Page 9 of Cautious

“The answer is always both.”

I turn at the sound of the feminine voice. A beautiful Asian woman with the shiniest inky black hair I’ve ever seen stands just behind me, looking amused.

“Crap. I’m sorry, am I in your way?”

“No, you’re fine. I just heard you mumbling to yourself and had to come over. My husband thinks I’m crazy when I talk to myself. Now I know I’m not alone.”

I snort at her rambling. “Talking to yourself doesn’t make you crazy. Hold on, let me just ask my other personality.” I pause for dramatic effect before answering. “No, she says we’re definitely not crazy,” I tell her straight-faced and watch as she throws her head back and laughs.

“Oh, I like you. I’m Olivia,” she says with a smile.

Thankfully, she doesn’t hold her hand out for me to shake. I’ve always found the concept of shaking hands odd. I’m not great with strangers, as my mouth usually engages before my brain does, but the thought of having to touch them is even worse and always freaks me out a little. Every time I’m forced to do it, I wonder how many penises they’ve touched. Yeah, I know that’s not normal, but when you’ve thought it once, you can’t unthink it.

“I’m Callie. It’s nice to meet you,” I introduce myself and wait for the awkwardness to kick in. Only it doesn’t. Olivia is surprisingly easy to talk to, even if it is about nothing more than which vodka brand is better.

“There you are,” a deep voice calls.

I smile when a handsome, dark-haired man in a police uniform steps up behind Olivia and wraps one of his arms around her.

“Hey, hot stuff,” she purrs, making me chuckle.

He rolls his eyes before looking at me in exasperation. He’s a handsome guy, but after encountering Blake’s level of hotness, I feel like I’ve built up a level of immunity.

“Ignore my wife. She thinks she’s funny. Name’s Wade. In case the outfit didn’t give it away, I’m a police officer. I see you’ve met my wife, Olivia, the comedian,” he huffs, scowling when she elbows him in the ribs.

“So you agree that I’m funny? And there’s nothing wrong with finding my husband hot.” She sticks her tongue out at him. He smiles at her, murmuring something as he kisses her temple.

Lord, these two are going to give me a toothache. “I think it’s sweet. And you should count yourself lucky. I don’t know how long you’ve been married, but I’m sure you’ve annoyed her plenty. And in her head, she’s called you a few less-than-flattering names. It could always be worse,” I point out.

“Well, she’s not wrong,” Olivia teases him.

“Ladies, Hot Stuff,” a laughing voice calls from behind me, making a cascade of butterflies erupt in my stomach. A moment later, Blake steps up beside me, nudging my shoulder and offering me a sexy wink.

Can winks even be sexy? My disintegrating panties seem to think so.

“Fuck you, Price,” Wade bites out, but there’s no heat behind his words.

“Well, we can add stalking to your list of attributes, Mr. Bundy,” I mutter, but not quietly enough.

“Bundy?” Wade laughs. “It seems you’re right,” he says, looking at me. “It could definitely be worse.”

“Hey, Blake, how’s your grandmother?” Olivia asks, deftly changing the subject, giving me a moment to take a deep breath and wrangle my wayward libido under control.

“She’s doing okay. Stubborn, just like usual. I wouldn’t be surprised if she was running a marathon this time next year,” Blake answers with a shake of his head, making Olivia laugh.

“That sounds like June. Tell her I’ll pop around one of these days and bring Mia. Oh, shoot, we need to go. Mia’s gymnastics class is getting out in a minute. Callie, we should meet up for coffee sometime.”

“Sure, I’d like that. I’m in the house next door to June, and I work from home, so I’m usually about. Just knock when you’re free.” Look how social I can be when I try.

“Perfect. Well, it was nice to meet you, Callie. Blake, always a pleasure,” Olivia adds with a smirk.

“You too. Bye, guys.” I wave as she turns to leave, dragging her husband behind her and shaking his head. I have a feeling Olivia has only one speed and that’s turbo.

“Later,” he calls over his shoulder before dutifully following his wife.

I turn to look at Blake, who is staring down at me with warm eyes. Warm eyes that make me warm in other places too. Gah. Damn him and his sexiness.

“And what can I do for you today, Bundy? Need a hair sample to add to your trophy collection? Oh wait, how about a pair of my panties?”

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