HarrisChanning

“I haven’t done anything wrong,” she protested.

“Put your hands on the hood.”

Her body quaked as he patted her down. When his hand skimmed over her thighs and across her buttocks, a strange surge coursed through her and her stomach tightened into a knot.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m taking you into the station,” he answered in monotone.

She turned to face him and saw him removing handcuffs from his belt. “You don’t have to do that. I haven’t done anything wrong. I don’t want�”

Davidson grabbed her wrist and spun her around, bending her over the hood. His body rested against the backs of her thighs and again she felt it, the unexpected jolt of excitement. Not the time! She felt herself becoming more and more turned on by his take-charge manner.

“What don’t you want?” he asked, cuffing her and pulling her to standing.

“I-I don’t want my boyfriend to find me.”

Davidson lowered her into the squad car and removed his glasses. Blue—his eyes were silver blue, but difficult to read.

“You steal his car?” he asked, pointing at the primer gray GTO.

“No.”

“He can’t report it stolen?”

“No,” she said again, her tears running in salty rivulets down her cheeks. “But if he knows where the car is, he’ll know where to find me.”

Davidson blew out a disgusted breath. “Before I take you in, tell me everything and I’ll see what can be done.”

She closed her eyes tight at the memory of Dwayne’s latest attack. How could she put what almost happened into words without bawling like a baby?

“He thinks he owns me. I told him I wanted out. I didn’t want or need him anymore.”

“Go on,” he coaxed, his voice softer and sweeter than she would have believed possible. “I’ve heard it all before.”

“He started sending me flowers at work, calling and hanging up�” Tears stung anew and fell in large drops. Her lower lip quivered and she looked to Davidson for reassurance. He offered a gentle smile.

“Last week he broke into my house and tried to�” The memory of him ripping at her clothes, and prying her legs apart tore into her soul. A sob escaped her lips before she could stifle it.

Davidson rested his hand on her shoulder, the warmth and tenderness of the gesture urging her on.

“The police came and arrested him, but his brother is the chief. I knew he’d get out and be back.” She shifted her weight. With her hands still cuffed, her wrists ached and she couldn’t wipe away her tears. “I threw some shit into a bag and got the hell out of there.”

“What about your family?”

She shook her head. “My folks left me with my granny when I was a baby. Granny’s been gone for near six years now. Nothing’s been right since.”

Davidson knelt down by the open car door and removed a red bandanna handkerchief from his back pocket. Wiping away her tears, he asked, “Where are you heading?”

Raising her head, she looked up at him. “It looks like I’m going to jail.”

“No, sweetheart.” Davidson winked. “I’m gonna believe you.” He helped her out of the car and removed the cuffs. “I may be a fool for doing it but I can’t see risking your life for a little money in the city’s coffers.”

“Thanks.” She smiled and without thought reached up and touched his arm. Beneath the light fabric of his pale blue uniform shirt, she felt a well-toned bicep. When her gaze came to his, she caught a flash of interest and her breath caught in her throat.

“What you going to do now?” he asked. “You got no money, no I.D., nothing.”

“I guess I’ll go back to the place I filled up and hope that they have my wallet. I don’t want to. It’s well over a hundred miles ago.”

“You remember the name of the place? You could call. Chances are no one is gonna turn it in. You’re probably pretty well screwed on ever seeing that again.”

She felt around her pants pocket. “I have a receipt.” She offered it to him and he examined it.

“What’s your name?”

“Libby Collins.”

‘Well, Ms. Collins, I’ll call it in and have some folks look into it for you.”

“They’ll do that for me?”

He grinned. “Here in White Springs it will be something interesting to do. The occasional speeder is about the most excitement we get in a day.” He disappeared into the cruiser and talked into the radio. Returning to where she leaned against the GTO, he ran an appreciative finger over the hood. “Annie’s taking care of it.”

“Thank you.”

“What are you going to do in the meantime?”

She scrubbed her hands over her tired face. “I guess I’ll find a nice parking spot and wait.”

He cocked his head and grinned. “I’m off duty ’til tomorrow. What do you think about coming home with me for supper?”

His voice was softer, his manner changed, and as tempted as she was by the offer, she shook her head. “I couldn’t do that.”

“Why not? It’s food and a place to wash up before you leave White Springs.” He leaned forward and put his mouth close to her ear. “I ain’t a bad sort.”

His warm breath caused a delightful chill and her nipples tightened. He pulled back and smiled. “What do you say?”