Chapter 3 – Corndog

Ruzek knew it was wrong the moment he agreed to it. He should never have told her that he would meet up with her at the FOP picnic for corndogs in the first place. Even as the words left his mouth, he was thinking about Burgess. The trouble was, he couldn't exactly admit to the blonde officer that he was seeing somebody else. If he did, word would get around and the guys in the department would start asking him a million questions. He knew that could not happen. His relationship with Burgess was a secret and that was the way it had to stay.

He knew Burgess had been angry about it, if not somewhat jealous of the blonde officer who asked him out. Burgess had even suggested that they take a break because things were getting 'too complicated.' Ruzek didn't take the time to remind her that everything about their relationship was complicated. From the very beginning, he was engaged to somebody else when they started their flirtations. It only got more complicated when he showed up at her door to apologize that he was the main reason she hadn't gotten the promotion to Intelligence and they ended up in bed together. That was definitely a good complication, though. Ruzek wouldn't have traded that complication for anything.

The makeup after the whole corndog incident had been well worth it. Burgess had meant it when she said he had been a bad boy. That night in bed with her had been one of the best nights he had ever had. But that was before - before he was forced to work with the blonde officer again on a case. It was before she asked for his phone number in case she had to contact him about evidence. Before she texted him to ask if he wanted to meet her for a drink after work. Before Burgess had seen the text message on his phone. It wasn't Burgess' fault. It wasn't like she was intentionally snooping. He had left his phone at her place that morning. It was the sound of the text coming through that even alerted Burgess that his phone was sitting on her nightstand. When she had given him back his phone outside in the parking lot, trying not to draw much attention to them, she had glared at him with daggers in her eyes. She had seen the text and she wasn't happy about it. He hadn't had the chance to speak with her all day and he could only imagine what she was thinking.

That was why Ruzek was standing outside of Burgess' apartment door with a case of her favorite beer in one hand and a box of chocolates in the other. The only problem was, she wouldn't open the door.

"Come on, Kim, open up," he said.

There was no response. He knew she was home and that she was just ignoring him on purpose.

"Can we talk about this, please? I know I screwed up. I'm sorry. Just open the door."

He waited, but nothing happened. Ruzek pulled out his phone and dialed her number. He could hear her phone ringing through the door, but she didn't answer. It went to voicemail. Pocketing his phone, he pounded on the door again.

"She's nobody to me, Kim, you know that. Please, just open the door." He paused, expecting a response. He decided to try a different tactic. "You know, in our line of work, it's never a good idea to go to bed angry. You never know what could happen tomorrow or…"

The door jerked open.

"Really? You're playing the 'we could die tomorrow' card?" She asked.

"Just let me explain."

"Why? Shouldn't you be out with corndog girl right about now?"

"You're so hot when you're angry," he said. She went to close the door, but he stuck his foot in the way. "Ok, I'm sorry."

"Go home, Adam."

"Not until we talk."

"I'm not in the mood to talk," she stated.

"Come on, Kim. Please, let me come in." He paused. "I'm begging here."
She gradually backed away, allowing him to enter her apartment. He put the items he was carrying down in the kitchen. When he turned to look at her, she had her hands on her hips.

"Well…" she prompted.

"Look, I know what you must be thinking," he said.

"No, you don't."

"Nothing is going on with me and that woman. You can check my phone if you want."

"How did she get you personal phone number?"

"We needed her for another case. She asked me for my number so she could call me about some evidence."

"And you bought that?" She questioned. "You know her asking for your number had nothing to do with work."
"I knew she had ulterior motives, but what was I supposed to do? This is the first time she's texted me that wasn't work related. I swear. I have no interest in her whatsoever. I don't even like blondes."

Burgess snorted. "That's a lie if I ever heard one. All men like blondes."

"Ok, fine. Blondes aren't so bad, but I much prefer brunettes who look good in a police uniform."
"So you mean half the female force? You're not helping yourself."

"What do you want me to say? Yes, she asked me out."

"For a second time. She asked you out for a second time. Did we forget the corndogs at the FOP picnic counted as the first time she asked you out?"

"Fine, she asked me out again. And just like last time, I didn't meet up with her. I told you, I have no interest in her. You're all I want. I'm telling you the truth, Kim."
She sighed. "I know."

"Then why the cold shoulder all day?"

"I hate being that girl."

"What girl?"

"Jealous. That's not me. I trust you, Adam, I do. I just…" she stopped.

"You what?"

"I…I love you, Adam. I love you and I hate that nobody else can know that!"

She crossed her arms over her chest and looked away from him as if she was afraid to meet his eyes. He walked towards her slowly.

"Well, that is very good news." He put his hand on her cheek. She looked into his eyes. "Because I love you too. And you better believe that if some hot, blonde male cop was asking you out, I'd be jealous too."
"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. I'd probably have to take him out in the locker room or something."

"I think that would blow our cover."

He shrugged. "Maybe. But at least then he would know to keep his hands off."

"Does that mean I can punch corndog girl next time I see her?"

"As long as you say you love me one more time, I don't care what you do."

"I love you," she whispered.

Before she could even finish the words, he sealed their love with a kiss.

Author's Note: Sorry it's been so long since my last update! I know this chapter was short, but it was a lot of fun to write. Thanks for reading!