Hardass (Bad Bitch)(51)

Was he asking me on a date? Was this a date? What did he expect? Sex—

“Hey, stop thinking. Just say yes.” He pulled up next to my car.

“I, um, yes.” I scrambled out, my brain not directing my body to move in sync.

He leaned over. “Good. See you in two hours.”

“Right.” I closed the door, and he backed away as I got into my car and cranked it. Did I just say yes to a date with my boss? The one I’d sworn to best in our little game of Tease? Cue the hyperventilation.





Chapter Thirteen


Wash

My non-fraternization rule lay shattered and broken, the pieces crunching under my tires as I rushed home to my apartment. Something about holding Caroline during the roughest part of our case, and more than that, that she trusted me to take care of her, made my self-imposed rules seem arbitrary at best. Why shouldn’t two consenting adults be allowed to do what they want?

I squashed the quiet voice of dissent in the back of my mind that warned of trouble. Caroline and I had been working this case and fraternizing for a while, and nothing bad had come of it. As long as we were careful, it could stay that way.

I pulled into my parking spot and took the stairs two at a time up to my apartment, stripping as soon as I got the door open. The arrangements I’d made for the night via phone on the way home would prove interesting. It was a devious plan, but one I thought Caroline would appreciate. I smirked just thinking of how surprised she would be. Would it be enough for her to ask me to kiss her?

I stepped into the shower, but the water was cold enough to have me hopping back out again. She’d clouded any semblance of rational thought still left in my head. Get yourself together. Adjusting the knobs, I changed the water to a temperature that wouldn’t make my balls retreat inside my body and stepped back in.

I still couldn’t believe I’d asked her on a date. I shook my head under the warm spray. I hadn’t asked someone on a date in years. And an associate? Never. I didn’t think it through, didn’t weigh all the options; I’d just done what I wanted to do. It wasn’t normal for me, not even close, but somehow, it was a relief. Finally giving in to her, giving in to my need for her, felt right. Maybe, just this one time, rules were made to be broken.

Remembering her reaction had me smiling as I scrubbed the shampoo into my hair. My cock was already hard just thinking about her, but I wasn’t going to give in. Not this time. I wouldn’t get any release until she was writhing beneath me.

I dried and dressed, forcing myself to slow down even though every nerve in my body itched for me to hurry back to her. My phone buzzed, and I caught it before it vibrated off the dresser. The screen lit up and a familiar face gave me a stern look.

Fuck. I swiped across the screen. “Hi, Trent.”

“Wash. Glad I caught you. Judge Lane just called me up for drinks with a few other gentlemen. We’re meeting at the Green Room in half an hour. I’ll call ahead and get a table in the back. Want me to pick you up?”

I sat on the edge of my bed, the fire inside me tempered by the sound of my partner’s voice. “I kind of have plans.”

“Plans? Since when do you have plans?”

“I have a date.”

Trent laughed. “Then by all means, do not let me interrupt that. It’s been too long for you. I can entertain the erstwhile judge. Do I know her?”

I scrubbed my free hand along my duvet, my palms suddenly sweaty. “I don’t want to jinx it.”

“Okay, then.” He chuckled. “Though I warn you, for touting itself as a big city, New Orleans is still just a small town, so I’ll hear about your mystery date sooner or later.”

My mouth went dry, and I lay back on the bed. “Yeah.”

“Don’t worry. I’m sure it’ll take at least a day or two before I get the scoop. Make hay while the sun shines, and I’ll see you in the office next week.”

“All right. See you then. Bye.” I tossed the phone as if it had stung me.

The weight was back, settling on my chest like lead. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. A light scent fluttered around in my lungs. I looked to the side and saw I’d thrown my dress shirt in a heap on the bed. I grabbed it and pulled it to my nose. Caroline. Her perfume had rubbed off on me, sinking into the fabric.

What would I risk to get close to her like that again? I already knew the answer to my question. Everything. She filled my waking thoughts, and I couldn’t think of a moment when I didn’t want to be with her, talk with her, touch her soft skin. I’m so fucked. I crumpled the shirt and tossed it next to the phone.

I would just have to get out ahead of it with Trent somehow. When the time was right, I’d sit him down and tell him. As it was, I stood and returned to my closet. I had a date, and nothing was going to keep me from Caroline.