This is Reckless (Checkmate Duet 3)

“You put your sex toy in my book sleeve!” she scolds. “It’s for books, not for hiding your vibrators!” She holds the Book Beau out. “Take it. I can’t put my paperbacks in there now.”

Rolling my eyes at her, I take it from her hand. “Fine. But considering the print, it’s kind of fitting for a Vibrator Beau.” I flash a sly smile at her. She doesn’t laugh. “Oh, come on! It’s a bunch of wiener dogs! It’s literally a wiener Beau.”

“Courtney, I swear to God…”

“Hey, new marketing idea! The Universal Beau. Keep your paperbacks and sex toys safe wherever you go! Or Bullet Beau. Storing your vibrating bullets since 2017.”

“I’ll make sure to pass on your genius idea,” she deadpans, rolling her eyes at me, but we both know I’m on to something.

Once Kayla arrives, all the girls end up in the kitchen and the boys are in the living room screaming at the TV. Logan even stops by, and soon it’s feeling like a triple-date.

“So, Logan being here…” I start, eyeing Kayla’s reaction. “Is that okay?”

“Doesn’t bother me,” she says in a flat tone as she measures out some sugar. I know something’s up with them, but she claims there’s not. “He’s made it perfectly clear he’s not in a place to date right now, so there’s really nothing I can do about it.”

“But you like him,” I say, grabbing the blueberries from the fridge. “Have you told him?”

“No. I mean, not directly, but I think I’ve made it pretty obvious.”

“Trust me, obvious doesn’t always work.” I laugh, setting the blueberries down and grabbing the mixing bowl.

She chuckles and nods. “Well, he’s not dating someone else; he’s not dating at all.”

“I wonder why,” Viola asks, placing the muffin cups in the tins. “Is he maybe gay?”

“No!” Kayla bursts out, dropping the bag of sugar on the counter.

“How do you know? Maybe he hasn’t even come to terms with it yet,” Viola explains.

“I can’t believe we’re having this conversation,” I say with amusement. “Maybe he’s career focused right now, and when he’s ready, he’ll date. Until then, all you can do is be his friend,” I say, knowing from experience.

“Yeah, I mean, I like talking to him and being around him, and it’s just hard sitting there wondering if it’s you he’s just not into,” she says, helping me add ingredients to the mixing bowl.

“He’d be crazy to not be into you, Kay,” Viola adds. “You’re smart, beautiful, funny. You’re the whole package.”

“Sometimes being the whole package can intimidate guys. Maybe you’re too much for him,” I tell her with a genuine smile.

“Yeah, you look like a sweet, quiet girl from the mountains and then once people get to know you, you’re really this loudmouthed, high energetic person,” Viola says. “Plus, with your dance background, I would imagine you’re pretty flexible,” she teases.

We all burst out laughing.

“Well, I did master the split leap when I was twelve, so you could say my flexibility is pretty strong.” She smiles, proud.

“That reminds me,” I say, getting my hand mixer out. “My yoga skills could use a little help. You’ll have to come over and stretch me so I can actually do those poses.”

“Oh, yeah totally. I could use some Zen.” She gives me a cheeky smile, and I start mixing up our first batch.

Once halftime comes, the boys come in scouring for more snacks and beer. Drew drags me away into the hallway and assaults my lips again.

“Can we kick them out now?” he teases.

I giggle against his mouth. “Not yet. Lots of muffins to bake still.”

“Dammit.” He presses a soft kiss against my forehead. “I’m digging this apron,” he says, plucking it between his fingers. “However, I’d love to see you in this apron and only the apron.”

“I could probably arrange that for you, Deputy.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

DREW

The chief needed extra help, and I volunteered to work on Friday. It sucks because I wanted to stay home with Court, but when you’re asked if you can work, the answer should always be yes. Part of me didn’t want to answer the call, but I took it begrudgingly. By the time I get off shift on Friday, there are five hundred freshly-made muffins sitting on the counter in the kitchen in containers stacked practically to the ceiling. Smiling, I unbutton my shirt and untuck it, set my gun and badge on the table, and walk to Courtney’s room. Cracking open the door, I notice she’s not there. Knowing all too well where she is, I kick off my shoes and head toward my bedroom.

The warm glow of the light from the side lamp illuminates her face. I stand there for a second studying her soft features, and I wonder what I did to even deserve a chance with her. After I take off my belt and pants, I remove my socks and crawl into bed with her. When I lift the sheet, she’s wearing absolutely nothing.