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in thirty
minutes. Don’t even think about keepin’ me waitin’ on you.”

Chapter Two
     
    Mike was waiting by the entrance to Jimmy’s
exactly twenty-seven minutes after Tori hung up on him. He was hyper-aware of
anyone and everyone passing through the doors, lingering in the parking lot, or
loitering by the nearby coffee shop. He wasn’t paid to be Tori’s bodyguard, but
he’d be damned if he let anyone get within five feet of her on his watch.
    It had nothing to do with his personal
feelings, he told himself. He was just doing what any good cop would do, but no
matter how many times he tried convincing himself of that, it still didn’t ring
true.
    A black stretch SUV pulled up to the curb
and a uniformed driver jumped out.
    Mike rolled his eyes as a little blond head
popped out of the backseat, flashing a big grin at the middle-aged driver
trying to take her hand.
    Tori laughed. “I don’t need your help just
yet, Ralph. Now, when you come back to pick me up, I just might.”
    He dipped his head to hide his smile. “Text
whenever you’re ready, ma’am.”
    She wrinkled her pert little nose at him,
as though she sensed a foul odor lingering in the humid air. “You know I hate
it when you call me ma’am.”
    He chuckled. “Sorry, force of habit.”
    Mike cursed when he saw a group of curious
onlookers eyeing Tori’s ride with interest. He beckoned her with his finger,
hoping she was going to follow orders for once.
    She strutted up to him and fisted her hands
on her hips before looking way, way up at him. “I know you’re not expectin’ me
to run when you come acallin’.”
    Mike smirked. He’d take her insolent
attitude over the silent treatment any day. He had to admit he’d missed her
smart mouth. “Yet here you are.”
    She pressed a finger into his chest as she
glared at him. “No, here you are. I told you where to be and when and...” She
snapped her fingers. “Viola. Here you are.”
    Mike grabbed her upper arm, shifting her
toward the entrance. “I’m not gonna stand out here arguin’ with you all damn
night. I’ve got a job to do, and I’d just as soon get started.” Before those
shiny, full lips tempted him to do something crazy, like kiss her.
    “Fine by me.” She allowed him to take her
hand so he could lead her through the crowded bar to a small, empty table in
the rear corner.
    As soon as people realized Tori Warner was
in their midst, the air seemed charged with energy and excitement. Mike had to
put his body between her and overzealous fans countless times before he finally
whipped out his badge and started asking people to step aside to let the lady
through.
    “Jesus,” he muttered, sinking into a chair
across from her. “I don’t know how the hell you put up with that day after day.
It must be exhausting.”
    She shrugged. “You get used to it after a
while.”
    Mike didn’t think he could ever get used to
it. Nor could he get used to the idea of all of those rowdy drunks trying to
manhandle his woman. Good thing his relationship with Tori was strictly professional.
“You want somethin’ to drink before you start fillin’ me in on this case?”
    “Yeah, a dry martini would be great.” She
smiled at the look of surprise on his face. “What? You thought I only drink
beer and the hard stuff? I’ve even been known to enjoy a nice glass of wine or
champagne a time or two.”
    He’d be willing to bet this woman would be
full of surprises if he allowed himself to dig deeper. But he couldn’t go
there. Their relationship had to remain professional, cordial if possible, but
nothing more. After the last time they’d been together, he’d almost put his
fist through a wall when he turned on his TV to see her on the arm of some
boxer at a charity event not more than twenty-four hours after she’d left his
bed.
    She turned around, as though she was
looking for a waitress.
    “Do me a favor. Just try to keep a low
profile. As it is, everyone’s watchin’ your every