by T Gephart
“Yeah, yeah, whatever.” I rolled my eyes, knowing he’d been doing a lot more than saying a fucking hello. And not that I wasn’t ecstatic my best friend and my sister were going to be tying the knot sometime soon, but the idea of them getting busy wasn’t what I wanted in my cerebral cortex. She was still my sister, and I really didn’t ever need to imagine that.
Leighton laughed, taking a slow pull from his beer. “You know, I half expected you not to notice. Where did those women who were in your lap go? You run out of North’s deodorant?”
“Fuck you. North has nothing to do with it.” I flipped him off.
It had started as a joke, me stealing North’s deodorant from his locker whenever we got back from calls. The guy couldn’t go two steps without some woman throwing herself at him. It was like he had some magical superpower that could attract ladies without even trying. I mean, sure he was decent looking, but he was no more special than any of us.
Our jobs in the FDNY demanded we stay in shape, so most of us got a decent amount of action. And since Leighton and North were both out of rotation, it meant more for me.
And not sure if it was the added opportunities or the lack of competition, but things had been relatively good with the ladies. Except for the current situation, which had been fruitless.
“Meh, they were predictable.” I sighed, bored they’d just been more of the same. “I think I might be coming down with something. I swear, five minutes in and I was already losing interest.”
It was unlike me to turn down attention, especially when it came in such a delightful package. I reveled in it, getting off on hero worship and appreciation, believing that having a healthy ego was nothing to be ashamed of. If anything, it drove me to be better. Pushing myself to compete against the guy I was yesterday so I was constantly a better version of myself. And yeah, maybe the adulation was one hell of a sweetener.
So why I had turned down the fine-looking women who were more than happy to give me what I usually wanted was a mystery. Hell, it even surprised me.
“You think that maybe you’re seeing everyone in healthy and loving relationships and possibly want it for yourself?” Leighton raised a brow as he leaned in and whispered, “You know, I hear it’s contagious. Good thing it’s pretty fucking awesome too.”
I rolled my eyes, knowing that me wanting to be tied to a ball and chain was definitely not the reason for my lack of interest. “Jesus, Leighton. You hear yourself? This is me we’re talking about, not you. I love you, brother, but you sucked at playing the game. It was only a matter of time before you ended up taking the walk down the aisle. Now, North, that was the one that came out of left field. Not that I’d blame him with a woman like Quinn, but everyone knows that shit is the exception and not the rule. So, going to have to pass on giving some girl the key to my balls.”
It wasn’t like I had issues with long-term relationships per se. My parents had been married for forever and were still into each other. As were Leighton’s parents. So, I knew it worked out sometimes. Which was why I’d consider it when I was like forty or something. Hell, the chief was edging close to fifty and had recently tied the knot and had a new baby. And considering what a shitshow his first marriage had been, it was proof there was no need to rush it.
“Well, whatever your deal is, make sure you don’t say any of that shit in the best man speech at my wedding. Especially about North’s wife.” Leighton laughed, shooting Presley a smile as she walked by, almost ignoring me completely.
He was so whipped.
It hadn’t even been ten minutes since he’d come back to the table, but by the way he was looking at her, it was like it had been a fucking week.
“Christ, Leighton.” I shook my head, rolling my eyes as Presley gave him a stupid love-struck grin of her own. “If you want to go hang out with her, go. I don’t need a sitter.”
Leighton shook his head, watching as Pres disappeared from view. “Nope, she’s working. Besides, this conversation about your balls is so riveting. Not sure I want to miss it.”
My grin widened as I flipped him off. We’d known each other since we were eighteen, moving into an apartment in Hell’s Kitchen and gone through the academy together. He’d been the only roommate I’d ever had until he moved out and shacked up with my sister. And as much as I liked having the apartment all to myself, I kinda missed having him around. He was more than my best friend. And while he was soon going to officially be my brother-in-law, he’d been family for longer than I could remember.
“Fine, stick around.” I pretended like I wasn’t thrilled he wasn’t going to ditch me in favor of Presley. “But do me a favor and dial down the commitment talk. I’m happy for you, and for everyone else who’s . . .” I waved my hand around trying to find the right word, “giving up their freedom, but it’s not for me. I must be just getting the flu or something. Or maybe yesterday’s warehouse fire took more out of me than I thought.”
Yesterday had been a shitshow.
We’d barely clocked on when the first call came in, and they didn’t stop until we were done twenty-four hours later. A five-car collision where miraculously no one died, two domestic disputes, and a gas leak—just to name a few, and all before dinner. So, when we were faced with a warehouse burning out of control close to midnight, we’d been running on vapors.
Still, there was no other job I’d rather be doing, even though it could be physically and mentally exhausting. Which was why after twenty-four hours of duty it was important to let off some steam. Recharge in the best way I knew how in the forty-eight before heading back in. Not sure why my usual methods weren’t up to scratch.
“Maybe you should—” Whatever else Leighton said was completely lost on me. It was like I could hear he was talking, but the words receded into background noise.
Holy.
Shit.
My eyes snagged on what was probably the hottest brunette I’d ever seen, which was saying something because, trust me, I’d seen plenty.
She was toned, a body that clearly saw the inside of a gym on the regular, with the length of her hem giving me a really good view of her legs.
And fuck did I like what I saw.
Her killer heels boosted her height, but even without them she wouldn’t be short. And while it was hard to tear my eyes away from her legs, the rest of her was pleading to be discovered.
Jesus.
The curves of her body leaned more toward athlete than model, every muscle radiating strength and power like it was begging to be unleashed.
And I liked it.
The fact I could put my hands around her and not feel like I was gonna break her was a turn on I hadn’t realized I wanted. And if all she had was a smoking hot body, that probably would’ve been enough. But she was gorgeous as well. Long, straight, dark brown hair that spilled over her shoulders like an oil slick and a pair of dark brown eyes that were staring right back at me.
She looked . . .
Hell, did I know her?
When I didn’t look away, her eyes narrowed, a silent conversation I didn’t understand happening between us that got me on my feet whether I wanted to or not.
And trust me, I wanted to.
“Heading to the bar,” I mumbled to Leighton, not daring to break eye contact with my mystery woman. I wasn’t risking her leaving and losing her forever.
Nope.
Not happening.
My body moved through the crowd unable to shake the feeling that we’d met before. And fuck, if I’d been stupid enough to date her and not called her back, I’d beg—on my hands and knees—for her forgiveness.
She didn’t flinch, standing her ground as I closed the distance, and I liked the heat in her eyes. It was somewhere between lust and hate and I’d be lying if the combination wasn’t doing it for me in some sick twisted way.
Oh, we knew each other all right. And while I didn’t know the circumstances, we’d definitely not slept together. Because while I’d made some questionable calls in my life,
there is no way I’d have slept with her and not wanted a second taste.
It didn’t take long until I was standing in front of her, moving through the crowd quickly with a desperation crawling up my skin I didn’t quite understand. Those beautiful eyes were filled with so much trouble I had to fight the urge not to just bend down and kiss her.
“I know you.” It wasn’t a question, not bothering with the hello because it was time I didn’t want to be wasting. My mouth lowered, skating the shell of her ear as I whispered, “And you know me too, don’t you?”
Her hand pushed hard against my chest, her eyes flaring wide. “What the hell are you doing?”
So far, the only one who’d done any touching was her. And while I wasn’t in a hurry to stop her from putting whatever she wanted on me, the edge in her voice had me slightly concerned.
“I’m not doing anything.” I lifted my hands, proving they were behaving. “But I’m also not wrong. I might forget a name, but I never forget a face. And yours isn’t one I’d be able to get out of my memory even after a lifetime.”
She laughed, tossing her head back before her eyes settled back on me. “Really? You that bored tonight? C’mon, Tibbs, I haven’t got time for your bullshit.”
Tibbs.
So she did know me.
Hearing my name on her lips just made me want to hear it again.
Moaned.
Repeatedly.
But while we’d established she knew who I was, I was still coming up empty on the circumstances, and why she was so pissed off. Granted, I wasn’t exactly the most reliable guy around, but I was respectful. Annnnnd always made sure any woman who was with me didn’t regret it in the morning.
“I’m not here because I’m bored, sweetheart. So why don’t we start with your name, beautiful, since you already know mine.”
Backing down wasn’t an option. Neither was ignoring that as much as she wanted to pretend to be irritated, she hadn’t asked me to leave, nor had she done so herself. And while the details of her identity might’ve been foggy, her ability to kick some serious ass was not in question.
She radiated confidence.
And power.
And if she wanted out of the conversation, I’d have already been handed my balls.
Not sure I didn’t want that to happen, to be honest. The idea of her chewing me out kinda made me hard. Her attitude was as attractive as the rest of her, and I wasn’t dumb enough to walk away, especially when it was so incredibly familiar. And so goddamn delicious.
Confusion flashed through those beautiful brown eyes as she met my stare, and whatever she’d thought I was going to say, that hadn’t been it.
She leaned in, her voice stroking me in all the right places. “Are you fucking with me, Tibbs?”
My eyes closed, unable to stop myself from savoring the treat that was hearing my name and the word, fucking, in the same sentence. And the only reason why I didn’t beg her to say all of that again was because I wanted to hear what else she had to say, hoping it might include some other dirty words as well.
“I’m not fucking with you,” I almost choked out. “I—”
“Heeeeey!!” Leighton’s voice came up behind me, the bastard wearing a beaming smile as he slapped me on the shoulder. “Ricci! What’s happening? Damn it, Tibbs, why didn’t you invite her over already. We’ve got a booth if you want to hang. Unless you’re here with your friends, don’t want to cramp your style.”
“Ricci?”
The name fell out of my mouth as it tumbled around in my brain, unable to piece it together. Because the only Ricci Leighton and I knew was a cop from our precinct and while she was totally cool . . .
“Wait! Tessa Ricci?” I asked again wondering how much I’d drunk. It was only a few beers, right? Not enough to be hammered.
My gaze steamrolled over her body again, trying to reconcile the new information.
Jesus.
Fucking.
Christ.
“Yes, it’s me.” She rolled her eyes at me before turning to Leighton and giving him a smile. “And thanks, but I’m probably going to bail soon. I was Miller’s wingman, but I think he’s got it handled.” Her head tipped to the far end of the bar, her partner—also in civilian clothes—having what looked to be an in-depth conversation with some girl.
“Come on, have a drink with us,” Leighton offered, ignoring me and my inability to say anything other than just her name. “It’s not every day we’re all off shift together and in the same place.”
“You’re so beautiful.” My eyes widened, the words spilling from my lips before I could stop them.
Actually, beautiful was underselling it. She was by far the most gorgeous woman I’d ever seen. And how I’d not noticed before was a mystery I couldn’t work out.
Leighton coughed, elbowing me in the ribs. “What he means is—”
“No, seriously.” I cut him off, not in any way confused as to what I meant to say. “You’re fucking stunning.”
My eyes raked over her, absorbing every cell. I couldn’t believe she’d been hiding that ridiculously hot body underneath a cop uniform for the last three years. And wow, I was suddenly becoming a huge fan of the NYPD. Hell, even the few times I’d seen her out of uniform, she’d never looked like that.
I’d always thought she was pretty, sure. I mean, I hadn’t been blind. But what I was seeing in front of me went so far beyond fucking pretty, it wasn’t even funny.
Her eyes narrowed, the smile tightening on her face. “You know, if that was supposed be a compliment, you shouldn’t sound so surprised when you say it. It negates the sentiment.”
She probably had a point, but if she’d expected me to keep the surprise from my voice after discovering all of that, then she didn’t know me well enough.
Actually, she didn’t.
Something I was definitely going to change.
“My apologies.” I put my hand to my heart, my lips edging into a grin. “So, Ricci,” Lord, I was still reeling from the shock, “enjoying your night?”
Her brow arched, again like she was expecting something different. But I wasn’t a complete moron, and unless I wanted to totally blow it, I needed to play it cool.
Not that it was going to be easy.
Oh hell, no.
It was diffusing a bomb wearing oven mitts level difficult. But I never backed away from a challenge, and I was looking forward to finding out which wires needed to be cut.
“It’s been okay.” Her shoulder barely lifted, not committing to a full shrug.
And I don’t know why, but the indifference was sexy. “Well that shit won’t do. Presley finds out someone has been in one of her clubs and having just an ‘okay’ time, shit will hit the fan. Someone will get fired for sure.”
Total bullshit.
Well, Presley would be pissed about someone having an ordinary time, but no one would be joining the unemployment line because of it. At least not that I knew of. She was a hard-ass—especially when it came to me—but she wasn’t totally heartless.
“So, I think it’s in everyone’s best interest if you come back with us and at least pretend to enjoy yourself.”
If I’d been hanging with anyone other than Leighton, I might have reconsidered. I didn’t need the competition. And judging by the eyes on her from a suit hanging at the bar, my feelings of her being the most beautiful woman in the room weren’t mine alone.
But Leighton was neck-deep in love with my sister and even if he wasn’t, would never tangle with a woman I was interested in. And if he hadn’t guessed I was interested yet, I’d be confirming it very, very soon.
She glanced over at Miller, her partner still busy with his date. “You going to continue to be weird, Tibbs?” Her eyes swung back to me. “Because I don’t have the bandwidth to deal with you tonight.”
I leaned in, looking for any excuse to get closer. “Well then, let’s go see exactly what you do have the bandwidth for.”
Weird was the last thing she w
as going to have to worry about.
Nope, not even close.
And by the end of the night, I was positive I wasn’t the only one who was going to be looking at the situation very differently.
Tessa
IT WAS EITHER curiosity or boredom that had me agreeing to hanging out with Leighton and Tibbs. Because common sense surely wasn’t responsible.
Not because I thought they were terrible company—well Leighton wasn’t at least—but because I didn’t particularly think any good would come of it.
Tibbs had either been drinking heavily or had a brain injury. Because the way he’d looked at me when he’d first approached had been the same sexy eyes he usually reserved for his ho parade.
Smoldering.
Illicit.
And dancing with so much heat I was surprised he hadn’t been rocking a full erection.
I’d seen the “look” firsthand, watched as he charmed his way into other women’s pants like a lion moving in for the kill on a savannah. But had never been the recipient of it. And maybe part of me—the stupid part, obviously—was intrigued.
He hadn’t known it was me.
At least not initially, eyeing me up and down like I was a snack and he hadn’t eaten in a while. It was both thrilling and unnerving, hating myself for whatever small—microscopic—segment of my brain thought it had been a good thing.
Man. Whore, I reminded myself. In case I was the one with the brain injury and actually entertaining the idea of doing anything with Justin Tibbs other than Mirandize him.
“So, Miller is still trying to get over Maxine?” Leighton asked, pointing to the vacant booth they previously occupied. “What happened with the two of them? Last time we spoke, he’d been thinking of proposing.”
I shuffled in, sliding my butt along the black leather semicircle seat as Tibbs followed close behind, forcing me all the way to the other side. He didn’t even give Leighton a chance, filling the space next to me and keeping his body just far enough from mine so our thighs weren’t pressing together. It seemed weird that he wanted to sit in the middle, but since I didn’t like being caged in, I wasn’t about to complain.
