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Cody’s feet were up, his hat was down, and he was confident he could get a good twenty-minute nap in before he was back on patrol. Today was really kicking his ass. Not only was he pulling a double shift, but he was doing it on hardly any sleep. Last night had been a lot. And not what he was expecting at all.
But he wasn’t trying to think about it right now. He’d done enough of that. It was the very reason he was dangerously sleep deprived in the first place. No, he needed some goddamn peace, if only for twenty minutes.
Just as his eyes closed, a violent bang startled him into action, hat flopping to the floor, feet hitting the ground and his hand poised over his gun.
“What the ever-loving fuck?” he snarled.
Cat stood in his doorway, bright blue eyes glared back at him depicting enough rage that if possible, would have shot daggers square into his chest. “Have you lost your mind, McBride?”
“Have you?” he countered, unable to keep his voice from rising.
She looked just as tired as him. The kinks she’d put in her hair last night were still there but seemed a lot more unkempt. But even with no makeup on and what looked like some sort of oversized t-shirt dress, she still managed to take his breath away. And that was really damn annoying.
“You reported my dating profile and had my fricking account suspended! Why? Why would you do that?”
Shit. How did she find out?
Cody scrubbed his face. There wasn’t anything he could say to justify what he did. He knew that. So did she. So, in the spirit of their kiss and not pretending anymore, he decided to lay it all out.
“Because, Cat, like I told you last night, I don’t want you anywhere near any goddamn cowboy. That’s why. And what the hell were you thinking with all those damn riding jokes? Are you trying to get yourself killed? Do you know how many psychopaths there are out there?”
Her hands darted to her hips, cocked for full dramatic effect. “That’s not your decision to make, Cody. And my jokes were funny as hell and you know it.”
Is she being serious right now?
His feet were moving before he could make sense of all his chaotic thoughts. With every step he took, she stumbled back until he had her crowded against the wall. His hands went to either side of her head, boxing her in.
“That’s what you’re angry about? How funny your goddamn jokes are?”
Her chin shot out, angry eyes narrowing on him. “No, Deputy Dick, I know I’m fucking funny. What I don’t know is why you took it upon yourself to police my damn dating life?”
“I told you why.” Even he could hear the intensity tinging his voice. “Did I not make myself clear last night? No one fucking touches you but me. Understood?”
He felt her shiver vibrate against him, a shaky breath stinging his lips. She was just as turned on as he was.
“I’m not playing your goddamn game, Cody.” Those heavy breaths told him otherwise. “You shut my profile down, fine. It doesn’t matter anyway. I snagged myself a cowboy the old-fashioned way.”
Heat spread through him like wildfire. Twenty-four hours after having his hands all over her, his tongue inside of her, she’d really gone out and found herself a date? Seriously?
“That better be another one of your jokes, kitten.”
“Do I look like I’m joking?” she challenged.
“What part of no one else don’t you understand?”
“What part of its none of your damn business don’t you?”
“Who is he?” Cody seethed, his blood going straight from a manageable simmer to boiling all over the fucking place.
He watched her hesitate for a second. He even saw her gulp. “What, so you can sabotage that as well?”
“Tell me,” he demanded. He was not messing around anymore.
“His name is Wade. I believe you know him?”
Wade Evans? Zach’s brother. Jesus Christ. That’s how she’d snagged herself a cowboy. His dumbass best friend had set her up.
Letting out a string of curses, he didn’t miss the smug smile spreading across Cat’s pretty face. “You enjoying this, kitten? Is driving me insane fun for you?”
“I could ask you the same question.”
He blew out a long breath, more than aware it was sinking into those parted pink lips of hers. What he wouldn’t give to taste them again. Those lips were worth the crazy. The head-fuck. And the all-out shouting matches.
“Don’t go.”
“What?” Even her whispers were wobbly. She couldn’t deny what was bubbling between them.
“On your date. Don’t go.”
“Cody ...” she started but didn’t finish, those bright orbs avoiding his gaze for the first time since she’d burst into his office.
His hand left the whitewashed wall and went to her. Using just his knuckle, he nudged her delicate chin up toward him. “Look at me, kitten.” He waited, and even as her eyes fluttered closed, he waited some more. “This thing between us ... it’s not going away. How long before what happened last night, happens again?”
Her eyes finally opened, fierce determination sparkling in them. “Forget about last night, Cody. I’m serious. Wipe it from your memory ‘cos there’s no way in hell it’s gonna happen again. This is done. We’re done.”
A shove to his chest forced him back. She was in the doorway just moments later. Her hair whipping around one last time. “And stay the fuck out of my love life.”
Well, that could have gone better.
***
It was Friday night, just a few days since Cat had stormed into his office and all hell had broken loose. Still, it felt like it was yesterday. He was no less pent up and no less frustrated. If anything, things were much worse. He’d been out of his mind with jealousy since he’d found out about Wade. Even Dylan had noticed. And that wasn’t good.
“You gonna be a good boy for Mrs Molly tonight?” Cody gave Dylan’s hair a ruffle.
“Yes, Dad,” he replied dutifully. “What time are you coming home?”
He had no idea how long this would take. It really depended on how much of a scene he made.
“I’m not sure, little man.” He crouched down beside the armchair Dylan had folded himself into. “Why don’t you start thinking about where you want to eat on Sunday after we’re done fishing?”
“I wanna go Burger Factory.”
Of course he did. The boy was practically made of burgers at this point.
“All right, bubba. Burger Factory it is.” Leaning over, he lay a big kiss on his cheek and ruffled his hair one last time. “Be good.”
One last nod to Molly and he was out the door.
Tonight, he’d switched the patrol car for his truck. Which was lucky because he wasn’t exactly on his way to do anything upstanding. It had taken him a total of one minute to find out when and where Cat and Wade’s date was. And that was where he was heading.
Stupidly, he thought the drive over to Casalingo would calm him down. He was wrong. His palms were sweaty, and his heart was already trying to break free of his ribcage by the time he’d pulled into a space just across the street from the little Italian restaurant.
If he thought he was dangerously close to losing his cool now, then what he saw next really didn’t help. Cat and Wade in the window seat. Smiling. Laughing. Something inside of him snapped. He was slamming the truck door one minute and pounding the pavement the next. Red dots appeared behind his eyes as he burst through the restaurant’s double doors.
Way to think this through.
Cat’s eyes widened as he marched over, the fire in his gut fuelling every movement. “What the—”
Call him a caveman. A man-handling prick. A possessive asshole. It didn’t matter. Right now, he was all of those things. But he didn’t care. Because Cat was over his shoulder, and he was making a break for it, Wade hot on his heels.
“Put me down you neanderthal!” She kicked and punched.
“What the actual fuck are you doing?” Wade called out, anger clear in his voice.
Amazingly, he made it back across the street with his balls intact. But there was no doubt he’d have more than a few bruises coloring his body tomorrow.
Well aware of Wade’s growing annoyance behind him, he flung open his truck door and turned around, Cat still over his shoulder. One thing at a time. First he’d deal with him, then he’d handle her.
“I swear to God, McBride, I’m gonna kill you,” Cat screeched. “I’ll bury your body and dance on your bloody grave.” Cody winced as more punches landed on his back.
“What the fuck, Cody?” Wade asked again, fists now clenched beside him.
“Look, man, I love you like a brother, you know that,” Cody started. “But this here is my woman. I get that you didn’t know, but now you do. So, you’re gonna need to back the fuck up ‘cause I don’t wanna have to kick your ass. You understand?”
Cat’s loud snort echoed around the quiet street. Cody waited patiently as Wade looked between him and Cat and back again.
“Your woman, huh?”
“I’m not his fucking woman!” Cat yelled, another hit leaving a mark.
“Yes.” Cody nodded. “She’s mine. You don’t believe me ... ask her where she was on Sunday night. Ask her if it wasn’t my goddamn tongue down her throat in the backroom of the Tipsy Cow.” He had no doubt she would corroborate his story. Cat was many things. But she wasn’t a liar.
“Arsehole.” This time he let out an oof as a kick landed on his stomach.
In turn, Wade let out a sigh. “You know I can’t just walk away, man. Your woman or not, you can’t just go kidnapping her against her will. Badge or no badge.”
No, he couldn’t. Wade was right. He needed a new plan. Like this one was planned so well? Who was he kidding, there had never been a plan. Tightening his grip on a wiggling Cat, he decided his only choice was to reason with her. But to do that, he needed her alone.
“Can you give us five minutes?” he asked a sceptical looking Wade. “I won’t go anywhere. I’ll stay right here with her. You can keep an eye on us from the window. If she still wants to go back inside with you after five minutes then I’ll go. I swear.”
A stare down commenced. He just hoped Wade could see the sincerity in his eyes.
Finally, after what felt like forever, he nodded his agreement and sauntered back inside. Thank God. Now they were alone, it was time to put her down and hope for the sake of his sanity he’d be able to convince her to leave with him.
The moment her heels hit the asphalt, she was in his face, her rage pretty damn apparent. “What the hell do you think you’re doing, Cody? This is not cool. Not fucking cool at all.”
“You want the truth?” He took a cautious step closer.
“No, fucking lie to me. Of course I want the truth, you idiot.” He had to hide his smile as he watched her eyes roll.
Letting the still air wrap around them both, Cody thought about how honest to be. There was no point in lying anymore. Not to himself and not to her. He wouldn’t be here right now if he hadn’t already made a decision.
So, what are you waiting for?
Inching closer, he didn’t miss Cat’s sharp inhale. Or her pupils dilate. “The idea of you with another man makes me want to burn the goddamn world down.”
She wasn’t good at hiding her feelings. That was obvious. So was the moment she visibly softened. The truth was working. Which was a good thing because that was all he had. When she didn’t reply, he kept going.
“I want you. And I think you want me too. Go on ... try and tell me you don’t feel it. Tell me you don’t feel this?” His hand gestured back and forth between them.
He could see her struggling. Her inner voice was probably giving her just as much shit as his was. So, he gave her time. Using his own to drink in the view. She was a sight for sore eyes. Tight black satin dress, sky-high heels and her beautiful long black hair curled to perfection. And when those sapphire eyes eventually met him again, he had to swallow down the lump in his throat.
“Fine. But just because I feel it doesn’t mean anything is gonna happen. Or should happen. Come on, Cody, be real. How would it even work? I mean, we can’t even have a conversation without ripping into each other.”
Her voice was saying one thing, but her body was saying something else entirely. She’d entered his space, what was left of it, and tilted her head back. Aligning their mouths and staring straight into his soul.
“Have you ever thought that maybe the reason we’re ripping into each other so much is really because we aren’t allowing ourselves to do the one thing we both really want?”
“Which is?” She had the audacity to raise an eyebrow.
Cody’s voice was thicker this time as his fingers pushed into her hair and held her in place. “I don’t know about you, sweetheart, but the only thing I want to be ripping –” he made sure their gazes were locked, “—is that sexy fucking dress.”
He felt the tremble. He also felt her spine snap up in denial. “Maybe you’re just a dick Cody, ever think of that? Maybe that’s why I rip into you, ‘cos you drive me freaking crazy.”
She didn’t try to move. To release herself from his grip. She just stayed right there with him.
“There’s more than one way to drive you crazy, kitten. Want me to show you what else I can do?”
This was his chance. Her eyes had already darkened, and her chest was rising faster. He needed to show her. Remind her of just how good they were. His free hand went to her hip and he hauled her against him. His mouth hovered over hers, seeking permission as he looked deep into dark blue spheres.
“This isn’t a good idea,” she whispered.
“Tell me to stop.”
She didn’t. In fact, she managed to shock him with a sharp tug of his lower lip as she dragged him down, their mouths hungrily crashing into each other as he finally got another taste. The next thing he knew, her hands were in his hair, pulling and yanking as if she was trying to get closer. If that’s what she wanted, that’s what she’d get.
Both hands slipped down to her ass, which he used to lift and manoeuvre her into the open door of his truck. Just moments after placing her on the edge of the seat, she once again surprised him by wrapping her legs around his waist, her knees squeezing hard until he was pushing between her thighs. That was when he took the kiss even deeper, the feel of her hands now leaving a trail of fire over his body and burning what little brain power he had left.
As he tried his hardest to consume her, she fought to tear his back to shreds. Whimpering into his mouth with every hip thrust, he could swear he saw stars when her grip tightened. And those long legs melded their bodies together. They got so lost in each other, who knows how much time passed.
“Uh,” – a throat cleared behind him—“I think ... uh, I’m gonna, um, get going.”
Shit. Wade.
Cody reluctantly released her lips. Resisting the very real urge to capture them again, he twisted to face Wade, a panting Cat now in full view, her legs still very much holding him in place.
“I’m sorry, man.” He wasn’t sorry in the slightest, but he’d stolen the man’s date, so what else was he supposed to say?
“Sorry, Wade,” Cat added, guilt clear in her voice.
“No worries, darlin’.” Wade turned his attention back to Cody. “You might wanna take this show somewhere else, brother. You’re causing quite the stir.”
Cody’s eyes went back to the restaurant window. Wade hadn’t been lying. Diners had left their seats and were gathered around, enjoying the entertainment. Letting out a string of expletives, he nodded at his friend who tipped his hat before disappearing into the night.
Dropping his head, he breathed her in one last time and whispered into her hair, “Let’s get you home.”
“Okay,” was her quiet reply as he regretfully untangled her legs.
Slowly, he helped to tuck her into the truck seat and buckled her up, laying another kiss on her before he circled the vehicle.
The cab was no less charged as he started the engine, but it was the silence that was worrying him. He could already feel Cat pulling away. Her gaze was averted and directed out of the window into the darkness. He needed to do or say something before she got lost in her head.
Like what? You haven’t exactly thought this through, either.
Blowing out a breath, he shot her another glance. She was fiddling with the hem of her dress now. Looking unsure. Uncomfortable. That wasn’t like her. She was the most confident woman he’d ever met. Seeing even an inch of frailty was unnerving. So much so, his insides began to twist. Had he done this to her?
Fuck. I basically forced myself on her. What was I thinking, dragging her out like that? And then practically humping her in full view of the whole town. What the hell is wrong with you, McBride?
He felt sick. Suddenly, he wished she’d go back to screaming at him. He deserved it.
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart.” Even his voice was full of remorse.
Cat’s head snapped his way. Without even looking he could feel those blue eyes narrowed on him. “What?”
“I’m sorry,” he repeated. “I was out of line back there. Carrying you out of Casalingo, forcing myself on you, letting the—”
“What the hell, Cody!” she squawked. “You think I’d let you force yourself on me? What planet are you living on?”
It felt damn good to hear her mock him. This was what he needed. Fire. And she wasn’t done.
“Cop or no cop, I’d stab you in the eye with these heels before I’d let you force anything on me, McBride.”
He could feel his smile trying to reach his ears. This woman. She did something to him. Something he’d never felt before.
Maybe you’re a masochist?
Maybe. What other explanation was there? Their fighting was their foreplay. Why else would his blood heat with every shot she fired?
“I’ll keep that in mind, kitten.”
“You do that, McBride.” She huffed as she crossed her arms.
As he pulled up to her apartment, he already knew he couldn’t just let her walk away. She seemed to be on the same page, not blinking an eye when he helped her out of the truck and walked her up the stone path, his hand hovering over the small of her back.
He waited for her to open the front door and followed her inside. The second door to her apartment was unlocked next, and his heart kicked up. Neither of them was saying anything, but he knew she could feel it too. The ever-present electrical current shocking them into submission.
Cat stood in the open doorway, peering at him over her shoulder, a look on her face he couldn’t ignore.
“Kitten.” It came out as a warning. One she probably needed.
She simply turned, her whole body facing him now, her chest brushing against him. Those pouty lips wet and parted, challenging him.
Challenge accepted.
Surrendering to the sparks, their mouths collided just moments later, her back arching as he pulled her into him and walked her backward. His mouth never left hers, even as he kicked the door shut. Alternating between biting and tasting, he devoured every inch of her, getting drunker and drunker on her moans. But it wasn’t enough.
Pushing her against the wall, one hand went to her neck to hold her in place while the other went straight for her ass, plumping and squeezing until she was swallowing his growls. Damn, her body felt just as good as it looked.
Cat’s hands were exploring too, attacking his shirt until he was pretty sure he heard a rip. But who the hell cared? Fuck this shirt. He released her ass and helped her push the shredded cotton off him. Seconds later, her nails were digging into flesh and his mouth was back on her, prying her lips apart. Begging for more.
Gliding up the satin, his hand finally found the zip on her dress. Yanking it down, his fingertips trailed down the silky skin that was now exposed, tearing another growl from the pit of his stomach. She helped him shimmy the dress down, not allowing their connection to break. Instead, her teeth latched onto his lower lip and bit down, the pain only making him crazier.
As his hands got their first unobstructed feel of smooth skin, the urge to see won out over his need to taste. Unlocking their lips, his head dipped down to take in the view. A lacy red bra burned his retinas.
Jesus Christ, she’s a goddess.
“I want you,” he managed to pant out. His gaze was back up then, staring into glazed blue spheres.
“Then take me.”
That was all he needed to hear. Gathering the fabric of her panties, with one sharp pull, he ripped and let them fall to the floor. He ignored her gasp as one finger replaced the material. Then two. Her head shot backward then, and he watched with satisfaction as her eyes rolled back into her head.
“Holy shit,” she moaned.
Holy shit indeed.