Page 60 of Guarded Deputy
Ever since we kissed, I’ve been dying to get Lizzy alone and try for round two. I should ask her out already, but there’s still that voice in my head that tells me I’m all wrong for her.
She’s sweet and kind, and I’m rough and broody. Although, she makes me smile a whole lot. Every time I find a folded piece of paper in my mailbox, this unknown sensation fills me. Like my team is down seconds and the winning shot depends on me.
After the way we’ve communicated this week, I have no doubt I want to spend time with her, though. I need to first figure out if there are rules about teachers and students’ family members dating. I don’t want her getting into trouble.
Not to mention, I live with my sister and her son, and going out in public may cause a stir in this small town.
“Ms. Andrews will play laser tag with us,” the boy who called me old announces, getting everyone’s attention.
“Uncle Nate will, too, right?” Walker looks at me with round eyes and a slight pout.
“You know what? I changed my mind. Let’s play.” I stand and walk toward him. I refuse for him to think I don’t want to spend time with him or for his friends to rag on him because I’m a boring elder.
I still can’t believe that kid called me that. I’m going to show him my old man skills in that arena.
Lizzy raises her eyebrows when I look at her and hides her smile before she looks at Paul when he pulls her hand toward the guy by the counter who’s carrying vests. He steals her attention from me, but I’ll have her in a dark room. I should be able to outsmart these kids and find a corner to talk to Lizzy without an audience.
And by talk I mean taste those lips again as soon as she allows me to.
The guy hands out the vests, and then looks at me.
“Don’t think this one will fit. Let me grab an adult size.”
“Yeah, please.” I won’t fit into a small vest for kids, and I now have a plan in place propelling me to go into that dark arena.
“Get ready, Deputy Moore,” Lizzy says as she cracks her knuckles and adjusts her vest.
“Game on, Ms. A.” I smirk, knowing damn well I’m going to get her to myself once we’re in that arena.
When we’re ready to start the game, we enter the dark room brightened by glow-in-the-dark designs, and I keep an eye out for the boys while I search for my main target. I have other plans besides shooting her.
Laughter and voices carry through the dim place as I take confident steps in search of Lizzy. I look to my right when I hear giggling and lift my hands.
“Don’t shoot,” I tell her as I crowd her personal space in a tight corner behind a stack of tires used as a barrier.
“And let my guard down so you can take me out?” She keeps her gun pointed at me.
“If you take me out of the game now, I can’t spend some alone time with you. I believe I have a promise to keep, Ms. Andrews.” I smirk when she lowers the gun.
“What’s that?”
Stepping toe-to-toe, I hold the side of her face. Lizzy sighs and tilts her head to look at me.
“Why haven’t we been able to be alone this week?” I whisper.
“Because we work at a place full of nosy teachers and dependent children.”
“We need new jobs,” I joke.
“I very much like my job.” She shoves me playfully, and then keeps her hand on my chest, above my beating heart.
“I’m starting to like mine, too. Are there any rules for teachers dating their students’ family?” I lean my face closer to hers.
“I’m not sure. I’ve never had to look into it.”
“Then, I better be careful until we’re sure.” I rub my nose against hers, and Lizzy breathes deeply. “I want to kiss you,” I murmur.
“I do, too.” Her confession is music to my ears.