Lee went deathly quiet on the other end of the line, and I could almost sense the anger radiating off him. A long moment passed before he spoke. “This was David, yeah? Tall skinny prick, hair like he dipped it in a deep fat fryer?”

“That’s the one.”

“They split up months ago. Sophie never mentioned he was back on the scene.”

“Well, from what I saw, he is.”

Lee let out a slow breath. “Thanks for the heads-up. I’ll make sure he stays away from her.”

“Good,” I said, and a silence fell. I should have hung up then, but something prevented me. I didn’t want to end the call, because as much as I hated to admit it, I was a tiny bit addicted to interacting with him.

“Is that all you wanted to say?” Lee asked, his voice quiet, almost a whisper. I could imagine him inside me, talking to me like that, like I was the centre of his world.

“Um, yes. I mean, no.” I paused for a second before continuing, “Do you remember Steve? The guy who came with me to your garage the other week?”

“Hard to forget a prick like that.”

“Mm-hmm, you wouldn’t happen to know anything about the black eye he’s been sporting?”

“Nope.”

“Oh, well, I just thought I’d ask.”

Lee moved again, like he was trying to get into a comfortable position.

“You sound tired,” he commented.

“I am. I told you I was working tonight. Well, last night and this morning.”

“So what’ll you do today, just sleep and hang out?”

“Pretty much. Maybe head to the gym later.”

“I could come over and cook for you. A working woman should have a man to take care of her needs.”

I could just imagine his cheeky grin. And honestly, that sounded good, too good. I had to laugh at his brazenness. “Never took you for a feminist.”

“Oh, but I am. In fact, I think they should bring in a new law that says all women should receive several orgasms a week. I’d be more than happy to support that,” he said, and against my own will, I chuckled.

“I’m sure you would be.”

“Yep. Hey, did you know they had these doctors back in the day who women visited to be treated for hysteria? The doctor literally jilled them off to relieve the tension, then sent them home happy as clams. Excuse the pun. Saw that shit on a documentary.”

I laughed loudly, unable to help it. “You’re crazy.”

“God’s honest truth. Google it if you don’t believe me. So, you gonna let me come over?” Lee purred.

“I don’t think so.”

“Aw, but I was going to bring my baked cheesecake. You haven’t lived until you’ve tried my baked cheesecake.”

I had to admit, I found it hilarious to imagine Lee baking, tattooed ne’er-do-well that he was. I shouldn’t have indulged him, but I couldn’t seem to help it. “What flavour cheesecake?”

His voice dipped low. “Whatever flavour gets you to say yes.”

“You’re such a flirt.”

He chuckled, and I got up from the couch, heading for my bedroom. “I’d better go. It’s been a long night.”

“Don’t go yet.”

I was yawning as I replied, “I have to. Otherwise, I’ll fall asleep while we’re talking.”

“I don’t mind. Stay on the line.”

I closed the door to my room. “Okay, well, I’m going to put you on speaker for a minute because I have to change out of my uniform.”

I heard him groan just as I hit “speaker” and placed the phone on my bedside dresser. “Forget talking on the phone. I should come over.”

I laughed. “Nice try.”

“No joke. I can be there in fifteen minutes, maybe less.”

“You’re incorrigible.”

“Oh, that’s fightin’ talk. Where’d you learn those fancy words, Constable?”

“Lee, you’re flirting again. Quit it or I’ll hang up.”

“Okay, no need for drastic measures. I’ll behave.”

A quiet fell as I pulled off my shirt and tie, then unbuckled my belt.

“So, are you naked yet?”

I huffed a breath. “I thought you just said you were going to behave.”

“I will, but at least give me something. I’m trying to visualise here.”

A second later my trousers were off, and I threw all my clothes in the laundry basket. I was too tired for my usual shower, so I just put on an old T-shirt and climbed into bed. “Sorry to burst your bubble, but nothing even remotely sexy is happening over here. I’ve been working for the past ten hours, and I stink. Go put that in your spank bank.”

Lee groaned again. “You can’t say ‘spank bank,’ Snap. It’ll give me ideas.”

“Don’t you dare,” I warned him.

His laugh was devilish. “For all you know, I could’ve been rubbing one out this whole time.”

“For all you know, so could I,” I countered.

“Fucking hell. Okay, you win that round.” He swore and moved away from the phone for a second. I thought I heard him scratching his stubble while muttering “Jesus Christ” under his breath.

I tried my best to change the subject. “So, have you got any plans for the day?”

“Other than coming over to yours?” he asked confidently. When I left him in stony silence, he added, “Kidding, kidding. No big plans. It’s a friend of mine’s birthday tonight, so I’ll have to show my face.”