Page 107 of Badges
“Mmhmm, I have a surprise for you, daddy.” She pushes her door open, then pats her lap.
When I walk around, I push between her knees. “We aren’t gonna make it inside this way.” I let my fingers push under the edge of her coat to find her bare thighs.
She reaches into the bag and pulls out…One of my uniform shirts?
“I told you it’d fit.” Mischief shines in her dark eyes as she watches me strip off my t-shirt and button up the one with “Sheriff” on a badge.
Then she leans out, falling into my arms. “My turn.” With a flourish, she peels off the long jacket to reveal a low cut black and white striped outfit with the word “criminal” blazed across the chest.
“Damn, baby girl. That skirt is so high it shows off your ass cheeks.” I smack her hip, then grip her thigh with a growl. “You’re gonna make me kill someone tonight, aren’t ya?”
“It’s why I got these, too.” She holds up one finger, dangling a pair of plastic handcuffs. “I’m yours.” Her lower lip pokes out as she snaps one ring over her wrist, then the other over mine.
They barely fit me, but the snap combined with her words triggers something possessively feral in me.
She’s mine.
The crush of bodies when we push in the door slams us tighter together as they sway with the raucous music coming from the stage.
Blue’s fingers fly over the strings of his guitar in a fast paced rendition of The Monster Mash. When he grins into his microphone, I see his eyes fix across the room.
It has to be Libby.
My stomach tightens.
Libby and Elena haven’t crossed paths sincethat day.
“‘Scuse me.” Something firm bumps against my side.
“Sorry, Wade. Coming through!” Sawyer rushes past me carrying a case of vodka, then ducks into the crowd.
I catch a glimpse of his baseball hat working through the chaos until he disappears behind the bar.
Guess Val found a helper for tonight.
“Let’s get a drink.” I have to almost yell into Elena’s ear to be heard over the din.
She nods, tightening her grip on my hand so I can lead her through the moving throng.
I swear this place gets busier every year.
Several times someone calls out my name, holding their glasses up in a long distant cheer. It seems like everyone knows I’ll be here.
Even Blue raises his hand when I manage to glance up as we’re passing the stage. He sets his guitar against a stand, then hops off the end near Libby’s table.
“You’re like that one guy in Cheers,” Elena laughs when we reach the row of stools. “What was his name?”“Norm.” I share her smile. “Except in the show, they liked him. Here, they’re all trying to stay on my good side in case they decide to be assholes later.” I chuckle and throw up two fingers when Val points at me.
A pair of ice cold bottles appear in front of me and I hand one to Elena. “I think it’s time you meet Libby.”
Her cheeks pale. “I’m, um, maybe next time?”
“Believe me, this is the best option.” I press an encouraging kiss to her temple, tossing a glare towards the guy behind her staring at her ass.
Smart of him to turn away.
She follows slowly, dragging her feet as we get closer to where Blue’s table is in the corner.
I know he won’t do anything, we’ve already hashed that shit out.
