One Tough Cop by Dahlia Rose Read Free Book Online Page B

room and moved quietly up the hallway to check on Max with the baby. He was sitting on the sofa and had Jules in his arms. The sofa faced away from the hallway so Nicole was able to watch him without fear of being seen. Max was watching the Jets on TV. She listened as Max explained the finesse of the game to Jules, a baby that wasn’t even a month old yet.
    “So a first down is over ten yards, and the line of scrimmage is where all those guys line up to do the plays called by the coach. Now on TV they show that yellow line and then those big guys are supposed to stop the quarterback from getting the ball to the running back,” Max explained. “I think you’ll probably be one or the other. You’ll be fast and nimble. Plus, when you start football I’ll be in the stands in case anyone messes with my boy. We’ll find that Jets outfit I got you for Sunday’s game and we’ll put it on you. You can be their lucky charm and maybe they’ll win the Superbowl. It’s in the Meadowlands in New Jersey this year. I’d get us tickets, but it’s too darn cold for us to be out there. We’ll watch it on TV with your mom where it’s warm. Besides, I think she’d make better snacks, wait until you can eat buddy, her food will knock your tiny socks off. Your mom is an awesome woman, trust me, you’re a lucky kid and I’m a lucky guy.”
    Nicole listened to him talk with a huge smile on her face before she crept back down the hallway, assured that Jules was safe. Maxwell was amazing and she found her fear being replaced by something more. He would never hurt her, of that she could be assured, such gentle hands that could hold a baby with infinite care could never be used to cause pain. She’d push past those walls where she wanted to scream and hide. She wouldn’t let Derek take her life from her, her happiness or ability to love. This was one more way Nicole would take her life back.
    * * * *
    “Karen, I’m having crisis,” Nicole said into the phone as she paced her friend and confidant’s office.
    She’d come into the city for her doctor’s appointment and decided to pay Karen a visit at the shelter, plus drop off cookies and cakes for the women and children that stayed there. Her life had been going great. The baby was growing like a weed and already sleeping through the night. She had four new web design contracts that would refill her savings account nicely. Jules’s colic was gone and she swore he was starting to smile already. Max had gone back to work after two weeks leave. His hand was healed and in those two weeks they were practically inseparable. She’d met Jones, his wife, and kids, and they shopped for and picked out the costumes they’d be wearing to the family’s Halloween party. He was always at her house or they went out together for dinner with Jules in his car seat. When they kissed, it was like lava was building up inside her that needed to be released. Each time she pulled away it was because of the fact that she couldn’t have sex until the doctor cleared her. That final barrier was taken away today and now she was in a panic.
    “What, is Jules okay? Are you?” Karen asked in concern. She was holding the baby and cooing at him while talking with Nicole.
    “We’re both fine, that’s the thing, the doctor gave me the green light for … you know,” Nicole explained.
    Karen grinned. “You mean sex, as in sex with Max to be precise?”
    Nicole nodded. “Yes, what do I do?”
    “Do you want to have sex with said man?” Karen asked.
    She nodded. “I really do.”
    “Is protection in place for unwanted buns in said ovens?” Karen teased.
    “Yes, it was placed two weeks ago, I’m using the IUD,” she answered.
    “Then go for it,” Karen said. “If I was single with a Max I’d go for it.”
    “What if I suck at it?” Nicole asked. “Derek used sex as a weapon and I just tuned out until he was done. When I got pregnant he wouldn’t touch me and that was a relief. Before that my