“I’ve never had a serious relationship. Or any that came close to yours in terms of length.”

“Are you in the market for one?”

“Yes, as my sisters would happily confirm. Of the three of us, I always had the most interest in romance. Yet the two of them are the ones who found someone to love. Eve got married last month, and Cate is tying the knot next month. They always kid me that if I continue to put all my energies into dead people, I’ll never meet any eligible men.”

“I’m not dead. And I’m very eligible.” His eyes began to twinkle.

Heat surged through her, and she had to restrain the urge to fan herself. Had someone shut down the air-conditioning in here?

“Can I say I’m glad—that you’re eligible, I mean?”

“If I can return the sentiment.” His voice warmed, ratcheting up her temperature again. “I think we should celebrate our agreement on that subject.”

The man was definitely flirting now.

“What did you have in mind?”

“Dinner. There’s a restaurant out by the lake with a deck that extends over the water. I’m told it has excellent ambiance and great food.”

So he hadn’t been there with Becky.

Perfect.

“That sounds amazing.”

“Why don’t we—”

At a knock on his door, he leaned back in his chair. “Come in.”

Eleanor poked her head into the office. “Sorry to disturb you, Sheriff, but your nine thirty appointment is here.”

Shoot. If only they’d had another five minutes.

However, Nate’s office wasn’t the place for a romantic tryst—or the planning of one.

“I’m leaving, Eleanor.” She stood. “My business is finished.” The professional kind, anyway.

Nate rose too and accompanied her to the door.

“Shall I send the gentleman back?” Eleanor directed the question to Nate.

“Yes. Thanks.”

He waited until the department assistant began her trek down the hall to lean close and lower his voice. “Sorry about that.”

“No worries. Work takes priority during working hours. And mixing business and pleasure isn’t wise—during working hours.”

“Yeah.” He sighed and pulled a card out of his pocket, jotted a number on the back, and gave it to her. “I’ll call you about dinner. Until then, if you want to get in touch, that’s my private cell number.”

“I’ll keep it close at hand—and I’ll look forward to hearing from you.”

A banked fire began to burn in his eyes, and for a tiny moment she half expected him to lean down and sweep his lips over hers.

But after eight years in the military, and with Green Beret credentials, his self-discipline had to be well-honed. Besides, he was too much of a pro to break protocol with a kiss on the job.

She was too.

Or she’d always thought she was.

Nate Cox, however, was a temptation that could be hard to resist.

He made do with a wink, which sent her hormones spiraling out of control again as she walked down the hall, passing his next appointment en route.