Page 39 of Professional Consult

“Good.”

He drives down various streets, calling out to some of the locals, and even digs into his cup holder to produce dog treats when he sees one looking at him expectantly.

For all his faults, Luke Bastwick is a hard man not to like. Not only is he rugged and at peak physical perfection, but he’s a genuinely good guy once you get past the gritty exterior.

“I need to make a call.”

He taps his screen, then holds it to his ear.

“Hey, I was wondering if I could come by today and use your place…police training…of course…alright, thanks.”

“Police training?” I ask inquisitively.

“Alvin, who owns Jukes, is letting me use the bar to walk you through some training.”

A few short minutes later, we pull into the parking lot of the place Bernard was pillaging trash from.

Luke’s hands fidget like he’s nervous. “What I said back at the station was—”

“This again?”

“I just want to clarify that, um, it was…”

He doesn’t finish. He sits there, his eyes trained on the steering wheel.

Finally, I say, “It’s fine. We equally contributed to the banter.”

“It’s not fine. I read headlines. I know what women have to put up with in Hollywood, and it’s important to me that you know I’m not like that.”

“Yeah, I got it, boss. You’re just your average run-of-the-mill asshole, but not a creep.”

His lips twitch but fall short of smiling. God, I wish this man were easier to read.

And a little less attractive, because I can barely concentrate.

I wonder what his type is. I’m a whole foot shorter than him, and I imagine, being as aggressive as he is, he’s more into Amazons than Hollywood Princesses.

It’s hard to say what my type is, but it could very well be grumpy police chiefs.

An old man in an apron greets us as we enter the bar. “If it ain’t Little Luke Bastwick with a lady friend,” the man says as he looks me up and down.

“Alvin, this is Lexi. Lexi, Alvin.” He squares off with the old man. “Thanks. She’s in need of training, and Jukes is perfect.”

“Sure, sure, and while you’re getting all dirty, why don’t I grill us up some burgers?”

“Getting all dirty?” Luke says, annoyance edging his voice.

Alvin gives a wink and disappears into the back.

“Now what? Are we going to shoot up the place?”

Luke gives me a startled look.

“I’m just kidding!”

“Let me show you some takedowns we use.” He moves behind me. “Do you mind if I put my hands on you?”

Do I mind? I’ve only been wanting it for the last two days.