Free Line of Fire by Jo Davis Page A

City Manager would be keeping you plenty busy.”
    Fisting a hand on one hip, she stared at him. “If you really thought so, why are you here? To hurl more barbs at me about Forrest? You’ll note that I haven’t called you, and a verbal beating isn’t exactly the way to change my mind.”
    Tommy hung his head and was silent for a few moments. When he looked up, his expression was contrite. “I’m sorry. That’s not why I came, but I can’t seem to filter what goes from my brain to my mouth where that guy’s concerned. Picturing you with him . . . you know it’s driving me crazy. But that’s not my reason for stopping by.”
    She waited while he gathered his thoughts before continuing.
    “I came by to apologize for my behavior on Saturday,” he said quietly. “There’s no excuse for leaving a lady standing there the way I did. I was rude and I hope you’ll forgive me.”
    Never had she seen Tommy so serious, and something about his demeanor put her on alert. Dread curled in her veins. “Of course I do, not that there was ever a question of forgiveness. I hurt you, too, and I’m sorry. I know how you feel about Forrest and I can’t change that.”
    His laugh was unhappy, and he ran a hand through his hair, making the sunlit strands poke in every direction. “Can’t you? I guess that tells me what I need to know, but since I’m a masochistic bastard, let’s hunt this down and shoot it. Do you have any feelings for me at all?”
    “I do,” she whispered. “We’re friends, aren’t we?”
    A spasm of pain flashed in those incredible eyes. “In the same way he’s your friend? Someone mildly interesting to pass the time with over wine and boring conversation?”
    “No. Have you forgotten our dance? Our kiss? You’re much more than that to me.”
    Stepping close, he brushed his knuckles down her cheek. “I haven’t forgotten one second of how good it felt to hold you, but I wasn’t the one who pulled away. You don’t want me to be more, do you? I just keep pushing against your walls, and to tell you the truth, baby, my hands are starting to bleed. Do you want me gone for good? Look at me, tell me to leave you alone, and I will. I swear I’ll get in my truck, drive off, and never bother you again. Is that what you want?”
    He meant every word. Leaving would tear him apart, but he’d do just that. For her.
    No more Tommy? His smiles, his laugh, his zest for life. Gone. And if she let him go, the next woman wouldn’t make the same mistake. A woman even more stunning than Daisy Duke. In his arms. His bed. The idea made her sick.
    Turn the tables, and she had a whole new appreciation for how he’d reacted, seeing her with another man.
    “Pulling away was a knee-jerk response and it’s my problem, not yours.” Taking one of his hands, she linked their fingers, loving the rough calluses. The hands of a hardworking man. “I need you in my life, and the way you make me feel . . . it’s wonderful, and it scares me, too. There are issues I believed I’d dealt with long ago, before you. Bad stuff.”
    “Like what? Talk to me, Shea.”
    “One day, okay? For now, can you be patient with me a little longer?” Please. She didn’t want to get into this today, when things were so raw between them.
    “Honey, I’m not going anywhere unless you make me,” he said, squeezing her hand and drawing her in to his warm body. “This is your show, all the way. I’m here for you, whatever you need. Just don’t keep dribbling me like a basketball. If you can promise me that, I’ve got all the patience in the world.”
    He kissed her nose, and she smiled. “No more dribbling, I promise. You have no idea what you do to me.”
    “Nope. Maybe you’d better show me.”
    Reaching up, she curled her fingers behind his neck and brought his head down. Captured his mouth, loved his groan of surrender. Loved being the instigator for a change, his strong muscles tense with desire, body trembling against hers.
    She