Burden Of Blood by Wenona Hulsey Page A

determined to take her mind off Luke’s rippling biceps and the rock hard abs she was sure his black t-shirt was stubbornly hiding.  The best way to do that was the strategy she had been using all these years… only talk about work.
     
    “Not much to tell, we haven’t been able to catch sight of anyone fitting the vague description you gave us and since you didn’t see the vehicle he left in, we don’t have much else to go on.” He leaned forward, putting his elbows on his knees, then turning his face towards the screen that displayed the movie’s menu.
     
    Something flashed in his expression that Nicole couldn’t pin down, a little frustration or maybe aggravation.  Either way she was happy to be on a comfortable, safe subject.  “Maybe this had something to do with one of the court cases I was due to testify in that day.  There were three of them, but they all seemed pretty standard open-and-shut drug cases, even without my testimony.”
     
    “Come on girl, can’t you hold out on this for one more day.  We can go over all the details first thing tomorrow when we are at work .  I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather watch a good movie with a friend on Friday night than worry about this crap,” he said, reaching over and playfully punching her on the leg.  He leaned back into the plush couch cushion and hit the play button on the remote.
     
    “Easy for you to say, you’re not the one who was shot at.  All I’m saying is - ”
     
    Luke put up his hand, stopping her mid-sentence.  Nicole shot him a death stare in disbelief but he just shot back a sly grin making his hazel eyes sparkle.
     
    “I know where your dad keeps the duct tape so don’t think for a second I’m above sealing your mouth shut so I can watch this movie.” A mischievous smile played across his full lips sending a thrilling shiver through Nicole’s body.  How long had it been since she had let herself get close to a man?  From the way her body was reacting to him-far too long.  She bit her lip, trying to hide the smile that was fighting to escape.
     
    “I’m just trying to …” she started.
     
    In the next second, Luke was up, heading toward the kitchen where Nicole knew James kept a roll of tape.  “You can’t be serious!” She reached out to grab him, but only managed to get hold of the edge of his shirt.  He did a quick dodge out of her reach, causing her to lose what little grip she had on him.  Nicole quickly jumped up off the couch and chased after him catching hold of his waist from behind and ineffectually digging her heels into the hardwood floor to slow him down.
     
    “Don’t you dare Luke!” she said breathlessly laughing as she tried to keep him from taking another step.  Lightning fast, he turned in her hands until he was facing her.  He was grinning as big as the Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland.  Luke grabbed and tossed her over his shoulder with a rumbling laugh.  “No!  No!  No!” she protested as she held onto his lower back, dangling upside down and laughing uncontrollably.
     
    “Do you solemnly swear to exercise your right to remain silent during this movie or must I cuff and gag you, little lady?” he said putting on his toughest cop voice.
     
    “I give Luke, I promise to watch the movie and not talk any more about work tonight, okay.  Now will you please put me down?”
     
    “That’s more like it,” he said as he walked over to the end of the couch leaning forward to toss her onto her back but at the last second grabbing on to his neck, she pulled him down with her and into a head lock.
     
    Nicole let out a mock evil laugh “Ha, you just thought you had the upper hand.” After a few seconds, Luke laughed tapping her arm, signaling she had won.  She slowly let loose her hold on him, realizing the wrestling match had left them both lying on the couch with her half on top of him, one leg sexily draped across his lower waist.  Her eyes drifted from her