Page 17 of Made of Steele
“I do. I’m the COO.”
“Chief Operating Officer. Wow!” Another point he didn’t have to fake being impressed about. He couldn’t manage to keep his checkbook balanced most of the time, much less run a company. “Top of the ranks. Been doing that long?”
“Two years, but I was a Clackamas County deputy and detective before that.”
He raised his eyebrows, pretending to be surprised, and nodded at her jacket, where the bulge of a holster showed through the fabric. “I see you carry.”
“That a problem?”
He liked a strong woman who wasn’t afraid of guns, but in his role as Dylan, he should have a problem with that, so he gave her a concerned look. “Carry all the time?”
“Yes,” she said.
He mocked a big gulp. “Even on dates?”
“Yes, but I might put it in my purse instead of wearing it on my hip.” She grinned, giving him such a flirty look that he almost forgot his role.
“Don’t suppose you’re free tonight.” He took tickets out of his pocket that he’d scored before coming to the warehouse. “A buddy just gave me two tickets to the Trailblazers tonight. You want to go with me?”
She took a step back. “I don’t know anything about you.”
Good. Good. She was making it appear real. At least he hoped this was how she reacted when some strange man asked her out—something he figured happened a lot—and she knew how to handle herself.
He relaxed his posture and made sure not to seem offended by her comment. “You know the Conti brothers and know they wouldn’t associate with a loser, right?”
“He’s right.” Sal looked up and tapped the pen on the clipboard. “You can trust the guy.”
Drew waved the tickets. “They’re courtside.”
She tilted her head, and her expression softened. “Iama big Blazer fan.”
“Figured you might be.”
She rested her hands on her very curvy hips “You think you know me, huh?”
“I’d like to.” The words came out with such sincerity it surprised him. Was he really that interested in this woman already?
“Smooth, man. Real smooth.” Sal chuckled and handed the clipboard and pen back to Teagan. “He’s trying so hard, you should go out with him just for that. I mean, you’re clearly out of his league, but what could one date hurt?”
“Hey, thanks, man.” Drew socked Sal’s arm but smiled at Teagan. “Will you take pity on a guy who’s trying to date up the ladder to impossible status?”
She laughed, tossing her head back and revealing a creamy-looking neck. “I will.”
She stopped laughing and met his eyes. That pull he’d felt between them from the very beginning strengthened. He wanted to draw her close. Badly. So badly. He nearly closed the distance to her. Nearly.
You’re on the job, for Pete’s sake. Remember that.
Not only to stay safe, but to remember she was agreeing to a date because of the job. Not because she was really interested in him. The job.
Forget the immense attraction. Keep your mind in the game. Do your job and live to fight another day.
Teagan had changed into jeans and a well-worn Blazer jersey before arriving and securing a secluded table at one of her favorite restaurants where “Silent Night” played over the speakers. The southern cooking restaurant located near the Moda Center where the Blazers played boasted antique Christmas snow globes and rusty antiques. The shiplap walls were covered in old advertising signs. She loved the down-home recipes served here and had tried pretty much everything on the menu. The foods were all so very bad for her, but oh so good when she needed extra comfort in her life. Something she undeniably needed today.
The glass door swung open. Drew entered the space and heads turned. He wore black jeans and shrugged out of a leather jacket, revealing his black crew T-shirt that stretched tight over his broad chest and muscled arms. He looked more like he was going on a nighttime op instead of a date. Regardless, the sight of him kicked her heart beat up.
She put him at six-three, and his shoulders at the large-and-in-charge size. She’d always gone for men who pumped iron. She worked out most every day and appreciated fitness. Being tall herself, she often wondered if she only felt secure with a bigger guy. Regardless, he fit her kind of guy to a T, whatever that old saying actually meant.
He spotted her and when his gaze landed on her, she felt the intensity all the way to her bones. He crossed the room with that commanding cop swagger. Why didn’t the Contis see that in him? Wonder about him?
