Page 11 of Enticed

But since then, our relationship has shifted. She’s muttered words to me that any viral man could never unhear and not think of each time I’m in the shower and need a release.

Clara has become a siren that is trying to desperately lure me into her stronghold—and I’ve been able to resist thus far.

It’s strange. Given any other circumstance, I would give in. A willing and gorgeous woman trying to entice me into her bed? What stupid, single man would fight that?

But it’s different with Clara. Maybe because I know her? Maybe because she’s my sister’s best friend and I know that’s a line we would be crossing? But most importantly—she only offers up a tryst when she’s been drinking—and the last thing I’ll do is take advantage of a woman when she’s drunk.

“Just make the call, Walsh. There’s no harm in asking and time is of the essence here,” he commands, pulling me from the twisted thoughts my mind revisits frequently when it comes to Clara.

“Sure thing,” I give in, knowing I need to find some courage and collect myself before dialing her number. I know I could ask Olivia for it, but that would look suspicious, and the last thing I need to do is upset her even more and make those pregnancy hormones rear their ugly head. Instead, I find Clara’s case file and pull her number from her personal information.

“Hello?” She answers breathlessly.

“Clara?” I question, hoping by some miracle I typed in the wrong number.

“Cooper Walsh, is that you? To what do I owe the pleasure of your call?” She teases as I hear a car door slam in the background.

“Picking up your car, I assume?” I tease her right back, enjoying our quick-witted banter like always.

“Actually leaving a greasy breakfast to cure my hangover. And hey, if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have needed to pick up my car this morning.”

“I’m not going to apologize for driving you home last night, Clara. Be mad all you want, but be grateful you didn’t wake up in the hospital instead of your house.”

I hear her exhale in defeat. “You’re right. Thank you, Cooper… you’re always saving me,” she lowers her voice, and I can’t help but hear the desperation in it.

“It’s my job,” I reply like usual, even though again, the feeling of needing to save her that night went far beyond the call of duty.

“So what do you need, Coop? You never call me,” she says as her voice becomes more distant, but playful. Her phone must have connected to her Bluetooth speaker.

I make my way outside of the station and close the door behind me to grant myself some privacy.

“So I have a proposition for you,” I start.

“Okay…”

“Next month the station is having a fundraiser for our fallen deputy program,” I continue, explaining all of the details of the event, even the Date the Deputy portion.

“Oh God! That’s great! It will be like a beauty pageant for all you guys, parading around in uniform and being drooled over like you’re a piece of meat!” She exclaims in the phone, filling the line with her laughter.

“Yeah, yeah. Anyway, Captain wanted to know if you would be willing to donate your advertising services to help us spread the word. You’d have to work for free, but…”

“Count me in, Cooper. I’d love to help out.”

“Really?” I ask astonished that she agreed so quickly.

“Hell yeah! That’s a great cause and I’ll find time.”

I smile wide at her commitment. “Thanks, Clara. I’ll let Captain and the committee know and someone will be in touch.”

“No problem. It’s the least I can do given everything you’ve done for me…” she trails off, and I catch the intention behind her statement.

“I was just doing my job, Clara,” I answer again.

“Yeah, I know,” she says, and I swear I can hear her roll her eyes through the phone. “At least this is one way I can show my gratitude—to you and the rest of the guys.”

“Well, this will be fun,” I state more to change the subject, hoping to keep the conversation strictly professional.

“Oh yes, it will be,” she says, and I can hear the mischief in her voice. “I guess we will be seeing a lot more of each other than just our nightly pick-ups… huh, Coop?”

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