AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Thank you.” She clasped her other hand over mine, trapping me, unless I wanted to be rude and pull it away.
“For what?”
“For understanding.” A few seconds later, she added, “You believe me about the guy, don’t you? The guy who attacked me?”
“Yes, I do.”
I ledSerena into the sheriff’s substation and let myself relax. Inside here I didn’t need to worry about protecting her from an anonymous man only she could identify. Black pants and a black leather jacket weren’t enough to rule anyone out.
“Hey there, Cobra,” Deputy Noreen Skagmont purred from behind the counter. “It’s been too long.”
It had been a year since her first come-on, and a month since I’d last been in here. She wasn’t giving up yet.
I nodded rather than agree with her. “Hi, Noreen. This is Serena Benson.”
Noreen didn’t give Serena a glance. “As I recall, you owe me a dinner, big guy.”
“It was lunch,” I corrected.
“My goodness,” Noreen exclaimed, finally noticing Serena’s cuts. “Did he beat you up? I can arrest him for that.”
“Really?” Serena asked, bringing a finger to her chin.
“Yeah, but he might like the cuffs.” Noreen giggled.
I leaned against the counter. “Serena was in an accident up in the hills today,” I explained, trying to get us off the crazy train. “They transported her to UCLA. I’m told you have her belongings?”
“On North Sepulveda,” Serena supplied.
Noreen’s brow scrunched. “You know, with interest accrued, lunch should now be dinner.”
Serena shifted, an amused look on her face.
Noreen didn’t move to her keyboard, as I’d expected. “Do we have a deal?” she asked.
Serena nudged me.
I wrapped an arm around Serena’s waist and looked down with my best smile. “What do you say, honey? Will you let me go to dinner with Noreen?”
“No.” Serena melted into me, playing it beautifully. “Sorry, Deputy,” she said with syrupy sweetness. “He’s taken.”
Noreen eyed us suspiciously.
Serena’s warmth against me ignited an urge to pull her closer, an urge I gave in to, telling myself it was only a subterfuge to get out of a dinner with Noreen. It made sense.
Serena looked up, and I swore a hint of desire lit her eyes. She lifted up on her toes to press her lips to mine.
I leaned into the kiss, feeling the softness of her lips, the slightest moan as my tongue slid across them. I then brought my hand up to run my thumb along the underside of her breast.
Serena’s whimper as I teased her breast was Oscar-worthy. Her hand locked behind my neck, giving her leverage as she deepened the kiss, seeking more, exploring more, the ultimate temptress. Noreen’s exaggerated cough reminded me to break it off. This was just for show. At least that’s what I told myself as my heart sped into full-blown attraction speed.
Serena blinked rapidly as I pulled away. Had she only meant the kiss to throw the deputy off, or had she wanted to follow up on that note from years ago?
It didn’t fucking matter. She was a client now and nothing more, acting and nothing more, the daughter of the man who’d ruined my dreams and nothing more.Nothing the fuck more.
Noreen huffed. “You could have just said she was your girlfriend.” She clicked her mouse furiously. “North Sepulveda?”
“That’s right,” Serena said.
