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Chapter Two

NEIL

T here’s a wedding happening in Cottonwood. They’ve got the gazebo full of people at the edge of town, and it looks like the ceremony is almost over. Beside the gazebo are a few white tents set up for what I assume is the reception.

When I checked into the one and only hotel in town a few days ago, the lady behind the desk asked me if I was a friend of the bride or groom. I made sure to keep it vague, but in a town as small as this one, I’m sure it won’t take them long to figure it out.

This case landed in my lap, and I was told to come here and check into it. From what I could tell, it all seemed straightforward. I couldn’t understand why I would need to reopen an investigation, but then I saw the name of the deceased. Simon Gregory.

He was the son of the wealthy investment banker Robert Gregory, the same Robert Gregory who funds most of the political campaigns in Washington. Robert is looking to place blame on anyone but his son, and my job is to find that person.

I’ve been with the Bureau for long enough to know how things work.

If I want to keep my job, I need to put my head down and get this done.

Do the research, talk to local law enforcement, and make sure everything is handled properly.

But after talking to the new sheriff yesterday in the grocery store parking lot, I’m not so sure my job is going to be that easy.

A streak of baby blue darts out from the front of my car, and I turn to see Sheriff Georgia Dawson.

“Care to explain what you’re doing here, creeping on a perfectly legal wedding?” She puts her hands on her hips like she expects her gun to be there, but she must have forgotten she’s wearing a dress.

My eyes slowly rake down her body as I take in the tight dress clinging to her curves.

It’s strapless, so her full tits are pushed high, and it’s nipped in at the waist. Her hips flare out so dramatically they might as well be handlebars for a man to hold on to.

I can feel my fingers twitch at my side with the need to sink them into her. My god.

I knew yesterday that she had a lush body hiding under that uniform, but my imagination wasn’t creative enough. Seeing her wrapped in the snug baby blue dress makes her look innocent and slutty at the same time. What I wouldn’t give to find out how well she could take my dick.

So yeah, this is why my job isn’t going to be so easy.

“They have a permit?” I raise a brow in challenge, and her eyes widen.

“That’s none of your business. Besides, you haven’t told me what you’re really doing here. You flashed me your badge and then skedaddled.”

“Skedaddled?”

“Oh, they didn’t teach you fancy words at your FBI school? Can’t relate.” She flips her dark waves off her shoulder, and the golden skin showing makes my mouth water.

Jesus, did I become a vampire and not realize it? I have the overwhelming urge to bite her on that exposed skin and leave my mark.

“I’m here for work.”

“Hmm, avoiding the question. A common tactic used by law enforcement. Such as myself.” Her eyes narrow, and fuck, I want to laugh. How the hell does she make being ridiculous look cute?

“All right, since you’re law enforcement, I suppose I can tell you.” I take a few steps closer and lean against my car.

“Is this off the record?” she whispers, and I nod for dramatic effect.

“The case with Simon Gregory has been reopened,” I say, and there’s a flash of panic in her eyes before it’s gone. “It’s routine, nothing to worry about.”

I’m not sure why I say this, because it’s not routine. For some reason, I don’t want to scare her, and so the words slip out.

“So what exactly are you looking for?”

I sigh as I glance to the gazebo where the crowd is moving into the tent. “To be honest, I have no idea.”

“So let me get this straight: You’re here to look at the case, which is totally routine, but you have no idea what you’re looking for?”

I push off my car and move closer to her. What would she do if I told her I was looking for a hot body to sink into and I finally found it?

“There’s nothing to worry about, Sheriff.” She has to tilt her head back to look up at me, and I like it far more than I should. “But I’m going to be in town for a little while, so maybe we should get to know one another.”

“Why, so you can pump me for information?”

I’d love nothing more than to pump her full, but I think it’s better if I keep that to myself. “I’ll need access to your files. Might as well be friendly about it.”

Her expression is skeptical as she crosses her arms under her tits. All it does is push them up higher, and fuck, my dick is getting to the point that I won’t be able to hide my erection.

“Look,” I say, going for honesty. “I was told to come here and do this. The sooner I see your files and check over the case, the sooner I can go.”

“I’ll allow it.” She raises her chin like she’s offering me a deal. “Come by the station tomorrow. Right now I’m late to a wedding, and I need to skedaddle .”

“There’s that word again,” I say and shake my head.

“You wish you had my vocabulary.”

She throws two fingers over her shoulder as she takes off in the direction of the tent. Did she just throw up deuces at me?

Sheriff Georgia Dawson is nothing like I expected. As I watch her big round ass jiggle as she walks away, I can’t help but think that maybe this assignment isn’t so bad after all.