Page 7
Chapter Seven
GEORGIA
H ow does this man keep making me blush? I do my best to attempt to downplay it, acting as though discussing sex is not a big deal and it doesn't affect me in any way. Normally it doesn't, but with Neil it’s different.
“It’s not against the law to have sex in your own building, right?”
I don't want to admit to any crimes, for myself or against any other residents of Cottonwood. Quinn might be new in town, but she's one of us. She's sweet, and I knew right away she was special with how hard Rhodes fell for her. He’s always been a good guy.
“Maybe,” Neil hedges.
“It was in the back, and I don't think any of the cats witnessed it.”
“It might violate a few health codes.” He gives me a teasing smile.
“When they finally got together, things went hot and fast, so they might have been getting frisky in the back. But most of what they were doing was covered. I mean he bent her over and her skirt hid…” I trail off when Neil’s eyebrows rise. “Too much information?”
“I was teasing about the details, but how do you know all that?” He shakes his head, smirking.
My stomach sinks. The reason I know is because I saw the sneaky photos Simon took of Quinn and Rhodes together. Rhodes didn't want the more sexual ones shown around, so I'd taken them and hid them in my cruiser. I knew the state police wouldn't search my vehicle and they’d be safe.
What happened to them was appalling enough, but people looking at the photos was an invasion of privacy on top of it. Rhodes didn't want anyone to see them, but we knew we needed some to show Simon was stalking her. So we went through them and left out the ones that weren't as graphic.
“Sheriff?” Neil pushes, and I realize I haven't responded to his question.
“Girl talk,” I blurt out.
“You guys give that level of detail?”
“Okay, Mr. FBI Agent. I don’t know what you learned in that fancy academy of yours, but here in Cottonwood”—I tap my finger on the desk—”girl talk is highly classified.”
“All right.” He puts his hands up, conceding. Internally I sigh in relief. “But I get the sense something is off. There’s more to the story.”
Well, crap. That relief was short-lived. I should google how much time do you get in the slammer for messing with evidence. I still have those pictures, but I should probably burn them. I’m escalating my crimes rather quickly, I suppose, so why stop now?
“Okay, you want the truth?” I stand up from my desk.
“I would prefer that.”
“Fine, I have a confession.” Neil reaches out, hitting the button to pause the recording.
The action surprises me, and I’m not sure what to make of it. He could be trying to make me trust him. Ha! That’s not happening.
“Hit me with it.”
“The reason I’m being weird about the whole sex thing and the details is, well…” I lick my lips, hesitating.
“Tell me, Georgia, and we will figure it out together.”
“Sheriff Georgia.”
“Right. Sheriff Georgia.”
“Thank you,” I respond, and the silence grows. I know I’m stalling before I fall on this sword, but I’m trying to find the best way to say it.
“Sheriff?”
“Oh, yes. Um, if I’m being honest, I’m not sure if it’s something you can handle.”
“I can,” he says, urging me to go on.
“Well, maybe I don’t want you to. I might have plans for someone else to handle it.”
“I'll handle it.” His voice has an authority to it, and I can’t say I hate it.
“Okay.” I shrug, deciding I have to rip the Band-Aid off. “I got weird talking about the sex stuff because I'm a virgin.”
Quinn and Rhodes owe me big time. I totally didn’t want to admit that to Neil since my plan was to seduce him. This isn't going to do anything to help.
The seconds tick by, and Neil just stares at me while my face heats.
“Don’t be all judgy, lube man!” I blurt out defensively.
Damn it, I wasn’t going to mention the lube. He blinks as if coming back to life and shakes his head.
“I promise I’m not judging.” Neil stands from his seat and comes over to me.
“Sure feels like it.” I fold my arms over my chest protectively, but he moves closer. “Maybe we should be done for the day.”
“Hey, look at me.” When my eyes lock with his, he reaches out and tucks a piece of hair behind my ear. Then his finger trails down my neck where it lingers. “There’s no judgment.”
It takes me a second to break the spell as I blink and step out of his reach. I grab the keys off my desk as a new plan forms in my mind.
“Let’s get out of here. Instead of telling you how my day went, I’ll show you.”
I don’t have to be the only one to seduce Neil. It’s hard to come to Cottonwood and not love the people here. We’re a bit strange, but it has a certain charm.
“Come on.” I motion for him to follow me, and he does.
“Am I driving, or are you?” he asks when we get outside.
“No need.” I lock the door behind me and put the keys in my pocket. “I don't want anyone stealing my throw pillows or Valentine's Day lights.”
“We can’t have that.” He smirks.
“Don't tease. Valentine's Day is the best holiday.”
“We'll have to disagree on that one.”
“Why don't you like it? Everything is pink and red and there’s so much chocolate. What more could you ask for?”
“As an FBI agent that has to travel, relationships aren’t on the top of my list.”
Right, he’s only here for a short time. It’s a good reminder that he’ll be moving on soon.
“I'm a virgin, and I love Valentine's Day. It doesn't have to be about couples. I make small gifts for my girlfriends. All of them get chocolate. Obviously.” Though it might not be terrible to have a date for once. Especially if they were tall and handsome with a side of sexy mystery.
“You think I should make the other agents chocolate gift bags?”
“I bet they'd appreciate it. I saw you eyeing my Kisses.”
“I can't deny that.”
I peek over at him, and he winks at me. When I snap my head straight forward, Neil lets out a chuckle. I’m starting to think his goal is to make me blush.
“As you can see, I have the ability to walk most places,” I say, trying to steer the conversation back to professional. We make our way down the sidewalk, and then I warn him, “Brace yourself.”
“Why, is—” Neil’s question is cut off by the Moore triplets. They’ve drawn a hopscotch game with chalk in front of their parents' salon and barber shop.
It's actually pretty cool inside. Half of the shop is styled in pinks and golds for the salon, and the other side has browns and golds but with barbershop-style chairs. It's split right down the center, even at the front desk.
“Who are you?”
“Why do you have a suit on?”
“Why are you so tall?”
Each one asks a question at the same time.
“I asked about the tall thing too,” I tell them as I do the hopscotch. When I get through, I turn to Neil and point down. “You can't pass until you do it.”
“Those are the rules,” one of the girls tells him.
Neil grins at her before he does as he’s told.
“Who are you?” The girls return to their adorable interrogation, but I’m realizing I didn’t think this through. Damn it.
“This is Neil. We're dating. Met on the Internet,” I say before Neil can tell anyone he's an FBI agent.
It would be great if we didn’t freak anyone else out. Rhodes and Quinn should enjoy being newly married and not fret over a man who stalked Quinn and made her life hell. She's been through enough.
“The Internet?” One of the girls' eyes go wide, and another scrunches her nose, while the third appears intrigued.
“Yeah, but don't meet any boys on there,” I tell them and then motion to Neil. “He told me he's short, and look at him.”
“She's not wrong,” Neil agrees. “I did some trickery, but I got the girl.” He throws his arm over me, pulling me close.
“He’s too tall for you,” one of the girls says, and the other two nod.
“I think we fit.” Neil somehow manages to tug me in even closer while really playing this up.
“You girls have fun,” I tell them before guiding Neil farther down the sidewalk.
We get stopped four more times before we make it to Sofa King Cozy. I should have probably tried to stop people, but I was letting everyone charm him.
“You're really selling it that we're dating,” I laugh, but he gives me a cocky grin.
“Selling? More like I’m enjoying the perks.” He puts his arm over my shoulder, and I roll my eyes.
“I didn't know FBI agents had jokes.”
“We don't.”
He’s serious, and I'm starting to think maybe he hasn’t been joking this whole time.