Page 213 of Hot Cops

It was nearlyeleven when Stephanie dragged herself out to her car. Jayne had left earlier in the evening due to a killer headache. Sophie had taken off with a few friends, opting to keep the party going by barhopping downtown. Jordan was still up in her office, working on the accounting books. There was a twin bed there, and Stephanie wondered how many nights her friend chose to sleep above the store, rather than return home to her lonely apartment.

Stephanie had practiced what she would say to Jarod all night. Her stomach did nervous flip-flops as she’d considered every potential outcome. There were too many bad ones to contemplate.

Somehow, in a few short weeks, her hot cop had shattered all her preconceived ideas regarding relationships and romance. While she still didn’t believe in love at first sight, Jarod had proven it was possible to feel a spark, a connection that made a person want to learn more. That was exactly where she was now. She wanted to know him better, wanted him in her life. She grinned as she thought about his unfailing patience as he set out to prove exactly what they could have together, who they could be to each other. If she lost that…

She couldn’t finish the thought or else she’d fall apart. For the first time in her life, she wanted to be someone’s girlfriend. God, please let him still want her in that role.

As she approached her VW Bug, she noticed a Camaro parked directly behind her, blocking her in. She sucked in an anxious breath as Jarod emerged from his car.

He leaned against the driver’s side door as she walked closer, and she could see he had no intention of moving. Her heart stuttered and she felt the smallest kernel of hope. He was here. He’d listen. She’d make him listen.

“Excuse me,” she said, quickly clearing the lump out of her throat. “You’re double-parked.”

He lifted his hands as if unconcerned. “Parking’s brutal in this city. Besides, I’ll only be a minute.”

She tried not to laugh as he repeated her words to her, playing along. That had to be a good sign. She crossed her arms. “So your time’s more valuable than mine?”

He shrugged. “You missed a big breakfast—leftover spaghetti and garlic toast. Raided your fridge. Hope you don’t mind.”

Her laughter at his joke unexpectedly released the tears she’d managed to keep at bay all night. “I’m sorry. God, I’m so sorry.”

He stepped forward quickly, enveloping her in his embrace. “I know you are.”

She pulled away, looking up into his handsome face. “I suck at this girlfriend shit.”

“You sure that’s what you are? You know, you could get lucky and we’ll figure out it’s only lust after all.”

She shook her head. “No. It’s too late for that. I’m sort of in to you.”

He studied her face seriously, though his eyes betrayed the humor he was finding in the situation. “In to me. That’s good.”

“Just good?”

He grasped her hand, squeezing it tightly. “I’ve been walking around with my heart on my sleeve for weeks, begging you to date me. It’s your turn.”

She acknowledged the truth in his words, reveling in the way he pulled her closer, the smile on his face. “Yeah, well, don’t expect me to get all sappy and start reading romance novels and sayingI love youand all that crap.”

“So noted. You feel like putting this girlfriend thing to the test?”

“How?”

“Leave your car here and come back to my place.”

That didn’t seem like much of a test. She quickly agreed. “Okay.”

He narrowed his eyes at her, pointing out the obvious. “You won’t have your own vehicle.”

“I know.”

“You try to steal mine in the morning and I’m arresting your ass.”

She laughed. “I’m not going anywhere, Jarod.”

“Good.”

He opened the door to his Camaro and she claimed the passenger seat. Neither of them talked as they drove to his house. Stephanie was still reeling from how easy it had been. She’d opened herself up to a commitment and all that it entailed—fights, jealousy, breakups. Something told her the possibility of those things was going to be overshadowed, if not completely obliterated, by the good stuff—laughter, sex, dating.

Strangely she’d sort of expected the ground to open up and swallow her after she’d made her commitment to him known. Or at least a lightning strike in the near vicinity. She hadn’t anticipated how natural all of this would feel.

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