Bare Essentials. Leslie Kelly
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that much was true. As a cop he had no need to be there. But he glanced at his watch and was rewarded by the time. “I’m off duty.”
She peered at him over one creamy shoulder and he lifted his wrist to show her. “It’s five minutes past midnight, which was when my shift ended.”
“A cop is always a cop.”
Why was she so angry? Risking life and limb he came close again, reaching out to touch her cheek. “I’m just a man.” A man who would die for another kiss.
She shifted away. “A cop.”
Her skin had been warm. Soft. And he wanted more, but she was still backing away. He snagged her hand, knowing she was far too proud to look weak and to try to pull free. “I don’t take my work home with me, Cassie. When I’m standing here with you like this, I’m not working.”
She let out a laugh he was sure she meant to be harsh, but it came out more as a question, making her seem…vulnerable.
But why? Why was she wary of him? Was it him as a man or as a cop? Either way, his gut clenched.
She wasn’t as tough as she wanted to be, and that was a huge shock. He thought he’d had her pegged; knowing he might be wrong about her was more than a little unsettling. Knowing that this hard-as-nails, gorgeous woman could be vulnerable did bad things to his resolution to stay away from her. With a little tug, he brought her closer still. Now he could smell her, all warm and clean and sexy female. His body went to war with his mind. His mind wanted to know more about her. Not his body; no, that part of him just wanted to haul her close. “Someone in a uniform hurt you,” he guessed.
She lifted a shoulder, neither denying nor confirming, and a part of him actually ached. “I’m sorry,” he said, and found himself startled to realize he meant it.
She lifted that shoulder again. “Don’t be too sorry, Sheriff.” She lifted the red dildo. “I was going to tease the hell out of you with this bad boy.”
He stared at it, felt his mouth go dry again as his penis jerked to hopeful attention. “You could still try.”
The smile on her lips didn’t meet her eyes. “Nah. The fun’s gone.” She stared pointedly at his hand on hers until he let go. “Good night, Sheriff.”
“Good night, Cassie.”
She waited until he got to the door. “You might think of me tonight,” she said softly. “I’m taking Big Red home, along with a pack of batteries.”
He groaned, and in tune to her low, satisfied laugh, he let himself out.
* * *
TWO WEEKS AFTER her arrival, Cassie was still keeping herself busy. She was in charge of readying the store, while Kate handled the inventory, getting lots of beautiful, sexy lingerie from her business partner and designer Armand.
Cassie made more calls to Kate, did more cleaning and painting. There was more delivering by Daisy in her UPS outfit and sweet smile.
It should be illegal to be sweet and innocent in Pleasantville.
Cassie had the Bare Essentials sign made, and the day it went up was fun. It gave her great satisfaction to stand directly beneath it and pretend she didn’t see the commotion it caused.
Up and down Magnolia Avenue, which had been designed for pleasant foot walking, people came out of the woodwork and stared.
“They’re talking,” Daisy whispered. “About…you.”
“Always.” Cassie looked at her. “I’m sure you’ve heard the stories.”
“Well, sure. You’re a legend.”
Cassie laughed. “A legend, huh?”
“No, really. You’re a homegrown hero come back to her roots. You made something of yourself.”
“I made something, all right.” But Daisy didn’t smile, and Cassie had to wonder…was she just imagining all the malicious curiosity? Her gaze met Mr. Miller’s widow from across the street, where she stood just outside the deli. Frowning.
Nope, definitely not imagining it. But…she did have to admit, most of the negative energy was coming from the older generation.
Maybe that was simply because Cassie hadn’t been around long enough to taint the younger one.
Since no one dared ask, she put up another sign, this one in the window, saying they’d open for business in two weeks.
“Two weeks?” Still wearing her apron, Diane came out from the Downtown Deli and stood under the sign. “Cool. I’m not sure what you’re selling, but I have a feeling Will’s going to love it.”
Cassie stared at her as Diane simply smiled and walked away. But then she shook it off. She had work to do.
Two weeks in which to get the place ready to go. It would be a challenge for both her and Kate, but they were up for that. For Cassie, she needed something to keep her mind off her career, off the trouble that had brought her here.
Off the sheriff.
Because really, who would have thought such a man could melt bones with a simple kiss? A simple touch? But there had been nothing simple about either his kiss or his touch. She’d underestimated him, that was certain, and it wouldn’t happen again.
Unless it was on her terms, of course.
Those terms were simple. If she could keep the control, if she could drive him crazy and walk away, then perfect.
Otherwise, she wasn’t interested.
Time to get back to work. Work. Not really a decent description for what she’d been doing because she’d actually been enjoying herself, all the way down to dressing the part of a co-owner of a ladies’ shop. She’d pulled out all the stops in that department, wearing some of the more outrageous clothes she’d collected over the years.
Take today, for instance. Her halter top had nothing but three straps across her back and her leather pants looked as if they’d been spray-painted on. After all, everyone expected the daughter of Flo to look a certain way—why not give it to them?
“Excuse me.”
“Yes?” Cassie turned around on the sidewalk and faced a woman. She was dressed simply in jeans and a sleeveless blouse, little to no makeup, and looked to be around thirty. There was a two-year-old clinging to her hand. “Can I help you?”
“Are you going to sell…” The woman blushed a little, and bit her lower lip.
Cassie sighed. “Let me make this easy for you. Bare Essentials will be a fully stocked women’s store. If you’re embarrassed to ask for it, chances are good that we’ll carry it.”
The woman nodded, then laughed at herself. “I’m sorry. My name is Stacie Harrison. I’ve been wanting to introduce myself.”
Probably wanted to satisfy her curiosity about the new harlot in town. Behind Stacie, literally hanging out of the Tea Room, were Mrs. McIntyre and her sister Mrs. Hampton. Their mouths were turned down in disapproving frowns. Cassie lifted a hand and waggled her fingers at them.
“Well, I never,” one exclaimed.
“Really? You never?” Stacie tsked. “That’s just a shame, ma’am.”
Both of them let out a collective gasp and, with daggers in their gazes, vanished back inside.
Cassie turned and stared at Stacie, who giggled. “Are you insane? They’re going to make you miserable now.”
“No one can do that but me,” Stacie said calmly.
Whatever. Stacie’s social suicide was none of her business. Cassie had a shop to open. She was doing this, and people needed to just get used to it. Turning to enter her shop, she stopped when Stacie put a hand on her arm.
“Did