Suddenly, attraction was definitely winning out over distrust, because Ava knew if he kissed her…
She would kiss him back. Damn it. Damn it, that was so not what she needed to be feeling right now.
His eyes left hers to drop to her mouth and Ava felt her lips part, just slightly. It was an unbidden invitation, and from the flare of heat in his eyes he knew it. His mouth lowered, closer, and then—
“Excuse me, Officer?”
Ava jumped back so quickly she teetered on her high heels, and only Luc’s quick reflexes as he grabbed her elbows to steady her kept her upright. The warmth of his palms branded her arms, but he released her just as quickly to turn to the young woman who’d interrupted her.
The girl was early twenties, wearing too tight jeans and a too tight shirt that definitely worked for her toned curves.
She grinned as she caught the full impact of Luc Moretti in uniform. “It is you. Oh my gosh, can I get a picture with you? My uncle’s a cop, and he says you’ve done wonders to restore the department’s prestige.”
“Um.” Luc looked pained, and Ava was surprised to feel a surge of sympathy. She still had her suspicions that he secretly relished the attention, but it was clear he was embarrassed at the moment.
It was exactly the moment she needed to shake off the sexual tension.
Ava reached forward and plucked the cute brunette’s phone out of her hand. “Here, I’ll take it.”
“Thanks,” the girl said, her eyes never leaving Luc’s profile as he turned with a grimace toward the camera.
“Okay, I’ll count to three,” Ava said pointedly to the girl whose hand rested on Luc’s abs as she moved in close, apparently oblivious to the camera and Ava.
But the girl knew what she was doing. As Ava got to three, the girl turned her head toward the camera with a well-timed hair flip, and the result was a picture-perfect moment between a stoic cop and an adorable groupie.
Ava handed the phone back to the girl, who took it back reluctantly, likely because the motion meant letting go of Luc.
“So, Officer…” The girl’s eyelashes fluttered. As in actually fluttered.
Ava stuck her tongue in her cheek to hide her smirk. This should be good.
“Can I buy you a drink?”
“I’m on duty,” he said, gesturing down at his gun.
The girl all but salivated and pressed on. “Oh, I know. I was thinking whenever you got off. Or another day, if that would be better.”
Luc’s smile never wavered, but Ava was surprised to see that the polite grin seemed almost pasted on his face, as though he’d rather be anywhere else. Which didn’t make sense. The guy was gorgeous.
“Actually, I’m sort of seeing someone.”
He was?
Luc’s announcement caused more of a tug than it should, but when she looked at him more closely, she noticed the way he wouldn’t meet the girl’s eye.
Officer Moretti was lying. And from the guilty look on his face, he didn’t lie easily.
Ava all but shook her head. As far as excuses went, it was merely okay. Not a good enough explanation for a girl who looked like a lingerie model and had confidence radiating off her in waves. Girls like this one would take I’m seeing someone as more of a challenge than a rejection.
“Lucky lady,” the brunette said, wiggling closer to Luc. “But look, if it doesn’t work out between you two, I can give you my—”
“Hear that, sweetie? At least someone thinks you’re a lucky lady.”
It took Ava several seconds to realize that Luc was talking to her.
Oh no. No freaking way…
But he merely grinned, reaching out a hand and pulling her closer. She opened her mouth to tell him off, but there was something in his gaze—desperation, maybe?—that had her hesitating. Ava let herself be pulled to his side, even sliding her arm around his waist, but the pinch she delivered to his side said he’d pay for the lie later. At least she tried to pinch. The man had, like, zero body fat.