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“How about l come here Monday?” I had no response to her proclamation just yet. Until I knew where I stood with Max, I had to be okay taking whatever she gave me and not pushing her too hard. He was the most important part of who she was. Did I fully understand that? Would I ever know what that means? “After you get Max to school, I’ll finish putting his bed together while you work. Sound good?”

“Sounds domestic.”

Yeah, it did. But I just snorted and stayed silent, not wanting to give her a chance to turn me down again. My alarm on my phone was two minutes away from going off, and Max usually woke up around the same time, so I started sliding my way out of Jesse’s bed.

Without standing up, though, I pulled her to me, her naked body falling against mine, and I kissed her. It was just as passionate as the night before, but with less intent. I had to go,she had to take care of Max. We couldn’t spend another hour making love.

When I pulled away, I held her neck with both hands, keeping her lips close to mine as I whispered, “Good morning.”

Then I let her go, watching as she blissfully fell back onto her pillow. She had a knowing smile on her face and used it to unwittingly tempt me back into her bed as I got dressed. The only thing stopping me was the word “Momma” I heard being yelled from down the hall.

Max was awake, our night was over, and I had to get out of there before he saw me. Until Jesse was sure of what it was we had, Max didn’t need to assume I’d always be there when he woke up.

“You look fucked,” Daniel laughed as I walked into the station. “I take it that things went well after the festival?”

“Yeah, where were you?” I had fully expected him and his family to be there. Granted, there were a lot of people around, but surely I would have seen him.

“I worked,” he shrugged. “Gonna take Wednesday off for an appointment in the city so Rory and I swapped Saturday.”

That means she was off on Saturday, probably running around and creating chaos, while I had been on my date. That also meant she was going to be there all day with me on a shift I thought she wasn’t going to be on.

“She's here already?” I grimaced, not in the mood to deal with her just yet.

“Nope,” Daniel laughed. “Her car is here, I haven’t seen her. Probably left it when she went out last night. You’re safe for now.”

Running a hand through my hair, I sighed and looked around the bay, not seeing any drills or training set up. I needed at least three hours of sleep before I could think straight, so I took Daniel’s word and walked up to my room.

It was dark and cold, the perfect combination. I didn’t even bother with the light, just threw my clothes off and tossed them into the corner near my locker.

Usually I slept in department issued sweats or workout gear so that if there was a call, I could put my suit over them and save myself a step to get ready. That morning, I had decided to risk it, and stayed in my boxer briefs, wanting the cold sheets of my small bed to cool my skin.

Sitting on the side of my bed, I scrubbed a hand down my face and readied myself to lay down when I felt a hand start tracing up my spine.

“What the—?” I stood up, reaching for the light but not hitting it before Rory’s arms wrapped around my neck. Her mouth went to my shoulders and she bit, moaning as if I tasted like filet mignon. “Are you…? Get the…?”

I was in so much shock, I was having a hard time finding my words. My hands were trying to pry her from around my neck while she rubbed her body against my chest.

She was insane, never before taking the chance she was in that moment. I was her boss, she wasn’t supposed to be in my bed, and she could get fired for even attempting to cross a line with me at the station and on the clock.

Not to mention I had told her no before. Ever since we were seniors in high school, she’s known thatweweren’t going to happen. I took her to the prom because I felt sorry for her. Hell I wasn’t even going to go at all until her date told her a weekbeforehand that he asked another girl instead. But that night created a crush that had haunted me.

“Rory stop!” I yelled, not worried about anyone hearing me through the door. If anyone was passing by and heard me, it would have been on her, and she would have to face the consequences. I couldn’t protect her from the decision she was making.

“I got here last night,” she whined. “I waited foryou. I need you.”

“No,” I shouted, finally getting her arms to disengage and pushing her down on the bed. “You know better than this and you know I’m not fucking around with you. What the hell are you thinking?”

“I don’t know,” she whispered, suddenly withdrawing and sliding off my bed. Then, much louder, she added, “Don’t touch me!”

“I—” What the fuck was her problem? I had no idea how to respond.

Without another word, she opened the door and raced out, wearing nothing but a tight pair of workout shorts and a sports bra. It had been hard to see when the door was shut and the light was off, but I sighed in relief as I watched her exit, knowing she hadn’t been completely naked in my bed.

Dealing with her should have been my priority, but I was drained and more tired than I had ever been, so I didn’t even attempt to leave my room. Instead, I locked the door and fell onto my bed, getting to sleep quickly, which made it all feel like a dream instead of reality.

But I still didn’t regret it. I’d do it again. All night in Jesse’s bed, making love to her over and over? Yeah, it was worth it—the exhaustion and the risks.

Chapter Twenty-Four

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