Tripp in Love by Tressie Lockwood Page A

gaze swept her from head to foot now that she stood beside her car. Toya tried not to fidget under his glare. She’d righted her skirt, but it hardly covered more of her thighs than when sitting, and her boots were “fuck me” high. She liked them like that in the winter, especially stretching over her knees and a small way up her thighs.
    “You’re not too good at using what you have to get out of trouble, are you?”
    Toya’s jaw dropped. The first time he unbends from the hard cop routine, and he insults her. She tossed her hands on her hips. “Excuse me?”
    He pointed his chin at her. “The attitude. One minute you’re all soft and delicate, the next you look like you want to scratch my eyes out. Which is the real you?”
    “For your information, I’m always real. Now if you’re going to arrest me, do it. Otherwise, let me go.”
    The step he took closer to her made her stumble back. That’s when she saw for the first time how much taller he was. He towered above her even in her highest heels. But then she noticed the front of his pants. Okay, yeah, he was interested all right. No man could hide that.
    “Whose funeral?” he demanded. She had the feeling he knew she’d seen the hard-on. “What’s the name?”
    “Lorn Foster.”
    The recognition of her brother’s name flashed in his eyes to be replaced by doubt. He frowned. “Let’s not play games, ma’am—”
    “Again with the ma’am stuff? My name is Toya Foster, and Lorn is my brother. I can tell by your attitude that you don’t believe me. We have different mothers. Both my parents are black, and his mother is white. Lorn took after his mother. It’s not impossible. It happened. Whatever.”
    “Since you don’t have ID, I’m going to have to take you in. Your car will be impounded.”
    All sense of pride left to be replaced with self-preservation. She grabbed hold of his coat and pressed closer without thinking. “Please, please, you can’t arrest me. I’ve never gone to jail in my life. I’ve never even had a ticket. I have to go to my brother’s funeral. Can’t you just let me off with a warning? I promise to be out of your hair by the end of the weekend.”
    He covered her hands, but he made no move to pull them off of his coat or push her away. “Even if I did that, one of my fellow officers could pick you up later. I have a feeling you like power and speed.” He didn’t even blink at what he insinuated. “It’s better for me to take you in now, and maybe we can make arrangements down at the precinct.”
    She blinked back tears and let him go. “Fine, but I’m talking to your superior about sexual harassment.”
    “Really?” His gaze swept her and then her car. The vehicle had been a congratulatory gift to herself for landing a promotion with a fat raise. The way she dressed and carried herself, along with her car, no one would go for the story that he tried taking advantage of her. And the fact was she was still driving without a license. Damn .
    “Okay, fine.” She closed her eyes and held out her wrists waiting for him to cuff them.
    His warm hands covered hers, and she realized she had started shaking again. “Don’t worry. You don’t have to be afraid. I’m not going to arrest you or cuff you.”
    Her eyes popped open. “Really?”
    “Really. Let’s go.”
    He waited while she grabbed her suitcase and locked up the car. They walked to his car, and she expected him to tuck her in the back, but he held open the front door instead. Toya stepped in and straightened her skirt. When the cop came around and folded into his seat, she couldn’t miss the glance he gave to her legs.
    Their gazes locked, and he smiled revealing straight, white teeth. His face transformed, going from the not to be played with cop to a more friendly air. She’d put him at mid-thirties, a couple years older than her.
    “Okay, I admit I like what I see.” He threw the car into gear and called in for a tow truck to pick hers up. When he