Curves and the Sheriff (BBW Romance - Coldwater Springs 2)

by Jenn Roseton

  He turned around to face her, an eyebrow raised in enquiry. “Yes, Miss Grant?”

  Why did he have to be so formal all the time? Although she supposed being called Miss Grant was better than being called Alleged Con-Artist Libby Grant.

  “Did you have any problems with the self-checkout machine?”

  He scowled. “What do you mean?”

  She tried not to flush at his scrutiny. “When a book isn’t checked out properly, the machine makes a warning sound. Mrs Bird said you haven’t been in here for a while, so I wondered if you were familiar with using the new machine.”

  “I’m sure it’s fine,” he said dismissively.

  “I heard the warning chime, but not the chime for the book being checked out properly. May I see the book?”

  He reluctantly handed her the popular forensic thriller. If she was wrong, she would look foolish. But if she was right…

  Libby walked over to the librarian’s desk and scanned the book. Just as she thought. “I’m afraid you haven’t checked this book out properly, sheriff.”

  He glowered. “I used the machine.”

  “Let me show you.” So Jake Morgan didn’t know everything after all! He followed her to the machine. “First, I need your library card.”

  He dug out his wallet and handed her his card. “Here.”

  “Place your card under the scanner.” She pushed the card under the laser beam, her stomach fluttering at his nearness. Only an inch separated them. He dipped his head, his breath fanning her neck, and she shivered. The machine played a tune and snapped her attention back to the matter at hand. She cleared her throat. “Now place the book under the scanner, so it can read the barcode.”

  A pleasant chime filled the air as the machine processed the information on the barcode and automatically printed out a date slip. Libby handed it to him, careful not to let her fingers brush his. “All done.”

  “Thanks.” He put the slip into his pocket and picked up the book.

  Pleased with how she handled the situation, Lobby tucked a stray curl behind her ear. She couldn’t help wondering if he’d noticed that she hadn’t accused him of stealing.

  He turned to go, and then swivelled on his heel. “Miss Grant.”

  “Yes?” Her pulse accelerated.

  “I want to apologize.” He paused. “I may have been a little tough on you the other day when I brought you in for questioning.”

  You bet you were. Some of the anger and frustration she’d experienced that day came rushing back and she fought for composure.

  “I know you mightn’t believe it, but I was just doing my job.”

  She struggled to find the right words. “Just as I’m doing my job today, sheriff.” Libby gestured to the library book tucked under his arm.

  He smiled wryly. “Truce?” He held out his large, tanned hand.

  She hesitated, then placed her hand in his. “Truce.” Electric tremors raced up her arm as his warm hand clasped hers. His eyes held hers for a long moment. Libby held her breath until he suddenly released her hand and nodded, striding out of the library.

  ###

  Music and laughter filled the old Grant farmhouse. Chase and Sarah‘s engagement party was in full swing. It had been a week since the sheriff had apologized to Libby; although she welcomed the apology, she hadn’t bumped into him again.

  Surveying the throng of guests, Libby wondered if he was here tonight. She shivered at the thought of encountering him again. What would she say to him? Would she feel that same tug of attraction?

  More people entered the living room, including the sheriff. A ripple of excitement ran down her spine when she glimpsed him on the opposite side of the room. He wore denim jeans that fit him like a glove and a pale blue long-sleeved shirt. Her heart skipped and she consciously steadied her breathing. So what if he was a good-looking guy? He wasn’t the first one she’d seen. Ducking her head, she walked over to the punch, hoping he wouldn’t see her.

  “Having a good time?” Libby looked up to see her cousin’s smiling face.

  “Of course.” She tried to sound as if she meant it, but she couldn’t help wondering if the sheriff had noticed she was here.

  “Guess who’s arrived?”

  “Who?” Although Sarah had introduced her around town, there were still plenty of people she hadn’t met yet.

  Sarah whispered in her ear. “Jake - the sheriff.”

  Libby drew back to look at her, trying to appear nonchalant. “So?”

  “So…” Sarah’s eyes sparkled. “He’s attractive, don’t you think?”

  “I guess so, if you like that type.” She shrugged, hoping her cousin couldn’t hear her heart beating - hard.

  “He’s single.” Sarah waggled her eyebrows.

  “Why are you telling me this?”

  “I want you to be as happy as I am with Chase.” She hugged Libby.

  Libby couldn’t help smiling. “I’m sure I will be - one day.”

  Sarah grinned mischievously. “Why not today?”

  Why not indeed? Libby snuck a peek at Jake standing near the fireplace. She didn’t need Sarah to tell her he was good-looking. Although he made a regular appearance in her dreams - both day and night - she had no way of knowing how he felt about her. He might just regard her as a pesky librarian he almost arrested.

  “I could tell him you’re here,” Sarah continued.

  “No!” Libby hissed, turning back to her cousin, an alarmed look on her face. “Don’t do that.”

  “Uh-oh, too late.” Sarah glanced over at Jake and Libby did the same. His heated gaze held hers. A flush stole through her body.

  “Lib?”

  “Hmm?” She barely heard her cousin. All her focus was on Jake. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from him.

  Sarah chuckled. “I’ll leave you two alone.”

  Libby hardly noticed her cousin leaving. What a pity Sheriff Jake Morgan was so uptight. Gruff, tough men were so not her type.

  Until now.

  “Get a grip,” she muttered to herself. Wrenching her eyes from his, Libby gulped her punch and headed outside. She needed some fresh air, no matter how chilly it would be.

  Standing on the porch she breathed deeply, the frosty air filling her lungs. The French doors muffled the noise of the party and she heard a cow moo in the distance. Libby walked down the porch steps to the garden below. A short stroll, even though it was dark and cold outside, would help clear her head. So what if the sheriff had looked at her for a few seconds? It didn’t mean anything.

  ###

  “Where’s Libby?” Sarah scanned the room, looking for her cousin. “Chase, have you seen her?”

  “Not since you were talking to her a few minutes ago.” He wrapped his arm around his fiancée.

  “Mom wants us to cut the cake now.” Sarah frowned.

  “Jake.” Chase turned to his friend. “Have you seen Libby?”

  “I think she went outside.” Jake had been watching every move she made. He knew she’d gone outside.

  “It’s time for the toast and the cake. I don’t want her to miss it.” Sarah looked up at him with big brown eyes.

  Damn. Chase was a good friend of his, which meant that Sarah was his friend now as well. “I’ll go and look for her.”

  “Thank you.” Sarah smiled at him before another guest claimed her attention.

  Jake stepped outside. “Libby?” Damned if he was going to call her Miss Grant again. Since she and Sarah were close friends as well as cousins, he guessed he’d be seeing a lot more of her if he still wanted to hang out with Chase.

  He spotted a movement in the dark and walked towards it. “Sarah wants you inside for the toast.”

  Libby froze at the sound of his voice. What was he doing out here? Deep breath. “Okay,” she called out. She turned around quickly to face him and felt herself slipping on the slick path. “Ohh!” Her arms flailed in the air as she tried to maintain her balance.

  “I’ve got you.” Strong arms wrap
ped around her, steadying her, making her feel safe and protected.

  Libby clutched his shoulders, catching her balance. Breathing in his scent of smooth leather, her pulse beat erratically when she realized she’d started to relax in his embrace.

  “Thank you.” She looked up at him in the darkness, her breathing shallow.

  Tall, lean muscular. It felt good to be in his arms. So good she didn’t want to leave them. Not her type, she reminded herself. And she probably wasn’t his. Before she could wonder why that thought disappointed her, he cupped her face in his hands. Libby held her breath for a split second. His lips descended on hers.

  Jake coaxed her lips apart, caressing and teasing, until her hands tightened on his shoulders and she leaned into the kiss, wanting more. So much more.

  “Libby? Jake?” Sarah‘s voice broke the sensual spell. “Are you out here?”

  Jake reluctantly lifted his lips from hers and she blinked, opening her eyes.

  “We’re going to cut the cake now.” Sarah’s footsteps came closer. “What - oops!”

  Heat crept along Libby’s cheeks as her cousin caught her in Jake’s embrace.

  A grin played on Sarah‘s face. “Don’t mind me. The cake can wait a few minutes.” She hurried back to the house.

  Libby looked up at him. His large hands lingered on her curvy figure. “I guess we better go inside.” His voice didn’t give anything away, and Libby couldn’t tell if the kiss had affected him the same way it had affected her.

  “I guess so.” She cursed the breathy sound of her voice. Why couldn’t she match his neutral tone?

  He wrapped his arm around her waist and drew her to him, guiding her back to the house. An electrifying shiver raced through her at his touch.

  Jake stayed at her side for the rest of the night, never letting her out of his sight. Each time she caught his smoldering gaze on her, Libby’s mind raced ahead to the end of the evening. Would he kiss her once more? Did he want to see her again or was this just a casual kiss at a party for him?

  She didn’t do casual.

  Finally, the party ended. Coldwater Springs was a ranching community and most of the guests had to be up early in the morning to feed their livestock and take care of the never-ending chores.

  Libby hugged Sarah and said goodbye to Chase. As she gathered her coat, Jake murmured low in her ear. “I’ll walk you to your car.”

  He caught her hand in his, his fingers warm against her own. When they reached her car, he wrapped his hands around her waist. “I want to see you again.”

  “Yes.” She didn’t even hesitate. His breath skimmed her cheek as he tilted her chin up.

  Her eyes searched his in the shadow cast by the porch light. He slanted his mouth over hers and her lips parted in surrender. Libby sighed softly when the kiss finally ended.

  “Tomorrow night.” It was more of a statement than a question. If he hadn’t been such an incredible kisser, she wouldn’t have let him get away with it. Maybe Jake liked curvy girls after all.

  ###

  Four weeks later, Libby grimaced as she looked under the hood of her car. She had no idea why it wouldn’t start. She knew enough to check the oil and water, but beyond that, she was clueless. Dropping the hood back down, she looked at the late afternoon sky. A fat raindrop plopped onto her nose. The forecast tonight was for rain, not snow, but it would still be a very cold walk home from the library.

  Grabbing her purse out of the car, she saw a sheriff’s department vehicle approach and swing into the parking lot. Jake stepped out of the SUV and she sighed with relief. They’d been dating ever since Chase and Sarah’s engagement party and she‘d never been happier. When he said goodnight at the end of a date she was tempted to pounce on him, but something always held her back. She’d only had two previous boyfriends, and while they hadn’t criticised her curves, they hadn’t seemed wildly enthusiastic about them either. At the end of each date, Jake’s goodnight kisses became more and more heated. But if he found her attractive, why hadn’t he tried to get her into bed yet?

  Jake strode over to her and looked at her inquiringly. “Problem?”

  “I’ve just closed the library for the day and my car won’t start.” Why did she always feel breathless when she was around him? They’d made plans to go out to dinner tomorrow night and she’d already chosen her lingerie - sexy and black - just in case it turned to be the night. The night they made love for the first time.

  Rain began to fall, sharp needles that tried to pierce their clothing. He hustled her to his car. “Get in.” They watched the driving rain for a second. “I’ll take you home and pick you up tomorrow for work.” He started the engine.

  She turned to smile at him. “Thank you.”

  He cupped her face with his calloused hand. “I’m looking forward to tomorrow night.” His lips snared hers and she savored his kiss, ripples of excitement stirring within her.

  When he lifted his mouth, she murmured, “Me too.”

  They stared at each other for a long second, his eyes smoldering with banked desire. Then Jake seemed to collect himself and put the SUV into gear. “I’ll call Bob tomorrow and ask him to take a look at your car.”

  Warmth flooded through her. Libby had been wondering whether she should call AAA or ask her cousin if she could recommend a mechanic, but she didn’t have to worry now that Jake was helping her. Just one more reason why she found him attractive.

  A couple of minutes later they arrived at her house. The rain showed no sign of letting up. She glanced at him. “Have you got time to come in for a drink?”

  His eyes crinkled at the corners as his lips tilted upwards. “I’ve just finished my shift, so yes, I’ve got time.”

  The way he looked at her made her forget to breathe. Sensual awareness ran through her, and her lower body shivered. She couldn’t help the husky tone of her voice as she said, “Come in.”

  He followed her into the cottage, and placed a hand on her back. “You’re soaked. Why don’t you grab a shower?”

  She turned to look at him. “What about you? You’re wet too.”

  He shrugged. “I’ll dry off pretty quickly.”

  She dragged her eyes from his. “I’ll get you a towel.” Libby pulled out a thick, fluffy towel from the linen closet and returned to the living room. She handed it to him, her fingers brushing against his.

  He took it from her, the electricity from his touch almost sparking in the air. Her breath caught as she saw desire simmering in his eyes. Only when she realized she’d started to shiver from her wet clothing, did she emerge from the sensual fog.

  She cleared her throat. “What would you like to drink?” Starting towards the kitchen, his voice made her pause.

  “Libby.” He almost growled. “I can make the drinks. Go and warm up in the shower.”

  She tried not to smile. Jake Morgan might sound gruff and tough at times, but she knew after four weeks of dating him that he had a heart of gold. “Okay.”

  In the shower, Libby found herself thinking what a shame Jake wasn’t in here with her. Although his goodnight kisses scorched her nerve endings, they hadn’t progressed to the stage where clothes were optional. Hopefully that would be resolved tomorrow night.

  Sometimes, she thought she might be falling in love with him already. She tried to tell herself it was too soon, but there was just something about him that made her insides quiver whenever she saw or thought about him. Although he seemed attracted to her, she wasn’t sure how deep his feelings ran…

  Rinsing off the rose-scented soapy lather, Libby once again found herself wondering if Jake really would like her plump, curvy figure. It was one thing to kiss her when she was wearing a flattering outfit. But would he still desire her when he saw her naked?

  Stepping out of the shower, Libby briskly dried herself. Hanging up the towel, she realized she’d forgotten to bring some clothes into the bathroom. Biting her lip, she looked at the sodden clothes she’d peeled off a few minutes ago. She wouldn’t
put them back on.

  Her gaze flashed to the blue satin robe hanging on the back of the bathroom door. She’d just have to slip it on, then quickly go into her bedroom and get dressed while Jake was in the kitchen.

  Libby donned the knee-length robe, the satin slithering over her skin. She quickly tied the belt in front, opened the bathroom door, and came face to face with Jake.

  He paused in the act of knocking as the door swung open. She heard him inhale sharply and her hands trembled as she tightened the belt on her robe.

  “I can’t find the coffee,” he said hoarsely, his hand dropping to his side.

  “It’s - it’s in the cupboard…to the left of the kitchen sink.” Libby couldn’t tear her gaze from his. Her nipples tightened under his sensual scrutiny and her breathing quickened.

  “Libby.” Jake cupped the nape of her neck and lowered his head. His mouth covered hers hungrily. Her pulse skittered with excitement as he wrapped his other arm around her waist and pulled her flush against his body.

  She wound her arms around his neck, kissing him back with just as much hunger. Had they really only been dating for four weeks? She was so ready to take their relationship to the next level.

  He molded her body to his, his palms roaming over the curves of her derriere. Sparks of arousal raced down her spine at his intimate touch. His lips grazed her neck, and she turned her head slightly to grant him better access to her sensitive flesh.

  Libby sighed in surrender, relishing the feel of his hard, muscular body against her soft, curvy contours. His lips and hands felt so good, she didn’t want him to stop - ever.

  She pressed herself against him, silently telling him she wanted more. His hard manhood jutted against her softness; her pulse pounded at the proof that he wanted her too.

  “Sweetheart,” he murmured, taking her lips again. His tongue swept into her mouth and she gave herself up to the incredible feelings his kiss aroused.

  He walked a couple of steps backward into the hallway, holding her close. “Where’s your bedroom?”

  Her mind hazy with desire, Libby took a couple of seconds to fully understand the question. “Here.” She tugged him into the room next to the bathroom. A brass double bed occupied the center of the soft lavender and cream bedroom.