Page 56 of See You Again
“I wasn’t bad,” she exclaimed. “The instructor said I was a natural.”
“That guy was hitting on you.” Surely, she realized that. “There was a reason he had us doing so many jumping jacks to warm up.” He made air quotes around the words.
Cami had shown up to their class in a sports bra and leggings. More energy than skill, her bouncing had her impressive cleavage testing the fabric limits of her top. “Tig.”
Her mouth fell open, and James wasn’t sure why he’d said it. The nickname he’d given her to cover up the fierce possessiveness he’d felt at another man watching her happily bounce around.
Memories he’d kept at bay came flooding back. How he’d pulled off his hoodie and forced it over her head when their instructor took far too much interest in helping Cami move her body into position. James also remembered the almost irresistible urge to punch the dickhead man-bun in the face. “Do you always confront suspects on your own?”
“To be fair, I wasn’t confronting a suspect. I was pumping gas. And technically, he didn’t hurt me. I was startled and tripped. That’s why I fell.”
Her explanation was doing nothing to ease the agitated, restless feeling itching under his skin.
“Normally interviews are with people who want to provide information.”
“You shouldn’t go alone.”
One dark eyebrow climbed, and her eyes sparkled with challenge. “Why is that? Because I’m a girl?”
“No,” he bit out. “Because even law enforcement works in pairs. It’s for a good reason.”
Her nose scrunched, but she didn’t argue, which was good because his control was growing paper thin. The thought of Cami putting herself in danger…
“I’m not stupid. The women I met today were vetted, and Gerry had the address where I was meeting them. I was across the street from the police station. There was no reason for me to think I was in danger.”
“You should know how to defend yourself.”
“I have my taser.”
“Where was it when this guy was threatening you?” James’s temples throbbed.
“I didn’t say he threatened me.”
“Where was it?”
Cami’s eyes skimmed over the table. “In my purse.”
“In the car?”
“Yes. But that’s where any weapon would be. I’m not carrying a gun,” Cami said firmly. “Statistically, a woman is more likely to have it taken away and used against her than for it to help if she is attacked.”
James grunted. Cami wasn’t wrong. He’d seen far too many cases where the victim thought they were safe because they owned a firearm. “At the very least, you should take a real defense class. Not some guy looking for an opportunity to touch half-naked, beautiful women.”
Cami rolled her eyes. “I don’t remember you exaggerating this much.”
Frustrated, James shoved up his sleeves and braced his elbows on the table. Cami’s gaze dropped, her gaze tracing the ink revealed on his forearms.
“I’ll look into it.” She relented.
“The gym I box at has classes. Brady, the owner, is an old friend. Come by tomorrow night.”
“I can’t.” Cami shook her head. “I already have plans.”
“Cheating on me already?” The sharp sting of what felt suspiciously like jealousy lanced through him.
Cami’s full red lips parted at his tone. “It-It’s girls’ night. Madison doesn’t get much time off, but now and then her parents agree to take Jax.”
James held her eyes, energy pulsing between them. His skin felt tight, and all he wanted was to reach across the table, tangle his fist in her hair and drag her mouth to his. Until…