Fourteen

I sat in a cell at the crowded bar at 6 pm sharp that Friday, staying for Detective Rowley to show up.

I didn't know how exactly he would find me, but there is a tablet and pen sitting on the rustic table in front of me. I am sure, grounded on what he does for a living, that he should be suitable to make a deduction.

After many twinkles of watching the door, I sit up straighter as an altitudinous man walks in. Dark, messy hair, jeans, a black t-shirt, and a jacket. His eyes overlook the room, and when they find me, his face breaks into a small, sportful boo.

I guess that is him. Detective Dylan is, I can admit, ruggedly handsome.

I made conscious trouble not to run my eyes down his muscular body as he made his way over to my table, sliding into the cell across from me. And he has to be a freaking police officer. He flashes me a devilish grin. "You're surely not Roger."

I raised an eyebrow." Excellent observation, Operative. You must be veritably good at your job."

This is going to be delightful. I do not miss the way his eyes take me in, my straight brown hair and sharp eyes, a simple brace of skinny jeans, and a thin blouse. His eyes are a dark, sparkling brown.

"You have no idea, love." Redness stains my cheeks from that surname in that accentuation. He extends a large, rough hand." Detective Dylan Rowley."

I shook it, and his grip was strong and warm." Ellen Miller."

A small, crooked grin." Pleasure, Melanie. Are you new at The Press? I have met Roger, Seth, Marcus. but this is a nice change." So, so smooth.

" Started a little while agone, Detective Rowley." It's better that he does not know about my inexperience or how green I am. He needs to take me seriously if I've a chance at getting some decent information from him.

"What will you have to drink, Miller? "He raises a hand to get a garçon's attention.

" Just a Coke, please, "I ordered from the waitress who arrived at our table.

"That is no fun, love." He gave her a panty-melting grin." Make those two beers, please, darling." She blushes at his low voice and that English accentuation, giving him a small nod and a smile before rushing off.

"Such a conjurer," I teased dryly, rolling my eyes." I am on duty, Operative."

"You can call me that. As much as I am sure you are enjoying whatever wild bobby fantasies are running through that suitable head of yours." A dirty wink.

I couldn't help but let out a small laugh." You're so full of yourself, Operative."

He ran a hand through that messy hair. "I just enjoy teasing you, squeeze. You should see how bloody seductive you're when you color."

And I couldn't help it, damn it, I color. This man was going to make my job more delicate than it needs to be.

As ridiculous as it sounds, there are two too numerous handsome men complicating my life right now. But hey, not that I minded that for as long as it was kept a secret.

I picked up the pen, trying to recapture some semblance of control. However, Dylan, you are going to need to answer some of my questions first, "If you want me to have a drink with you." The challenge in my voice is unmistakable.

He was obviously flirting with me, and I am flirting back because as an interview tactic, it's working so far.

But perhaps I wanted more, I mean that would be unskillful but not if no one knew about it.

A laborious soughed. We thanked the waitress as she dropped off our drinks, and I smiled triumphantly at him because she brought me a Coke along with the beer after all.

"And then I was allowing you might want to spend this Friday evening in a bar enjoying yourself." A disappointed shake of the head." You intelligencers are all the same."

I suck my lip, hiding a smile." Are you sure about that?"

The look he gave me, dark and smoldering, it's like he just admitted audibly that he wants to get into my pants, and I can feel my skin heat up.

and Operative Dylan is Franken coitus on legs. I wanted a quick bite of him.

"I am probing medicine-trafficking in the GTA, "I begin sluggishly, watching the expression on his face for any hints.

Commodity in those brown eyes darkened, I saw a bit of. heedfulness percolating into his debonair expression. He lets out a small, rough breath. "You and me both, darling."

I studied him, staying for further, but he didn't meet my eyes. Hm. I knew, in my gut, that commodity more was going on then, and his response confirms it for me." Dylan, help me out, okay? " My voice is soft. His aspect returns to mine, intrigued by the gentle soberness that has filled my tone. " I know that commodity is going on. Effects do not add up. I have done my exploration and I suppose you know what I am talking about. I suppose you can give me commodity further to work with then."

Establish trust.

Remember, I was willing to do further though.

His eyes studied me, searching my face for commodity. He rubs a hand pensively across that sharp jaw and also lets out an abnegated breath.

Check.

"Ellen." His voice suddenly lacks that characteristic humor I have come to anticipate from him." You do not know what you are getting yourself into, love. This." He shook his head, looking a little defeated." This is bigger than you can handle. I wish I could help you out, but I can not by good heart let you keep chasing after this without advising you." He leans in across the table, and I find myself leaning artificially towards him." Drop this, darling. It will not do you any good."

Shit. Better than I indeed imagined. I can feel my heart rate pick up a little. I'm too curious for my own good, and Detective Rowley just threw gas into the dears.

" Operative," I breathed, leaning closer so we can feel the warmth of each other's exhales against our skin," You sound awfully loose right now." His eyes regard down to my lips.

A small, rough sound leaves the reverse of his throat. Fire flashes across his eyes at my blameworthiness. Before I can move down, his fritters reach forward and grasp my chin. When he speaks, his lips are perhaps three elevations down." Do not you dare charge me of corruption, Melanie. I have been following this case for the last three times and it's a fucking shit show." He comes near enough to press the tip of his nose to mine, and I can not breathe.

Our eyes meet for one long, violent second before he pulls down, his face flushed as he sits back against the seat.

I pressed into the cell behind me, watching him. He watched me too.

"I can not let this go, Dylan. I need to do my job, and I will do it with or without your help."

He shook his head, a heavy shriek escaping those full lips. He takes a long belt of his beer, and my mind is busy running a million country miles a nano second." You have no idea what you are getting yourself into."

I suck my lip, cock my head to the side. I am enough and he is attracted to me and I know it, so I decide to use it to my advantage." Enlighten me, also, Operative."

A small, tired smile plays at the edges of his mouth." Are you always so stubborn, Ellen?"

."I am an intelligencer, remember,?"

. That earned me a low, gruff chortle." Unfortunately for me, I go you are enough good one, too."

And commodity in my casket starts singing. Hell yes, I am.

I rested an elbow on the table, leaning against my win." Come on, Operative. Give me commodity."

That same sportful hint returns to his eyes." Tell you what, love." Commodity in his tone makes me know I am going to lament this." Let's make a deal, okay?"

. I raised a conservative eyebrow ."I am harkening," I say hesitantly.

A foamy, mischievous grin." You go out on a real date with me, and I will tell you what I know."

Oh crap. Crap on a fricken stick.

I can not help it when I flush. "I am not whoring myself out for a lead, Rowley."

He rolls those dangerous eyes." First of all, I said date, not coitus." Oh, but the sparkle in his aspect tells a different story." Second, you and I both know that you enjoy my company."

" Debatable."

"But your face says else." Damn it.

He knows how poorly I want to know more, and he is using it as an influence.

"Thirdly." He met my eyes, dears dancing in his, and flashes me a wolfish smile. "When I do eventually get you in my bed, it will be because you want me, not because you want further information about some stupid case."

Fuck. My face is red as a tomato, and it made him laugh.