Page 7 of Booking Burke
“Enjoy campus patrol, guys.” Cisco’s laughter followed us out into the hall.
Jesus Christ, I’d forgotten aboutthatfresh hell. College kids sucked on the best of days, never mind with the pressures of exams being off. “If you need to piss, now’s the time.” Eli pointed to the men’s room door.
“I’m good, sir.” Burke’s dark eyes darkened with desire. Eli couldn’t help wondering if it was over Burke calling him “sir.”
Eli shook his head. “Let’s go. I don’t want to hear you bitching later that you’re going to explode.”
“Oh, I’m going to explode all right, Officer Dixon,” Burke whispered loudly enough so only Eli would hear him.
Motherfucking fuck. This wasn’t good. Five minutes into their shift and Eli wanted to jump the kid. The only cure for this was a busy night with lots of calls. Elias pushed through the door leading out to the parking lot. When they got to the cruiser, Eli shoved Burke against the passenger door. “Listen and listen well. You’re here to make up for the bullshit you pulled last night and to learn something about law enforcement. If all you’re here for is to flirt with me and try to get into my pants, you can leave now.”
The light in Burke’s dark eyes dimmed. “I’m sorry, sir. It won’t happen again.” Gone from Burke was everything that made him absolutely irresistible last night. His swagger. That smile. His smart mouth begging to be kissed or fucked. Shit and double shit, what had he done?
Sighing, Elias hit the button to unlock the SUV. He climbed in silently and saw Burke securing his seatbelt. “Campus patrol is exactly what it sounds like. We’ll be around Salem State all night. There are still kids on campus who are waiting for their parents to come get them this weekend or who are here for summer session. What do you think you should do if we roll up on a scene involving someone you know?”
“Keep my mouth shut, for a start.” There was no snark in Burke’s voice. No spark either.
“That’s a good answer. What else?” There was one thing in particular Eli was hoping Burke would figure out. What was worrying him more than the kid not getting the answer right was the way he seemed to be deflated.
“Watch what you’re doing so I can learn from you.” Burke shrugged. “That’s why I’m here.”
Eli couldn’t tell if that was a smartass answer or if the kid was just regurgitating the exact thing he’d just said. “That’s a good idea, but not the point I’m hoping you’ll grasp.” Itwasn’t exactly a fair question, but Eli was trying to get Burke to look outside of himself.
Burke looked lost. Eli wasn’t a fan of that look combined with having the wind taken out of his sails.
“As a police officer, the most important thing we do is remain impartial. It might be your first instinct to take the side of a friend or acquaintance, but in doing that, you might not see both sides of a story.”
Burke was nodding thoughtfully. “I hadn’t thought of that.”
“Unit 21?” Kendall’s voice crackled over Eli’s mike.
“Twenty-one here.” Eli was thrilled they had a call. Maybe getting a glimpse of his future career would turn Burke’s frown upside down.
“Got a noise complaint at Atlantic Hall. Caller said the music keeps disturbing their private time.”
Private time? Jesus Christ, just fuck to the beat. “10-4, I’m en route.”
“Didn’t see you tonight, Dix.” Kendall sounded disappointed.
Eli rolled his eyes. Now that he’d lost interest in Kendall, his former crush seemed to be ramping up his interest. “I was making plans for my ride along.”
“Mmm, I saw that boy…” Kendall trailed off.
“He knows I can hear him, right?” Burke shook his head.
“Oh, yeah. He knows. That’s why he said it.” Those words were Kendall’s push to get to Burke. Over my dead fucking body, Eli thought. During the six months Kendall had been with the SPD, he’d had his cock in every gay man in a three-town radius. Eli shook his head. What the hell had he ever seen in that man-whore in the first place?
“He’s got a nice voice, but I’m not interested.” Burke shrugged before turning to look out the window.
“Oh, no?” Eli was sure the kid would change his mind once he got a look at Kendall and his dreamy eyes.
“Got my hands full at the moment.” A hint of Burke’s earlier swagger was back.
Elias felt his cock jerk in his pants. It was on the tip of his tongue to ask what they were filled with, but they were pulling into the dorm parking lot. “Stay close.”
Eli got out of the SUV and instantly heard loud rap music. The beat was so heavy, it shook the ground. He started walking toward the front door.
“Hey!” Burke shouted as he ran after Elias. “Don’t I get a bulletproof vest?”
