They arrived at Abby’s house. Always the gentleman, Wyatt hurried around to open the truck door for her. She slipped out past him smelling of lemon, but also of horses and oats and the great outdoors. He’d thought she’d smelled good before, but now…
“Are you wanting to come back with me tomorrow?” he asked as they made their way up the frozen path towards her house.
“I would, but I don’t get off until four tomorrow. Is that too late, you think?” She looked up at him questioningly, biting her lower lip.
She’d unlocked her front door but hadn’t opened it yet. He couldn’t quite make out the expression on her face because their breaths were making clouds in the frosty air, blocking his view.
That’s the reason that he gave for leaning forward towards her. Just so he could see her face a little better. Nothing more.
“If we only get you for an hour or two, it’s totally worth it,” he said softly. “I think Adam will be happy to have you for however long you can be there.”
Which was probably true, but they both knew that Adam wasn’t who he was thinking about just then. He wanted nothing more than to lean forward and nibble on that lower lip that she currently had snagged between her teeth. He wanted to bury his hands in her hair and kiss her until she couldn’t speak.
He wanted…her.
“Okay,” she whispered softly. He was just inches from her. She gulped hard and then felt for the doorknob behind her back. “I must go now. Goodbye,” and then she was twisting the knob and practically falling into the house, shutting the door behind her with a whispered “click” that sounded like a cannon in the cold winter air.
Wyatt jerked back and stared at the door. He had to get himself under control. It was ridiculous for him to crave someone like he craved Abby, if she didn’t feel the same way about him.
The thing was, he couldn’t quite convince himself that she didn’t feel that same way about him. She was a mess of contradictions, and was confusing the ever-livin’ hell outta him.
He headed back to his truck and threw it into gear. He needed to go for a long, punishing ride on Elvis. Get his head screwed on straight. Get a deep breath back into his lungs.
Get Deputy Abby Connelly out of his system.