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She tipped her head to the side. “You don’t have criminals to catch?”
“I’m off duty, remember?”
“It’s hard to remember when you’re still in uniform,” she said, gesturing at my uniform.
I took off my duty belt and set it on one of her tables, then unhooked my bulletproof vest until all I wore was a department-issued tee.
“I didn’t say you had to take it off.” It might have been my imagination, but her tone sounded breathy.
Was she attracted to a man in a uniform? Was it any guy or me in particular? “It’s not comfortable to wear a vest all day. You get used to it, but I could use a break.”
She smiled. “You look more relaxed already.”
I enjoyed her slow perusal of my body. When her cheeks flushed and she looked away, I asked, “What do you think you’ll try first?”
“Ice to make it thicker and to, hopefully, dilute the powder. If that doesn’t work, I’ll add more pineapple.”
I rubbed my hands together. “Let’s do it.”
Who knew I’d enjoy spending an evening in a juice shop, making smoothies?
We mixed so many different combinations, I lost track, but Remi noted each thing, and the amount she’d tried.
A crease appeared between her eyes I wanted to smooth over.
“We’re close. But not there yet.” Her shoulders slumped, and when she looked up at me, she looked exhausted.
“We should call it a night.”
“I really want to figure this out. When I get an idea, I want to finish it.”
I moved around the counter, resting my hands on her shoulders. I kneaded her tight muscles and reassured her, “You’ll figure it out.”
She let out a breathy moan, leaning against me. “That feels so good.”
I kept going until she’d all but melted into me. I liked her this way, languid and relaxed. Would she taste as sweet as the last smoothie we made? Or would she be spicy like the ones with cayenne pepper?
I paused my manipulations but didn’t let go of her. Her skin was soft and warm under my fingers. Her head tipped slightly to the side as if inviting me to kiss the skin there. I wanted to cradle her head, turning her in my arms to take her mouth…to taste pineapples and strawberries and Remi.
Instead, I stepped back. This wasn’t a date. I was helping her out. We were acquaintances, not even friends.
She turned to face me, a sad smile on her face.
Unable to resist the flyaway hair from her messy bun, I tucked it behind her ear. Her cheeks were flushed, but whether it was from the work she’d done or my proximity, I wasn’t sure.
I want to kiss her.
The tightness in my chest warned me it was a bad idea. Kissing her was crossing that line I’d drawn between us so many years ago. I’d chosen her sister, which hadn’t been a conscious decision as Remi was too young for me back then.
Now, she was grown up and irresistibly enticing.
An image of her sister, taller with darker hair, popped into my mind, and I shook my head to clear it.
Remi moved to clean up the mess we’d made on her counter. There was powder on the floor and pieces of fruit, remnants of milk, and juice all over the counter. I should offer to stay and help her clean up, but if I stayed any longer, I’d lose control. I’d lift her onto the counter, step between her legs, and show her what I’d been hiding.
I wanted her.
Gesturing toward the door, I said, “I should get going. I told Max I’d meet him for a drink.”
