Christmas with the Sheriff (The Fiore Family 3)

“You made it,” Jenny cheers, walking into the room with a grin and a glass of wine that she hands to the older woman.

“Yeah. She begged me to come, so I brought her with me,” Mark says, stepping inside the house behind me.

I roll my eyes and shake my head again. “Damn, you’re such a liar. This brute kidnapped me because I bought the last eggnog.”

“I bought it and you tried to take it from me, so that’s stealing and an arrest-able offense.”

He’s going with that again. I have a feeling I stand no chance with this man when it comes to winning an argument. “Whatever. Did you bring in my cheesecake?”

“Yes, I did, dear.” He bends down and kisses my cheek before he addresses the older woman. “Merry Christmas, Mother.”

“My boy. It’s so good of you to not press charges on the holiday. It wouldn’t bode well for a happy marriage.” She gives him a hug and pats his chest like he’s a good boy.

“Hey, son. Welcome back. Did you get…who is this?” He looks just like Mark, or I suppose it’s the other way around.

“I picked her up at the grocery store.”

“Yeah, quite literally.” They all look like it’s no big deal, so I introduce myself. “I’m Mia, by the way.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, my dear. I’m James and this is my wife, Audrey.” They both grin at me and back at Mark who has his hand on the small of my back nearly touching my ass. I almost want to lean into it, but I refrain.

The tension grows with every second and then his Mark’s father clears his throat. “So, who’s ready to eat? I’m starving, and that bird ain’t gonna carve itself.” I think I’ve entered bizarro-land.

“Come along, Mia,” Jenny says. I snatch the cheesecake from Mark with a huff. “Ooh, that looks good.”

“Well, I’m not sharing it with that jerk.” I give him a dirty look and then follow Jenny into the kitchen.

“If you want, I can have my husband drive you back to the inn.” I can tell she doesn’t want to, but she wants me to know I have an option no matter what her brother says.

I smile and set the cheesecake platter on the counter. “No. It’s okay. It’s not like I have anyone to spend the holidays with. And despite being a brute, your brother is really hot.”

She giggles and nods. “Yeah, but he’s a big lug head. He came back from the service a hero, but he’s been anti-social. I thought he’d fall for one of the girls here—”

I cut her off. “Like Susie.” I can’t hide the jealousy in my voice. That bitch rubbed me the wrong way from the start. Women like that want to start trouble and she sure enough tried, but it didn’t seem like Mark gave her any drop of attention. It did make me feel a little less crazy when I kissed him.

“She’s been after him since he filled out in high school, but he’s a saint in a sinner’s world. They chase, and he ignores. I’m six years younger, and I’m the one married with kids already. He and my husband were buddies in the service.”

“Wow, that explains their builds. Do they have any brothers?” I wag my brows, knowing I don’t really care because my heart’s set on that idiot out there—or at least my body is.

“No, but you haven’t seen Hank Cain yet, have you? He owns the hardware store.”

I whip my head back and tilt it, looking at her like she’s nuts. “The old man?”

She laughs heartily. “Damn, you should see your face. No. That’s his grandfather. He’s young and built like our men out there.”

Mark walks into the room and grabs two beers out of the fridge. “Damn, he’s hot too?” I say in a loud whisper, attempting to torment my kidnapper sheriff. He deserves it after stealing me away from my night alone, and besides—getting him riled up seems to be a kink for me. Who knew?

“Who the fuck are you talking about?” he snarls, setting the beers on the counter. Mark crowds my space, hands bracketing me against the counter, eyes locked onto mine.

With a smile, I answer, “None of your business, Sheriff.”

“Hank,” Jenny blurts out, giggling behind me.

“You stay the fuck away from him,” he barks.

I lean into him so my breasts are nearly touching his chest. “What are you going to do to stop me?”

“I’d hate to kill the guy. I actually like him.”

“I’d hate to see what you’re like when it’s someone you don’t like.” My voice is shaky with lust and if his sister wasn’t in the room, I’d probably be grinding all up on him like a horny teen.

“Just wait to see if anyone tries to come between us.” He cups my face and slams his mouth down on mine. Roughly releasing me, he leaves the kitchen.