Page 21 of More than Need

“For a privileged few,” Riley said seriously.

“You need help with that stick lodged up your ass?” Dawson asked sarcastically.

“Are you offering?”

Even more red coloured Dawson’s cheeks. His mouth opened and closed wordlessly. “No.” It came out as more of a breathlesswhisper than an actual answer. Between that and the look he’d given Gideon... Gideon had questions.

“No? Are you really here to apologise?” Riley asked, picking up on the same thing. “Or are you after something else?”

Dawson’s jaw dropped. “Fucking excuse me?”

“You think I don’t notice the way you’re looking at him?” Riley stepped even closer and cupped Gideon’s nape.

“I’m not looking at him like anything.”

“I’ve been a cop a long time,Dawson,” Riley said conversationally. “And I can spot a lie a mile away. Did you come here for Sadie, or for you?”

“Fuck you.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

“I’m not—I don’t… I just want you to speak to her.”

Riley’s thumb stroked Gideon’s neck, heat searing into the spot like a brand. He leaned over Gideon’s shoulder, his lips almost touching Dawson’s. Lust swirled in Gideon’s gut, spreading uncontrollably.

“I’ve already told you that I’m not going to,” Riley said. “Whatever bargaining chip you thought to bring in here, it’s not going to work.”

Dawson reared back like he’d been struck, the red on his cheeks from something other than arousal or embarrassment now. “I don’t appreciate what you’re trying to imply,” he said angrily.

“And what is it that I’m implying?”

A knock at the door broke the tension, and Gideon pushed the two men away from each other, hands on their chests and keeping them separated. “Time-out for a second.” They all needed a moment to cool off, for various reasons.

Lucia stood at the door, Hudson at her hip and holding her hand. “We need to go,” she said apologetically, peering into the room. “If something’s come up, we can head out by ourselv—”

“No, I’m coming,” Gideon said. He’d missed more than enough of Hudson’s sports events and school events. All the events.

“He wants to ride with you.”

Before Gideon could respond to that, Hudson barrelled into his legs, beaming at him. “Can I?” he asked enthusiastically. Gideon ruffled his hair and lifted him up into his arms.

“’Course you can, buddy. We’ll meet you there?”

“I’ll take his stuff. Don’t be late, please, Gideon.” The warm smile Lucia gave him held more than a hint of exasperation. He couldn’t blame her; it wouldn’t be the first—or the last—time that he’d be late, or not end up making it to something. He tried his best. Even on the nights he didn’t work, the risk of getting called out at the drop of a hat influenced everything he did.

“We’re leaving now,” Gideon assured her. Not likeright nowbut in the next few minutes. He wouldn’t be late, not this time.

Lucia kissed Hudson and got one more assurance before leaving.

Riley and Dawson were still squaring off, eyes only for each other. Gideon probably shouldn’t have found it attractive. Being attracted to his boss in the first place put him in the “make stupid decisions” category. He could add this to the list.

“Can I leave you two in here alone or…?” He didn’t think so. They were either going to make out—and Gideon wanted to watch that—or they’d punch each other, which Gideon wouldn’t allow.

“Don’t worry, I’m leaving,” Dawson said brusquely. He grabbed a random notepad from Riley’s desk and a pen from his holder, scribbling on it. “This is my number, not Sadie’s. If you change your mind about being an”—he glanced at Hudson, who watched them curiously over Gideon’s shoulder—“unpleasant person, then…” He shrugged, threw down the pen, andleft, giving Gideon and Hudson a wide berth. Impressive, considering they were practically in the doorway.

Riley rubbed his forehead and sat, fingering the notepad.

“Don’t throw that out,” Gideon told him. That face said, “What’s the most efficient way to obliterate this?”

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