by Peyton Banks
They were brothers in blue and would always have each other’s backs.
“Wow. Never thought I’d hear this from you.” Ash chuckled. “Has the mighty Myles met his match?”
“Shut up.” Myles grinned. It would take one hell of a woman to tame him. Images of Roxxy’s smile came to mind, and his breath escaped him as if something slammed into his abdomen. “I gotta go. I’m pulling up now.”
“Have fun, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
The line went dead before Myles could even respond with a snide remark.
Slowing his car, he turned into the parking lot and drove up to the front of the building. His gaze landed on a curvy figure waiting for him.
“Jesus,” he murmured, his gaze meeting Roxxy’s. He guided his vehicle to a stop and put it in park. He exited the car, his eyes greedily taking her in. Her white dress hung off her shoulder, revealing her bare skin. It clung to her frame and stopped mid-calf. Her feet were encased in heels that showed off her hot-pink-painted toenails. “Roxxy.”
He was rendered speechless.
She was a knockout.
He didn’t think it could happen, but she’d somehow improved perfection.
“Myles. How are you?” she asked with a small smile. Her hair cascaded down her back in dark waves. Her makeup was light, and her lips were stained his favorite color.
Red.
“I’m much better now that I’m in your presence.” He held out a hand for her.
The young valet was openly checking out Roxxy’s backside. His gaze met Myles’s, who instantly narrowed his eyes on the kid. His face grew pale. He stumbled back and turned, quickly making his way inside the hotel. Myles smirked. Roxxy, unbeknownst to the silent altercation, placed her smaller in his and allowed him to walk her to his car.
“Smooth, Officer Burton.” She laughed.
Myles’s heart thudded at the spark in her eyes.
Turning to him, she paused them by the door. “I have to admit you are something else.”
Myles grinned and glanced around. The doorman quickly averted his eyes. Myles bit back a snort.
“Myles. This is a business dinner, so I can ask you some questions about your job and procedures,” she insisted.
He opened the door and helped her into the car.
“I don’t recall labeling this a business dinner.” He hastily shut the door at the sound of her sputtering.
No, Roxxy didn’t know what was in store for her.
A night with Myles Burton would be a night she’d never forget.
What have I gotten myself into?
Roxxy tried to steady her rapid heartbeat. Myles Burton dressed the way he was and smelling all good had her squeezing her thighs shut.
There was nothing better than a sexy man with a good cologne. She just wanted to bury her face into his chest and breath in his scent.
The restaurant he’d taken her to was phenomenal. She couldn’t put her fork down. The atmosphere was comfortable, and there was a small band wooing the patrons while they ate their dinner.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself,” Myles remarked, staring at her over the candlelit table.
The ambiance of the establishment was definitely romantic. No matter how many times she’d tried to ask him questions, he’d give a short answer and flip the conversation to something else.
“I am.” She smiled sheepishly. Setting her fork down on the table, she reached for her wine glass and took another sip. “Now getting back to what I was trying to ask. Don’t think I haven’t noticed you avoiding my questions.”
His lips curled up into a crooked grin. He snagged his glass and toyed with it. Roxxy’s attention dropped down to his long fingers, and she gulped.
Her gaze flew back up to his. She dared not go down the pathway of thoughts.
“I’m sure you’ve read plenty of procedure manuals while at the precinct. My team and I are very by-the-book.” He lifted his glass and downed the rest of the contents.
“Is that so?” She took the time to openly study him. Her fingers begged to trail over his bald head. She wanted to feel his beard against her skin. She leaned forward and rested her elbow on the table. “So you’re telling me that no matter what, you and your men don’t ever take matters into your own hands and do things your way?”
He paused, the smile disappearing from his lips.
A dark veil appeared in his eyes.
“We do what must be done.” The playfulness was gone from him.
He was a large man who knew how to handle a gun, and she was sure he would know how to handle her.
A shiver slid down Roxxy’s spine.
There was a dark, haunting side of Myles that she wouldn’t ever want to be on the receiving end of. There was a reason his team was one of the best in the state. Each man was a decorated member of the Columbia Police Department.
But there was something about Myles.
The music changed into an upbeat tempo. Roxxy broke Myles’s gaze and spun away. A few couples were laughing while dancing.
Roxxy swiveled her gaze back to Myles with raised eyebrows and tipped her head toward the dance floor.
She hadn’t meant for their conversation to sour.
It was time to turn it around.
“What?” He took in the people swaying to the beat and shook his head. “Oh, no. I don’t dance.”
“Really?” She pushed her chair back. She grabbed the napkin from her lap and tossed it on the table.
Roxxy didn’t know where this bravery was coming from.
Maybe it was the wine.
Or it had just been so long since she’d had the attention of a man, and her body was telling her it was time.
She stood and sashayed a few steps from the table with a little extra sway in her hips. She glanced over her shoulder at Myles. He didn’t try to hide the fact he had got caught staring at her ass.
“Well, Officer Burton. You can sit here if you want to. But there is something that must get done tonight.” She tossed him a wink and spun around.
The sound of another chair scraping the floor gave her pause.
She had him.
A figure pressed close behind her.
Myles.
“I have a better idea,” he murmured, his lips ghosting over her ear.
Her body trembled at the feel of him pressing against her. Everyone else faded away.
At the moment, it was just the two of them.
“What?” she breathed.
His steady hand circled her wrist. He gently twirled her around to face him. She stared up at him, waiting. His hand came up to touch her bottom lip. His eyes darkened as they focused on her mouth.
“Come with me,” he whispered.
She didn’t know where, but she found herself nodding.
He took her hand and led her around the dance floor. His hand on her was comforting. They walked through the restaurant and stepped out of a set of French doors. The smell of the nighttime air filled her nostrils.
“Oh my,” she gasped, taking in her surroundings.
There was a long pier off the building that overlooked the river. Soft white lights twinkled on the railing, providing a little light.
At the moment, it was just the two of them. The music floated through the open windows. It was faint, and the new song was one that had a slow tempo and was romantic.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” He pulled her closer to him, tucking her into his side.
“It is,” she agreed. It was a magnificent sight to behold. The river flowed before them, and Roxxy breathed in the scent around them.
They stopped at the edge of the pier without a word.
Roxxy leaned against the railing and took in the sight of the river at night.
Myles slipped behind her and trapped her. He bent down and pushed his face into the crook of her neck. He nuzzled it, and her head fell to the side to grant him permission.
He closed the gap between them, and her heart raced at t
he feeling of something hard resting on her ass.
“I think this is much better than me embarrassing myself in there trying to dance.” His lips brushed her ear.
“I don’t know,” she teased. “It would have been hilarious to see you dance.” She squealed as his hand came up and tickled her side. She broke his hold on her and turned around to face him.
His hooded eyes were locked on her.
“What are we doing, Myles?” she whispered.
She had to be going crazy.
She was seriously considering inviting him back to her hotel.
He leaned closer to her, and her heart thundered. His hand rested on the small of her back and brought her flush against him.
“We are enjoying each other’s company,” he answered.
She slid her hands up his hard chest and bit back a groan at the size, strength, and power of the man holding her as if she were a delicate flower. He made her feel safe and protected. Her hand continued up to the back of his neck, and she guided his head down to her.
Tomorrow she’d blame her actions on the excellent food, wine, and fresh air.
She wanted Myles Burton.
His lips covered hers, and she was lost.
Myles drove his tongue inside her mouth, commanding the kiss. She pushed closer to him, a moan slipping from her. She tightened her hands around his neck. She refused to budge.
God, he can kiss.
She tore her lips from his. Both of them were left breathing hard. Her core clenched from the heat in his gaze.
“Want to go get a nightcap at my hotel?” It was her chicken way of asking him to take her back and ravish her.
Her body was going haywire at the moment, and she needed Myles to soothe the ache between her legs.
His hand came up and cupped her face. He pressed a hard kiss to her lips. “Let’s get out of here.”
Chapter 8
Myles sensed Roxxy’s nervousness. He could tell it had taken a lot for her to drum up the nerve to ask him back to her hotel. That was why he’d tried to make her feel comfortable in the car once they’d left the restaurant. He got her laughing at his jokes, even played music trivia.
Hell, he had to find a way to calm himself down.
His cock had been trying to drill a hole in his slacks to break free. The feeling of Roxxy’s curvy body was enough to almost make him blow his fucking load before they’d even got started.
Now in the elevator, he couldn’t take his eyes off her. Her light-brown skin begged for his touch. Her bare shoulders were downright sexy. He never really knew when he’d got into shoulders, but Roxxy’s were perfect.
“Why are you staring at me?” she asked softly, her voice breaking into his thoughts.
“Because I think you are beautiful,” he replied automatically.
“You’re just saying that.” Her lips turned up into the corners, and she looked away.
He snagged her small wrist and tugged her close to him. Everything about her was dainty compared to him, but he knew she was much tougher than she appeared.
She stumbled into him with a gasp. He wrapped an arm around her and slid his hand down to her hip.
“I say what’s on my mind. I don’t have any reason to lie.” He stared down into her eyes while she leaned into him.
Her eyes widened when he pressed his lower half against her. He wanted to make it very clear, tonight, she was his.
He glanced up and saw they had a few more flights before they arrived at her floor.
“Can I come clean about something?” She bit her bottom lip with a guilty expression on her face.
Myles’s raised an eyebrow and nodded.
She blew out a deep breath and reached up to dust something off his shirt. “I wasn’t really inviting you here for a nightcap.”
The elevator announced her floor, and the doors opened. She stepped out of the car. His gaze dropped down to her ass, and his mind was flooded with all the things he could possibly do with it.
“I’m shocked.” He placed his hand on his chest and followed behind her into the hallway. “And here I thought we would enjoy a nice drink or something.”
He closed the distance between them and tipped her chin up so he could look into her eyes.
“Well, you’re going to be sorely disappointed because there is not an ounce of alcohol in my room.”
Myles chuckled. His thumb ran across her bottom lip. “Don’t worry. Alcohol is the last thing on my mind. There’s something else I’m wanting.”
“What is that?” she whispered.
“Take me to your room—unless you really want me to show you out here in this hall.” He bent down and softly kissed her lips. He didn’t have a problem with pushing her up to the wall and sinking inside her. He couldn’t care less who saw them.
She swallowed hard and turned away. Myles strolled behind her, enjoying the sway of her hips. The material clung to her, showcasing her wide hips, and he wanted to thank the designer for their gift in dressmaking.
She paused outside a door and pulled her keycard from her purse. She spun around and leaned back against the door.
“What’s wrong?” He placed one hand on the door, trapping Roxxy between it and him.
“I’ve never really done this before,” she admitted.
“Done what?” He paused. Was Roxxy about to say she was a virgin? His heart pulsed double time, and panic set in.
“A one-night stand,” she blurted.
Relief filled him that she didn’t say she was a virgin. He could deal with the fact that she’d never had a one-night stand. She didn’t look the type. He’d had plenty in his past that he could barely remember, but Roxxy was definitely someone he would be remembering.
He took the card from her and leaned down where his lips brushed hers. “Do you want me, Roxxy?”
“God, yes,” she breathed.
Unable to resist, he covered her mouth with his. The taste of her was addictive. He caught a faint hint of her wine and dinner mint she’d eaten. Pulling her away from the door, he refused to break the kiss. He fumbled at first before successfully sliding the card into the slot.
He nudged the door open with his foot. He reached down and lifted Roxxy by the back of her knees with one hand. Her hands slid over his bald head, sending a shiver down his spine.
He stalked into the room and kicked the door shut.
Breaking the kiss, Myles glanced around the suite. A lamp was left on. Its soft rays illuminated the corner of the sitting area. It was a lovely suite, but all Myles cared about was the bedroom.
“I’m too heavy, Myles. Put me down.” She giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck.
The scent of her perfume filled his senses, and he had one thing on his mind.
“What are you talking about?” he asked gruffly. She barely weighed anything. He benched more than her. He gave her ass one good squeeze and headed toward the bedroom.
“Never mind,” she breathed. Her lips brushed his cheek, trailing kisses on his face.
A growl slipped from his chest.
“Hurry.”
Myles strode into the room and paused near the bed. His heart raced as he breathed in Roxxy’s scent. Her body writhed against his. He didn’t really want to sit Roxxy down, but he had no choice. She slid along his front until her feet were on the floor. They paused, staring at each other in the low light.
Myles glanced around and took in the lamp on the nightstand by the bed. He turned it on, not wanting to miss one inch of Roxxy’s body. Myles pulled his wallet out of his pants and tossed on the table. He moved toward her and reached for her.
He cupped her cheeks and lowered his head to hers. He covered her mouth with his. Her lips parted, welcoming his tongue inside. Her taste was one he couldn’t get enough of. The sounds of her moans fueled his desire for her.
He tore his lips from hers and pressed hot kisses to her neck. “How do we get you out of this?” he bit out.
“There’s a zipper in the back.” She g
asped, pushing near him.
Myles made quick work of removing it from her. She stood before him in a strapless bra and lace panties. The sight of Roxxy almost brought him to his knees.
A coy smile played on her lips.
“Like what you see?” she teased, turning around in place. She looked over her shoulder at Myles.
His gaze slowly roamed her soft brown skin.
Oh, yeah.
He did.
Closing the gap between them, he gripped her hair in his hand and tugged her back to him. He pressed himself against her. A gasp escaped her lips.
“What do you think?” she asked playfully.
He placed a soft kiss to her shoulder while undoing the clasp of her bra. It fell to the floor, with neither of them paying any attention to it. Myles moved her hair to angle her neck to give him full access to it. He bathed her skin with his tongue while he reached around Roxxy with his free hand to cup her voluptuous mounds.
“Perfection.”
A groan released from Myles at the sensation of her beaded nipples in his hands. He teased her, pulling on her nipples but then soothing them with a gentle stroke of his hands.
“Myles,” Roxxy moaned, leaning her full weight on him.
Her hair was entwined around his fingers. He used it as an anchor to hold her in place.
“I like the sound of my name on your lips,” he muttered. He slid his free hand along her abdomen, and it disappeared underneath her panties. “Tell me what you want.”
He parted her folds and was met with the evidence of her arousal. Her gasps grew louder while he gently rubbed his finger across her swollen nub.
He grew harder, imagining her slick sheath enclosing his cock.
He needed to be inside her.
Now.
Roxxy couldn’t breathe.
She couldn’t move.
Myles’s fingers were driving her toward that sweet spot of oblivion.
Her body was frozen in place while Myles took control of her. His fingers strummed her.
“I’m waiting,” he rasped in her ear.
