Page 32 of Roughing
“Rude? Me?” I pointed at my chest to accentuate my question that didn’t need an answer. “They were just as rude. They interrupted us and barely spoke to me.”
“They were only being friendly, which you should appreciate that they’re still giving you a chance.”
“He didn’t hear me.” I dipped my chin and slumped in my chair, crossing my arms over my chest. She was right, which I hated to admit.
“What if he did?” Her eyes flashed fire as she met my gaze, scaling my walls to uncover the guy underneath. I hated anyone seeing that guy, but Michella had seen him more than most. She’d never mentioned witnessing my vulnerable side, but she knew it lurked in my shadows. I slammed down the shutters and averted my eyes.
I decided to take the heat off me and put it on her. “What do you really know about Heidi? Maybe she’s a secret drug addict or will rob you blind.”
“She isn’t. Aspen and Leila are her best friends. They’d have said something.”
“And then there’s your job. Helping to investigate the suspected victim of a serial killer is dangerous.”
“Are we going to hash this out again?”
“We could.” In the past, I purposely prodded her because angry sex was hot as fuck, and so was the makeup sex. This time, my ulterior motive wasn’t sexually motivated. I was genuinely worried about her.
“What I do is my business, not yours. Take your caveman mentality and shove it up your—”
“Hi, guys,” said Heidi. For the first time tonight, I was grateful for an interruption. “Can I get you another round?”
“Yeah, sure.”
“Your food should be up any moment.”
“We’re not in a hurry,” Michella said with a kind smile.
Heidi nodded and returned to the bar. I watched briefly while Leila showed her how to mix drinks. I noted my teammates were intent on both women. Whatever worked for them.
“So where am I supposed to shove my caveman mentality?” I rarely teased but had the urge to lighten our mood.
“You know where.” She gave my shin a kick under the table, and I yelped, not because it hurt but because she’d surprised me. Her self-satisfied smirk didn’t piss me off; instead, it got me hot. Everything Michella did made me burn all over.
We exchanged glares, but I wasn’t worried. We were a bit like oil and water when we were together, but our conflicts made things interesting. I saw the heat in her eyes. She was aroused, too.
“Are you going to strip me naked and help me put my caveman where it needs to go?” I grinned wickedly, knowing I’d get a rise out of her.
“I’m going to—” She stopped dead midsentence as she stared over my shoulder at something or someone. Her face paled, and she hugged herself as if to protect herself from harm. Gone was my sassy Michella, who loved to trade barbs and never held back what she really wanted to say. Her eyes grew big with what I could only describe as fright. She leaned forward with one hand on the table as if on the verge of bolting.
“Michella.” I touched her arm, alarmed by her sudden transformation. She shook my hand off her.
Swiveling in my chair, I saw the object of her fear and went into full protective mode.
“I’ll get rid of the fucker.” I started to stand, but Michella placed a restraining hand on my arm.
“Briggs, no. Last time you tangled with him, you were suspended. Don’t do it again.”
“He has a restraining order,” I growled. “He needs to leave.”
“He did. I didn’t follow through, and it was only temporary. He hasn’t been bothering me.”
“He is now, and someone’s been harassing you at your work.”
“We don’t know why he came in here.” I noted she didn’t mention the incidents with the prowler.
“I do,” I said as Gordon and I locked eyes. His gaze was smugly menacing, as if he believed he had the upper hand and the situation was in his control.
Gordon walked past our table and didn’t look our way. Michella held my arm as if expecting me to jump to my feet and shove this guy against the bar. Not a bad idea now that I thought of it.
