by J. E. Parker
Just like her, he was beautiful. With curly, black hair, dark brown eyes, and chubby little cheeks. He didn’t resemble her at all, and for a moment I wondered if she was babysitting for someone.
Deep down I knew that wasn’t the case.
It was evident from the loving gleam in her eyes and the protective way she cradled him against her side that she was his mother. It makes me sound like an asshole but, up until that point, I had never been interested in dating a woman who had kids. Not that I’d ever dated to begin with. I wasn’t a man whore by any means, but random hook-ups and one night stands were the extents of my love life. I didn’t do commitment; I’d never wanted to.
But there was something about Shelby that made me want to change that. It was crazy because I didn’t know her from any other woman in town, but she had this pull that drew me to her. Even if I’d tried, I’m sure I would’ve been helpless to fight it.
Needing to speak to her, I didn’t waste another second in moving towards her. Her smile grew, and her eyes sparkled at my approach. It made my determination to be near her increase with each step I took.
Suddenly, the bell above the door jingled again. A second later, a pregnant woman accompanied by a man who held a possessive hand on her lower back walked inside and stepped up to Shelby.
I stopped moving and narrowed my eyes, immediately on edge.
I’d never seen the pregnant woman before, but it wasn’t her that caused my spine to stiffen. It was the man. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but there was something about him that pissed me off.
Then realization set in.
The little boy who I’d assumed was Shelby’s son resembled him. From his dark hair to his eye color and skin tone, he looked like he could be the kid’s father. My jaw tensed, and anger built in my chest, confusing the hell out of me.
Why did I care if he was the kid’s father?
It made little sense because I barely knew Shelby, and I’d never met her son before. But just thinking this fucker could have been with her, could have fathered a baby with her, pissed me right the hell off. The way I felt was irrational; I realized that. Still, I couldn’t help the anger that coursed through me, causing my hands to fist at my sides.
“Hey little man,” the guy said, reaching for the little boy. Shelby handed him over without hesitation. “Why don’t you and I grab a table?” Smiling at the pregnant lady, he ran his fingertips down the side of her face. My confusion grew. “I’ll get him settled while you fill her in, pretty girl. He doesn’t need to hear this shit.”
What shit?
The pregnant lady nodded, grinning. She was pretty and looked like she’d be a sweet person, but she didn’t compare to the ray of sunshine standing in front of her.
Sunshine, that’s what Shelby reminded me of.
Holding the kid in his arms, the guy grabbed a wooden high chair from beside the counter and headed for an empty table in the back of the diner. Crazy as it sounds, I wanted nothing more than to follow him—just to make sure he looked after the kid alright.
I’ll be the first to admit that I was being ridiculous as hell, but nothing about the way Shelby made me feel was rational. I had no right to act like a possessive caveman over her or her kid, but I couldn’t help it. Something deep inside of me, something primal and instinctual, kept pushing me towards her. It was like my soul recognized her as its mate.
You’re losing it, Moretti. Must be due to lack of sleep.
My gaze jerked back to Shelby. She was still looking at me, a mix of confusion and curiosity blanketing her flawless face. Mirroring my actions from moments earlier, her gaze dipped, and her eyes roamed the length of me, taking in every inch of my clothed body.
My anxiety grew, and I wondered what she thought when she looked at me.
I knew I was attractive, but I differed from most of the other men in town. I didn’t wear jeans or a baseball cap and I damn sure didn’t have a beard. I wore dress slacks, expensive button-down shirts, and I was clean shaven. I also drove a Tahoe and not some lifted pickup truck.
My skin heated as she continued her exploration of my body. If she didn’t cut it out things would soon get uncomfortable in the front of my slacks. The last thing I needed was for my dick to stand at attention while picking up breakfast at the only diner in town.
Bet that will go over well with the locals.
Skin now burning, a bead of sweat trickled down my back. I hadn’t been this nervous since I lost my virginity to my next-door neighbor, Maria Vitale when I was in the ninth grade.
Licking my dry lower lip, I flicked my chin up, urging Shelby to come to me.
She smirked but didn’t move. It only made me want her more. I couldn’t stand it when women gushed and tripped over themselves to get to me. I’d never found desperation or overly flirtatious behavior sexy.
But this playing hard to get shit that Shelby was tossing my way?
It would be my undoing.
Body humming with anticipation, I slid my hands into the pockets of my slacks and moved towards her. My heart rate increased with every step I took.
Don’t make a fool of yourself, Moretti.
Shelby’s smile grew, and I moved faster.
When only three feet separated her from me, I stopped.
Standing tall, I looked her up and down one last time. My mouth watered as I took in the short, curve-hugging jean shorts, fitted pink tank top, and brown cowgirl boots she wore. At that point, I think I would’ve done just about anything for the chance to peel every stitch of clothing she wore off her, inch by inch.
“Hey, beautif—”
Cocking her hip to the right, she crossed her arms over her chest and tossed a handful of attitude my way, cutting me off mid-sentence. “If you’re going to openly gawk at me, you might as well take a picture, Moretti, because it’s sure as shit going to last longer.”
Her sassy mouth caused me to smile for the third time in as many minutes. Before Shelby strutted her little ass into my office the day before, I couldn’t tell you when the last time I smiled was. The simple action felt foreign and, for all I knew, it could’ve been years.
I quirked a brow. “Don’t even pretend you weren’t checking me out, too, Shelby Mason. You don’t have anybody fooled.” I pointed at the corner of my mouth. “By the way, you’ve got a little drool”—I pressed my fingertip against my lower lip—“right there. I can wipe it away for you, but I won’t be using my finger to do so.”
Shelby’s mouth fell open and the pregnant lady standing in front of her whipped around so fast I was surprised she didn’t topple over. “Holy crap!” she shrieked. “You did not just say that!”
Shelby chuckled. “He totally did, Maddie.”
Maddie? Was this the Madelyn that she worked at the shelter with?
I opened my mouth to ask that very question when Shelby beat me to it. “Maddie, this is Detective Moretti, the guy I was telling you about.” Shelby’s gaze met mine as she pointed at Maddie. “Detective Moretti, this is Maddie. She’s the operations manager at the shelter, which technically makes her my boss, but she’s also my best friend.”
Maddie’s eyes lit up at Shelby’s introduction. She extended her hand for me to take, which I did. “Nice to meet you, Maddie.” My eyes never wavered from Shelby’s.
“Nice to meet you too,” she replied in a chipper tone. “Listen, I’d love to stay and talk, but I’m starving so I’m gonna go sit down while you two chat, flirt, whatever.” She looked at Shelby. “Want me to order you the pancake platter?”
Shelby nodded once. “Yeah, thanks, sugar.”
With a quick wave in my direction, Maddie walked—well, more like waddled—to the table where the guy from before sat with Shelby’s son on his lap. His narrow, assessing gaze was glued to me, watching my every move.
His stare didn’t bother me.
As a man, I knew he was only watching to make sure I didn’t cause trouble with either woman. I could understand that. In fact, I respected it. Any m
an worth a damn would do the same. It’s what we were supposed to do.
Protect. Defend. Provide.
“Soooo…” Shelby moved a step closer. “Evan, our head security guy, the one I told you about—” she paused “—he called last night to let me know he’d seen patrol cars driving by the shelter every thirty minutes or so. You work fast, Moretti. I’m impressed.”
I have more impressive qualities I’d like to show you.
I inhaled, pulling her sweet scent—a mixture of citrus and Georgia honeysuckle—deep into my lungs. Unable to stop myself, I reached over and tucked a stray lock of hair that had fallen free of her ponytail, behind her ear. She jerked in shock but didn’t pull away from me.
“I told you I’d help you, sweetheart.” I exhaled. “One thing about me, I always keep my word.”
Her smile fell. “You’re one of the few then.” Her eyes clouded over with an emotion I couldn’t read. It put me on edge. “Anyway,” she said, looking at the table where Maddie, the man, and her son were sitting, “I should get over there. My little man gets upset if I’m within seeing distance and he can’t reach me.”
That didn’t surprise me.
If she were mine, I wouldn’t want her out of arm’s reach either.
“Detective Moretti!” The waitress from before called out my name from behind me. “Your order is ready.”
I didn’t want to walk away; didn’t want to leave Shelby.
“Well,” she said in a voice so sweet it made my teeth ache, “guess that’s your cue.” She once again smiled before reaching out and placing her hand on my chest. The warmth radiating from her palm burned my skin. “Thank you for listening to my concerns yesterday and for doing something about it. You don't understand how thankful I am for that.”
Swallowing around the lump in my throat, I replied, “Just doing my job.”
I regretted the words the minute they left my mouth. What I’d done, the strings I’d pulled to get extra patrols, I hadn’t done any of it because it was my job. I’d done it because I wanted to help her.
Damn it! I’m an idiot!
“Yeah.” She nodded as her eyes lost their sparkle. “I figured as much. But still, thank you.”
She took a step back, and I reached for her arm. “Shelby…” The look on her face was breaking my heart in half. To anyone else she wouldn’t have looked upset, wouldn’t have looked hurt, but I was an expert at reading body language, and it was obvious to me that my words had wounded her. “Wait a minute.”
Another step back. “I’ll see you around, Detective Moretti.” With that, she turned on her heel and walked away from me.
“Detective Moretti!” The waitress called my name again. “Your order.”
Mad as hell at myself, I turned around and walked back to the counter. Pulling my money clip out of my pocket, I handed the girl two twenties. “That’s for my order”—I pointed towards Shelby’s table—“and for Shelby’s and her son’s breakfasts.”
The girl glanced towards the table before her gaze snapped back to meet mine. Her eyes looked like they were about to bulge out of her head. “You mean Shelby Mason?”
I nodded once. “Yeah.” How many more Shelby’s were there?
“O-oh,” she stuttered, taking the money from my hand. “Okay then.”
Feeling inspiration strike, I pulled out another twenty and slid it across the counter.
Might as well put the small-town gossip mill to good use.
“Twenty bucks if you tell me everything you know about her.”
I sounded like a stalker, but I didn't care.
After looking all around us, the girl took the money and shoved it in the front of her apron. “Her name is Shelby Mason, but you know that already. That’s her son, Lucca. He’s around two, I think.” The kid was big for a two-year-old. “The girl sitting across from her is Maddie Davis, she grew up over in Kissler. And the big, scary looking guy beside her is Hendrix Cole. He’s a fireman at station 24. Those two are engaged.”
Didn’t care about either of them. “You know if Shelby’s single?”
Again, she nodded. “She isn’t married, and I don’t think she has a boyfriend. All the guys around here fawn all over her, but she refuses to go out with any of them.” Her face darkened. “Mama says it’s because Shelby thinks she’s better than everyone else.” She leaned forward a little and cupped a hand to the side of her mouth. “But I think it’s because she doesn’t like guys—” she paused “—if you know what I mean.”
Seriously? This girl thought Shelby was a lesbian?
“She has a son, sweetheart. Pretty sure a man had to be involved for that to happen.”
She shrugged. “That doesn’t mean nothing. I mean it could’ve been a one-time thing. Sort of like experimentation or something.”
She batted her eyes at me, and I almost rolled mine. Why this chick was still flirting with me even after I’d paid for Shelby’s breakfast, I didn’t know. “What else do you know?”
“She’s not from around here. I’m not sure where she grew up, but she and Lucca showed up here about two years ago.” I already knew that. I’d only lived in Georgia for a month, but it was obvious Shelby’s accent was stronger than the locals. I wasn’t sure where she was from, but if I had to guess I’d say Alabama, maybe even Mississippi. “She works with Maddie at the Battered Women’s Shelter on Sycamore Street.” I already knew that too. “And she lives beside Queens Trailer Park in a little brick duplex off Highway 3.”
My stomach dropped.
She lived next to a trailer park? I didn’t like that one bit. I had nothing against people who lived in trailer parks, most were good people, but some of those places were infested with drugs—meth in particular—and riddled with crime. I hoped like hell the one beside her house wasn’t like that.
Only one way to find out.
The girl looked remorseful. “I shouldn’t have told you where she lives.” She swallowed again. “But you’re a cop… You won’t hurt her, right?”
Shoving my money clip back in my pocket, I grabbed my takeout bag and looked at Shelby’s table. Her eyes were locked on me. “No.” I shook my head. “I won’t hurt her.”
No one will.
I took a step back. “Make sure you use that money to pay for their breakfast.”
The girl nodded. “I will. What do you want me to do with the change?”
My reply was simple. “Keep it.”
Moving to the door, I looked in Shelby’s direction one last time. She held a menu in front of her, shielding half of her face from my view. I lifted my chin before throwing a wink in her direction. She smiled and tossed a wink right back. “I’ll see you later,” I mouthed as I pushed through the door and stepped out into the morning light.
All I could think as I made my way to my SUV was, Shelby Mason is mine.
4
Shelby
I could feel Maddie’s stare boring into my skull when I sat down across the table from her. “What the hell was that?” she hissed in disbelief. “I mean, there was so much sexual tension between y’all that even I’m getting excited.”
Oh, for Pete’s sake!
Not knowing what to say, I remained silent. Truth was, I didn't understand what the hell just happened. All I knew was that my heart was still pounding, and my stomach was doing all sorts of weird, flippy stuff.
I feel like I’m going to faint.
“What did the asshole want?” I felt rather than saw Hendrix’s gaze on me. “He say something to upset you, Shelby?” His voice was tight, and I knew he was a step away from losing his temper. I needed to calm him down because if Hendrix thought the guy had upset or hurt me, he’d march his hot-tempered ass across the diner and start a fight. It’s how he operated.
His motto: Throw punches now. Ask questions later.
“No,” I responded, lifting Lucca from his lap and sitting him in mine. Hendrix handed Lucca a pack of crayons and a blank piece of paper to color on. “I met him yesterday; he’s a h
omicide detective for Toluca PD. He was just being a harmless flirt.”
Hendrix settled at my answer.
“Soooo…” I looked over at Maddie. “What were you trying to tell me”—I cut my eyes at Anthony who was still standing by the takeout counter—“before we were interrupted?”
Maddie’s voice was quiet, almost pained when she spoke. “The past two nights a girl has been loitering by the front gate at the shelter.” My shoulders tensed and my eyes met Maddie’s. “She’s young. Around eighteen, I suppose.” She leaned back in her chair before rubbing her hands down her face. “Anyway, she looks scared to death, but every time one of us tries to approach her she bolts. It’s almost like she’s trying to work up the courage to come inside but can’t quite get there.”
“Does she look abused?”
Maddie shrugged. “I’m not certain. She looks…” Her voice trailed off as she mulled over what she wanted to say. “Homeless.” She blew out an unsteady breath. “And she’s skinny. Too dang skinny.”
My hands trembled against Lucca’s back where they rested.
Too skinny.
That meant the girl was starving or an addict. I hoped with all my heart it was the former. Though it didn’t matter if she was the biggest crackhead to roam the face of the earth, I’d still try my hardest to save her.
Everybody deserves to be saved.
“Think she’ll come back tomorrow when I’m on shift?” Maddie nodded once, and I drummed my fingers against the tabletop, thinking. “Well, I won’t stop until I get her inside the building and a full meal in her belly then.”
Maddie peered at me at with hope in her eyes. “It won’t be easy.” I already knew that. “But I think maybe she’ll respond better to you than the rest of us.”
“Yeah?” I lifted the breakfast menu in front of my face before peeking over the top. As if on automatic, my eyes slid to Anthony.
Lord help me, he is handsome.