Falling for the Grumpy Millionaire Sheriff: A Next Door - Age Gap Lovers Romance

By Kasia Kain

Courtney

I notice his piercing blue eyes.  Then his uniform. Then his physique.

He says his name is Owen Jackson and he's the new Sheriff.

I think I need to have my legs wrapped around him tonight for sure.

Just then, I pull up to my condo, I notice new neighbors.

I'm installing my new doorbell camera, having multiple glasses of wine since I can't have the new sheriff and off to bed I go.

Thud, thump in the middle of the night.

A scream shatters the air around me. 

I call Owen who gave me his number today.

My god was someone just murdered next door?

 

Owen

She says she's 25.  She looks way younger.

Sweet body, and a sassy attitude to boot.

I can't let Courtney take my attention away from this case.

We have a maniac on the loose and she's not safe.

But every time I look at her I know exactly what I want to do to her.

I want to make sure the next morning neither of us can walk straight.

I could really fall for her hard…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kasia Kain
• Release date: Apr 23, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224902019

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Copyright 2024 by Kasia Kain - All rights reserved.

In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher.

All rights reserved.

Respective authors own all copyrights not held by the publisher.

Falling for the Grumpy Millionaire Sheriff

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A Next-Door - Age Gap Lovers Romance

Kasia Kain

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Contents

1.RoseWood Inn

1. Courtney

2.The New Neighbors

2. Owen

3.You’re Even Prettier the Morning After

3. Courtney

4.The Hoodie Guy

4. Owen

5.No One is Getting Fired

5. Courtney

6.Georgina

6. Owen

7.The Milton Hotels

7. Courtney

8.I’m the Reason She is Hurt

8. Owen

9.Deputy Samuels

9. Courtney

10.This was to Protect You

10. Owen

11.I’m Watching You

11. Courtney

12.Is it a Rat or a Mole?

12. Owen

13.Talk to Me

13. Courtney

14.Jaz

14. Owen

15.Ben

15. Courtney

16.The Mole

16. Owen

17.You Sealed Your Own Fate

17. Courtney

18.I Need to Forget Everything But You

18. Owen

19.Ms. Co-Owner

19. Courtney

20.We are Being Watched

20. Owen

Epilogue – One Year Later

Courtney

The End.

A special shout out to Jackie K., Lisa and Abigail

You three are so much fun to talk with

Thank you for being so sweet!

To GOD,

because without you,

nothing in my life would make sense.

Chapter 1

RoseWood Inn

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Courtney

I give the window a good scrub, trying not to notice the chipped gold and black paint that says, RoseWood Inn, Est. 1987.

The words need to be repainted, and as I step back to look at the narrow front lobby of the old motel, I see a lot of other things that need to be updated, too.

Suffice it to say, we do not exactly attract the elite in the Santa Barbara area to this motel. But I do my best as the manager to run the place well and keep our guests happy.

A loud drilling sound makes me jump and drop the cloth I was using to clean the glass.

What the heck! It’s not even eleven in the morning, and you think you can make all that racket. I whirl around to glare at the new high-rise hotel being built on the other side of the freeway.

Most of the construction workers on that project are staying in the RoseWood Inn, so I’m glad for the business. But once that monstrosity of a hotel is finished, I’m afraid this old place will be finished, too.

Juan better cough up the money for a remodel and fast, I gripe.

He owns lots of little roadside motels up and down the California coast, not just this one in Santa Barbara.

I’m not attached to this motel. But I’m the manager… who also doesn’t have a college degree. Juan promoted me from front desk employee out of desperation after an unexpected opening popped up, not because I was qualified.

I need my job here. Just another few years of experience and then I can probably get a manager’s job at a nicer hotel, even without the degree.

Courtney, the dryer fuse blew again! my housekeeper Maria calls to me from one of the open doorways that line the front of the motel.

Ask Travis. That’s what we pay him for.

She just waves. I bite my lip. I don’t mean to be short with her. We lost our only full-time front desk staff this morning with a text that just said, I’m quitting, so I’m left picking up the slack.

I head inside, the overly floral fumes from the many air fresheners greeting my nostrils. Fake spider plants and some terrible looking palm trees line the half wall on my left. Through the fogged up glass, I can see our indoor pool with its yellowish blue water. Probably time to have that cleaned.

Travis will not be happy to have to do it again.

There are certain things people do in pools that throw off the PH of the water, making it unsafe to swim in. I wrinkle my nose. I no longer use public pools after working here. I know too much.

I pad across the faded tan tile floor and swing around behind the desk that looks like it’s been here since the place opened. I start humming as I look though the list of people who are checking in today.

I use the word list generously since we only have two new check-ins this whole week. Thank the gods for our construction worker regulars.

The hairs on the back of my neck start to stand on end. What the heck? My humming gets stuck in my throat, and I jump a little when I feel a pair of eyes on me.

I’ve always had this sixth sense when someone is watching me. So far, it’s been a useless skill in my life.

My eyes follow the half wall of the pool area all the way to the small front corner of the lobby. I relax when I see him.

Ben! Holy cow. You scared the living daylights out of me.

The old man is sitting calmly in his perch by the front windows, watching and drinking his coffee like he does every day at random times throughout the day. He’s odd but has been helpful to my staff and me.

He’s what we call a shut in in the business. He pays for his room by the month and rarely leaves the property.

He fixes those green eyes on me like a cat assessing its prey, but he doesn’t say anything. He’s a man of few words.

The front door squeaks open, the little bell above it tinkling the arrival of a guest. I am moving this morning’s late delivery of breakfast frozen burritos that I need to stock in the grab and go breakfast freezer ASAP, so I call out, Be with you in a sec!

With an unladylike grunt, I hoist the big box up and stumble around the desk toward the small breakfast area. Our breakfast buffet is sparse, but it lets us charge ten dollars more per day than we could without it.

There’s something about an all you can eat breakfast buffet with quick grab ‘n go options that sounds good on the website to our guests. And boy, those construction workers sure do burn through our breakfast burritos. They pop them in the microwave each morning by the half dozen.

Now that I think about it, maybe we’re losing money on this breakfast included thing.

Let me help you with that, a deep voice tantalizes my ears. It is so sexy it makes my jaw drop.

Yes, Daddy, my brain replies before I blush red as a cherry that is ready to pop. Naughty thoughts flood me. What is wrong with me today? I feel a sweat bead on my brow. I’m really losing it these days.

I feel like I’ve been carried away into a fantasy as strong arms enter my line of sight and lift the huge, tall box from my grip. I glimpse thick, long legs, a muscled ass and broad shoulders as the man turns to walk to the breakfast table and put the box down.

Ohhhhh my Lord, that ass. Those thighs. Heaven help me and quick!

Only then do I notice the uniform. I could not be possibly more turned on than I am in this moment. I want to jump into those arms and beg him to take me. But not too far away. I do still need this job.

One hour together in a hot tub, though…

I sigh. Yes, please.

He turns to face me, blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, friendly yet probing. Hello, ma’am. I’m Sheriff Owen Jackson.

Holy shit.

A day or two of unshaven stubble forms his jaw, and lips full and soft move seductively as he speaks. This guy is the literal man of my dreams. I stare at him, trying to find my words.

Ma’am? I say in a squeaky voice and then giggle like I’m fifteen again.

Embarrassing. I clear my throat and end up almost choking. He looks at me with concern and hands me a bottle of water from the fridge. But I can’t take it. This is breakfast buffet water, and Juan counts every single penny.

I try to smile at him as I swallow hard. I fan my red face a little, suddenly aware of my frumpy appearance. Why did I have to wear out-of-style jeans and a crummy band t-shirt today of all days?

Sorry. I’m, uh, a little too young to be called ma’am, though, don’t you think?

He settles his muscled arms by his sides, hands casually finding their way to rest on top of the many black things he has stuck in or on his belt. Wow. I watch enough TV to know when an officer—or a sheriff, in this case—stands like this, they are at the ready in case something goes wrong. He thinks I’m a nut, doesn’t he? Oh great.

Those blue eyes hold a hint of humor in them as he surveys me from the top of my dirty blonde head to the toes of my worn-out sneakers.

You really dressed to impress today, didn’t you?

So, hi. I’m Courtney. I’m the manager of this place, I say, gathering my dignity about myself and returning the cold water to the fridge. Is anything the matter?

No, ma’am, he drawls out.

Okay, this guy must have some Southern roots in him somewhere.

Great. I stubbornly continue to find little tasks to do, making my way around his broad frame to hide myself behind the tall front desk. I ruffle papers mindlessly. Do you want to get a room?

I freeze. Shit. That sounded bad.

He chuckles. Well, that’s a tempting offer, but I’m on duty. And like you said, you’re a little on the young side.

My jaw drops and then I snap it shut, biting my bottom lip. I feel waves of desire pulsate through my body. I dare myself to meet his gaze. When I do, I swear I see a spark of something in their depths.

I’m twenty-five, I say defensively.

Noted, he quips back. He walks to the desk, his height making me feel tiny and vulnerable. He drops a card on the desk, flips it over and scribbles something on the back. My cell number.

All my thoughts turn to sex, and my blush turns from flustered to wanton. I feel the energy in the room shift around me. It’s sexy, isn’t it, when a man knows what he wants. I reach out in what I only hope is a sultry way, take his card and slide it in my back pocket.

Noted, I say saucily.

He laughs again. This is a business call, ma’am. I just got transferred to the law enforcement building next door and will be working out of there the rest of my term. I heard a young lady was pulling all night shifts here alone and that you sometimes get a rowdy crowd.

He taps the desk while I find my eyes looking anywhere but up at him.

If anything goes wrong. Call my direct number.

He steps away and I look up then to find him eyeballing the cameras we have in the lobby.

One of my deputies told me he thinks security is a little lax around here. I’ll take a walk of the property to see what you’re working with.

The nerve of this guy to insert himself into a place of business like this. Honestly, I’m not mad about it, but I am very mad that I misinterpreted the meaning of him giving me his phone number. I can’t take it out on myself, so I huff at him instead.

"I don’t need help. Our security is adequate for the size of this place. Trust me. I’ve been in the