Tempting His Heart

by Dawn Sullivan

  “It’s nice to meet you,” she told him. “And thank you for giving me the chance to get to know your daughter.” Sloane smiled at Cassie before returning her gaze to him. “It sounds like you two have plans and I need to get going.”

  “Are you just passing through?” he asked. Of course she was. Wouldn’t that be his luck? The one woman he found himself even remotely attracted to since Sandra left had just stopped in for dinner and was probably going to be headed back to wherever she was from. He wondered where she called home.

  “Actually, I am going to be sticking around Serenity Springs, Sheriff,” she responded with a smile. “I just bought the used bookstore here in town.”

  Standing, she smiled down at Cassie. “Thank you for spending time with me, Cassie. I look forward to seeing you again.” Picking up her purse and moving toward the door, she stopped and turned back to Creed. “I’m from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, if you need that for your background check, Sheriff. Or you could just ask Katy about me. My name’s Sloane Murphy. We’ve been best friends for the past ten years.” With a wink, she left the diner.

  Creed watched as she headed back toward the square. Chuckling softly, he stood up and went to the cash register. So that was the famous Sloane his sister couldn’t stop talking about lately.

  “How much for Cassie’s dinner, Dottie?” He asked the waitress as he stopped in front of the counter.

  “Miss Sloane already paid for it, Creed. Paid for her chocolate malt earlier, too,” Dottie told him with a grin. “Them two just sat there and chatted about books for hours. I couldn’t believe it. I don’t think I have ever seen Cassie giggle so much.”

  “Hours?” Creed asked in surprise. “How long was Sloane here?”

  “She came in for lunch around 2 p.m. and didn’t leave until you got here. And let me tell you,” Dottie grumbled pointing a finger at him, “I was never so happy to see a person in my life. What were you thinking leaving that little girl here for so long, Creed Caldwell? You should be ashamed of yourself.”

  Creed grimaced, “Trust me, Dottie, I know. I wouldn’t have done it if I could have helped it.”

  Dottie reached up and patted his cheek. “I know you wouldn’t, young man. Now take that little girl riding like you promised. And later this week, you take Sloane for a ride to thank her for today.”

  All Creed could think was, Yeah I’d like to take Sloane for a ride. With a grimace, he turned quickly away from Dottie. Giving her a slight wave, he collected his daughter and headed home to fulfill his promise to his little girl. He might not have been able to get off early, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t take that ride. As Cassie chattered on the walk back to the station to retrieve his truck, Creed’s thoughts strayed to Sloane Murphy, and her beautiful brown eyes.

  Chapter 3

  Sloane groaned as she opened one eye and looked at the clock on the floor beside her. Well didn’t that just suck? It was only 7 a.m. She had been hoping to sleep in today. She was up until the early hours of the morning cleaning the apartment and lugging in boxes. Afterwards, she’d passed out on the floor on a pile of blankets. Unfortunately, the floor was hard and uncomfortable. Now she had a pain in her neck and her whole body was stiff.

  Slowly struggling to her feet, Sloane decided she would go back to Mac’s Diner for some breakfast. She loved the atmosphere there and she’d seen biscuits and gravy on the menu. That was what she wanted. Then she would finish carrying in what she could of her belongings. She would need to find someone to help with the furniture, but she wanted it in today. She needed her bed to sleep on that night.

  After taking a long, hot shower, Sloan dressed in a pair of old jeans and a faded blue tee shirt. Throwing her hair into a quick pony tail, she left for the diner.

  Calling out a hello to Dottie, Sloane made her way to the back of the diner and sat in the same booth she sat in the day before. As she was debating on where to find someone to help carry in her furniture, Dottie approached with a cup of coffee and creamer. “Good morning, dear,” she said with a huge smile. Her teeth seemed to sparkle next to the dark red lipstick she wore. Dottie looked like she was in her fifties, and obviously took pride in her appearance. Tall and slender, her long blond curls were piled high on her head, and her makeup was perfectly done. She had bright red nails with an intricate design on them and a beautiful diamond ring sparkled on the ring finger of her left hand. “What will you have today?”

  Sloane did not need a menu. She had been craving biscuits and gravy and a big cup of coffee since she crawled out of her mountain of blankets that morning. Better make it a whole pot, Sloane thought. After her sleepless night, she was going to need it to get through the day.

  As Dottie went to turn Sloane’s order in, the bell on the door jangled and Sheriff Caldwell entered. Man, they really knew how to grow them in Texas, Sloane thought. The good sheriff was sexy as hell, from the top of his Stetson to the heels of his cowboy boots. He was tall with thick, broad shoulders, dark brown hair and a neatly trimmed beard. He had gorgeous, hazel eyes that she felt she could lose herself in. The tattoo running down the side of his arm made her toes curl and her mouth water. She wanted to reach out and trace that tattoo with her fingertips, then her tongue. Now Sloane knew what they meant when they said sex on a stick. This was one cowboy she wanted to lick and nibble on all day long.

  Embarrassed at her thoughts, Sloane lowered her head and grabbed her phone to check her emails. She had a shipment of new books coming in, and she wanted to make sure she was ready for them when they got there.

  While she scrolled through her unread emails, she listened to Creed’s deep, husky voice. He was ordering coffee and donuts for himself and someone named Lacey. Where did that stab of jealousy just come from? Sloane hadn’t even looked at a man in the past six years, and now she was getting all possessive over one she had talked to for a whole ten minutes? Not only that, but she wanted to do things to him that she hadn’t done to a man in way too long. Squirming in her seat at the sudden ache between her legs, she clasped her phone tighter in her hand and looked at it blindly.

  “How are you doing this morning, Sloane?” Creed’s voice came from right beside her. Startled she dropped her phone on the table.

  Blushing like a teenager, Sloane slowly raised her head and smiled awkwardly at him. “I’m good. Just having some breakfast and then I am going to go finish unpacking what I can. I will need to find someone to help with the bigger things.”

  Creed studied her for a moment and then slid into the booth across from her. “How soon do you need it done?” he asked.

  “Just sometime today.” she answered absently, her eyes centered on his full bottom lip. Touching the tip of her tongue to her own lip, she wondered what he would taste like.

  “My brothers and I can help after work today if you can wait until this afternoon,” he offered.

  Curious, Sloane asked, “What do your other brothers do? Where do they live? Katy’s talked about them, but we kind of lost touch over the past few years except for the occasional email or phone call.”

  “Linc is following the rodeo circuit right now. He rides bulls. Ryder runs the ranch and Caiden owns the veterinarian clinic here in town. They live in the bunkhouse on my parents’ property. Justice is in the army.” At the mention of Justice, Creed’s face seemed to darken. Sloane didn’t pry. She figured if he wanted to share, he would. Either that or Katy would tell her what was going on with Justice later. “My sister, Katy, lives with my parents for now. She’s looking for her own place.”

  Just then, Dottie came over with Sloane’s breakfast. “Eat up, honey. You need some meat on those bones,” she told Sloane.

  Grinning at her, Sloane took a bite of her breakfast and let out a moan. It had been so long since she tasted good biscuits and gravy. “These are awesome, Dottie,” she told the woman.

  Smiling in delight, Dottie thanked her before leaving to get coffee for another customer. Returning her gaze to Creed, the grin left Sloane’s face.
What had she done wrong? He looked upset. Old fears and insecurities washed over her. Looking at Creed’s big hands, a shiver rolled through her. He was not her ex, she told herself. He was not Jake. He was not going to hurt her.

  “Hey, where did you go?” Sloane heard Creed ask softly, his voice full of concern. Straightening her shoulders, she took another bite of her breakfast. Changing the subject she asked, “I would love it if you could help later. When should I expect you?”

  Creed watched her closely for a minute before replying, “Let me talk to my brothers. I’m thinking we can all be there no later than 6.”

  “Sounds good. I will spend the day working on the store, after I finish unloading what I can,” Sloane told him.

  “Leave it,” Creed responded. “Let my brothers and I do the lifting.” Reaching over, he grabbed her cell phone and quickly dialed a number from it. Sloane realized what he was doing as his phone rang. Handing her phone back to her, Creed programmed her name into his phone and then stood. “I better get breakfast to the station before my deputies rebel. I’ll see you tonight, Sloane.”

  Giving her a sexy grin and a wink, Creed turned and went to collect the coffee and donuts from Dottie before heading to the door. With one last glance at Sloane, he smiled and left. Sloane was not ashamed to admit she watched him go for as long as she could. The man had a backside to die for. His nice, tight ass could definitely fill out a pair of jeans. She had always preferred wranglers, and that cowboy definitely knew how to wear them.

  After Sloane finished eating, she decided to take a stroll around town. She had gone straight to her apartment yesterday after collecting her keys, so she hadn’t had a chance to check out Serenity Springs. The first time she came to look at the store, she’d only had a day. After inspecting the building and figuring out possibilities with the realtor, she’d hopped a flight back home without even seeing Katy. It had been an impromptu trip and Katy was out of town visiting a friend.

  The businesses were just opening as she started around the square. From where Sloane was, she could see a cafe, an antique shop, a furniture store, two retail stores, and an electronics store.

  Passing by the small electronics shop, she decided to go in and check it out. Twenty minutes later, she walked out with a brand new laptop slung over her shoulder in its new bright pink case. She also had a USB drive and a wireless mouse and keyboard. She needed a new one for her business, and the company sold it to her for a great price.

  Next was the furniture store. She’d only brought her bedroom set, some bookcases and a small kitchen table with her, so she needed something for the living room. A loveseat, large recliner, television, and entertainment center later, and she left with a promise to pick everything up that evening.

  As she walked out of Thompson’s Furniture Store, her phone rang. She didn’t recognize the number and considered letting it go to voice mail, but decided against it. Answering on the third ring, Sloane heard a female voice say, “Hello, dear. This is Cara Caldwell. I talked to my son just a few minutes ago and he said you are moving into your new place today?”

  Sloane smiled. So Creed’s mom knew she was in town and had heard it from Creed, not Katy. She’d met Cara once when she came to visit Katy at college and adored her. “Mrs. Caldwell,” she said as she reached the front of her building, “it is so nice to hear from you.”

  “Nonsense,” Creed’s mother interrupted, “please, call me Cara. I was calling to invite you to dinner after my boys help you settle in this evening. They will be there by 5, so I will have dinner ready by 8 if that works for you?”

  Sloane hesitated. She would love to spend time with Katy’s family, but she was already tired. She knew she would be exhausted by the end of the night. Before she could protest, Cara was giving her directions and telling her she would see her later.

  Hanging up, Sloane decided she might as well go. It had been a long time since she’d had a home-cooked meal. Since it was just her, she tended to survive on sandwiches or takeout, which meant she better find out what food establishments were in town. It wasn’t that she couldn’t cook. It was just lonely cooking for one.

  For the rest of the day, Sloane carried in boxes and cleaned the store. She was disgusted by the amount of dust and filth she found, and ended up unloading the rest of the boxes from the U-Haul so she could unpack them and use them to box up as many books as possible and get them out of the way.

  There were beautiful, handmade shelves that had come with the store, along with a built in counter in the front of the store. She was in the process of scrubbing under the counter when she heard an excited squeal behind her. Turning from where she was crouched, she saw Katy making her way over from the back entrance of the store.

  Dropping the wet rag in the bucket of water, Sloane jumped up and ran to meet her friend in the middle of the room. Katy enveloped her in a hug, squeezing Sloane tightly in her excitement, before quickly letting her go and moving back. “I’m so glad you’re here, Sloane! It’s so good to see you!”

  Sloane grinned, “It’s good to see you too, Kat.” Looking around the room, she said, “I am so glad you thought of me when this place came up for sale. This is exactly what I need in my life. It was time to get away from Sioux Falls.”

  Eyes narrowing, Katy asked, “Is that bastard still bothering you, Sloane? You have a restraining order. He can’t get near you.”

  Shaking her head, Sloane said softly, “I haven’t seen him since that last time two years ago. I think the last time I pressed charges and sent Jake back to jail it helped him realize I wasn’t going to let him use me as a punching bag anymore.”

  “That, and the fact that you kicked the little prick’s ass. I told you those self-defense lessons would help.” Looking at her closely, Katy said, “You seem different, happier. You don’t have the shadows in your eyes anymore.”

  “I’ve been seeing a therapist this past year,” Sloane admitted. “She’s really helped me. I still have my moments, but I’m not the broken person I was five years ago. I’m not constantly scared anymore.”

  “Good,” Katy whispered as she hugged Sloane quickly again. “I’m so glad you found the courage to fight back. I just wish you’d told me what was going on sooner. You have nothing to worry about here, Sloane. Creed and I will make sure that son of a bitch doesn’t get near you if he shows up in Serenity Springs.”

  “Creed knows?” Sloane asked softly as she stepped away from Katy. For some reason she didn’t want Creed to know about her past yet. She had feelings for him that she wanted to explore. She didn’t want her past clouding them.

  “Not yet,” Katy responded as she glanced around the bookstore. “I haven’t told any of my family what happened. It wasn’t my place to share. But you might need our protection, Sloane. He needs to know.”

  No, dammit. She refused to let her ex destroy her future. Granted, she didn’t know if that future involved Creed, but she wanted the chance to find out. Shaking her head, she said, “No. I don’t want you to tell him.”

  “But, Sloane,” Katy protested, “what if something happens?”

  “If something happens, then we will tell him. But for now, I want him to see me for the strong, capable woman I am today. Not the weak, defenseless one I used to be,” Sloane insisted.

  Katy’s eyes swung back to hers quickly, realization slowly dawning. “You like him. You like my brother.”

  Feeling her cheeks flush, Sloane shrugged. Walking back over to the counter, she kneeled down to finish cleaning it. “I don’t know him,” she said softly.

  “Not yet,” Katy laughed, “But I think that’s going to change. I haven’t seen that look in his eyes for years, the one I saw this morning when he mentioned your name.”

  “Really?” Sloane questioned as she stopped what she was doing to look back at Katy. “What did he say?”

  Laughing, Katy asked, “What? Are we in high school again? Would you like me to pass Creed a note in class for you?”

  Sloane laughed a
s she threw her dirty rag at Katy. Catching it with one hand, Katy threw it back. Smiling, she said, “He said you need some help moving your things in. Then, he called Mom and asked her to have Ryder and Caiden meet here as soon as possible this afternoon to help unload your U-Haul. When he was done, he grabbed a chocolate donut and his coffee and went to his office.”

  Sloane stared at her friend in bewilderment as she burst into gales of laughter. “I don’t get it,” she said. “What’s so funny?”

  “First of all, Creed took my coffee laced with creamer and sugar with him and drank it,” she giggled. “He drinks his coffee black. Not only that, but he hates chocolate. He always eats glazed donuts. I would have to say he was a bit distracted. I didn’t realize why until now.”

  Feeling the smile on her face widen, Sloane suddenly felt like a giddy teenager in high school. Her heart jumped a little at the thought of Creed being as fascinated with her as she was him.

  “Seriously, Sloane,” Katy said as she moved forward and clasped one of Sloane’s hands in hers. “I understand where you want to push the past behind you and start new. But if Creed doesn’t know what you’ve been through, he won’t be able to protect you if he needs to.”