Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 98264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Jonathan’s jaw locked up tight, ticking at the hinges. He took a long stride forward, getting all up in Camden’s space. I backed away, but more for distance than any fear of Jonathan. If my attorney was pissed about the grin, he was going be livid at the giggle I was fighting to suppress when Jonathan was forced to tip his head back to peer up at him.
“Are you threatening me?” he seethed.
Camden returned his glare, somehow managing to look more bored than pissed. “Just stating facts, Officer Caskey.” He lifted a finger in the air. “Hello? Yes, your honor. He’s right here.” He tipped the phone toward Jonathan. “Judge Wallace would like to speak to you.”
Jonathan’s eyes flared and that was it; I lost the battle with my lungs.
A laugh slipped out and I slapped a hand over my mouth, but it was too late to stop it.
Luckily, gorgeous, powerful, cranky Camden was too busy doing his badass attorney thing to scold me.
He looked to the other officer and stated dryly, “Bail has been set and posted. Please prepare my client for immediate release.”
For the next few minutes, Jonathan held the phone to his ear and said a whole lot of “Uh, huh” and “Yes, sir.” Meanwhile, Camden did a whole lot of standing with his hand in his pocket, looking like a GQ model. This meant I did a whole lot of staring and willing my nipples to stop tingling.
Eventually, Jonathan lowered the phone, slapped it into Camden’s hand, and then marched from the room.
Barney Fife stood there for a minute, nervously staring at a glowering Camden before finally thinking better of his life choices and racing out of the room.
Another laugh bubbled from my throat.
“Something funny?” Camden asked, turning his gaze on me in a way that both felt like a caress and a curse.
I hadn’t been with a man in five years, so it was safe to say it was the verbal caress portion of that question that stole my voice. I shook my head.
“Good. Let’s get you out of here, Cujo.”
Cujo?
Holy shit, had cranky Camden just made a joke?
I didn’t have time to ask for clarification before he swept an arm out for me to leave the room first. Ever the gentleman.
When we got to the front, Jonathan was swirling around behind the counter, slamming shit, and mumbling curses under his breath. It only took about ten minutes for him to practically hurl a stack of papers and a small plastic bag of the stuff I’d had in my pockets at Camden. “There. Now, get her the fuck out of my station.”
“And the rest of her belongings?” He looked at me. “I was told by a witness at the scene you took her purse from the vehicle.”
Joe. The only witness was Joe.
Jonathan grinned like a serpent in the garden of Eden. “You mean the evidence? Not happening. And go ahead. Call whatever the fuck judge you want, but you won’t be getting that purse back until after a trial.”
Camden held his icy stare. “Being the upstanding officer you are, I’m sure you’ll see to it that you stay away from my client until we can resolve this matter. Given your history with her family and all.”
Jonathan narrowed his eyes. “And what about my history with your family, Camden? You forget about that?”
“Of course not. Why else would I be here?” He grinned, rapped his knuckles on the counter, and nodded. “Have a good evening, Officer Caskey.” With that, Camden turned, gently rested his hand on my back, and guided me out of the police station.
And because I was so mature, I didn’t even flip off Jonathan as we left.
Just kidding. I totally did that.
“Nora!” Joe called when we got outside. He jogged over and drew me into a tight hug.
“Ow,” I croaked.
“Easy, Joe,” Camden rumbled. “She’s spent all day in restraints.”
Joe immediately set me away. “Jesus, honey, are you okay?”
“I’m not entirely sure yet.” I glanced down at my wrinkled gray-and-pink-striped shirt I’d paired with black cropped skinny jeans and ballet flats that morning. “I need a shower, STAT.”
Joe shook his head. “Come on. Let’s get you home.” He extended a hand toward Camden. “I really appreciate you making the trip down.”
The two men shook hands.
“Anytime. I’m glad you called. But if you don’t mind, I’d like to take Nora home myself. We can meet back up first thing in the morning and discuss our next step.”
My stomach dipped. It had been five years since I’d seen him, and while I wasn’t positive gorgeous, powerful, cranky, attorney, Camden Cole was still the same kid who’d sat at the edge of the creek playing Slapjack with me or even the man who’d made love to me for hours on end, I was just excited to be able to see my friend again—mercurial as he currently seemed.