The Naughty List Bundle - Kylie Adams [121]
“Sawyer certainly does.” He turned to give her a lazy grin. “But I’m not Sawyer.”
“You’ve got me there.”
“You know what I prefer?”
She started whistling, which only made him chuckle. “I prefer dark-haired women with long sexy legs and incredible…”
“Morgan—” she warned.
“—smiles.” He laughed at her expression. “Such a dirty mind you have, Malone. What did you think I was going to say?”
She reached over and smacked him for that, then couldn’t help laughing again. “I figure I’m only slightly better than average looking—and I’m giving you the slightly better based on all this praise you’ve heaped on me lately.”
He didn’t look at her, just made a sound of disagreement. “You can ask any man and he’ll tell you the same. Hell, just hearing you talk makes me hard, even when I don’t like what we’re talking about.”
Of course she looked, then immediately jerked her gaze away. “If you don’t stop being so shameless—” She sighed, unable to think of a threat that might carry any impact. It annoyed her that he’d once again gotten her to stare at him in a totally inappropriate way.
“You’ll what? No, don’t answer that. And for your information, I can’t seem to help it.”
She tugged her hand free, tucking it close so he couldn’t retrieve it. “Keep your lips to yourself. That might be good for starters.”
“Malone, I swear, one of these days you’re going to take back those words.”
She laughed again. “You’re incorrigible.”
“And a distraction?”
She blinked, realizing that he had, indeed, distracted her. She nodded, giving him his due, but felt it necessary to point out the obvious. “My ride then was a little different. I was in the back, handcuffed, and the officers were in uniform—and armed.”
Morgan grinned at her. “The county insists the Bronco is partly for my personal use, sort of a perk, so you’re not the first woman to be seen in it.”
“Did I ask for that information?”
“I just wanted you to know that if anyone stares this time, it’ll be with a different kind of curiosity. And I do wear a uniform when I’m on duty, which I’m not right now. As to being armed, it’s a habit.” He made that statement, then shrugged.
“What do you mean?” Misty turned slightly in her seat to face him. “You carry a gun around with you?”
“All the time.”
Once again she looked him over, then cocked an eyebrow. “Must be a good hiding place.”
“Want to search me, Malone?”
Yes, but she wouldn’t tell him that. “I’m waiting.”
“You’re no fun at all, but we’ll work on that.” He leaned down and lifted the hem of his jeans. “Ankle strap. I wear a belt holster when I’m on duty.”
She’d seen him in uniform, and the sight had been impressive indeed. He looked nothing like Andy Griffith, that was for sure. When Morgan got decked out in his official clothes, he looked like a female fantasy on the loose. His shirt fit his broad shoulders to perfection, and his slacks emphasized his long, strong legs. The holster around his waist gave an added touch of danger to his dark good looks.
She imagined the females of Buckhorn County would continue to elect him sheriff just to get to see him in uniform each day.
Not that he didn’t look great today in his jeans and soft T-shirt.
Misty eyed the small handgun in a leather holster. It was attached to an ankle cuff with a velcro strap. Despite herself, she was fascinated. “Do the good citizens of Buckhorn know about that gun?”
“You kidding? They insist on me holding up my image. Why, if they thought I wasn’t armed, they’d be outraged. They each consider me their own personal sheriff, you know.”
“Especially the women?” Ouch. She hadn’t meant to say that.
Morgan gave her a knowing look, but thankfully didn’t tease her. “Men and women alike, actually. Half my job is spent letting them bend my ear and reassuring them that the corruption of outside communities hasn’t infiltrated yet.”
“If corruption hasn’t infiltrated, then why do they