Page 6 of Blind Date With a Cop
She blinks, then shakes her head. “Is this all part of the Book Boyfriend thing? Did Nan put you up to it? Are you a cop or are you an actor from Vegas? What’s really going on here?”
“Babe, do you want the truth?”
“It’s the only thing I want.”
“Then here it is.” I stare into her eyes. “I am a cop. I’ve been a cop for twenty-two years. Twenty-one years in Vegas, and this is my first year on the Love Canyon force. I’m not an actor. I’ve met Nan a few times in passing—mostly at church when I take my grandmother. I have absolutely no idea what a Book Boyfriend even is, or about a blind date for that matter. The moment I saw you—before I heard a single word about being set up on a blind date—I knew…you are the one for me.”
Something shifts behind her eyes, “I don’t believe in love at first sight,” she thrusts her chin out. “And I sure as hell don’t believe in marriage.”
“Not yet,” I say, and slide the basket of wings toward her. “But you will.”
She huffs, plucking a wing out of the basket. She dips it, takes a bite, sauce glinting on her lower lip before she licks it away.
I could watch her eat for hours.
“You do realize,” choosing another wing with exaggerated care, “that you sound completely unhinged.”
“Maybe.” I take a wing for myself. “You do realize you haven’t run.”
“It’s only because I can’t judge the best pizza in Arizona without trying it.”
“That’s a fair point.”
Gus sets the pie in the middle of the table. The cheese is bubbling, thick slices of pepperoni curling at the edges, and the scent of oregano makes my stomach growl. He gives me a wink and a wicked grin. “Enjoy, lovebirds.”
“I’m going to have to start carrying a sign,” she mutters, “that says:Not his girlfriend.”
“Don’t bother.” I lift a slice, sliding it onto her plate. “They won’t believe you.”
She takes a bite. Chews. Swallows. Then another, bigger bite. Her eyes flutter shut for half a second.
“So,” I pop a pepperoni in my mouth, “is it the best in Arizona?”
“I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but yes, it is,” she takes another bite. Sauce kisses the corner of her mouth. I reach across the table and brush the sauce away with my thumb, and those green eyes flare.
The room narrows to breath and heat and the thud of my heart. I want to kiss her right now. But I can’t. Not yet.
Our eyes lock, sending currents of electricity charging through me.
“Thank you,” she whispers, grabbing a napkin to dab at her mouth.
“You’re welcome,” I sit back.
Yup, the deal is sealed.
Cassie is the one woman I’m never going to have to say goodbye to.
Chapter Five
Cassie
I should’ve jumped out of the booth the second his thumb brushed sauce from my lip. Instead, I sat there frozen, every nerve ending firing like a sparkler.
It was the slightest touch, a sweet, gentle gesture, but the second his thumb hit my skin, I wanted to fling myself across the table and climb into his lap, which is insane.
And now all I’m thinking about is maybe sex with an older man wouldn’t be so bad. Perhaps I should consider giving Blake a chance.
“Tell me about yourself,” I hear myself say, as if getting to know him is suddenly important. “What makes you tick?”
