Maggie immediately recognized his vehicle from the description he’d given her the night before. She turned into the parking lot and chose a spot that was well lit and in the open. She pulled in and climbed out of the car. His truck backed up and headed in her direction. She could feel her heart start to pound. They had specifically talked about meeting in public. He knew her feelings on the subject. What in the hell was he trying to pull?

Colin stopped along side of her and flashed a wide smile. “Get in. I thought we could go for a drive.”

Her  heart pounded harder. “No, thank you,” she said firmly. “I told you I wanted to meet in a public place. That’s why we agreed on the restaurant. Let’s just go inside.”

She must’ve had that ‘deer in the headlight’ look on her face, because he started to laugh. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to laugh. I promise you I’m not an axe murderer or a rapist. I work for the sheriff’s department.” He pointed to toward the dash of his truck and chuckled again. “See the lights?”

Maggie moved closer to the truck and peered in the window. Sure enough, there was a set of blue emergency lights mounted to his dash. She also spied a police radio along with other things that indicated he was telling the truth. She eyed him through the open window. Damn, he’s a lot cuter in person.

Once again he flashed a big grin that seemed to light up his entire face. “If it will make you feel better, I’ll give you the number at the sheriff’s office and you can check me out yourself. Here use this,” he said, pushing his cell phone out the window toward her. “You can use my phone and even use Information to get the number.”

She stared at him suspiciously for a moment. Her mind whirled with the possibilities. “No, that’s ok,” she heard herself say.

Once again the annoying little voice started nagging at her. Surely you can’t be thinking of actually going anywhere with him.

“Where you wantin’ to go?” Maggie asked.

What the hell are you doing? Maggie, are you listening?

“I dunno, I just thought it would be nice just to drive around and talk. I promise you’ll be safe.”

Yeah right, that’s what they all say. Stand your ground.

A current of electricity shot through her body as he smiled at her again. Time seemed to slow down. His eyes sparkled. She watched his tongue seductively slide across his lips, wetting them slightly in the cool night air. This was exciting –this was what she’d always longed for. Her heart pounded. What should she do? She wanted to go, yet what about being safe?

The annoying little voice was steady talking, trying to sway her decision. You can’t seriously be thinking of going off anywhere with him alone.

Maggie gave him a full smile. She felt suddenly warm in spite of the coolness of the air around her. Her body tingled with excitement. She was tired of always playing it safe and doing what she was supposed to do. What about what she wanted to do?

Colin’s eyes twinkled with untold mystery and excitement. “Well?” he asked.

Maggie, I know you wanna have fun, but what about the rules? You remember. The ones we always tell everyone else about playing it safe?

“Fuck the rules,” she said as she climbed up into the truck beside him.