There it was. He might be in town for business, but he was ready for fun.
“Damn, man, are you trying to get us hauled in? We’re supposed to leave tomorrow.” His friend or brother, or whatever he was, leaned across the seat and gave her an apologetic smile. “I’m Destin Casing and I’m sorry about that. Sometimes Paul doesn’t know when to keep his mouth shut.”
She’d had her fair share of propositions from civilians, some sincere and others trying to charm their way out of a ticket. But she’d never taken any of them up on their offer. Not only was it not professional, it was downright dangerous in her line of work. Besides, for the past six months since that awful day that had changed the way she viewed life, she hadn’t felt a twinge of desire for any man.
Until now.
Is that what that sensation is? Am I turned on?
She handed back his paperwork. “See that you let the company know about the taillight. I know it’s not a big thing, but having a brake light out can cause problems, especially if we get snow or if you’re taking a long trip on the highways.”
The touch of his fingers on hers jolted her. It was a lightning bolt to her hand. His eyes narrowed as his smile widened. She straightened up, not knowing what to think.
It’s been a while, but not that long. Or has it?
The sensation, however, was gone the instant their fingers no longer touched. She was about to ask if he’d felt it when she decided it was better left alone. Instead, she glanced at Mack, who shot her the thumbs-up, indicating that the car’s plates had come up clean.
She nodded her head at Destin, then at the equally hot Paul. Two amazingly attractive men from one family. “Okay, then, I’ll let you go with a warning. If you’re staying longer, you should take the car back and switch it out for a new one. Drive safely.”
“Hey, Officer…” He let his question fade off.
“Officer Georgia Fox.” Her name was on her nameplate that was fixed to the front of her jacket. Maybe he hadn’t noticed. Or maybe he just wanted to talk more. As cold as it was standing beside their car, she wouldn’t have minded shooting the breeze a little while longer. Truth of it was that she wouldn’t have minded doing more than that. Again, she chastised herself for thinking unprofessional thoughts.
She glanced back at Mack and could tell he was on the verge of getting out of the car to see what was taking so long. He was a veteran officer, nearing retirement. The overhead lights of the cruiser shone on his bald head. He had good intuition and wouldn’t wait long before making sure she was all right. She shook her head at him, letting him know nothing was wrong. Still, it was good to know that Mack had her back.
Paul edged out the window far enough for the breeze to catch his hair and ruffle it. She had to resist the urge to do the same with her fingers.
“How about joining us for a drink later? We’re staying at the Wilmont Hotel downtown. Do you know the place?”
“I do.”
At least it was a sincere offer. The issue of whether or not he was getting a ticket was gone so it couldn’t mean he was trying to influence her. But it would still be unprofessional to take him up on the offer. Not to mention the fact that they were leaving town tomorrow, so what was the point? She wasn’t the type for one-night stands.
“Then you’ll meet us later. Say around nine?”
“I don’t think that would be a good idea, sir. Like I said before, be careful and have a safe trip home. Good night.” She caught the disappointment on his face before she pivoted on her heel and strode away from the car.
She paused, once again resisting the compulsion to take him up on his offer, then kept walking. Listening to the sound of his car pulling back onto the road gave her a sense of loss.
“That’s stupid.” She slid back behind the wheel of the patrol car and into the welcoming blast from the car’s heater.
“What’s stupid?” Mack’s voice had taken on a harsh, gravelly sound to it lately. Either it was an effect of growing older or smoking. She hoped it wasn’t anything worse.
“Nothing.”
“No problems then?”
“Nope. Just a couple of guys in town for business. They’re headed home tomorrow.”
“You sure talked to them a while. Are you sure there wasn’t anything else?”
Why Mack would ask was beyond her. Had he sensed her attraction to them all the way from the squad car? But that was ridiculous. He was just doing his part as her partner. If there’d been a problem, she would’ve stepped away from their car, then signaled to him to join her.
“You sure you’re okay?”