Page 4 of Strip Search

Silence fills the cab of the truck briefly before he pipes up again.

“So, does Cole know you’ve got feelings for him?”

“What? Are you serious right now?” I’m stunned and can’t help but wonder how this guy has figured it out so quickly when Cole seems nothing but oblivious.

“Don’t worry, Molly. I won’t tell anyone your secret.” He smirks.

The venue for Rhys and Kelsey’s wedding wasn’t far from my place so the drive is a short one. When Logan pulls into the parking lot, I’m not expecting him to actually park and shut off his truck – let alone walk me to my door.

“You don’t have to do this.” I try to stop him.

“Not a chance I’d let you, or any other lady, walk to her door alone.” He follows a few steps behind and keeps his distance as I unlock my door.

Once I’ve got my front door open, I turn around and face him. “Thank you for everything tonight. It was nice not feeling so alone.”

“You’re welcome,” he gives me a shy smile.

There’s a tiny pang in my chest because he has been so kind, and any woman would be lucky to have him. That woman isn’t me though.

Chapter Two

Molly

Cole Security -the place I’ve called home for the last four years.

As I pull into the parking lot this morning, I take a look at the building before me. When I started, our office was part of a strip mall. Two years ago, Cole bought this building, four stories tall, and expanded his operations to include his own monitoring center for his clients who have a home or office security system from him. Employee count more than tripled, and Cole started taking on more private sector work.

And I’mstillhere.

Receptionist, client liaison, research assistant, and backup support for the whole team. It was when we moved her that Cole and his little brother Cody started training me for field work, but I’ve yet to be called on to handle anything outside of the office. Something that I’ve craved more, with each passing day.

I would be lying if I said that I haven’t been looking elsewhere. The dream has always been to work with the FBI, DEA, or some other bigger organization at the federal level. This job was only supposed to be a stop along my way.

Don’t get me wrong, these guys are great. Cole knows his stuff, and I have learned a lot from being here. But I want more, I want to know the thrill of working on a case, tracking down a criminal and putting him behind bars. Bringing justice to the community.

That’s not the only thing that has me itching to get out of here. Something else has changed too.