“Officer, how many times do I have to tell you he hit me first?” I leaned forward, speaking through the mesh that separated me from the cop in the front seat. The cuffs were cutting into my wrists and I was nauseated with worry.

The cop’s honey brown gaze settled on me in the rear view mirror. He had nice eyes, I’d noticed that earlier. They seemed kind which struck me as odd considering he was a cop. “Then why does he have a bloody nose and you don’t have a scratch on you, sir?”

I glanced out the window at the tattooed thug sitting on the sidewalk. The guy held a tissue dotted with red spots up to his swollen nose. “I’m a purple belt in Taekwondo. Besides, he wasn’t really much of a challenge.”

The cop gave a little laugh. “Is that because you’re such a tough guy?”

I scowled. “No. It’s because he was drunk off his ass.” No one would ever mistake me for a he-man that was for sure. I was more on the scrawny side.

“And you’re sober?”

Lifting my chin, I sighed. “I had one Kahlua and cream. If you know anything about booze you must know those aren’t very strong.” And if you’re the kind of cop my old man was, you’ll know lots about booze. “Also, I’ve always been able to metabolize my alcohol very efficiently.”

“Fascinating,” Officer Brown murmured, punching things into his onboard computer.

“I know you’re being sarcastic but I actually do find it interesting.”

He shook his head. “What are you, a science geek?”

“Software geek by day, but I’m a science geek in my free time. And because of that I happen to know why I can hold my liquor.”

He snorted. “Okay, I’ll bite. Why?”

Being the nerd I am I didn’t even hesitate to respond. “Alcohol metabolism is controlled by genetic factors. There are variations in in the enzymes that break down alcohol in the body. That’s why some people can drink a ton and not get as blitzed as someone who drinks one drink.”

“Genetics huh? So you’ve essentially been bred to be a lush?” Officer Brown’s cheek curved in a smile. “That is fascinating.”

“You’re mocking me again.”

“Maybe a little.”

“I’m not making it up. It’s science.”

“I’m Irish, Scottish, French and Italian. What would your science have to say about that genetic combination?”

“Odds are you have extremely efficient alcohol dehydrogenase enzymes.”

“That’s a mouthful.”

My chest tightened at the sight of the cop’s pretty, white smile. I wasn’t usually into macho guys, but there was something different about Officer Brown. “Try saying it three times fast.”

He grunted in response.

“Am I going to jail?” I figured I should just come right out and ask.

“I haven’t decided.”

I studied the smooth nape of the officer’s neck and the silky blond locks that poked out from under his hat. A strange little buzzing started up in my stomach as I met his gaze in the mirror again. “Is the other guy going to jail?” I asked softly.

“Oh, yeah. I’ve arrested him for brawling at least three times already this year.” He swiveled in his seat. “You don’t look like the kind who’s usually involved in something like this.”

The intensity of his gaze had my pulse speeding up. “Well, he deserved that fist in the face.”

Officer Brown studied me. “And you say he hit you first?”

“Yes. He punched my shoulder.” Even though my hands were cuffed in front of me, I managed to rub the spot where the jerk had slammed me.

“Let me see.”

“What?” I asked breathlessly.

Officer Brown rolled his eyes. “It’s on your shoulder, right? I’m not asking you to drop your pants.”

“I know, but still.” For some reason the idea of opening my shirt in front of him had my stomach tumbling. He was attractive and I felt insecure. I knew it wasn’t like he wanted to see me without my shirt, but I still felt embarrassed. I had an okay build for a nerdy type, but I was a little on the thin side right now. He’s looking for evidence, not trying to date you.