Page 10 of Pretty Poison

Asher snorted. “Thrice?”

Rocky rolled his eyes. “It’s aSchitt’s Creekreference.”

“A what?”

Rocky growled his frustration. “Answer the damn question.”

“You’re so fucking cute, Ford.”

“Shut up.”

“And I didn’t insult you or your friends,” Asher countered.

“You called us meddlesome idiots.”

Asher nodded. “I only spoke the truth.”

Rocky balled his hands into fists on his lap. “Maybe you should’ve handcuffed my hands behind my back. I can still reach you.”

Asher’s lips curved into a dangerous smile. “You’re welcome to try, baby.”

“Still evading my question, I see.”

“I’m not trying to be coy. You want answers I can’t give.”

Rocky narrowed his eyes. “I specifically asked you if the transfer Spencer mentioned was permanent or temporary. You responded with ‘time will tell’ before the goon squad called you away. If that’s not coy, I don’t know what is.”

“Goon squad?” Asher’s big shoulders shook with laughter. “Wait until they hear your nickname for them.” He checked on Dandridge’s progress with Snickerdoodle’s dad, then returned his gaze to Rocky. “I think us running into one another is fortuitous.”

“Speak for yourself,” Rocky grumbled.

Asher ignored him and kept talking. “I helped you out, and now you can return the favor.”

“I’m fresh out of them.”

“Fine,” Asher said, reaching for Rocky’s bound wrists. “Let me just release the cuffs so you can step out of the vehicle and explain to Snickerdoodle’s owner why you were peering into people’s windows.” Asher grinned because he knew he had Rocky exactly where he wanted him.

“Fine, but I’m not sucking your dick.”

Asher held Rocky’s gaze in a silent standoff like two gunslingers waiting for the clock to strike twelve. They both knew it wouldn’t take much for Rocky to eat his words.

“What do you want?” Rocky asked, breaking the silence.

He checked his partner’s status once more, then shook his head. “Dandridge is coming back. We can talk about it later.”

“How much later?”

“You have someplace you need to be?” Asher asked.

Fuck. During the excitement, Rocky had forgotten all about his therapy appointment. He checked his watch and was relieved when he saw that he would only be a few minutes late if he could get on the road soon. “Um, yeah.”

“Dressed like that?”

“Well, I hadn’t planned on Snickerdoodle ripping my jeans off.”

“What time do you think you’ll be home?”

“Six.”