Willis, had gotten married and moved to Wisconsin. That had been the second wedding he’d gone to this year. Eight months ago, he’d attended his good friend Stonewall Courson’s wedding. That one had been memorable, for many reasons. And then two months ago, on Christmas day, Norm had married and moved to his wife’s hometown, taking a job with the Wisconsin Police Department. Damn, but he missed Norm. He’d been a great partner and they’d worked well together and solved a lot of cases. Around the precinct, they’d become known as Sherlock and Watson.
“I have some good news for you, Detective Logan. I am assigning you a permanent partner.”
That was good news. “Which one of the guys do I get?” he asked. There were a number of great detectives working at headquarters. He just hoped the chief wasn’t going to partner him with a rookie.
“No one from here, Detective. We hired someone from Florida with nearly eight years of detective experience and a very impressive work record. I think the two of you will work well together.”
Andrew nodded. The new guy wasn’t a rookie and had just as many years as a detective as Drew did. That was good. “No reason we shouldn’t work well together. Who is he?”
“Not a he, Detective. It’s a she, and you’ll meet her any minute now.”
Andrew nodded again. A female partner? He had worked with a number of female uniformed cops on occasion and hadn’t ever noticed much of a difference. A female officer usually had the same qualities a male detective needed—a steady head and enough competence to hold their own and protect his back, the same way he would be protecting theirs.
“Who is she?”
Before the chief could answer, a feminine voice behind Andrew said, “Good morning, Chief LaNeer. I’m reporting for duty.”
Andrew jerked around, recognizing that voice and nearly spilling his coffee in the process. His gaze leveled on her surprised one.
“Toni?”
“Drew?”
“I take it the two of you know each other?” Chief LaNeer asked.
Without taking his eyes off Toni, Andrew said, “Yes, we know each other.”
“Good. An introduction isn’t needed then. Detective Antonia Oliver is your new partner, Detective Logan. You can help her get set up at her desk and make her feel welcome.”
• • •
“Here you go—everything you need to get set up, Detective Oliver.”
Toni glanced up at Drew. He had been as surprised to see her as she had been to see him, and it was obvious he was not happy about it. “Thanks.”
Since they were at police headquarters, there was no reason he couldn’t have called her Toni. His professional use of her name spoke volumes. Great. When she’d taken this job, she figured their paths would eventually cross. But she hadn’t had a lot of choice about moving. It had to be done, and Alexandria was her only option. Still, she hadn’t expected to end up as Drew’s partner. How awkward. Especially since he still had a huge effect on her. Seeing him here, on the job, she had to admit that he was even more handsome than he’d been the last time she’d seen him at Joy and Stonewall’s wedding.
He had grown a beard since the wedding. She liked it. His whiskey-brown-colored eyes were even more striking, his features more chiseled and his body made a woman yearn for something she was better off not having. It was obvious he still worked out a lot. Thinking back, she recalled accusing him once of being too much of a health nut. Her mistake.
Making physical fitness a priority had definitely paid off for him, she thought, as her gaze landed on his shoulders. She remembered those shoulders well. Very, very well. She used to clutch those shoulders tight, digging her fingertips into his skin when he was on top of her, riding her hard. He had the most accurate precision when he’d thrust into her—always at the right angle, always hitting the perfect erotic spot.
Andrew Logan had been a very physical man, filled with an over-abundance of stamina, vigor, and virility. There were times she could barely keep up with him and had immensely enjoyed those times when she’d tried. He’d never left her unsatisfied. In fact, by the time he was finished, she was usually barely able to move.
“Why didn’t you mention at the wedding that you planned to move to Alexandria?” he asked her, breaking into her thoughts.
She could remind him that at the wedding they’d had precious little to say to each other. “I made