Mia put her purse behind the counter, and turned to Shannon who strummed her fingers on the counter. “You know Stan was still in a pissy mood today over that damn tape.”
“And hello to you, too, Shannon.”
“Yeah, go call your friend, and see if he’ll bring it back. Since I have to see Stan more than you do, I’d appreciate it if you’d get him off my ass.”
“What friend would you like me to call?”
“That gorgeous hunk-of-a-man that came in here earlier, that’s who. I’m sure you know the one—he was sporting a gun and a badge. I’ll tell you what, he can arrest me anytime.” Shannon laughed as she looked at Mia.
Cole’s image flashed through her mind, and she felt the heat crawl into her cheeks. Normally, she wasn’t the gossipy type, but damn, she had to tell someone. “He is attractive... What did he say? You told him where I lived?”
“Look at your eyes all lit up with excitement.”
“Shush. Just tell me.”
“No one told him. He talked to Stan, and you know how he feels about cops.”
“He wasn’t rude to him, was he?”
“Why? Would that bother you?”
“Yes, it would. He’s a cop, and it would be disrespectful. You shouldn’t be rude to anyone because of their profession.” Just like the people that came into the station, Mia thought. They threw money at her as if she were a servant.
“Well, well. There’s your man now, Mia. Look!” Shannon leaned over and turned up the TV sitting on the counter.
The ten o’clock news was broadcasting live coverage of a homicide, and Cole was in the background bent over a body bag lying on the beach. Oh, God. She placed her palm on her stomach. What a terrible person she was to feel this excited about seeing him when there was a dead body in front of him.
“Yeah, that’s him—” Mia’s words hung in midair, her last choking out and stopping her speech.
Like a foggy daydream, the vision came.
The image flickers underwater; a girl’s head thrashes side-to-side, as she fights for her life. The surf is tainted red as the girl struggles against the set of strong arms pushing her down. At the base of her skull, two large thumbs held her under, and it isn’t long before the struggling stops. Tiny bubbles drifted up from the girl’s mouth, the last bit of air freed from her lungs. Long black hair envelops her face, floating freely around her as her wide eyes—frozen with fright—stare directly at Mia.
“Mia. Mia!” Shannon snapped her fingers in front of Mia’s eyes, then shook her by the shoulders. “Help you do what?” She stared at Mia. “You were screaming ‘Help me’, but your words were, like, gurgling out.” Shannon scrunched her face, puzzled.
“Turn off the news, Shannon.” Mia struggled with waves of emotion. Her nose burned on the inside, as if stung by water, and her body trembled. They’re coming on stronger, Mia thought with one last shiver.
“Girl, you just freaked the hell out of me. That was strange. I’m out of here. Don’t forget to tell handsome you want that tape.” Shannon grabbed her belongings and snagged her purse on the corner of the door handle as she fled.
***
It was five in the morning when Mia finally stopped moving. Trying to occupy her mind, she had cleaned the entire station. Twice. She sighed in relief—only one hour left. Sitting behind the counter, she propped her feet up.
A car glided into the parking lot and stopped next to the window where Mia sat. The passenger side window descended, inch by inch, revealing the most gorgeous face she’d ever seen.
Cole’s deep, brown eyes locked with hers, and for a second, she thought they glowed. A smile that could melt steel appeared on his face and made her heart pound so hard it echoed in her ears.
When she smiled back, he shifted in his seat as if uncomfortable, his fingers were tracing the steering wheel, and his tongue slid out to wet his lips. Mia leaned toward the window and pressed the speaker button. “What can I get for you, Detective?”
He reached for the mic and then his voice came over the car’s P.A. system. “Come closer to me, Mia—on this side, please.” He tapped the windowsill with his hand.
She stood and walked outside, pausing between the headlights. Fire ran over her flesh as she cocked her head toward him, meeting his heated gaze with a bewitching grin. As she stared, she noticed his grip tighten on the wheel. She continued to his side of the window, yearning to feel his skin as she slid her fingers across the smooth metal of the car and squatted down by his door. Overlapping her hands on the windowsill, she rested her chin on the top of them and let her eyes trail up to his.
“I can’t stay,” he said, softly.
“Why did you come, then?” Mia felt comfortable in his presence, unlike the tension she’d felt in the presence of other men.
“My shift is ending. I wanted your face to be the last thing I saw tonight.” His voice was sincere as his soft eyes caressed her face.
Mia’s heart melted with every word. Can this be happening? He has to be toying with me. There is no way someone like him could be interested in me. No way. Maybe he just wants “it” and figures I’m simple enough not to cause problems when he doesn’t call back. He’s good. Very smooth with his words. I need to remember myself. No men. No touching. Safe. Shake him off, Mia! Her internal struggle caused her to look away from his stare.
“Oh, before I forget” —she took the pack of Reds from her pocket and handed them to him—“these were Art’s. I found them last night on the floor. There’s a note inside.”
Rubbing his thumb across her knuckles, he took the pack and placed it in a hard, black briefcase on the passenger seat.
“Aren’t you going to look at the note?” she asked, still tingling from his touch.
“I’ve seen enough for one night.” As gentle as silk slides on skin, he brushed his hand against her cheek. “I really have to go now, but I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Lost in thought as he drove away, Mia walked back into the store. She wanted to ask him about the girl on the beach and talk more about Art. She wanted to ask him what his favorite color was, and if he liked chocolate or vanilla. She wanted to hear his voice say something, anything to her. As much as she struggled with herself, she knew he made her feel different. He stirred something within her that had lain dormant for a very long time.