Page 146 of Hot Cops

Blake crossed his arms. “I thought you wanted me out.”

“I did, but how could I explain wanting to kick out such an icon of the police force?”

“I was going to take the fall. Tell them I wasn’t comfortable taking my shirt off for the picture.”

Chloe snorted. “Yeah. I’m sure they would have believed that.”

He grinned. “Are you saying I’m immodest?”

“I spent an entire summer with you and I can recall you wearing a shirt less than a handful of times. Usually at my mother’s Sunday dinners and only then because she said you had to.”

Blake rolled his eyes at her exaggeration, though when he considered it, she had a good point. That summer had been hot as hell and they’d spent most of it on his motorcycle, traveling an hour to the Gulf Coast beaches. Or riding beside the Mississippi. Or walking along the French Quarter. Or wrapped up in each other’s arms. “I can come up with another reason to bail.”

She shook her head. “No. I’m a professional and it’s no big deal. I’ll snap a few pictures, then you and I can go our separate ways again.”

“In other words, you’re afraid of your mother and Mrs. Rogers.”

She shot him a dirty look, then said, “Yeah. I’ve decided you’re the lesser of two evils.”

He chuckled, then stepped closer, enjoying the way she held his gaze as he leaned down. “I fully intend to change your mind about that.”

Blake had to give Chloe credit. The woman never backed down from any challenge. “I’m not worried.”

Before he could think better of it, Blake closed the distance between them, placing a quick, hard kiss on her lips.

It was just as he’d remembered—only better. Chloe’s lips were soft and she tasted so damn sweet—like peppermint and chocolate and sunshine all rolled up into one.

He’d spent most of his younger life around jaded, hard women who smelled of booze and cigarettes. However, since joining the police force, his dating life had dwindled down to nothing. Blake had been more celibate than a monk the past year or so. He hadn’t minded that state until he’d seen her again.

He broke the union before Chloe had a chance to reject him…or knee him in the balls.

He tapped her nose playfully. “You should be. I’ll call you later about the photo shoot.”

Blake made his escape quickly before Chloe changed her mind about his participation in the project. He’d been ready to accept her dismissal and walk away. Until that kiss.

Now…well, now…he was driving without brakes. And the crash was imminent.

He grinned as he walked back out into the sunshine, grabbing his helmet and pulling it on.

He straddled his Harley and fired up the engine.

Crashing never sounded so exciting.

CHAPTERTWO

“Earth to Chloe.Pass the potatoes, pipsqueak.”

Chloe gave her brother Jett a dirty look, but passed the bowl of scalloped potatoes as she did so.

Jett dipped out a healthy portion before handing the bowl to their foster brother, Zac.

Jett looked at her and shook his head. “Damn, girl. Where the hell are you today? I asked you three times to hand me those before you even heard me saying your name.”

She shrugged. She’d been floundering around, lost in her own thoughts since running into Blake again at the studio on Thursday. Seeing him had brought up a whole bunch of feelings—sadness, regret, anger—as well as an unbearable mountain of lust. He’d been her first and, while she’d never admit as much to the asshole, there was some truth to that line about him ruining her for all other men. While she’d taken her fair share of lovers, Blake had always been the yardstick she’d compared them to and none had measured up. Not even close.

Which pissed her off even more because hell would freeze over before Blake Mills touched her again, and she didn’t care if that meant taking responsibility for every single one of her own orgasms from now until the end of time.

“Chloe!” This time it was Justin yelling her name.

---