Page 25 of Flick

She was glad he was thinking on his feet because she was having trouble processing what had just happenedand happened on a surveillance gig. She never lost control on surveillance.

“Well, you’re in the wrong place. Walk down that way, and you’ll see the line. If you really want to get inside on a Friday or Saturday, they start lining up two hours before we open. Now head on out,” he said, motioning toward the street.

“Thanks,” Flick said and led Beth across the parking lot, his arm around her shoulders.

Why had she never noticed how good Flick smelled? A little musk with the smell of his soap. He didn’t wear cologne because he’d gotten used to not wearing it when he worked. His cologne had caused someone to throw up one time on a call because of the migraine they were experiencing. He never wanted to be the reason someone felt worse.

She focused on walking across the lot, leaning against Flick to sell the idea they were just a couple who couldn’t keep their hands off each other. It wouldn’t be a hard sell for her because all she could think of was kissing Flick again. She needed to experience it one more time to make sure she hadn’t imagined the connection and chemistry they’d had.

This might have made the decision for her. She’d been waffling the last four days since Wichita, trying to decide if she should pursue a relationship with Flick. She’d been more turned on by his kiss than she’d ever been by anyone she’d had sex with. She couldn’t just forget how he made her feel.

How was she going to do her job when all she wanted to do was feel his lips against hers again?

Flick led Beth around the building and wondered what the hell he was going to do. That kiss. That fucking hot, singe-his-eyebrows-off kiss that had changed everything for him. For freaking years since he’d come to Bluff Creek, he’d pushed down the attraction he’d felt for his best friend.

He’d decided he would just deal with the fact that she would never feel the same way about him that he felt for her. He’d told himself time and time again that he was too old for her and that the attraction between them was all one-sided.

But that kiss, besides making his cock so hard he thought it might break, had his heart pounding with the possibilities he told himself were out of reach.

Her nipples had pebbled against his shirt, and she hadn’t wanted to pull away, but would she be open to more?

And should he even try? She was his best friend. Maybe if he repeated that to himself enough, then he wouldn’t imagine sliding her shirt off and that ridiculous bra giving her cleavage she didn’t need. She was fucking perfect exactly how she was, with her curvy-as-fuck ass that he loved watching bounce when she walked.

He kept his arm around her as they walked around the building and started reciting all the reasons it was a bad idea. He was thirteen years older than her, and she was Locks’ baby girl. He didn’t even want to consider what would happen if it ruined their friendship. He wasn’t sure he could survive without hisbest friend. So much of his life at Bluff Creek centered around Beth, especially as his brothers had found their women.

He was so confused when he needed to be concentrating on their surveillance and figuring out what was going on and why the MC and bail bonds were targeted. That kiss was a complication he didn’t have time for, but he was having a hard time putting it behind him.

Everything about Beth had always done it for him, but the age gap and their friendship had him burying his feelings as deep down as he could. That kiss had opened the lock he had on them.

It had changed everything, and he wasn’t sure he would survive the change. He wished his brothers were available to talk with and that he could have some privacy to talk with them. Maybe an outside source could tell him to take a chance or keep a lid on his feelings. He didn’t want to screw up his whole life over one kiss, even though it was the best kiss he’d ever had.

He walked around the corner. He and Beth got in the line to keep in character. They had no hope of getting in, but he wanted it to look like they wanted in, at least for a little while, in case the man who caught them checked the club’s cameras.

He stood with his arm around her waist, listening to the conversations of the people in front of them. The line moved slowly, but it did move. After a half hour in line, they’d made it to the corner of the building and could see the front door.

He had to admit he’d chatted, but for the last fifteen minutes, he’d been daydreaming. That kiss had changed his world, and he was having a hard time concentrating.

Beth nudged his side, and he looked down at her. She flicked her eyes to the group behind them. He tuned into their conversation.

“Have you heard from Casey?” the girl asked.

“Just that text after she stayed at the bar that her mom wasn’t doing well and she was going to have to go home for a while,” the other girl replied.

“I texted her to let her know Jason was available, and she didn’t reply. She’s always so glued to her phone. I thought it was strange.”

“I’m sure she’s fine. Oh, let’s go. I texted Raul; he’s working the door, and we can skip the line,” he said, leading the girls away.

Beth pulled out her phone, typing something.

Flick’s phone beeped.

Beth: Code Marcel—no last name. First name Casey. Stayed at bar later than her friends. No one has heard from her besides a text that night that she was going home because her mom was ill.

Della: Got it.

Flick didn’t have high hopes that they’d find anything. With only a first name to go on and nothing else, chances were slim they’d pick up a trail. Too bad the girls didn’t state what night she stayed late so they could check area cameras.

He and Beth stayed in line for another hour before Beth started complaining she had a headache and didn’t want to stay in line any longer. The rest of the conversations they’d heard hadn’t given any clues besides that this club was the club to be seen at. No one mentioned why, but all the girls seemed excited to possibly get in.

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