She wasn’t at liberty to admit she’d been working undercover.
“It’s still early. Come over and join us for a minute. I’d love for you to meet everyone.”
Joy knew that meant she would also be meeting the guy who’d caught her staring. Mr. Oh-So-Fine-And-Sexy. It would be easy to tell Jules that she really had to go. But instead, she heard herself say, “Okay.”
Jules hooked their arms together as she led her back over to the group. “Everyone, this is Joy Ingram, a homicide detective here in the city.” She then introduced her to everyone, including the man who had so intrigued her. “Joy, I’d like you to meet another good friend of the Grangers, Stonewall Courson.”
He was even more handsome up close. His dark brown eyes were striking, and she felt a tightening in her midsection when a pair of flawless lips eased into a smile. “Joy, it’s nice to meet you.”
Joy thought he sounded delicious, as well. His deep, throaty voice sent pleasurable shivers up her spine. “Nice meeting you, too, Stonewall,” she said, taking the hand he extended. The touch suffused her with heat. When she was about to pull her hand back, his fingers tightened their grasp, holding her hand captive even as she was introduced to the next two guys.
“And these two are also family friends, Quasar Patterson and Striker Jennings.”
She smiled up at the two men. “Quasar. Striker.”
“Nice meeting you,” both men said. Although he didn’t say anything, the one named Quasar showed a hint of a grin when he saw Stonewall still holding her hand.
* * *
“YOU’VE FALLEN ASLEEP on me?”
Joy opened her eyes to find Stonewall sitting beside her again in the car. She hadn’t heard him return. “Not asleep. Just blocking the sun from my eyes.” There was no way she would tell him what she really had been doing. “Is everything okay?” she asked him, feeling excited about their first official date.
A smile crinkled the corners of his lips. “Everything’s fine. The pilot is filing our flight plans. Ready to go?”
She couldn’t help returning his smile. “Yes, I’m ready.”
STONEWALL HAD FLOWN on this jet many times over the past four months with Dak, but he doubted he’d ever enjoyed it more than he was now with the exceptional woman sitting across from him. He’d seen the way her eyes had lit up the minute he’d escorted her on board. Dak’s jet was impressive, to say the least. However, what impressed Stonewall the most was Joy.
He recalled the night they’d met. It was the same night Roland was shot. He and everyone in his group had immediately left the charity event to go straight to the hospital.
To Stonewall’s surprise, Joy had followed them to the hospital in her own car, and he was grateful that she had. He’d discovered that night that having a police detective in your corner could cut through a lot of red tape. She’d been able obtain information quickly, about both Roland’s condition and the attempted carjacking.
It had been a long night, and although she had never met Roland, Joy had stayed at the hospital with them, throwing her weight around as a detective to get updates whenever she could. It had been close to four in the morning before they’d gotten word that Roland had survived surgery and would be okay. Everyone had thanked Joy for her help, and Stonewall had walked her to her car. Even now he remembered that night as if it had been yesterday...
* * *
THE NIGHT AIR was cold as they walked beside each other in the hospital’s parking garage. The sexual chemistry that had pulled them together most of the night had taken a temporary back seat while they’d awaited word on Roland’s condition. Everyone had let out a sigh of relief when the doctor appeared to announce Roland had come out of surgery and was on his way to the ICU, where his condition would be monitored.
“I’m glad your boss will be okay,” Joy said, breaking into his thoughts.
He glanced over at her. “Roland is more than just my boss. He’s a good friend.”
“I gathered as much tonight. It’s obvious that he’s special to a lot of people.” She didn’t say anything for a minute and then, “You didn’t have to walk me to my car, you know.”
In truth, Stonewall didn’t know anything. The only thing he was certain about was the fact he wasn’t ready for them to part ways. “It’s the least I could do for all your help. Getting information from those cops was like pulling teeth. You didn’t have to do what you did, and we’re grateful for your intervention.”
They walked slowly and in silence for a few moments. “So, how long have you been a cop?”
“About five years. I entered the police academy right out of college. I did my time as a beat cop before being promoted to detective.”
“I understand you’re new to the city.”
“Yes. I’ve been here for almost two years now.”
“From where?”
“Baton Rouge.”
“Nice city.”
“Yes, it is. I loved it there.”
If she loved it so much, then why did she leave? He would save that question for another night because he had every intention of seeing her again...but only if she said no to his next question.
“Are you involved in a serious relationship with anyone?”
She looked thoughtfully at him. “No, I’m not involved with anyone. Serious or otherwise. Don’t have the time.”
Stonewall knew she would discover that excuse wouldn’t work with him. He didn’t have time for a relationship, either, but for her, he would make time. The fact that she was a cop and he was an ex-con didn’t matter.
“Here’s my car,” she said, coming to a stop beside a dark SUV. “Thanks again for walking me out.”
“I’d like to see you again, Joy.”
The parking garage lights were dim, but he could see her gnawing on her bottom lip. Was he making her nervous? He released the breath he’d been holding when she said, “I’d like to see you again, too.”
He tried keeping the grin from spreading too wide across his face. “Great. What about next Friday night? I’d love to take you to dinner.”
“I work next Friday night.”
“What about Saturday? And before you try finding an excuse, do I need to remind you that you need to eat sometime?”
She met his gaze, held it for a minute and said, “I’m off Saturday night.”
“Okay then, will Saturday night work for you?”
She
