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

Mike, too, crossed his arms. “Never figured you for such a softie with babies.”
    “What are you talking about?” she asked.
    “The baby you were holding the other day.”
    “You saw that?” For a moment Cassie was stunned that he’d been watching her.
    “I see everything.” Mike lowered his voice. “Including the fact that you don’t always have a prickly disposition. I think I like this new and improved version of you.”
    “I don’t always have a prickly—” Cassie began to object, then stopped, realizing it was true. At least, with him it was. And did he just pay me a compliment? Or was that a roundabout insult?
    Mike leaned down to whisper in her ear. His breath was warm and made her neck tingle. “You really don’t like cops, do you?”
    Cassie uncrossed her arms. “I never said that.”
    “You don’t have to. It’s in your eyes, your words, your tone. Lady, your body language screams cop-hater.”
    “It’s not that at all.” Cassie glanced around, grateful they were standing in a fairly empty section of the dining room. “If you must know, I dated one once.”
    “I take it things didn’t go so well.”
    “No,” she admitted, surprised to find herself confiding in Mike. “They didn’t.”
    “What happened?”
    “If you must know,” Cassie began.
    “I must.” Mike’s smile was wicked handsome. “I’m on the edge of my seat.”
    “You’re standing.”
    “Figure of speech. Please, go on.”
    What the hell?
    “As I was saying, if you must know, on our first—and only —date, all he talked about was his job prowess and how any woman he dated better be prepared to jump the second he snapped his chauvinistic fingers. The shame of it was, I left a perfectly good apple martini on the table when I bolted from the restaurant.”
    Mike snorted. “Any chance you’re stereotyping all cops because of one jerk?” His lips lifted into a hesitant smile.
    “Funny, that’s pretty much what Rose said. Although I think my boss has a soft spot where you’re concerned.”
    Mike tipped his head to where Jimmy sat. “Actually, I think she has a soft spot for my deputy.”
    “Him, too.” Cassie shook her head. “My boss loves cops.”
    “And you don’t.” He moved into her personal space until he was inches from her.
    “Nope.” Cassie glared up at him, narrowing her eyes. She refused to be intimidated by his nearness. Or how good he smelled. I will not fall into the cop-trap again. Just because this one was charming and knew how to push all her buttons was no reason to alter her perception.
    “You might consider listening to your boss. She’s a wise woman.” Mike winked at her as he headed for the end of the counter where Jimmy sat eyeing them with interest.
    As Cassie headed back toward the kitchen, she paused to wipe down the far end of the counter. When the doorbell jangled, she looked up to see Joey and his mother head out the door. Her mind spun with conflicting thoughts.
    Mike did have some unexpected checks in the plus column, like his natural way with people, including kids. But he was still a cop, right down to the cellular level. Another plus for the town, just not for her.
    Cassie didn’t doubt Mike’s professional abilities for a second, and she admired that. From a professional perspective, that was. Simmering beneath that charming surface was an experienced street cop. It was the way he took in everything around him, even when he looked you straight in the eye. His demeanor and physical stance were relaxed, but he was in a constant state of readiness and poised for action. She pitied anyone who got on Mike’s bad side.
    “That’s Joey and his mom, Abby Johnson,” Rose said from behind her. “Joey’s father is serving in the Middle East and hasn’t been home in six months. Mike watches out for the boy, helps Abby around the house. She’s six months pregnant and can use all the help she can get, poor thing.”
    Cassie watched Abby through the window as she