Page 69 of Lust
“You realize we both suffered because of him sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong. We could have been together years ago if you’d only asked me out.”
He gave her a sad smile. “Maybe the bond wouldn’t have finished triggering back then, anyway.” He sighed and pinched his nose. “Parker couldn’t have known that I was afraid I’d end up like my father, that his comments would cut so deep. He had no clue what was going on in my life. Or maybe he did. It pains me to say this, but he was only trying to protect you.”
She slumped. “I’m sorry. It should never have happened, but while we’re on the subject of confessions…” She forced herself to meet his gaze. “I have something to confess.”
He folded his arms with a smirk. “Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah.” She bit her lip.Here goes. “The night before I left for my, um, extended training, do you remember I gave you the ball, but you fell down the trellis to meet me in your yard?”
He nodded with a frown.
“Well,” she continued. “After you fell, and your father hit you, I kinda… sorta… threatened to kill him.”
“What?”
She shrugged. “I was so angry. I put him in a choke-hold, and he peed his pants, and I said if he ever touched you like that again I would come after him and kill him.”
Joe stilled. His nostrils flared as he grappled with his thoughts until he finally concluded, gripped her shoulders, and stared intensely into her eyes, so hard that she felt it through her body.
“You risked your secret, for me,” he said. “When you were fifteen.”
She gave a hesitant laugh. “I guess, I loved you even then. I just didn’t know what it was, or how to show it. I’m sorry, I should have—”
Joe’s lips slammed down on Liza’s. He dragged her to the ground, right there in the kitchen, ran his hands up her thighs, and slid his fingers between her legs.
“Oh,” she gasped, surprised, as he kissed his way down her front, ripping the last of the buttons on his shirt off. “If I’d known this was my reward, I would have told you a while ago.”
“You said you loved me,” he murmured against her skin, then kissed the hollow of her belly button.
She smiled. “I guess I did.”
* * *
Walkinginto the precinct with Joe was surreal. Maybe it was that their relationship had shifted, solidified, and they walked in, united, but the placelookeddifferent. Felt different. It seemed as if everyone watched them, but Joe didn’t stall. He strode strongly and proudly. Liza did too.
“We’ll touch base with Briggs and Geoff,” Joe said as they pushed through the front door. “We also have your portrait artist sketch, so can perhaps canvas with that.”
“What about your… other investigation?” she asked.
“You leave that to me.” They got to Joe’s office, but found Captain Morais standing there with two uniformed officers.
Morais checked his watch and gave Liza a grim look.
Her stomach dropped. Her pulse quickened. She turned tentatively to Joe—could he have betrayed her? No. Not after last night. Their relationship was solid. She knew that deep in her soul. He looked as flummoxed as she was.
“Liza Lazarus,” Morais said. “We’ve received a formal complaint of unwarranted use of excessive force. While the matter is under investigation, you’ll need to hand in your firearm and your badge.”
“You’re suspending me?” she gaped.
Morais held his palm out, waiting for her things.
Liza met Joe’s stare. “It’s him. The Ripper suspect.”
Joe grabbed Morais’ arm. “Is he still here?”
The two police officers stepped forward, ready to intervene, but Joe let go of the captain.
“You know we can’t reveal the personal information of a victim of police brutality,” Morais said.
