Bullets & Bonfires

“Hey,” he says.

My mouth’s too dry to answer. I run my tongue over my lower lip, and Liam’s gaze follows the movement.

“What are you doing? Holding up the wall?”

Except for a tiny quirk at the corners of his mouth, his expression doesn’t change.

His silence flips my annoyed switch.

“What is this, Liam? Some sort of cop interrogation technique?”

That gets his attention. He crosses the short distance, invading my space. Making me aware of his size and strength.

“Maybe. Want to tell me what you meant out there?” He jerks his head to the side.

I don’t answer. Instead I study his expression. His eyes seem to simmer with desire. But lord knows I’ve been wrong before.

“Shouldn’t I get a warning, Deputy Hollister?”

That finally makes him chuckle. “Sure. Anything you say, can and will be held against you.”

Game on.

I lift an eyebrow in silent challenge.

“In that case, Liam,” I say, using my huskiest voice.

I’m rewarded with a sharp intake of breath.

My heart thumps as he comes closer, leaning down to whisper in my ear. “Baby girl, you are playing with fire.”

He settles his hands on my hips and pulls me closer. Taking a chance, I wrap my arms around his neck. “I can handle the burn.”

Everything fades away the second his lips brush against mine. His cinnamon taste tingles over my lips. The slow slide of his tongue against mine sends heat boiling through my body.

Finally.

That’s right. Finally. He’s been rejecting me for days. Bracing my hands on his shoulders, I push him back.

“Wait a second. I showed some interest in your friend, so now you kiss me?” Anger and desire won’t stop warring inside me. I try to shove past him to go outside and clear my head, but he’s impossible to move.

He watches me for a moment then takes a step back.

“That’s not it, Bree. You’re Vince’s sister. I’m supposed to be watching out for you.”

“I appreciate that, Liam. I do. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.” My throat tightens. “But I can take care of myself.”

“I know you can, baby girl.”

My gaze drops to the floor. “Why can’t you ever see me as Brianna? Not baby girl. Not Vince’s little sister. Just me.”

He steps closer, and runs the back of his hand over my cheek. “I see you.”

“I don’t think you do.”

“I’ve cared about you since we were kids.”

Ugh. “So you do think of me like a sister?”

He blinks and averts his gaze. “No. God help me. I wish I did.”

“You’re really frustrating.”

“I’ve been told that once or twice.” He stops and leans in for another kiss. This one quick and on my cheek. “If you’re really interested in Sully, I’ll give him your number.”

Doesn’t that knock the wind out of me?

Too shocked to come up with a meaningful response, I mutter, “Thank you,” and head back into the bedroom.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

From the darkest corner of the bar I’m able to watch the door for my buddy Keegan. The oppressive summer heat has people seeking shelter in the bar’s frigid AC. Loud music pounds from unseen speakers, and I question why we still meet up here on Friday afternoons.

Although, after the week I’ve had I think I deserve to knock back a few beers with my buddies. Even so, I can’t stop thinking about Bree. About kissing her. About the stupid way I implied it was okay for her to date my friend when it is absolutely, one-hundred-percent, never happening.

Keegan enters, and a lot of heads turn. A few inches taller than me and a lot broader, heads pretty much turn wherever he goes. Ignoring everyone in his path, he shoulders his way to the back of the room.

“Antisocial much?” he asks, dropping into the booth across from me.

I point a discreet finger at the pool table where I’ve watched a young couple hustle a couple college-age guys. “As a sheriff, I’m trying not to notice the illegal gambling going on over there.”

Keegan glances at the couple for a few seconds before turning back to me. “Why do we keep meeting here?” he asks.

“Blame Sully.” I signal our waitress to our table. I shouldn’t be drinking to forget what’s waiting for me at Vince’s house. I’ll have a full-blown habit in no time.

He shrugs. “At least it’s better than it used to be. A little harmless gambling’s better than the drug deals that used to go down.” Our waitress takes our orders and after she leaves, he lifts his chin. “Where is that fucker?”

“Sully? On his way. Had to pick up his brother.”

Keegan’s not a big fan of Jake and rolls his eyes at the mention of Sully’s brother.

“Still avoiding Bree?” he asks.

Wishing I’d never spilled any of the story to my friend, I prolong answering the question by draining the last of my beer. “I wouldn’t call it avoiding.”

He snorts and grabs our drinks from the waitress before she even has a chance to set them down.

“Christ, you’ve had it bad for her for as long as I can remember. What’s your fucking problem?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Seriously? You’re gonna play it that way? I get why you steered clear of her before. But she’s what, twenty-four now?”

“Twenty-three. And that’s not the point.”

“Vince know about some freaky shit you’re into?”

“What? No. She just got out of a bad relationship. Seems like a shitty time to make a move on her.”

“Didn’t you tell me she made a move on you?”

I pick up my beer, tipping it to my lips, so I can think about the question. “She was mad at me.”

“That makes no sense.”

“I took her to Sully’s place, so he could go over some self-defense moves with her.”

Keegan tilts his head, and I realize he has no idea why that was so important. When I hesitate, his face hardens.

“Fuck me. This guy hurt her? Where is he? Can we go kill him?”

“Can you keep your mouth shut? She doesn’t want anyone to know.”

“I understand. Seriously, though, where is he?”

“Lock-up down in Empire.”

He lets out a low whistle and throws himself against the back of the booth. “Had to be pretty bad. You pay him a visit.”

“Yup. Not sure the message sunk in though.”

“I got plenty of shovels. Just say the word.”

And this is why Keegan and I have been friends since we met at an arson scene a few years back. A loyal friend. Always ready to help bury a body.

“What’s new with you?” I ask to take the attention off my Bree situation.

He lets out an annoyed grunt. “Tyson got this dog to train for search and rescue and it’s not working out. She needs surgery, so now I gotta hold out my hand for donations.”

“I thought S and R dogs were usually male?”

“They are. She’s a rescue. Ty’s heart was in the right place, but—”

“Well, let me know. I’ll donate.”

“Thanks.” He cocks his head. “Your parents looking for a watch dog?”

“I can ask.”

“Aw, you two look like you’re on the most awkward date ever,” Jake hollers as he approaches our table.

“Make sure you hit this asshole up for money too,” I grumble and Keegan laughs.

Without looking up, I flip Jake off and he snorts. “So unprofessional, Sheriff.”

“Where’s your keeper?” I ask, slapping his outstretched hand.

“He got distracted by a butterfly.”

Keegan’s brow wrinkles. “What?”

Jake waves for Keegan to move over and slides in next to him. Not-so-discreetly he points to the pool table. “Butterfly tramp stamp. Gets him every time.”

“You’re both degenerates,” Keegan mutters. “Why do Liam and I still hang out with you?”

“For street cred.”

Sully ends up joining us a few minutes later. “Strike out?” Jake asks. “Need me to show you how it’s done?”

“Fuck off.” Sully takes the space Jake just vacated. “What up?”

“Just trying to avoid the heat.”

“How’s Bree doing?”

“All right.”

“She’s such a sweetheart.” He shakes his head. “She did well. I hope she comes back.”

I eye my friend carefully and manage not to crack my beer bottle over his head. “I think she will.”

He glances at Keegan. “He told me,” Keegan says. “Figure we need to go kick this kid’s ass.”

“Fine by me,” Sully grumbles. “I get a lot of girls like her in my classes. Gonna take her forever to trust someone else. If she doesn’t end up back with him.”

“Fuck that,” I mutter.

Sully shrugs. “I’ve seen it over and over. At least I hope I’ve taught them something useful.”

“She liked you.” Why the fuck did I have to say that?

Sully’s slightly more refined than his younger brother. He shakes his head and laughs. “She’s cute. I wouldn’t mind helping her get back in the game.”

I’ve known Sully for a long time. Never wanted to kill him until today.

He must read the murderous intention in my expression because he throws his hands in the air. “Not trying to step on your toes.”

Jake calls his brother over for a game of pool, leaving me with Keegan, and I can tell by the smirk on the big bastard’s face that he can’t wait to needle me.

“Got some competition?”

“Shut up.”

“What’s the problem?”