Chasing Justice (Gay Detective Romance Novella) by Corynn Crawford Read Free Book Online Page B

feet.”
    Luke heard the music change and scowled. “You waited for a slow one!”
    “Maybe, but can you dance to anything else without looking like a middle-aged cop?”
    Luke made a face again. “Point taken. But keep your eyes open. And don’t let me see you go running off all half-cocked if you recognize Thayer.”
    “Depending on how close we’re dancing,” Eddie smirked, “you may see me fully-cocked.”
    Luke rolled his eyes, causing Eddie to giggle and huff through his nose. He followed him down onto the dance floor, and as Luke’s eyes were once again drawn to that trademark strut, this time he noticed the way Eddie’s ass filled out his jeans. He could see the muscles of his thighs and calves flex as he made his way through the crowd, and when he turned around, all Luke could see were those two blue eyes meeting his. The look was intense, and Luke was surprised to discover he actually felt nervous. Unable to tear his eyes away from Eddie standing there with his hand outstretched, beckoning him, Luke swallowed and walked onto the dance floor.

Chapter 6
    “This feels weird.”
    “Pretend I have tits.”
    Luke glanced down from Eddie’s curls to a spot in the center of his chest. “That makes it worse.”
    Eddie was dancing at arm’s length from Luke, fingers laced behind Luke’s neck.
    “Just keep one eye over my shoulder and one eye on me,” Eddie said. “I’m watching the edge of the bar and the front entrance. You watch the bathrooms and the side of the stage.”
    The music switched to yet another slow song, and Eddie slid his hands down Luke’s back to the top of his hips.
    “You seem tense,” Eddie said.
    “Uh, no,” Luke lied, acutely aware of Eddie’s fingers tracing circles on his back.
    Eddie laughed. “Jesus, Detective, relax a little.”
    “We’re supposed to be working.”
    “We’re supposed to be making this look good,” Eddie replied.
    “Keep your mind on the job.”
    “It’s difficult with you dancing so close,” Eddie grinned.
    “Brock...”
    “Tell me you hate it.”
    “What?”
    “When was the last time you danced this close to someone, your wife or anyone else? You must be enjoying it a little.”
    Luke had to think for a moment to be able to remember the last time he danced with his wife. Two years? Three? When was Kathy’s cousin’s wedding? Maybe four, when they could still stand to be in the same room with each other. And with the exception of the moment of closeness he and Elizabeth had shared, it had been...months since he had held someone in his arms.
    He was staring at those blond curls when he answered. “Maybe a little.”
    “Good.” Eddie pulled him a little closer. “I’m sure every bit of your buttoned-down cop persona is screaming that this is wrong,” he whispered in his ear. “I know the thoughts are rebelling in your head, telling you that it’s wrong to enjoy being this close to another man. It doesn’t make you some kind of sinner, Luke. It makes you human...and every human wants someone to hold them once in a while.”
    “I never thought the other human would be a leather-wearing U.S. Marshal with a mustache,” Luke whispered back, his head nearer to Eddie’s shoulder.
    “Try not to think. Just enjoy the feeling.”
    “I am. And keep your hands off my ass.”
    “You do have a nice ass,” Eddie said.
    “So do you,” Luke answered without thinking.
    Eddie pulled back in surprise, and Luke shook his head at his verbal slip.
    His instincts were telling him he shouldn’t be doing this. He wasn’t supposed to be reveling in the feeling of Eddie’s muscular back and arms rubbing up against him. He wasn’t supposed to be distracted by the way Eddie smelled, which was a mixture of a light cologne, deodorant, and hints of leather that still clung to him even though he wasn’t wearing his jacket. Luke didn’t want to notice the way Eddie’s blond curls danced across the back of his neck every time he moved. He tried to shut