Page 9 of Strip Search

“I’d like to see you try.” Smitty shakes his head. “Thanks for being here, man.”

“Nowhere I’d rather be.”

Chapter Four

Molly

Two hard knocks onmy door at three a.m. wake me from sleep.

I check the security feed, but I already know who is waiting on the other side. I knew Cody would rat me out. The little shit has always been terrified of his big brother.

“You can lose the attitude. I’m not a piece of property and you sure as hell are not going to dictate what I can and can’t do.” I let him know as he brushes past me into my apartment.

Ah, good ol’ Cole Davenport, the brooding hard-ass who thinks he’s my keeper.

Cole leans on the back of my sofa, his arms across his chest, and he lets out a huff. If I weren’t so annoyed by his bossy attitude right now, it would be sexy as hell. Not that it even matters since he doesn’t see me that way, at all. I’m nothing more than Paddy’s little sister. Off limits, because of the stupid code of honor he has in his head.

“I think you forget, I’m your employer. What you did was insubordination, and I could fire you,” He threatens with a brow raised, daring me to challenge him.

Challenge accepted.

“Bullshit.” I cough into my hand. Standing taller, I continue, “You and I both know you’re not going to fire me. When you finally calm down and pull your head out of your ass, you’ll realize this is the best way to get closer to Dallas. You know...the asshole you’ve been chasing for what, two years now?” I mimic his stance and cross my arms over my own chest, drawing attention to my bust, something that isn’t hard to do with the thin sleep tank I’m wearing. For a moment I see a flicker of something in his gaze, but as usual, he suppresses it quickly. “You’re over-paying me and not allowing me to work to my full potential. I have a master’s in criminology, you’ve been field training me. I know what the fuck I’m doing, Cole.”

He moves closer to me, so close that I can feel his breath on my skin. I can smell his cologne, a scent that is totally and completely him.Straight to Heavenwas aptly named for this man. Sometimes I wonder if he chose that scent, out of thousands, simply to torture women.

“You lack experience. It’s my job to keepyousafe. Not hand you over to a deadly criminal. Your degree means nothing stacked against a man like Dallas. You’re not ready for something like this. Goddamnit! You disobeyed me and as a result, made yourself a target.”

“Lack of experience? Disobeyed? Interesting choice of words, Cole. You do realize I am not one of your whores? I’m an employee, a member of your team. You know...an equal, like you, preach to us in all those team meetings.” I press my chest against his and stand on my tippy toes, though he still towers over me. “Or was that all for the show. You’re really in charge, and we’re just your minions. We do as you say and nothing more? Is that how this works?”

The change in his breathing and the tick of his jaw, warn that I’ve pushed too far. But I don’t give a damn. He wants to be an asshole, fine. He’ll get exactly what he deserves.

I’m not sure what I expect from him next, but it certainly was not his hands on my skin.

His hands cup my face, so fast that I flinch, even though his touch is gentle. Cole notices right away and compensates by rubbing his thumbs across my cheeks.

“No,” his voice is sharp at first. “You’re right, you’re not a whore. You’re so much more then you give yourself credit for. And, you are an equal. You know that. Mol, my business wouldn’t be what it is today without you,” he says softly.

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