But I do, my fingers tapping restlessly on the steering wheel while I wait. A tall deputy walks up to my window and taps it.
I roll it down and sigh. “Yes, officer?”
“What were you thinking back there, man? You can’t just pull a u-turn in the middle of the road.”
“I’m sorry, Officer…Reynolds.” I spot his name on his badge. I don’t recognize him which means he doesn’t know me either.
“I am looking for a woman that walked out of the bar alone without her things. She’s a friend of mine. I just spotted her on Elm Road back that way and I was trying to catch up to her.”
He nods sympathetically. “Had a fight with your girl, huh? Have you been drinking?”
“Not really. Just a few sips of beer.”
“Uh-huh. Well step out of the car and we’ll just check on that.”
My heart drops. “I really need to catch up to her. She’s out here alone.”
“This will just take a moment. As soon as I know you’re alright you can just continue on your way. I wouldn’t feel right not checking though.”
I pull my keys out of my ignition and sigh, uncurling my length from the seat. I step from the truck and we run through a couple of things like the alphabet and some stuff I can’t even remember. All my mind is focused on Harvey.
“Fine. You’re okay. But you need to get your head straight, man. You’re distracted as hell.” He stalks off, leaving me on the side of the road.
“That’s because I need to find Harvey, asshole,” I grumble under my breath. “That dude is damn serious about his fucking job. He needs to lighten up.”
The scowl on his face when he drives off says that’s not happening anytime soon.
Not my problem though. My problem is the black-haired wench who is alone and defenseless out here.
Or as defenseless as Harvey can get. My jaw still hurts.
I turn down Elm slowly and tool down the road. Within minutes I spot a hunched over figure stalking up the road.
I pull up alongside her, driving slowly to match her steps. “Get in the damn car, Midge! You shouldn’t be out here in the middle of the night alone.”
She turns to glare at me but keeps on walking. “No! Go away, dammit! I don’t want your help, Jenkins. I don’t want a damn thing from you!”
I slam the truck in park and step out, stalking her. “I’m not taking no for an answer, Midge. Get in that fucking truck before I paddle your ass right here on the road.”
Her eyes sparkle with anger in the headlights of the truck, that dress shooting off wild rays of light all around her body. “I’m not getting in that truck and if you think you can move me, you go right ahead and try. You think when I slapped you, it hurt. This is gonna hurt a hundred times worse.” She settles into a boxing stance, her fists raised.
Damn, she’s a sight. So much fire in one little package. And it’s mine. Protective heat surges through me. She’s mine.
I stalk her and then dart past her, grabbing her around the waist and hefting her slim body into the air.
“Hey, dammit! Put me down, Jeremiah!”
“Sure,” I grumble, easily holding her struggling body off the ground, stalking to the truck. “Now you call me Jeremiah.”
I pop open the door one-handed and throw her in, blocking her with my body when she starts to slide out. My face right in her eyes, I shove her back lightly. “Do not move out of that seat, woman! I’m giving you a ride home and that’s that.”
“I’ll scream,” she whispers, trying to keep up the bravado.
My lips quirk in a wicked smirk. “I hope to god you do, baby. Not out here but sooner or later, I’m gonna make you scream just like I did before. You’re mine.”
“I am not. I’m looking for Mr. Right and it’s not you,” she growls, settling back in the seat, arms crossed, huffing out a breath that makes her bangs puff up.
Jealous rage surges through me. I literally see red. “I suggest we table this discussion for now, princess. We’ll talk when I get you home.”