Strip Search (Tap That)

Axl wished he was off-duty because he would pick her up, give her a panty-melting kiss, and let her boss figure that shit out. He felt equal parts protective and turned on by her. It wasn’t a combination he’d ever really experienced before and he didn’t know what to do with it.

“I have to put you in my car.” Misunderstanding or not, there was protocol. “I’ll be as fast as I can.”

She didn’t respond, just let him lead her to the patrol car and put her in the back. She looked dejected. He wasn’t sure what to make of any of this nonsense. It was a first in his career on the force that someone had thought he was a fake cop. A stripper. Damn, he was torn between never wanting to the guys to find this out ever and just telling them and taking the heat because it was so fucking insane.

And hell, not to brag, but it didn’t suck having someone think he looked good without his shirt on.

“You okay?” he asked her, glancing into the back seat as he ran her license. She was biting her lip and looking worried.

“Am I in trouble?”

“No, you’re not in trouble.” Her license came back clean. He debated even writing the ticket but he decided to do it just because she had recorded the whole damn thing. If that shit went out into the world, he wanted his ass covered that he had followed the book. “You’re free to go. I’m going to come around and let you out.”

“Thanks, Axl. I mean sir. Officer.”

He gave her a grin. “Officer Hottie to you.”

She gave a groan and put her hand over her face. “Did I really say that?”

“Oh, you said it.” He would never forget it.

“It was an honest mistake.”

He wasn’t sure that it really was but maybe things were different in her world. “I’m flattered.”

Axl stepped out of the car and opened the back door for her. “Slow down. Especially since you’re not familiar with these roads.” He handed her the ticket. “You can pay this online.”

“I don’t think I was actually speeding. Are you sure you want to give this to me?” She looked hopeful.

And adorable, but he needed to cover his ass.

“Flattery will only get you so far.” He gave her a grin. “Sorry, I have a job to do. Just like you. But let me make it up to you by taking you out for a drink sometime.”

Leighton rose from the seat and skirted past him, biting her sensuous full lip and looking indecisive. She really was adorable. Axl liked a woman with curves and Leighton had them in all the right spots. She eyed him over her shoulder as she started walking to her car. “You’re determined to get me drunk, aren’t you? That’s twice you’ve offered me a cocktail.”

Now that was real flirting. Natural and sweet and sensual, as opposed to that over-the-top winking and suggestive comments. This suited Leighton much better. He wondered if she even realized she was doing it.

But if she was going to flirt, hell, so was he. “Then maybe you should say yes and accept your fate. And if one cocktail gets you drunk, you’re a cheap date.”

Leighton cocked her head. “Maybe you should tell me why you want to go out with me. Five minutes ago you thought I was high or a lunatic or both.”

Why did he want to go out with her? That was the easiest question he’d ever been asked.

“Because you’re gorgeous, for one.”

She scoffed, as if she didn’t believe him. “Uh, thank you.”

Her apparent skepticism actually astonished him but he wasn’t going to stand there and argue with her. “I want to get to know you. I find you very interesting.”

“You’re crazy. I just told you I’m not any fun. Besides, I’m only here a few days.”

“What kind of dates do you have in LA that you need more than a few days for them?” he teased her, giving her a sly smile.

Leighton gave a soft laugh, finally dropping the hand she had been holding up to her chest like a shield between them. “I concede the point. But you’re still crazy.”

“I’m not normally crazy. At all. I’m just decisive. But for the record, interesting isn’t a synonym for fun. I don’t need to spend time with someone fun. I’m not exactly a fun guy myself.” He wasn’t what anyone would call impulsive either. So, he really couldn’t say why at that moment he chose to do what he did.

Other than he wanted to, so he did it. Decisive.