The whole house smelled like antiseptic and stale coffee, and it made Colby's stomach churn. Coming home each morning was horrible, but leaving each evening was even harder.

His mother slept peacefully, so he left her alone. She'd be awake and needing him soon enough, and right now all he wanted was a hot shower and a date with his pillow.

It was the same routine every day. Nothing changed except the level of his mother's lucidity and his own spirit. Lately, it felt like each monotonous day drained a bit more of the joy out of his life, and he couldn't decide if it had to do with his mother slowly disappearing before his eyes, or his lack of a social life. Both were painful for a man who thrived on other people's emotions.

His uniform was neatly hung in his closet, ready for the trek to the dry cleaners. He'd learned the hard way that it was cheaper for him to pay someone to launder his uniforms than to attempt it himself. Standing in the bathroom in just his jockey shorts, he twisted the handle until steaming water spilled from the shower head. The small room quickly fogged up, and just before his face disappeared behind the fog on the mirror he caught a glimpse of the gold chain hanging around his neck.

His fingers went to it automatically, rubbing over the smooth metal in a habit as old as time. The piece of jewelry hadn't left his throat since the day he'd left Montford, and yet the promise that went with it had long since been broken. He could still feel his mother's hands placing it around his neck as she made him promise to follow his dreams, no matter where they led. They'd led him around the world via Navy ship, and all the way to San Francisco before real life had stepped in and pulled him back to North Dakota.

Cursing his sentimental thoughts, he dropped his shorts to the floor and stepped into the shower. His conversation with Elizabeth ran through his mind over and over like a song on repeat, and the more he tried to understand her hot and cold vibes, the less he knew what the fuck she was thinking.

Just being around her was intense. He wanted to put his hands on her, and not in a hey-old-friend-good-to-see-you kinda way, either. More like a damn-I-need-to-see-if-those-curves-are-real way. He envisioned pressing against her soft breasts with his chest, feeling their fat nipples dig into his pecs. She tried to hide her physical response from him, but he wasn't stupid. Whether her brain knew it or not, she wanted him. The physicality of her desire made his even harder to combat, and even now he stood alone in his own shower gripping his throbbing cock in his hand as it ached with need for her.

What would her hands feel like on him? Would she have a soft touch or a firm grip? Would she be playful and experimental in bed, or shy and skittish? Not that it mattered. If she was shy, he'd ease her into it.

She'd been married before, so surely she was experienced. He could envision her being a true wildcat in bed. Taking what she wanted and exploding with passion around him.

His cum splattered across the shower wall, and he hissed with the electric jolt that always came with a fantastic orgasm. The only way it could have been better was if he'd been with Elizabeth and not just thinking of her.

When he fell into his bed, he drifted to sleep with her image in his brain. He had so many plans for her that he wasn't sure where he'd start, but he was damn sure he wasn't going to let her keep her distance.

Elizabeth was climbing into her car later that morning, when the sound of a police siren made her heart thump harder. A sheriff's vehicle skidded into the parking lot, and she froze in place, one foot out of the car and one foot in. She watched as Deputy Patrick Lord jumped out with Deputy Thomas Whitaker hot on his heels. They shoved into the diner, and she watched through the window as they made their way to the counter, guns drawn. What in the world was going on?

Without considering that she might be putting herself in danger, she hopped out of her car and marched into the diner. She arrived just in time to hear the explanation for their arrival.

"No one called nine-one-one that I know of, Deputy. Nothing's happened." Necee was standing next to the counter with her hands on her hips, looking concerned and irritated all at once. Her dark brown hair was drawn up in a tight bun on top of her head, making her look like a school marm as she stared down the two officers invading her establishment.

"Maci reported that she received a nine-one-one call from this location. No one was on the line, but she could hear a crash and a scream of pain," Deputy Lord explained.

Necee's eyes lit up in understanding, "While I don't know who would have dialed y'all, I can explain the crash. Dot knocked a stack of trays off the counter a few minutes ago."

"And the yell?" Deputy Whitaker asked, turning his attention toward the skittish waitress in question.

Dot blushed furiously under his scrutiny and murmured, "It was me. The crash startled me, and I screamed. I'm so sorry."

Both deputies seemed to slump with relief at the explanation, and it sent Elizabeth's mind reeling. They'd come into the diner not knowing what faced them. It could have been a shooter, or a robber, or well, anything, but it hadn't stopped them. They'd walked into danger without hesitation. Colby did that every day. It was his job.

Shuddering with a mix of fear and nausea, she turned away from the now-sorted scene and headed back to her car. She couldn't imagine handling that pressure on a day-to-day basis, much less being in a relationship with someone whose career put them at risk all the time.

Her dreams and fantasies of the future had always centered on stability, and clearly, Colby was as unstable as they came. Hell, he wanted to date her. It didn't get crazier than that. Somewhere along the line he must have cracked his head and lost all sense. As good-looking as he was, he'd attract a woman with more boobs than brain and a less restrictive family scene. If she was smart, she'd call off the date immediately.

She shifted in her seat uncomfortably at the thought of disappointing him. She could envision his full lips tipping down in a pout as sadness and hurt filled his gorgeous coffee-colored eyes. It shouldn't make her vagina clench, but it did. Everything about him made her clench, and squirm, and moan, and...God, she was a mess. She was lusting after him.

For a moment she pondered that in itself. Colby was the first man she'd felt anything for since her divorce. Not that she hadn't appreciated a nice-looking cowboy every now and then, but she hadn't had this stirring in her blood for over a decade.

It really wasn't fair to him or to her. She didn't want to risk her heart ever again. Dating someone without having any interest in a future with them seemed wrong, and if she was really honest with herself, at this moment, when she looked at Colby, all she saw was red-hot lust.

She envisioned his thick arms lifting her against a wall as he had his way with her, and his broad thighs flexing as she straddled his lap and had her way with him.

A white hot burst of desire filled her belly, she groaned and dropped her head on her steering wheel. No matter what, she was in deep shit with Colby Bricker.

3.

Colby was a true gentleman Thursday evening, picking her up at her door with a bouquet of flowers in hand. He opened the truck door, helped her out of her coat, and even held her chair in the restaurant. By the time they'd eaten dinner and dessert, Elizabeth was ready to jump out of her skin with the intense lust zipping between the two of them. He'd done nothing out of line, but her body ached as if he'd been touching her the whole time. Maybe it was because she'd gone so long without a man in her life, or maybe it was because her biggest high-school crush was sitting across from her, flirting like an old pro.

She was on the verge of begging him to put his hands on her throughout dinner, and after two hours of small talk and catching each other up on their lives, she'd had enough. Scooting her chair back, she placed her napkin on the table. "Well, thank you for dinner, Colby. It was delicious."

His eyebrow rose. "Is that your way of saying the date is over?"

She felt her cheeks heat. "Well, you do have to go to work later."

Nodding, and grinning with his dimple flashing temptingly, he said, "I do, but that doesn't mean I'm ready to cut our time short. How about that movie?"

She shook her head. "I'm not really in the mood for a movie..."

Her attempt to end the night before her heart grew any more invested was cut short because Colby wasn't having it. "No movie then, but Bethie, I really am enjoying your company."

The words socked her in the gut as she realized how much they meant to her. Returning his smile, she tipped her head in agreement. "So am I. It was nice to catch up. You've done so much since high school. I'm sure your mother is proud of you." She grimaced when she realized what she'd said. "Sorry. I can imagine it's hard on you and Abby now that she needs so much care."

"Yeah it's not easy, but she's my mom. I wouldn't be anywhere else." He flagged the waiter down and paid the bill before standing and holding out his arm chivalrously. "My lady, would you care to take a walk with me and enjoy the evening air?"

Giggling, she accepted his arm, trying not to flinch at the sizzle when skin touched skin. "Okay, but only a short one. I'd feel terrible if you were late to work because of me, and besides, I have the early shift tomorrow, so I have to get some sleep tonight."

They walked into the night air, and Elizabeth immediately shivered. Colby's face puckered up, and he shouldered off his coat. "I guess that cold front came in sooner than they expected. So much for our walk."

"Why don't you just come back to my place for a cup of coffee? We can sit and talk a little more before you have to go." Elizabeth heard herself say the words, but she couldn't fathom why she was doing it. She had no intention of letting this thing between her and Colby become anything more than friendship, no matter what her body wanted. So why was she encouraging him?

"Sounds perfect." Colby was quick to agree and even quicker to get her into his truck and home before she could say she'd changed her mind.

Her tiny place seemed even smaller with his large frame sitting at her two-person table, but instead of feeling overwhelmed, Elizabeth she was at ease. There was something about him that just eased her soul.

"Why are you out here in the guest house, rather than in the big house?" Colby asked. Her head jerked up, and she frowned. Regret showed on his face instantly. "Sorry, I guess that came out a little rude."

"No, I'm just being silly. I moved out here after my divorce. We sold our house and split the money, and I wanted my privacy and personal space. No big deal. My parents were fine with it, and it's worked out well. How is it living with your mom and your sister again?" she responded, bustling through the kitchen as she fixed a pot of coffee and carried it to the table.

"Rough," he said with a snort. "After living with the guys in the Navy and then alone in San Francisco, sharing my space with Abby is like hell on Earth."

She giggled. "Your sister has always been...unique."

"What you mean is that she's a bitch," Colby said with a grin. "Don't be afraid to tell it like it is. I love Abs to death, but she's always had a prissy attitude, thinking she's better than most. Mama spoiled her rotten after our dad died. I think it was because Abby was so little."

Elizabeth wasn't really sure what to say, so she sipped her coffee, hissing when the liquid scorched her tongue. The cup jostled in her hands as she rushed to set it down, and more boiling coffee spilled onto her fingers. "Ouch!"

"Aw, no, Bethie. Damn, that's gotta hurt." Colby's large hands engulfed her injured digits, and he drew them to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss on the reddened flesh.

The gesture was meant to be soothing; instead, the touch of his soft lips on her skin sent fire coursing through her veins. She heard herself squeak in protest, but she didn't move a single muscle to withdraw from his grip. Their eyes clashed as his mouth hovered near her hand, and a slow predatory smile curled his lips upward. "Are you okay, sugar? Should I kiss it again?"

Elizabeth shook her head no, but her mouth couldn't form the words. She was terrified she'd beg him to do more than kiss her finger. Colby lowered her hand but didn't release it as he stared deeply into her eyes.

"Do you hurt anywhere else, Bethie?" he murmured, and she whimpered softly. She should pull her hand away. She should stand up and tell him it was time for him to go. She should...

"I burned my tongue."

That was not at all what she meant to do.

Colby's eyes darkened from a coffee-brown to nearly black, and his smile widened. "I can't turn down that opportunity."

He brought them together slowly enough that she could have pulled away or even stopped him with just one word, but instead she drifted forward, her body instinctively reaching for the offered kiss. When his mouth hovered over hers, she inhaled sharply, filling her senses with his scent, and trying to permanently imprint this moment in her brain.

Colby was well aware of his size in comparison to the small flower of a woman in front of him, and he was also aware of how easily Elizabeth could be spooked from this budding attraction, so he took his time kissing her. Their lips brushed lightly, and then he took a firmer stance, pressing and releasing her as he explored every millimeter of her mouth. When she parted her lips and allowed him access, it was like the cherry on top. He barely resisted the urge to fist pump his success when she lifted her hand and cupped the side of his face as their mouths mated.

A possessive feeling welled in his chest, and he returned the gesture, cupping her jaw in his large hands and holding her in place so he could feast on the deliciousness she offered. She was tentative in her touches, and he wondered why. She'd been married. How was it possible for her to be inexperienced in kissing?

He couldn't have guessed how long they remained there, making out and indulging in the moment, but when they finally parted, they were both panting for air.

"Wow," she murmured, her fingers touched her puffy lips.

Colby inhaled slowly through his nose, forcing back the urge to make her whisper the word again. If she was this impressed with a good make-out session, he'd blow her mind when he finally sank his cock into her sweet pussy.

A sharp tone echoed in the air, and they both looked around in confusion. Then Colby realized it was his phone in his pocket, he groaned. "Damn, time's up, sugar. I have to go get ready for work."

Elizabeth's cheeks heated to a bright pink as she carried their cups to the sink. "Thank you again for dinner, it was lovely."

Colby could feel her trying to put the wall of polite friendship between them again, but there was no way that was going to happen on his watch. Pushing to his feet, he followed her, pinning her against the sink, her back to his front. He heard her inhale as he pressed his face to the curve of her neck. "Thank you for coffee, Bethie. I want to see you again."

"Colby, tonight was fun, but..." She gasped as he scraped his teeth over the sensitive spot below her ear. "We really shouldn't-" her words cut off with a moan of pleasure when he sucked her earlobe into his mouth. His Bethie was a ball of fire, and he loved her quick, easy responses to his touch.

"We really should," he insisted. "I'll see you at breakfast, sugar. Sleep sweet."

Releasing her abruptly, he gave her room to turn and face him. He loved the glassy, dazed look on her face. It made him feel like he was the king of the world. Reaching down, he adjusted his erection behind his zipper; it made her blush harder and look away.

"Goodnight, Colby." She paused, and then softly murmured, "Stay safe."

Colby was grinning from ear to ear as he nodded and headed for the door with a new skip in his step. Elizabeth Newcomer might be prickly, but damned if she wasn't the burr under his skin that he never wanted to let go of.

Elizabeth watched from the doorway as Colby backed down the driveway next to her parents' house. She saw the curtains flutter in the kitchen window, so it was no surprise when her mother came out the back door moments after Colby's truck disappeared from sight.

"Elizabeth? Who was that?" Rachael Grimes smiled as she walked quickly down the sidewalk to her daughter's door. "He was cute!"

"That was Deputy Colby Bricker, and yes, he's very cute," Elizabeth answered, stepping back to allow her mom into her small living room.

Rachael didn't act like a Reverend's wife was expected to act. She'd always been a free spirit, and she put matters of the heart above all else, so Elizabeth felt free to speak her mind with her mom.

"We went out for dinner tonight." Elizabeth offered up in answer to her mother's questioning look. "No big deal. Just old friends catching up."

"Really? Old friends?"

Elizabeth nodded. "Yeah, we went to high-school together, remember? His mom is Elaine, and sister is Abby."

"Oh, right! I remember him. He was a good-looking boy when he was playing football all those years ago." Rachael smirked. "Looks like he's grown into an even finer man. So how was it?"

"Wonderful, awkward, magical, strange, perfectly scary," Elizabeth answered in a rush. "This is the first date I've been on since the divorce."

Sympathy filled her mother's eyes. "I know, darling, but it's about time you got back on the horse. You have so much love to give. I just know when you find the right man-"

"Mom, stop. I'm not dating Colby. We're friends. I'm not looking for a relationship with anyone. Ever." Elizabeth turned and walked into the kitchen, hoping the conversation would end then and there, but she should have known better.

"Why would you do that to yourself, Lizzie-bell?" Rachael's tone softened, and her use of Elizabeth's childhood pet name was like a soothing blanket. "You've been hiding away ever since you lost the baby. I know how badly your heart was broken, so I didn't intervene. Then when you and Matt decided to separate, I truly felt like it was the best thing for you, so again, I stayed out of it. But this...I can't just keep quiet, Lizzie-bell. You deserve some happiness. Stop punishing yourself for what happened and let yourself live."