Page 56 of Tough as Steele

She took a cleansing breath. “You don’t even limp.”

“Noticed, did you?” He grinned at her.

“It’s not like that.”

“Like what?”

“Personal. Just a work observation.”

“Yeah, like I noticed your legs in those spiky heels.”

“Hey, I can’t account for your actions. Only mine.” Loving the sudden easiness between them, she smiled back at him.

Their eyes met and held for a long moment. They were flirting, and they both knew it, and she liked it. Liked it a lot. And if his softer grin said anything, he did too.

Someone tapped on the window. Londyn spun to see Bristol, eyebrow arched and studying them.

“Coming out or what?” she asked loud enough to be heard through the closed window. Probably meant the others could hear her too.

Londyn forced herself to open the door and get out.

Bristol cast an interrogating stare at Londyn. “What’s going on?”

“Just talking.” Londyn made sure her voice was casual.

“About?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing keeps you locked up in the car when a crime scene awaits you?” Bristol rolled her eyes. “I don’t think so.”

Nate jogged around the vehicle to stand by Londyn. Bristol bounced her focus between them, her eyes lighting up.

She zoomed in on Londyn. “It’s like that, huh? Good for you. Getting back out there after Brad turned out to be a creep.” She gave Nate a direct stare. “You’re not a creep masquerading as a charming, good-looking guy, are you?”

“Not a creep,” he said. “But thanks for thinking I’m charming and good-looking.”

Bristol shook her head. “I didn’t mean to compliment you.”

“Where’s Detective Easton?” Nate asked, and Londyn was thankful that he brought them back to the reason for the visit.

“Way to dodge things.” Bristol locked her intense deputy stare on Nate, and Londyn knew a warning was coming. “Hurt my sister and you’ll have five women coming after you, five women who know just the right way to hurt a guy.”

For the first time since Londyn had met Nate, he looked uncertain, but only for a split second. Then he recovered, that blank expression firmly back in place. She was beginning to think he used the look as a defense mechanism. Don’t let others see what you’re feeling—eventhatyou’re feeling—and you won’t have to pursue the emotions. She could understand his reasons. He didn’t want a relationship any more than she did.

“So,” Londyn said. “Easton?”

“Follow me.” Bristol’s gaze locked on Nate. “But don’t think I won’t have my eyes on you.”

She stepped off, and Nate eased up next to Londyn.

“She always so intense?” he whispered.

“Not usually,” Londyn answered with her own low tone. “But there’s definitely inherited intensity in our family. She just doesn’t want me to get burned again.”

“I would never hurt you,” he said, sounding sincere. “At least not on purpose.”

And there you had it. Most people didn’t go into a relationship meaning to hurt the other person. Although in hindsight, Brad’s prior relationships should’ve told her he was going to hurt her, and he didn’t care. But he was an exception, right? Guys like Nate, with good manners and integrity, wouldn’t intentionally pursue her knowing he would hurt her.

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