***
When I get off later that night (I decide to work a few hours of overtime), I notice Dean leaning against his squad car across the street.
“Are you here to give me another ticket?” I say, walking over to him. “What’s the offense this time?”
“It’s technically jay-walking.” He points to the light. “You should’ve waited to cross the street just then.
I hold out my hand. “Where’s the ticket?”
He gently pushes my hand away. “Where’s your car?”
“Three blocks up.”
“Do you need a ride?”
“No, thanks,” I say, but he opens the passenger door anyway. I consider walking away, but I decide to go with it.
He shuts the door as I climb inside, and he cranks the engine once he’s inside.
Of course, he makes a U-turn and goes in the opposite direction from the parking garage where I park my car. I don’t say anything, though. I could use an extra five minutes off of my feet.
I lean my head against the window and I can feel him looking at me, but I don’t look back at him.
When we finally do reach my car, he, shuts off the engine. Without saying a word to me, he gets out and opens my door.
“Thank you,” I say, getting out. “Are you working overtime today?”
“Unfortunately.”
My traitorous body whines at that thought.
“Well, um...” I can’t help but look into his eyes. “Thank you for the ride.”
“You said that already.”
“I’m allowed to say it again.”
“You are.” He steps to the side. “Are you going to go home?”
I nod and start to walk past him, but he grabs me by my waist and pushes me against his squad car. He pins my body to the metal with his and his lips quickly find mine.
“Dean...Dean, stop.” I say, breaking our kiss. “Shouldn’t you be going back to work?”
“I am.” His lips reconnect with mine. Keeping me pinned to the car, he continues to kiss me hard and sucks my lower lip into his mouth.
I hear voices coming over the radio through his lowered window, through the radio on his belt. As much as I don’t want him to stop, I can’t help it.
“Shouldn’t you answer that?” I pull away again. “Sounds important.”
“It’s not.” He grips my hips, but I grab his hands and move them away. “They’re all talking about dinner, Mia.”
“Still...” I manage to move away and slide against the car to the backdoor. “The past several nights have been rather interesting, but for right now, I think we should spend a little less time doing that and a little more time talking, so you won’t lose your job.”
“First of all,” he says, “I’m not going to lose my job. I’m the best cop on the force. Second of all, what exactly do we need to discuss in this particular moment?”
“I don’t know. Is there something you want to ask me?”
“Yes. Why are you over there and not over here?”
I roll my eyes. “I’m being serious, Dean.”
“There’s really only one thing on my mind right now, Mia, so excuse me if I don’t want to stand here with a goddamn hard-on and have a deep, thought-provoking conversation.”
“Okay, that’s my cue.” I consider walking away, but the way he’s looking at me, keeps me pinned to my spot.
“Fine.” He sighs and places his hands on the hood. “Were you and your last boyfriend serious?”
What? “What do you mean, were we serious?”
“Were you fucking him?”
My jaw drops, but I quickly recover. “We lived together. What do you think?”
“Did you love him?”
“No.” I cross my arms. “What about you? Minus the obvious sex question, which I already know is a yes, were you in love with your last serious girlfriend?”
“I haven’t had any serious girlfriends.”
“In ten years, you haven’t dated? All the girls you’re bringing around now are just gateway girlfriends?”
“I’ve definitely dated, but I haven’t had any serious or gateway girlfriends. I have yet to find anyone that compares to my last one.”
This is a trap...This is a trap...
“Well,” I say. “I’m sorry that I can’t say the same. You’ll find someone comparable one day. I did.”
“Your ex is someone who compares to me?”
“In certain aspects, yes. Very much so.”
“What aspects?”
“It doesn’t matter. We broke up. Oh, wait. The two of you are definitely comparable in that aspect.’
“What aspects, Mia?” He looks angry and offended.