#floor model

“Hell, yes.”

“Good, because it’s working.” He kissed her mouth hard. Then that comforting warmth he emanated disappeared. Being next to Sharky was like standing next to an open flame—bright, warm, inviting, with a hint of danger.

He hopped over the counter and faced her. His cocksure grin sparked her own crooked smile, then his sweatshirt came off, pulling his undershirt off with it. Both fell on the floor at his feet.

Tayen nodded with unmasked approval and appreciation, waiting.

“Fwoosh!” he sang, guiding the arrow toward his chest and tucking it beneath his arm. He swirled on the spot then fell to the side. He grabbed for the counter on his way down. All the time, offering a vivid soundtrack for his death.

She grabbed the edge of the counter and looked over it.

Sharky lay there, legs akimbo, part on his side and his back. One arm reaching outward for nothing in particular.

“It really brings out your eyes,” she told him with a laugh.

His head turned and he batted his eyelashes at her. “Really?” He pulled the arrow from beneath him and held the fletching near his cheek.

The deputy hopped over the counter and crouched beside him, plucking the arrow out of his hand and twirling it between her fingers. She brushed the soft feathery material over his cheek, then down his sternum before she leaned over and kissed him. “Definitely, but I’m heavily biased.”

“Just can’t resist the baby blues,” he crooned, slipping his hand along her cheek to pull her closer.

She kissed him. It was languid, sweet, unhurried. And she wished that kissing him were the only thing she had to contemplate for the next few hours. “Like I’d ever try,” she told him, finally pulling away and breaking the kiss.

His fingers lingered in her hair a moment, before she leaned back on her haunches. Once she stood, she held her hand out to him.

“And here I was hoping you wouldn’t be able to resist rescuing me.”

Tayen leaned against his bare chest, letting her fingers trace over his ribs as her lips brush against his. She looked up into his eyes, licking her lips. “Let me get through with this thing,” she whispered. Each time he tried to seal his lips to hers, she eased back until he relented. “Then I can rescue you all day long.”

“I’ll hold you to it,” he said, pulling her body more firmly against his.

“Good.” This time when he bent his lips to hers, she welcomed his kiss.

The bell on the front door jangled in the dimness. “I swear to God! If you two are fucking in here, I’ll shoot you both,” Jess’ voice carried through the small building.

Tayen smiled against his lips.

“What’d’ya take me for, chica?” Sharky called over his shoulder. “Charlemagne Victor Boshaw the fourth is not a minute man. And besides, if we were, you would’ve known.”

Patting him on the chest, Tayen laughed softly. She grabbed all the arrows in the bin on the counter, then kissed him one more time. “Meet you out front.”