Page 45 of A New Days Don

Massimo raises a brow in question, clearly picking up on the fact that I am not joining Lucas this evening. Shamefully, I mutter, “I got a suspension for abandoning Lucas and my cruiser.”

“The other night?” Massimo’s thumbs on my hips rub soothing circles, ones that calm my racing heart more than they should. I nod in response.

“Which is stupid, because I’m the only one putting together this case. Vicek, Lucas, and the forensics have been stomping all over it without a care in the world.” I ramble, and once the words start spilling from my lips, I can’t stop them. Every frustration, every bump that has happened in this case, things I should probably not say to anyone other than my therapist, who is sworn to secrecy, but Massimo is here, and the second those words break the metaphorical dam, it all comes out.

“I am almost certain, Vicek has it out for me. I mean, c’mon! This has been going on for years, and he’s still all over me like a wet–” My words are caught in Massimo’s mouth as he places his lips on mine. My ramblings stop, my body listening and moving with his in a dance that is starting to become familiar, like we’ve done this a million times.

All too soon, he is pulling away, a purr rumbling through his throat. His voice is thick and raspy as he says, “That Vicek guy is a prick. If you want to investigate this case and you know what your next step would be, which it seems you do, then do it. You are banned from field work and can’t arrest anyone for the next 3 weeks, but that doesn’t mean you can’t walk the streets of Vegas and chat with people off duty.”

“Are you suggesting…?” I trail off, my eyes darting to the corner that leads to the bullpen.

“Tonight. I will pick you up. Don’t wear your officer uniform.” Massimo winks at me. He looks me up and down, his mouth slightly parted as his tongue licks his lower lip as if remembering what I taste like.

Heat flares in his dark eyes and holy crap… I didn’t think the man could look more attractive, but apparently, he can. I’m shocked to see the desire and lust swirl deep within those coffee-coloured eyes. How is it possible that all this man is attracted to the way I fumble our kisses?

“Don’t overthink it,” Massimo muses as if he can hear my thoughts, “See you tonight.”

With that, Massimo pulls away, leaving me to watch his retreating figure.

Chapter 19

Mila

My phone vibrates on the small corner desk in my bedroom. My pulse skitters in my chest, sending a wave of nerves through me—not panic, something sweeter, maybe even a little addicting. Anticipation, maybe?

“Are you going to answer it?” Karmin muses from where she’s lying on my perfectly made bed.

I don’t move as Karmin finishes my French braid. She insisted that she was going to come over and help me get ready for this evening, even though I told her this wasn’t a date. Just two… Acquaintances? That seems too platonic for what we are, but friends seems too real, too heavy and attached for whoever Massimo is.

“I should cancel,” I stammer breathlessly.

My phone is starting to look more like a ticking time bomb than a device for communication.

“Yo, Miles, look at me,” I do as she says, giving her my best fake smile, “You’re going to be fine and if you aren’t and you want out of said date–”

“Not a date–”

“Sure, sure, if you want out of said date, then shoot me an SOS text. I have your location, and yours truly will barge in with the excuse that Steven died.” Steven being her cactus that has been sitting on her windowsill, very dead, for the last two years.

My gaze shifts to my phone as my ringtone begins to go off. Why the hell did I give him my number?

I didn’t realize Karmin had stood up, until I see her next to my phone and sliding her finger across the phone, “Hi, this is the social secretary of Mila Lewis.” I run to Karmin, but she doesn’t give me my phone back as she nods while saying ‘mhmm’ into the speaker.

“She’s getting there.” Karmin shrugs, walking away from me. I follow her. Padding closely behind, while sheer mortification swells through my body.

“You better have brought her the biggest fucking bouquet of flowers, or she isn’t going out tonight.” Karmin sasses as we walk down the steep, thin staircase of my rented townhouse.

“Karmin!” I gasp, “Give me the phone!”

“Well, yeah, who else is going to make sure she gets everything she deserves?” Karmin muses, “You better or I’ll hunt you down and saw your balls off with a rusty blade.”

A pause.

Karmin points to my shoes, and suddenly, I realize we are by my front door. Massimo stares in through the distorted glass of my front door, his phone pressed to his ear, and a look of sheer amusement written all over his features.

Karmin’s tone is sugary sweet as she says, “No, not a threat, a promise.”

I pull the door open, my heart beating wildly as I look to Massimo. He is dressed to the nines and looking like he is ready to strike a deal or kill a man, as he always does. The top three buttons on his dress shirt are undone. I tear my gaze from his broad chest to meet his dark eyes, glinting in the yellow streetlamp lighting.