Rebecca Zanetti - Under the Covers

“Why?” Sophie smoothed her hands over the blue fabric hugging her hips and the very slight baby bump. She’d wanted a fun pregnancy dress, but at only two months pregnant, everything had been too big. Her dress had spaghetti straps, a cinched waist, and great lines. “We work hard and deserve a break. Every woman should sparkle.”

The last thing Juliet wanted to do was stand out. “This was such an incredibly bad idea.”

Sophie shrugged and peered at the crowd. “If you ask me, it was about time Quinn made a move.”

“Your brother-in-law and I are friends. He needed a date, and I said yes.” Maybe she should tell Sophie the whole truth.

“There they are.” Sophie waved.

Juliet turned to spot Quinn standing by Sophie’s husband, Jake, by the far bar. The men were dressed in black suits. She swallowed. The sheriff looked amazing, tough and sleek, in the suit. It was open at the collar and showed a crisp white shirt. Even then, the sense of contained power vibrated around the man. “Oh, my.” Juliet steeled her shoulders.

Sophie nodded vigorously. “I know, right? Those Lodge boys clean up nice. Really nice.”

“I see the honeymoon isn’t over for you.”

“Nope.” Sophie started to lead the way through the crowd. “We’ve been married for a whole month now, and I don’t think the honeymoon will ever be over.”

Happiness all but oozed from the woman, and a pang of want hit Juliet. What would it be like to have a wonderful husband, a family, and a life without fear? “Please tell me I can drive home with you tonight.”

“Nope,” Sophie repeated, tossing a grin over her shoulder. “Jake and I are staying at the hotel. I guess you’ll have to drive back with Quinn.”

Juliet glanced up to discover dark eyes watching her. Her knees trembled, but she gracefully moved between chairs and people on the three-inch heels. While her mother hadn’t taught her much, she had taught her how a lady appeared in public. Whether she liked it or not.

Sophie reached Jake first and was instantly captured in a kiss that belonged in private. Juliet ignored them and kept her focus on the sheriff. “Quinn.”

He clasped his hands at his back. “You look beautiful. Can I touch you yet?”

She grinned, her heart lightening. How did he know just what to say to make her laugh and relax? “No, but I’m glad you remembered the rules.”

He sighed, a woeful frown dancing on his face. “Rules are meant to be broken.”

Boy, did she wish he actually meant those words. “You enforce rules…rather sternly, or so I’ve heard.”

“I believe I’m tough but fair.” He used air quotes on the adjectives, a smile in his voice.

A round man three inches shorter than Juliet breezed around the bar. “Sounds like a campaign slogan, Sheriff Lodge.”

Quinn turned his head and nodded. “Juliet Montgomery, may I introduce Governor Nelson?”

The governor took her hand in his moist one. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“And you, Governor,” she said softly. “Congratulations on getting House Bill 3000 passed. Very impressive.”

His wide chest and even wider belly puffed out. “A beautiful woman who follows politics. You’re a lucky man, Lodge.”

“Yes, I am,” Quinn said, his gaze warm on her.

The lights flickered, and the governor released her hand. “Well, I guess it’s time to sit down for dinner. I need to make a quick phone call and will meet you at our table.” He bustled off.

Quinn stepped close enough for her to smell pine and male, but he didn’t touch her. “HB 300?”

“A new bill allowing Montana residents to trap mountain lions if they’re a threat to livestock.” She shrugged. “I Googled recent bills before heading into town earlier.”

“Googled?” His grin flashed his dimple. “I think I love you.”

Her knees trembled with the need to step back. Even though he was kidding, heat slid through her skin. She smoothed her face into calm lines. “That was easy.”

His dark eyes narrowed. “Did I upset you?”

“Of course not.” Why in the world did he have to be so observant? She had to get away from him. No way could she spend time in his vicinity and keep her secrets. While she hadn’t broken any laws in Montana by using a fake name, she had definitely crossed a line or two. Or maybe having fake identification was a crime. But she hadn’t used it, so did it count? Of course, the laws she’d broken back home would land her in prison, without question. She hoped to any God who listened that Quinn Lodge wouldn’t be the man slamming the steel door shut.

Quinn leaned closer. “What thoughts are flashing so quickly through that pretty head of yours, darlin’?”

She dropped her eyelids to half-mast. “I was just noticing how sexy you are in a suit, Sheriff.” If all else fails, flirt.

“Hmmm.” He gestured toward a round table in the center of the room. “How about we go sit down before I press you to be honest with me?”

Instinctively, she batted her eyelashes. “You’re talking in riddles.” Turning on her high heel, she sauntered through tables and chairs to reach their spot. Her rear end burned from his gaze, and she couldn’t help but glance over her shoulder.

She shouldn’t have looked. He stood, his focus on her bare skin, fire in his eyes.

The sheriff wanted her—and he had no intention of hiding it.

Grabbing a chair back, she stopped moving before she fell on her face. This was going to be a long night.

Quinn waited for the bartender to count his change, his gaze on the woman sitting at their table. He’d settled her in her seat before returning to the bar. They had the white wine she liked, and he wanted her happy.

His brother shot him a grin. “Sorry I couldn’t ride in with you earlier—my hearing today took longer than I thought.”

“No problem.” Quinn had always been damn proud Jake was such a hotshot lawyer.

“I know.” Jake eyed the table. “You and Juliet, huh? Finally?”

“Yes.”

“How?” As usual, Jake went right for the throat.

Quinn dropped a tip in the jar. “I told her I needed a date, in fact, I needed a girlfriend until the election.” Which was the truth. Her sticking by his side would certainly ease the situation with the governor and his niece.

Jake snorted. “Juliet fell for that?”

“So she says.” Quinn couldn’t stop the wry grin. “She required a push, she’s a sweetheart who wants to help, and it seemed to work.”

“Maybe she just doesn’t want to date you. How many times as she turned you down, anyway?”

“Twenty or so.” Quinn lifted a shoulder. “Though she’s interested.” He frowned and accepted the change. “There’s something about her that seems off. Not dangerous, just off.”

Jake took a glass of Scotch and an orange juice from the bartender. “I’d run her.”

Yeah, Quinn had thought about a background check. He grabbed Juliet’s wine and his ginger ale. “I’d rather she told me the truth.”

“I get that.” Jake turned toward the table. “My daughter is thrilled you’re finally out with Juliet because she’s ready for a new aunt.”

Quinn almost spilled the wine. “I like Juliet and think we’ll have some fun. You need to explain things to Leila.” Leila was five years old and way too wise for her years, maybe because her mother had passed away right after she was born. But she’d found a new mama when Jake married Sophie, and now she wanted everyone married and happy.

His brother shrugged. “Sometimes marriage sneaks up on you. Trust me.” He sat next to Sophie and handed her the juice.

Quinn sat down. Nothing sneaked up on him, and he wasn’t the marrying kind. At least, he wouldn’t marry until he stopped being a threat to the people around him. While he had his emotions mostly under control, some nights he awoke from a nightmare, thinking he was in Afghanistan and looking for somebody to hurt. Until reality set back in.