Overwhelming Force. Janie Crouch

need to let them know you’re okay. This event will make the supper-time news, for sure, and you won’t want any family worrying about you.”

      Laura doubted her parents or brother would hear about this back in Huntsville, Alabama, but she would text them anyway and let them know she was okay. She would not mention the fact that Joe Matarazzo had gotten her out of the situation safely. Her dad and brother might catch the first flight to Denver and take Joe out themselves.

      They’d have to get in line behind her.

      The image of Joe stripped down to his boxers and smiling charmingly at the two hostage-taking morons popped into her head unbidden.

      Damn, he still looked good. Nothing about that had changed, not that she would’ve expected it to. His tall, lithe body was absolutely drool-worthy: broad shoulders, hard abs that all but begged you to run your fingers over them, trim hips that eased down into long, strong legs.

      And that face. Crystal blue eyes and strong, sharp cheekbones and a chin that gave strength to a face that would’ve otherwise been too pretty. Brown hair with natural sandy highlights, straight, a little long with a half curl that always fell over his forehead.

      And his smile. Joe Matarazzo had a quick, easy smile for everyone. The man loved to smile, and had gorgeous sensuous lips and perfect teeth to back up his propensity.

      His cheeks were clean-shaven now, but Laura knew firsthand how quickly the stubble would grow and exactly how the roughness of his cheeks would feel as he kissed her all over her body.

      She stopped the thought immediately. For six years she’d been stopping those types of thoughts immediately. Instead she fast-forwarded to the last memory she’d had of Joe. Him standing outside her apartment and telling her their relationship wasn’t going to work anymore.

      That he’d liked her and all, and the last couple of months had been great, but that, let’s face it, she just wasn’t the caliber of woman someone like Joe—with his money and connections and good looks and charm—would be in a long-term relationship with.

      Mic drop. Matarazzo out.

      Laura could make those little jokes now, almost without wincing. Six years ago she’d just wanted to crawl under a rock and die. Joe may not have used those actual words, but basically said she wasn’t attractive enough for him. Silly her, she’d thought the fact that they’d always had a delightful time together, had the same quirky sense of humor and wonderful conversations had meant something. For the six months they had dated, Joe had led her to believe that he thought it was true, too. Until he just changed his mind out of the blue and ended it.

      Not the caliber of woman...

      So no, she was not going to let the sight of Joe Matarazzo in just his skivvies get her hot and bothered.

      “Um, ma’am?”

      Laura looked over at the young police officer who had evidently been trying to get her attention for a few moments.

      “Yes?”

      “Were you hurt in any way? Perhaps a head injury?” The young officer looked confused.

      The only damage to Laura’s head was in her thoughts about Joe. “No, I’m fine. Just reliving the situation. It’s a little painful.” She didn’t state which situation.

      “Do you feel up to giving me your statement? Otherwise we can have you come down to the station tomorrow.”

      Laura shook her head. No, she didn’t want to have to come back. She gave the officer her statement, telling how Ricky and Bobby entered while she was finishing a meeting with the bank manager to get his signature on some financial paperwork for a client.

      If Laura had just beelined it for the door she wouldn’t have gotten caught in the hostage mess at all. But then she thought of Brooke and little Samantha and the baby. Laura had been glad she’d been able to help them.

      The officer took down Laura’s information and told her they’d be in touch if they needed anything else, and that she shouldn’t hesitate to contact them if she thought of something more she remembered. She was free to go.

      Now all she had to do was make it to her car and get away without having to talk to Joe at all. Not that he’d try to talk to her. After all, what was there left to say?

      She supposed she could thank him for doing a good job today and getting them all out alive. She’d been especially impressed at how he’d immediately gotten Brooke and her girls out.

      Laura was thankful, but she wasn’t willing to actually talk to Joe to tell him that. Maybe she could send the sheriff’s office a letter with official thanks. Better. More professional.

      She stepped out into the brisk April air of Colorado, closing her eyes and breathing it deep into her lungs. She was alive. She was unhurt. She even had the signature she’d originally come to this bank for. Everything was good.

      She opened her eyes and found herself staring directly into the gaze of Joe Matarazzo.

      The Rockies in all their stark majesty framed the area behind him. The bright cobalt sky made the perfect matching backdrop for the overwhelming force of his gorgeous blue eyes.

      It was ridiculous. Like he was something out of a John Denver song or Bob Ross painting.

      “Hey, Laura.”

      And must the deep timbre of his voice match the sexiness of every other part of his being? Of course. Had God realized he’d given an abnormally large chunk of good genes all to one person? Height, charm, good looks and wealth all wrapped up in one sexy package. Seemed unfair.

      “Joe.” It was all she could manage.

      “It’s good to see you. I was thrown off guard for a minute when I spotted you in there.”

      Laura took a slight step back. He was too close. Anything under a mile was probably too close.

      “Well, thanks for getting us out.” She waved her arm like she held a wand. “For doing whatever magic you did and working out the situation so no one got hurt.”

      Joe shrugged. “Just doing my job.”

      “Wow, a job?” She tried for light laughter, but it came out tense and brittle. “That’s new, right? I didn’t think you would ever need a job.”

      Joe looked over to the side of the bank where the press and bystanders had been roped off. Laura hadn’t even realized they were there, but saw dozens of smartphones recording them. Recording everyone coming out of the bank.

      “Let’s go around to the side, so everything we say doesn’t end up online.” Joe walked away from the crowd, around a corner, leading Laura with a gentle hand at the small of her back.

      She could feel his hand through her blouse as if it seared her. That small touch stole her breath.

      And pissed her off.

      She didn’t want to react this way, didn’t want to feel anything when he touched her except maybe disgust. She stepped away from his hand, glad there was now no one else around to witness any of this.

      “How have you been? It’s been a long time,” he said when they were out of earshot of everyone else.

      She just stared at him. She wasn’t sure what to say. If this was some sort of police follow-up to make sure she was okay, then that was fine. Otherwise she didn’t want to make small talk with him as if they were old friends who had just lost touch.

      “Seeing you here, like I said, it sort of threw me,” he continued. He shifted a little nervously, but his friendly smile never wavered.

      “Well, you did great. You were amazing with Ricky and Bobby.”

      He rolled his eyes. “Wasn’t up against mastermind criminals there, that’s for sure.”

      “They still had guns and could’ve hurt a lot of people. So I’m glad you were able to get them to surrender.