“Stealing? I don’t—” I look over at Eric, who’s glaring at them.
“What was stolen?” he asks.
The older one flips through the papers in his hand. “An expensive camera and some accessories.”
“Channing,” I breathe. He couldn’t just come and ask me for them back. He had to involve the police.
I ease past them and go to the door. “I didn’t steal them. He was a friend and we had a falling out. He said it was his old camera and I could use it as long as I wanted. Time’s up, huh?”
The younger officer nods, a blush stealing up his face. “We’ll take that into consideration. Please open the door and stand back.”
I do as they say, feeling like a criminal.
I unlock the door and usher them inside. They ask me to go get the camera, and I dart up the stairs, grab it, and hurry back down.
Eric moves to stand next to me, his eyes flashing as he mutters. “It’s a hassle for anyone else to get a warrant, but not Kappa.”
He’s still upset that Boone reported the hazing incident to the dean and got nothing in return.
Pushing my nerves down—I’ve done nothing wrong—I hand over the camera bag to the nice officer, my chin tilted up. “If he wanted it back, all he had to do was ask.”
Officer Thomas glances at Eric. “How do you know Miss Lauren?”
Eric crosses his arms. “We’re dating. She’s my girlfriend.”
I start.
He flashes his eyes at me, shrugs, then grins.
Okay, then.
I ease the younger policeman away from Eric and the older man. “Do I know you?”
He sputters as his gaze darts from me to his superior. “No, ma’am.”
“I work at Platinum Nights. You ever come in?”
Eric grows still, his eyes cutting to us. Clearly, he’s eavesdropping.
I ignore it.
The young cop tugs at his shirt. “Hey, I’m, um, engaged to his daughter.” He nudges his head at the other cop. “Can you, um, pretend like you don’t know me?”
I wave my hand at the camera bag on the floor. “Make this go away and I’d be thrilled.”
He nods almost immediately and heads over to the other officer. He pulls him away and they have a discussion.
Eric joins me. “What did you do?”
“Pushed my weight around.”
Officer Thomas clears his throat as they finish then walks back to us. “Sorry to interrupt your day over a misunderstanding. We’ll return this camera and put into the file your side of the story and that you were helpful. That should settle the issue.”
“Thank you,” I say with grim satisfaction. I did that. Myself.
Eric shakes their hands. “We appreciate that, officers.”
Once they are gone, my smile disappears and I go inside. I’ve been using that camera. The first thing the newspaper editor asked me was if I had my own equipment. I’d said yes. Kind of a lie. Stupid. I should have known I’d have to return it.
I can’t afford equipment like that. Another thing to add to the list.
“Was that young cop one of your clients?”
“He’s been in a few times,” I reply.
“Private dances?”
I roll my eyes. “You are so jealous, and no.”
“Good. ’Cause I’d hate to chase after him and get arrested.”
“You can’t do things like that—even if we are dating.” My eyes twinkle.
His big hand engulfs my cheek. “The only person I want seeing you half-naked is me.”
I stand on my toes and brush my lips over his. “Thank you for caring.”
I pull my shirt over my head as I take the stairs. “I’m going to bed, hockey player. Wanna come with?” I throw a look over my shoulder at him.
His gaze darkens as he follows me, tight on my ass.
I’m nearly to the top when he catches me. I shriek as he turns me and picks me up, my legs wrapping around his waist as he takes off to my room and rushes inside.
He tosses me on the bed sideways as his eyes lower to my cleavage. “I want you.” His eyes burn down at me. I revel in it.
“Same,” I breathe.
He tugs one bra strap off my shoulder, then the other. He eases the cups down, revealing my breasts. Air ghosts over the erect nipples as goosebumps rise. My back arches in anticipation.
He stands back and takes me in. “You deserve to be worshipped like the fucking goddess you are.”
“I’m not a goddess,” I say weakly. “But if you insist on calling me one . . .”