Crash Into Me - L.A. Fiore Page 0,14
Wakefield.
A story on the news pulled my attention. Reaching for the remote, I turned up the volume. “CyberTech will be unveiling their new bionic division, with far reaching revolutionary science.” The newscaster turned to her co-caster. “It’s like something right out of the movies.”
Salem jumped back up on the sofa and curled into me. “Bionic division? Technology catching up to fiction,” I said. “That’s pretty damn cool.”
A picture of Carmine DeLuca filled the screen. “In other news, Carmine DeLuca was seen attending an event for presidential hopeful Brian Gaines. The charismatic DeLuca, who allegedly has ties to organized crime, is putting his money behind young front-runner Brain Gaines in his run against the incumbent President Baker.”
Carmine was charismatic and loved, despite his possible link to the mob, a true New York icon. Still, if he was mob connected…“History is repeating itself, Salem. Alleged crime bosses helping get a candidate in the White House. Didn’t work out so well the last time.” I hoped that wasn’t the case, this time, because I liked Brain Gaines. The story reminded me of the function on Friday, and I bit back a moan. I didn’t get into politics, but the NYPD was hosting a fundraiser for some of the local politicians, and as a detective, I was required to be there. Fantastic.
It was unseasonably warm, so I was taking advantage and walking through the park, but first, I needed lunch. I didn’t know what it was about vendor dogs, but they were so good, with spicy mustard and relish, hard to top that.
A fancy black car caught my attention. I could admit I looked for it because despite not moving in the same circle as Kade Wakefield, I’d enjoyed the time I’d spent with him, and I sure as fuck liked looking at him. It pulled up across the street, moments before he stepped from the building. He was dressed in a dark gray suit, with a shirt and tie that matched his eyes. I still had trouble believing that I’d had dinner with him. That he had, not only saved me from a horrible date, but had bought me dinner. I wasn’t sure how the stars aligned for that to happen, but I wanted them to align again. He had said I could call him, anytime. I bit back the laugh because I wanted to call him.
His head lifted, his eyes catching mine from over the roof of his car, and I swear my legs went weak. I’d never experienced anything like it, but to say I was attracted to Kade Wakefield was an understatement. He didn’t smile or wave, I hadn’t expected him to, but getting those eyes, knowing that, on some level, he was aware of me, too, it felt good.
I was smiling when I turned to the vendor to order my lunch. I was just adding the relish when I heard, “Detective.”
I almost dropped my hot dog. Turning around, Kade Wakefield stood behind me. He’d lost the jacket and tie, the top two buttons of his shirt undone, drawing my gaze to the tan skin of his neck. I had the strongest urge to kiss him there.
“Lunch?”
That voice, I almost closed my eyes and imagined him saying a few choice things with that deep tenor, but instead, I asked, “Would you like a hot dog?”
His gaze drifted to the street vendor; he looked skeptical.
I made the decision for him. “Another dog, Bobby.”
“You know the vendor by name?”
“I make it a habit to know the people who feed me.”
“You like food.”
“I love food, and with my schedule, I’m usually dependent on others to make it for me. Learning their names is a small way for me to show I appreciate them.”
“Here you go, Molly.” I turned to Bobby, took the hot dog and gave him a five. “Keep the change.”
I handed the dog to Kade. “What’s your poison?” I asked, and gestured to the condiments.
“Usually ketchup.” The thought of him eating something as simple as a hot dog was hard to imagine, but he hadn’t always been the man he was now.
“May I suggest spicy mustard and relish?”
His brow rose slightly.
“Trust me. It’s heaven.”
To my surprise and delight, he took my suggestion, and then in unspoken agreement, we headed to the park.
I took a bite, looked over at him and waited. He took a bite, chewed, glanced over and said, “Better than ketchup.”
It was silly, such a small concession, but coming from Kade Wakefield, I couldn’t help but smile because I