Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94512 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94512 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
“For what?” Dare asked.
Sam let out a whoop of laughter. “You really want to play dumb? Fine. Don’t you want to wait until Ms. McKnight’s brother is released? She’s waiting for him in the outer hall.”
Dare clenched his jaw, which didn’t help his building headache. “And why would I want to do that?” Yeah, he was playing dumb. Why the hell would he want to admit to his feelings and set himself up to be the butt of Sam’s jokes?
“Because I see how you look at her, man. Only a blind fool could miss it.” Sam leaned against the desk, eyeing Dare with way too much humor.
Okay, no need to admit it. Apparently, Dare wore his feelings on his uniform. Fucking swell.
“Then I suppose you’ve also seen how she doesn’t return the sentiment?”
“Jeez, you men are dumb!” This from Cara Hartley, another cop and good friend. The three tended to pull the same shifts and hang out together when they were off duty.
“Where’d you come from?” Dare asked.
Cara laughed, her dark ponytail flipping over her shoulder. “I’m stealthy. I walked over while you two were talking about Liza McKnight. But you’re still both dumb.”
Dare shook his head and stifled a groan. “I really don’t want to know what you’re thinking.”
“Yeah, you do.” Cara deliberately bumped her hip against his. “You think she doesn’t notice you. I’m here to tell you you’re wrong.”
He blinked in surprise.
Sam’s grin was so wide Dare was surprised his face didn’t split. Dare didn’t need the two of them on his case about a woman.
“The thing is, every time you talk to Liza, you judge her for bailing out her brother. So tell me why she should think you’re hot for her. Not to mention why should she want to bother with you.”
Dare reached for the back of his neck once more, the muscle spasms getting worse. “Can we not talk about this?”
“Nope. It’s on the table, and it’s staying there until I’m finished. Now let’s say you happened to…I don’t know…change your attitude toward her? Something tells me she just might alter hers.” Cara raised her eyebrows over her blue eyes.
Despite not wanting to give Cara the green light to get into his head, Dare mulled over her words.
“You thinking what I’m thinking?” Sam asked Dare. “That our girl here makes sense?”
Cara glanced at Sam with a pout on her lips. “I’m not your anything,” she muttered. Cara being Cara hated any hint of condescension toward her as a woman. Touchy was her nickname.
“And I’m not thinking anything,” Dare said. Nor was he conceding his feelings out loud.
“Just remember, I have a feeling you can turn this around. If you want to, that is.” Cara shrugged.
“Is that feeling your female intuition?” Sam asked. “Because Cara’s is usually damn good,” he reminded Dare.
Cara grinned, nodding her head in agreement. “Thanks for the compliment, Sam. Maybe I’ll let that earlier rude comment slide. I might even let you buy me a drink at Joe’s on Wednesday night.” They usually hit Joe’s for Ladies’ Night since they were all off on Thursdays.
Dare laughed, but Sam was right. Cara’s gut instincts, on the job and off, were usually on target.
“Got a plan?” Sam asked Dare.
He rolled his eyes. “I’m going home, like I said.”
“But—” Cara shook her head and groaned. “Never mind, do what you want. Nobody ever listens to me even though I’m always right.”
Sam grinned.
“As long as you’re leaving, I’ll walk out with you,” Cara said to Dare. “I’m off duty too. You coming, Sam?”
He shook his head. “Not until McKnight’s been released on bail. Catch you guys tomorrow.”
Dare nodded Sam’s way. “Night.”
He headed out alongside Cara, who talked about the weekend Police and Firefighters’ Festival. They would man the policemen’s booth in order to raise money for the youth center where they all volunteered. Dare laughed at her jokes and admired her sense of humor, but being with Cara did nothing to make him forget about Liza, whom he just happened to pass as he left the precinct. She sat alone, waiting for her brother’s release, alternately looking pissed and vulnerable, bringing up protective instincts Dare had never felt toward any other woman.
* * *
Liza drummed her fingers against her purse as she waited for Brian to be brought up from the holding area. She wondered if the cell in the back of the police station had a plaque engraved with her brother’s name on it. Heaven knew he’d been hauled in often enough. Just the thought was enough to give her a stomachache.
She shook her head and stifled a groan. “At least be honest with yourself,” she muttered. It wasn’t her brother’s most recent arrest making her stomach churn.
It was Dare Barron. The cop who always seemed to be around when her brother was brought in. The sexy man who alternately looked at her like she was the hottest thing this side of a hot fudge sundae or the dumbest enabler on the planet.