Read Guarded for Free Online

it was his model-worthy butt. Those slacks, grimy though they may be, hugged his backside and advertised that God really did dole out perfect bodies to a lucky few.
    Dev straightened, then cleared his throat. When she met his gaze, the lazy half grin on his face said he knew what she’d been doing.
    Busted! Heat scorched her cheeks.
    “My-my shoes, right . . .” she stammered, desperate to discuss anything other than his yummy-looking butt. Because really,
I’ve had this fantasy of banging the headboard with you since freshman year
just didn’t seem appropriate since he’d come to town as a favor for her. Plus, he’d been best friends with both Cam and Shelley. All through college he’d had an insanely jealous girlfriend. And really, what were the odds of him being single today? Given her luck, somewhere in the vicinity of nada.
    Although, no ring.
    “It’s actually quite logical why I’m not wearing them,” she said, forcing her mind back on topic. She reached beside the door and picked up her discarded shoes. Sliding her foot into one, she held up the other as evidence. “I kicked them off when I realized I needed to run after Hercules. They’re four inches high. There’s no way I could run in those crazy things. Not outside on the cobblestones anyway. And I certainly didn’t think I’d catch him as quickly as I did. Thank you for that.”
    Before Dev could respond, both Beau and Jacob burst through the swinging door. Jacob was laughing about something, but the little boy appeared worried. Tiny lines appeared between his narrowed brows, the scrape on his arm, now nearly hidden by the repaired shirt. “I really am sorry, Doc.”
    “It’s really fine, Beau. Are you all right?” Shelley jammed her foot into the other shoe, then hurried down the length of the counter to give the boy a hug, but stopped when Beau’s eyes widened.
    He pointed to her shirt. “What happened to you, Doc?”
    “It’s nothing.” Not wanting to get the child dirty, she ruffled his hair. “Don’t worry about me. Just a little dirt. And don’t worry about Hercules either. My friend here caught him for us. I’d still be chasing Herc down the street, if not for his willingness to throw himself into the line of fire.”
    Dev shook his head, smiling. “I don’t know that I intentionally did anything other than act as the human version of a bearskin rug for the big dog. But I’m glad I could help.”
    Shelley didn’t miss the way Dev rubbed the back of his neck and didn’t quite meet her gaze when he spoke.
    She bit down hard to keep from smiling. At least that hadn’t changed. Dev was as noble and shy as he’d been in college. Amazing, considering he came from money, wore a suit that would have cost her a month’s salary, and was a police detective. If ever there was someone who might be expected to live like the entitled rich, it was he. Yet here he stood, embarrassed from a simple compliment.
    Her pulse raced because . . . wow. There was nothing more scintillating than a shy man who looked like a sex god. Even when dirty.
    Beau moved closer to her. His big brown eyes luminous behind his now-repaired glasses. “You got railroad tracks in your hose. Mama Margaret says that means pantyhose are ruined when that happens and money’s been lost. Did you mess them up because
I
let Hercules escape?”
    His bottom lip quivered and Shelley wondered, not for the first time, why someone like
Mama Margaret
would be allowed to remain a foster parent.
    Shelley had already reported Mama Margaret on suspicions of abuse once. CPS was alerted to her. Not that it helped little Beau right now. Schooling her features to show only support and confidence, she squatted in front of him.
    “No, it’s fine. I have a spare pair in my desk. But how about you? How’s your arm, little man?” Shelley asked, examining Beau’s injury. Satisfied the boy would be okay, she suggested, “Why don’t you leave Mr. . . . uh, your
friend
here and