“She single?”

I couldn’t help it; I sputtered a laugh. Lee’s eyebrows drew together as he chewed on the toothpick. “What’s so funny?”

“My friend’s name is Karla. My friend is also a cop.”

Now Lee’s eyebrows practically shot right up into his forehead. “For real? She’s Old Bill?”

“Uh-huh.”

He let out a low whistle. “Well, fuck me.”

“Yep. She’s also too old for you.”

He flashed me a dangerous smile. “All the better. I like a woman with experience.” Well, that statement was definitely wrong, because if what I’d heard on the grapevine was true, Lee had far more experience than Karla, even if she was three years his senior. He looked back inside the supermarket, and I could tell by his expression that his interest had been piqued. I clicked my fingers in his face.

“Hey, don’t go getting any ideas.”

He turned back to me, grinning again. “What? I didn’t say anything.”

“Your face said it all.”

The look he gave me next had mischief written all over it. He rummaged in his pocket, coming up empty. “Oh, would you look at that, I’m all out of smokes. Think I’ll just mosey on inside and buy a pack.”

I tried to grab his arm, my voice low and threatening as I hissed, “Don’t you dare,” but he was already gone. I was about to hurry after him when another voice drew my attention.

“Lex,” said Stu, stepping outside. He always called me Lex, and though it was nice to be given an affectionate nickname, it really just made me think of baldy old Lex Luther.

Drawing in a deep breath, I turned to face Stu. I could do this. Slowly bringing my gaze to his, I took in his appearance. Tall, built, with brown hair and hazel eyes, Stu’s looks had never been a problem in our relationship. In fact, his looks, combined with his finesse in the bedroom, were the foundation on which our relationship was built. He might not have had much going on upstairs, but that dirty mouth of his always managed to make me forget my senses. The night he got arrested was the kick up the arse I needed to finally end things.

“Stuart,” I said, giving him a nod. He smirked at my use of his full name and took a step toward me. Clenching one hand into a fist, I summoned my reserves of willpower. If the look he was giving me was anything to go by, he was about to lay the moves on thick and heavy, and I had no intention of succumbing to them.

“Missed ya,” he said, now standing directly before me and looking down. His breath hit my cheeks, smelling of cigarettes and beer, which just said it all, given it was only eleven-thirty in the morning.

“Hmm, steal any cars lately?” I asked, my voice coming out clipped.

He laughed before his mouth formed a hard line. “That was all a big misunderstanding. I told you. My mate forgot he let me borrow his car.”

I folded my arms and rolled my eyes. Did he think I was born yesterday? A moment of quiet passed, then a low, seductive murmur, “You look good.”

I stepped backward to put some space between us, but he only advanced on me. My back hit the wall, and Stu crowded me in. Leaning down, his lips brushed my ear. “Fuck, but I’ve been dreaming about your pussy. Come back to me, Lex.”

Okay, so I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel a little flushed right then. Sex with Stu had been spectacular, and life in my bedroom was decidedly dull since I’d handed him his marching orders. Still, giving in to him wouldn’t be a good idea. Rekindling a relationship with a criminal was not something smart women did. And rekindling a relationship with a dumb criminal was definitely not something smart women did. I liked to think I was a smart woman. My vagina, on the other hand, was the equivalent of a dumb blonde. And that blonde wanted what she wanted.

“Piss off,” I said, placing my hands on his chest and pushing him back. He didn’t fight me, and instead chuckled, giving me a lascivious grin as I walked away.

He mimicked holding a phone to his ear. “I’m always available for booty calls, babe. Don’t forget.”

I flipped him off, which only solicited more chuckling, and stepped inside the supermarket. I searched through the aisles for Karla and finally found her idling by the breakfast cereals. There was a trolley in front of her containing a couple of items.

There was also a Lee Cross in front of her, and he looked determined. I caught the tail end of what he was saying.

“…fucking love this hair. You’re gorgeous. Let me take you out.”

“No, thank you,” Karla replied stiffly before her eyes rose to mine and relief etched itself over her features.

“Hey, time to skedaddle,” I said, and gave Lee a cheeky slap on the arse. His posture grew still, and I immediately wondered if that had been a good idea. Me and my trigger-happy arse-slapping hand. When he glanced at me, he wasn’t wearing his cheeky grin anymore, and he was clearly pissed I was interrupting his attempt to woo my best friend…also, the arse slapping. Yeah, I already knew that despite his carefree, piss-taker attitude, beneath the surface lay a man not to be messed with. It was worrying that he’d set his sights on Karla. Nothing about that would lead anywhere good, and that was before you even factored in her profession.

He held up a finger to me, then turned back to the object of his affections. “One date. Come on. What’s the worst that could happen?”

I resisted the urge to snort. Then Karla let out a small laugh. “I’m sorry, but no. Now, could you please move? I have groceries to shop for.”

Lee stared at her for several seconds before leaning in and whispering something in her ear. I couldn’t hear what he said from where I was standing, but I did see Karla swallow nervously. Giving her one final heated smile, he strode off with that confident swagger.

I let out a long breath. “Sorry about that.”

She shrugged me off. “It’s no problem. Was Stu out there?”

“Uh-huh.” I let my eyes wander to the shelves as I scanned the items.

“How’d that go?”

“As aggravating as expected. What did Lee whisper to you?”

Karla looked away, embarrassed, before replying quietly, “Something a little too risqué for this time of the morning.”

I finally decided on a box of cereal and picked it up before tossing it in the trolley. “Yep. Those Cross boys have some dirty mouths on them.”

“Hmm,” said Karla, and I didn’t like the contemplative look on her face.

“Don’t even think about it,” I warned, wagging a finger at her. “Lee might be a hot little slice, but believe me, he’s not worth it.” I didn’t mention that I was ninety-nine-percent positive he was involved in some pretty dodgy dealings. I didn’t need to. Karla had been in her line of work long enough to recognise a criminal when she saw one. Don’t get me wrong, Lee had a heart of gold. In fact, alongside Stu, he’d cared for his younger brothers from the time he was fourteen and his parents died. So yeah, he had a good head on his shoulders. Unfortunately, his circumstances in life had pushed him to channel his brains in the wrong direction.

Karla scoffed, but I could tell by the brief expression that crossed her face that she had been tempted, even if she’d never allow herself to admit it. “I’m not stupid, Lexie. I wouldn’t touch that boy with a ten-foot bargepole. And I shudder to think what my dad would say if I did.”

I gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. Karla’s father was a superintendent and had raised her hard. It was where she got her tough side from. In any case, she was right when she said he’d disapprove. In fact, he’d see right through Lee the second he met him. Not that it was ever going to happen. Unless, of course he was arresting him for something.

The rest of the weekend passed, and before I knew it, I was waking up on Monday morning for work. I’d just slipped into a black pencil skirt and a purple blouse when my phone began ringing. Seeing it was Eleanor, I picked it up.