Burnout (NYPD Blue & Gold) by Tee O'Fallon

smiled, then swept his gaze alternately from her face to Mike’s, as if sensing the dark undercurrent brewing between them.
    Cassie set the bowl of chili onto the counter in front of Mike. Dark blue eyes bored into her. Dark, suspicious eyes.
    Nothing I say or do gets past this guy. He’s already at Def Con One.
    “Here’s your chili. This one’s free, gentlemen. My treat.” She smiled again and batted her eyelashes. “Too bad your girlfriend couldn’t stay for lunch.”
    He cracked a smile as he picked up a spoon. “Already told you, don’t have one of those.”
    Not wanting to be in close proximity for the first bite, Cassie ignored Mike’s answer and scurried back to the kitchen to position herself and enjoy the show. Chuck, Leo, and Danny quickly lowered their heads and got back to work. Sue hustled out to the dining room.
    Cassie kept one eye on Mike through the kitchen opening, pretending to chop vegetables. When he scooped up a heaping mouthful of chili, she held her breath, waiting for him to swallow.
    Mike paused with the spoonful of chili halfway to his mouth. His gaze lifted and caught hers. She froze, unable to look away. His eyes narrowed suspiciously. Slowly, he set the spoon back into the bowl and crossed his arms over his broad chest, his eyes never leaving hers.
    Uh-oh. He knows.
    How the man knew what she’d done, Cassie hadn’t a clue. It was as if he could read her mind, anticipate her every move.
    No sooner had she finished the thought when Mike stood abruptly and grabbed the bowl of chili. He rounded the counter and bore down on her in the kitchen. He plunked the bowl onto the stainless-steel prep table in front of her.
    Cassie cocked her head, feigning confusion. “Something wrong with your lunch, Chief?”
    “You tell me.” He pushed the bowl closer to her side of the table.
    Around them, all activity in the kitchen ceased. Chuck, Leo, and Danny paused to witness the confrontation.
    Mike came around to her side of the table and scooped up a spoonful of chili. He held the spoon a few inches from her mouth. “You first.”
    “Me first, what?” Cassie responded, holding her ground and sporting the most innocent look she could muster.
    “The first bite.” Mike moved the spoon until it was practically right under her nose.
    Cassie resisted the urge to back away, but another few seconds and she’d have no choice. Peppery steam spiraled from the chili to her nose, then to her eyes, which instantly began tearing from all the hot sauce. Her nostrils flared, and she could barely keep from sneezing. She blinked rapidly, unable to stem the tears from rolling down her cheeks. Another second and she couldn’t take it, turning away to grab a paper towel and sneeze four times in rapid succession.
    “Yeah.” Mike snorted. “That’s what I thought.” He smirked and dropped the spoon into the bowl.
    From behind her, Cassie heard Chuck, Leo, and Danny snickering.
    Well, damn . She didn’t know why it bothered her so much that Mike had won this battle of wills. Then the image of him kissing that beautiful woman right in front of her and everyone else at the Nest reminded her why.
    After she let out another sneeze, Mike leaned in close until she could feel his warm breath on her neck. An involuntary shiver ran through Cassie’s body, partly from the effect he always had on her and partly out of the slightest fear he’d arrest her for attempted assault on a police officer.
    “Nice try, Chef Cassie,” Mike said in a low voice. “I’ll remember this.” His last words were spoken harshly, matching the hostile look he threw her just before turning to head out of the kitchen.
    “I was only kidding,” she yelled after him. “It was a joke.”
    Mike spun and stalked back to her until they were nose to nose. “You think assaulting a police officer is a joke?” His jaw muscles flexed as he clenched his teeth.
    “Assault by hot sauce?” Cassie couldn’t hold back the snicker.
    “Lady,