Too Fast to Fall (Jackson Hole 1.10)

“I am, but I serve on pitcher night. I’m quick and I like the change of pace.”

“You’re good at it.”

“At what?” she asked.

His eyes locked on hers and pushed her nerves to another level of chaos. “Being charming.”

“Oh?” What did that mean? It sounded as if it could be a compliment, but his voice was faintly cool and his eyes assessing.

“Did you call about the class?”

Oh, crap. That was what he was here about? “I’ve been really busy, but I’ve got it right here….” She patted the front pocket of her jeans, then stuffed her hands into her back pockets. Nothing there. By the time she patted her breast, thinking maybe her shirt had a pocket, she realized she was doing some obscene sort of macarena. His cool eyes slid down to the hand cupping her boob.

God. “It must be in my apron,” she said weakly as she unclasped her breast. “I’m going to call today.”

“It’s seven p.m.”

“Right. I meant… The afternoon slipped by.”

He reached into his pocket—not cupping any sensitive body parts, she noted—and withdrew…

Not handcuffs, please. Not handcuffs.

…another card.

“I have the card!” she insisted.

“Just take it.” He sighed.

She took it, noticing the warmth of it seeping into her fingertips before she set it on the table. “I’m going to call. The day just got away from me.”

“Why don’t I believe you, Ms. Stone?”

“It’s Jenny,” she said automatically. “And I’ll call you Nate.”

She glanced up when he didn’t respond. But he couldn’t take it back now. She knew his real name. She’d said it. And it felt surprisingly sweet on her tongue. It was so human. So easy. Nate. The man himself, on the other hand, was so intimidating she felt nervous saying it out loud.

“I’m honestly going to call. I appreciate what you did for me. You didn’t have to. Nobody else would have.”

He sighed. “You’re right about that.”

She started to smile, but in that moment she realized that she was right. No one else would’ve given her so many passes. No other cop would’ve tried to help her out the way he had. So why had he done it? And why was he here?

Warmth washed through her, trailing little sparks that settled under her skin. He liked her. As impossible as that seemed as he watched her with those cool eyes. He didn’t smile. He’d barely even blinked when she’d fondled her own breast in front of him. But he must like her. It was the only explanation.

She took a needed sip of beer. “I’m sorry I drive too fast,” she offered.

“You’re going to have to stop, you know. One of these days someone else will pull you over and that’ll be it.”

“I know.”

“Why can’t you just slow down?”

“I don’t know.”

His head tilted. His eyes narrowed. Finally, he shook his head. “You really don’t know, do you?”

“I don’t! I mean, I obviously know how to drive like a reasonable person. I don’t speed through town. I’m careful when the highway is crowded. I’ve never even had an accident!”