Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 27182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 136(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 136(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
“Okay, maybe I did steal him,” I say, finishing quietly as I look down at the ground. “But I just couldn’t leave him in that horrible place. They treated him like trash and he deserves so much better. I don’t regret a thing.”
I swallow hard as I look up. This man’s eyes sexy brown eyes are locked on me. I bet those eyes could intimidate the hardest criminals into giving full confessions. Even now, I would tell him my deepest darkest secrets if he’d only ask.
His eyes soften as mine water. He’s intimidating with all that thick tattooed muscle, but there’s a warmness to him as well. I feel that warmth wrapping around me as he watches me like I’m the only thing in the world worth paying attention to. It gives me goosebumps.
“You did the right thing,” he says in a low, deep voice.
I’m so relieved to hear him say that, I nearly leap over the desk into his arms. I just needed someone to tell me that I did the right thing. I know in my heart it was the right thing to do, but his validation still means the world to me.
“Where is he now?” he asks. “I’m Emmanuel by the way. Emmanuel Rush.”
Emmanuel. Not Officer Rush, but Emmanuel. That has to be a good sign…
“Lucy,” I say, touching the top of my chest. “And Cutter is at my neighbor’s house right now.” I pull my phone out of my back pocket. “Want to see a picture?”
We close the distance between us as I show him my phone, cycling through some photos with my thumb. I’m very aware of how close we are. Of his masculine scent. Of the warmth of his body.
God, I wish I wore something a little cuter rather than this big, faded old hoodie. How was I supposed to know the hottest police officer in the country would be working the morning shift?
“He looks like the happiest dog I’ve ever seen,” he says as I cycle through photos of the two of us enjoying the lake and the Montana mountains.
“Oops,” I say when one pops up of me and Cutter in bed. He’s snuggled under my arm, and I’m grinning with no makeup on, my hair a mess. I swipe past it quickly, but he notices.
“Wait—go back,” he says, grabbing my wrist.
I hesitate as I look up at him. “It’s just a selfie…”
“I want to see the happy dog,” he says, but there’s something else in his voice. Something that makes my stomach flutter.
I go back.
He stares at the photo for a long unbreathable moment. His jaw clenches slightly and he makes a sexy little grumble in the back of his throat. I’m wearing my pajama shorts and a tank top—not too revealing, but they are showing some curves. Definitely more curves than I’m showing now with this frumpy old hoodie
“Send those to me,” he says, finally releasing my wrist.
“For the case?”
His lips twitch. “Yeah, for the case. I’ll put them in your file.”
He gives me his number and I put it into my phone. I add the pajama selfie and a couple of other good ones. Me and Cutter always take the best selfies together.
I hit send with a little shiver.
I guess I have Mr. Hot Cop’s number in my phone now…
And he has mine.
“He appreciates you,” Emmanuel says. “I can tell.”
“You think?” I ask, looking up at him. He’s even taller up close. That beard is a sight to see from this angle. It might just be a landmark here in Montana. If it’s not, it should be.
“Dogs don’t fake that kind of peace,” he says with certainty in his deep voice. “He knows he’s safe with you.”
“I’m not sure if he is,” I say, feeling nervous all over again as I slide my phone back into my pocket. “That’s why I’m here. The guys I took him from came to my place last night.”
Emmanuel tenses up, but doesn’t say a word.
“They broke into my house looking for him.”
“Did they… hurt you?”
He looks so intense as he waits for my answer. He looks like he might put down his badge and go full-on vigilante if I say yes.
“They didn’t find me,” I tell him. “I was hiding at my neighbor’s house, but they’ll be back. Angelo isn’t letting this slide. I took Cutter five months ago and he’s still not over it.”
“Five months?” he says, staring at me in shock. “You’ve been in my town for five months?”
“Yeah,” I say. “Why? Is that okay?”
“How did I not run into you before,” he says. “I would have remembered seeing you.”
And I would have remembered seeing you.
“I work a lot. Mostly nights. I’m a server at Jack Jameson’s Bar and Grill. Have you ever been?”
“Of course,” he says. “But not lately.”
I feel my cheeks blushing as I lean in. “You should. I mean… for the food. We have amazing burgers.”