Pete hefted the kit after trashing his latex gloves. Lee followed suit, and tossed hers into the trashcan in the garage.
“They got those plates in Texarkana.” He pointed to the stolen Texas plates on the Hummer.
“It sure as hell isn’t a 2004 Nissan.”
“Right. But knowing where they stole it and what car it belongs to doesn’t help much either.”
“Nope,” Lee agreed. “Just tells us they weren’t very far into the state when they jacked new plates.”
“Well, let’s go. We can swing by the lab and I need to get back to the station. I want to write all this up.” He needed to check on Nikki, too.
His temporary partner gave him a long look and arched a brow. “Sure. That’s why you want to get back.”
“Right.”
“You keep telling yourself that.” She smirked.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Nikki shut the filing cabinet and paused. Voices from the corridor drew her attention. That in and of itself wasn’t odd—people walked by Chief’s office all day, every day, and the door was always open, as was the boss’s policy. But giggling? Kids?
“Nikki!”
She whirled around in time to see a familiar little redheaded boy as Ethan rushed into her office.
Grinning, she met him in front of her desk and ruffled his hair. He opened his arms, so she swept him up in a hug.
“Ethan, don’t yell.” Andi winced as she came into the office, baby carrier containing Micah in one hand.
A pretty dark-haired woman and two little girls were on her heels.
“Oh, he’s fine. Chief’s out this morning.” Nikki propped Ethan on her hip as Andi set the baby down.
“Bummer. I wanted him to meet Micah.” The detective gestured to her sleeping son.
Nikki smiled at the tiny gorgeous infant, then met Andi’s blue eyes. “Oh, no. He won’t be in until after lunch, said he had some things to take care of.”
“Well, I should have called. My fault. Just had to get out of the house, so I brought Cass and the kids to see where Cole and I work.” Andi gestured to the other woman and little girls. “Nikki, this is Cass, Cole’s sister. Her daughters, Kelsey and Lacey.”
The girls—who looked about eight and ten—waved when Andi said their names. The older one, Kelsey, looked just like her mother—and her uncle. They were adorable.
Actually, Cass looked like the female version of Cole, grey eyes, dark hair, high cheekbones. Her face was soft, feminine. Beautiful. She flashed dimples when she smiled. But her brother was very tall, and Cass was petite, probably only about five-three. Andi and Nikki both had five or six inches on her.
Nikki set Ethan to his feet and he rushed to his cousins, reaching for Kelsey’s hand.
“Nice to meet you, Nikki.” Cass put her hand out for a shake.
“Nice to meet you, too.” Nikki smiled.
“Where’s my partner gotten off to? He didn’t answer his cell,” Andi said.
“Pete poked his head in here about an hour ago and told me to stay put. He had to run out with Lee. Said he’d be back as soon as he can. He didn’t get specific.”
“Ah,” Andi said. “Guess I’ll catch him later.”
“Mommy, I’m hungry.” Lacey, the younger of Cass’ girls, tugged on her arm. Her light brown hair was in pigtails with pink ribbons to go with her pink and purple jumper.
Totally a girly girl, where her sister was not. Kelsey was dressed in jeans shorts and a printed T-shirt, her dark hair in a simple ponytail like Andi’s.
“We’ll go grab some lunch soon, baby. Aunt Andi wants to show us around.” Cass caressed her daughter’s cheek.
“Actually, if you don’t mind me saying, there’s a full breakfast in the break room. One of the guys’ wives brought food, pancakes, eggs, the works.”
Andi looked at Cass. “Wanna feed the kids here?”
Cass shrugged. “Sure.”
“I want pancakes!” Ethan jumped up and down.
“You’re more than welcome to it. I’m sure there’s a lot left,” Nikki said, grinning at the little boy.
Their voices faded as Andi led her family out of the office and down to the PD’s kitchen and break room area.
Nikki smiled as she slid back into her seat. The kids were adorable.
She couldn’t wait to have kids. A baby to hold in her arms and grow into a rambunctious little boy like Ethan, or a cute little girl who wanted her hair braided. Blond hair. Big green eyes.
Shivering, she shifted in her seat.
Kids…with Pete.
Nikki wanted that. More than anything.
Heart thundering, she chided herself and moved the mouse to wake up her computer.
Chief had asked her to type up a few memos, so she organised his notes and opened a new doc in Word. Wouldn’t take her long. He wrote neatly and she typed fast.
Yes, focus on work. Get your stuff done.
When she finished with the memos, she needed to look at his meeting schedule for the next two weeks.
“Nikki.”
She jumped in her chair, giving a yelp as heat ran up her neck and flamed her cheeks.
Andi stepped back into the room, her baby in her arms. Little Micah was awake. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“It’s okay.” She cleared her throat, shifting on her mesh chair.
When the detective dragged one of the chairs over from the edge of the room where Nikki had people wait for Chief, she arched an eyebrow.
Andi plopped down at the edge of Nikki’s desk, settling the baby against her breasts.
“What’s up?” Nikki asked.
“Talk to me.”
“About?”
“Life. Gram. Pete. The case. Whatever. You haven’t called me in ages. Last time I saw you was at the house the day Cole set up the surveillance DVD.”
“You
have
been busy.”
“Yes, I have. But your phone works. We always talk, Nikki.” Andi rocked Micah when he whimpered.
“And you’re one of the few people I can talk about the case with.”
“Yup. So spill. How’re you doing?”
“Pete’s keeping me safe.”
Andi’s blue eyes zoned in on her face.
Shit. What about that statement is making Andi look at me that way?
“Right.”
Nikki nodded, squirming. “Right.”
Her friend laughed. “Repeating what I say isn’t going to tell me what I’m asking. How are
you?
Nikki Harper. My friend and fellow control freak. How are you coping with the whole witness thing?”
“’Coping’ is the right word.”
Although living with Pete…sleeping in his bed, in his arms…it makes it better, doesn’t it?
It wasn’t nearly as difficult as it had been when the whole thing had started.
Andi stared, head cocked to one side. “How’s my partner? He can be territorial about his house.”
“He’s great.”
When Andi’s eyebrows shot as high as they could go, Nikki bit back a wince. Even she’d heard the joy in her voice.
“Hmmm…”
“Hmmm?” Nikki asked, going for innocence.
“You have a thing for Pete.”
Heat crept into her cheeks and Nikki didn’t comment.
“Oh, my God. You’re blushing. You
never
blush.”
“Am not.” Nikki rubbed the back of her neck and looked away from her friend. But when Andi squeezed her wrist, they locked gazes.
“I think it’s great.”
“You do?”
Micah made a noise and Andi shifted him, cooing, kissing his little forehead, stroking his dark hair.
His tiny hand opened and Nikki caressed his soft palm. “Can I hold him?”
“Sure, but he’s fussy. It doesn’t get you off the hook about Pete, either.”
Nikki ignored Andi as she settled the tiny baby in her arms. “God, he’s gorgeous.” She rocked him, patting his diapered bottom when he made a noise like he was going to wail.
Micah calmed and blinked big blue eyes.
“Thanks.” Andi beamed.
The baby yawned and flashed dimples.
“Ah, there they are. The Lucas dimples,” Nikki said.
Her friend laughed. “Yes, they all have them. Cole, Cass, both girls, too. It’s kinda funny.”
Nikki stared into the baby’s face as his eyes fluttered and he drifted off. He was beautiful. She could see both Andi and Cole in his little face.
“Wow, you’re a natural. He usually screams his head off when someone new to him holds him.”
“Thanks. I love the way babies smell.”
Do not think of Pete, Nikki Harper. Don’t imagine the baby in your arms with much lighter hair. Brown or green eyes.
“How’s round two of new motherhood treating you?”
“Oh, no. We’re talking about you, ma’am.”
Nikki cringed. “Don’t want to.”
Andi’s expression softened. “Is he being a jerk? Do I need to kick his ass?”
She shook her head. “No. He’s…great… Too great.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“I love him.”
Shit. Really? Blurting that again?
Her friend blinked. Opened her mouth, then shut it. “Wow,” Andi finally whispered.
“I didn’t see it coming, either. But I do.”
“And my partner?”
“Well…I don’t know. So far it’s been physical. We don’t talk much. At least about feelings.”
Andi smirked. “Physical, huh?”
Nikki looked everywhere but into her friend’s sapphire eyes. Like she was a kid talking about sex for the first time. Thank God she had the baby in her arms to keep her occupied.
“You know that’s a big deal, right? That says something about how Pete feels about you.”
“What?”
“My partner. Before Cole, everyone assumed we were sleeping together. You know it never was like that with me and Pete. But…he’s closer to me than anyone except Cole. Always was. When he dates, he’s discreet. Always has been. Sometimes he doesn’t even tell me. He’s immensely private. Do you know that not even Cole and I have been over to his house more than a dozen times? The man’s been my best friend for seven years.”
“Oh…”
“I’ve been worried about him since I married Cole. He’s spent too much time invested in me and Ethan since I lost Iain. But if it wasn’t for Pete, I wouldn’t have survived. He went over and above as my partner. Now he has a different role in my life, and it’s been an adjustment for us all. But when he cares about someone, that’s just how he is. He’s one of the best men I know. I love him. I really do. If you’re the one for him, if you can love him like I love Cole, I’m totally for that. For the both of you. I love you, too.”
Nikki blinked away tears. If Micah hadn’t been napping in her lap, she would have grabbed Andi up in a hug. “Thanks,” she croaked.
The detective nodded. “Knock that off. If you cry, I will.”
They looked at each other and laughed.
“I needed the girl-talk, so thank you. I mean it. You were right—it’s been too long since we’ve talked.” Nikki squeezed Andi’s hand. “Not like I could call up Gram and tell her I’m sleeping with Pete.”
Andi grinned. “No way. She’d kick your ass and grab a shotgun before she kicked his.”
“Probably.” Nikki laughed again.
“Well, I should probably go.”
“Okay.” Nikki gently relinquished the baby.
“See you soon, though, promise.”
“You bet.”
“Call me.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Nikki stared at Pete’s sleeping form. He was gorgeous and naked, though the sheet was slung low around his waist, obscuring the view of all of his beautiful body. Tapered hips, powerful thighs, thick sex.
She’d cried after they’d made love tonight. Like a big baby. Because she loved him more than words and couldn’t tell him.
Instinct told her if she’d bared her heart, he’d pull away—probably put her out of his bed.
Pete hadn’t said much about it, just held her until the sobs had quieted. Maybe he’d thought she was stressed about the case, scared of Luciano Marchetti.
He’d kissed her wet cheeks then carried her to the shower, where he’d washed her body with tender hands that only made her burn for him all over again.
It might be only physical with him but she didn’t want to lose that. Nikki would take Pete any way she could get him.
He still brought up their age difference too much, joking and laughing about how he wasn’t good enough for her.
What the hell did that mean, anyway?
Anything to keep her at a distance, even though he kissed her into oblivion in the next breath, made her feel more than any other man ever had.
Andi’s words haunted her. If Pete didn’t do relationships, if he didn’t kiss and tell, if he definitely avoided getting involved at work, why was Nikki different?
Her heart missed a beat and her stomach fluttered.
“Sweetness?” His voice was heavy with sleep. He stretched and yawned, his pecs heaving.
Nikki’s body tingled. Flashes of his hands all over her made her limbs warm. Her breasts felt heavy, nipples hardened.
“Is everything okay? Why are you awake?” Pete drew her to him.
“Everything’s good. Just couldn’t sleep.”
“Hmmm.” Warm breath caressed her cheek as he kissed her there, then he pressed his lips to her temple and forehead. “You smell so good.” Hot hands landed on her waist, urging her closer. Nikki straddled him as Pete rubbed her back in long strokes.
“You smell good, too.” Leaning down, she brushed her mouth against his.
Resting his hand at the back of her neck, he deepened their kiss. Pete’s chest hair teased her nipples and a tremor shot down her spine.
Nikki rocked her hips into his, already throbbing at her core. His erection bit into her bottom, but it wasn’t in the right place. “I want you,” she breathed against his lips.
“I want to taste you first.” He nibbled around her mouth before kissing her hard and fast.
She went to move off him, to lie on her back, but Pete stopped her with a hand to her wrist.
“Not like that, darlin’. Come up here, come to me.” He patted his shoulder.
A shiver racked her frame and she moaned. He wanted her where? She would’ve teased him about being lazy, but it was a major turn-on to know he would give her that much control. Looming over
him.
At the same time, making her feel so good.
With his hands at her waist, Pete guided her where he wanted her, having Nikki straddle his shoulders. His rough stubble grazed her inner thighs, making her blood sing for him.
Stroking with two fingers, he parted her already slick folds. Touching, teasing.