Page 73 of Badges
I want him to be tempted by my tits.
Mesmerized by my mammaries.
Bedazzled by my boo—
Stop.
Preening in front of the mirror isn’t telling him the important stuff.
Like the truth.
I have no doubts I could seduce him again, but he deserves more.
We’ve been living like roommates the last few days, barely exchanging any conversation.
I miss it. I want that connection back and more.
After tossing my long, black hair up in a ponytail, and giving myself a swipe of lip gloss, I find him stretched out on the couch.
His hat hangs low over his eyes, but raises so he can appraise me. The muscle of his jaw tightens into a starburst below his temple. “You’re fast,” he grunts.
I can’t see enough of his face to tell if he’s being sarcastic or not.
So I shrug. “I didn’t want you waiting too long.”
Reaching into the top of the cupboard, I grab out two to-go cups and fill them to the top.
He might not have asked, but I know he drinks a lot of coffee and it won’t go to waste.
When I hand him his as he stands next to the passenger door, his brows shoot up his forehead. “Thanks?”
Last time we left together, he didn’t open my side.
This time he does.
Interesting.
Maybe he’s not horribly mad at me?
“So, I was thinking after lunch we could pick up some stuff for Cynthia’s room? I have no idea what she’d like.” He drapes his arm on the console, tempting me to want to reach out.
Geez, I’m such a chicken shit. I stuff my hands between my knees as we drive. “That sounds very kind. You’ll like her, she’s an easy going kid.”
“We still haven’t pinpointed who put her in the foster home. Apparently it’s a group facility run by a retired nurse. Hopefully that means she wasn’t hurt while she was there.” He grits his teeth, then squeezes the steering wheel. “I better get a copy of her paperwork. That’ll tell us who sent her there.”
My heart races at the fact that I might get to see my sister soon.
After all of this, just knowing she’s safe and will be taken care of makes it worth it.
Pulling into the parking lot of the Hilltop Bar, my hackles rise knowing Val will be in there.
Here I am, feeling jealous over him, yet keeping him at arm’s length.
What the hell is wrong with me?
He crosses quickly around the front of the truck to get to my door, then holds up his palm.
Gingerly, I slide my fingers over his, the burning from his touch runs down my arm to sizzle deep in my belly.
