Page 49 of Man Cuffed
“Are you going to use yourglue stick?”
“Awwwww yeah!”
This is my life right now. How did I get here?
I should interrupt Lance right now because I can see he’s thinking hard. And that is a scary thing on Lance. The wheels are turning in that pointy head. “So...”
I brace myself.
“What if you changed your rules? Be the author of your own story, Mac. Write your own next chapter. I think I saw that on Instagram. What I would’ve done in your situation is I would’ve banged her. Pushed her up against the wall and told herI want you more than I want to breathe right now.And then I’d kiss her some more, just to warm up. And then the good stuff happens. I read this string thing once in a book...”
I’m really trying to focus. Is Lance going to tell me something about String Theory?
“...It involves a complicated system of like ropes and pulleys and stuff so you tie her up, or she ties you up, whatever, and according to how you maneuver the pulley system, you can expose any part of her body...with her consent, mind you, I’m not a monster...and that’s what I would’ve done next.”
I know I shouldn’t ask him any questions, but sometimes I just can’t stop myself. “Where would you get the pulley system?”
“Oh, anywhere. Home Depot? And if I didn’t have a pulley system handy, I’d make one out of a soup can and some duct tape.”
“What?” I sputter.
“Yeah. Duct tape is fucking amazing. And I’ve got rope in my car. All the time. I’m prepared. So I’d create this intricate pulley system and I’d…”
I’ve had enough. “Let’s go,” I say.
Also, I’m ashamed to admit, I’m a little turned on by the idea of Meg in front of me, wrapped in rope. Or silk. Or just plain naked.
Wait. No. I will not think of Meg and how it felt to pin her up against the wall and finally kiss her, for real. I will not think of how instantly hard I was pressed up against her or how I felt actual thirst for her. I will not think of how much I wanted to take her to bed.
No. Nope. Nada.
Our radio squawks to life with a nearby call. Dispatch is looking for a unit to respond. So I grab that radio like it’s a life raft and report that we’re back on duty.
And just like that I’m back in cop mode. One thing this job has taught me is to be focused and disciplined. I need all the energy and focus I have to get the promotion I deserve.
So I’m not thinking about Meg at all this afternoon. Nope. For at least a solid hour, I’m Teflon. Or titanium. Whichever of those is stronger. It’s working great until my cell phone lights up with a text that says I GOT THE FUCKING PART!
I immediately bust out with a stupid grin. I have to congratulate her, of course. That must be why I find myself pulling over to hit the dial button. Some things can’t be texted. Good news has to be exchanged personally.
“Tell me,” I say as soon as she answers.
“I’m in Chicago! And I did that same scene that you, um, helped me prepare…” Her voice has a smile in it. I like that. “And it took them all of three minutes to offer me the role. My agent said she’s never had a callback that went so well.”
“That’s amazing!” There’s a little smile in my voice too. I sound really freaking chipper, and Lance is giving me a look, so I dial back on that. But then it hits me, and it’s like a cold bucket of water. “So when are you moving?” My neighbor is leaving my life as swiftly as she entered it. That’s good, right? It’s what I wished for.
I’m not sure why I feel a pain in my gut.
There’s a pause. “Moving? What the fuck, Hot Cop. I’m not moving anywhere. I get killed off after six episodes. Plus, I’ve lived in Chicago before. I don’t want that life anymore.”
“Oh.”
Ohhhh. I feel tremendous relief, and I don’t even know why.
I clear my throat. “Well that’s just great. And if you need some more help…” So much for discipline. What exactly can I offer her? We can practice that scene again? Naked? I can make love to you for hours? “You can do a ride-along with me,” I blurt out. “For research. I’d have to get it approved, but we’ve done that for a couple of writers and a reporter once, so it shouldn’t be an issue.”
As soon as I say this, I realize it’s a double-edged sword. If she was riding with me, I’d get a blessed break from Lance and his fucking soup-can pulley systems. On the other hand, she’d be sitting there looking cute and torturing me while I try to work.
But maybe she’ll turn me down.
