Hell & High Water (THIRDS 1)

Sloane’s jaw muscles tightened as he pulled back, his expression denoting he was less than pleased. It was best to walk away. Why was it that whenever Dex thought he was finally getting along with his partner, the guy did something to confirm he was as big an asshole as Pearce claimed him to be?

Walking off, Dex called out over his shoulder. “Go home, partner, get some sleep. Or better yet, get laid. Might help relieve some of that tension.” Dex smiled to himself. That ought to learn him.

“Or maybe I’ll take a long nap and dream of getting laid.”

Dex kept moving despite the butterflies in his stomach. “Screw you, Brodie.”

“Actually, it sounded more like screw you, Daley. Maybe in your next dream.”

Keep walking, Dex, just keep walking. He could hear Sloane’s laughter getting further away until it was lost behind a closed door. Okay, so somehow he must have said something in his sleep and Sloane had heard. The bastard knew Dex’d had a sex dream about him. No big deal, right? It wasn’t like Sloane was going to tell anyone about it. Would he? Dex stopped in his tracks. Swallowing his pride, he spun on his heels and walked back down the hall to the only other closed door. His fist hovered over the white door before he bit the bullet and knocked. Sloane opened the door, a smug smile on his face. He was cursed. He had to be.

“What can I do for you, Agent Daley?” Sloane leaned an arm against the doorframe. “Are you here to discuss the sex dream you had about me?” He licked his bottom lip, his pupils dilating as he leaned into Dex. “So, how was I?” he asked, his voice low and raspy. Dex lifted his chin, his gaze never wavering.

“I’ve had better.”

“I doubt it.” He leaned in, his warm breath tickling Dex’s ears. “You’re still hard.”

Two could play this game. Dex turned his head so his lips brushed against Sloane’s stubbly cheek. “Maybe, but unless you’re prepared to do something about it, get the fuck off my back.”

Sloane pulled away, his eyes dark and filled with something dangerous. Dex licked his lips and waited. They both knew there was an attraction between them, but they also knew what a mistake it would be to give into it. Sloane wasn’t merely some guy Dex had picked up at a bar, a fun but brief night of getting off before they each went their separate ways. Maybe that’s what made Dex feel so bold, knowing nothing would come of it.

Sloane gave him a pat on the cheek. “Not going to happen, Rookie, but don’t worry, I won’t tell the rest of the team about my being cast as the porn star in your sex dream. Maybe.”

“I see.” Dex smiled sweetly. Sloane still had the upper hand, and Dex couldn’t allow that. Removing his smartphone from his pocket, he stepped back and snapped a picture.

“What are you doing?”

Dex waved his phone at him. “You really are a nurturing partner letting me have this. It’ll do nicely.”

Sloane’s eyes widened. “For what?”

“What do you think? For jacking off, silly.”

“You son of a bitch! Give me that!” Sloane lunged at him, and Dex barely slipped out of his grip, making a break for it. As Dex sprinted through the bullpen, he admitted that perhaps he might have been a wee bit rash with this decision. He hit the button on his communicator as he zigzagged between offices. The lilt of the friendly Therian receptionist on their floor came through.

“Yes, Agent Daley?”

“Lisa! Open the doors.” Dex dodged a swipe from Sloane as he rounded a corner. “Fuck!”

“Come here you little shit!”

“Sir, is everything all right?” the receptionist asked worriedly.

“Yep, peachy, open the doors. All the way to the elevator please.” He rounded another corner, slipping out of Sloane’s reach by a hair.

“Are you sure—?”

“Yes, yes, yes!” The doors opened and Dex sped down the path straight through, calling out behind him. “I owe you a Coke, Lisa!” He tore down the hall toward the elevator at full speed.

“You know you’re going to have to stop when you get there, then I’m going to kick your ass!” Sloane hollered.

Damn, he was right. Considering all his options, Dex made a split second decision, faking his trajectory toward the elevator before making a sharp turn, slipping past Sloane and heading to the stairwell instead. He grinned as he threw the doors open, Sloane cursing up a storm from somewhere in the distance. Dex took the stairs two at a time, jumping the railing and landing on the set of stairs below. He heard the door slam open above him and he didn’t wait around, jerking open the door to the twentieth floor and dashing to the elevator. The doors pinged and slid open. He put his hand to the panel, cursing at the elevator, urging it to hurry the hell up. The doors closed as Sloane reached him. With a breathless laugh, Dex leaned back against the wall feeling victorious. That had been a close call. Too close.

Removing his phone from his pocket, he tapped the screen and found the image. Sloane’s pouty face filled his screen. Damn, he was hot. For a complete psycho. The elevator doors to the parking garage opened and he slipped his phone back into his pocket. With a quick scan of his surroundings, Dex hurried up the incline to his car, reaching for his keys when he was slammed against the trunk from behind, one arm pulled up over his back, making him cry out.

“Give me the damn phone,” Sloane growled.

“Jesus Christ, you scared the shit out of me!”