Chapter 2
The Reluctant Partners
Carter
“Carter, I think your partner just arrived.”
I ignored Adam and answered my phone instead.
“Hey, Vic.”
“Hi, darling. How are you?”
“I’m having a shitty day that’s about to get shittier. You?”
“I’m okay, but super busy. Anyway, daddy called and invited us home for Christmas. Aunt and uncle will come too, and perhaps even the Fiches if they return from the cruise. Can I tell him we will come?”
I frowned. “Christmas is in four months. What’s the urgent urgency?”
“My parents are making early plans because they’re spending the autumn in Gstaad. Or Monaco? Something like that. So, what do you say?”
I rubbed my forehead. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea, Vic. I don’t fit in with those people. We will only make each other uncomfortable.”
“Those people are my parents, Carter.”
“I didn’t mean them. I meant… the rest of them.”
“Mommy and daddy love you, and the others don’t matter.”
I had to smile because what she said was both amusing and untrue.
“I wouldn’t say they love me, Vic. They tolerate me, but they would be much happier if their daughter chose a banker or a surgeon instead of a lowly cop.”
“You’re not a lowly cop. You’re the best detective in town, and one day, you will become a mayor. My daddy will make sure of it.”
“Vic, please.”
She had been nurturing this illusion since we met, ignoring my thoughts on the matter. Did I even want to become a mayor? I would rather step on a rusty nail. Did she ever ask me what I wanted? Not really. Vicky could be like that sometimes. Her parents were filthy rich, and she was used to getting her way. She disliked my job but put up with it because she knew I would never quit. She tolerated the late hours and canceled dates, hoping that one day I would become someone I didn’t want to be. And it bothered me, even though our relationship was mostly harmonious.
The chuckles in the room caught my attention, and I looked over my shoulder to see what caused the upheaval. Bruce threw a pencil at me, mouthing something like, “He’s here,” but I wasn’t sure since he was still chewing on his donut.
“Vic, I’ll call you back,” I said, pushing my chair backward across the floor so I could have a better view. I took off my reading glasses, only to blink in confusion at the sight of a mountain of a man striding down the hall. He was at least six foot three and built like a brick wall, but he moved with agility uncommon for the men of his size. He was all muscle and power, as if he lived in a gym, but something told me it was Mother Nature’s generosity. And he seemed nonchalant about his size, as if he were unaware of the people moving out of his way to let him pass.
Compared to his formidable looks, his clothes were atrocious. He wore a tacky Hawaiian shirt featuring palm trees, pineapples, and pink flamingos, which still showed off his muscular physique. The gaudy shirt suited him like a glove, unlike the white, slim-fitting chinos, too tight in certain spaces. (Thighs. Groin area. No explanation necessary.) On his feet, he wore neon green flip-flops. Flip-flops.
I saw him tucking a strand of chin-length, dirty blond hair behind his ear while looking around. Then his gaze lifted, and his eyes caught mine, and it felt as if someone had punched me in the throat. I quickly looked away, fiddling with my glasses, annoyed that he’d caught me staring. I caught a glimpse of a light stubble, a strong jaw, and eyes so blue they seemed like contacts.
“I think that’s your new partner, Carter,” Bruce said, stifling a laugh.
“Aren’t you just hilarious?” I muttered, keeping my gaze on the desk to avoid unnecessary eye contact.
“He doesn’t look like a Viking, at least not in that shirt,” Shelly whispered. “But, gosh, he’s huge.”
“What did he do to end up here?” Someone behind me asked.
“I heard he broke some politician’s nose.”
“No, he set the police station on fire.”
“That’s bullshit. He fucked some chick he wasn’t supposed to. Like, the president’s daughter or something.”
I rolled my eyes. No wonder we had the highest crime rate in the country when the cops cared more about gossip than catching criminals.
I glanced toward the hall, only to see the dude in a Hawaiian shirt stopping in front of the chief’s office. He was about to knock when the door opened and Ruth from HR walked out. He stepped back, but not quickly enough, and the door hit him on the head.
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Ruth exclaimed as he rubbed his forehead. “I didn’t see you there.”
His gaze slid down her body as a sheepish grin spread across his face.
“That’s okay, sweetheart. Are you alright?”
Ruth narrowed her eyes, but I could see her suppressing a smile.
“It’s the 21st century, buddy. Endearments in the workplace will earn you a lawsuit or a slap in the face despite that charming French accent of yours.”
“Nah,” he said, chuckling. “I’m a lover, not a fighter.”
Her gaze slid down his massive body, and she licked her lips as if he were a human-sized ice cream cone. “Are you now?”
Jesus Christ.
“How do you like your partner, Carter?”
I ignored Adam’s remark, although it took some effort on my part. After I punched him the other day, he was avoiding me, but this forced truce was temporary, and we both knew it. The funniest thing about it was that I didn’t even know why he hated me so much. I disliked him, sure, but he was the one provoking me all the time.
Speaking of dislike, I looked toward the hall again, only to find it empty and the door to the chief’s office closed. This new, unfortunate development told me I was getting a partner whether I liked it or not, and it was a bummer. Worse than that. It was a disaster. And of all people, it had to be the cross between a surfer dude and Mount Everest.
Yup, you could say he stepped on my toe the moment I saw him, even before we said a word to each other. I never had such a visceral reaction to anyone, and it didn’t bode well for our future collaboration. First, he was an offense to fashion, and it was a fact. Second, he was a lawsuit waiting to happen, considering how he spoke to the opposite sex. And third, he agitated me. He more than agitated me. He annoyed me even more than Adam annoyed me, which was a lot. Rough on the edges, my ass. That guy was trouble, and I could smell it. And I’ve had enough trouble for a lifetime.
Thorsen
“Bottom line, work hard, play by the rules, and we will get along just fine.”
I nodded, already liking Chief Bibb more than my old chief, who was an asshole of gigantic proportions.
“Yes, Chief.”
Not that I planned on making waves. I just wanted to do my job, get along with everyone, and hope that Mayor Dick gets hit by a bus so I could return to New Mesa.
“Carter will be your partner here,” Chief Bibb said. “Do you know him?”
“No, Chief. Well, I know of him. I mean, his reputation preceded him.”
“Mhm,” he murmured, gazing into the distance.
I thought he would ask me what I’d heard, but he was smart enough not to go there. Not that I knew much, except that my new partner was an alleged hothead prone to fits of explosive rage. Lucky me.
“I want you two to get along,” Chief Bibb said, narrowing his eyes in a not-so-subtle warning. “Like peas and carrots. Like two peas in a pod. Like peanut butter and jelly. Like… Well, you get the idea. Have I made myself clear?”
“Crystal, Chief.”
“And go easy on him, okay? He’s had a rough couple of months.”
“Rough, Chief?”
“Yeah. His last partner got killed in the line of duty, and Carter is… let’s say he would rater hunt alone. If you don’t get the warmest welcome, don’t take it personally.”
My first thought was—poor guy. Losing a partner was tough. I have never been there, but I knew guys who had to deal with that kind of nightmare, and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Then I thought… What the hell happened to Carter’s partner and was it Carter’s fault? It was a legitimate concern, considering his reputation.
“Understood,” I said firmly. “I will do all I can to keep things smooth.”
Chief Bibb smirked, looking at me from head to toe.
“What do you people eat in New Mesa? Are you all giants over there?”
I chuckled. “Just good genes, Chief.”
He pointed a finger at me. “I like you, Thorsen. Don’t make me regret it.”
“No, Chief.”
“Now get the hell out of my office.”
“Yes, Chief.”
“And find your partner. Introduce yourself.” He checked his watch. “He should still be around here somewhere.”
Once in the hall, I ignored everyone in the station staring at me. I got used to it because of my size, although this time it was probably just professional curiosity. They were sizing me up, and I was cool with that because there wasn’t much to dislike about me. I was like a big bear, only domesticated. All cuddly and sweet—if well-fed.
“Looking for Carter?” The guy with a scar on his face asked me. He looked like an asshole, but I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.
“Bingo,” I replied, throwing my backpack over my shoulder. “I’m Tye, by the way.”
“Adam,” he said, extending his hand. “Welcome to the LD, Tye.”
“Thanks.”
“Carter went to the locker room. It’s down the hall and to the right. If you hurry, you might catch him on his way out.”
“Kay. Thanks, man.”
As I passed by the red haired, freckled cutie who was blatantly staring at me, I grinned and winked at her.
Yes, I was an incorrigible flirt, but she didn’t mind, not with the shy smile she gave me.
I got a feeling she was insecure around men, but she seemed like a sweetheart.
After I passed by the storage room and the gym, I finally found the locker room.
I stepped inside, looking around the dimly lit space, only to spot a man with his back turned to me.
He was dressed all in black, meaning a black button-down shirt, black slacks, and black leather shoes.
His dark hair was carelessly slicked back, longer on the top and shorter on the sides.
His shoulders and back were pure muscle, which meant he was physically active outside of work.
My bet would be swimming because he had a swimmer’s body—toned, lean, and powerful.
My gaze slid down his narrow waist to his ass, only to pause there because… damn. I was always partial to a nice behind, and his ass was a perfectly shaped, firm, muscular work of art. It was a Mona Lisa of asses, and I felt justified for staring.
My point being, he may have been a cop, but he looked like a GQ model.
He also knew I was there from the moment I stepped into the room, which meant his instincts were on point.
Maybe he even was as good a cop as everyone kept saying.
“Hey, there,” I said, officially making my presence known. “You must be Carter.”
He said nothing, merely turned his head to the side, allowing me to see his profile.
Oh, my stars. I was wrong. He was a GQ model. A very hostile model, judging by his expression. Still, his face. God. What was he doing in the police force? He could have been a face on a billboard, allowing us mortals to objectify him without feeling guilty. Instead, he was a cop in Shitsville, with his square jawline and chiseled cheekbones and every other part of him that belonged in a fucking museum. His aquiline nose was no exception, featuring faint marks, which told me he wore eyeglasses, but not always.
“I’m Tye,” I tried again, mentally slapping myself for staring at him for too long. “Your new partner.”
My words made him smile. It wasn’t a proper smile, though. It was more of a smirk… something dry and mean.
“Look, partner,” he said, turning around.
Once he faced me, I stifled a gasp, feeling as if I just got electrocuted or some shit. It wasn’t because he was the best-looking dude I had ever seen. No, no, no, it was the resentment on his face, the barely hidden rage that was almost palpable. That guy was angry. And I could only think about how his eyes were jungle green.
“I didn’t ask for a partner,” he said, his voice dripping with venom. “I don’t want a partner. I don’t need a partner. For the rest of your stay in this shithole, bear this in mind. Stay as far away from me as possible, and we will get along just fine. Stand in my way…” He swaggered over toward me, making me gulp. “And you will see the side of me you won’t like. Do you get me, partner?”
I said nothing because I was speechless. My vocal cords all but disappeared into another dimension. Not to mention that those eyes made me trip earlier in the hall when I caught them staring at me. Damn jungle green booby traps.
“Perfect,” Carter said, slapping my back in passing. “Good boy.”
Only when the door closed behind him did my brain join the party, asking me where all the oxygen went.
I don’t know, brain. I all but shouted. Where the hell have you been? By the way, you’re fired.
Then my gaze landed on my pants, and I gasped in alarm, swiftly lowering my backpack to hide my crotch.
No. Noooooo. This did not just happen.
I looked down to check, only to whine internally. Fuck. The rude dude made me hard. In fact, his poisonous tongue made me so hard that a comparison to a brick wall wouldn’t be an understatement but an insult. My pants were tented at such an embarrassing angle, I felt my cheeks warm, but also… fucking respect. I all but belonged in a porn flick with the size of my erection, and I had a wet stain on my crotch to prove it. Fuck. No way. No way I was leaking pre-cum for that asshole, no matter how pretty he was. I’ve had embarrassing boners in my life before, but this one took the goddamn cake.
Okay. Okay. Let’s think it through.
Then again, so what? It didn’t mean anything. A few times I got hard for this nice, grey-haired lady that was telling the weather on this weird religious channel. An elephant once gave me a semi, but in my defense, it was really cute. The bottom line—so what if God’s most perfect creation just gave me a boner?
No big deal.
None.
At.
All.