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He walks to where I wait on the front of his truck. I’m ridiculously proud of him, especially when I see Glimmer go up to Rambo and slip her hand in his. It’s silly, but I give h

er a superior look as Chad helps me down. Then I shake my head and wave. Who am I kidding? I like badass bitches, and this was fun.

I glance up at Chad holding the door for me. “You don’t want to stay and have a beer with them?”

His eyes are bright. We’re both pretty adrenalized. “I can’t drink beer on an empty stomach and drive you to dinner.”

“Oh, right,” I nod slowly. “Breaking the law. You can’t do that.”

“I don’t have to break the law to have fun.”

He’s such a square. I roll my eyes and start to climb in, but he stops me with a hand on my shoulder. “You had fun.”

A smile splits my face, and I laugh. “I really did.”

“Let’s get some food.”

“Like this?” I look down at the paint on my clothes and hands, not to mention the paint splattered on his neck and shoulders and feet. “Our shoes are ruined.”

“André’s got us covered. Put this over your seat.” He grabs a towel from the back and hands it to me. I arrange it before climbing inside.

He walks around the front of the truck, speaking again to the other group and doing a little wave. The sun is setting, and it smells like night air, fresh grass, and stinky paint. We’re driving back into town, and I haven’t felt this relaxed and happy in a long time.

What is this hot cop doing to me?

Seven

Chad

“Muffuletta for you and chicken salad. Her favorite.” André gives me a nod as I head in to collect our dinner. “You planning to get cleaned up first?”

I glance down at my paint-spattered body. “Maybe. If I’m lucky.”

I give him a wink as I slide the cash across the counter, and André’s chuckle follows me out the door. Tabby’s waiting in the cab of my truck, and my stomach tightens when our eyes connect. I’ve seen her as sexy pinup girl, but she’s even prettier like this, natural with her hair in a braid and little pieces falling around her cheeks. Our differences are on my mind, but after tonight, I’m willing to explore more, see how deep those divisions go.

“No wonder André’s been so sly all day today.” She teases as I drop the bag on the bench seat between us. “He was in on the plan.”

The windows are down, and the breeze whips away the funky paint smell. At least we both smell like paint. “I thought you might be hungry after.”

“You are something else, Chad Tucker.” She slants an eye at me, and my body responds.

I swear, this woman. She’s got me hungry for more than food. Our eyes meet, and hers flutter away. Her cheeks flush pink, and I clear my throat, returning to her statement.

“Something good?”

“Surprising. You found something in Oceanside I’ve never done.”

“It was technically outside the city limits.”

“Still…” She gives me another side-glance. “You were kind of a badass out there.”

That makes me smile for real. “You were kind of a badass yourself. That’s quite an aim for somebody who’s never played before.”

“I’ve used a gun.”

I’m surprised. “You have?”

“Uncle Bob’s taken me deer hunting. I never shot anything, but he taught me how to aim.”