“Second time?” Linc asked in a low voice.
Uh-oh.
“We have to get going, don’t we, Linc? Sorry I crashed into you, Sheriff. It won’t happen again. Bye!” She slipped her hand into Linc’s arm and tried to move him.
It was like attempting to shift a mountain. The man was made of solid muscle. She let out a frustrated noise. “You could’ve just let me steer you away.”
“I could have,” he agreed.
The sheriff raised his eyebrows and turned to Linc. “The two of you are headed somewhere?”
“Going on a picnic by the river,” Linc explained.
“Ahh. I see.”
Something flashed over Ed’s face. She wasn’t sure what it was, but it looked almost like regret. That made no sense, though.
“Laid a claim, have you?” Ed asked.
“I’m trying,” Linc said.
Huh? A claim on what? What were they talking about?
“Sorry. If I’d known that I would have told you about pulling her over the other night for speeding.”
“What night was this?” Linc asked quietly. Staring down at her.
She had to stop herself from shuffling her feet in guilt.
“When she was at Sanctuary Ranch for Charlie’s bridal shower. Surprised you didn’t have her stay over. It was late for her to be driving home alone on that road.”
“We only just met that night,” Linc said, his eyes narrowing as he scowled at the sheriff, obviously not liking the rebuke in his voice.
She glared at the sheriff as well. She could look after herself, thank you very much.
Well, not really. But still. His words were worthy of a glare in her opinion.
“You move fast,” Ed observed.
“When I find something I want, I know I need to move quickly before someone else steps in and snatches it up.”
Ed nodded slowly. “Wise call.”
Okay, she was really confused.
“We best go. You ready, Mari-girl?”
“Yep.” Relief flooded her. She’d spent enough time around the sheriff. Even though he didn’t seem a bad sort. For a cop.
“All right. I’ll leave you to your picnic.” Ed gave a tight smile that seemed forced. He turned to her. “No more walking around while you’re reading, Miss Marisol. You could have hurt yourself or someone else. And you could have been in real trouble choking like that.”
“I was only choking because I crashed into you.”
“And you crashed into me because you weren’t watching where you were going.” Ed gave them both a nod before turning and walking around.
Linc spun her carefully to face him, but the gentleness of his hands was at odds with the fierce frown on his face.
“What does he mean you were choking?”
Linc checked her over again for injuries.
What was she thinking? Speeding? And hadn’t they just talked about her habit of walking around with her nose in a book? Obviously, he should have been firmer.
Easy. She only wants to be friends.
Ahh. But that wasn’t what he wanted. He admitted he was hoping to change her mind. Anyway, friends could still be protective, right? Hopefully, she’d eventually trust him with whatever was going on in her life.
He knew it was a risk, showing his cards now. But yesterday, as he’d watched Clint and Charlie declare their love for each other, all he could think of was Marisol. And he knew that was what he wanted with her.
He’d demanded honesty from her, shouldn’t he give it back?
But maybe he’d take her on the picnic first. If she was going to reject him, he’d at least like it to happen on a full stomach.
“What was he talking about, you choking?” he asked.
“He was exaggerating. Seems to be something he does a lot of.” She scowled.
“Marisol, tell me.”
“It’s really nothing. I was chewing on some bubble gum and when I crashed into the sheriff, I kind of just sucked it in. I started to choke. But I was fine. It was just gum.”
He gave her a look and she had the grace to appear somewhat guilty.
“What am I going to do with you, Mari-girl?” he murmured.
“Take me on a picnic?”
He cupped her face between his wide hands. Damn, her skin was smooth. And her cinnamon and apple scent swirled around him, tempting him. He had to fight the urge to kiss her, to see if she tasted as sweet as she smelled.
Slowly.
“I can do that. But we’re gonna be having a chat about all this.”
Her eyes widened at his stern tone. “I’m in trouble?” Her voice was smaller, the words almost childish sounding.
He swallowed heavily. God, she sounded like a Little. He wondered if she knew about age play and Daddy Doms.
He tapped her nose. “How about you tell me? Do you think it was wise to speed? It’s dangerous. It puts you at risk. It puts the other people on the road at risk. Have you had your brakes checked lately? Would they even work that well if something jumped out in front of you?”
She sighed, dropping her gaze down. “You’re right.”
He tipped up her chin. “I just want you to be safe, Mari-girl.”
“I know. And I get it. I’ve always had a bit of a lead foot. And I tend to get distracted.”
“And I made myself clear about not wanting you to walk around with your head in a book, right?”
She nodded, blushing slightly.
He ran his thumb across her cheek. “You’re precious, Mari-girl. I just don’t want something happening to you. As your friend, I’m asking you to take better care of yourself. Okay?”
“Okay.”
8
You’re precious, Mari-girl.
She could barely contain her smile as she followed him around to the passenger side of his truck. She’d never been precious to anyone before. Not that she could remember anyway.
Careful. Don’t let it go to your head. You barely know him, remember?
Linc opened the door and she stared up into the high cab. What happened to running boards? Obviously, they hadn’t made this vehicle with the vertically challenged in mind.
Before she could attempt to climb up, big hands wrapped around her waist and lifted her into the air, placing her on the seat.
Whoa. She’d had a demonstration of his strength the other night when he’d grabbed her, but it still took her by surprise. As she was trying to gather her wits, he took hold of her seatbelt then leaned across her to buckle her in. His chest pressed up against hers.
Her nipples instantly hardened. She bit her lip. Holy shit. He was muscular. The feel of him sent her senses into overdrive.
All too quickly, she was belted in and he was moving away from her.
Calm, girl.
She’d never reacted to a man like this before. Mind you, she hadn’t been around that many men. Just her aunt’s husbands, and most of them ignored her. Which was a good thing. Then there was Saber, Tiger and their friends.
She definitely didn’t want their attention. Being around Linc was completely different. Instead of scaring her, he actually made her feel safe.
She snuck glimpses over at him as he hopped into the truck and started it up. Those hands of his were enormous. What would it be like if he touched her? Cupped her breast, ran his hand down her stomach to touch her . . .