Read Online Hard Case by Elizabeth Lapthorne - Free Book Online Page A

they moved away.
    “I was thinking it might be nice for us to grab some dinner, maybe a drink. While I’d like to discuss things, maybe brainstorm a little with you I promise to not monopolize the conversation just with work. What do you think?”
    “I think that sounds excellent, so long as you stick to just the one beer. The medication the doctor undoubtedly has you on won’t react well to the alcohol.”
    Troy blinked, stunned for a moment at Steve’s response. When he caught laughter glinting in his blue eyes, he relaxed and huffed out a reluctant chuckle.
    “Quite. My mistake,” Troy admitted.
    “Seriously,” Steve said after he chuckled. “That sounds good. It’s been a while since I’ve relaxed with a pint and taken my time over a meal. With excellent company and something that doesn’t involve bleeding, broken bones or losing people on the operating table, I’m all for it.”
    “I hope you gents got what you were after?” Leland asked as he came over to them. Glancing from one to the other, he silently checked they were ready. Clearly satisfied, Leland led the way down the long corridors, escorting them out.
    “Actually a lot of this kind of work is crossing possibilities off the list,” Troy said. “Sadly, it’s not like the movies and books portray—all guns and bombs, cars racing from one disaster to the next.”
    “Well, as long as there’s the odd sexy woman in a slinky gown to keep things interesting, that’s the important thing, right?” Leland laughed. “There are the chaps who will take your visitors badges and help you out. It was good to meet you both.”
    Troy and Steven went to the security desk and were given yet more forms to sign. Troy cast a glance over his shoulder, watching as Leland seemed to assure himself they were all right with the guards, then turned and left them to it. Checking his watch for the time, Troy then completed his sign-out paperwork. He and Steven exchanged grins as they both unclipped their badges, returning them to the officer.
    They left in companionable silence, walking in step with each other out to the car.
     
    * * * *
     
    “What is it about hanging around at the pub, eating their food, drinking a pint and talking trash about sports that acts as the best form of relaxation I’ve ever known?” Troy mused as he took a sip of his beer.
    They’d just finished eating and were lingering over their drinks. The beer wasn’t his first preference—or hell, his second either—but Steve had a point about the potential ramifications about making a cocktail of his pain medication and alcohol. Besides, something about this case had Troy wanting to keep a clear head about him. Add in the lingering sexual awareness humming between himself and Steven and he knew he didn’t want to be drunk when they finally managed to seal the deal between them.
    That was something he wanted to be present for, with every sense wide open and able to commit each touch, lick and caress to memory.
    “This is the best form of relaxation, you know?” Steve chuckled, eyeing him with a hint of cocky amusement over his Guinness.
    Troy grinned, winked and gave him that point. “Well, not the best, no,” he admitted. “But you know what I mean. Ask practically any bloke how he wants to spend an hour or two after a hard day at work—no matter what that job might entail—and I’d guarantee more than half would want a pint at the pub, a few mates and sport in the background.”
    “Must be something in our DNA,” Steven mused. “Or maybe society has just grown to the point where this is how we socialize now. What with the Internet, social media, all those reality shows and putting videos up every sixteen seconds or whatever it is, this is a throwback to honest, face to face interaction.”
    Troy nodded as he took another sip. “I have to agree, mate. It’s human contact without the hassle you get in your career. Nor are there the pressures of family duty. Just good grog, the