by T Gephart
The sooner, the better.
Which was why the minute I heard Ricci and Miller were responding to a possible domestic situation literally a block from where I lived, well, I saw that as a sign.
Didn’t have to wait too long either, the two of them emerging from the apartment building not long after I’d arrived. And thankfully not tossing someone in the back of their squad car either. Because trying to sweet talk Ricci when she was making an arrest wouldn’t have gone well.
She was crazy pissed off, her beautiful brown eyes tossing out so much hostility I was caught between concerned for my personal safety and really turned on. I liked that about her, the fact she wasn’t scared to get aggressive. That she didn’t feel it necessary to constantly play nice. It was one of the few things I actually knew about her. Seen her in action when she disagreed with a point of view, and the fucking balls she had to stand her ground to defend it.
I liked it.
Completely different to the party girls I usually entertained, no one ever giving me the level of pushback and sass, she did. And after what felt like months and months of more of the same with those other women, the intellectual sparring with Ricci was as much as a turn on as the rest of her.
Hell, I wanted it.
Wanted her to debate me on anything, and watch her as she tried to prove me wrong. The idea of a heated discussion making me just as hard as kissing that smart, argumentative mouth.
She hadn’t said anything, her lips tightening into a firm line while she narrowed her eyes. And while I wasn’t sure it wasn’t going to be me tossed into the back of that squad car, I could barely contain my excitement.
“You’re thinking about it,” I grinned, positive her idea of cuffing me was vastly different from mine.
Still wasn’t sure I didn’t want it, because that was exactly the sick puppy I was.
“Maybe Miller was right, you are high,” she chuckled, her eyes widening in disbelief. “Wow, okay. Look, you’re not on duty so what you do in your own time is your own business. But I’d be worried if you have a piss test tomorrow, that shit will show up for sure.”
Deflection.
Denial.
And dead wrong.
“I’m not high, Ricci. And maybe my method needs work, but there’s no denying an attraction between us. So why don’t we see where it takes us?”
I wasn’t prepared to wait around and leave that shit to chance. Plus, I’d not had more than a passing interest in a woman in what had to be forever. So if there was one I couldn’t get my mind off, that was something that shouldn’t be ignored.
“What the hell was that, Tibbs? Did you just ask me out?” she coughed out, the surprise genuine as she looked me dead in the eyes.
To be honest, I’d expected the shock, but I wasn’t going to let that sway me. “Yes, Ricci, I’m asking you out. Getting naked is totally optional, but I thought we might get to know each other a little better first.”
She shook her head, huffing out a breath before turning back to her car where her partner was waiting. “Tibbs, I haven’t got time for this.”
“Wait,” I fought the urge to grab her arm because, hello, she had a fucking gun and I didn’t completely have a death wish. “I’m serious. I know you think I’m messing around—and maybe I am a little—but not about us getting together. I promise I’ll be a good boy. You can even pick where we go and what we do.”
It was a concession I knew I was going to need to make. And I was cool with letting go of some of the control if it got me what I wanted. Who cared how it happened as long as the end result was the same.
Me and Ricci, and the endless possibilities.
And until she told me—minus the sarcasm—that she wasn’t interested, I was operating on the assumption that I wasn’t the only one feeling that spark.
That hadn’t been indifference I saw in her eyes last night, and that laugh and smile hadn’t been manufactured either. So, either she’d missed her calling on Broadway, or I was reading it exactly right.
“Tibbs,” she hesitated, and I was taking it as a good thing that she hadn’t automatically shut it down. “Look, I need to go back to work. Just . . . I don’t know, stay out of trouble.”
“That wasn’t a no, Ricci.” I waved my finger at her, unable to hide my fucking delight. She could’ve totally said it. Told me that it was never going to happen, but she didn’t. And that meant at the very least she was thinking about saying yes.
Which reinforced what I already knew.
Tessa Ricci was interested.
“Go home, Tibbs.” And call me crazy but the hostility that had been in her voice was noticeably lacking. “I have Cap’s number and I don’t want to call him on his day off.”
“Whatever you say, Officer Ricci.” I bowed, tipping my chin to Miller who was looking on at the exchange with a grin. I had no doubt she was going to get twenty questions the minute her ass was in that car and I didn’t even regret it. “You enjoy the rest of your night. Hopefully Midtown behaves itself for you.”
“Yeah, considering how it started, I don’t like my chances,” she answered with a chuckle. And with the flick of her chin, she turned toward her car.
She was chaos.
Dialed in, with the explosion just ready to happen at any moment.
And it was the sexiest thing I’d ever seen.
Even in her PD navy blues, her hair tied back regulation tight, with barely a lick of makeup, she was fucking beautiful.
How I’d never seen it was a mystery, but you can pretty much guarantee I was going to notice everything about her from here on out.
“Given anymore thought to your spare room?” Evans was already busting my balls, the kid having asked, hinted, begged, and whined about needing to move out of his mom’s place since Leighton started playing house with Presley.
No shit, he didn’t even let the dust settle, pleading his case about how awesome it would be if he moved in.
“I’ll cook and clean,” he added. “And I’ll never be late on my half of the rent. And—”
“Dude, you’re coming on waaaaaay too strong. No wonder you can’t keep a girlfriend, you’re so fucking needy.” I waved my hands, needing a break from his endless petitioning. “And I already told you, I haven’t decided yet if I want another roommate.”
I’d been dragging my feet on finding a replacement mostly because I wasn’t sure I could live with anyone else. I’d been lucky that the apartment in Hell’s Kitchen actually belonged to my grandparents, so the rent was ridiculously generous considering the location. They’d long made the move down south to Boca, so they were happy to have the place lived in. It generated some passive income, keeping them flush in bingo money, and not have to worry about tenants trashing the place. Plus I took care of all the maintenance so they didn’t get those pesky calls whenever a faucet seal needed replacing, so all in all, it was a sweet deal that suited us both.
“C’mon, Tibbs. What are you going to do with that place all to yourself? You won’t even notice I’m there.”
Leighton smirked as he rolled one of the hoses, enjoying it way too much considering his departure had caused the thorn in my side to start with. “You do sound a little desperate, Evans,” he chuckled. “Maybe you should talk to the rookie, I hear he’s planning on moving out.”
Evans sighed, the kid not helping his case with the amount of drama he was showing. “Are you kidding? Rizzo’s mom still makes his bed and irons his underwear. He’s not moving anywhere unless she comes with him. And you both suck, assholes.”
Flipping us off, Evans disappeared back into the stationhouse, leaving Leighton and I out in the bays to finish checking gear. “Remember when he was too busy trying to kiss ass to be mad?” I tipped my head in the direction he’d just gone, a laugh escaping my throat. “When did he get so moody?”
“They grow up so fast. One minute it’s all eager to please, then the next it’s go fuck yourself. Kinda makes me proud,” Leighton added, wiping a fake tear fro
m his cheek. “But seriously, are you holding out on letting him move in because you like watching the kid squirm? Or are you looking for a better offer? Because he would pretty much lick your balls if you asked him, and I’m positive you aren’t going to get that from anyone else.”
We both laughed, only half sure Leighton was joking. “I don’t know,” I shrugged. “But I am thinking of adding their willingness to lick my balls to the interview questions for any prospects. Sounds like something I might enjoy after a hard shift.”
It had been a slow call day which had given me a lot of time to think. Usually not a good thing—and not something I enjoyed all that much—but a particular brunette had occupied my thoughts, and I couldn’t stop grinning.
Granted, nothing had actually happened, and as far as us going out, well, I hadn’t even gotten her number yet. But as sure as I was standing there, cataloging shit for the engine, it was going to happen.
What a shame I’d missed the conversation she must’ve had with Miller, the idea of her talking about me when she got back in that car making me stupidly excited. And while I was sure she put her own spin on it, she couldn’t deny the facts. And there’d be a greater chance of me tossing in my turnouts and becoming a swimsuit model than Ricci lying to her partner.
I was still lost in my own head when I heard the chief yelling at me from the doorway. “Tibbs, PD are here to see you.”
It was like God had somehow answered a prayer I hadn’t yet asked for, amused she hadn’t been able to keep away either.
I liked it.
That she felt that compelling twist in her gut as much as I had.
Unable to wipe the smile from my face, I glanced over at Leighton before heading into the stationhouse. He rolled his eyes, clearly not sharing the same enthusiasm I did. Obviously I’d told him about Ricci, because unlike her, I didn’t hide anything from my best friend. He’d been skeptical about our connection, the bastard questioning me if maybe I hadn’t imagined her interest. Yeah, I hadn’t imagined shit. But he was supportive like he always was. Good thing too because me and Ricci were happening, and I didn’t need the negativity.
“Hey.” I tried to contain my surprise as I strolled in, the two officers waiting for me in the breakroom.
And of those two uniforms, neither of them was the hot brunette I’d been thinking about.
Interesting.
“McKinley, Deets,” I walked over and shook their hands, not wanting to be rude even if I was more than a little disappointed.
If it wasn’t Tessa, why the hell did PD want to see me?
Last time I checked I hadn’t parked illegally or had any outstanding warrants, and as far as everything else, I was a model fucking citizen.
“Tibbs, how are you doing? Mind if we take a seat?” McKinley took the lead, pointing to a chair before nodding to the chief. He’d hung around which meant he either knew what was going down or suspected it wasn’t a social call. And not sure I was good with either of those scenarios.
“You boys want to tell me what’s going on?” I pulled out a chair and parked my ass in it, watching as the chief silently did the same.
It was never a good thing when Mack—the chief—was quiet. It could only mean bad things. Or he was so mad he hadn’t formed the words yet, and again, not something I wanted to be on the receiving end of. I’d take his high-volume furor any day of the week and twice on Sundays rather than his muted, simmering rage.
Jesus.
It must be bad.
“Mack, what the fuck? Is it Presley? My parents?” It hadn’t been that long ago my sister had been terrorized by a shithead she used to date, and I wondered if the somber mood wasn’t connected with that. Though surely they would’ve involved Leighton—her fiancé—if that were the case?
“Relax, Tibbs.” Mack reached out and cupped my shoulder. It wasn’t just the concern in his tone but in his touch that unnerved me. And I swear if someone didn’t start talking in the next three seconds, I was going full-scaled nuclear.
“No one’s hurt, and we’d like to keep it that way.”
“We’re here . . .” McKinley paused, swallowing. “To do a wellness check.”
“What. The. Fuck?” I coughed out, convinced he had to be joking. “A wellness check? On me?”
He had to be kidding.
Had to be.
Because there was absolutely nothing wrong with my fucking mental health and I was the last person who needed—
“Ricci mentioned she saw you loitering around the street last night, said your behavior was erratic. We know sometimes the pressures of the job—”
“There’s nothing wrong with me,” I barked out a laugh. “And trust me, as much as I appreciate the concern, it is completely unnecessary.”
Oh, she was fucking good.
I was so fucking impressed she’d had the balls to pull it off, I wasn’t even pissed she had the chief and two of her buddies convinced I was on a ledge. Hell, I didn’t think she had it in her, assuming she followed regs like they’d been hand delivered by Jesus Christ himself, worried about the waste of police resources.
Who knew she was such a bad girl?
“Tibbs, there’s no shame in needing a timeout.” This time it was Mack, the compassion genuine as he kept his voice low.
“Mack, I know, and if I needed anything, you’d be the first person I’d come to,” I reassured him. “This is just Ricci messing with me, like I was messing with her last night.”
“Last night? So she did see you on the street?” Deets asked, shooting a look to McKinley I didn’t like.
“Not like that, guys,” I rolled my eyes. “I heard dispatch on the police scanner, I knew where she and Miller were, so I turned up. It’s this stupid game we’re playing. Seriously, call and ask her.”
A look passed between McKinley and Deets and I could tell they weren’t buying it. Which was why Ricci had sent those two instead of some of the other officers we knew.
“C’mon, this is Tessa.” I hoped using her first name illustrated the point. “You think if she honestly believed I needed a wellness check she wouldn’t have done it herself? Or waited a whole twenty-four hours? She’d have either brought me into the station last night or been on my doorstep this morning; we all know she has issues delegating. The only reason you both are here is because she wanted to jerk my chain a little. And kudos to her, because for a second, I thought I was in some real trouble.” I couldn’t stop the laugh making its way up my throat, unable to feel annoyed or angry even though it would probably be justified.
But whether she wanted to admit it or not, her little stunt proved she’d been thinking about me. And I couldn’t see anything in that situation which was a negative.
In fact, it kinda turned me on a little.
And yeah, I knew I had issues.
Considering the evidence in front of him, McKinley nodded before excusing himself to make a call. He knew Ricci probably better than any of us, and had to admit that I wasn’t wrong. Deets joined him, probably curious for the whole story as well which left me alone with the chief.
“You want to tell me why you were listening to a scanner and messing with Tessa Ricci, Tibbs? Because if that little nugget of knowledge is supposed to convince me you’re not having an episode, I’m not sure it’s hit its mark.” Mack’s voice had lost some of the concern, the hard edge I was more familiar with returning.
“Relax, Mack. I promise it wasn’t as shady as it sounds. But we . . .” hooked up? Spent the night? Messed around? None of those really fit and made it sound fucking indecent which it hadn’t been. And I wasn’t about to trash her reputation. “We met up at Presley’s club a couple of nights ago, when Leighton and I were hanging out. Anyway, we started messing with each other, letting off some steam. And I don’t know, we just sort of connected. I swear, Chief, it’s mutual. I’m not about to stalk a member of the NYPD. Apart from the legal ramifications, I’m not that kind of a guy.”
He nodded, knowing that while I could b
e a pain in his ass, I wasn’t a fucking deviant who would ever hurt anyone, let alone a woman. “So you two are playing some stupid game like a pair of middle schoolers?”
“Yeah, I guess so.” I grinned, wondering if that meant I got to pull on her hair. I’d like that, and wouldn’t object to her pulling mine.
Mack shook his head, pushing up from his chair. “I swear, I don’t get paid enough to deal with this shit. But since your issues are stupidity and immaturity, there’s no reason for me to be involved. Last time I checked, no one walked into oncoming traffic purely from being a dumbass. Tell McKinley and Deets I’m in my office if they need me. I expect you are fine in getting this situation squared away without any input from me.”
And with some choice words sworn under his breath, he disappeared out the door.
With both cops in the hall, I was curious as to what my diabolical little hard ass was telling them. Surely she’d come clean, let the poor guys off the hook since she’d already had her fun. Though it did already get me thinking about payback.
I was just about to head back into the bays, let McKinley or Deets come find me when they were done, when the door opened. And this time, it was exactly who I wanted to see.
“That wasn’t as satisfying as I thought it would be.” Ricci folded her arms across her chest, leaning on the jamb. “You didn’t even get mad. What the hell is wrong with you?”
My feet planted on the floor, moving to where she was standing, barely containing my grin. “Your captain going to give you paperwork? Can’t say he’d be too happy wasting the city’s resources to further your own agenda.”
“To be fair,” she took an exaggerated breath, the air rushing past those beautiful lips. “You were acting like a crazy person last night on the street. Miller was ready to call in the wellness check right after we left.”
“Yeah? You know, if you wanted to see me, Ricci, all you had to do was ask. I think I made myself pretty clear on wanting to see you.”
I wanted to kiss her.
Like pull her into my arms and really fucking kiss her.
Irrational, since we clearly hadn’t moved to a place where that would be welcomed, but I wanted to, all the same. My hands rolled into fists at my side to stop me from doing something stupid, the urge to touch her driving me a little insane.