Chapter Eight

Mallory

Wow, he is intense. His gaze is unnerving me from across the table. The whole atmosphere changes when he is around. He ’ s kidding right? Of course he is. Chopping a man's hand off is one hundred percent extreme, but I appreciate the sentiment. He ’ s not speaking, just letting me absorb what he is insinuating. Why is the thought of him maiming someone to avenge my honour giving me butterflies? I ’ m so messed up in the melon. Laughing awkwardly, I try to lighten the mood.

“ I don't want to press charges or attract any more negative attention from them. I just want them to leave me alone.” He nods, still not speaking, letting me lead the conversation. “ This is the second time Edward has come in here asking about my parents. I don ’ t know where they are. He thinks I ’ m lying to protect them, but I ’ m not,” I explain, sighing. Is this shit with my parents going to follow me for the rest of my life?

“ I believe you,” he replies. I ’ m shocked, no one has ever said they believe me before. It ’ s nice having someone on your side.

“ What, why?”

“ I can just tell. You miss them, despite all their faults. Also, I would know if you were lying, I’m a cop. It ’ s my job to read people,” he says confidently. His eyes are twinkling with amusement and he smirks. Shit, he’s nice to look at. “ After tonight ’ s altercation, Miss Knight…”

I raise my hand from the table and place it on his, effectively stopping his train of thought mid-sentence. A jolt of electricity shoots through me and his eyes jump to mine. They are so green, an endless forest I could stroll through for hours. He looks astounded by what I ’ ve done. Oh no, why did I touch him? I never touch people, it was like my body was acting out my thoughts without my consent. Shit. I abruptly lift my hand off of his and place them on my lap.

“ I ’ m so sorry. I don't know why I did that. I just wanted to get your attention without interrupting. Shit. I ’ m sorry.”

“ Hey, it's okay. Relax. What did you want to say?” He ’ s so gentle mannered, like he’s caring for a wounded bird that ’ s fallen out of its nest. I ’ m pathetic.

“ I was just going to ask you to call me Mallory. Miss Knight is too much.”

“ Okay then, Mallory, I think it would be wise to revisit our conversation from last night. I can recommend a great, cost effective security company that would be able to do a complete work up on your house and property.” Goddamnit the sound of my name falling from his lips has my thighs clenching beneath the table. I don ’ t think I ’ ve ever felt desire before, well not like this anyway. Billy Loomis can get my motor running, but I ’ ve never been able to ' cross the finish lin e' if you catch my drift.

“ Oh, thank you, Officer Graves, but-”

“ Lennox,” he drawls.

“ What?”

“ It ’ s my name, Nox for short. I want you to use it.” Fuck me, yes, sir. Am I on fire? It ’ s suddenly too hot in all my clothes.

“ Oh, umm, isn ’ t that unprofessional?” I inquire.

“ If you want me to call you Mallory…” Yepp, I ’ ve been incinerated. Completely reduced to ash from the way he rumbles out my name; like a beast is awakening from somewhere deep within him. “ You are going to call me Nox. Or else, I'll go back to calling you Miss Knight, or ma'am.” I involuntarily scrunch up my nose at the formalities and he chuckles. “ It ’ s settled then, now what were you saying?”

“ Nox.” He visibly stiffens and his eyes glaze over as his name rolls off my tongue. What's up with that? “ Thank you for offering to help but I actually ordered security cameras this morning. They should be delivered by the end of the week.” He nods his approval and it feels good, sending warmth through my whole body and settling in my panties.

Victoria chooses that moment to bound over to the table and ask what happened. She offers to cover for me for the rest of the night if I have to leave. I inform her that is unnecessary and I shouldn ’ t be more than a few more minutes. She turns to leave, throwing a wink at me over her shoulder. She ’ s been trying to set me up on a date for months now and I always refuse. I know I ’ ll be getting an earful of how hot Officer Graves is later.

He looks like a gorgeous, stoic statue just sitting there patiently. Not once did he hint at being annoyed or put out by this turn of events during what I assume to be his dinner break. Turning to him, I say, “ I guess I should take your order now, hey? What can I get for you Officer Lennox?” His nostrils flare as his gaze burns me up from the inside. Why is he reacting this way to me?

“ What time are you off tonight?” he asks. Completely disregarding my attempt to serve him.

“ Eleven, why?”

“ I ’ d like to escort you home so I can ensure your safety.” He shoots a glance across the room to the table where Ryan and Edward still linger.

“ Oh, I'm sure that ’ s not necessary. I don't think they even know where I live now.”

“ Mallory...” He pleads after me as I rise from my seat to return to work.

“ No, Nox. It ’ s okay, I ’ ll be fine. Now, what do you want to eat?”

“ Just coffee,” he huffs out, clearly exasperated with my refusal of his attempt to keep me safe. I absolutely loathe having people help me out in any way. I’ve had it turned around on me too many times before. I don’t think he would do that to me but the lingering feeling of anxiety would be there any time I saw him.

“Coffee, that’s it?” I ask. He’s basically pouting now and it’s fucking adorable. The urge to turn his frown upside down overcomes me.

“Yes, just coffee,” he says.

“Well, how do you like it, Nox?” I ask, lowering the volume of my voice so only he can hear me. I lean on the table so we’re only a few inches apart and his Adam's apple bobs. The double meaning of what I just said isn ’ t lost on me. Or him, judging by the way he shifts in his seat and his gaze lingers on my mouth. Is this flirting? I ’ ve never done it before but I ’ m giddy. Fighting back a giggle as I say, “ With cream? How about sugar? Black? Whipped topping with chocolate sauce? Come on, tell me how you want it, Nox.”

Graves

Heaven help me. My little siren is playing with fire. God send me the strength to fight the urge to bend her over this table and fuck every drop of my cream into her tight little cunt.

“ With cream and sugar would be great thanks,” I choke out. She ’ s completely undone me with just a bit of teasing. I need to get the upper hand again. She turns to leave with a smile on her face, she thinks she ’ s won. Not even close, baby.

"Oh , Mallory...” Catching her attention, she turns back to look at me. “ I ’ m starving, I ’ d kill for a slice of your cherry pie.”A shiver works its way through her body as she realizes what I just said, thighs rubbing together ever so slightly. “ Warmed up and ready to be devoured if possible ."

Her eyes are glassy and there ’ s no doubt in my mind that she isn ’ t wet for me. I wink and she turns, speed walking her way back to the kitchen area. It ’ s next to impossible to keep a straight face so I pull out my phone to cause just a bit more chaos.

Unknown number:

Flirting with other men will

get you punished, little siren.

The deranged part of me gets a sick thrill out of the mindfuck I'm causing her. I do feel the slightest bit of guilt over it, but I can't have her thinking I'm her Ghostface just yet. Not until she falls hard for me, both sides of me. She liked the dangerous part of me I alluded to earlier, but that doesn ’ t mean she would be on board with all the shit I ’ ve done and what still plan to do.

Mallory:

Eat shit, creep.

That's my girl, give it to me. Burn me up with your fire.

Unknown number:

Such a filthy mouth, I wonder what other

kinds of filthy things you can do with it.

I ’ m smiling like a dweeb at my phone screen. She ’ s so perfect. I can see her making her way to me across the restaurant, coffee and pie in hand. Fuck, the sway of her hips is mesmerizing. I slip my phone back into my pocket and wait for her to come to me. It takes mere seconds but it's as if time slows so I can enjoy the sight of her for a bit longer.

She places the pie and coffee gently on the table and I notice it’s not cherry. “No cherry pie?” I smirk, wondering what’s going to come out of that smart mouth next.

“Unfortunately for you there was none left, so I brought you the next best thing. Peach,” she replies, clearly pleased with her move in this game of innuendo chess we’re engaged in.

“I’ll eat peach just as voraciously as I’ll eat cherry. Don’t you worry about that, sweetheart. Any pie you bring me is worth devouring.” Her jaw drops and for added effect I scoop up a forkful of pie and slip it past my lips. Exaggerating every delicious sound I make as I slowly pull the fork from my mouth. She watches my mouth with burning intensity, and I hear her gulp as our eyes meet again. Checkmate.

“Can I get you anything else, Officer?” she croaks, her voice seems to have abandoned her. I long to ask for a taste of her delicious mouth to wash down this pie, but it’s too soon for her.

“No, that’s all for now, Mallory, thank you,” I reply. She’s lingering and I’m tickled pink with the knowledge that she doesn’t want to leave me. Edward and Ryan choose this moment to vacate their table and make their way to the exit. Shit. I need to get out of here and follow them. Torn on what to do as my eyes follow them through the restaurant, I see Edward blow Mallory a kiss and wink. Fucking pig, that’s a threat if I’ve ever seen one. Looking back at Mal, she’s gone deathly pale, clearly seeing the vulgar gestures Edward directed at her. The door closes and she’s withdrawn into herself again. Damn it.

“Hey.” She looks to me, searching my face like I hold the answers to all her life’s problems. Little does she know that I do. I’ll do anything to make her happy and keep her safe. “I’m going to be here when you get off work, and then I’m going to escort you home. If you want, I’ll sweep your property again. I’ll sit in my car all night if it makes you feel safe. Nothing is going to happen to you Mallory. I promise.”

“But-” she protests, but I’m not having it right now.

“No, it’s my job, Mal. I’m on shift until 7 am and I can switch with the guy who’s working over on the outskirts right now. He hates the woods anyway so he’ll be overjoyed to get back to highway patrol.” She nods, knowing this is the best thing right now. Men like that will keep escalating their threats and aggressive behaviours. If they haven’t already been to her house, they will be soon. They want what they are owed from Mallory’s shit-bag parents and they will kill Mal to get it. Not if I get you first, fuckers.

The rest of the night is uneventful. Edward and Ryan don’t pop up again and I use the necessary means to gather essential information on them. Edward lives in a shithole just outside of town, which will be perfect for quick and efficient elimination and disposal. I actually do my job while waiting for my little siren to finish her shift. She’s calm and collected now, all traces of her earlier arousal are gone. She never replied to my text, but given tonight’s events I’m not going to push her. The little glimpse I got of her fire is enough for now. It’s more strength than she’s shown in months and I’m proud of her.

She comes out of work looking like a zombie. Her face is vacant and I can’t understand why the hell she works herself into the ground like this. Maybe I’ll talk to Rita, it would be easy to convince her that Mallory needs a break. Not even time off really, just days when her shifts off line up.

She drags her feet the entire way over to her car, pulls out her keys to unlock the door, then drops them. She manages to hit her head on the side mirror as she goes to pick them up and then curses under her breath. I don’t know what’s happening but this clumsy fool has my heart in a chokehold.

As quietly as I can manage, I creep up behind her. “Excuse me, ma'am, how much have you had to drink tonight?” I boom, my voice carrying across the parking lot. She screams bloody murder and whirls around. I’ve got my massive flashlight pointed right at her face so she doesn’t know it’s me. A poor idea on my part. I can see her fist coming right at my face but instead of dodging or blocking it, I choose to take the hit. Maybe she will play nurse to make it up to me.

Her fist connects with my cheek and I’ll admit it throws me off balance a bit. I didn’t expect her to be this strong. Lowering my flashlight, I can see her face morph from fear to shock and then settle on anger. Oops.

“What the fuck, Nox! I could have stabbed you in the eye with my keys or something!” she yells at me, grabbing my face and inspecting my cheek that’s surely started to swell. It’s hot and throbbing, just like my cock. I need to back away from her before she thinks I’m some fucking pervert.

“Sorry Mallory, just doing my job. You stumble bumming over to your car and dropping shit doesn’t look too good. I needed to make sure that you’re sober and alert for the long drive home.” I’m using my policeman voice again. She backs away from me and I hate it. Gone is the flirty banter from earlier. She shrinks inside herself because of my response, because of me, and I hate that too.

“Yes, of course. Sorry. I’m sober, Officer Graves, just extremely tired. Thank you for offering to escort me home,” she meekly responds. Turning back to her car, she tries again to unlock the door. I’ve fucked up. Shit. I need to get us back to where we were.

“You know, Mallory, it’s a criminal offence to assault a police officer. What do you suppose we should do about that?” The moment it’s out of my mouth I realize how colossally I’ve fucked up. I just keep digging myself a deeper hole. What was supposed to be a flirty comment probably came off as me implying I want a sexual favour in return for my silence on the matter. Her whole body tenses and I’m nauseous at the fact it’s because of me.

“Excuse me?” she says without even turning around to look at me. She’s glaring at me through the reflection in the driver's side window. I can tell she’s debating on whether to get in the car and run, or turn and fight. Please turn and fight, baby. Make me regret what I just said. I’ll beg for your forgiveness until my knees bleed, baby. Just stay.