Whiskey Rebellion (Romantic Mystery/Comedy) Book 1 (Addison Holmes Mysteries)

trying to come up with a solution for the mess I just made.
    “You are so lying,” Nick said.
    “Shut up. I’ll figure out something. If I hadn’t told her I had a date she would have set me up with another stranger.”
    “She loves you and only has your best interest at heart.”
    “Which is about the worst thing you can say about anyone. I’m perfectly comfortable going places without a man on my arm.” This was actually a lie. Having a male escort to big events was like a security blanket to me, and going without one made me feel like I was walking into a room full of people naked.
    “Why are you even going to the Officer’s Gala?” Nick asked.
    “I’ve gone every year since I was sixteen. My dad was a cop, and the gala always raises a lot of money. This will be the first year my mom doesn’t go.”
    “Did your dad die in the line of duty?” Nick asked softly as he ran his hand down the length of my hair in a comforting gesture.
    “No, he retired a few years back. He had a heart attack watching a Falcons game on the television last fall.”
    “That’s pretty understandable considering how they played last season. I’m sorry you lost him.”
    “Me too. He was a good man. A good cop. Which is why I go to the gala and support the rest of you.”
    “Well, since we agree on that point, it only makes sense that we go together. I’ll pick you up at seven-thirty. Now, do you have anything to eat around here?” he asked, dislodging me off his lap with a grunt and heading toward the kitchen.
    “Excuse me. Who are you? It’s like you’ve just invaded my life and now I can’t get rid of you. That’s the third time you’ve mentioned us working together, and I have to say I don’t remember agreeing to anything of the sort. I’m not sure I even like you.”
    He just winked and went back to rummaging through my refrigerator.
    “You can’t stay,” I said loudly. “ I’m not in the mood for company.” I heaved out a painful sigh and slowly got up off the couch. He wasn’t going to ignore me in my own apartment.
    “Hey, you didn’t have to get up,” he said as I leaned against the kitchen counter and tried to look intimidating.
    “Oh, I think I did. You’re sneaky, but I’ve got you figured out.”
    “Oh, do you?” he said with his heart-stopping smile again.
    “Definitely. You’ve had too many sides since the first moment I’ve met you, ranging from serious cop to supreme asshole to the Boy Scout next door. Which one is the real Nick Dempsey, I wonder? The first words out of anyone’s mouth when your name pops up is that you’re a good cop. The compliments seem to stop there.”
    He was watching me with an unreadable face, the corners of his mouth set, waiting for me to go on.
    “You need me for something,” I said matter of factly. “You wouldn’t bother with me otherwise.”
    He moved closer, like a hunter stalking his prey, and for the first time I really saw the quietly contained danger lurking within. My breath caught in my throat as he leaned in and put his face close to mine. Apparently the dark side was a huge turn on for me. Who knew?
    “You’re right,” he whispered. “I do need you for something.”
    I could feel the hardness of his body pressed to mine and the heat that radiated from it, and I realized I was holding my breath.
    I was still standing there turned on and confused when he backed away and grabbed his windbreaker.
    “You did that on purpose,” I said. “Tell me what you want and then get out. I don’t have the time to play games with you, and more importantly I don’t want t o play games with you.”
    “You are such a liar,” Nick said, giving me that devastating smile. “Your refrigerator is emptier than mine. I’m not sure how that’s possible.” He seemed baffled for a moment but was back to his no-nonsense self in short order. “What I want from you is work related, but we can talk about it another time when you’re not so—injured. I’ve got to get out of here. Don’t forget the Officer’s Gala tomorrow. Make sure you wear something sexy. Maybe no underwear.”
    I was pretty sure my mother wouldn’t like Nick Dempsey.
    “Oh, and Addison,” Nick said, trapping me against the counter with his body again. “I might not have been completely honest earlier. I want something else from you too.”
    And then he kissed me. This was not a kiss meant to tease. This kiss was serious business, with tongue and everything. I remember