Page 21 of Lay Down the Law

“I’m sure this isn’t what you want to hear, Chief, but if I were faced with the same situation right now, I’d react the same way.”

“That’s fine. I’ll assign you accordingly.”

Wariness flooded her gaze. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“That means you’ve got the school crosswalks until I think you’re ready for something with more responsibility.”

Nick didn’t miss the minute jolt that traveled through her body when he hit her with the news. Couldn’t she see he was doing this for her own good?

Heat flashed in her eyes. “That’s not fair.”

“Life isn’t fair, McNeal. You of all people ought to know that.”

“You can’t do this.”

“I just did. I suggest you get used to it. That’s your assignment indefinitely. I’ll decide when to change it. When I think you’ve come to terms with whatever’s eating at you, we’ll talk about it again.”

“I have come to terms.”

“Prove it to me.”

“You’ve no right penalizing me—”

“This has nothing to do with you personally. All I’m concerned about is your well-being and the safety of your fellow deputies and the citizens of this town. Take it or leave it. It’s your call.”

Nick held his breath as he watched the inner struggle tear at her. He saw temper and restraint and a hefty dose of ego pulling her in different directions. He knew she wanted to tell him to go take a flying leap, but he also knew she had too much to lose to succumb to the urge.

After a moment, she squared her shoulders and looked him dead in the eye. “All right, Chief. Have it your way. I’ll take the assignment.”

Inwardly, he smiled. She’d passed the test. Restraint had won. They might just get through this, after all. “Good,” he said.

“That doesn’t mean I have to like it.” Frowning, she raised her hand to push a tendril of hair away from her face.

“Police work isn’t about what we…” His voice trailed off when he spotted the nasty abrasion on her elbow. “What happened to your arm?”

She glanced down at her elbow. “I must have done it in the scuffle. It’s no big deal.”

Nick knew better than to touch her. He’d been around the block a few too many times to court the kind of trouble a touch would rouse. He didn’t like the way he was reacting to her as it was. He knew if he touched her, if he discovered her skin was as soft and warm and fragrant as he imagined, it would only make dealing with her even more complex.

“You ought to have it looked at,” he said stiffly.

“It’s just a scratch. I’ll take care of it.”

She was so close he could smell the clean scent of her hair. The warm, flowery aroma of whatever she’d put in the tub. A droplet of water clung to a dark lock of hair behind her ear. Nick stared at it, wondering what it would be like to catch that droplet with his tongue and get a taste of the tender flesh beneath. He wondered if she would taste as good as she smelled.

He fought another rush of blood to his groin. He denied it. He cursed it. But his body betrayed his intellect, reacting with an intensity that left him incredulous and disturbed. Now wasn’t the time. This wasn’t the place. And Erin McNeal wasn’t the woman.

Some inner warning told him to get out of there. Nick stepped back, breaking the spell he had absolutely no desire to explore. Shaken by his reaction, he turned away and started toward the door.

He felt her stare on his back, but he didn’t stop. He knew he was running. But he didn’t care. As long as he didn’t let this woman get to him, he’d be fine. He’d had his fill of risk takers. A few months in Logan Falls, then she’d go back to Chicago, and Nick would be rid of her. He might like the way she looked; under different circumstances he might have liked to get her in his bed. But Erin McNeal was the last woman he wanted to care about.

He left without looking back.