“There.”
“Where?”
“There.”
I teased her for a little while longer before I tilted her head in the right direction. “Oh! How’d you get up there you little stinker?” she yelled at the bird as she stepped closer, manually zooming in.
“If you want him to get closer, you can zoom in by turning the lens like this.” I showed her how to do it, but she was having a hard enough time just holding the camera level.
“There! There! That’s great! No. No. Put it back,” she commanded.
I adjusted the lens ever so slightly.
“Perfect!” she cried, a bright smile on her face.
Carefully, she pressed the shutter.
The sound scared her to the point that she nearly dropped the camera, but she managed to save it just in time.
“How did I do?”
“Let’s see.” I took the camera from her and sat down on a tree trunk. My sister tried to join me, only she was much too small to jump on by herself. “Here, let me help.” I grabbed her and hoisted her up with ease.
“Thank you, Hector.” She hugged me tightly, using my shoulder as a pillow while she glanced at the display. “Wow! Is that my picture?” she asked once the Cardinal popped up.
“Yup. You did that all by yourself.”
“Well, you helped me a little bit,” she said, being modest.
“Yeah, but you did all the hard parts. This is really good, Caroline.”
“Do you think I can be a real photographer like you someday?” she asked, looking at me with those innocent blue eyes.
“Maybe. You can do anything you set your mind to,” I whispered as I kissed the top of her head. “Just remember to never give up.”
***
The flashback faded from my mind when I heard approaching footsteps. It was probably the owner of that lone car I saw in the parking lot.
I stepped behind a small bush.
To my surprise, the detective I had met at the library was heading my way. No wonder the car looked so familiar.
She had headphones on and was focusing on her footing so she hadn’t noticed me just yet.
I stepped to the side, admiring her for a second. I couldn’t be sure, but she seemed even more attractive than the last time I saw her.
Her long, blonde hair was gathered in a ponytail that bobbed left and right with her movements. She wore a low-cut tank top, accenting her large bosom. Short shorts showed off her long, shapely legs. Now, this was a real woman. Not one of those skin and bone models. A part of me wanted to pounce on her right then and there, to push her against a tree and just have my way with her.
But, this girl was a cop. And, she didn’t even know I was H.P. Emulsion. One wrong move and I would be in jail for a long, long time. I better hope she never found out.
She looked up and spotted me. Her eyes widened a little in recognition as she slowed her pace, taking out her headphones. “You following me or something?”
“Following?” I grinned at her. “I wish. Because if I was, I would know where you lived and I’d be able to bring you some nice flowers when you least expect it.”
She rolled her eyes. “I see you still subscribe to the sweet talker lifestyle. Didn’t I already tell you that you’re wasting your time with me?”
“You did. But, persistence is key.” I stepped forward. “Besides, what are the odds of us meeting each other like this? Don’t you think it means something?”
“Are you trying to tell me we were fated to find each other again? Where did you read that, a fortune cookie or something?”
“No, actually, it was my daily horoscope. I was destined to find the woman of my dreams!” I recited dramatically.
I could tell she was trying really hard not to crack a smile.
“In a romantic and mysterious setting, I would enjoy a kiss so powerful it would shake the entire cosmos!”
She burst out laughing. “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. Don’t tell me you actually read that somewhere.”
“No. I just came up with it myself. Impressive, isn’t it?”
“I wouldn’t call it impressive.”
I frowned, “So harsh. Are you trying to break my heart?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m just trying to enjoy my few days off.”
“Oh?” I raised my eyebrow with intrigue. “Is there no crime to crack in this lovely city of ours?”
“Oh, there’s more than enough. If it was up to me, I’d be on the streets hunting down that snake that’s been eluding me for way too long.” She was about to say more when she seemed to realize that she was dangerously close to saying too much.
“And who might that be?” I prompted, regardless.
“That’s classified.”
“Of course it is. It wouldn’t happen to be H.P. Emulsion, would it?”
Her eyes wavered.
Bingo.
So, she was hunting me down after all. This could get interesting…
“It’s none of your business.” She was about to push past me when I grabbed her wrist.
She swung her arm in my direction, aiming right for my face, but this time, I was prepared.
I ducked and wrapped my arms around her, trapping her in a bear hug.
“Hey! Let go of me!”
Suddenly, I started to tickle her.
Her eyes widened to the size of the moon before she began to wiggle around, desperately trying to break free.
“Let go of me this instant or I swear, I’ll have you arrested for harassing an officer!”
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t you just tell me you were off duty? How do you expect to arrest me?” I whispered in her ear. I was tempted to nibble on her lobe, but I wasn’t going to push my luck that far. “I’ll tell you what, I’ll let you go if you give me your number.”
Chapter 5
ALICIA
Ugh! This guy was persistent. Those were always the worst. The ones that just wouldn’t leave you alone until they got exactly what they wanted. If he wasn’t so attractive, I probably would have filed for a restraining order.
“Let go of me this instant,” I repeated, my tone icy, trying to scare him.
He only tightened his grip, however, his hot breath caressing the side of my neck, making me shiver. There was just something about this man that made me want to let go of all my inhibitions. I wanted to turn around, push him against a tree, press my lips against his, and just see where our passion would take us.
Wait. What was I thinking? You could never rush into a situation like that… It would only get you killed.
Okay, maybe that is more applicable to police situations, but still…
“Come on, you know you want it,” he whispered, his voice soft and seductive.
My heart seemed to skip a beat. I was suddenly very conscious of his body pressed against mine. His every muscle. The strength of his arms. I bet if he pinned me to a bed, I’d have no way to escape. I’d be his helpless little plaything.
Where did that come from?
“Unless you want to lose the ability to father children, I suggest you let go.”
His eyes widened at my threat before he let go and stepped back, covering his junk. “No need to get so hostile.”
I smirked, “Good boy.”
“Hey, I’m not some dog.”
“Really? You could’ve fooled me by the way you keep trying to get my number. Tell me, how many other girls have you hounded down before me?” I narrowed my eyes with suspicion. I had my heart broken one time too many to blindly trust people like I once used to.
“Honestly, not that many.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “If you want the truth, I do think you’re very beautiful, but I also believe you’re more than that. I like that you’re strong and independent. Do you know how many times I’ve dated a girl and she just ended up depending on me like some kind of parasite? I like my freedom and
I know you do too.” He flashed a smile. “Admit it, detective, we would make a pretty good team, if you would only give me a chance.”
He sounded sincere, but I couldn’t be sure. There were a lot of good liars in the world, maybe Hector was one of them.
“I’ll make you a deal.”
“What’s that?” he asked, raising an eyebrow in my direction.
“If you go on a walk with me and by the end of it, I don’t want to strangle you, then maybe I’ll consider giving you my number.”
“Sounds like an offer I can’t refuse.”
I nearly regretted my decision the moment he agreed. He had this weird sparkle in his eye and I had no doubt he was up to no good.
“Shall we then?” He held out his hand like he wanted me to take it.
I ignored it, walking ahead without waiting up for him.
“Why are you so cold?” he asked, catching up. “Jeez, I don’t think I’ve ever met a woman that’s rejected me so many times.”
“Maybe you’ve only gone after the easy ones.”
“Maybe that’s what makes you so interesting. I know it’ll be a challenge to get you to like me and I love a good challenge.”
“Don’t bite off more than you can chew.”
“Oh, I’d love to bite you…” he grinned, looking me up and down, taking in every inch of my hourglass figure.
For some reason, the thought of him checking me out excited me more than I would’ve liked to admit. My heart fluttered in my chest and my cheeks turned bright red. Why was this man having such an effect on me? This had never happened before. I didn’t like it.
“What’s wrong, cat got your tongue?” he teased, moving closer.
Instinctually, I stepped away, but doing so, my foot snagged on a tree root and I went stumbling forward. I held out my hands, prepared to break my fall, but before I could taste the dirt, a pair of strong arms wrapped around me.
I felt safe for a moment before the world started spinning once more.
Together, we fell in a heap on the ground.
“Well, lookie here. One second you hate me, the next you’re lying all over me. Straddling me too,” he smirked.
It took me a second to realize that we were indeed in a very scandalous position. As I slowly got my bearings, I felt something poking into my thigh…
Was that his…?
I blushed crimson before scrambling to my feet, trying to hide the embarrassment that was surely written all over my face.
“Aww, don’t be like that. You can’t keep running away from me forever. At some point, you’ll have to admit you like me.”
“You wish,” I spat, trying to sound convincing, but it was no use. My face was the color of a tomato. My heart was beating so loud, I was sure he could hear its drum-like pounding. Hell, the whole world could probably hear it.
“If you say so.” His smirk deepened. “You sure you don’t want me to hold your hand so you don’t trip again?”
“I can handle myself,” I answered, walking past him once more, only this time I made sure to pay attention to my surroundings.
***
By the end of our nature walk, I was surprised that I hadn’t killed him and dropped his body in the nearby river.
I will admit, however, the thought did cross my mind a few times.
“So, did I pass the test with flying colors?” he asked, leaning against his car in a nonchalant manner.
I noticed that he had a blue Mustang. An older model too. One of those muscle cars my dad used to love so much when I was younger. Such a car probably cost a small fortune. I wondered how he got all that money. Could his photography pay that well? Or maybe he got his money elsewhere…
This is why my relationships never lasted. I would constantly over-analyze my partner until I found something wrong with them. It was almost as if each one of them was a criminal and I just had to find out the truth. But the truth hurts nine out of ten times.
“Hello?” He waved a hand in front of my face. “I know I’m handsome, but if you keep staring at me like that, you’ll start drooling.”
“I was not staring.”
“No? Then what were you doing?”
“I was just… admiring your car,” I lied quickly. “My dad used to collect retro cars when I was a little girl. Sometimes I would help him in the garage, but I didn’t have much of a knack for it so I usually just passed him the tools.”
“I see. Well, if you ever want to help me in my garage, the door is always open,” he winked.
“Do you have to turn everything into a sexual joke?”
“Do you have to be such a prude that you get offended every single time?”
“I’m not a prude.”
“No? Then why do you keep pushing me away like I’m the plague?”
“I’m just not… ready for a relationship right now.”
“Right. That’s every other girl’s excuse. Admit it, you’re scared.” He straightened to his full height, towering over me.
My mind screamed at my body to step back, but it was like I was frozen in place. The distance between us grew smaller and smaller until he grabbed me, locking our hips together.
“You’re scared that it won’t work out. You’ve already come up with every single scenario in your head, convincing yourself that there isn’t one instance that would work. Well, life can’t be planned out like that, detective. Sometimes, you just have to be a little impulsive.”
With these words, he leaned down and kissed me.
Our lips collided together. His arms tightened around my waist, pulling me even closer until it felt like we were two puzzle pieces finally clicking together. My heart rampaged in my chest, feeling like it would explode at any moment.
Was this really happening?
Before I could overthink things, Hector started to run his tongue along my bottom lip, asking for entrance into my mouth. My instincts took over as my lips parted ever so slightly. He took his chance.
His tongue entered my mouth, finding mine with ease. Soon enough, they were tangled together. I found my inhibitions quickly melting away at the taste of his sweet, sweet kiss.
Throwing caution to the wind, I ran my fingers through his hair and kissed him back. I was surprised by my own passion as it erupted out of my soul and straight into my lips. It was like I couldn’t get enough of this man. I pulled on his hair, kissing him roughly, addicted to the taste.
Soon enough, he had me slightly bent over the hood of his car. His hands were all over my body, taking it slow. My skin tingled with excitement, my legs wrapping around his waist, threatening to never let him go.
I hadn’t felt this… aroused… in a long, long time. Too long.
It was only when we were both out of breath that we pulled away, looking into each other’s eyes. “And you said you didn’t want me,” he grinned in a smug fashion, his hands on my hips, his fingers digging into my flesh gently. “I bet that if you let me continue, we would both be naked in the back of my car in no time.”
“Don’t get your hopes up.” I pushed him off me. “I just…”
“You just what?” He slammed me into the hood, his face only inches away from mine. “You just don’t want to admit that you like me, that your body craves mine. You keep suppressing your desires like this and you’re only going to end up hurt.” Subtly, his hand crept down the side of my body. “You can act tough all you want, but I can tell you’ve been hurt in the past, that you’re scared to let someone into your life. I can understand that, but you can’t possibly say you aren’t attracted to me.”
I ground my teeth. “Fine. You’re hot. Okay?” I pushed him away once more, getting to my feet.
He smirked in triumph. “I knew I would get to you at some point. So…” he paused, “…can I get your number?”
“You’re annoying, you know that?”
“I know. It’s one of my most charming qualities, if you haven’t noticed.”
&
nbsp; “Yeah, yeah. Real charming.”
“You know you secretly like it,” he winked.
“Sure, sure. Whatever you say, Casanova.” I stepped closer to him, almost like I was going to make a move.
He looked down with intrigue.
Before he could realize what was going on, I reached into his pocket and snatched his phone.
Forever Together Page 23