"What are you doing here?" I ask as I look around. I'm the only one on the bus besides the driver at the moment.
"I knew you'd try some kind of shit like this. You are a stubborn but sweet angel."
A blush runs from my toes to my head as he talks to me. He pulls me toward him and my breath catches. "You are supposed to be working."
"I am. But something told me to come get you. I don't like how we left things this morning."
He runs a hand through my hair and smiles at me. "Come on. I'm taking you to my house, and then I have to get back to work. You're not allowed out tonight. I know there's a party somewhere."
I act dumb and look at him as we get into the cruiser. "Why can't I go out?"
"Maddie, The Mad Hatter, well … they burned down the library you were in last night. I don't know if you’re a target, but I need to keep you safe. Can you just trust me?"
My heart blossoms at his words. This is kind of perfect. If he thinks I'm a target, he won't be looking at me when things happen. And tonight, considering he thinks I'll be home, it will be the perfect opportunity to strike.
I smile at him and nod. "Of course I can trust you."
Maddie may have toldme she can trust me, but I can tell she’s still upset from this morning when I pulled away. I have a feeling my angel needs reassuring that she’s mine. But I wonder, is she afraid I’m not going to be able to protect her? Is it more that she needs to be touched and I can’t touch her until her eighteenth birthday? I sigh and decide to tell her my thoughts.
"Maddie, your birthday is one day away. When you turn eighteen, I can legally touch you in a more intimate way and not have to worry about the legalities.” Fuck, I want to say so much more. But this will have to do. Hell, let’s be honest, it's the furthest thing from what I want to do. I've jacked off twice today at work when I should have been working on the fucking case. She takes up my headspace, and frankly, I can't stop it. I don't want to stop it.
Her loud huff ricochets through the silent cruiser. "Look, I know I'm a little sister to you, and you don't have to be nice about it. I get it. I'm your best friend's sister and you don't need that grief."
She's looking out the window, and I can tell by the way she folds her arms under her breasts, she's feeling unwanted.Fuck.That's not it at all. Nothing can happen between us yet. I know this. But hell, I won't have her feeling unwanted.
I pull into the driveway of my home, and I turn the cruiser off. Turning in the seat, I take her face in my hands and make her look at me.
"Listen to me, you have your whole life ahead of you. You don't need to worry about your family. I'm working on it. All you need to worry about is getting to tomorrow so I can celebrate your birthday with you like you want. A movie and junk food, remember?"
Her pink tongue comes out and swipes along her bottom lip as she stares at me. "You aren't tired of me yet?"
I laugh. How can this girl not know I'd walk through hell and kill the devil himself if it meant she was smiling at me? Leaning forward, I kiss her lips. Just a peck, to satisfy my hunger for her. "I'll never tire of you. Now, get your cute ass in the house before I take you over my knee."
Her eyes go wide, and her mouth pops open. I can tell she's turned on by the way she’s breathing. Fuck me. I can't do this right now. I need to get back to work. She unbuckles her seatbelt after I let her go. It’s painful for me to see her leave.
“Text me if you get lonely!” I call out to her and my phone dings before I can get out of the driveway.
Maddie:I’m lonely, but I know you’ll be coming home tomorrow and we will hang out then.
The smile on my face says it all as I drive back to work.
* * *
Time got away from me.I need to get home to Maddie. Getting up from my desk, I stretch. Shit, I sat too long. The radio crackles and I groan. Not now.
"Alpha Bravo, #21."
"Alpha Bravo #21, go ahead dispatch."
"Respond to a 10-54 at Clubhouse and Twelfth."
Fuck, a possible dead body.
"10-4, Alpha Bravo #21 en route."
I wasn't supposed to be on duty, and now when I find a moment to stop and get home, this shit goes down.
Me:Hey, I'm sorry, but I got a call. I'll be home later. Please stay inside, sweet angel.
