Awakening Veronica (18 page)

Hank smirked as he flipped on his lights and pulled out behind her. “I swear she does this on purpose every time she comes to town.”

The driver pulled into the parking lot at Cheaver’s Western Wear and turned down the volume on her music. He radioed in and parked beside her, trying to wipe the grin off of his face. It wasn’t dignified to look happy about pulling someone over.

Adjusting his cowboy hat, he walked to the driver’s side of the car. The redhead smiled up at him, her eyes twinkling. “Hey, Hank—I mean, Sheriff, sir.”

“Now, Miss Heather…”

Innocent blue eyes looked up at him. Those eyes had the same effect as Grace’s.

“Was I speeding, Hank? I didn’t think I was, but was I?” The blue eyes misted up and she smiled at him. She could top from the bottom with the best of them.

He squatted down and put his hand on the opened window. “No, Miss Heather. You weren’t speeding. You know I’ve never had to pull you over for speeding.”

Her eyebrows arched happily. “Oh! Did you just want to say hello?” She chattered on and looked so damned pleased he almost forgot why he’d pulled her over. The song changing on the radio reminded him though.

“You know I love seeing you. You don’t come to town near often enough to please some people around here. But you and I know what this is really about.”

Again with the innocent blue eyes. “We do?”

Hank couldn’t suppress his chuckle. “I grew up in the eighties, too, hon, but not everyone has the same appreciation for Def Leppard that you and I do.”

A pleased squeal came from her. “I know!” She started talking with her hands and rhapsodizing about eighties rock bands. He glanced up and saw the big grin on his deputy’s face as Wyatt pulled in on the other side of the Camaro and exited his vehicle.

“Hey, Miss Heather!” he called out as he slung his thumbs into his belt, affecting a more pronounced swagger as he walked up.

Hank scowled at his deputy and said, “Don’t you have work to do?”

Wyatt smirked and said, “Nah. It’s all quiet right now.”

Heather started in again. “That’s one of the things I love about Divine. It’s so peaceful. How are you, Wyatt, honey?”

Wyatt grinned at her and looked a little dazzled. “I’m doing great, Miss Heather. You here to see Miss Grace?”

Heather nodded. “I am. I heard Grandma Kate was in town and couldn’t resist making the drive out here. How’s your girlfriend, Wyatt?”

Wyatt’s face dropped a little and he shook his head. “Didn’t work out, Miss Heather.”

Heather tilted her head in sympathy. “I’m sorry to hear that but I know the perfect girl is going to come along eventually. How’s that big brother of yours doing? The vet clinic doing all right?” The twinkle in Heather’s eye reminded Hank of Grace when she got to matchmaking.

Wyatt chuckled, “Steven’s fine. He’ll be happy to hear you’re in town. You comin’ out to the Dancing Pony while you’re here?”

“No, just for the afternoon.”

Hank was relieved when the chitchat was interrupted by a call from the dispatcher for a fender bender in the parking lot of Batson’s Grocery Store. Deputy Dawg waved at Miss Heather. “Gotta go. You take care now, Miss Heather!”

As Wyatt left, she turned back to him and said, “Now what were you sayin’, Hank?”

He stood and patted the roof of the car. “I’m gonna let you off with a warning
this time
. Try to keep the music turned down to a level that doesn’t frighten all the cattle or break any windows.”

Heather put her hand to her cheek and blushed again. “Yes, sir. I’ll try and remember that. Sometimes I forget.” Her eyes twinkled and he had to chuckle. She knew what she was doing every single second of the day but he couldn’t fuss at her.

He was walking back to his vehicle when his phone chimed with a text message.

“Good morning, Hank.”

He kept his eyes peeled in the parking lot as he sent a quick reply.
“Good morning, Nika. Did you sleep well?”

“I did. Going to take a shower and get some work done after I eat. I have another live chat this afternoon.”

He checked the clock in the dashboard.
“How about I bring you some lunch?”

“I’d feel bad about interrupting your lunch break. You probably don’t get very long, do you?”

“Long enough to pick you up a nice lunch and bring it out to you and get a kiss.”

“Oh. Well, all right. Give me time to get showered and dressed.”

“Do that. And stay naked for me.”

He grinned, imagining her face as she paused before replying.

He chuckled when it finally came.
“Yes, sir, Hank, sir.”
There was a giggling emoticon next to her words.

“Are you being sassy?”

“Maybe?”

Hank laughed and made one final reply.
“See you in an hour, sassy.”

The radio crackled with another call and he got back to work, anticipating seeing her. He found Jack Warner’s number in his contacts and dialed him before heading over to where he was needed. She had another live chat and Hank thought Jack wouldn’t mind getting the ball rolling with Ace and Kemp, and possibly Duke and Gage.

* * * *

Veronica let out a happy squeal when she heard Hank pull up outside. She’d done as he’d asked. She was naked except for his pearl-gray cowboy hat.

A knock sounded at the door and his voice called out. “Nika, it’s me, Hank.”

She held his hat to her head as she watched him through the peephole. “How do I know it’s not an impersonator? You could be a mad stalker wanting to steal me.”

She was sure he heard her gigglesnort through the door when he leaned an eye close to the peephole and softly said, “Because this particular mad stalker knows you’re nekkid?”

Unlocking the door, she was careful as she opened it to stay behind it. “And you’re a handsome stalker, too. Oh, mercy, and you’re in your uniform.”

He was clad in a jet-black sheriff’s uniform that accentuated his muscular physique and made him so much more imposing and intimidating. Larger than life. He wore black cowboy boots and a black Stetson, and the heavy work belt, fitted with a gun holster and other tools of his trade, capped off the aura of a man used to being in charge and protecting others.

Hank looked at her with sultry gray bedroom eyes as he handed her a white paper sack and a big Styrofoam cup then pushed her up against the door. “And you’re definitely nekkid, like I asked. I like the hat.” Using his body weight, he pinned her to the door and looked into her eyes. “All kidding aside, I’m glad you didn’t open the door without first checking.” He gazed into her eyes and then looked at her lips before his descended and gave her a kiss that stole her breath away.

The helplessness she felt at being pinned against the door with her hands full was surprisingly erotic. She was nude and she couldn’t do anything to stop him as his lips traced the column of her neck and his hands wandered from her upper arms to stroke and cup her breasts before sliding down to her waist. Her belly fluttered as his thumbs caressed the junctures of her thighs at her hips, never touching her mound. He smiled at her as he cupped her derriere in both hands and asked, “How’s your ass, Nika? Sore?”

Feeling a little out of her element with such a powerful, seductive man, she licked her lips and shook her head negatively. “No, I’m not sore.”

“Show me.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Show you?”

He must’ve been able to read her and said, “I’m not looking for any special position, just turn and tilt your ass up for me so I can see. Or would you like to bend over the table again?”

Her blush made her face hot but she complied, turning and bending at the waist and tilting her ass up for his inspection, biting her lip because she could practically feel his gaze on her bare skin. She gave it a little shake and earned a small tap and a chuckle from him before he turned her and pulled her into his arms for a hug.

That was the moment that made her eyes sting. When his arms closed around her and held her like she was precious. There were only two men who held her with affection, and they were her brothers Cord and Jackson, so in the male-female relations department, they didn’t count. This hug was different. Not necessarily sexual, just very…loving.

You’re leaving, remember?

She’d been reminding herself all morning that if she wasn’t careful, she was going to fall in love with Hank and Travis. They seemed to both have access to a portion of her heart that she hadn’t realized was so vulnerable. She’d built walls over the last few years, to protect herself. Mostly from Brent, but from all men, so that when they hurt her, it didn’t take as long to recover. It was scary how quickly Hank and Travis had gotten through those barriers.

Hank pulled away and cupped her cheeks. “I lost you for a second. Where did you go?”

Feeling a little guilty because she knew his time for lunch was limited, she shook her head. “I know you don’t have long. Let me get plates and silverware.”

Hank released her and took the bag from her. “Rudy said he put in everything we’d need, so you won’t have to worry about doing dishes. The sweet tea is for you, Nika.” He carried the bag to the table and unloaded the containers and soon wonderful aromas were filling the room.

“There’s a lot of food here,” she murmured as he revealed generous servings of lasagna and meatloaf with side dishes.

“Dig in. We can share if you want to try the meatloaf. Everything Rudy makes is good.” She was momentarily distracted from her hunger as she watched Hank unbutton his long sleeves and methodically roll them up to mid-forearm, revealing his tanned, lightly furred skin. Did he have any idea how damned hot he looked performing that simple little chore, like he was making himself ready to get down to business? He caught her eye and grinned at her, arching an eyebrow, but she didn’t offer comment as she took her seat.

She moaned as she took the first bite of lasagna and then giggled when he reached out with a bite of the meatloaf. He seemed to delight in feeding her from his fork in between bites and she liked the pampered way he made her feel.

They shared small talk while they ate until an unexpected laugh burst from her. He looked up at her with curiosity in his eyes. “What’s so funny?”

“I’m sitting here naked and I forgot.”

Hank gave her that warm smile again and his bedroom eyes searched hers as he took another bite. “Trust me, I didn’t forget. I like seeing you comfortable enough to forget. Thank you for the picture this morning. You looked sexy in my hat.”

“Was that okay?”

“Of course. I keep seeing glimpses of the sassy Nika and I like it.”

“I didn’t know if that was permissible or not.”

“I don’t want you to play the meek sub with me, afraid to get in trouble. It’s okay to push the boundaries because we’re definitely going to press yours. I want you to be yourself. Are you full?” Hank’s eyes followed the curve of her shoulder and settled on her breasts which suddenly felt warmer and heavier under his gaze. Her nipples responded by growing even harder.

“Yes,” she replied, food all but forgotten.

He closed the containers and said, “Did I tell you I have a sweet tooth?” The way he gazed at her as he asked led her to believe that there wasn’t any dessert tucked away in that white paper sack.

“No. Do you?”

“Oh yes.” He cast a glance to the bare spot on the other table, where they’d played the night before. “I like that table. It’s nice and sturdy. Come with me.”

He lifted one of the straight back chairs and held out his other hand and she didn’t hesitate to take it. Liquid arousal slipped from her pussy, wetting her inner thighs as she followed him to the other table. “You’re hungry for dessert?” she asked softly, watching the virile way he moved in his uniform. He removed his hat and placed it out of the way before turning to her. He carefully removed her eyeglasses, folded them, and placed them near her keyboard, like the night before.

Her breath caught at the heat in his eyes as he backed her against the table and gripped her hips as he leaned into her and kissed her. With her ass on the table, he slid his hands to her upper thighs and lifted them while kissing her until she teetered and finally lay back on the cool wooden surface.

Her cunt clenched and ached as she looked up at him. She’d left all the blinds and drapes closed on the front of the house but had opened the window above the work table because it was higher up and someone would need a ladder to see inside. The light shone in on her and she felt self-consciousness creep in until Hank reached out and caressed her chin. “You didn’t believe us when we told you last night that you’re beautiful and sexy, did you?”

She slid her hand over her breast and looked into his eyes, hoping for understanding. “That was last night. In the heat of passion, things get said. You made me want to believe you, Hank.”

He took her hand away from her breast and looked his fill of her bared, illuminated body and then dragged her hand down between her legs where he stood. She gasped in surprise when he cupped her hand over a monster erection. “I want you to believe it because it’s true today, in the light of day, just like it was last night. Keep casting aspersions on yourself and my taste in gorgeous women and you’ll earn yourself another spanking.”