Positively Criminal by Mia Dymond Read Free Book Online Page A

into the Primrose Police Department’s parking lot and stopped next to Mace’s truck. “We’ll see,” he said as he exited the vehicle. “You just keep your twenty bucks handy.”
     
    Mace shook his head as he watched his partner leave the cruiser, enter his own truck and then drive out of the parking lot. Dude had it bad. Always had – he and Bri had been playing the same game of cat and mouse for the last six months. Why he just didn’t bite the bullet and tell the girl he loved her was out of his realm of understanding.
    He unlocked his truck, climbed inside and started the engine. Instinct told him the lovely Dara did have pertinent information. He glanced at the green digits on the dashboard. Late – but something told him it wouldn’t be too late for Dara.
    Although he hadn’t had a chance to browse Dara’s novel, he knew enough to be assured the woman was extremely intelligent. Hell, any woman who could write the logistics of sex was majorly talented in his opinion. Yet, it was more than her career that intrigued him. She wore a distinct air of confidence, a shroud of intellect that made him pause. This woman would not fall prey to his usual brand of questioning; she knew far too much about the male brain than the average female. And that could prove difficult.
    He’d have to proceed with caution, let her come to him with the information he sought. Once he persuaded her to talk, she’d tell him everything he needed to know. And if he just happened to convince her to let him take her to dinner in the process, well, that was an added bonus.
    He pulled into an empty slot in front of Dara’s townhouse, curious when he noticed her porch light still glowed. His brow wrinkled. Maybe she expected someone. He reached to pull his cell phone from his pocket and then paused. Catching her off guard could be the best way to proceed.
    He left the truck and headed up the sidewalk until he stood outside her door, his fist poised to knock. The door flew open before he had a chance.
    Although he was caught by surprise, extreme anger pushed him to speak. “What the hell are you doing? Never open the door without identifying who’s on the other side!”
    Her dark, chocolate eyes widened and a pretty pink blush colored her cheeks as she stood in the doorway, obviously stunned by his outburst. His gaze left her eyes and slowly moved down the rest of her body, a move he knew to be a rookie mistake. Her soft pink tank top covered tight, firm breasts, plumped even further by her arms folded beneath. And if that wasn’t enough to make him drool like a rabid dog, her gray pants rested just beneath her stomach, low on her hips, and then draped her legs, ending at her bare feet. Holy hell, he really wanted to question this woman.
    She cleared her throat, forcing his gaze back to her face. “I knew you were out here, Detective. I have a peephole.”
    “Your light is on. Are you expecting company?”
    “Why are you interrogating me on my porch?” she retorted.
    He paused for a split second, gathering his wits, and then grinned. “You haven’t invited me inside.”
    That same blush deepened the color of her cheeks. “Why should I?”
    “I’d like to talk.”
    “About?”
    “Nothing in particular, just talk.”
    “Well, in that case I’ll need to see your badge, please.”
    He raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
    “Really.”
    With a smirk, he unclipped the badge holder from his hip and handed it to her. “Satisfied?”
    She lifted a bare shoulder in a slight shrug. “I guess. Come on in, Detective. Would you like a cup of tea?”
    “No tea, thank you.” He stepped inside, closed the door and threw the deadbolt. “And Dara?”
    “Yes?”
    “Since you’re standing in the middle of your living room in the sexiest pajamas I’ve seen in a long time, you can call me Mace.”
    “You think these are sexy?”
    “Yes.”
    She held his gaze with hers for several seconds, confusion written all over her face. “Huh,” she