ShelbyHe's speechless. Sully keeps opening his mouth and then shutting it. No words come out, even though his throat is working so hard his Adam's apple bobs up and down. The tension between us is slightly awkward, and I do the only thing I can think of. Invite him to lunch."I was about to head over to The Café. You wanna join me?"The question seems to pull him from whatever stupor he was stuck in. "You sure? I just worked out, and I don't smell the best. I was gonna take a shower at the station, but I had to get outta there.""I've smelled you worse than that before," I remind him. "I am the one who helped you after the kid in the downstairs apartment puked on you."His face flashes red before a smile tilts up the side of his full lips. "For a while I was able to forget that happened. Thanks for bringing it back up, though.""You're welcome." I grin.Grabbing hold of his arm, I start us walking toward the direction of what will be our lunch. My body recognize

SulllivanDriving home is uncomfortable in many ways. The biggest one is between my thighs. Going to the bathroom at Shelby's office did absolutely nothing for the hard-on I'm still sporting. Feeling the material of my sweatpants against the sensitive head of my dick isn't making the situation any better.Parking, getting out, and taking the stairs two at a time doesn't do anything either. Even slamming my front door fails to give me satisfaction. Neither does throwing off my clothes as I walk through my apartment toward the bathroom, letting them land where they may. Cranking the hot water, I let it run for a few minutes as I try to talk myself out of what I'm about to do. It would be wrong.But it would feel so good.It wouldn't be any different than what you've been doing since you moved here.My thoughts are getting on my damn nerves. Pushing the curtain back, I get in, though the flow is still cold. I'm annoyed as it does nothing to relieve the throbbing between

Shelby"You're not telling me what I wanna know, Ransom." I blow out a breath, annoyed at the man standing in front of me. He adjusts his stance, crossing his arms over his chest. Rambo whines, sitting at attention. The dog knows me, I reach out and give him a pet on the head. When I look back up at Ransom, he's side-eyeing me. "Shelby, if it were up to me, I'd give you the info you want, but you have to make an open records request. It's an ongoing investigation.""That's horseshit and you know it. If I'd been listening to the scanner, I would've heard it.""Then I suggest you get a scanner, or talk to your BFF Sullivan and see if he can help you."This time I cross my arms over my chest, tilting my head to the side. "I have a scanner. Don't be a dick, Ransom."He chuckles, uncrossing his arms and running a hand down his face. "Not my intention, Counselor.""Don't call me that," I snap."But it's okay for Sully to call you that, huh? I'm tellin' ya. Go talk to him,

ShelbyEverything on my body shakes as Sullivan stands, dragging me along with him. I'm almost positive my brain is somewhere on the kitchen floor beneath us when he grabs hold of my hair, pushing me down to my knees.His hand wraps around the back of my neck, before bringing it down, tilting my chin up. The gravel in his voice is enough to put goosebumps on every inch of my exposed skin.His thumb rubs over my lips, both harsh and gentle at the same time. "If you feel uncomfortable, let me know. I'll never go further than you allow, but I warn you, Counselor, I can be overwhelming."Sucking his thumb between my lips, I run my tongue around the tip before letting him withdraw. "Maybe I want overwhelming."Eyes the color of coffee cloud with a desire I've never seen from any other man I've been with. Male hands answer with jerky movements unbutton his jeans and slide the denim along with his boxers to the floor. "You ready?" The tone dark, sexual, and every bit as dangerous

SullivanI make sure I don't turn my back on the two of them as I escort her toward my patrol car. When we get there, I lean against it so I can keep an eye on what's occurring over at the door."Can you tell me what happened here tonight?" I ask her carefully."Nothing." She folds her arms over her chest, effectively trying to shut me out.With eyes that have watched too many other women in this situation, I see it all. The dried tears along her cheeks, the makeup she's tried to put on in a rush to conceal what's been done to her, the smeared mascara. The signs are all there, but there's one that gets me every time.The eyes.They always tell what the mouth won't. The fear, sadness, isolation, and hopelessness of a situation they can't seem to change."You're safe.""I know I am." She raises her chin slightly. "My husband would never hurt me."I wonder how many times she's told herself those words as she cleans up her face, or puts a homemade splint on a sprain.