When We Kiss

I look down at my transparent bra and panties, and there’s no way in hell I’m climbing out in front of Sheriff Robbie Cole, Betty Pepper, and what I now see is a tall, quiet guy who’s also wearing a khaki uniform.

He’s quite a bit younger than Robbie, although he’s older than me, and he stretches that polyester in a way I’ve never seen before.

Muscled arms hang from broad shoulders, leading down to narrow hips. His dark hair is short, and from under his lowered brow, I can see he’s observing

everything.

“Who’s that?” I jerk my chin in his direction. “A storm trooper?”

The big guy’s square jaw tightens as a muscle moves in his cheek. He gritted his teeth at me, and the heat in my panties reignites.

“Now’s as good a time as any.” Sheriff Cole, steps back gesturing to Mr. Tall, Dark, and Sexy. “Chad Tucker’s my new deputy sheriff. He’ll be working with me until I retire next year.”

My lips press together. No, thank you. No Sheriffs. I don’t care how square his jaw is or how well he fills out that uniform.

“Chad,” Robbie continues. “This here is Tabitha Green, Reverend Green’s niece, and this young man is Jimmy Rhodes, Mayor Rhodes’s seventeen-year-old nephew.”

“Seventeen!” The word is like a splash of water in my face, and I jerk off the wall, dog-paddling as fast as I can away from Jail Bait to the shallow end, humiliation burning in my chest.

“You hear that, Tabitha?” Betty shrills after me. “Not only are you breaking and entering, you’re contributing to the delinquency of a minor.”

Robbie continues introducing the baby wanna-be bad boy. “Jimmy is staying with his uncle until he finishes high school next year.”

Every word is a cringing flash of shame, and I stomp up the pool steps, scooping my shirt off the tattered lounge chair and over my shoulders. My tight jeans are next, but it’s a challenge getting them up my damp legs.

“What would your uncle say if he saw you?” Betty continues regaling me.

I stomp back to where Sheriff Cole and his new storm trooper stand, not even casting a glance at the kid in the pool. “Are you planning to arrest me?”

Lines form around the sheriff’s eyes as he suppresses a grin. “Well, Mrs. Pepper here has listed your potential crimes.”

“You’re turning into a Jezebel,” BP continues nagging. “If you’re not careful, you’re going to end up just like—”

My eyes flash at her, and her voice dies. She’d better not say my mother. If she knows what’s good for her, she’d better not say it.

Instead she tightens her robe. “It’s a slippery slope.”

“What do you think, Chad?” Robbie exhales, straightening his posture and tugging on his waistband.

Mr. Silent But Deadly’s eyes skim the front of my transparent bra before meeting mine. When they do, I realize they’re light brown. I also realize they’re hot, and chills break out over my skin in the warm night air. It strikes me this sexy future sheriff might be the real bad boy in the group.

His voice is a nice, low vibration. “I think you’re playing a dangerous game… Miss?”

“She’s single,” Betty interrupts, as if not being married is another of my offenses.

Chad’s eyebrows twitch ever so slightly. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t think my being single is a crime.

My stomach is tight, and I swallow the knot in my throat. Get a clue, Tabby. The last thing on God’s green earth I have any intention of doing is getting mixed up with a lawman.

“I don’t play games, Mr. Tucker.” My voice is higher than his, but just as determined. “And I don’t check IDs on people I’ve just met.”

“Maybe you should start.” I can’t tell if Chad Tucker is being a smartass or if he’s just naturally cocky.

Seeing as he’s a deputy, I’m willing to bet it’s the latter.

Robbie’s chuckle breaks the tension. “I think we can let you off with a warning this time. Do you need a ride home?”

I’ve managed to get my feet into my slides, and I see Jimmy standing on the side of the pool, pulling on his jeans and tee. He looks so skinny and young now. I wonder why I ever fell for his counterfeit tattooed bad-boy routine.