Read Online Collision Force by C.A. Szarek - Free Book Online Page B

Okay, Pete,” Andi said, her tone patronising. Oh, she should smack the look off his face. He was supposed to be on her side.
    “He kissed you.” His tone was nonchalant, but he was studying her.
    What. The. Hell. Cole had told Pete he kissed her? She would kill him. Lying to her partner wouldn’t work, even if that was her plan. Pete always saw right through her. Andi’s cheeks heated and—of course—he noticed. His expression became much too knowing.
    Dammit.
    “Wow,” he whispered.
    “Wow what ?”
    “Andi MacLaren, blushing and speechless. A first, I think.”
    “Shut up, Pete.” Andi sighed.
    “So it’s true .” He gave a low whistle, and she glared.
    “And?”
    “ And …you tell me. He doesn’t have any bullet holes, and seems to be walking all right, so…”
    “So, nothing. Dammit. Just drop it.”
    Pete laughed, and she narrowed her eyes.
    “It’s about time, Andi. I’ve been worried about you,” he said.
    She shot him a glance. “What do you mean?”
    Pete took her hand and looked into her eyes. “Iain’s been gone three years…”
    Andi yanked away. “Stop. Just stop. I love Iain.”
    “Love? Why isn’t it loved ?” His tone was low. Tears sprang to her eyes and she blinked them back. “I know you loved Iain. But you can’t become a nun.”
    “This isn’t about Cole Lucas…”
    “No, it’s not. Not really. It’s about you, locking yourself away.” He gripped her hand again.
    “I haven’t locked myself away.” Andi shook her head.
    Cole. She was attracted to him, right? No—she couldn’t confess it to her partner, because she hadn’t admitted it to herself.
    Pete threw his good arm over her shoulders and pulled her against him.
    Andi rested her head against him for a moment. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
    “I realise that, darlin’.” Pete smoothed her hair and smiled. “But since you won’t marry me, I’m worried about you.” She pretended not to see the wince as he lowered his injured arm from her face. Obviously his arm still pained him, though her partner would never admit it.
    “I would kill you if we got married.” When Andi looked at him, his eyes danced, and then they both shared a laugh.
    “I have no doubt about it.” He winked.
    The door opened and Andi looked up. Her gaze collided with Cole’s. Something passed through those steel eyes, but he schooled his expression so fast, she’d probably imagined it. He smiled, but his dimples were missing.
    She rushed to her feet to help with the three cans of soda he was balancing precariously as he tried to manage the door to Pete’s room. Cole muttered his thanks, but his body was stiff. What exactly had she missed?
    Andi handed Pete a can, and he inclined his head as he opened the tab then drank. Cole stared at her partner, but said nothing. He plopped down in the seat next to Pete’s bed, his brow furrowed. What could he possibly be so broody about?
    “How long have you two been partners?” Cole asked, his light tone belying his expression.
    Andi looked at Pete, then back at Cole.
    “About five years,” Pete said, and she nodded. “I was her best man when she married Iain.”
    Cole laughed, but his eyes were flat. “Somehow it doesn’t surprise me that Andi had a best man.”
    Pete grinned.
    Andi harrumphed, but smiled because the grin on her partner’s face was infectious. “Well, Pete was friends with Iain, too, so it doesn’t count.”
    Pete chuckled and shook his head. “How about you, Agent Lucas? Any partner of note? Been at the bureau long?”
    “Ah, partnering up isn’t for me.” Cole ran his hand through his dark hair. Andi smirked. Not a shocker she’d been right about him. “But call me Cole.”
    Pete nodded.
    “Been with the bureau since I was twenty-five. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.”
    “Yeah, me too. Joined the force at twenty-one,” Pete said.
    Conversation between the two men flowed naturally, and once again all Andi could do was watch. And envy