His fingers closed around hers and squeezed gently. The heat from his hand seemed to slide up her arm and down through her body, pooling in her breasts and between her thighs.
Patrick cleared his voice. “I know we’re supposed to have a meeting in a bit, but is it something we could take care of now? I’m double-booked this morning and am supposed to be meeting the mayor and city council at the same time.”
Somehow Alicia found her voice. “That’s not a problem, Sheriff. Please, join me for breakfast. Both of you.” She didn’t know why she’d extended the invitation to include Gill, but it was too late to withdraw it now.
He slid into the booth across from her and Alicia enjoyed herself just watching him as Shannon poured more coffee and took both men’s orders for breakfast. Gill was just as compelling as she remembered. His broad shoulders filled out the leather jacket he was wearing over a crisp white shirt. There was a faint five-o’clock shadow on his jaw, indicating that he hadn’t bothered to shave this morning. It made him appear even more ruggedly handsome.
He cocked an eyebrow and she could feel her cheeks heating when she realized she was blatantly staring. What was wrong with her? This man made the confident thirty-seven-year old woman disappear. Instead, she felt uncertain and awkward—more like a teenage girl with a crush.
The only thing to do was brazen it out. Raising her own eyebrow in question, she picked up her mug and took a sip, being careful not to burn herself this time. The corners of Gill’s mouth turned up in a smile so devastating, she almost forgot to breathe. She turned to the sheriff, who was patiently waiting.
“I needed to ask you about hiring an investigator to do some work for me.” She lowered her voice so no one around them could hear them. “It’s about the Brown case.”
Domestic violence was never pretty, but it was a hot button with the sheriff because of his wife’s past. Elizabeth Brown might not have filed an official complaint with the sheriff’s office, but Alicia had already filled Patrick in on the details of the case. She believed in being prepared in case any unpleasantness arose down the road.
Patrick’s eyes narrowed as he took a swallow of coffee, cradling his mug in his hands. “Ordinarily, I’d suggest one of my deputies. A lot of them don’t mind extra work.
But we’re low on manpower as it is. A lot of my men are out with the flu. Can it wait a while?”
She frowned and shook her head. “No. This is something that needs to be taken care of quickly. I’d hoped to hire someone local, but I can go outside if I have to.”
Gill cleared his throat. “I can do it.”
“What?” Alicia blurted. Oh this wouldn’t do. How could she work with this man when all she wanted to do was jump his bones?
“That’s a great idea.” Patrick leaned back as Shannon deposited their plates in front of them. “Thanks, honey.” He dropped a quick kiss on her cheek before she headed off to serve other customers.
Alicia’s stomach churned and she knew she’d never be able to eat the pancakes and bacon she’d been so looking forward to. Her stomach was tied up in too many knots due to the man watching her with those incredibly stormy blue eyes. She was also tired and distracted as a result of her sleepless night, which was something else she could blame on Gill Baron.
“Patrick can vouch for me.” Gill picked up his fork and took a bite of his pancakes.
He chewed and swallowed before continuing. “I just retired after twenty years on the police force in Birmingham, and I’m on an extended vacation. I’m more than capable of handling any kind of investigation you need.”
Alicia didn’t know what to say. Personally, she wanted to say no. This man was a threat to her peace of mind. Professionally, she knew she had to say yes. She needed this work done and her client deserved the best she could give her. “Okay.”
She tried her best to ignore the little jump her heart gave and the happiness flowing through her veins at the thought of spending more time with Gill. Her emotions were all over the place.
To give herself time to compose her wits, she made herself sample the pancakes in front of her. They were delicious and she took her time, chewing carefully as she went over the logistics in her mind. They really wouldn’t have to spend too much time in each other’s company. All she needed were his reports. She had to be professional about this.
Even if it killed her.
“What do you need?” Gill asked.
Now that was a loaded question. She needed more than one night with him. She needed to spend hours in bed with him, running her hands over his incredible body.
Touching him, tasting him, while he did the same with her. But she couldn’t. He wasn’t here to stay and she couldn’t risk a public affair, not if she wanted to maintain her position in this town. Jamesville was small and very conservative. A one-night fling she could get away with, but an ongoing affair was something she couldn’t risk.
Alicia tugged at the cuffs on her blouse and steadied herself, desperately trying to ignore the tightening of her breasts and the ache low in her body. She leaned forward slightly so she wouldn’t be overheard. Not that anyone seemed to be paying them any attention, but she wanted to be careful all the same. “I need you to interview some people in town, and maybe locate a few who’ve moved away. This is a very sensitive case.”
Now that she thought about it, having an outsider who didn’t know Jim Brown at all was probably a plus.
Gill nodded. “No problem. I can go back to your office with you and get all the particulars. I’m sure the Jamesville Sheriff’s Department will let me use their facilities.”
He looked at Patrick who nodded. “Whatever you need”
As quick as that it was settled. Whether she liked it or not, Gill Baron was now working for her. She ignored the voice at the back of her brain that whispered this was an opportunity to spend more time with him.
She was a professional woman in a conservative town. It had been hard enough establishing a legal practice as a woman, and she wasn’t about to jeopardize it for anyone. No matter how attracted she was to him. As it was, if he let slip about what had happened the other night her reputation would take a serious hit.
The town had just had its faith shaken in the legal system with the allegations against the prominent lawyer, Elijah Harris. She’d had her share of new clients due to the fallout, as had the other two practices in town. She could lose them just as easily if her reputation came into question.
It wasn’t fair, but life seldom was. She’d have to put aside her personal feelings and be professional. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d sacrificed something for her career.
But never had it been so difficult.
They finished breakfast in record time, filling the silence with social chatter. When they were done, Patrick reached into his pocket for money, but Alicia stopped him. “My treat. Think of it as a breakfast meeting.”
The corners of his eyes crinkled as he smiled. “Thanks. Just don’t let my wife know that a pretty woman bought me breakfast.”
Shannon came up beside him and poked him in the ribs. “I heard that.” She smiled at Alicia. “Can I get you anything else?”
Alicia laughed at their byplay. “No, I’m good. Gill?” She was proud at how level and normal her voice sounded.
He just shook his head. “I’m fine. I’d rather get to work.”
“Certainly.” Grabbing her purse, she fished out enough money to cover their tab and handed it to Shannon. “Breakfast was wonderful, as always. Give my best to Jessie.”
“I will.” Shannon hurried off to the counter to serve another customer.
Patrick stood, zipping his jacket. “If you need anything, just give me a shout.”