Page 187 of Hot Cops

“Ah, Romantic Hearts.” Jarod caught a glimpse of the books they were holding, and the purple cover with some Fabio-looking dude would have clued him into the genre if the group name hadn’t already. Both women were looking at him like he was a prime piece of meat, and he figured the book must have gotten them good and worked up. He’d clearly have to avoid Thursday nights at this bar.

“Tonight’s story was a pirate one, set in the Regency era. Simply wonderful,” Gladys gushed.

He nodded and tried to keep his thoughts to himself, an unnecessary effort when Stephanie spoke them aloud herself.

“Weren’t pirates dirty, smelly guys who never bathed and robbed people blind? How is that romantic?”

Jarod looked over at her and wondered if he’d met the woman of his dreams.

Gladys shook her head at Stephanie’s disdain. “Oh no, my dear. That’s not the point, is it? This is fiction, so pirates can be debonair, handsome, rough. All those amazingly fascinating things. The hero of this book was quite dashing, and the heroine was a spunky woman who gave him a run for his money.”

“Isn’t that the prerequisite for all romance books?” Stephanie’s deadpan tone was nearly his undoing, and Jarod coughed to cover up the laugh he had trouble stifling.

Gladys didn’t take offense at Stephanie’s observations, and Jarod got the sense this was a familiar conversation. “Ah, we’ll make a romantic of you one day, Stephanie. I haven’t given up on you. So what do you do for a living, Jarod?”

He smiled at the older woman and told his lie smoothly. “Well, I’m no pirate. Just a firefighter.”

“Oh, what an admirable profession.” Gladys’ eyes lit up, and Jarod wondered if she was picturing him as a hero suitable for one of her books.

Another woman joined their circle and Jarod felt Stephanie stiffen.

“Hey, Jayne,” Stephanie said. “This is Jarod. Um, we met at the liquor store and he popped in tonight to surprise me.”

“Oookay,” Jayne said, her gaze not leaving Stephanie. While Gladys and her niece were acquaintances, it was apparent Jayne was a good enough friend to be confused by Jarod’s overly familiar touch and the earlier kiss.

“He asked me out,” Stephanie said.

Jayne nodded. “That’s great. And you say you’re a firefighter, Jarod?”

Jarod confirmed her question with a short nod. “Gladys and Carol were just telling me about your book group.”

“Yep, the Romantic Hearts have been meeting every Thursday evening for over a year now,” Jayne said. “We keep trying to get Stephanie to join, but she seems to be missing the romance gene.”

Stephanie grinned. “I decided it was a better use of my time to get in the sex line twice and skip the mushy-gushy procession altogether.”

Jarod swallowed hard, fighting like crazy to keep down the erection he’d just managed to will away. Nothing worse than standing in a circle of women with a boner. Every word Stephanie said spoke straight to his libido. Unable to resist adding to her jest, he pulled her closer. “That’s very good information to have. What are you doing later tonight?”

The ladies laughed as Gladys shook her head. “Don’t encourage her. You know, Jarod, we’ve been trying to convince a gentleman to join the Romantic Hearts group. It would be fascinating to get the male perspective of the stories we read.”

A refusal was poised on the tip of his tongue, but two thoughts occurred to him. One, if he joined the club, he’d have another chance to see Stephanie, and two—as an afterthought—he remembered his suspect was a regular at Books and Brew. If he’d been any sort of decent cop, he would have thought of the case first, but his cock was currently acting as his brain. “I think that sounds like fun. I might be able to join you for one week. I’m usually on duty Thursday nights, but as luck would have it, I’m off next week. Of course, I’ll only join on one condition.”

It was clear he’d shocked all four women by indicating an interest in reading even one romance novel.

“What condition?” Jayne asked, her voice telling him she’d agree to just about anything, and Jarod knew he stood a good chance at getting his way.

“That Stephanie joins us next week as well. Sounds like we need to expose her to romance.”

“Forget it.” Stephanie tried to shrug off the arm he still had wrapped tightly around her shoulder, but he wouldn’t let her escape. Besides, he liked having her close, and noted how well she fit him. Cheryl had been petite, nearly a foot shorter than him. It had made kissing—and sex—challenging at times. Stephanie’s height was perfect for his six-foot-two frame, the top of her head even with his mouth. He wouldn’t have to bend at all to press a light kiss against her soft hair.

“Stephanie, please. It’s only for one week, and you know we’ve been trying to get a guy to join us for months.” Jayne’s plea was genuine.

“What about Elias?”

Jayne shook her head. “He won’t budge.”

Stephanie gave her friend an exasperated glance that turned malevolent when she looked at Jarod. He grinned. Seemed like someone didn’t like being trapped. Stephanie wasn’t going down without a fight, and it took all he had not to say, “bring it.”

“You may have next Thursday off, but I don’t. I’m tending the bar. If I’m in the group, who would make the Screwdrivers?”

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