by Piper Rayne
She wanted a man who could handle her need for edgier sex, the kind where her partner wouldn’t stop until she exploded-half-a-dozen-times-sex. Yup, she wanted what the rumors about Royce proclaimed.
Except she had one tiny little problem. Amber had never shared that need with any of her previous boyfriends. Men always treated her like she was a good girl, like she might break at the slightest amount of pressure. It was her own fault. She hadn’t spoken up before and asked for what she wanted, what she craved in bed or out. But that was going to end.
Tonight.
She hoped.
With Royce. The man she should stay away from, but who she wanted to bring alive her deepest desires. And she was still working on the courage part. She signaled the bartender for another drink. He nodded and took down a clean glass and began to mix her favorite, a pina colada, when she felt someone take the seat Reese had vacated.
She knew it wasn’t going to be who she wanted and mentally prepped a polite turndown.
“Come here often?”
The words were followed by a vapor cloud of Jameson and a sweaty hand in her face.
“Tyson Brown. Ty to my friends. Wanna be my friend?”
Amber cringed at the awful line and the accompanying leer. Ugh, why did she always attract the creeps?
“Um, I’m waiting for someone. But uh, it was nice to meet you.” She turned to face toward the crush of people celebrating on the dance floor.
“Someone, huh? Yeah, right. Look, I’ve been watching. You’ve turned down like what, three other guys. You got a problem or something?”
Ty’s voice had risen, and it was laced with barely controlled anger. She spotted Reese and Connor dancing, but the noise level was too loud to try and catch their attention; her voice would be swallowed up by the crowd.
“Look, I’m serious. Why else would I turn down those other guys if I wasn’t waiting for someone?” She offered the best smile could muster.
“Nice story. You tell that to the other losers too?” Tyson rubbed his face.
He let out a weird laugh. “Sorry. Man, I just really wanted to meet you. You’re the hottest girl in here, and you know it’s kinda strange you’re sitting here all alone, unless… well, you know.”
“No, I don’t.” Afraid to give him an opening to hear his reasoning, she nodded to no one in particular. Please take the hint. Please take it, please.
He leaned in close. Her prayer went unanswered. He was way too close for comfort. She automatically leaned back as another whiff of whiskey made her gag.
“Hey, I’m not gonna bite.” He growled. “Unless you want me to.”
Nope. She didn’t. She was saving that for someone else. Someone, not him. “I think you have me confused with someone else.” Amber stood up, intent on finding anyone she knew and maybe someone she didn’t.
Tyson jumped off his chair and leaned into her, and grabbed her arm.
“Ow! What are you doing, asshole? That hurts. Let me go.” She tried to shake his hold, but he didn’t budge.
“You think you’re too good for me? I’d have you begging for more after the first round. And then I’d—”
“Hey, Amber, I heard you were here. The gang’s looking for you. They’re over in the VIP section.”
Maverick Jansen, the star pitcher of the Outlaws, stood behind Tyson. She offered him a smile of gratitude and nodded. Then she looked down at his hand wrapped around her arm and back up into Tyson’s face.
What she found made her break out in a cold sweat. For a split second, she saw evil, then he blinked, and the cruelty was gone.
“This guy bothering you?” Maverick stepped from behind the much shorter man and stood by her side.
She let out the breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding as Tyson let go of her arm and offered it to Maverick. “Hey, man. Great game. Congratulations on the championship.”
Maverick didn’t acknowledge Tyson other than to cross his arms and glare at the now sweating man. “Amber, you okay?”
“Y-yes. He was just leaving. He thought I was someone else, isn’t that right?”
Still too close for her peace of mind, Amber shifted away from Tyson but not before his whispered words reached her.
“Saved by the bell. Catch you next time. Amber,” Tyson whispered and walked away.
Amber and Maverick watched the king of creeps disappear into the crowd. She turned to Maverick, “Thank you. He wasn’t taking no for an answer.”
“You sure you’re okay?” Maverick was looking at her arm.
She glanced down at the slowly darkening skin and rubbed. “Yeah, he was drunk. I’ve never seen him before, and he was convinced I was blowing him off. And I was, but...”
“No, buts. Some guys can’t handle no, even when it’s a polite no. Next time be more of a bitch. Dump your drink in his lap. Hell, anything to cause a scene, okay?”
Amber nodded, then looked behind Maverick and discovered Royce intently watching her. He stood behind the railing between the dance floor and the front entry. Her gaze traveled down his muscular arms and rested on his hands gripping the metal, his knuckles white.
She swore she could feel his anger across the room. He gave her a slight nod and pushed off the railing, and went in the direction of the now-vanished Tyson.
She let out a sigh as she watched his backside disappear into the crowd. That man exuded power and protection. What she wouldn’t give for a chance to wrap herself around all that muscle and hard angles.
She heard Maverick speaking, but what he was saying didn’t register. Still shook up from her encounter, she wanted what? She wasn’t sure now about approaching Royce tonight. Maybe she should leave and treat herself to half a pint of salted caramel ice cream and stream a movie and rethink how to hook up with Royce.
She looked back to where she last saw him and noticed he was now speaking to one of the security guards Reese had on staff. Amber took the opportunity to observe him unnoticed and took another moment to admire his strong jawline, broad shoulders, and toned body. She sighed and turned back to Maverick.
“Amber? You with me, hon?” Maverick turned around to where she was looking, then chuckled, “Now, that’s someone you need to stay away from. He’s a nice guy, but definitely not in your league.” He motioned to where the rest of his friends and his wife, Kelsey had gathered. “Why don’t you come hang with us? And we’ll see what we can do about finding someone in between creepy guy and commitment-phobia guy. What do you say?”
Boy, had she’d been that obvious? I guess staring at a man across the room wasn’t exactly subtle behavior, but still—ouch. “And what exactly does that mean? You think after what just happened, I’m not capable of choosing the right guy?”
“Hey, don’t shoot the messenger. It’s just he’s not known for anything long term. A bit like me, I guess, before I found Kelsey, but he’s not your type, Amber. You need someone like—”
Oh no, he just didn’t. “Like who? The calm, boring type that a good girl like me deserves? Well, the hell with that. I’ve had my fill of those men, and no thank you.” Wow, Amber. Where’d that come from?
“Okay, let me rephrase. Royce is a great guy, but he’s got a broken heart list longer than mine ever was. You deserve someone, well you just deserve a guy who’ll last, ya know? So, what do you say? Come join us. I know Kelsey and the rest of the ladies want you too.”
Amber felt about two inches tall. She didn’t have a temper, but obviously, Maverick had hit a nerve. And she wanted nothing more than to catch up with everyone as she hadn’t seen them since Noel and TS’ baby shower for their son, Carson.
“I say, thank you, Mav. And for the record, I wouldn’t have shot you. I know you’re only looking out for me. Besides, I don’t want Kelsey hunting me down to the ends of the earth for payback.” Amber grinned then let out a laugh.
She followed Maverick to the VIP area, but not before she looked back for another peek. Yeah, he probably wasn’t someone she should pursue, but
damn he made her want things she’d only fantasized about. But as much as she wanted him, she also wanted more than just one night. She wasn’t built for one-night stands.
She tried to put her feelings and her body’s desire for Royce on the back burner, but she had a distinct feeling she’d be a failure at both.
6
Royce downed a bottle of water. It did little to cool him down as he watched Amber escape the close call with Tyson. He’d thought about going over himself. Thankfully Maverick stepped in quick because he knew he’d end up burying his fist in the jerk’s face. His sister didn’t need that kind of publicity. Neither did he.
So, for the next hour, he made sure Tyson didn’t circle around and try for another shot at Amber. She stayed in the VIP section and was surrounded by Reese, Connor, and her boss, Caris, and her husband Blake Anderson, the Outlaw’s Manager. The group also included the rest of their tight circle of friends, their wives, and girlfriends.
He relaxed, knowing none of the players would let anything or anyone bother her again tonight. He roamed the outer perimeter of the dance floor and tried to put Amber’s face and her body out of his head. He wanted her, but it was laced with something different; something new. He’d desired other women sure, but with her, it was… maddening.
When he looked at her, he saw more than someone to hook up with.
Hell, he hadn’t even spoken to her more than polite greetings, and small talk, so why was he contemplating some kind of future where they could make it work beyond a quick slap and tickle?
“Royce, you look stressed. What’s up?” His sister offered him a soft drink. “Anything I need to know about?”
He could tell her the cliff note version, but knowing Reese, she might pick up on his personal interest in Amber. He’d barely admitted to himself, let alone his sister, that what he was feeling for the curvy office manager went beyond pure lust.
Maybe his interest in Amber was simply because she seemed to always be around. In his real life, not the after dark quest for a hard and fast release where the women understood he was a one-time deal?
For whatever reason, when he looked at Amber, he sensed there was potential. And that was more dangerous than any perp with a knife in one hand and a revolver in the other during a twelve-hour standoff.
Royce remained silent and looked over to where Amber had been sitting earlier. The group had pretty much dispersed, but Connor, Maverick, and Luke, the team’s catcher, were kicked back sharing one last drink. Who could blame them for wanting to keep the celebration going? They’d earned it.
“Hey, c’mon, what’s bugging you? You forget, I know how to read you. And it has nothing to do with missing a stupid workout. Is it a woman? No, don’t tell me. It’s probably two women. Decisions, decisions, right?”
“No, everything’s good. And yes, I skipped my usual trip to the gym this morning. You know how I get cranky if I can’t punch something.”
“Hmm… so no, ‘stay out of my business, sis?’ What’s really going on?” Reese laid her head on his shoulder. “You know I’m a great listener.”
Royce was almost ready to spill a part of his dilemma, and he’d keep Amber’s name out of it, but as he opened his mouth, a kid in his early twenties burst through the main entrance. He gasped for a breath and held up his arm, pointing behind him, “Hey, some guy has a girl… he’s got a gun… outside…somebody call 911.”
Royce strode over to the kid. “Where?”
“Down the street, next to the empty lot, the...the one they turned into a mini-park… he dragged her towards the alley. And man, is she screaming.”
Reese laid a hand on Royce’s arm, “I’ve got dispatch on the line now. They said they already received another call.”
“Keep everyone inside, lock the door behind me.” Royce ran toward the entrance and turned back to his sister. “No one, Reese. No one leaves until the PD calls all clear.”
“Wait! You’re not armed.”
“You sure about that, sis?” Royce lifted his pant leg and retrieved his Glock-27 from his ankle holster. He pushed through the door, sprinted across the street, and kept to the inside of the sidewalk. He ran down Main all the way to the corner. Muffled screaming reached him. Then the sound of a man yelling out in pain.
Sirens roared in the distance. Too far, he calculated; he needed to act—now. He made his way from the building next to the park and hooked a right into the open space. Empty. A lone streetlight illuminated the area. It didn’t quite do its job. He crept along the building, his Glock at the ready. When he reached the end of the wall as it met the alleyway, he stopped and listened.
“You just couldn’t listen, could you bitch? You had to scream.”
A muffled response. Royce couldn’t make out the words but knew it was a woman.
“All I wanted was some fun. But nope, you didn’t want to play. Well, now we’re both in trouble. Stop it! Ow!”
The kidnapper’s voice sounded familiar... Shit, he knew that whiny tone.
Fuck, it was Tyson.
Royce edged around the corner, gun steady, and took a look. Tyson was holding the woman against the building, maybe twenty feet away. Tyson’s left hand covered her mouth; his right held a gun under her chin. And he was shaking his left leg.
Looked like he’d been kicked.
Good for her, she fought back. The move may have saved her life.
Royce returned to his position and turned the safety off. When he stepped out fully into the alley, Tyson continued to spit curse words at his captive. But the woman must have caught his movement. She turned her head toward him. Eyes wide in fear, she blinked rapidly then slammed them shut when Tyson pressed his nose into her cheek.
Amber.
Shit! Goddammit. His heart stopped for a beat, then started back up, pounding the crap out of his chest. He’d never once been in a situation on the job where he knew the victim.
Seeing Amber shoved up against the fucking wall with a gun in her face fueled his anger. He wished he could tear the scumbag apart with his bare hands. Instead, he took a deep breath and centered himself and remembered protocol, then dismissed protocol. Screw it.
Time was his second enemy, and as much as he’d relish beating Tyson to a pulp, he’d settle for shooting him in the leg. A headshot clearly wasn’t an option with how he was currently holding onto Amber.
Amber’s eyes flashed open again. Royce held her frightened gaze and willed her to calm. She gave a slight nod.
Tyson followed Amber’s gaze. “Fuck!” He whirled Amber in front of him and used her as a shield.
Gravel sprayed into the air, and Amber stumbled and let out a whimper.
Her cry wrapped around Royce’s heart and refused to let go. “Pretty pathetic using a woman to protect yourself. Let her go, Tyson, and you won’t get hurt. That’s the only and last promise I’m making you.”
Tyson let out another string of curses and pulled Amber closer into his body. “Back off, Royce. You’re not on duty, man, and your SWAT buddies are nowhere in sight.”
As if on cue, the sounds of sirens increased. The air filled with the screeching of tires and shouts of officers.
“You were saying, dickhead?” Royce aimed his gun low and to the left of Amber’s body. “I’m sure the local PD will back me up. So, do yourself a favor and let her go. The longer you drag this out, the more trouble you’ll be in.”
“Bullshit. We both know I’m going down. I’ve already got a felony on my belt, man. So, maybe I should have a little fun first, huh? Cause I don’t think you’re going to shoot an old friend. You don’t have it in you. Not Royce Kincaid, the pillar of Pineville.”
That’s right keep talking dickhead. The more Tyson rattled on, the better Amber’s chances of coming out unhurt became. “What in the Hell are you talking about? I’m not the pillar of anything. Just doing my job, asshole.”
“Screw you! You think because you’re the law now that people don’t remember? Everyone knows how you messed up plenty in
high school.” Tyson stepped backward, dragging Amber with him.
“I think you’re confusing me with yourself. And you’re running out of time, old friend.” Royce matched each step Tyson took. He held out a hand when the first responding office rounded the corner. “I got this.” And he did. No one was taking Tyson down but him.
Another screech of tires erupted as two squad cars blocked the exit to the alleyway behind Tyson. He wasn’t going anywhere. But, would he go down injuring himself or worse, Amber?
Tyson’s eyes were darting between Royce and the officer behind him. Royce was almost out of time. He needed to act. Sweat was pouring off Tyson’s brow, and the hand holding the gun to Amber’s chin had begun to shake. Shit, he was probably on something besides the whiskey he’d been downing all night.
“Let her go, Ty. You’re hurting her.” Royce kept his tone even as he crept closer. When he was within ten feet, he stopped. He let his gaze roam over Amber and checked to see if she was bleeding.
Tyson moved his arm up and wrapped it around her throat.
Royce grimaced as he watched Amber struggle to push Tyson off. He almost lost it when she began to gasp for breath.
“Hurting her? Christ, she’s fine. So fine.” Tyson shouted. He bent down and whispered something in Amber’s ear. She cringed and kicked out. Her leg missed, but it gave Royce the opportunity he needed. Tyson moved his lower body out of the way, opening himself up as the perfect target.
Royce nodded as Amber’s gaze met his again and mouthed the words, “lean to the left—you’ll be okay.” He couldn’t wait to see if she understood; he aimed his gun and fired.
The bullet found its home in Tyson’s upper right thigh. He screamed, let go of Amber, and dropped the gun as he reached down to cover his wound.
She fell to the side and scrambled backward, slamming her back into the brick wall. Royce ran toward her, the officer behind him descended on Tyson as several officers raced from the end of the alley.
It was over.
He crouched down in front of Amber and pulled her into his arms. “You okay, sweetheart? It’s over. He won’t ever hurt you again.”
