Page 193 of Hot Cops

Her unease centered on the man himself. She’d never felt such an instant connection to anyone. He was getting into her head and under her skin. A state she simply wasn’t comfortable with.

Her cell phone rang. Glancing at the number, she laughed. “Yes?”

“You’re still following me. I’m taking that as a good sign.”

She smiled at his taillights, turning left when he did. “Don’t get too cocky. It’s still hit or miss back here.”

His sigh was loud enough to carry through the line. “Yeah, that’s what I thought. Figured I’d call to distract you.”

“That’s cheating.”

“I’m a desperate man.”

God. Everything was so easy with him. They’d talked for three hours at the bar, and the time had flown by. He was funny, intelligent, interesting, and she’d found herself sharing things about herself she’d told very few people.

“You’ve gone quiet,” he said. “What’s going on in that sexy brain of yours?”

“There has to be something wrong with you.”

“I told you what’s wrong with me. I’m too nice.” She could tell from the tone in his voice, she’d amused him.

“Don’t be absurd. That’s the dumbest breakup line in history. I think that one might top the it’s-not-you-it’s-me bullshit.”

“I’m arrogant, controlling and a homebody. I exercise a little too compulsively and I leave wet towels on the bathroom floor.”

“Gross.”

“Do you need more?”

“No,” she joked. “I’m still trying to recover from the wet-towel flaw. That’s a biggie. We should probably call a halt to this now.”

“Stephanie. I know we just met and I know we’re driving to my house for sex. But I’m not intending for this to be a one-night stand. I think you’re funny and pretty, and I’d like to ask you out for a real date to see where this thing leads us. I’ve had a great time tonight. Even if you did turn around and go home right now, I’d still call you tomorrow and I’d still want to see you again.”

She sighed. Greatest thing a guy had ever said to her. She wasn’t a romantic, and she didn’t believe in love at first sight, but even she could appreciate the beauty of that line.

“I’m not going anywhere tonight except your bed. Are we almost there?”

She felt like she could actually hear his smile through the phone. “Actually, as luck would have it, we’re here.”

He pulled into the driveway of a brick rancher. The front-porch light was on, illuminating a couple of rocking chairs and an honest-to-God porch swing. The place looked homey and inviting.

“Nice,” she said, as she put the car into park and turned off the ignition. She was still holding the phone and talking to Jarod, even though he’d climbed out of his car and was walking toward her.

“Glad you like it,” he said into the receiver, disconnecting as he opened her car door. “Home sweet home.”

“Gotta admit, I expected an apartment or even a condo.”

“I inherited it from my grandmother when she passed away a few years back. I’ve spent the last three years trying to update the inside—move the interior design out of the seventies.”

She feigned a wince. “Oh God, don’t tell me. Shag carpet?”

He nodded. “Wall to wall—brown and gold. But not to worry, that’s all gone now. Ripped that shit up the first weekend I moved in.”

He took her hand and helped her out of the car. She grabbed her purse then engaged the locks as he led her up the porch stairs to the front door.

He put the key in the lock then turned to look at her. She expected him to ask her if she was sure she wanted to come in. Instead, he surprised her. “I’m really glad you’re here, Stephanie. Never thought I’d say this, but I feel like crime paid today.”

“Open the door, Jarod.”

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