by Peyton Banks
“We should have gone in immediately from the moment we knew he had barricaded himself in the fucking building,” Myles growled. He leaned a hand against the BEAR. Pissed off didn’t even describe what he was feeling.
Those two women hadn’t deserved to die in the manner they had. According to the sisters of the suspect, Adrienne, the ex-girlfriend, had broken up with Darius six months ago—he had not taken the breakup well.
“They were dead before we even got here,” Ash replied, keeping his voice low.
Myles wanted to tear into something.
SWAT was to protect the people of the city against bad men like Darius Sherman.
Innocent until proven guilty.
Myles released a snort.
How much proving did they need to do?
The man had been outside popping off a few shots and then went inside. The poor women had been shot up by the power of a semiautomatic weapon that had been confiscated from the scene.
“No one heard anything? No one called the cops?” Myles blew out a frustrated breath.
This was the downside to the job.
Not being able to rescue the innocent.
“There’s no telling. Not that it’s an excuse, but the people of the neighborhood hear gunshots every day. Who knows what they were thinking.” Ash laid a hand on Myles’s shoulder.
Zain and Iker came to stand next to them. Their faces revealed they felt the same as Myles.
“Offer still stands tonight. Drinks on me,” Iker announced somberly. He took his helmet off and ran his hand through his short hair. “This shit is fucked up. A person can’t even go to bed without a crazed maniac running in and shooting up the fucking place.”
Silence filled the air. Myles glanced over at the house. A chill snaked its way down Myles’s spine. It never got any better. No matter how many times he’d seen a dead body at the scene of a crime, it didn’t make it any easier.
Death wasn’t something one could become numb to.
Not Myles.
His entire life, he’d been trained to protect and serve.
“Looks like we have company.” Zain tipped his head toward something behind them.
They glanced in the direction where he was staring.
A silver sedan pulled up and parked next to a few patrol cars. Myles knew before he saw her that it was Roxxy.
He greedily took her form in once she stepped from the car. Her feet were encased in heels, and she had on a business suit with a skirt that stopped appropriately at her knees.
But it didn’t matter.
Myles knew what those thighs looked like straddling his face.
An older man about late forties exited the driver’s side and walked around to her side. She smiled at him, and Myles instantly didn’t care for the man.
She should only smile at him like that.
“Shit, the auditors are here.” Declan came to stand next to Myles.
“What’s the word from the medical examiner?” Myles tore his gaze away from Roxxy.
Mac joined them. His infamous scowl was in place. “Doc said from the dried blood and the bodies’ temperatures, that it would appear the women have been dead at least twenty-four to thirty-six hours.”
Curses went around.
“So that fucker has been going in and out the house while they lay dying?” Brodie exclaimed.
“That will tell you how sick he is.” Zain shook his head.
“Heads up,” Iker murmured.
“Hello, gentlemen,” a familiar southern accent sounded behind him.
Myles turned and found Roxxy standing with the other auditor. Myles had met him once, and his name evaded him.
Not that he wanted to remember the man who he wanted to punch in the face.
“Ms. Sutton.” Mac stepped forward and took her hand in a shake. “This isn’t really a good time right now.”
“Oh?” She held a binder to her chest and glanced around at the scene.
Myles knew when her gaze landed on the medical examiner’s vans. Her body stiffened, and the smile faded from her face.
“I see. No one from the team—”
“We’re all here and fine,” Myles interrupted her.
She spun to face him, and Myles had to fight stepping toward her. The gentle breeze that blew slid her hair across her eyes. She lifted her hand and tucked the offending strands behind her ear.
“Well, be that as it may, we still have a job to do. This gives us another scenario to write up.” She glanced over at her partner. “I believe you all have met, Phil.”
Greetings went around. The men shifted their stances. Myles detected that none of them wanted to go through this.
Not even Mac or Declan.
“This may seem like an odd time, but there are some questions we just need to ask. Nothing that will impede on the reports that will be due to your captain,” Phil assured them.
“I just need to speak to who was in charge.” Roxxy turned toward Mac and Declan.
“I took control.” Mac raised a hand.
“Was there a need for a negotiator?” Phil asked.
Ash raised his hand. Phil waved for him to follow him. Ash blew out a deep breath and left with the auditor.
“I’ll just need a few minutes of your time, Sergeant,” Roxxy noted.
“Sure.” Mac faced the rest of them. “Pack up and prepare to go back to the precinct.”
He guided Roxxy away, and Myles couldn’t help but watch the sway of her hips as she walked off with Mac.
“Someone’s infatuated with the auditor chick.” Zain slapped Myles on the back of his shoulder.
“Fuck off,” Myles growled. He followed him to the open compartments on the BEAR. He lifted the shield and placed it inside.
“She’s a fox. You’d be crazy not to be.” Iker snorted.
“When you find a good woman—” Declan was cut off by their groans.
“Oh, puh-lease, spare us,” Brodie begged.
They all laughed at Declan’s expense. He held up his hand with his middle finger extended.
“Let’s do as we were ordered,” Myles said. He tried to steer the conversation away from Roxxy. There was no way he’d be spilling the beans on what went on between the two of them. Some things a man kept to himself. “Plus, I’m feeling the need to have quite a few drinks on your tab.”
Chapter 12
Roxxy walked out of her bedroom and pulled the ties of her silk robe tighter. It had been an extremely long day. With the two casualties on the SWAT call today, it left her with additional reports that needed to be filled.
Tomorrow was the last day of auditing, and that would mean once she returned home, she’d finish up her findings and submit them to her father. After Earl reviewed them, if nothing else was needed, then everything would be forwarded to the captain and mayor.
The television was on, but the volume was low. The news was on, and the top story was that of the hostage situation. Roxxy ignored it and went over to the desk where her computer was waiting for her.
“Roxxy’s all work and no play,” she murmured, sitting in the chair. She opened her computer and opened the last report she had been working on before she’d gone and taken a shower. Her hair was tucked up in a bun on top of her head. The warm water had help relax her muscles.
At the scene earlier that day, she’d caught sight of Myles, and she had wanted to run to him. After learning that the SWAT team had apprehended the suspect, but hostages had already been deceased, it broke her heart. The men all were affected by it. She could even see it when she’d spoken with Mac. He’d appeared gruffer and more irritated. She hadn’t taken much of his time. What she would need for her reports would be in his.
Seeing Myles in all of his gear and sweaty would be ingrained in her head forever. She wanted to go to him and hug him. Comfort him. Losing victims was never easy. She’d been witness to other teams who had been too late and lost the very people they were trying to save. It was the gruesome reality that most people di
dn’t see. The news always focused on the victims and families, but no one ever thought about the first responders who were the ones who made the discoveries or were the ones trying to save them.
They were always forgotten.
Roxxy wished Myles was here. She’d ensure he would be taken care of.
If only for one more night.
By noon tomorrow, they’d be on the road headed back to Klinedale. It was a small town that boasted a community of about five thousand people. Almost everyone knew everyone.
This time tomorrow, she would be tucked away in her own bed, away from Columbia. Away from Myles.
Once she was gone, would he even think of her?
He’d given her much to fantasize about.
She sniffed and tried to compose herself. Typing a few commands out on the keyboard, she froze at the sound of a knock at the door.
“Who the hell is that?” She glanced at the time stamp on her computer and found it a little after eleven at night. This wouldn’t be her father. He would be fast asleep at this time of night.
She stood and opened the drawer to the desk and pulled out her small gun. Her other weapons were in the bedroom.
This one would do.
She crossed the room without a sound, comforted by the steel in her hand.
Stopping in front of the door, she rose and looked through the peephole and froze.
She left the chain on the door, turned the bottom lock, and opened it slightly. “Myles?”
“Hey, Roxxy.”
She swallowed hard. He was dressed in a dark shirt with CPD on it with jeans and boots. He leaned against the wall.
“Hey, yourself.” She tightened her grip on the gun, unable to believe he was there.
In the flesh.
“Are you going to let me in or are you going to leave me out here?”
His deep baritone caressed her, sending a tingle down to her core. Her breasts grew heavy while her nipples turned into hard buds. The silky material slid across them, and she almost moaned out loud. His gaze dropped down to her chest, and his nostrils flared.
He knew the effect he had on her.
“Please. Come in.” She heard the huskiness of her voice and frankly didn’t care. There was no question why he was showing up at her hotel. She pushed the door shut and took the chain off. She opened it and stepped back into the room.
He entered, and with his size, the room suddenly appeared smaller. The door shut behind him, and he replaced the chain.
She swallowed hard.
He turned back to her and tipped his head to the weapon in her hand.
“Are you planning on using that tonight?” His lips curled up in the corner.
She glanced down at the pink gun and shook her head. “Not unless you give me a reason.”
“Why don’t we put that up then, because I promise, you won’t have a reason to shoot me.” He moved to her and gently reached down and took the gun from her. “Where you want it?”
The scent of his cologne captivated her. Her pussy clenched with need.
It had to be a sin to smell that good.
“The desk.” She stood frozen in place watching him walk over and put it back in the drawer. “Myles.”
He stalked back to her, his intense gaze locked on her. He reached for her and crushed her to him. Her breath escaped her as his mouth covered hers.
There was no need to speak.
It was like he’d known she needed him.
What the hell would she do once she returned home?
His tongue plundered her mouth, instantly taking control of the kiss. She tasted the slight hint of alcohol and mint.
Roxxy leaned into him, allowing him the control.
She gripped the bottom of his shirt and pulled it over his head, breaking them apart. She tossed it over her shoulder. Her hands went to his belt.
His went to her robe.
He parted the silk material and released a curse.
“You are perfection,” he murmured.
“As are you,” she breathed, leaning her face against his chest. She successfully opened his belt and went for the button of his pants. A shiver slid down her spine as the soft material fell down. She released him to allow it to fall to the floor, leaving her completely naked. Her core ached to have him between her legs.
He kicked off his shoes. She helped him push down his pants. She knelt on the floor in front of him. Her reward sprang free once they removed his final piece of clothing.
Without waiting, she reached for his long, thick cock and brought it to her lips. She licked the entire length of it before coming back to the wide, blunt tip.
“Yes,” he hissed.
She met his gaze and held it while she wrapped her lips around the tip of his dick. She slowly introduced it into her mouth. He threaded his fingers in her hair, displacing the bun from the top of her head.
Moisture collected at the apex of her thighs.
She had been craving the feeling of Myles’s hard body underneath her fingertips.
Roxxy took her time worshipping the man before her.
His dick was one that should be cherished.
Using both of her hands, she gripped him and ran them up and down his shaft in tandem with her mouth. She hummed and took great pleasure in wringing every moan and gasp from Myles.
His hold tightened in her hair.
She could feel a tremble snaking its way through him.
She had him.
She opened her eyes and looked up. He stood there, his muscles tensed with his brow slightly furrowed. His chest was rising and falling fast.
This big strong man is putty in my hands.
Roxxy wanted to see him fall apart.
Never had she ever wanted to please someone before.
She increased her pace and hold on his shaft.
“Roxxy,” he called out.
She ignored the slight pain from her hair being pulled and relished the fact that she was sending him over the brink of orgasm. His hips thrust forward. She allowed him to fuck her mouth. The slight taste of saltiness met her tongue, and she knew he was close. She held on to him tight and sucked harder, refusing to take her eyes off him.
His eyes flew open and met hers. With a shout, he paused his hips while his salty release flowed into her mouth.
Roxxy swallowed every drop.
His breaths were coming fast as if he’d just run a marathon.
Roxxy’s heart swelled.
“Come here,” he growled, pulling his cock from her mouth. He reached down and yanked her up into a standing position. He swung her up and tossed her over his shoulder.
“Myles!” She laughed.
“I’ve warned you about that mouth of yours.” He swatted her bottom.
She gasped from the sting of it, and if she didn’t know any better, she liked it.
He carried her into the bedroom and deposited her on the middle of the bed.
He didn’t give her time to move. He braced himself over her. His intense eyes bored into hers. She reached up and cupped his bearded face, memorizing every detail.
Myles leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. It sent a rush of energy through her body. He blazed a trail down her skin.
She immediately opened her legs for him, knowing where his end goal was.
The second his lips closed around her clit, her body arched off the mattress.
“Myles,” she cried out. Her hands flew over her head, and she gripped the blanket tight.
There was no mistaking that Myles had just claimed her pussy. He might as well tattoo his name on her. His tongue slid between her folds, teasing her.
Her body was his playground.
He worked her up into a fever. Sweat lined her body as she writhed.
Myles used his strong forearms to keep her legs open for him.
God Almighty.
Her hips moved on their own accord, her clit riding his tongue.
He introduced not one, but two fingers deep inside her.
“Ah…shit,” she gasped. She tried to scoot away, but his arm clamped down on her.
“Where do you think you’re going?” His low growl sent goosebumps along her skin.
She brushed her hair from her face and met his intense stare. “It’s too much…I can’t—”
“Who’s stopping you, Roxxy?”
He gave her pussy one long lick, and her eyes rolled back. She fell back against the bed and gave up the fight.
He could do whatever he wanted.
Roxxy floated among the clouds. Myles fucked her with his fingers while he teased her clit. He tugged on her swollen bundle of nerves, and her body tightened.
A scream erupted from her lips.
Her orgasm slammed into her like a freight train.
Her muscles tensed, and she reached for anything to hold on to for fear her body would float away amongst the waves of her release.
She dug her nails into Myles’s strong shoulders.
Her arms fell to the sides as he climbed over her. He braced himself over her. She opened her eyes and met his cocky smile.
How could she walk away from this man?
“What are we doing?” she asked quietly, finally able to catch her breath. She reached up and trailed a finger across his lips. They were still wet from her, and her core clenched.
“If you have to ask, then I’m not doing it right.” His eyes crinkled in the corners with his smile.
“I’m serious. I told you I’ve never had a one-night stand before, and now you’re back…”
She blinked. She wasn’t made for this. She could feel herself growing attached to Myles. They’d only know each other a few days, and already she dreaded the long ride home.
“I couldn’t get you out of my head,” he admitted, turning serious. He brushed her cheek with her finger and stared at her with wonder in his eyes.
“What does that mean?” she whispered.
He settled into the valley of her thighs. His hard cock teased her opening, and she bit back a groan.
“Maybe I don’t want just one night.” His lips pressed against hers in a soft kiss. He pulled back and placed another one on her chin.
She turned her head to allow him to reach the hollow of her neck. Her breasts were crushed between them.
“But I don’t live here in Columbia.”
