She opened the car door and stepped out into the heat of the day, a blast of hot air smacking her in the face. She covered her eyes with her right hand to shade them from the blinding sun. Massive heat waves rolled off the black asphalt, shimmering in the air like ghostly images. Her throat felt dry and raspy, making her wish for a cold bottle of water to take away her thirst.

She took a moment to study the area, taking note there was nothing but dust, rock and scrub brush. She brought her attention back to the man who was just another irritant in a long day and her body thrummed.

Lincoln Hayes stopped his forward movement abruptly, staring at the vision that stepped out of the car that had been driving along at a snail’s pace and his mouth went dry. Her hair was dark, short and curly. Impatience drifted across her face. A face with unbelievable features. Brows impeccably arched and formed to perfection. Eyes, thickly lashed, a mysterious shade of green. A short pert nose that he was sure would rise in disdain. Lips, luscious and shapely, calling to him to walk right over and have a taste. And a come-hither body that had his own body flashing spasms of heat that matched the waves rolling off the pavement.

He placed both hands on his hips for support, taking a moment to clear away the images that had planted themselves in his brain. He was a police officer. There was no place in his line of work for this type of thing. From the looks of her, she was probably a hooker making her way to Nevada to ply her trade in the anything-goes city of Las Vegas.

Well, they could have her. There was no place in his town for the likes of her, no matter how attractive she was. No matter how turned on he was just at the sight of her. He gave her one last thorough examination from head-to-toe.

Bare feet. Hmm.

Toes? Tasty!