Page 132 of Beyond the Badge: Crew

“And you got one this morning. Remember that?”

“Should I remind you that afterward you got so damn spooked you ran out of there like a ghost was chasing your ass?”

“I had things to do.”

He certainly was good at telling stories. “Uh huh. Anyway, I don’t need a babysitter. You can go home and get your beauty rest.”

“I’ll leave when I’m ready.”

“Then, I’ll leave instead.”

“Not without your pay first.”

“Maybe I can get Bulldog to give me it early so you can take it with you,” she emphasized, “when you leave.”

“Why do you care if I stay?”

“Because you’re only here to look for a reason to pull me.”

“That’s not why.”

Bullshit.“Then why?”

When he pulled in a breath through his nose and released it out of his mouth, it tickled the strands of hairs that had escaped from her braid. “Those bruises concerned me, if you want to know the truth.”

“I always want to know the truth. And I said I could handle it and I have. I just didn’t want to take a stand the first couple of nights, so my ass wouldn’t be kicked out before my foot was securely wedged in the door. Whether you believe it or not, I actually had a plan and it worked. Bulldog now sees my value, so if I hurt a few of his customers along the way for being handsy, he’ll be more tolerant with my actions than pissed.”

“I also had a discussion with him.”

She frowned and pulled her head back to get a good read of his face. He might be annoying, but he was also too damn handsome for his own good. “What did you say?”

“Simple. I put my fucking foot down as any ol’ man would do when his ol’ lady is being touched—or even hurt—by another man.”

“And how did Sasquatch take it?” Cami asked him.

“Surprisingly, better than expected.”

“He must have since you’re still planted on that stool and not being planted six feet under.”

“Believe it or not, I have excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills. I can be very persuasive.”

She snorted. “I’m glad I’m not drinking anything right now because you’d be wearing it.”

His eyebrows rose. “Do you doubt my skills?”

“In bed, no.” She’d at least give him that. “Yourinterpersonalskills, yes.”

He grinned and his fingers flexed on her ass. Which was still slightly sore from this morning. “Oh, so you’re saying I’m the best you’ve ever had in bed.”

“That’s not what I’m saying.”

“That’s what I heard.”

“Then turn up your hearing aids,oldman.”

She fought her grin when his chuckle came deep from within his chest.

“You liked me spanking your ass and youreallyliked me fucking you afterward.” His eyes flared. Most likely from the memory.

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