Page 45 of Protector Daddy

“Honey,” I said in a low voice. “I don’t know who you think you’ll be having sex with in the police station, but it’s not me.”

She looked as if I’d slapped her.

For once, the age difference between us didn’t just seem sexy. It was as if I’d suddenly realized she hadn’t seen or experienced as much life as I had. Maybe that was part of why I’d fallen for her so quickly—sexually. Because it was far too soon for more.

It had to be.

I started to turn away, but she gripped my forearm. “I’m sorry.” Her voice was hushed, contrite. “I got ahead of myself. This is your job, and it’s not a joke. Not just a temporary gig like me at the bakery. It’s your profession.”

“Yes, it is.” My arm relaxed in her hold, and I reached up to cup her cheek. She immediately turned her face into my hand. “Is it going to be your job too?”

She pursed her lips. “I want it to be. I want to work there. But I don’t know if it’s right for me. I just know I want to give it a go. Maybe that’s not smart considering my brothers are there and considering…” She lowered her head. “You. Us. I don’t want to have to choose.”

“Then don’t. I have to work tonight. You heard Brady.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Yeah, I heard the putz.”

“But you can work with me, get used to the rhythm of the police station.”

“As long as that’s the only rhythm she gets used to,” Brady muttered.

“Too late there, sailor.” Honey flashed a peace sign at her brother before her expression sobered as she met my gaze. “You mean like shadowing you? Do you know what the Dispatcher does?”

“I have a good idea. And it’s informal. The Chief wants to bring in Gina’s mom to start training you, once you’re committed to coming on board.”

“And once her daughter finishes giving birth,” Brady chimed in.

Honey and Tabitha let out a synchronized squeal.

“She’s in labor?” Honey asked.

“Yeah. Why I ended up needing to work. The Chief obviously can’t be on shift tonight.” I lowered my voice. “If you want the job, take it. Don’t worry about your brothers or me or anything else. Think of yourself first.”

“I want the job.” She drew in a deep breath. “I can be professional about all of this. I will be professional.” She threw back her shoulders and I commanded my gaze to remain level on hers. “I won’t disrespect the faith that the Chief is putting in me by giving me a chance to do this right.” Her lashes fluttered. “And you.”

Brady coughed. I had a feeling he had plenty to say about that, but I just cupped her chin and nodded. “I know you won’t, Honey.”

Unspoken messages passed between us. Subtly so only I could see, her lips moved against my thumb as she murmured the word “Sir”.

My cock stirred in my tight uniform pants as I hissed out a breath. “Good girl,” I returned just as softly.

I wasn’t entirely sure the full meaning behind the energy transferring between us, but whatever it was, we were both fully on board.

“Hey, Officer McNeill, wondered where you ran off to.” Jimmy Greer, the new officer, called over from the sidewalk, and reluctantly, I let my hand drop from Honey’s face. “Already see where you went to, Officer Masterson, and gotta say I fully approve.”

Instinctively, I moved closer to Honey and damn near growled like a rabid dog over a juicy piece of steak.

Jimmy immediately stepped back and lifted his hands palms out, flashing an easygoing grin. “Just saying, man. No harm, no foul.” He inclined his chin toward Honey. “I’m Jimmy. You are?”

“My sister.” Brady shot him a serious side-eye.

“Oh, gotcha.” Jimmy tacked on another smile. “Nice to meet you, Officer McNeill’s sister and Officer Masterson’s not sister.”

Honey cocked a brow at me and sidestepped me to stick out a hand toward Jimmy, which he took with obvious trepidation. “I’m Honey, the new Dispatcher.” She bit her lip. “Maybe, depending how things go.”

“Oh, you work with us?” The interest on Jimmy’s face made my fingers curl into fists.

I had no claim on her. Not really. Added to the fact that she was closer to Jimmy’s age than mine and he was like an eager, probably excessively horny puppy who most likely still crushed beer cans against his head and did other things that young, excitable men did to woo super hot women.

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