She’d been on the job for twelve hours straight, pulling a double shift yet again to prove to Matt that she was more than capable and dedicated. She was starting to get punchy. That was the reason she hadn’t seen him turn and walk away. Even more, it explained the crazy disappointment whispering through her.
A kiss?
Seriously?
She hardly knew him and he hardly knew her. Even more, she wasn’t going to get to know him because he was only here to tweak their security system. It was business and everyone knew that the town’s first female deputy didn’t mix business with pleasure.
No matter how hot he was or how sexually frustrated she was.
Rather, she was going to go home just as soon as Bobby got back, drown her troubles in a hot bath and get some much-needed sleep before she came face-to-face with Colton Braddock first thing in the morning.
Until then …
She walked over to the box of pastries, unearthed a chocolate-covered donut and took a big bite. The sugar melted in her mouth, sending a rush of satisfaction through her, albeit a temporary one. They weren’t that stale. At least not to a desperate, deprived woman.
It wasn’t sex, but it was definitely the next best thing.
4
COLTON CLIMBED BEHIND the wheel of his truck and tried to figure out what the hell had just happened.
He’d tried to glamour her and it hadn’t worked. Not a lick.
Sure, she’d looked as if she’d wanted to fall under his spell with her parted lips and her smoldering eyes and her take me now vibe. She’d even leaned toward him once or twice, as if she meant to give in to the pull and cross the room. But then …
Nothing.
Not a damned thing.
She hadn’t launched herself into his arms and begged him to come closer, to make himself right at home.
Hell, no. She’d stood her ground and told him to come back tomorrow.
Tomorrow.
If he hadn’t been so irritated, he might have actually smiled. It had been a long time—over one hundred and fifty years to be exact—since a woman had faced off with him and actually won.
Women typically melted at his feet when he looked into their eyes. Not that he was proud of that fact.
It was simply the nature of the beast that he’d become and, he had to admit, it had its advantages. He didn’t have to worry about showing his true nature when he was having sex. All he had to do was stare deeply into his partner’s eyes and will away her memory of him.
But there was too much riding on this moment and he needed inside of that jail too badly to be the least bit amused right now. Or turned on. He needed Shelly’s cooperation more than he needed her luscious body.
The thought struck and conjured all sorts of images and he damned himself for thinking with his dick. But that, too, was the nature of the beast.
He wanted her the way he wanted all women.
Okay, so he wanted her a little bit more. She was more sexually frustrated than the average female which meant she had all that sweet, succulent energy bottled up inside of her, just waiting to be unleashed. That made her all the more attractive and damned if he didn’t want to peel away her stiff exterior and see the delicate curves hiding beneath.
Hiding. That’s what she was doing.
He knew because he’d been doing it himself for more years than he could count. Living in the shadows, protecting his true nature, surviving.
For revenge.
That’s the reason he’d kept going all those years ago when he’d lost everything. The reason he kept going now. He’d dreamt of payback, lusted after it, and now was his chance to have it.
He didn’t have time for some stubborn female with a badge. No time for touching or kissing.
Especially kissing.
He played the scenario over and over in his head for the next few minutes. The desperate urge to cross the distance to her, lean forward and touch his lips to hers.
To distract her. Persuade her.
It certainly hadn’t been because he’d wanted to kiss her. Sex was one thing. It was all about survival. Sustenance. But kissing? Talk about personal. Colton had no intention of getting personal with any woman.
No matter how much he suddenly wanted to.
“There’s no reason to sit out here all night.”
The deep voice shattered his train of thought, thankfully, and he turned to see his brother slide onto the seat next to him.
“She’s not even close.” Brent Braddock closed the door and eyed his older brother. “So why don’t you give it up and come home with me? Abby really wants to spend some time with you.”
Colton arched an eyebrow. “Abby, huh?”
Brent shrugged. “Okay, so maybe I wouldn’t mind catching up myself.” He met Colton’s gaze. “I know Cody and Travis wouldn’t mind it either. In fact, Cody really wanted you to stay out at his place.”
“The hotel is working just fine.” Or it would be if the eightysomething-year-old woman who ran the place with her grandson would stop banging on his door throughout the day, wanting to change his sheets.
“Suit yourself, but it seems a shame not to take advantage of the fact that we’re all together.”
“We’re here for a reason.”
“She won’t show up for a few more days at least,” Brent reminded him. “My contact at the prison did the transfer really fast and on the fly. Holbrook isn’t due in El Paso until the day after tomorrow. If Rose has already figured out he’s being moved—and that’s a big if—she’ll be waiting there for him. Add twenty-four hours for her to trace the transfer and identify exactly where he’s been delayed once she figures out that something is up. Another twenty-four for her to reach Skull Creek since she can only travel at night. That means we’ve got at least a week to sit around and wait.” He caught Colton’s stare. “I can’t think of a better way to spend it than getting re-acquainted with each other.”
“I’d rather not take any chances.”
Brent looked as if he wanted to argue, but then he shrugged. “Suit yourself.” He opened the passenger door and paused. “I could hang out here for a little while.”
“Go home to your wife.”
“You shouldn’t have to do this by yourself.”
“But I’m going to.” Colton met his brother’s gaze. “This is my fight, not
