Free Seduction's Dance (McKingley Series) by Aliyah Burke, McKenna Jeffries

Riding with a rookie for the week until his training officer comes back from his time off.”
    He frowned. “A rookie?”
    “Yes. New kid. Smart and a fast learner.”
    He didn’t like that. Rookies made mistakes. And that could cost Shannon her life. He kept his discontent to himself though, knowing full well it would not be appreciated. Her drink arrived and he looked at it, frowned and looked again.
    “What are you drinking?”
    “Ginger ale. I’m on my way in to work. Stopped in when I saw your vehicle.” She drank it swiftly and put it down. “You have a good night, Dimitri. I have to get going.” Shannon swung off the seat and pecked him quickly on the lips. “See you later.”
    He caught the back of her shirt before she could get very far and pulled her to him. “That’s not a kiss.”
    “I know,” she said, eyes sparkling. “But you’ve been drinking. I don’t need to show up to work smelling like alcohol.” Another cheek kiss. “Bye.”
    As she walked out, and after he’d finished staring after her like a hungry predator, Dimitri spied a man in the corner who had left his seat and gone after Shannon. Mario. Possessiveness welled up inside him and he tossed some money down then followed as well.

Chapter Six
    Shannon rubbed the back of her neck and watched as her current partner left the convenience store with coffee. She grinned at him and he shook his head.
    “This is your fault, Conner,” he griped good-naturedly.
    “That is a staple for all cops. And about time you started drinking it.”
    “I’m addicted. I didn’t think we were supposed to have addictions.”
    She laughed and climbed into the driver’s seat as he got in the passenger side, already sipping his hot beverage. Hers, from the start of the shift, was still there beside her. She had settled into working nights now and wasn’t sucking it down as if it was air. Tonight was their last night working together.
    “So, why are you so tired, Nick? Girlfriend keeping you up?”
    He flushed as he buckled himself in. “Something like that.”
    “Something, huh? You do know that a mumbled response like that makes a good cop want to dig and find out the details.”
    He laughed as she backed out of the parking spot. “I had heard you were so quiet and serious.”
    “I am, but I like you.”
    She spoke the truth, she did like him. He reminded her a lot of her cousin, or rather, how James had been before he’d joined the Navy. Good outlook on life and a wonderful attitude. How long it would stay with him working the streets, she didn’t know. Granted, McKingley, New Mexico wasn’t anything like Los Angeles or New York City, but they did have their fair share of crime.
    McKingley was growing and with growth, especially rapid growth, increase in crime occurred. She loved it here, though. She’d not been born here, but it felt almost like this was her hometown. It was definitely her town. She would do anything to protect it.
    The radio squawked and she listened in as they got a call. Hitting the lights and siren, she gunned the powerful engine and raced off to the address.
    After the shift was over, she headed out to her jeep, sliding her sunglasses on to block out the bright sun. She’d had fun with Nick but would be very glad to have her own car back. And the solitude she got riding alone.
    She drove to the ranch and smiled at the sight of the vehicle before her house. On the porch was a man she had become very accustomed to seeing. Dimitri lounged against a post, presenting her with a picture that evaporated her exhaustion in seconds.
    Climbing out, she swung her bag over her shoulder. “Morning,” she called out.
    “Morning.”
    “What are you doing here? Don’t you have to be at work?”
    “Day off. What about you?”
    She grinned. “Well, I live here, so it’s natural for me to arrive on occasion.”
    His smile made her knees weak. “Not what I meant, woman.”
    “Oh no? What did you mean then?”
    He approached her.