“I’m being serious, and I do mean sleep.”

I just laughed. He was such a chancer.

“Come on, Snap, don’t leave me sitting here feeling all rejected.”

Shaking my head, I asked quietly, “Lee, why do you like me?” The question had seriously been niggling at me ever since last night. There was clearly no love lost between Lee and law enforcement. In fact, judging by the deathly stares he’d been giving Steve and company, I’d even go so far as to say he hated cops. Therefore, I was genuinely puzzled as to why he was so keen on me.

He reached forward and took a strand of my hair between his fingers. His eyes stayed fixed on it as he answered, “Honestly, I’m still trying to figure that one out.”

What he said intrigued me. “What do you mean?”

He let out a breath and continued to toy with my hair. “When we first met, Alexis told me you were a cop, and, like a greedy little fuck, I wanted what I couldn’t have. Now, Jesus, Karla, I don’t even know. I just…I see you do things, and it kind of obsesses me. Like how you stuck up for that woman last night, or how you want to help me with Steve even though I can take care of myself. I understand it, and at the same time I don’t. Because I help people like you help people, but only if they’re family, only if they mean something. I don’t know why you’d do it for a stranger, someone who’d never do the same for you. When I stand up for my brothers, it’s to protect them and me, but when you stand up for any random person on the street, you’re putting yourself at risk with no payback. So I guess when I look at you, I see a little piece of myself, but braver. That’s why I like you.”

His answer surprised me the hell out of me, and I felt the need to help him understand my motivations. “It’s not so hard to comprehend when you think about it. Have you ever read the newspaper and seen some horrible story about a kid who’s been hurt or killed? Or about innocent people being victimised, and just feel so angry you could burst?”

Lee studied me. “Yeah, once or twice.”

“Well, that’s how I feel all the time. Maybe there’s something wrong with me, but ever since I was a kid, I always worried about people being hurt in the world. It was probably because of my dad’s job and being aware of all the awful things that happen. So I don’t really see it like I’m putting myself out there and getting nothing in return. I see it like I’m fighting against all the bad people, all the killers and rapists and paedophiles. They’re just one big giant wall of badness that I want to disassemble piece by piece. Knowing I do that every day lets me sleep soundly at night.”

Our gazes locked, the both of us silent as we shared a bizarre moment of understanding in a rundown East End café. After what I’d said, he was looking at me like I was the sexiest woman alive, and I wasn’t sure I understood his reaction. Maybe my hero complex was a turn-on.

“You’re kind of incredible,” Lee whispered, his breath on my ear as he bent his head to speak. “You should come back to mine. We’ll go to bed. I’ll even let you keep your clothes on. I’ll hold you tight, and we’ll fall asleep.” He stopped a moment to see if he was convincing me, before continuing in a lower voice. It hit me right in the pit of my stomach. “Then we’ll wake up a little while later. You’ll be wet, I’ll be hard. I’ll peel off your clothes and slip into you so easily, like I was always supposed to be there. Afterward I’ll cook, and we’ll eat dinner in bed. By the time you’re full, you’ll want me in you again.”

I was barely breathing once he finished talking, and my thighs were clenched so tight I was in danger of pulling a muscle. I wanted what he had described so badly it was almost a physical pain to say no.

“I can’t go back with you, Lee,” I whispered. “I’m sorry.”

He frowned at my reply, and I realised his hand had moved as he spoke and was now gripping my upper thigh. I shifted away from his touch just as Stu returned from his phone call, glancing between the two of us.

“All done?”

“Yeah,” said Lee, wiping his hands on a napkin. “We’re done. You can go wait in the car.”

Stu nodded and went back out the door. Lee nudged me with his hip, needing me to stand so he could get out. I rose and so did he, brushing past me as he walked up to the counter, pulling his wallet from his back pocket. When he was done paying, I moved to his side, catching him by the elbow and looking up at him.

“If I wasn’t me and you weren’t you, I’d go home with you in heartbeat. You know that, right?” I told him quietly.

For a second he glanced away, then bent his head to reply, his voice husky, “It’s because you’re you and I’m me that we want each other, Karla. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Before I could stop him his mouth dipped to mine, and he laid a soft, lingering kiss on my lips. His tongue slipped inside for just a moment, like a promise. Without another word he turned to walk away, and I stood there, my heart trying to beat its way right out of my chest.

“Thanks for breakfast,” I whispered, but he was already gone.

Eight

Two days passed. Forty-eight hours, and about ninety percent of those I spent with Lee on my mind. I was worried about him, especially after seeing the state Steve had left him in. I wanted to know how he was doing, but I was wary of texting, afraid it might give him the wrong impression…or the right one. Anyhow, I was single-mindedly determined to deny myself what I wanted. I was a grown woman, and I could resist my desire to sleep with someone I knew was no good for me.

Right?

It was six o’clock, and I’d just gotten home from a shift when my resistance gave way. My need to touch base with him was almost physical in its urgency, so, pulling my phone from my pocket, I tapped out a quick message.

Karla: How are you feeling?

I’d popped a ready meal in the oven for dinner when my phone pinged with a response.

Lee: Like crap…you should come over and kiss me all better ;-)

I scoffed at his reply.

Karla: You never stop.

Lee: Not with you.

Barely a second went by before he sent another message, and laughter bubbled out of me. In truth, I nearly snorted.

Lee: I want your big hard truncheon, Constable, all sleek and girthy.

Karla: We don’t carry truncheons any more. They’re called batons.

Lee: You’re so good at sexting. I think I just came.

I really did snort then. He could be such a sarcastic little shit at times.

Karla: Can you be serious for a second? I want to know if you’re okay. Did you go see a doctor?

Lee: No doctor. Liam fixed me up. Kid’s got some mad skills with a medi-kit.

Karla: So you’re feeling better, then?

Lee: If I say yes, does that mean you’re not coming over?

Karla: I was never coming over.

Lee: Remember our bet? I still owe you dinner.

Karla: As tempting as that sounds, I don’t think it’s wise.

Lee: How you wound me.

And that was how things progressed between us for the next two weeks. No phone calls, no in person meet-ups, just text messages at random, any time of the day or night. It felt safe, comfortable. If I couldn’t have him in real life, then at least I could have his texts.

Lee: What you up to, Snap?

Karla: Just getting ready for work. I’m on nights again. FML. You?

Lee: Watching Anthony Worrall-Thompson bake lemon cakes and trying to figure out the recipe.

Karla: I’m sorry. I didn’t realise I was texting my grandmother.

Lee: Hahaha! We both know you want my lemon cakes.

Karla: Is that your trick? You lure women into bed with baked goods?

Lee: Pretty much. My milkshakes bring all the girls to the yard, too.

Karla: I’m just glad you didn’t say boys.

Lee: Hey, if I wanted the boys I could get the boys.

I laughed.