I tucked one of the camel-colored, knee-high boots that I’d paired with my outfit underneath me, and smiled at the guy that was sitting on my right. He seemed nice enough, at least his tongue wasn’t hanging out like every other guy’s in here as they watched mine and Mia’s every move, waiting to see what was to come next.
“Hi, I’m Della.” I stuck out a hand, just as someone pounded loudly on the door from the hallway. One of the guys jumped up to open it and I could see his eyes widen from where I was sitting. “Oh shit.”
“Oh shit is right,” someone replied from behind the door.
Mia jumped up and I grabbed onto her arm but she shook me off with a giggle before skipping over to the door. “Oh,” she purred, “I didn’t know we were expecting Magic Mike themselves to show up tonight.” She turned her head, grinning widely at the two guys standing behind her that looked ready to piss themselves. “Did you guys order some strippers and not tell me about them? I love surprises!”
“Very funny, Mia.”
I sat up straighter, instantly recognizing that voice even though it was muffled.
Justin.
His voice was velvety smooth with a hint of that gruff edge always present, as he spoke lowly to Mia, though I couldn’t make out what he was saying. I heard another voice, and I could only assume that he had a partner with him.
I quickly brought the cup that I was still holding to my lips, draining the last of the liquid that remained, and groaned when the door opened further. Mia pouted her lips, but moved to sit down on the couch that she was being pushed toward. Someone flicked the switch on, causing my eyes to squint as the darkness of the room was taken over by blinding light, and then, there he was.
When I saw him, I think I just about orgasmed on the spot. I had many inappropriate fantasies, which I obviously kept to myself, about seeing Justin in a police uniform, but the picture in my head had nothing on this.
The dark blue uniform fit tightly against his toned body, with a holster attached to his hip. The one arm that was covered in tattoos was clearly visible, and gave him a badass look that said, “Don’t mess with me, or I’ll shoot your ass.” His hair was shorter than the last time I’d seen him, which had only been a week or so ago, but it just showed off those gray eyes of his even more—those eyes that were currently cold and hard when they landed on me.
Justin’s jaw tightened when he noticed the guy next to me, whose hand was currently gripping my bare thigh. I don’t think he even realized what he was doing. I think he was just scared shitless by the way Justin was stalking toward the two of us.
“Della,” he snapped, tugging at my arm to pull me off of the couch.
“Hey, Parker, don’t get so rough,” his partner scolded as Justin dragged me through the bedroom door.
“Don’t worry, she likes it rough.” He smirked at his partner before turning back to me and pushing me out into the hallway.
“Asshole,” I muttered, snapping my head up when his fingers grazed my shoulder, causing my mind to spin even more than it already was. I hated that one simple brush of his fingers could do that to me. “Don’t touch me with those disgusting hands of yours. Who knows where they’ve been.”
“Are you seriously gonna give me attitude right now, Della?” He pointed to his chest where in the corner above his pocket sat a nameplate, his last name engraved on it in tiny black letters. “Because I’m pretty sure there were some illegal substances in that room. Do you want me to drag your ass down to the station?”
“I’m twenty-one now,” I responded defiantly, pushing my shoulders back straighter, which only caused my feet to wobble slightly. Justin reached out an arm as if to catch me but I backed up a step, using the wall behind me to support my body.
“You know that’s not what I’m talking about. Where’s Nash? Shouldn’t he be out with you? How’d you end up at a party with Mia?”
I shrugged my shoulders at his slew of questions, trying to avoid his eyes as I answered him. “Nash is probably at home. He’s about to be a dad, parties aren’t really his thing anymore.”
Justin coughed loudly, and when I looked up his lips were pressed into a tight line. “A dad? Then what in the hell are you doing out? At a party? And doing drugs?”
“It’s not that big of a deal, Justin. I can have a little fun every once in a while. You should be the last person judging me.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” He rushed me, and I moved back against the wall, squeaking loudly when his fist pounded into the drywall right next to my head. I don’t know why I was scared. I knew he would never hit me, but he seemed so upset that was all I could think he was about to do.
His hand shook as he leaned away a little, and I was overwhelmed by his scent that was all too comforting, soap mixed with a little bit of smoke, telling me that he had taken up that habit again.
“Everything all right out here?” Justin’s partner poked his head around the corner, and Justin gave a slight nod, squeezing his eyes shut briefly before responding.
“Yeah, everything’s fine. Any minors?”