THREATS AND THIEVERY
33
Prudence : Can you cover for me?
Prudence : I told Jack I was going out for drinks with you.
Evie : I don’t think it will be necessary.
Evie : He and Ikram have a date of their own.
Prudence : I know, but just in case?
Evie : Sure!
Evie : But I do think you should tell him about Nate and you.
Evie : He’ll be happy for you.
Prudence : Not yet.
Prudence : I’m not even sure what is going on.
Prudence : I don’t want to make things weird if it doesn’t work out, you know?
Evie : I’m optimistic about you guys ;)
Evie : Anyway, enjoy your date!
Prudence : Thanks! 3
PRUDENCE
How am I supposed to mind my own business and focus on my paperwork after feeling Nate’s lips on my cheek? I swear, my skin is still tingling where he kissed me.
I knew he was coming here to treat one of the detectives. But was I expecting something other than just an awkward wave from across the hall? No. Was I expecting him to stroll towards me, his hands in his pockets—comfortable like he owns this place—to give me a peck on the cheek and a squeeze on the hip before just walking away with a wink and a flash of his dimple? No, definitely not.
So, here I am, in the break room, taking root in front of the old coffee pot that was probably already here last century. I’m vaguely aware that some people are talking with each other around me, but unable to focus on what they’re saying or if they’re even talking to me.
I don’t know why I’m so rattled by a simple kiss on the cheek when the sunscreen episode was clearly far more intimate.
But, damn, I am.
“I swear, I’m going to buy a new coffee maker myself. That coffee tastes like shit and takes an hour to pour.”
I turn my face towards Matthew who grabs two coffee cups from the top shelf. His graying hair a little disheveled and the usually shaved stubble saying that he probably spent the night working here before starting his normal day.
“Has anyone ever asked for a new one?”
“I don’t know,” he grumbles, and I step aside so he can pour his cup. “But everyone knows this one needs to be changed. We shouldn’t have to put in a formal request or some shit.”
“Someone’s had a rough night,” I hear Raphael chuckle from the door and I tense uncontrollably, my body going into fight or flight mode.
“Shut up,” Matthew mutters, filling my cup after his. “It was supposed to be your damned case, but you bailed on me.”
“I didn’t bail . I left ten minutes early with the chief’s permission. I couldn’t guess there was going to be a murder.”
“Yeah well, I’m tired and I missed date night with Daze. You owe me one, because I could have called you back and let you deal with the mayhem yourself.”
“Sure,” Raph shrugs, stepping around us to pour himself a cup, and I turn around, walking to the door. “Prudence, I need a sketch,” he says, stopping me in my tracks.
And he doesn’t even bother asking. How has Grumpy flirty guy from Indianola become Rude assface from Los Angeles?
“I’m done for today,” I say without turning around. “Jericho and Mary-Ann will be here in about ten minutes.”
“Hm… You still have ten minutes before you’re officially done for the day.”
“She can’t,” Matthew says, chewing on a nearly eight hour old doughnut. “She reached her overtime quota for the month. Looks like we really need to hire more sketch artists…”
“Then a word, maybe?” Raph says, towards me.
I clear my throat and turn my face, giving him the most forced smile I’ve ever given. “Sorry. Got some paperwork and then I’m off on a date.”
“Oooooh, that’s why Nate said no for an unplanned consult after the one he came for,” Matthew chuckles, his good mood obviously back thanks to the needed caffeine and sugar. “Aren’t you off the next two days because of your overtime?”
“I am.”
He gives me a wicked smile, wiggling his eyebrows. “If you guys get married in Las Vegas, send me the link so I can watch the ceremony!”
I roll my eyes, catching Raphael’s annoyed face in the process. The next time I’m angry enough at him, I’ll draw him choking on the damned doughnut.
“Anyway. I’m gonna head back to my desk to finish my work and then I’ll be off. See you Thursday?” I ask Matthew, ignoring his rude co-worker’s gaze.
“I hope not. You’re just on call Thursday and Friday, and Chief Kosby won’t let us to call you unless all other artists are dead or dying. You’ve done too much overtime. She’s very strict about the freelancers overtime,” Matthew says solemnly.
“Well then, see you next week, I guess?”
“Yes. Enjoy your few days out of the precinct with Reed.” He winks dramatically, and I groan as I finally exit.
When I reach my desk, I release a tense breath, closing my eyes for a couple of seconds. Yep. I definitely can’t stand to be in the same room as Raph. It’s not the same tension I had with Nate at first, when I just felt uncomfortable and awkward.
This feeling? I feel like I’m stuck inside a room too small for me, in itchy clothes, surrounded by sweaty people. Like in the New York subway in summer during rush hour and somehow I’m wearing a wool sweater with nothing underneath.
Raph makes me this level of uncomfortable. Which is a lot.
I sit and go back to my documents, writing quickly and keeping an eye on the wall clock.
But of course, I’m cursed and Raphael plants himself in front of my desk, two minutes before I can officially close my folder and meet Nate.
The bookcase god fails me again.
“Can we talk for a minute?” He asks flatly.
I don’t bother lifting my head from my paper. “Sorry, I need to finish this and then Nate is meeting me here, so—”
“You can stop the little game. I know Nate is just pretending to date you to annoy me. He knows, right? About… Us?”
“Wow,” I say, a laugh of disbelief stuck in my throat. “Firstly, not everything is about you. Nothing is, actually. Secondly, there’s no us , Detective Ortega.”
“You know what I mean.”
“Actually, no, I don’t,” I snap, smashing my pen on top of my paper, lifting my head towards him. “What’s your problem?”
“Come on, Nate isn’t the dating type. Everyone knows it. If you keep up with this charade, they’ll all be looking at you with pity in their eyes.” I frown, but he continues. “Just stop. I don’t even care anymore that you work here, you don’t have to pretend that you’re dating someone to—”
“To what? I’m not pretending. And I’ll say it again, it has nothing to do with you. Get your head out of your narcissistic ass, and stay out of my business as I’m staying out of yours. I’m actually glad for you and your girlfriend, so don’t make it more complicated than it has to be.”
His face softens then, making my frown deepen in confusion.
“Oh my god. You actually believe it. That Nate would date you ? Oh, Prue. Come on, Nate is—”
“Hey, Sweetness.”
I feel reassuring arms circle my waist from behind, and lips—those damned soft lips—brush my temple.
“Are you ready to go?”
Some of my anger melts a little in his arm, but my eyes are still narrowed on Raphael, who took an actual step back, his gaze cold on Nate.
“Yes. We were done talking, anyway. I’ll just grab my bag.” I turn my head to see him, my eyes meeting his azur ones instantly. “Do you mind if I change now?”
“Of course not. I’ll wait for you here.” He squeezes my waist, taking a hesitant step back, his eyes landing on Raphael briefly before going back to me.
He leans forward slowly. Torturously so. Is he going to kiss me? Here? In the middle of the precinct? Did he hear Raphael’s accusation and is looking to silence them all? A kiss would probably have that effect. Oh my god, I just had the worst coffee ever and I didn’t brush my teeth, he’s—
His lips land on the spot in my neck, just between my ear and my jaw, and I almost shudder in his arms.
“Hurry before I punch him right here and now for the way he talked down to you,” he whispers, and my throat bobs.
“You wouldn’t,” I hiss, casting a glance towards Raph, who just took a few more steps away, roaming nearby.
“I did before, and I’ll do it again.”
I turn abruptly, my breast colliding against his chest and I gasp. I feel his arms circling me and watch him as he tilts his head to the side in silent question.
“What do you mean, you did before?”
“I’m sorry, but your breasts plastered against my chest are awfully distracting,” he muses, his gaze dropping on the little cleavage.
“Nate,” I hiss again.
“Hm?” His eyes go back to mine, and they look a little darker.
“What do you mean you did it before ?” I repeat slowly.
He groans, and a muscle flutters in his jaw. “I’ll tell you in the car. But you have to promise not to be mad.”
“Why not now?” I ask, ignoring his request.
“Because it’s a long story and if you are getting mad at me, I don’t want it to be here.”
He leans in again and my heart does a little loop in my chest before he just drops a kiss at the top of my head, inhaling deeply.
“Are you sniffing me?”
“In the middle of a public space, I think my intrusive thoughts are getting worse,” he muses playfully. “Go change, I’ll wait here.”
“Okay… Don’t kill anyone, the police might see you.”
He chuckles, and I step back, bending to grab my duffle bag from under my desk. I lock myself in the locker room and change.
Comfy that makes me feel pretty.
I slip into a white floral playsuit with thin straps and white sneakers, and check my reflection in the mirror. The white makes my skin look a little tanner, and the green flowers make my eyes pop. It’s flowy enough that I can move freely, and it gives a cute boho vibe.
I kind of love it. And I feel pretty enough.
Nuri and Evie 100% agreed.
I free my hair from the high ponytail and watch it cascade over my shoulders, nearly reaching my ribs. I comb my fingers through it a couple of times, trying to tame the waves until I’m satisfied it’s not too over the place.
Then I brush my teeth, reapply some deodorant—it’s L.A and it’s hot, thank you for understanding—fold my work clothes into the bag and leave.
Nate is waiting for me, just like he said, leaning against my desk, his arms folded in front of him. His cold glare melts when his eyes land on me and he straightens up.
My lips part when I reach him as he hands me a single, beautiful, pinkish amaryllis.
“I meant to get a whole bouquet but Derek’s back was completely wrecked.”
“Where did you get this one?” I ask, reaching for it, but he pulls aways, tsking.
“I might have stolen it,” he grins. “From the front desk. While Matthew was distracting the other officers.”
He cuts the stem in a quick motion using my scissors, and slides it over my ear.
“Threats and thievery… In a police precinct. I didn’t know I was going on a date with a Bad boy,” I tease.
The flower secured, his hand drops, sliding in my hair softly, almost reverently, and I feel my heart flutter. His eyes follow the motion of his fingers, but snap up to my eyes as soon as he reaches the ends.
“You’re beautiful.”
“Not to forget, comfy,” I add with an awkward smile, still getting used to the compliments.
“You’re ready to go?” He asks, picking my purse from my chair and I nod. “Let’s go. I’m parked outside.”
“What if the front desk wants their flower back?” I ask as he leads me towards the elevator.
“They can still fight me for it,” He winks. “Come on, I’ll tell you what you wanted to know in the car, so you can get mad at me, and we can move on to our date.”
I roll my eyes, but the smile still stretches my lips as we sneak past the front desk, him holding me close to his side so the flower is as hidden as possible.