cut me some slack.”
“Fair enough. Can’t wait to see this.” He opens the door for me and I get out. Still can’t see his face. “Oh, you’re the TV reporter.”
“Yeah.”
“Thought the name sounded familiar. Anyway, let’s see exhibit A.”
I lead him up the stairs and into my home. Rory is on the couch, busy bottle feeding one of the kittens. “Rory, thank you so much. So sorry I’m late.”
Rory looks up and sees the cop behind me. “What’d you do, get a police escort?”
“No, my lead foot got me in trouble.” I turn to face the cop and get a good look at his face for the first time.
Damn.
The guy is beyond cute. Tall, mid-thirties, maybe six-one, thick black hair and olive green eyes. A face with a five o’clock shadow that’s all angles and planes. A uniform that shows off a lean, muscled physique. His Italian features confirmed by his name plate. Officer N. Marino.
He looks right past me at the kittens. “Well, I’ll be damned. You really were racing home for a bunch of orphans.”
I fold my arms and flash a big smile. “And the defense rests.”
“Point taken. Sorry I doubted you.” He crouches down next to the box. “Where’d you get them?”
I tell him the story. “So, anyway, they’re not ready to adopt out yet and Rory takes care of them while I’m at work.”
He nods as he gently strokes the head of a kitten, which rewards him with a purr. “Very nice of you both.” He stands up and puts his ticket book back in his pocket. “Well, since you win the monthly award for the most ridiculous but honest excuse given to a cop and you’re doing a good deed, I’ll let you off with a warning.”
“Thank you, Officer. I’ll drive safely in the future.” Another dose of Strawberry Shortcake.
He locks eyes with me, sending a bit of electricity through my body as he extends his hand. “Nick Marino.”
I shake hands. “Madison Shaw. And this is my best friend, Rory Callahan.”
“Nice to meet you both.”
He doesn’t look at Rory but keeps his gaze on me, adding a soft smile. Finally he lets go of my hand.
Rory finishes feeding the kitten, burps it, puts it back in the box and stands up. “Well, they’re all fed. I’ll get going.” She grabs my forearm as she leans over to whisper in my ear. “Very cute cop. And he already has his own handcuffs.”
“Rory!” I begin to blush as the officer looks down and laughs. Apparently her whisper carried a bit.
Rory heads for the door. “Anyway, thanks, Officer Marino, for giving my friend a break.”
“My pleasure,” he says, as she leaves and closes the door behind her.
I shake my head as I roll my eyes. “You’ll have to excuse her. She has a dirty mind.”
He flashes a devilish grin. “Fortunately, that’s not breaking any laws. If it were I’d have to arrest the whole city.”
“Would you like some coffee, Officer? It’ll just take a minute.”
“Thank you, but I’ve already had my break and I need to get back on patrol.”
Damn. “Cold soda for the road?”
“Sure.”
I head into the kitchen and open the fridge. “Cream or root beer?”
“Cream.”
I pulled out a can and hand it to him. “Here ya go.”
“Oooh, Doctor Brown’s. The young lady has the good stuff.”
“Only the best for New York’s finest.”
“Thanks, Miss Shaw.”
“Madison.”
“Right, Madison.” He starts to head for the door and I follow. He turns to face me, then shakes his finger at me like a teacher. “Now remember, young lady, no more speeding or running stop signs. Who would take care of those kittens if you got into an accident?”
I playfully put out my lower lip in a pout. “Yes, Officer. I promise to be a good girl. You won’t have to pull me over again.” Though I wouldn’t mind.
He reaches into his pocket and hands me a card. “Here’s my card if you ever need anything.”
“Such as?”
He shrugs. “You know. Ne’er-do-wells harassing you. Jars you can’t open. Cat up a tree.”
“I thought that last thing was the fire department’s jurisdiction.”
“Normally it is, but I’m a cat whisperer. I can talk one down if necessary.”
“Good to know. And now that you mention it, I do often have a problem with opening jars.”
“I’m a Jedi Master at that. Seriously, it’s a really nice thing you’re doing for those kittens.”
“Thanks. At first I thought it would be a burden, but now I really miss the little guys when I’m at work. Hence the lead foot.”
“Well, I know they appreciate the care you’re giving them. Cats are very perceptive creatures. They can sense when someone has a good heart. Anyway, gotta go and thanks for the soda.”
“Thanks for cutting me a break, Officer.”
“Nick.”
“Right. Nick.”
“Well, have a good night.”
“Be careful out there.”
He gives me an old fashioned tip of the hat, then heads out the door. I watch him get into his patrol car, see him shoot me a little smile before he drives away.
Rory is right.
Very cute cop.
And a cat person.
The phone rings the second I close the front door. Rory. Who was no doubt spying on me from her house again. I pull back the drapes and see my best friend through the window as I answer the call. “What?”
“Well?”
“Well, what?”
“Extremely hot cop alert. You could get your own personal Magic Mike sequel going with that one. I detected some definite chemistry.”
“Your radar
