“Well, Mr. Mayor.” I brush down the sides of my dress and toss my dark hair over my shoulder. “I didn’t ask for your help.” I turn on my heel and walk straight to my car, careful not to show that my knees are weak from being around him. “On second thought.” I turn back to Russell, who’s still watching me from where he stands. “If you want to help, how about you fix the pothole on my street. It’s a pain in the fucking ass.”
I slam my car door behind me. My fingers are a jumbled mess as I try to fit the key into the ignition. No one has ever unnerved me quite like Russell Strong. I pull out of the parking lot, accidentally squealing my tires in the process. I flinch at my own childishness, but deep down I don’t care. It’s embarrassing to be one upped when I’m working.
My breathing finally returns to normal by the time I pull into my driveway. I kick off my heels at the front door, grab a beer from the fridge and drink the whole thing standing right there. Russell Strong may be the mayor of this town, but he is not the boss of me.
3
Russell
Feisty women are my downfall,and Josie Byrd is no exception. My whole body feels tight. My brain couldn’t process anything but Josie for the rest of the weekend. Her full, heart-shaped face, the long curve of her neck, even the way her nose wrinkles when she’s angry all played in my mind until I couldn’t take it anymore. I pictured all of the things I wanted to do to her, each fantasy dirtier and more detailed than the next. After four releases, I still wasn’t quite satisfied and I won’t be until Josie Byrd belongs to me. She’ll make a fine mayor’s wife, that’s for sure.
How is it only three o’clock? After two Monday morning meetings, a lunch date, and an appearance at the local kindergarten, I’m spent. Maybe I’ll just rest my head on my desk for a second. No one would ever know if I stole five minutes of shut-eye. I’ve barely folded my arms across the smooth oak surface when there’s a knock on my door.
No rest for the weary.
“Come in.” I can’t remember if I scheduled anyone today. I thought I kept most of the afternoon clear. The door slowly opens and when I see who’s standing before me, I’m out of my chair, any ounce of fatigue is overpowered by pure desire.
“Hello, Mayor. I hope I’m not disturbing you.” Josie walks into my office like she owns it, wearing a perfect pink sundress that shows off her full breasts and long, thick legs. Dear God just looking at her makes me so hard, I may burst through these pants.
“Not at all.” I meet her in the middle of the room and take her soft hand in mine. The urge to taste her full, glossy lips overcomes me and for the first time I notice the tiniest freckle on her chin. She removes her hand from mine, smooths down her dress before I guide her to the chair across from me.
“So Josie, what brings you to City Hall?” Her delicate jaw clenches, as though she’s choosing the right words or trying to muster some up.
“Don’t act like you don’t know.”
I know. Of course I know. But, I want her to say it. “I haven’t the faintest—”
“My street. There’s a crew out there right now repairing a pothole. Any idea how that happened?” She tilts her head. Sunshine streams from the window, highlighting auburn strands throughout her dark hair.
“I haven’t the faintest.”
“Looks like we’re both bad liars.” She leans back, crossing her arms over her chest, pushing her soft, round breasts high enough to shoot me a healthy eyeful of cleavage. I don’t even try to hide my staring. This woman is pure perfection and I want her to know it.
I can’t help but smile. “Oh that.” I wave my hand through the air. “It was on the docket, I just moved it up on the priority list.”
“Russell.” The way she says my name drives me insane. Her take no prisoners, Miss Independent attitude turns me on in a way I’m not used to. I want to rip that sweet little sundress off of her soft, sexy body and bury myself so deep inside of her that she begs for mercy.
“Russell?” Her voice breaks the fantasy, but I’m still hard as a rock.
“Why don’t you show your gratitude by having dinner with me tonight.” An indignant scoff escapes her lips. “My gratitude?”
“Yeah. I can get us a table anywhere.”
“In Burly Creek? I don’t think that’s much of a bragging point.”
My chest clenches. There are a lot of things in the world I can tolerate, someone digging on my town isn’t one of them. “Do you have a problem with Burly Creek, Josie?”
She must see that the humor has left my voice. Her smile fades and she retreats. “It’s a small town, that’s all I’m saying.”
“Where are you from?”
“Los Angeles.”
“Oh, West Coast. What brought you to Burly Creek?” She crosses her legs. They look silky smooth. I imagine what that soft flesh would feel like pressed against my tongue as I make my way up her inner thighs.
“Strong Lodge, actually. Eliana knows my brother from high school. They are still friends on social media. She posted about needing a manager for the lodge, and he told me about it.” Her lips twist, eyes rolling upward in thought. “I didn’t actually think I’d get it.”
“Do you like it here?”