny you should mention it. The condoms I picked up on the way over here might be fueling some of that gossip.”

I snorted. “Well then, we better prove them right.”

He grinned. “My thoughts exactly.”

We quickly shed the rest of our clothing, stealing glances at each other as we did. Our first encounter the day before had been fantastic, seeing him naked for the first time, his cock in my mouth. But now, the anticipation of that amazing dick buried deep inside me was making me crazy with need.

Once we were both nude, we were in each other’s arms again, the action so fast, I couldn’t tell who’d made the first move. All that mattered was that we were skin to skin, kissing and grinding as if we’d never get enough.

I broke the connection, almost breathless. “Ready to test this thing?”

Cash’s eyebrows shot up. “The mattress or your ass?”

A laugh burst out of me. “Both, I guess?”

I refused to let go of his hand, so I kicked the covers out of the way, leaving only the sheet and pillows. “It didn’t lose any air after we slept on it all night.” I peered over my shoulder. “But I’m not sure how it’ll hold up with more boisterous activity.”

“Whatever happens, happens.” Cash released my hand, then lowered himself onto the mattress, patting the spot next to him. “I won’t be holding back, so if it breaks, I’ll get you a new one.”

I grunted. “Fuck that. My next purchase is the real deal.”

I joined him on the bed, and we picked up where we left off, my cock firming up in record time.

He moved on top of me, leaning on his elbows as he gazed into my eyes.

Shadows passed over his features from the one source of light streaming in from the kitchen.

We might be in the middle of nowhere, but I still didn’t have blinds or drapes.

I wasn’t overly modest, but I wasn’t into putting in a show for the coyotes or a chance visitor.

Cash lowered his lips to mine, and our kisses grew in fervor as we explored each other’s mouths thoroughly.

He suddenly paused. “Sorry, wasn’t thinking.” Cash stretched across me and dragged his discarded jeans closer. “I tucked a condom and a packet of lube in my pocket. I didn’t want to come in guns blazing with a jumbo box of rubbers in a plastic bag.”

I choke-snorted. “Burritos with a side of rubbers.”

He chuckled. “Exactly.” Cash dug out the items, then returned his attention to me. “Now, where were we?”

I could kiss him all day and night. Cash tasted sweet, our shared breaths intoxicating. His lips were firm yet pliant against mine, and I couldn’t imagine being this in tune with anyone else. It had certainly hadn’t happened before.