Page 16 of Blind Date With a Cop
“Maybe I should taste you first,” I slide my hand under her towel.
“No, no, no!” She giggles, “We really do need to eat something.” She runs out of the bathroom.
I chase her down the hall. “You are criminally sexy in that towel. Illegal, even. I should arrest you.”
She laughs, glancing over her shoulder. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Baby, I’m dead serious,” I growl, making a grab for her. “I’m gonna charge you with indecent exposure. Intent to kill me with temptation?—”
Just as I snag the edge of her towel, ready to rip it off her and tackle her to the floor, we turn the corner and freeze.
Sitting primly on the couch are Nan, Clara, and Cassie’s grandmother, all three of them with purses clutched to their laps and smiles wide enough to split their faces.
“Morning,” Nan says brightly.
“Good morning,” Cassie’s grandmother echoes, her eyes twinkling.
Clara lifts a bakery box. “We’re delivering cookies to the book club members. We thought we’d bring you a dozen.”
Cassie makes a strangled noise beside me, her cheeks flaming red. I can feel my own ears burning.
“Umm…” she clears her throat, “I’m not a member of the book club.”
“Of course you are, dear.”
“No, Gran,” she shakes her head. “I’m not.”
“Well, you are now,” Nan’s grin widens. “It’s nice to see you two having such a fun morning.”
I want to back out of the living room, but I can’t leave Cassie alone. So, as if it’s the most normal thing in the world to stand in front of elderly women naked, I tighten the towel around my waist and smile. “Good morning, ladies. This is a surprise.”
“A surprise?” Cassie mumbles. “This is an ambush.”
“Oh, sweetheart, this is no such thing. Don’t be embarrassed,” Gran waves her hand, “It’s been a bit since I’vebeen chased by a handsome man, but I do remember it’s a wonderful way to start your day.”
“Gran,” Cassie rolls her eyes. “You’re only supposed to use the key I gave you for an emergency. Delivering cookies is not an emergency. And please don’t tell me they’re more of your crazy penis cookies.”
“Penis cookies?” I choke back a laugh. “What on earth are you talking about?”
“These women aren’t as innocent as you think they are.” Cassie huffs.
“Well, we should get going and let you two enjoy the rest of your morning,” Clara says as she gets to her feet, setting the box of cookies on the coffee table. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, honey,” she smiles at Cassie. “But these are just plain old-fashioned chocolate chip cookies.”
Nan elbows Clara in the side. “I told you this blind date would work.”
Gran blows Cassie a kiss. “I’ll call tomorrow, dear. Nice to see you again, Blake.”
“Nice to see you, too.” I wave.
The three of them bustle to the door, chattering like crows. Nan calls over her shoulder, “Cassie, tell your friends about our book club. We’ll set them up on blind dates, too! We meet every Friday night, rain or shine.”
The door clicks shut.
Cassie tosses her hands in the air. “By noon, the entire town of Love Canyon is going to know they’ve seen you naked.”
I can’t help it—I laugh. Hard.
She glares. “It’s not funny.”
