Page 22 of Caught With the Sheriff

I touch my lips lightly and then smile slowly. I can still taste him on my lips. Still feel his heavy heat under me. I had the best sleep I’ve had in a long time.

And it’s all him. He let me tell my story in my own words. He held me when I cried. He didn’t rush me.

Just took his time.

Control.

Except when we touch. Then it’s flammable.

I wince and stand up. I don’t want to think about fire. I want to have some fun. I want to be alive and happy and just enjoy the day.

The door opens downstairs and he hollers, “you better be getting ready, sprite. I’m not sure how long I can hold them off. My mom is dying to see your house. She loves this old place.”

That’s good to know.

“I’m on my way.” I grab the first t-shirt and jeans I come across. I brush my hair and ignore the left side of my body. Ignore the pink scars and the rippled skin.

Do I think that Jasper will say anything, will cringe away from the scars?

I still remember his fingers delicately tracing around my knee and up my thigh. Gentle, tender. Sweet.

No. I don’t think he would. And as long as he doesn’t care, I don’t think I will either.

After all, it doesn’t define me. I do.

I charge down the stairs. “Let’s go, Maggie! I bet Claudia is desperate to find some cotton candy at this thing!”

A cheer greets me as I close and lock the door and Jasper’s eyes trail down my body like a butane torch heating my blood to boiling.

And I like it. A lot.

I smile at him and he tips his hat to me as he leaves to go to work. “I’ll see you later, sprite.”

I wink at him and giggle. He winks back and leaves and then Maggie turns her eyes to me, her own brows lifting. “I think we’ve got a lot to talk about.”

Flushing, I drop into her car seat and watch Claudia grinning at me in the mirror. She leans forward and whispers, “Daddy likes you. And you like him.”

It’s not a question. This eight year old knows exactly what’s going on. I don’t know if she’s precocious or if we’re just not that subtle. But she knows which means Maggie knows.

But when she sits in the car, she just smiles. “We can talk later when the little ears are gone. Another day.”

I suck in a deep breath and smile as she pulls away from my house. The first time in a long time that I’ve left it except when Jasper dragged me out.

And for the first time I don’t feel scared. I feel excited. I smile as Claudia chatters at us. Maggie grins at me and pats my hand where it sits on my lap.

“Let’s go find that cotton candy.”

* * *

I sit down for a second and take a deep breath. Maggie smirks. “It’s a lot, isn’t it?”

I nod my head but I’m smiling. “It is. But it’s so fun.”

Claudia tugs at her hand. “Memaw. I’ve got to go to the bathroom.”

She rolls her eyes and looks over at me. I hold up my hands and sit deeper into the bench. It’s off in a little corner where I can see all the storefronts and the booths set up. See all the people in this little town.

People watch.