Page 109 of Trigger

He shrugged his shoulders, his face impassive. “It was all right.”

“What do you mean—?”

“Let’s go, Viking,” Shelly said, squeezing my biceps. “I could useyour muscles.”

“Don’t do that!” Carter scolded her. “It’s unprofessional.”

He stepped between us as Shelly rolled her eyes. “Oh, please.We’re in the LD, which is the definition of unprofessional.”

Unlike the Ikea delivery service, which was prompt and efficient.They delivered the Äldvalen in perfect condition, after which Carter and Iassembled it. Two hours later, the massive, olive-green sofa graced Shelly’sliving room.

“It looks awesome,” Shelly squealed, filling the glasses withtequila after a job well done. “Guys, I owe you one.”

“No problem, sweetheart,” I said, drinking up.

“No, I mean it,” she said, blushing and looking at Carter. “Food?Drink? Sexual services? Name your price.”

He chuckled and ruffled her hair when she slapped her forehead asif she’d just remembered something.

“Ciggies! Shit, I need to pop by the newsstand to get someciggies. Don’t leave! Then we can have a few more shots and get back to thestation before Chief Bibb notices we’re gone.”

After she ran out of the apartment, I pushed Carter against thewall, barely restraining myself from strangling him. “What did you mean byalright?”

He laughed. “I meant somewhere between poor and excellent.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“Are you fucking with me?”

He slapped my hand away, looking smug.

“I’m not doing anything.”

I stifled the need to slam him into a wall and decided to conversewith him instead.

“So, what’s next for you, Dominic? Are you going to kiss a bunchof people before you realize that my tongue in your mouth tasted as good as itdid?”

His jungle greens flashed in anger, telling me he didn’t likethat.

“There’s no next for me,” he said, pushing me further away fromhim.

“That’s actually true, but do you know why?” I said, smilingsweetly. “You finally got the taste of something that you like, only it has adick, so now you’re kissing strangers in the hope it will go away.”

Ooh, he was mad now, but he tried to control it. He merelysnickered, lowering his gaze to my lips.

“And why do you think your mouth tastes good to me?”

I rolled my eyes. “Oh, please.”

“No, say it.”

“Oh, I don’t know, Dominic. Maybe because you get a boner everytime I breathe in your direction.”

His expression told me there was a fist coming my way.

“Take that back.”

I shrugged. “No problem, partner. I’ll do it as soon as you proveit.”

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