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“Why?”
Their chairs were side-by-side. Less than two feet separated his body from hers. It wasn’t nearly enough space. Two miles might not be, not when her expression was warm, inviting and completely stole his breath.
“I see you as Jane and not a police officer,” he answered honestly. Why had he just leaned closer to her when he’d meant to shift as far away as his chair would allow?
Her eyes danced with humor. Apparently oblivious to his inner stirrings, she broke into the theme song from Cops.
Bad boys was right. Rob could think of a few things he’d do if she came for him. Like explode deep inside her. Aw hell. Where had that come from--he grimaced at his own usage of the word. He needed to pull his mind from the gutter. His other wayward body parts, too.
“Seriously, I’ve been awarded Officer of the Year two years in a row.” Her chest puffed with pride and the hair she’d just tucked aside fell back across her face.
Still battling his lustful demons, he longed to push that strand back into place. His gaze traveled over her beautiful face, lower to the rise and fall of her chest with each breath. He glanced up and didn’t bother to hide the lust slamming through him. What would be the point when he’d been as obvious as daylight? “I can see why.”
Her previously bright smile faded. “Just what are you saying?”
Her chin jutted forward, her shoulders squared, and her glare slashed into him, which should have dampened the heat surging through him. So, why hadn’t it? He should have run when he’d realized her gaze packed kryptonite. Even the man of steel would have gotten out of Metropolis. He had to douse this flame between them. Fast. Too bad he didn’t have a red cape. Leaping tall buildings would be a breeze compared to ignoring his attraction to Jane or to intentionally hurting her. Damn, he hated this, but he’d do what needed doing.
“It’s unlikely you out-performed the men you work with. I imagine a female officer is cut a lot of slack.”
Her indrawn breath cut him to the core, but he didn’t take back his intentional slur.
“I got those awards because I’d earned them. Both times.” Her chin tilted at a proud slant.
“I’m sure you did.”
She eyeballed
him as if he was a snake that had crawled out from under the lowest rock. And even though he’d accomplished what he’d set out to do, the sinking feeling in his gut told him he’d messed up. Big time. That’s what he got for allowing his crotch to distract him. The only thing he should be worried about where Jane was concerned was ensuring this show’s success. Not anything personal. They had to avoid personal at all costs.
“I’m a damn good police officer and not because of anything I’ve done while lying on my back.” She quietly stood, pushed her chair up and walked out of the studio with her head high. Regal as a queen--er, Princess.
Remorse gnawed his insides. How had he instinctively known how to hurt her? Even worse, a part of him had believed his chauvinistic comment. He really was a lowdown, belly-crawling snake. But the women he normally dealt with used their bodies to get ahead, to accomplish what they wanted. Why should he expect Jane to be different?
Because she was different. Different from anyone he’d ever met. He liked her. Too much.
The thought of her sex with her had sent him into testosterone overload, and he’d purposely offended her. Now she’d think him a jerk and maybe the undercurrents between them would fizzle.
He grimaced and stood from his chair, not liking where he was headed. After Jane. Bad. Bad. Bad. He should let things stand as is, but he couldn’t. He owed her an apology.
Not to mention her thinking him a heel had him feeling like one in the worst kind of way. Bad boy indeed.
# # #
Jill pushed the castle door open and strolled to the garden with an outer calm she didn’t feel. Her insides bubbled with frustration and the need to escape Rob’s male arrogance.
Men! She’d thought he was different. Not that it mattered. He was totally unavailable. But, darn it, she’d wanted to believe in him.
He might see her as a woman--a desirable woman even--but he suffered from the same affliction as every other man in her life. She had to work twice as hard to get respect. So she had, and did. She’d finally earned her fellow officers’ respect. They’d voted for her because she’d deserved the honor and not because of any favors she’d given them--at least not the sexual kind. No one could accuse her of using sex.
Not even Dan. If anything, he’d done her a favor by their having sex. He’d probably had to clear cobwebs she’d been out of commission so long. It had been years since her previous lover. Her one and only previous lover and those few disappointing fumblings during college shouldn’t even count.
A blue bird flew over her head and landed on a flowering bush to her left. The bird tweeted a short melody. Jill sighed at her peaceful surroundings, so in contrast to the turmoil bubbling within her.
None of her fellow officers would accuse her of using her gender to advance on the force. She’d put in long hours, performed flawless investigations. Out-witted, out-maneuvered, and usually captured her quarry. How dare Rob question her integrity?
She kicked a foot-high stone container of sweet scented flowers. Along with a tiny puff of pollen, a bee buzzed from the bright yellow blooms.
“Ouch.” Jill jerked to dodge the insect she’d disturbed. She sneezed and grabbed her throbbing toe.
