Page 3 of Perfect Fit
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Officer Cara Hartleypaced outside the emergency room, hoping for news on her partner and waiting for his family to arrive. She didn’t know which members would come, given Sam’s father’s condition, but her gut told her his brother, Michael, would be one of them. As laid-back as he appeared, when it came to doing his job or caring for his family, the man was as take-charge alpha as they came.
He also liked control in the bedroom, something Cara knew only too well. She shivered at the reminder of one incredible night a few months ago when Mike had been home for the weekend visiting his father. He and Sam had shown up at Joe’s Bar, they’d flirted, he’d bought her drinks, he’d walked her to her car, and the next thing she knew, she’d agreed to let him follow her home and take her—not just to bed but wherever he damn well pleased. He’d been phenomenal, bringing her to heights she’d only dreamed of and igniting a hunger that had fueled many fantasies in the months since.
“Dr. Nussbaum, please call extension fifty-three. Dr. Nussbaum, extension fifty-three.” The voice over the hospital loudspeaker broke into Cara’s heated thoughts.
Although those sensual memories had been a welcome distraction from worrying about Sam, the last thing she wanted to be thinking about was the man who was now her boss. He’d completely rocked her world, but he hadn’t mentioned it since his return. Granted, she hadn’t brought up the subject either, but his complete refusal to acknowledge her as more than one of his officers grated her female pride. Even the few times they were alone, Mike had been abrupt and all business.
When he arrived, she had no doubt he’d want to talk about what she and Sam were doing on Route 80, heading back to Serendipity from the outskirts of town. They’d been looking into a cold case Mike had assigned to them and were just beginning to realize that the implications of their findings might affect Mike personally. She wouldn’t share anything without Sam’s permission. Not even with her boss. Hopefully, he wouldn’t push for information. If she had good news about Sam, maybe he wouldn’t delve too deeply into where they’d been or why.
Suddenly, the street doors swung wide, and Cara caught sight of Mike, his dark hair longer than regulation for a cop, his leather jacket giving him a dangerous edge. During the week, he wore suits and ties when he had scheduled meetings, but Cara knew he preferred his beat-up leather and jeans to the stuffy boss clothing the job demanded.
Mike barreled through the lobby and headed straight for her, his sister right behind him.
“How’s Sam?” Erin asked.
“What the hell happened?” Mike barked at Cara.
She straightened to her full height, which at five foot three wasn’t much compared to his almost six feet. “We were in an accident, Chief.”
“Any news on Sam?” Erin asked.
Cara shook her head. “Not yet, but he was conscious when the ambulance brought him in.”
“I didn’t have you two on the schedule today.” Mike pinned her with a steady stare.
Cara looked into his chocolate-brown eyes, wondering how they could have been so sexy all those months ago and so cold and forbidding now. “And if you’ll notice, I’m not in uniform. Your brother and I were out for a ride. It’s a gorgeous day,” she said, hating the evasion that fell from her lips.
“Ease up,” Erin said, punching Mike in the arm. “She’s not on duty, and she’s as worried about Sam as we are. And lay off the formalities. Cara’s like family.”
Cara and Erin were the same age, and though they hadn’t been best friends in school, they’d been in the same general group of girls, while Sam, a year older, had been a friend; it wasn’t until they both joined the force together that their friendship solidified and Cara became more a part of the Marsdens’ inner circle. By then, Mike had been long gone.
Erin pulled Cara into an embrace. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
Cara managed a nod and hugged Erin back. “It was scary,” she said, allowing herself to admit her fear for the first time. She stepped away from Erin. Suddenly cold, she wished she were wearing a heavier jacket.
“You’re shaking,” Erin said, breaking into her thoughts. “And your cheek is bruised.”
“Airbag,” Cara said softly.
“Were you checked out?” Mike asked, his tone deep and gravelly, sending shivers through her that had nothing to do with the earlier accident.
“The paramedics cleared me at the scene. It’s just a delayed reaction, I guess.”
Mike’s frown deepened. “Let’s sit.” Without waiting for her to agree, he grasped her elbow and led her to a chair.
Because Cara’s legs were truly unsteady, she let him have his way. Erin picked a chair across the aisle while Mike chose a spot beside Cara. He sat next to her, so close the musky scent of his aftershave warmed her in ways she couldn’t think about now.
“What happened?” Erin asked softly.
In a weird way, it was a relief to go back to the accident and share the experience. “Sam was driving. He was fine one minute and doubled over in pain the next. I reached for the wheel, but I had no leverage and the car hit a tree.”
She blew out a stream of air and steadied herself before continuing. “My airbag deployed. His didn’t. Sam’s head hit the steering wheel”—she winced as she recalled the awful sound—“and his side of the car took the brunt of the impact. I was able to call for an ambulance, and here we are.” She clenched her fists until her nails bit into her flesh.
“Easy,” Mike said as his big, strong hand covered hers, and he gently pried her fingernails away from her skin.
Her entire body reacted to his touch, awareness jolting through her like a sudden burst of electricity. Startled, she met his gaze, and at that moment, sheknewhe was as stunned.