Eye Candy

Ben and Mia are walking behind him, Ben looking like the happiest guy on the fucking planet, which is pretty typical for him. Mia though, something’s off. She has tears in her eyes and a look of hesitation weighing heavy on her features. Her focus is glued on Tessa, no one else, who immediately sets her glass down and breaks free from the group.

She runs over, knocking people on the dance floor out of her way, and wraps her arms around Mia.

“What’s going on?” Reed asks.

“Mia’s pregnant.”

All eyes move to Luke after he speaks.

Beth gasps and goes over to be with the girls.

“No shit?” I ask.

He nods, smiling.

His reaction is good to see. We all know how much Luke and Tessa have been struggling. I hear about it from Riley, so knowing they’re on board with this makes it really fucking easy to feel happy for Ben and Mia.

“That’s awesome,” Reed says.

I jerk my head, agreeing, and reach behind the bar to grab another glass for Ben. I pour us all another round.

Nolan and Chase finally make their way through the crowd, running over wearing their superhero costumes. The pillowcases in their hands drag on the wooden floor.

“Look how much stuff we got! We hit the mother lode!” Nolan hoists his pillowcase in front of him, lifting it to waist level so everyone can see it. His eyes are big and bright as he looks at everyone through his mask that stops just above his nose. “Do you guys got some candy for us?”

“Don’t you have enough?” I ask.

Nolan blinks. “No way. I’m just getting started.”

“Here, Nolan. Come with me,” Hattie says, waving him over to where she’s standing behind the bar. “I have some candy for you.”

“Sweet!” He takes off running.

“Uncle Wuke.” Chase tugs on Luke’s jeans, getting picked up.

I grab his pillowcase off the ground and set it up on the bar.

“What’s up, bud?” Luke asks him.

Dressed as Superman, Chase yawns around the thumb in his mouth and drops his head on Luke’s shoulder, looking a second away from passing out.

Luke rubs his back.

No fucking way is that guy not going to be a dad.

There’s certain things that are meant to happen for certain people. One way or the other, it always works out.

Ben steps up beside me, grinning big, while the girls continue to hug and do this weird half-crying/half-laughing thing a few feet away.

“I hear congrats are in order,” I say, offering out a hand for him to shake. “That’s awesome, man. Really happy for you.”

“Thanks.” He exhales heavily, releasing my hand and then reaching out to take Reed’s. “Couldn’t let you have all the attention,” he jokes.

Reed snorts. “Can’t say I’m surprised in the least. My happiness means jack shit around here.”

We all share a laugh.

I gesture at the glasses lined up and hand one out to Ben, and we all drink them down just as the girls walk back over.

“Awesome news,” I tell Mia, giving her a quick hug, the wings of her angel costume scratching my arm.

“Thank you. We’re so excited.” Keeping hold of Tessa’s hand, Mia leans her head on Ben’s shoulder and smiles at Reed when he offers his congratulations.

“Let’s get a table,” Luke suggests. He’s still holding Chase, who has his eyes closed now.

Tessa leans in and kisses them both.

I rub my hand down my face, liking the idea of sitting more than I did when I first got here. Three shots in me and I’m feeling pretty relaxed, but just as I turn to follow the group, Riley steps through the door.

And it’s like the crowd wants me to see her. Needs me to see her.

They part like the fucking Red Sea, and if I were a religious man, I’d be thinking this has got to be some biblical shit right here, because without a doubt, that outfit she has on was touched by God.

Or made by the devil.

Probably a mix of both.

“Holyyy shit,” Tessa snickers from her seat at the table. “Okay. Riley wins best outfit of the night. Hands down.”

“Hey, I thought mine was pretty creative,” Beth whines, but there’s a playfulness to her voice. I’m sure she’s smiling.

I just can’t look at her right now to confirm that. I can’t look anywhere else.

Letting my eyes roam up and down the length of Riley, I take her in.

Black police vest stopping at her ribs to show her stomach and unzipped to her cleavage, tight black pants—possibly leather—which I will confirm the second I get close enough to touch, thick black belt with cuffs and a night stick hanging off her hip, and leaning to the side, squinting . . . yep. That’s my Nerf gun sticking out from behind her. I recognize the bright orange handle.

She’s wearing dark aviators and a black uniform hat, and her long blond hair falls past her shoulders. Lips shiny and lifted, no doubt appreciating the look I’m giving her right now. And when Riley pulls out the night stick and starts walking toward me, twirling it in the air, hips swaying, I cock my head to the side and smirk, waiting for the show that I am one hundred percent participating in to start.

Ben whistles, the sharp noise cutting through the air and gaining some eyes. But mostly everyone except our group is minding their own business.

“Ma’am,” I greet Riley when she stops in front of me, giving her cleavage some attention now that it’s close up before admiring the patch on her vest.

It reads Officer Booty.

“Wow,” I chuckle, looking to the ceiling. “God, I am so glad I committed all those crimes on the way over here. Lock me up now. I won’t fight you, darlin’.”

Holding in a smile, Riley jams her night stick against my chest. “Turn around, and don’t call me that again. I am not your darlin’.”

“Burn!” Reed hollers, earning laughs from the table.

Riley’s cheeks turn red beneath her glasses.

“Are you sure?” I ask, leaning in and putting some pressure on the stick. “’Cause you look exactly like this girl I know. This real sweet little thing.”

Her mouth twitches but she covers it quickly, pursing her lips together. Removing her glasses, she tucks them in her shirt and narrows her crystal blue eyes at me. “If you don’t listen to orders, I’ll cuff you now and drag you out of here.”

“Well there goes my willingness to comply.”

“Turn.” Riley presses the stick firmer against my chest and crowds me. “Around.” Her voice drops lower.

I feel that straight in my dick.

“Yes, ma’am,” I say, winking before I put my back to her.

The girls clap and cheer Riley on behind us, who tries to keep her sweet giggle quiet so she can stay in character, but I hear it.

I meet her eyes over my shoulder, letting her know I’m enjoying this as much as she is.

“Hands flat on the bar.” She kicks my legs apart and presses between my shoulder blades after setting her night stick next to the glasses we drained. “Do it. I have to search you.”

My mouth twitches.

Now, there’s an idea.

I press my hands on the worn wood and look down the bar, watching Nolan dunk his head in a large metal tub and retrieve an apple with his mouth. Hattie cheers him on.

“I have to tell you,” I begin as Riley reaches underneath my arms to pat my chest. “I had three shots of tequila before you got here. Just want to be upfront so you know I’m not trying to hide anything.” I moan when she moves down my stomach, her hands stilling at my belt.

Christ, this is probably not the best time to get hard.