Where We Began (Stone Lake 2.5)

“You definitely know how to make a woman ache, Sheriff.”

His hand moves along the side of my face, his thumb brushing against my skin.

“Glad you think so, Junie. Damn glad.”

“I think this is the nicest brushoff I’ve ever received,” I whisper, looking up into his dark eyes.

“Make no mistake, Junie. This is not a brushoff. I’m completely available to be the man who eases that ache you’re feeling whenever you’re ready.”

“That’s a mighty fine offer, Sheriff.”

“I have a name, you know,” he says, his lips spreading into a smile that makes me tingle, especially this close up.

“Oh, I know,” I tell him, and I do. Tonight is the first night that I’ve actually thought of him as Ben the man, however, instead of the sexy sheriff checking up on me because of who my brother was. Still, no need to let him know that. I got a feeling that things might come too easy for him. I like making him work for it.

My reply makes that smile on his beautiful lips deepen and those dark eyes sparkle. I could get lost in those eyes. A small wave of panic hits me, and I try my best not to tense up when his head dips and he moves to kiss me. He surprises me, because at the last minute he doesn’t kiss my lips… he kisses my cheek. His mouth brushes gently along my cheekbone and then he whispers into my ear. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Junie.”

“I’ll be looking forward to it, Sheriff,” I reply, my voice breathy.

He pulls away, and I watch him walk toward his vehicle. He only looks back once, over his shoulder, but he’s still smiling at me, and I feel the insides of my thighs dampen even more.

I might not be sure I’m ready, but when it comes to a certain sheriff, my body seems to think I am.

I unlock my door and go inside. Leaning against the door, I pause to catch my breath. I reach over and turn on the lamp on the table by the door and wait for my knees to begin to feel like something besides Jell-O. When I hear Ben drive off I smile.

If a girl has to have a watchdog, he’s definitely a good choice…

Ben

“You ride?” Junie asks, surprised.

“Nah, I just like sitting on this thing because it makes me look cool.” I don’t bother hiding my smirk as I adjust my sunglasses and look up at Junie. She’s standing on the top step at her house. Her hair is pulled up in a messy bun, she has a white t-shirt on that has short sleeves that are covered in a camouflaged pattern of green, beige and grays. It’s cute, but nothing I would notice, but the little pink skirt she’s wearing has definitely caught my eye. It barely covers her thighs. It’s pink and glittery and the type of skirt a ballerina would wear when dancing. I take a look down at her feet just to make sure she’s not wearing those shoes with the ribbons up her calves. I don’t know if I’m pleased or disappointed when instead she’s just wearing pink glittery flip flops.

“Well, I hate to admit it, but it does kind of make you look cool.”

“Gee thanks.”

She shrugs. “I always try to be honest.”

“You want to go for a ride?” I ask. My old bike is not much to brag about, but it runs good and I really want Junie on the back of it.

“If I don’t go to the store, I’m going to starve to death, Sheriff. There’s nothing in the house.”

“Go to the store tomorrow. I’ll buy you dinner today.”

“Well an offer like that is something I can’t refuse,” she laughs. “Give me a second to stow my purse and shit,” she says, turning back around to let herself in the house. She stops abruptly and turns around. “Uh… it might be longer than a minute. I should probably change first. So, maybe you should come in and I’ll—”

“Don’t you dare take that skirt off.”

Her eyes go large at my command.

“You like my tutu?”

“If that’s what that pink thing is called, damn straight I do.”

“Why, Sheriff, I’m starting to see a different side to you.”

“What side is that?”

“Not many men notice what a woman wears.”

“Junie, baby, when what they’re wearing shows off legs like the ones you’re sporting, a man would have to be dead from the waist down not to notice and chances are he would even then,” I respond and damn if I don’t see the pleasure move over her face. I like that even more than I like that getup she’s wearing.

“This skirt is not really made for bike riding.”

“I’ll be careful. You can trust yourself with me, Junie. I’ll take care of you.”

Her gaze locks onto me with my words. She studies me as if she’s trying to gauge the truth in my words. I sit there and let her piece it together. Suddenly, I have the impression Junie was hurt way before coming to Stone Lake. That means experiencing what she did here is twice as horrible. For the millionth time, I wish I could bring Lodge’s sorry fuck of a brother back to life… Just so I could kill him again.