Page 37 of Professional Consult

“As a matter of fact, I did. I threw you on the sidewalk, along with your few possessions.”

“That’s too bad because the role-playing I was doing in my head was far different,” she says wryly.

I suck in a breath, knowing full well I’m treading into dangerous territory. No, not treading—running. Sprinting towards a minefield of bad ideas that I can’t possibly navigate through unscathed.

“I prefer they involve handcuffs over my baton,” I say, taking it a stretch too far.

Lexi purses her lips and squints her eyes closed as she chuckles.

“Or…guns on the range, if you’re so inclined.” I shrug my shoulders. “Your choice.”

I cringe when I realize just how bad at flirting I am.

“Look, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I’m not so great at being smooth.”

Her cheeks tint pink. “You’re fine. I’m not so great myself. I’m…desperately in need of practice.”

“Why do I find it hard to believe that you’d be so hard up for prospects?” I stare at her Cupid’s bow, wondering what those plush lips would feel like pressed against mine.

“It’s not that I’m hard up. I’m choosy. Do you really think a Hollywood pretty boy can satisfy anything other than his own vanity? And honestly, they expect others to do that for them.”

“Wow. You don’t like Hollywood men at all, do you?”

“Not in the slightest.”

“But you dated that Jasper Cougar guy for a hot minute.”

“Did you just use the slang hot minute?”

“I figured I’d read up on your language.”

“Jasper and I were set up by our agents. We were a pretty package that was empty inside.”

“Does that happen a lot?”

“Off and on throughout my career. I’ve never had a normal relationship. My first was when I was fifteen. The man was in his forties. It kind of set the tone.”

I frown. “That’s not what I’d call a relationship.”

“I’m smart enough to realize that now.”

Suddenly, I feel bad. Sick to my stomach. Enraged.

Lexi Dash has been used by men her entire life, whether it be for her body or her notoriety. Every relationship she’s been in has been toxic.

“Look, I wanna be serious and say I’m sorry for those things I said. That’s not like me, and I honestly don’t know what I was thinking. I’m not that type of guy and I swear, when you’re around me, you’ll stay unmolested.”

She cocks her head to the side. “I know. Your whole vibe is anti-creep, pro-asshole.”

“I don’t know if I should be flattered or offended.”

Before she responds, Barb enters the precinct, a box of donuts in hand.

“Can you spare me one?” Lexi asks. “Chief Luke got his panties in a bunch when I asked to go to the diner.”

She sets them down on the community table. “I don’t think my doctor would be happy with me eating all twelve myself.”

“Lexi is going to need some more in-depth training today. Perhaps you can take her out to the field to do some exercises,” I say because I fully realize that whatever the hell just happened between Lexi and me needs to stop.