Collared (Going to the Dogs)

by Dawson, Zoe

  She was naked in Caleb’s arms against his glorious body. Honestly, what more could a woman want? And in that moment, she didn’t want for anything.

  “Can’t you let him cool his heels for another hour or so?” he said, his voice already huskier, his body already harder.

  “Hmm,” she said.

  He spun around, and walked backwards towards her bedroom until the backs of his legs hit her bed. Soaking wet he folded down on top of her very expensive silk duvet, but she didn’t give a damn if it was ruined.

  “Wait,” she said as he pulled her hips over his erection. She reached towards the nightstand and hit the intercom on her phone. “Juliana.”

  “Yes, Miss,” Juliana said immediately.

  “Could you let Commissioner McDonald know that I’m going to be delayed by at least an hour? There’s plenty of reading material in the library. Also, let Mrs. Crumb know as well. Oh, and we’ll be having another guest, Detective Shaw.”

  “Yes, Miss. What should I tell the Commissioner?”

  “Tell him that…” She looked down at Caleb and smiled broadly. “…something came up.”

  Caleb laughed out loud. “Well, done, princess. You know how to take care of your subjects from your throne room.”

  Her eyes raked over him. “I’m pretty comfortable with the throne I’m on right now.”

  She wiggled and watched as he closed his eyes, groaning softly. His lashes were so dark, so thick, she wanted to brush them with her fingertip. He looked so beautiful, all wet and glistening. She set her hands on either side of him and moved her hips again.

  His big hands came up and settled at her waist, sliding up on either side of her ribcage. “Have your way with me, princess. I’m yours to command.”

  He cupped both of her breasts, running a thumb over each nipple. It was her turn to close her eyes. He slipped his hands around her back and drew her down. When he clamped his lips over her breast, she moaned.

  She reached down and found him hot and hard between her legs, rubbing the flat of her hand over the head of him to make him jerk and thrust heavily upwards, his face rapt.

  She could watch him for hours.

  She did it again and his chest heaved, his hands shooting down to her hips. She grasped him and guided him where she needed him to be. He twisted beneath her and she eased her hips slowly down over him, drawing him all the way inside. His breath groaned out and he opened his eyes. Her heart lurched. There was something else in his eyes now, something wholly dangerous, a lethal edge of…what? Oh, God, a need for her that struck a resounding chord inside her, that reached out and pulled her deep into those intense depths, and she got lost, so lost.

  Body shaking, lips trembling, she held that passionate gaze, held on to it tightly, and her mouth dipped down as she slid along his thick hard-on. Her breath eased out of her tight chest. He opened his mouth over hers, kissing her so tenderly, so softly, sending little shockwaves through her, heating her core into a tight knot of delicious, agonizing pleasure.

  His tongue slid into her mouth and she sucked on him, making him groan deep in his chest, his hips thrusting up as she slowly descended. The pleasure exploded along her nerve endings. Never had she felt so close to a man she had just met, a shocking intimacy that found its way through that crack she’d allowed in her armor. This gentle, beautiful warrior.

  “Harper, awww…babe.” He twisted beneath her, his breathing labored. She could tell by his soft moans and his rapid breathing that he was close, really close. She rode him faster as the intensity of her release slammed into her and the spasms started in an ecstatic rush of deep contractions. He thrust hard into her. With a soft cry, he jackknifed and moaned as he climaxed.

  She collapsed against him, their labored breathing the only sound in the room. She started to slip off him, worried about his shoulder and his hip, but his arms wrapped around her and held her in place.

  He buried his face in the hollow of her shoulder, rubbing his face against her. She wanted to savor the magic for hours, didn’t want to move at all, but they had to. Damn Tripp.

  After a moment, she pushed up on her elbows and stared down into his dark eyes. “Now it’s time to pay the piper.”

  He sighed. He wrapped a wet lock of her hair around his finger. “Have you dated him?”

  She kissed his forehead, trying to avoid the question.

  “Harper?”

  “Yes, dammit, I’ve dated him. It was before I knew what he really wanted. I thought…it doesn’t matter what I thought. I was wrong.” She thought he would be the man she could have had a deep, abiding relationship with, but he’d proved another big disappointment. Now that she had Caleb to compare to him, she understood why.

  His eyes hardened. “I don’t like it that he hurt you.”

  “He didn’t exactly hurt me. I would have to had some feelings for him and, believe me, my heart never took that trip.”

  He tugged on her hair, bringing her mouth closer to his, brushing his lips against hers. She pressed a kiss to that sexy mouth. “He’s no damn prince.”

  “What about you?”

  “I’m more like the court jester here.”

  She laughed. This man…this wonderful man…made her want things with him that were so complicated. She sighed. “We’d better get going.”

  He nodded and kissed her several more times before letting her go.

  “I’ll go down the hall and get you some dry clothes. Blow dry your hair while I’m gone.”

  When she got back, his hair was dry. The impact of him hadn’t lessened. Even in the expansive space of her bedroom he seemed to take up all the available space and oxygen. She handed him the articles of clothing, but didn’t let go.

  He gave her a wry smile. “Can’t get dressed if you don’t let go, princess.”

  She sighed heavily. “You should be arrested.”

  “For what?” he said.

  “The way you look…it’s criminal.”

  He stepped closer to her, that sinful smile turning into a knowing grin. “You going to cuff me, lady? Make a citizen’s arrest?”

  “Don’t tempt me.”

  Parting her robe, he slid his arm behind her back, jerking her forward and up against his naked body so that they were skin-to-skin close. He touched her hair, then leaned down and kissed her, firmly, deeply. The clothes dropped to the rug as her hands came up to brace gently on his heavy chest muscles. His mouth was demanding and still a bit needy. And she lost herself in the heat of him. Was this what it was like to swoon? She swayed against him, her knees going weak.

  When he leaned back, she said, “Okay, can I borrow your cuffs? Now?”

  “Don’t think so. I have a feeling I wouldn’t get outta here anytime soon.” He thickened his Bronx accent and wiggled his eyebrows.

  “You really did earn your badge.”

  He laughed and dipped down and picked up the clothes. He held up the jeans. “Can’t your brother afford jeans that aren’t ripped?”

  “They came that way.”

  He shook his head and slipped them on, more careful of his shoulder this time.

  “If Tripp sees you like this, will he ask questions?”

  Caleb shrugged. “I don’t give a damn what he thinks.”

  “I do. I don’t want this to affect your job. I know for a fact that Tripp can be a vindictive bastard when he doesn’t get his way.”

  “Ah, you do know him.”

  “I’ll get your clothes back to you.”

  “We good?” He didn’t move. Just stared down into her eyes and something inside her shifted again. The concern and remorse for upsetting her were there in his eyes. This tough-as-nails man was simply melting her resolve to keep this unemotional.

  “Yes, I think so. Damn good, in fact.”

  He smirked. “No, you? Us?

  “Yes, I just thought you were…”

  “No Harper, I wouldn’t ever think that about you.”

  She nodded.

  “I’m sorry I m
ade you cry. I can’t handle that.”

  She laughed. “I don’t cry often, if that helps.”

  “It doesn’t.”

  “Jeffrey is probably working on the limo in the parking garage. Today’s his scheduled maintenance day. There’s a back service elevator that will take you away from the library.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yes. I am. Wonderful, in fact.”

  “You sure?

  “Yes, go. Oh, and take this,” she pushed an envelope into his hand.

  He pressed his forehead to hers and captured her eyes. “I’m going on the record here and saying this is still a mistake. If I had any sense, I would turn this case over to someone else and stay away from you.”

  “Please don’t,” the words were out of her mouth before she could stop them. She rarely pleaded, and she never let her fear keep her from doing something that she wanted to do. That would make her weak. She wasn’t sure if that made her stupid, too.

  “I won’t. I can’t now. I want to find the bastards who stole from you, even if it has to do with a damn dog collar.”

  “It’s more than that. Those pieces…mean something to me.”

  “You didn’t say the pieces had a sentimental value. I’m sorry I acted like such an ass the first day I met you.”

  “Stereotypes are stereotypes for a reason, Caleb.”

  “Yeah, I guess they are.”

  “You still owe me time in my world, though.”

  He breathed a heavy sigh. “Oh, how will I manage without any bar fights?”

  She caressed the bruises down his arm. “That sounds like a good plan for you, but you might not want to get too smug too quickly.”

  “Why is that?”

  “It’s a Fairy Tea Party.”

  “Oh Kee-rist.”

  “With ten-year-old girls.”

  “Geez.”

  “The wings are optional. The invitation is in that envelope with the list.”

  “What? For crying out loud.”

  “What’s the matter?” she asked. “Your wings at the cleaners with your brass knuckles?”

  He narrowed his eyes at her and there was that irascible cop look.

  “Oh, I know what it is. You can’t handle a bunch of fairies.”

  He growled and dug into her sides and she gasped in surprise and hopped back out of his reach.

  Then she got caught in his heated gaze as it moved over her face, then down her throat where it lingered, then settled heavily on her breasts, over her flat stomach, sliding down the long length of her legs.

  “I’ll see you for lunch after I question your employees.”

  “Just don’t scare Juliana with your cop look. Okay?”

  “I don’t terrorize sweet, hard-working girls. Just hot as hell Social Register members.”

  He turned and left, and finally Harper felt like she could breathe. She’d never experienced anything like Caleb Shaw, but all she could think was that she wanted lots more. Whether that was wise or not…she wasn’t sure she gave a damn.

  #

  Okay, so he was going from Harper’s bed to questioning her two employees. That meant he had to engage his brain. Hell, did he even have one, or had she totally blown his mind to bits? He hadn’t meant to lose himself like that. But, as many times as he tried to convince himself otherwise, he just kept getting this stupid smile on his face.

  He intended to read nothing into it.

  When he hit the garage, he exited and took a deep breath, making a great effort to get all those curves and that face—and her hair, the way she cried out when he was deep inside her—all out of his head.

  “Yeah, right.” It hadn’t been the best idea to follow her to her shower, but he’d hurt her when he’d totally hadn’t meant to. The look on her face had wounded him, and he couldn’t say why. She had been so sweet to him, so worried about his injury.

  So, following her to her room to apologize and convince her it wasn’t what he’d meant seemed, at the time, the most logical thing to do. But he wasn’t so sure he’d been driven by logic as much as he’d been driven by something else…something taking shape and building that he’d been afraid he’d destroyed.

  When he’d walked into her bathroom, and seen her crying in the shower, something came over him that he’d never felt before. He hadn’t given it a second’s thought before he took her in his arms to soothe her. But all that skin, all that beauty and vulnerability took him down.

  When a man had a naked woman in his arms who was melting all over him, ready to take him inside, especially if that man thought she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen and her mouth was sweet, and her hands were on him, and he knew deep in his heart just how good it was going to be between the two of them? All that was left was surrender.

  He recognized her limo and the driver leaning under the hood. “Mr. Stevens.”

  The chauffeur looked up and met Caleb’s eyes. “Detective. What can I do for you?”

  “Just routine questions about the breakin.”

  “Sure.” He wiped his hands on a greasy cloth.

  “I didn’t know you were a mechanic, too.”

  “No, I’m not a mechanic. Just checking the oil and fluids.”

  “Ah, do you live on the premises?”

  “Yes, Ms. Mendoza and I live here with Ms. Sinclair.”

  “Where were you on the day of the breakin?”

  “I was also in Vegas with a friend since we had some time off while Ms. Sinclair was away.”

  “A friend?”

  “Yes, that’s right.”

  “Name?”

  He took a breath and looked away. He didn’t want to answer. Caleb studied him while he debated on whether or not he was going to give him a name. His movements were controlled and he carried himself like a man who was always aware of his surroundings. His eyes were sharp and direct.

  “I need to corroborate your whereabouts.”

  “Ms. Sinclair is not aware that Juliana…Ms. Mendoza and I are…dating.”

  “Is that against her rules?”

  “Not really. Harper wouldn’t care.”

  “That’s the second time you’ve called her Harper.”

  “That’s her name.” He turned and closed the hood. “Look, I had nothing to do with the breakin, and neither did Juliana. I’m pretty sure Mrs. Crumb isn’t drugging poodles and cracking safes, either.”

  Caleb looked down at the list Harper provided him. “What about Jason Marshall?”

  “He’s seventeen and he cleans the pool. He’s one of Harper’s kids.”

  “Kids?”

  “Yes, she supports the children’s cancer wing of Mercy hospital. He’s a survivor. He lives with his mom and cleans pools in the city for extra money. He’s a good, hard-working kid.”

  Caleb was getting a distinct vibe off this guy, like he knew how to handle himself. He wondered if he doubled as a bodyguard. But his story seemed solid. “Okay, thanks for your time. If you think of anything at all that could help in this investigation, please call me.”

  He nodded and took Caleb’s card and tucked it into his wallet. For a split second, Caleb thought he was going to say something, but then he turned away.

  He headed back up the elevator and tracked down Juliana Mendoza, who watched him like he was the boogey man come to life. He had to interview her very gently, but got the same story from her that he had from Jeffrey Stevens. And, Mrs. Crumb. Well, let’s just say he couldn’t possibly suspect her after she gave him one of her freshly baked chocolate chip cookies and a cold glass of milk. He’d teased her with the whole ‘bribing an officer of the law’ thing, and she’d given him a wink, telling him it would be their little secret.

  He’d get Shane to interview the kid on Monday.

  #

  “This lobster is fabulous, Harper. My compliments to the cook,” Tripp said.

  She could barely register what he was saying because Caleb kept giving her heated looks. He looked so good in her brother’
s clothes, especially the ripped-up jeans. But he’d looked really good out of them, too, in her room, on her bed, inside her. Her body heated just thinking about him.

  Harper realized that Tripp was looking at her expectantly and she smiled at him, dragging her eyes away from Caleb’s. “Thank you. I’ll mention that to her.”

  His eyes narrowed and he threw a glance at Caleb, who was now focusing on his lobster salad.

  “So, Shaw, what are you doing here on the weekend?

  “Just interviewing the staff, sir.”

  “Yes, about the breakin,” Harper added.

  Tripp looked at her and then at him. “Conscientious of you.” He sounded skeptical, probably because of the hour-long wait. He scrutinized her.

  She was worried he was feeling the sexual tension between them. It was almost palpable. Even her mouth tingled and felt swollen.

  “Any leads?”

  “A few. The street is starting to speak to me.”

  “How about Harper’s employees?”

  “The housekeeper and the chauffeur look clean, but Mrs. Crumb. There’s something shifty about her.”

  The joke went right over Tripp’s head. “You think she had something to do with it? Seriously, that little old lady?”

  Harper giggled and Caleb gave her a mischievous grin and a wink.

  Tripp bristled. “Ah, you’re joking. Very funny.”

  She could tell he didn’t find it amusing at all.

  “And after this. What are planning to do?”

  “I have to shop for appropriate attire…” He looked at Harper. “…for a function I am attending.”

  It was her turn to smile and wink.

  After lunch, Tripp lingered, but there was no reason for Caleb to stay.

  “I’ll walk Caleb out and then I’ll be back.”

  At the front door, she touched his arm. “I’ll help you shop if you’d like.”

  “Why? You think I don’t know how to dress myself for hoity-toity parties?”

  “No, that’s not it. I just want to see you again.”

  “You do, huh?” She looked like she wanted to kiss him, and he wanted to kiss her in the worst way, but he stepped back. “The stores you are accustomed to don’t really fit into my budget.”