Chapter Three

~Brad~

HER HOUSE SMELLS JUST like her, like cinnamon and vanilla. Her red hair falls in loose curls around her shoulders as she leads me into her living room and queues up the TV, getting the next episode of the show ready.

“Do you want something to drink?” she asks. “I have Coke and bottled water. I might even have a Snapple if you want it.”

“A water would be great.”

She nods and hurries out of the room and back again, carrying two bottles of water. She’s so full of nervous energy I want to pin her to the wall and kiss the fuck out of her, just to smooth out the nerves.

She passes me the water, and I set it on the coffee table, take hers from her and set it down as well, then take her hand in mine and pull her to me.

“Hannah.”

“Yeah?” She looks up at me now, her big blue eyes wide. She licks her lower lip, and it’s almost my undoing.

“You’ve got that nervous thing happening again.”

“Oh.” She clears her throat, and I draw her closer to me still. “I haven’t had a man here in a long time.” The words are a whisper and her eyes are pinned to my lips now.

“Good,” I whisper in return and let my hands glide up her arms to her shoulders. “I’m going to kiss you.”

“Okay.”

I can’t help but smile at the absolute eagerness in her voice, and the way she boosts herself up on her toes, getting ready for me.

God, she’d be so fucking responsive beneath me in bed.

But that’s not for tonight. I push that thought from my brain and tilt my head down to hers, allowing my nose to brush back and forth against hers, enjoying the warmth of her skin close to mine and the way she takes a deep breath, making her chest rise.

“You’re beautiful,” I murmur against her lips.

“So are you,” she replies. Her hands are moving over my shoulders and up into my hair, and I can’t hold back any longer. I sink down into her, covering her mouth with mine, finally allowing myself to taste her, to soak her in. She’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen, and her reaction to me is exactly what I imagined in my dreams.

She pushes up further on her toes, trying to get closer to me, gripping the back of my hair tighter in her fists. My hands drift down to her ass and squeeze her firmly. She’s pressed against me now, we’re breathing heavily, and I have two choices: I either carry her to her bedroom, strip her naked, and fuck her into the mattress. Or, I stop this now because if I wait, I won’t be able to stop.

And she already set the boundary of no sex tonight.

So, no sex it is.

“Hannah,” I murmur and pull back, brushing my fingers through her hair. Her eyes are still closed and she’s biting her lip. “Open your eyes, sweetheart.”

“Hmm?” She complies, and then frowns. “We’re stopping?”

“Oh yeah,” I say with a nod and step away as soon as I’m sure she can stand under her own power. “If I don’t stop now, I won’t want to stop at all.”

She seems to struggle with this information, but then sighs and nods. “Right. Sorry, Slutty Hannah took over there for a second.”

“Don’t do that.” My voice is sharper than I intended, but the irritation is swift. “You’re not a slut, Hannah. We’re fucking attracted to each other. Jesus, the chemistry has been off the charts every time we’re in the same room together since we first met. That’s not being promiscuous.”

“You’re right. Again.” She pushes her hair back. “If you want to go, I understand.”

“Hell no, I want to watch this show.” I sit in the middle of her couch so she has no choice but to sit next to me. “And I want to feel you next to me for a few hours.”

She tilts her head, watching me for a moment, then shrugs and sits next to me after reaching for the remote. “Let me check my phone.”

She pulls the device from her pocket, but there have been no calls.

“No babies so far tonight,” she says with a grin. “I’m not expecting any of my patients to go into labor this week, actually, but you never know.” She sets the phone aside and presses play on the show.

“Jenna said you got called out last night.”

“Yeah, it was unexpected,” she says and looks up at me with sad eyes. “The baby was stillborn. He was too premature, and we couldn’t save him.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It happens.”

“I’m sorry just the same,” I reply and tug her against me. She fits perfectly in the crook of my shoulder, her head leaning on my chest.

“Shall we watch this?” she asks.

“Let’s do it.”

She snuggles up to me and we stay here, snuggled up together, as one episode, then another plays. Finally, she stretches and checks the time on her phone.

“I hate to kick you out, but I should get some sleep. I have appointments first thing tomorrow.”

“I have to be in the office early, too,” I reply and stand. But rather than walk to the door, I pull her into my arms, hugging her tightly. I hold her for a long moment, then pull away and smile down at her.

“What was that for?” she asks.

“I needed it.” You needed it. I wink and walk toward the front door. “When would you like to go for our hike?”

“Saturday morning,” she says. “Before it gets crowded up there. I like to hike up and then ride the chairlift down.”

“How does nine sound?”

“Perfect,” she says with a nod. “It’ll be fun.”

“I think so, too.”

I take one more long look at her, her blue eyes sleepy, her red hair mussed up now, and am already anticipating being with her on Saturday.

“Have a good night, Hannah.”

“You too.”

I walk to my truck, start the engine, and head toward home with the windows rolled down and my sunroof open. It’s a warm night. There are a million stars in the sky, and I know if I drove up into Glacier National Park, just forty miles from here, I would be able to see the Milky Way.

That’s something I can take Hannah to see another night.

Spending the evening with her was everything I’d hoped it would be. The chemistry is still there like a fucking freight train. It just rolls over us. But more than that, I enjoyed her company.

I plan to spend as much time with her as our schedules allow.

Once home, I secure my truck in the garage and walk into the house, greeted by my white lab, Sadie.

“Hey, girl.” She whines a bit and presses her face into my hand, then goes directly to the back door, needing out. My back yard is fenced for her, so I let her out and walk through the house double checking locks and alarms. It’s habit. I have to make sure the house and garage are always secure to protect myself from anyone who may be angry and want to take it out on the chief of police.

It happens.

Sadie scratches at the back door, and I let her in. We walk upstairs to the bedroom and she settles on her bed in the corner, ready for sleep.

But despite being tired, I’m restless. I take a long, hot shower which helps to calm me down. I slip into bed and think of a sexy redhead as I fall to sleep.

***

“Come in,” I call when there’s a knock on my office door. I’ve been doing paperwork all damn morning, and the distraction is welcome. I’m surprised when it’s Max who walks through the door.

Sadie immediately jumps up from her bed by my desk to greet him.

“Hey, gorgeous girl,” Max says and kneels to rub her head and give her kisses. “Aren’t you the prettiest girl?”

Sadie falls on her back in elation, exposing her belly.

“You’d think she never gets any attention,” I say and lean back in my chair. “Did you come to love on my dog?”

“Yes. And to see what you’re up to.”

“Just maintaining law and order,” I reply. “What are you up to?”

“I have to go back to LA,” he says with a frown. “I have some work that needs to be done in person.”

Max is a highly successful software engineer. So successful that he’s sold a few things to Google for a shit ton of money.

“How long will you be gone?”

“A month maybe,” he says with a sigh. “Which sucks because this is my favorite time of year here.”

“You don’t have to work,” I remind him. “You have more money than God.”

“Probably not,” he says with a laugh. “I mean, he’s God. And maybe I don’t have to work for the money, but I have to work for the sanity. What am I going to do, Brad, retire at thirty-two? And do what?”

“I don’t know, it would drive me nuts too,” I say and offer him a shrug. “When do you leave?”

“This afternoon.”

I just raise an eyebrow, and he cringes. “I know, it’s last minute. Jenna’s dealing with the tree house architect. I was supposed to be there for the meeting, but I don’t think she needs me. She’s awesome at this, and can handle herself.”

“Agreed,” I reply. “Did you give her a heads up?”

“Yeah, and she said she’d be okay. But I told her to call you if she needs you.”

“Okay, sounds good.”

“Her meeting with them is Saturday morning. That’s the only time they could meet this week.”

“I’m not free Saturday morning,” I reply.

“Why? Are you working?”

“No, I have a date.”

He’s quiet for a moment, and then he leans forward and I know I’m about to catch hell.

“With whom?”

“Hannah Malone.”

“Nice. I like her.”

“Do you know her?”

“It’s a small town, big brother. Of course I know her. Not well, but she’s hot as hell and seems nice.”

“Don’t make me break your arm again.”

He smirks. “Don’t worry, I’m not hot for her. Jenna probably won’t need you, but if you could be in cell range just in case, I’d appreciate it.”

“Not a problem,” I reply and pet Sadie when she sits next to me and rests her head in my lap. “Need anything else?”

“Just keep an eye on my house for me.”

“I’ll have my guys drive by throughout the day.”

“Thanks. I’ll try to get home sooner. We’ll see how it goes.”

“Taking your jet?”

“Yeah, it’s convenient.” He watches me for a second and then smirks. “Hey, you’re the one who said I have more money than God. What’s the use if I don’t spend some of it?”

“I didn’t say anything,” I insist. “Spend it all, I don’t care.”

“Let me pay off your house.”

“Fuck you.”

It’s the same argument about every four months. Max wants to help. To share what he’s built with those he loves, and I get that. But I don’t need him to pay off my fucking house.

“This tree house project is going to cost you plenty.”

“And I’ll make the money back when Jenna puts her magic on it,” he replies with a nod. “Okay, I’ll see you in a few weeks.”

“See you.”

He leaves my office, and I immediately call Jenna.

“Oh good, you called to tell me about your date.”

“No, nosy girl, I called because Max just left my office. He’s leaving for LA today.”

“I know. I told him I’d get his mail for him.”

“He said you have a meeting with the architect on Saturday?”

“Yeah, but I told him from the beginning that he didn’t have to be there. This is a preliminary meeting where they’ll show me what they have so far and I’ll hate it, and then they’ll have to rework it.”

“You sound so optimistic.” I smile and glance outside to see one of my officers talking to a kid with a skateboard. It’s getting heated.

“It’s just how it works. So it’s really not a big deal that Max can’t make it.”

“I’ll have my phone on me that morning, so just call if you need me.”

“Yes, sir,” she says, the way she does when she rolls her eyes at me. “Hi, I’m Jenna and I’m thirty-four years old. I’ve got this, Brad.”

“Yeah, yeah. Call me if you need me.”

I hang up on a deep sigh and stand to go to the window and watch the kid argue with my officer. Finally, the kid walks away, his skateboard under his arm. He turns back to flip the bird, and then jogs away.

My officer, Jacob, just hangs his head and sighs. Dealing with kids like that isn’t fun, but Jacob is a good cop.

I glance back at my desk and frown at the paperwork I still have to do, then decide fuck it. I slip the leash on Sadie and walk out of my office.

“Patrice, we’ll be back. I’m on my phone if you need me.”

She just nods, not looking up from the computer. That’s one of the things I like about Patrice; she doesn’t say what isn’t needed but she gets stuff done and doesn’t take my crap.

This place wouldn’t run without her.

It’s another beautiful summer day, and sitting in my office isn’t how I want to spend it. Sadie sits happily in my police-issue SUV passenger seat, her head out of the window letting the wind blow over her face.

I don’t have a destination in mind, so I make a loop through town, passing by my place that sits near the lake, then up past Jenna’s B&B and Max’s house. The tourists haven’t started to rush into town yet for the season, so the traffic isn’t bad.

I head back through the older residential section of town, and past Hannah’s house. I slow down because her front door is standing open, but I don’t see a car in her driveway.

“Stay,” I tell Sadie and walk to the door, my hand on my weapon. “Hannah?”

There’s no answer. I walk around to the side of the house and look in a window, but I don’t see anyone. I don’t want to go in the house if she’s there.

“Hannah,” I call out again.

“Yeah?”

I spin around, caught off guard by the redhead herself who is sweaty and wearing little shorts and a tank top.

“Your front door is open.”

“I know,” she says and leans over to brace herself on her knees. “Good God, I hate to run.”

“Why were you running?”

“I’m trying to get into summer shape,” she says. “I’m super lazy in the winter.” She swallows hard. “I mean, it’s cold and I don’t like that.”

“Yes, you mentioned that last night.”

She nods, still catching her breath. “But I love to be active in the summer, and I’m trying to get in shape for it.”

“Why was your door open?”

“Because I forgot to shut it,” she says with a shrug. “I ran in really fast to use the bathroom because all that running made me have to go.”

I grin and cross my arms over my chest.

“You look really intimidating with that whole cop stance you have going on there.”

“I’m on duty,” I remind her.

“Yeah. It’s hot.” She grins. “Am I allowed to flirt with you when you’re on duty, or is that too cliché?”

“You can flirt with me any time you like.”

She laughs and wipes the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. Sadie lets out a bark and whimper, reminding me that she’s there.

“Who’s this?”

“Sadie,” I reply and walk ahead of Hannah so I can let Sadie out of the vehicle.

“Can I pet her?”

“She’ll be disappointed if you don’t.”

“Hi, Sadie,” Hannah says and holds her hand out for the dog to smell. “You’re so pretty. What a good girl you are. You’re so brave, too.”

And just like that, Sadie is nuzzling Hannah’s leg and soaking up the attention.

“I didn’t know you have a police dog.”

“She’s a retired police dog. I bring her with me when I’m going to be in my office most of the day.”

“What brought you by my house?” she asks.

“I needed to get out of the office for awhile, so I thought I’d drive by here to make sure everything was okay.”

“And my door was open.”

I nod and watch as she continues to pet Sadie’s head, putting the dog into a happiness coma.

“Thanks for checking on me. It was a bathroom emergency.”

“Why aren’t you in the office today?”

“I had morning appointments,” she says with a smile. “I take one afternoon and two mornings off during the week because I inevitably end up working several evenings and weekends throughout the month. It all comes out in the wash, and I can catch up on sleep if I need it.”

“I see. Well, we’ll let you get back to your workout.”

“Oh, I’m done. I’ll be good until Saturday.” She sits on the ground and lets Sadie fall into her lap. “This is the sweetest dog ever.”

“And she knows it.” I check the time, and then hear my radio go off in the car. “Hold on.”

I jog over and listen to a report of an accident just south of town. Multiple cars, injuries.

“I have to go. There’s been an accident.” I stare at Sadie. “Damn it, I shouldn’t have brought her along.”

“Leave her with me,” Hannah offers. “We’ll hang out for a couple of hours.”

“You don’t have to—”

“Go,” Hannah says. “I have this. Be safe.”

I nod and hurry away, my head already in the accident scene I’m rushing to.