Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 131888 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131888 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
“Because you might be afraid you’ll trip and your lips will accidentally get stuck to mine again?”
This woman certainly knew how to push his damn buttons.
Apparently, she wasn’t done yet. “You’re always wearing a hat. It not only hides your eyes, but it also makes it more difficult to suck face. I guess you use it like a force field.”
“Suck face?” He pushed open the door and escorted her out into the warm spring night.
“Yes, kissing. That’s what my fifteen-year-old calls it.”
“I know what it means. It was a bit jarring coming from you.”
She shrugged. “Unfortunately, I pick up a lot of their vernacular. Only, I have to be careful not to use it around my clients.”
“But you don’t need to be careful around me?”
“No, because a little slang isn’t going to hurt you,” she answered, “since you need to loosen up.”
“Your opinion.”
“And a pretty good one, if I say so myself,” she quipped.
“Of course you’d think that.”
When they stopped in front of her Benz, he waited for her to dig out her key fob and unlock the doors.
“You can go now,” she announced.
“I’m not leaving the parking lot until you do.”
“Such a gentleman,” she murmured and slid into the driver’s seat.
He pressed his arm along the top of the door frame and leaned in. “Hey…” As soon as she was settled in her seat and glanced up at him, he continued, “Just to be clear… This can’t happen.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She was purposely being obtuse. “This.”
“This what?”
She was really going to make him spell it out. “Whatever this is between us.”
“Nox, we only shared a kiss. Not a kiss, three to be exact, if we’re keeping score. But it would’ve ended after the first one if I hadn’t enjoyed them. I’m assuming it would be the same for you.”
He did enjoy them. Too much.
Her lips curled slightly. “I guess you plan on being celibate for the rest of your life, then.”
“I never said I’m celibate.”
Her husky laugh had him straightening and taking a step back from her car. “You didn’t have to say it. You’re having a complete meltdown over a kiss.”
“I’m not having a fucking meltdown.”
“Okay, you’re wrought with guilt over it.”
“You’re imagining that.”
She clicked her tongue. “You’re not a good liar, Nox. You might want to practice.”
“I lie just fine.”
Her peel of laughter got his heart pumping a little faster. When she was done, she asked, “Are you going to tail me to make sure I get home safe, too?”
“No.”
“Then, you have a good night, officer.” She pulled her door shut and the rich rumble of her engine filled the air.
With a shake of his head, he strode over to his bike, parked only a few spots away.
After throwing a leg over his seat, he got ready to ride by turning his baseball cap around and slipping on the protective glasses he wore to keep suicidal bugs from taking out an eye.
When he pushed the start button, he realized just how good his bike sounded versus a car. Unless it was a classic muscle car with a big block engine, a Harley with straight pipes couldn’t be beat.
Her Benz might be fast and sound decent, but he’d always prefer two wheels over four.
He twisted his head when he heard, “Wait! I have something for you,” over the gravelly purr of his beloved ride.
For fuck’s sake, now what?
He was worried she’d break her damn neck as she trotted over to him on those high heels, carrying something square in her hand.
He squinted, trying to see what it was. A container?
“I’m surprised you didn’t shoot out of here like a rocket when you saw me coming.”
“It crossed my mind.”
“Again, you’re a horrible liar.”
“I’m not lying. I couldn’t get it in gear fast enough.”
“Then, maybe you need one of those bikes with an automatic transmission.”
“Blasphemy.”
She smiled. “You should let your sense of humor out to play more, it makes you seem a little more human.”
“I wouldn’t want people to mistake me as human.”
She rolled her eyes. “Obviously. You work very hard at coming off as an emotionless piece of driftwood.”
She jammed the container she was holding into his chest.
“What’s that?”
“What’s it look like?”
“A plastic container,” he answered with the obvious.
“Why would a genius like you ever want to be a cop?”
“For the fortune we make.”
“Now I know that’s a lie. Will you take it… please?”
It sounded like she was getting irritated. Welcome to the club. “I don’t want those.”
“Yes you do, but it’s your life mission to be difficult. Who the hell turns down homemade chocolate chip cookies?”
“I don’t have any way to carry them.”
“Sure you do.” She pulled the container from his chest and jammed it between his thighs, instead, making him jerk when her hand came dangerously close to skimming over his crotch. “There you go. Bikers know all the tricks to hauling shit on their sleds. I’m surprised you don’t.”