Some Like It in Handcuffs

by Warner, Christine

  Her gaze snapped up to meet his and she sighed. “You’re wrong. Even Roxanne’s obit said she was mourned by family, co-workers and her fiancé, another detective from the force.” Her lips compressed. “Sounds like Judson to me.”

  “Is Judson the only detective in the precinct?” Craig shook his head and grinned. “She was engaged to a detective, but it wasn’t Judson.”

  Sunny blinked several times, her jaw softened. “What…what do you mean it wasn’t Judson?” If she pushed Judson away over a misunderstanding, she’d never forgive herself.

  “Have you heard of detective Stephan Giles?”

  “Sounds familiar.” Like a rolodex, her mind flipped through names until she recalled the conversation with Judson in his apartment. “That’s the guy who let Judson stay at his apartment.”

  “That’s the one. He was a detective on the force for years. After his fiancée, Roxanne DeWitt was killed; he retired and started working as a security consultant for several overseas businesses’. Rumor has it he’s a success.”

  “What—” Oh no, she messed up big time. If her assumptions ruined any chance of making it right with Judson…

  Craig patted Sunny’s arm. “Makes you rethink a few things doesn’t it, sis?”

  This whole time she’d been wrong. What a fool. Her heart started with a jolt. If he had never been involved with Roxanne, then it could only mean one thing. There would be room in his heart for love. Her love. If she hadn’t killed any feelings he might have for her by turning him away time and time again.

  The heavy dread filling her chest for so many weeks disappeared. She stood a chance to win his love, and it was a chance she wanted to go for.

  A patrol car pulled up to the curb and honked. “Duty calls. Will you be okay walking back to the precinct? Dad or Derek can give you a ride home.” Craig signaled his partner sitting behind the wheel to give him a minute before he turned his attention back to her.

  “Yeah…yeah, sounds good. I need to get home. I have a flight to book on the next plane to Montana. Judson’s right, we need to talk.” Sunny smiled at her brother, a new determination filled her from head to foot. Hopefully Judson wouldn’t turn her away like she’d done to him. She shook her head. No way. The state of Montana’s population would increase by one until he agreed to see her.

  Craig bent to kiss her cheek at the same time he pulled his cell from his pocket. “Have a good flight, sis.” He dashed to the squad car, took his seat and waved as they shot from the curb.

  Her heart crashed against her chest at the thought of seeing Judson again. The possibilities of what the future held not only scared her, but excited her. If she focused enough on the positives, only good would be the end result. Right?

  Chapter Seventeen

  Sunny’s lighthearted mood put a bounce in her step. Her cheeks grew sore from the ear to ear smile she delivered everyone she passed on the sidewalk. If she wouldn’t come across looking like some silly schoolgirl running down the pavement, she would’ve, just so she could get home and book her flight to Montana sooner. Judson would see her. She wouldn’t take no for an answer.

  When she rounded the first corner the wail of sirens from the precinct a couple of blocks away caused her to stop and turn, as did several other pedestrians on the sidewalk. The piercing blare grew closer. Even though the sunlight overhead glared bright, the flash of lights came into sight, growing ever closer. Three police cars barreled down the street in her direction.

  Adrenaline thumped through her. Wide eyed she glanced around the downtown district to see if she could tell where they were headed. She swallowed hard as they angled to a stop at the curb in front of her.

  With her hand to her throat she sank back against the plate glass window behind her, eyes darting around as the people near her backed away. Her fingers clutched at her throat before she remembered her necklace had been lost during her struggle with Vivian. No more could she rely on its comfort.

  A grim faced police officer stepped from the middle patrol car. He fingered the weapon anchored to his hip, and sauntered toward her.

  “Sunny Kennedy?”

  She cowered at his baritone voice. Unable to speak, she tried a second time to swallow as she bobbed her head up and down.

  “Miss, I need you to come with me.”

  “What…what’s this about officer?” Finally, her voice flipped on. She gazed at him, trying to stay calm.

  “I’m not at liberty to say, miss. Come with me please.”

  A sudden burst of cocky confidence gave Sunny the strength she needed to pop her hip then tap the pavement with her foot. “I think, officer, you might want to call the station and speak with my father. Captain Ray Kennedy.”

  The officer standing alongside the other patrol car smirked, and Sunny frowned when the two other officers’ inside the third car ignored what was going on as they sipped their coffee and chatted. This made no sense.

  “I don’t know anything about that, miss. I’m sure once you get to the station you can clear it up.”

  “But—”

  “Will you come willingly, or do I need to cuff you?”

  “I don’t understand what’s going on. Do you know who—”

  Officer Straight Face released the handcuffs from his belt loop. Sunny bit her inside cheek to keep quiet. She thrust her wrists forward, frowning when the cuffs clicked over them.

  Within minutes of arriving at the precinct, the officer led Sunny through the front room. It was deserted. They headed toward the area where the detectives were housed, and at this time of day, during shift change, she wondered where everyone had gone. Everything was so quiet if a cricket chirped, she’d hear it.

  She tripped on her shoe lace as she turned toward the officer. Her mouth opened then closed, knowing he wouldn’t answer any of her questions. Something odd was going on.

  As the officer ushered her into the interrogation room, a prickle of unease flecked her skin. She stood in the same room she’d been in all those weeks back when she’d met Judson.

  “Someone will be with you shortly.” With controlled movements the officer removed her cuffs then closed the door.

  Sunny rubbed her wrists and glanced around the familiar room before she pulled out a chair to sit. This must involve her brothers. She bent to tie her shoe, unable to figure out what they were up too. They’d accepted her work, congratulated her on a job well done, and offered her full access to their records when she worked her next case.

  The door opened, closed and latched shut as a leather clad foot, about a size twelve, came into view from underneath the table.

  With bated breath Sunny straightened, her gaze following the gray pant legs up to the badge clipped on a narrow waist, hands with neat trimmed fingernails rested on the hips of a broad shouldered, dark haired man with a lopsided grin and a tuft of hair fanning his forehead.

  Judson.

  After all these weeks his hair had grown to a respectable length. Her stomach flip flopped when he brushed his hand through the thick strands, pulling it from his face. Within seconds it settled once again over his forehead.

  He flashed his blue-gray eyes over her. His gaze traveled—ever so slowly—from the top of her head to the soles of her sneakers. Heat followed his inspection. With a casual gait he strolled to stand in front of her in two long strides. He exuded confidence and power.

  Glad she remained seated, her knees quaked then knocked together. She forced herself to blink and focus in on his handsome face. Damn, I’ve missed him.

  ****

  Damn, I’ve missed her.

  He hadn’t realized how much until she sat staring up at him. Thinner, with dark shadows under her wide eyes, they matched his own. But unlike him, it gave her a look of delicate innocence. The blue button down knit top matched the electric shade of her eyes. His fingers dug into his palms in an effort to stop himself from dragging her into his arms and kissing her until neither of them could breathe.

  “Judson, what—”

>   He held up his hand. “Ah ah ah, I don’t want to break out the muzzle.”

  Sunny’s eyes twinkled. She thrust out her chin and exaggerated the biting movement of clamping her lips closed.

  “Good. Glad to see we understand each other.” With controlled ease Judson sat on the table top in the direct line of her gaze.

  He brushed away the hair covering his eyes as he gazed at her upturned face. He was in no mood to have his view of Sunny obstructed.

  Although she appeared relaxed, the pulse at the base of her neck gave her away. He continued his visual exploration, memorizing every feature on her breathtaking face from the curve of her cheek to the tick of emotion crossing her face. But when she flicked her tongue to wet her lips, the swell against his zipper forced him to stand and move across the room. If he wanted to get any words out he better keep a safe distance.

  The beat of his heart matched the rhythm of an athlete finishing a triathlon. His hand shook at the idea of saying what he’d been waiting to say for weeks. Even though Craig assured him she felt the same way for him as he did for her, he couldn’t get over the case of nerves invading his body.

  “I have a few things I want to say—”

  “Me too,” she said.

  “But I want to say them without any interruptions. Clear?”

  She nodded.

  “First off I want you to know you did a helluva job on the case. You worked hard and not only proved yourself to your family and me, but all the guys in the department.”

  A slow smile spread across her lips and her stubborn chin tilted with pride.

  “After what happened to Rox I wasn’t thrilled about a woman choosing this career, and even less thrilled with having her be my partner. You really helped me work through it, Sunny. Male or female, you proved anyone with drive, ambition and inner strength could do this job. Knowledge comes as you go. I’m proud of you.”

  “Thanks. That means a lot to me, Judson.”

  He held up his hand. “Next, I want you to know while we were working together, the feelings I had in the beginning changed. At first I thought you’d be a lead weight to drag me down, always having to watch over you and explain things you’d never understand. Again, you proved me wrong. You took the lead and even though I’ve been a detective for years, I learned a few things from you. I now not only believe in gut instincts, but a woman’s intuition.”

  “I did mess up in thinking Slater killed Karina.”

  “It was an easy mistake to make, but it all worked out. Glen has his answers and the case is solved.”

  “Thanks to Slater and Maggie.”

  Judson nodded. “You’re very thorough and you deserve the recognition for a job well done.”

  “There’s no way I could’ve done it without you.”

  “And finally,” he swallowed then cleared his throat. “I’ve missed you, Wildcat.”

  “You’re not the only one.” Sunny rose from her seat, her gaze locked onto his. She moved toward him with slow, even steps.

  Her words, paired with her shiny eyes and tongue kissed lips shook him to the core. Judson backed against the wall and held his hand up so she’d stop.

  “Give me a minute, woman.”

  She stopped and frowned.

  Judson shook his head. “I didn’t say I don’t want you in my arms. I do, but if you’re wrapped around me like a warm blanket on a cold winter night I’ll never be able to get out what I need to say.”

  Sunny issued a sultry giggle. “Am I making you nervous, detective?”

  “I don’t know if I’d call it nervous, maybe more like—”

  “Anxious, excited, breathless…”

  “Lovesick.” As his word registered with Sunny’s brain his heart melted at the look on her face. Her teasing eyes and smile were replaced by a heated expression. She grabbed the back of the nearest chair as if to steady herself. Then damn it if she didn’t flick that darn tongue over her lips again.

  “What did you say?”

  “You heard me.” He stepped toward her, wrapping her in his arms, reveling in the feel of the small tremors dancing across each part of the skin he touched. “If you need me to say it again, I will. I’ll tell you I love you every hour of every day until you’re sick of hearing it.”

  Sunny ran her hand down the side of his cheek. “I’d never get tired of hearing it. I love you too. I love you more than you’ll ever know, or understand.”

  Judson lifted her from the floor as she arched her neck back to meet his mouth with her own soft, ready one. Sunny flicked her tongue over his bottom lip as she pulled his head closer to her own. The pressure of his mouth forced hers apart and their tongues met and slowly reacquainted.

  It took several moments before they broke for air, but when they finally did, Sunny spoke first. “What happened to Montana? I had no idea you were still in town.”

  “There was no way I could leave you. After you refused to see me at the hospital I was more determined than ever to wait you out. I can be just as stubborn as you.”

  Sunny brushed her fingertips along his jaw. Her touch did crazy things not only to his heart, but his attention span.

  “I turned down the position on the reservation.”

  “You were just biding your time?”

  “Derek assured me you’d see me…eventually.” He ran his hand through his hair. “It took a lot longer than I expected.”

  Sunny giggled. “The Kennedy’s are a stubborn bunch. I couldn’t risk seeing you, not if I wanted to get over you.”

  “Get over me?” He stopped tracing the heart shaped pattern he drew over and over on the back of her neck.

  “After we made love I thought you felt guilty, like you’d cheated on Roxanne. I couldn’t compete with a dead woman’s memory. I made my mind up right then. As soon as we finished the case you needed to leave so I could start to heal my heart.”

  Judson ran several light kisses along the side of her temple as she spoke. “And that’s why you refused to see me in the hospital.”

  “I had it all wrong. Some investigator I am, at least when it comes to matters of the heart.”

  “I had no idea you thought Rox and I were involved until Craig told me.”

  She ran her fingers through the back of his hair. “I take it Craig called you after him and I talked today?”

  “From the way he told it, he was dialing my number as they were pulling away from the curb.”

  Sunny giggled, resting her forehead against his chin.

  “I’m sorry we wasted so much time over a misunderstanding.”

  “Me too.” With slow movements she raised her head and touched her lips to his.

  After a few moments he pulled away, although their lips still lingered. “But what about after you’d been shot? You asked me to leave so you’d be happy.”

  Sunny shook her head. “No, now you’re the one that has it wrong. I wanted you to go to Montana, so you’d be happy. It killed me that you were leaving, but I only ever want your happiness, Judson. It comes before mine.”

  Judson cupped the back of her head in his hand and drank from her honey sweet lips in deliberate slowness. Savoring the feel and taste of her. His heart filled with love at her words.

  “I’m sorry about Roxanne and your pain,” Sunny said when he let her breathe again.

  “Guilt over Rox hit me so hard because not only did I lose a good friend and partner, but I took her away from my friend, her fiancé.”

  “It’s not your fault.”

  “I know. You showed me that. You and Rox are a lot alike. You helped me to see she wanted to be treated like everyone else on the force, not like a woman, but a detective.”

  “But I know it’s still hard. It’s never easy to lose someone you care about,” Sunny murmured.

  “After we made love, I was unsure of where we stood. I didn’t think I stood a chance. Even though I hadn’t put the L-word to my feelings for you, I knew I couldn’t lose you.”

  “You’ll never lose m
e. I hate to break the news, but you’re stuck with me now.” Sunny touched her lips to his in a brief, feather-like kiss.

  “And here I thought you were more focused on your career and I wouldn’t stand a chance of you letting me in.”

  “We’ve wasted so much time, not just personally but professionally,” she said.

  “Is that your way of offering me a job?”

  “More like a partnership.”

  “With fringe benefits.”

  “Detective, what are you suggesting?” He ran his thumb across her bottom lip and relished the light blush that climbed up her neck, glided across her cheeks and became hidden in her hairline.

  “How about we share our lives at the office and at home? As in man and wife.”

  Sunny dragged his mouth down to hers, a soft squeal squeezed passed her lips and she kissed him solidly.

  “I’ll take that as a yes,” Judson said when she released his mouth to take a breath.

  “Definitely.” Sunny stood on her tip toes, her breath fanning across his cheek before she kissed his jaw.

  “When did you know you wanted to stay?” Sunny whispered, her lips trailing heat along his chin.

  Judson grinned and pulled away, gazing into her bright eyes. “As soon as you kicked Derek and me out of your kitchen I knew I didn’t want to lose you. I confessed to your brother on the porch I felt something for you, but I couldn’t put a name to it. I know now why he rolled his eyes and got that ear to ear grin. He knew before I did that I loved you.”

  “Leave it to Derek to be the first one in the know.” Sunny rolled her eyes.

  “How about you, when did you know?”

  “I panicked when you didn’t show up at the bar to pick up the cassette. I kicked myself for not listening to you when you’d called earlier. Mad at myself for trying to teach you and Derek a lesson. Afraid it might have cost me more than I’d imagined. As soon as you walked through the door that night, it was the best moment in my life.”

  Judson’s heart thumped against his chest when Sunny ran her hands up the nape of his neck, caressing his scalp with her fingertips.

  “And to think my meddling family brought us together when they forced you to work with me.” Sunny scooped in a large breath.