Page 75 of Guarded Deputy
“Lucky you. I need to grade and don’t feel like it.” I sit at my desk and she grabs a student’s chair.
“I caught up during music today. It feels like Thursday and it’s only Monday. This week is going to drag.”
“I thought it was just me,” I tell her. “I’m ready for summer break.”
“Two months.” She smiles.
“Two very long months.” I lean back in my chair and sigh.
“Which you will spend with your hottie deputy.” Her eyebrows dance on her forehead.
“Stop.” My cheeks burn, and I shove her shoulder.
“I’m only speaking the truth. Anyway, I’m going to go. I’d say don’t miss me, but we both know your mind is on a certain hunk in uniform.”
I laugh as she walks out of my classroom and I slump back in my chair. My mind is definitely on Nate. On the way he kisses me, his confident hands holding me, and the deep husk in his voice when we’re close. He gives me the sensation of being on a roller coaster. My stomach bottom’s out as I drop into the unknown, and yet it’s exhilarating.
Chapter 22
Lizzy
“Ididn’tpegyoufor someone who loved kayaking,” Nate says behind me as we paddle through the water in Emerald Bay State Park.
It’s been a long week, but spending my Saturday with him was worth the wait. Not to mention the few stolen kisses at work. Even when he’s at the high school on Tuesdays and Thursdays, he sends me messages that make me smile.
The sun shines down on us, heating my shoulders. The water is still as we slice through it with no real direction. Mangroves are in the near distance, creating a forest that looks peaceful from the outside if it weren’t for the mosquitoes that surround them.
“That’s quite a stereotypical observation,” I toss back at him.
“It is,” he replies honestly. “But after our awkward run-ins and your accidental call I would think you were better off on land.” His tone is teasing, and I smile, splashing water behind me.
“Hey!” he argues.
“Oops, I must’ve calculated wrong. It’s my incoordination.” I feign innocence, smiling over my shoulder.
“Right.”
Water hits me a moment later, and I jolt.
“What in the world, Nate!”
“It’s my strength. I pushed too hard.” He mocks me.
“You little…” I try to splash him again but miss, making the kayak rock. My heart drops. Tipping over in the middle of the bay is not my idea of safety first. That and I have terrible lungs when it comes to holding my breath for a determined period of time.
“Whoa…” Nate calls out.
“Sorry,” I squeak. “I’ll behave.”
“At least until we get to land.” His double meaning hits me, and I shiver. “You naughty girl,” he says when he sees my reaction, his fingers brushing along the back of my neck to my right shoulder.
“You totally meant it in a naughty way.” I hate that I’m not looking at him.
“I can’t help that you drive me wild.” His finger strokes my top vertebrae, and who knew that that spot would cover my skin in goosebumps? “I see you reacting to me.” His voice is husky.
“You could look at me and I’d react,” I mumble.
The man has a direct line to my sensitive spots. One look, one arched eyebrow, one tiny tilt of his lips, and my internal Nate alarm goes off like I may die if I don’t respond.