Page 44 of Beyond the Badge: Nox

Forget he ever met her.

But what he wouldn’t do was leave her at the community center by herself. He couldn’t leave yet. Not until she did. “I’ll wait while you finish closing up.”

Her head tilted to the side and one eyebrow hiked up. “Why? You don’t think I’m capable of turning off the lights and locking the door by myself?”

He sucked on his teeth. “You can’t simply say thank you?”

“No. Because I don’t need you to protect me.”

“You’re going to get it, anyway. Just so you know, I can be just as pushy as you. Let’s see how you like it.”

He noticed most of the lipstick she’d been wearing was now gone. He glanced at the back of his hand and saw exactly where it went.

Fuck.

He asked, “What do you need to do yet?”

For a second, nothing but air escaped her parted lips, then she directed a huge smile at him.

He didn’t like that smile, nor the gleam in her eyes.

“To close up,” he added, his pulse speeding up once again.

Oh yeah,this woman was dangerous. Because he wanted nothing more than to make short work of walking to where she stood with her hand planted on her hip, so he could take her mouth again.

She had woken something deep inside him.

Something that had been sleeping.

He didn’t like it, but he couldn’t deny…

He wanted her.

“I already told you,” she started, her honey-smooth voice now husky, “turn off the lights and lock the door. I don’t need your help for that.”

“You’re right, you don’t. I’ll walk you out to your car, then.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“I’ll walk you out to your car,” he repeated more firmly.

“Fine, Officer Lennox, since you feel the need to protect and serve.” She jerked into motion, walking toward him.

What was she up to?

She kept coming straight at him, her hips rocking smoothly with each step she took.

Jesus Christ, she was sexy as fuck. All curves and smooth ebony skin. Her dark, observant eyes held a mischievous spark more often than not. Full, soft, kissable lips. Long legs made even longer due to the high heels she wore.

He held his breath as she stopped toe-to-toe with him, leaned in and raised a hand…

Then the lights went out and the room turned pitch black, all except for the slightest red glow from the lit exit sign above the door.

“See? I could do that all by myself.” Her words whispered over his lips.

Christ, she smelled good, too. Better than those damn chocolate chip cookies. “I’d give you a cookie for your effort, but they’re all gone.”

“Well, look at that,” she murmured, “your sense of humor does exist. It was just shoved all the way up your ass, along with that stick.” Her nails scraped lightly along his jawline, then her thumb swept across his bottom lip.

---