Hart released his hold and stroked his cheek with one thumb. “I asked if—”
Free’s cell chirped loudly with a message from Tech. He hurried to pull out his phone while he kept Hart’s hand to his cheek. He liked that contact. Frowning, he read Tech’s message, a light throb starting to pulse behind his right eye. Shit. Not now.
“Everything okay?” Hart asked, still smoothing over his jaw.
“Um. That was Tech. He said his property manager came by and told him I needed to move my camper within twenty-four hours or it’d be towed. You can’t live in an RV in a residential area,” Free massaged the center of his forehead. “Someone must’ve finally complained. I had a feeling they would eventually.”
“Where are you gonna put it? That’s not much time.”
“I know. Fuck. It means I’ll have to go to a RV park, but I hate that the nearest one is forty minutes from work. That’s a helluva commute on a scooter.” Free laughed, because what else could he do?
“I don’t mind if you park it at my house. I own it so no one can tell you to move it. My driveway is plenty big enough. Ya’ know, until you figure out…”
Free wasn’t even going to act like he needed to take a moment to consider the option. It was the best suggestion he’d ever heard. He was damn near giddy all of a sudden. His home parked in front of Hart’s. Like living together, but not. “That’d be real nice. If you’re absolutely sure it’s not a…oh shit.”
“What?”
“Because I don’t wanna drain the septic tank at the RV parks, I use Tech’s bathroom.” Free bit his lip when Hart grinned cheekily.
“I have a bathroom you can use. I really don’t mind. It’s no problem. I mean it’s not like you’re asking to move in.” Hart flushed.
“Okay then.” Free smiled, unable to help it. “I’ll bring it over this evening after work. It’s not huge. A class C RV. ”
“Okay then.” Hart took off his glasses, “I removed the spare key from its usual spot this morning because of you-know-why, so take mine and I’ll have Carlos make another set before the end of the day.”
“You don’t have to do that. I can just wait until you get there. I’m not trying to put you out.”
“It’s okay. I like to put out.” Hart winked. He removed the key from his ring and pressed it into Free’s palm.
His cock loved Hart’s teasing. The thought of the captain putting out soon had him thickening in his briefs.
“I may be late tonight. I don’t know. You don’t have to wait. You can go in and get comfortable…I mean shower…or do anything.” Hart laughed at his own stammering. “You know what I’m saying.”
“Yeah. I know.” Free leaned over the center console. “Can I please have a kiss now?”
“Damn, yes. About time.” Hart grumbled and went for Free’s mouth like a starved man.
Hart walked with him into the precinct, Free’s head feeling larger than usual. The lobby wasn’t busy at noon as they made their way to the elevators. Hart was headed to his office on the top floor and Free was going to the IT lab on the second. As soon as they cleared the lobby, Free saw Vasquez walking in their direction toward the exit. He didn’t know how the hell he kept catching this guy coming and going, when all he wanted to do was avoid him.
Vasquez was almost to them when a forced grin spread across his face. “Afternoon, Captain. You’re looking awfully rested and relaxed for having such a bad bust last night.”
Hart kept up his stride, but he’d eased closer to Free so their shoulders brushed together as they moved. He was glad Vasquez was on the other side and Hart’s large body was blocking him from view.
“I wonder why,” Vasquez pfft’d, trying to get a look at Free.
“I’m sure you have somewhere to be, Vasquez.” Hart’s voice was stern.
“Actually, I do,” the officer said nastily, but he’d changed course and was now walking in the same direction as them. “I have to get home and get some sleep since I’ve been demoted back to graveyard. After just getting off it.”
“Then the exit’s the other way.” Hart pushed the up button for the elevator and turned to face Vasquez, placing himself between Free and his fucking playground bully.
“I forgot something upstairs. Just gonna head up with you guys.” Vasquez sneered, looking around Hart as the doors opened and Free quickly retreated inside.
Hart stepped onto the car, turned and slammed his heavy palm over the doors. “Then take the next one,” he ordered.
“Are you for real?”
“Damn straight. You think I don’t know what you’re doing,” Hart growled, towering a few inches over Vasquez. “You better leave him the fuck alone, and I mean it.”