Page 48 of Single Mom’s Undoing (Lucky Lady Reverse Harems #1)

Safety is the least of my concerns. What does worry me is the electricity in the air that sparks between us when we’re in the same room.

I’ve been getting that vibe at the police station, too.

Every time Lucas walks into the evidence room, it becomes harder for me to breathe, and my heart starts racing.

There’s definitely a sexual tension, the kind that will turn me to cinder if I’m not careful.

“Have a seat if you want,” I point to the chair next to the chest of drawers. “There’d be a pile of clothes to move if this was my place.”

He laughs as he sits down. I like the sound; it’s gruff and light at the same time, making my skin tingle all over.

“I know this can’t be easy,” Lucas says softly.

“It could always be worse, right?”

“It could.”

“I’m lucky to have you as my neighbor.”

Lucas draws a deep breath. “So what exactly brought you to Frost Valley?”

“Don’t I already have the job?” I ask, nervously chuckling. My past is the one thing I fiercely keep to myself. I am not proud of the choices I’ve made, and to this day, I still believe there were things I could’ve—and should’ve—done differently.

“This isn’t an interview. I’m just trying to get to know you,” Lucas says with a grin.

“You have my file. Pretty sure the fine folks at New Beginnings gave you a clear picture of what went down.”

“They did. But that doesn’t really answer my question.”

“Of how I ended up in Frost Valley all the way from the big city.”

He nods once.

I’m still surprised I was able to trade New York City for a quiet life in the mountains.

There was a time when I simply couldn’t imagine myself being anywhere but in the concrete jungle.

I thrived in the hustle and bustle of downtown, in the plethora of smells and street food flavors.

The world was my orange tree, each fruit a boundless possibility.

All I had to do was reach out and pluck one.

“I needed a fresh start,” I tell Lucas. “Somewhere nice and quiet. Timothy has been my ally since I was a kid. He looked out for me. Even though I steered away from him and got into trouble, he still found me and helped me out. When he told me about the New Beginnings program, that they’d opened a chapter in his hometown, I figured what’s the worst thing that could happen? ”

“You’d move in, get comfortable, and then your place would burn down,” Lucas replies without missing a beat.

I start laughing, hard. When I finally catch my breath, I look at him and smile. “It’s not funny.”

“Yet here we are,” he shoots back with a chuckle.

“You’re kind of cool, Sheriff.”

He narrows his steely blues at me. “Kind of?”

“Well, yes. You’re still an authority in this town, but you clearly have a softer side. And you’re surprisingly funny.”

“I don’t know if I should feel insulted or flattered.”

I blush, and the way his gaze wanders over the rest of me only serves to fan the flames of a different kind of fire. “My apologies. I didn’t mean it like that. It was meant to be a compliment.”

“I know, I’m just pulling your leg,” he replies with a smile. “Relax, Tassia. I don’t judge a person based solely on their criminal history.”

“I’m happy to hear that, though I was surprised you let me work in the evidence room or hired me at all.”

“Timothy vouched for you. Plus, your record didn’t include any charges that would be in direct conflict with the requirements and responsibilities.

We’re woefully understaffed as it is, and you successfully completed all three of your mandatory trial periods.

I decided it was worth the risk the minute you flagged the gunshot residue on that red hoodie in the Masterson case.

Our crime scene techs completely missed it. ”

“I guess I got lucky.”

I’ve always had a keen eye, my synapses firing at incredible speed. Maybe that’s why Timothy has always had such faith in me. My mind used to keep me out of trouble. But my heart damn near destroyed me.

“Even so, that was a nice catch. Masterson is looking at a life sentence,” Lucas replies. “Given the rise in crime in and around Frost Valley, we could use your luck,” he adds with a wink.

I take a deep breath and gaze out the window. “I want to say the damage looks worse than it is,” I mutter, staring at Tim’s cabin, “but I’m pretty sure I’d be wrong.”

“I hate to tell you this, but I have to agree. It probably is worse than it looks,” he says. “But I was serious earlier when I said you’re welcome to stay here for as long as you need. Mitch and Tyler are both on board. We help each other in this town.”

“I appreciate that.” I exhale sharply, looking anywhere but at him.

It’s getting hard for me to focus, so maybe if I keep my mouth busy with some of those pastries, it’ll get my mind off how gorgeous this man is. At least he put on a shirt, but it’s too late. I’ve already seen the goods.

“Thank you for the food,” I mumble as I head toward the tray.

“Not at all. I’ll leave you to it.”

As he gets up, I make the colossal mistake of gazing at him as he passes by.

For a split-second, I feel dizzy. My oxygen level is still low from the fire, and I haven’t eaten all day, so my blood sugar is likely low as well.

Either way, I stand still to get my bearings, but it’s too late—my body wobbles just a little, enough for Lucas to notice.

He comes over and puts his hands on my arms, steadying me.

“Easy,” Lucas whispers.

I go completely brain dead and time stands still.

We look at each other for what feels like an eternity. We could pull away, a simple gesture. He knows it, and I know it.

Instead, Lucas lowers his head, crashing his lips into mine. I welcome him, hungry and desperate as invisible fireworks explode around us.

“Tassia,” he growls before his tongue clashes with mine.

“This is wrong,” I mumble against his lips.

“So wrong.”

Yet neither of us does anything to stop it. On the contrary, he squeezes me tighter in his arms, then deepens the kiss and proceeds to let his hands wander up and down my curves. Gripping. Touching. Exploring as his fingers slip beneath my tee.

His touch is downright electric.

Liquid heat pools between my legs as Lucas slowly pushes me toward the bed, his mouth making ravenous love to mine. I hold on to his muscular shoulders until the backs of my knees find the edge of the bed. I squeal as I fall backward and land on the soft covers.

A second later, Lucas climbs on top of me, pinning me down with his massive build. I feel so warm and safe underneath him as we kiss and devour each other.

“This is unprofessional,” I mutter in between kisses.

“Completely agree. We should stop.”

I can feel his erection pressing into my lower belly. “No,” I say. “Don’t you dare stop.”

Judging by the look on his face, he’s just as surprised as I am by this runaway train, yet neither of us wants to stop it.

He lifts up my shirt, revealing my full breasts.

His lips close around my nipple. He suckles slowly and playfully at first, but then his teeth graze, and the sweetest sting spreads through my torso.

“Oh my god,” I gasp, running my fingers through his hair.

“You taste so good,” he says as he slips a hand between us. At the same time, he keeps teasing my breast, licking my perky nipple while his fingers slide underneath my pants and dive between my legs. “Fucking hell, Tassia.”

I’m soaked.

He finds my swollen clit, begging for his attention. I welcome his touch, his fingertips parting and pressing, stroking in circular motions until the tension becomes unbearable. He raises his head to kiss me again.

As soon as our lips meet, he penetrates me with two fingers, pressing the bottom of his palm against my tender nub.

Colors explode before my eyes as he finger-fucks me into madness, and I come hard, shuddering against his body.

I clench tightly around his fingers, groaning harshly as I ride the blissful wave.

Heat spreads through my core as ripples of my release pulsate outward. I can feel his heart thudding against mine.

“I’m sorry,” I mumble.

“I’m not,” he replies. “But I don’t think we can do this again.”

Of course not.

Due to the fire, I will be staying here for a while. And I work for him and his deputies at the police station; technically he’s my boss. Making this the worst idea possible, so why does it feel so damn right? I keep digging, but I can’t find a trace of regret.

“You’re right,” I say.

He plants one last kiss on my lips and pulls back. I feel cold. Empty and vulnerable, left wanting for so much more. But I keep my chin up as I pull my t-shirt down, the ghost of his touch still teasing my senses everywhere.

“So—”

“So, I guess I’ll see you downstairs for dinner then.”

He can barely look me in the eye, the sexual tension between us about to explode. What the hell are we doing, striking the match and then tossing it aside like this? This is insanely awkward.

“I’ve got food right over there.”

“Right. My bad.” Lucas glances around for a moment. “Well, make yourself comfortable.”

I manage a tight smile. “Hope the coffee’s good,” I reply. “I’m a gremlin in the morning.”

He hesitates by the door for a moment, then gives me a weak smile and walks out. “We’ll be downstairs if you need us. And our rooms are just down the hall from yours.”

“Okay.”

As soon as the door closes behind him, I take a deep, shuddering breath.

What the hell just happened? Even more importantly, how do I stop myself from wanting things to go further? We just lit one hell of a fuse, and I don’t know how we’re going to keep our hands off each other going forward.