“Good. Thanks.”
I hung up and strode toward my car, which I thankfully caught sight of down the block, and my mind already swirled with sexy toys and fantasies I’d thought about before, but never had the opportunity to test. I decided maybe I was pushing my luck, but after I got in my car, started it, and flipped on the seat warmer, I opened my phone and went to a bookmarked toy I’d thought about for a long time. The cost for overnight shipping was astronomical, but I didn’t care. The toy was something I’d only ever dreamed about seeing on a man. Before I could consider the fact I was dropping four-hundred and ninety dollars on what basically amounted to a glorified pillow, I added a gift address, finished the transaction, pocketed my phone, and then promptly forced myself to try to forget about my afternoon.
But those hips, though….
I was checking my mirrors to pull out into traffic when my phone rang over the Bluetooth in my Audi. I sighed asRoss Midberryflashed over the console screen. I thought about ignoring the interruption to my well-earned night off, but it would be safer not to get into bad habits. I hit the button to answer. “Speak.”
“Where are you?” Ross sounded breathy and lazy, and I could only imagine what was causing that, but then I didn’t have to work too hard at it as I heard a soft, simpering little moan in the background.
“You couldn’t finish first?” He laughed but didn’t deny he was getting serviced on his end. “I’m in the city, why?” There was no way in hell I’d tell him precisely where I was, just in case something went wrong with Bell and rumors got out. I needed to be able to pretend innocence.
“The mayor’s office is going to need to make a statement. Oh, like that,” he whispered, but I heard him loud and clear.
“On what?” I rolled my eyes. “You want to give a State of the Cock address?”
“Fuck you. Not you, sweetie,” he murmured softly. “You’re amazing.”
“Ross!” I smacked my steering wheel with my palm, and he laughed.
“Well, remember the sex trafficking ring that lawyer Brickton hung himself over not too long ago, and then they caught that Bolton kid who was part of it?” He let out a stuttering little sigh that I was sure wasn’t part of his details about whatever the hell had prompted him to call me.
“Not much chance of me forgetting. That was a real boost for us. City hall could do no wrong for weeks.”
“Yes….” He moaned, and I rolled my eyes again. “Guess what? The police found a girl who was kidnapped last year and forced into the ring. She was returned to her parents today. They didn’t find anyone who held her, but her return is huge. She has a lot of information.”
“The police did their job?” I stared at a black-and-white cruiser that passed by in the flow of traffic on the street. “The New Gothenburg police? The same ones who can’t even keep bikers in prison?”
Ross snorted and then hissed. “Watch the teeth. That’s right.”
“You’re just doing this to make me jealous, and it won’t work. I fucked someone already.”
Ross honest to Christ giggled, which was fucking weird for a man with a voice as low as his, and then gasped. “Well, the policeman who found the girl was a private investigator, the same one who broke the original case, but we’re still going to call it a win for the cops.”
“Right. Why wouldn’t we?” I grumbled.
Ross snickered. “Yes, it’s a great opportunity to step in front of the cameras.”
Slamming my head back against the seat, I glared at the ceiling of the car.Goddamn it.I’d thought about grabbing food and going home to jerk off to the memory of Bell’s tight ass. “You want to congratulate the PD?” Excitement beat in my veins, quickly overtaking my annoyance. Wrangling the press was always a tenuous activity, nearly dangerous. “You want to tell them city hall is proud of them?”
“And, of course, let the public know we’ve been supporting their efforts to end crimeallalong.” There was a longer moan on the other end, and I had to wonder what the hell Ross was doing to the prostitute he had on his dick, but then I quickly forced my mind away from that. I needed to focus.
“God, you’re awful.”
“Yeah.” He sounded proud of himself.
“I love it. That sounds great.”
“You want to do it?” Ross’s hope was too funny.
“Damn it, Midberry, there’s an election next year. You need to haul your ass in front of the cameras yourself.” I pointed my finger at the spot where his name glowed on the screen in the center of my dash for good measure, as if he’d see me that way. “There may not be another chance like this before election day. It’s fucking gold.”
“Fine. Set it up, then? Stand beside me and milk this windfall for everything it’s worth?”
“Sure.” I sighed. So much for my evening, but this would be fine. “Where do you want to do it?”
“Courthouse steps? That’ll send a strong law-and-order vibe.”
“It’s a true honor working with you.” I smirked.
