Grace by Laura Marie Henion Read Free Book Online Page A

would let go of her, although she didn't want him to.
    Once again, she was practically pinned against the courthouse walls, but this time she didn't mind.
    "You can let go of me now."
    "Where's the fire?” he asked as he reluctantly released her.
    When she felt the gun on the man's hip, Grace was suddenly brought back to reality, and a deep sense of disappointment engulfed her.
    Just what she didn't want, another cop in her life, just one more Jimmy she didn't need.
    "It's okay, miss. I'm a cop."
    "I figured as much. The badge kind of gives that away.” Grace eyed the brass medal attached to his belt buckle.
    The man looked down, then back to Grace, smiling. “That would give it away, wouldn't it?"
    They laughed.
    "Well, again, I'm sorry I plowed into you. Thanks for holding me.... I mean preventing me from falling,” Grace quickly corrected herself.
    "Anytime, miss...."
    Grace was about to introduce herself when they were interrupted.
    "Hey, Grace, are you all right? I saw Sullivan corner you back there, but I couldn't get to you in time. I didn't know you two knew one another.” District Attorney Johnny Lewis spoke in one quick long sentence, so as not to waste time. He was always in such a rush.
    "We don't,” both Grace and the man said at the same time.
    They laughed, then smiled.
    "The name's Max Mathews.” Max held out his hand to Grace.
    She was in shock. What were the odds of actually bumping into the detective running the case she was working on? The one who had been avoiding her and giving her the runaround?
    A sly smile found its way to her lips, but she waited a moment to reveal her identity.
    "Not the notorious Detective Max Mathews?” Grace laid her hand over her heart pretending she was about to bombard him with compliments and words of honor and praise.
    Max looked at the DA, appearing unsure of what was coming next. “It's Lieutenant and you are..."
    "Detective Grace Martin.” She then crossed her arms in front of her chest, refusing to shake the jerk's hand. She was even angrier at the fact she was attracted to the guy.
    Her words seemed to click with the detective as he rolled his eyes, then broke eye contact.
    "I take it you two are working on the same case?” Johnny tried to break the tension.
    "He wouldn't know because he's been avoiding me. Very unprofessional.” Grace began to ask Max why he hadn't returned any of her calls and suddenly all his answers were sexist.
    "If I knew you had legs like that, I would have called.” He gave her the once-over.
    "If you want to play this game, Lieutenant, then it goes both ways. You don't share your information, then I won't share mine.
    "You have my number,” Grace stated angrily, then turned toward Johnny.
    "Thanks for your concern, Johnny, but I was able to handle Sullivan. Call me if you need anything else with the case.” Grace smiled and walked away.
* * * *
    "So ... that didn't go too well, did it?” Johnny stifled a laugh at Max's facial expression.
    "I thought detectives were supposed to be so suave with the ladies."
    "Cool it, Johnny, it's no big deal. What's going on?” Max only half paid attention to the conversation, his mind still on Grace Martin.
    When Max finished talking to Johnny, he headed out of the courthouse. His mind immediately went over the encounter with Detective Grace Martin.
    When the gorgeous green-eyed goddess slammed into him, he thought she was a gift from God for all his hard work. A woman like that would be a definite distraction from the job and his heavy caseload. He exhaled as he walked faster toward the parking lot, absorbing the chill in the air and gazing at the leaves descending from some nearby trees. He thought Grace was an attorney and he hoped she was a prosecutor. He would love a piece of that action. Then he remembered his stupid comment when he noticed Grace's uneasiness at the sight of his firearm.
    "Don't worry, miss. I'm a cop."
    "Damn it! That sounded goofy."
    The green eyes had done something to