Page 5 of The Final Temptation (Men of Honor 3.5)
He grunts. “Fuck that! Like I want to be around a bunch of pigs.” I tense, taking offense to that term. The only reason he doesn’t like cops is because he deals with them often over his alleged little side business. The asshole’s only savior is his dad, who’s a high profile lawyer. Most of the girls in our school play up to him because of his money and status, when in reality he’s nothing but an arrogant jerk. “I’m actually here to meet up with Scott, but since I saw you two beautiful ladies sitting here I decided to personally invite you to this.” He hands each of us a printed postcard.
I read it and see it’s an invitation to a party this coming weekend in the next town over. “A party in Callingwood?” I ask.
“Yup, and it’s not just any party, it’s going to be the party of the century. We are combining the graduates of Sunset Bay along with Callingwood and throwing one hell of a farewell party to the life of high school. My buddy’s parents own some land buried in the bush, that’s where it’s being held. There will be kegs, music, a bonfire and best of all—me.” He gestures to himself in arrogance.
I roll my eyes, but have to admit it sounds fun. Well, except for the part that he’s going to be there. Suddenly, I feel Mark tense next to me. I glance up to see his face pale as he stares at something ahead. I look over to where his attention is and see Jaxson striding toward us with a look of intent to kill.
“That’s my cue, ladies. I’ll see you this weekend,” he says, then hightails his ass down the back of the bleachers, avoiding trouble altogether.
Jaxson makes his way over, looking pissed. Yeah right, the asshole hasn’t laid claim. Just look at the way Mark hightailed it out of here.
“Hey, Jax,” Julia greets him quietly, and moves over for him to sit next to her.
His expression softens marginally. “Hey, Jules.” He gives her the usual kiss on her forehead then takes the seat next to her. “Hey, Kayla.” He acknowledges me with a nod.
“Hey.”
He looks back to Julia. “What the fuck was Mark Stevens doing up here with you guys?”
She shrugs. “He just handed us an invitation for a big, senior class party.”
He takes the invitation out of her hand and reads it. “This is in Callingwood,” he says, stating something we already know.
“Yup,” she replies easily.
“You’re not going.”
I tense, and Julia falters slightly at his tone. “Excuse me, and why not?”
“Because I don’t fucking like that guy. He’s bad news.”
Julia stares back at him aghast and I watch her aquamarine eyes flare with irritation. “Well I’m not going for him. If Kayla and I decide to go it will be because we want to hang out with our graduating class. You do not have a say, Jaxson.”
His eyes turn downright lethal. He turns and puts his hands on either side of her hips, caging her in, then leans in close and brings his face only an inch from hers. “Don’t push me on this, Julia, I’m serious. I work late that night and I can’t be there to look out for you.”
“I don’t need a babysitter!” she snaps.
They stare each other down and I swear you can feel the sexual tension roll off of them in waves. They seriously just need to get it over with and fuck already.
“Stop being bossy,” she pushes against his forehead and moves him out of her personal space. He relents with a grunt, but we all know this argument is far from over.
Shaking my head, I turn my attention back to the ball diamond. We watch most of the game in silence, except for when I’m cheering my ass off for Cooper, using every kind of pet name I can think of, which ticks him right off. Jaxson chuckles a few times and warns me of the buttons I’m pushing. I just give him a wink, letting him know my intention, and don’t let up.
After the game we make our way down to the chain link fence. My gaze takes in all of Cooper’s hot and sweaty, half-naked glory as he strides toward us. His shaggy, light brown hair pokes out of the sides of his baseball cap while his long, lean muscles and eight pack are on full display. I get the sudden urge to lick every line and definition, wanting to know if he tastes as good as he looks. The man is seriously one sexy son of a bitch.
By his expression I can tell he’s not happy, probably about my catcalling him throughout the game. I ignore his brooding demeanor and give him a bright, innocent smile. Then I put one foot in the hole of the chain link and boost myself up. As soon as he reaches us I lean over and give him a swat on the ass. “Good game, Officer Sexy.”
He falters, obviously not expecting the love tap, but keeps his expression schooled. Jaxson and Julia both try to cover their amusement, but one of the guys from his department overhears me and doesn’t bother to hide his.
“Officer Sexy.” The guy points, proceeding to laugh his ass off.
I start to feel bad about others ribbing him; it’s only okay for me to do it, not anyone else. But then I remember the ticket in my car and my guilt fades.
Cooper shoots him a death glare and the guy quickly shuts up, then he brings his attention back at me. My heart pounds wildly as he steps closer, stopping when his face is only a mere inch from mine. Reaching up he takes his aviators off, and I suck in a sharp breath at the intense hunger in his gaze. My smile spreads, knowing my plan is working, but before I can think of anything witty to say he speaks first. “What was Mark Stevens doing with you, and why the fuck were his hands all over you?”
