Free Arresting Desires (Lexie Sarcone Romance Series) by Elisa Archer Page B

bitches,” I teased. And he cracked a smile.
    Returning to the car, we sat inside and ate while I skimmed throug h the next chapter in the book. After an encounter like this, I realized how much I wanted to get away from patrol and do something more meaningful.

Chapter 2
     
    “ Sarcone. Kemper. Get your asses in here,” the lieutenant bellowed as soon as we set foot inside the precinct. Obediently, we went into his office. “We got a civilian complaint against the both of you. Why were you harassing two men this morning?”
    “Two men?” Kemper considered the calls we had responded to, but I realized what two men the lieutenant was talking about.
    “We weren’t harassing them. They looked suspicious. They were both wearing dark clothing and loitering outside a closed shop at four a.m. We went over and asked if they needed any assistance,” I began, but Kemper jumped in.
    “I asked if I could see their IDs. They declined, and that was it.”
    The lieutenant studied each of us for a moment, sighing loudly. “Don’t let it happen again.” His sentiment made little sense. We hadn’t done anything, and we couldn’t prevent some hooligans from phoning in a complaint even though nothing had happened. He looked at the roster. “I’m rescheduling both of you. Take the next shift off. I don’t want the idiots from IA to think I’m overlooking civilian complaints, even if they are bogus.” He glowered at us. “This better be bogus,” he warned.
    “Aye, sir,” I responded, equally irate and thrilled to have a day off. Kemper was angry and muttered under his breath as he followed me to the locker rooms.
    “Can you believe this shit?” he asked. “We didn’t do anything. Hell, we might have thwarted a burglary, and what thanks do we get? Oh yeah, we get our wrists slapped and end up suspended for a day.”
    “We’re not suspended. Suspension looks bad. We’ve been rewarded for our diligence with a day off.” I was trying to put a positive spin on the situation. There was a good chance with the unexpected time off I could work my womanly wiles on Michael. My body ached for him. Cool it, Lexie, I chided, trying to get my mind out of the gutter and away from all of the slutty things I wanted to do with my boyfriend.
    “Yeah, an unpaid day off.” He continued to gripe as we parted ways.
    After I changed back into my street clothes, I was on my way out of the building as Michael was coming in. “Hey, stranger,” he greeted, smiling lecherously. “What are you doing here so late?” He looked at his watch. “I’m only thirty minutes early, but you should have been home an hour ago.”
    “Our last call ran late and then,” I rolled my eyes, “I got chewed out because of a civilian complaint.”
    “Ouch. Are you okay? Do you want me to go kick someone’s ass?” He was kidding, but I still appreciated the protective sentiment.
    “Well, Detective,” my voice sounded sultry, and his eyes darkened, “it seems I’m off duty for an entire day. Whatever will I do with all that free time?”
    “I have some suggestions,” he growled in my ear. “Meet me at my place at seven. I should be finished by then.”
    “I’d like to be there when you finish,” I purred, blushing at my own brazen innuendo.
    “God, Lexie, you’re killing me.” His voice sounded hoarse, and he gave me a quick peck. “Seven o’clock. If I’m not home by then, let yourself in.”
    “Detective Riley,” I said, sounding suddenly formal since a few officers had just entered the double doors we were standing next to, “have a good day.”
    “Oh , I will.” He cast a sideways glance at me and continued inside. At least I had found a way to salvage my unofficial suspension. 
    I went home and avoided sleeping. If I was going to get to spend the night with Riley, I wanted the two of us to be on the same sleep schedule. So to keep busy, I spent the entire day reading through the study guide for the detective’s exam. After