CUFF ME Daddy: A Single Dad, Police Officer Romance

by Rye Hart

  With the event going on I was forced to stay in the back of the bar with my old league buddies away from Cash, but somehow I didn’t think he minded. I’d watched him for a good solid thirty minutes holding a conversation with a blonde who was so interested in him she was practically laying across the bar to get his attention. At least her breasts were.

  So what if he was the sexiest man I’d seen around in years? Rick had been the hottest man once too, and look how that had turned out.

  I watched the team’s best shooter, Adam, take another shot and held my breath that he wouldn’t miss. The shot was a tricky one, but he made it, and everyone cheered. I had drunk so much beer that I was about to pop, but the buzz was good and strong. I usually didn’t drink at work, but with everything taking place in my mind that was how I kept myself together.

  I went to the bathroom and found Ms. Blondie leaned over the sink refreshing her lip gloss, so I got my business done and hurried out. I didn’t do confrontation. Lu didn’t tolerate it, especially when it came to the customers, no matter who they were flirting with. Besides, what did I care if Cash was falling all over himself to chat it up with her? I walked out to see he’d traded Ms. Blondie for Ms Brunette. He was buffing the spots off a glass and laughing at whatever she was saying.

  I went back to the table and sat with Adam, who was looking at the score sheets with his wife, Linda. I tried to get Penny’s attention, but she and Tammy were swamped. I crossed the room to the bar, determined to get my own drink.

  Cash was laughing with Blondie and Brunette, so I walked around the bar and nudged him aside to get to the ice bin. “Hey,” he said reaching for my glass. “Let me get that for you.”

  “I can manage,” I said coldly. His eyes met mine, and he seemed a bit surprised by my tone. The two girls turned their heads and whispered to one another, but neither dared to say anything.

  He raised his hands and backed away. “I only wanted to help. You’ve been busy all night, so I thought I’d give you a hand.” I had my glass filled and had already taken a drink before he stopped rambling, but instead of saying anything I glared and then walked away.

  I didn’t need anything from him, and I returned to my seat before giving him a second look, and sure enough, I found him chatting with the girls again. His head lifted as he glanced across the room at me, but I turned my head.

  I was a fool to get so close to him, and I could only imagine what kind of girl he thought I was. I’d even offered to blow him, which made things even worse. Now he was expecting I’d want more and even though maybe I had before, seeing that he was just another flirty bartender really did me in. Not to mention, I was his damn boss.

  What was I thinking?

  At the end of the night, the tournament was over, and I announced the winner as well as last call. The winning team got a round on the house, and the two girls were headed out to the parking lot.

  I fanned my face which was hot from the alcohol I’d drank, and I knew I had probably over done it with the celebratory shots that Adam had bought before my announcement. I walked behind the bar to grab a piece of ice and walked to the storeroom to run it across my neck and forehead. That’s when I heard a commotion of cheers and my brother’s name and voice fill the room. I glanced out to see Scott, and then I ducked back into the storeroom. That’s all I needed. Lu had ducked out early not liking the noise from the tournament, and now Scott and his asshole friends were here with me half lit.

  I stayed back while the bar cleared out and then I heard footsteps. I looked up expecting Scott, but instead it was Cash. I let out a huff of air and turned my head, but he walked right up and stopped in front of me.

  “What’s wrong, Starla? You’ve been drinking the night away and I can tell you’re pissed off about something, but I have no idea why.” His brows furrowed, and he put his hands on my arms.

  I pulled away. “I can handle my liquor, and I think it’s best we stay away from each other.”

  “Why? Last night you didn’t seem to think that? What’s changed?” He seemed sincere, but I knew his type. He’d probably do the same thing to any girl who would bat her lashes his way.

  “You didn’t seem to miss a beat without me around so what’s it matter?”

  He reached for me, but I pushed him away.

  “What the hell’s going on here?” Scott’s voice sounded over Cash’s shoulder, and I looked up to see that his eyes were wild with anger. “Is this guy bothering you?”

  I didn’t want the two to tie into it and mostly because I didn’t want Cash to lose his job or my brother to lose his teeth. “It’s fine; this is our new bartender, Cash Lange.”

  “I don’t give a fuck who he is.” Scott pushed Cash’s shoulder, and I stood between them. “You keep your hands off my sister.”

  Cash didn’t seem fazed, but I was pissed. I got in Scott’s face. “I said nothing happened. You know it’s a little late to start caring now!”

  Scott pointed a finger at me. “You’re drunk. Lu know you’ve been knocking back tonight?”

  “Lu’s at home asleep. You’d know what was going on around here if you bothered to call. She’s been leaving early every night lately. Says it’s the noise, but we both know it’s her health. She can’t keep doing this; she needs our help. I need your help.”

  “Clear this place out. I’ve got business here tonight. You go home and sleep off this buzz. I don’t want to talk to you while you’re like this.” He had always hated to see me drinking. He never wanted his older sister to step out of line. He gave Cash another glare, but then he walked out. I stood in the door watching Penny and Tammy clean up as the last patrons finished their drinks.

  “I still don’t understand what I did to piss you off.” I turned to see that Cash was still there behind me.

  “You didn’t do anything, okay. It’s just not going to work out. I’ve got too much going on with my brother and my family, and it’s not your problem. Just go.” I wasn’t going to stand there like a fool telling him he couldn’t talk to the customers and that I’d been aggravated by it. I knew better than to be jealous, but I was falling for him so hard and so fast that it was inevitable that I was going to get hurt.

  I turned and met his eyes, hardened with concern. “My family means everything to me. This is all I’ve ever had, and any future I’ve got is tied right here to this place. I feel like it’s going to slip away, okay? If I don’t focus on what’s going on, I’m going to be so distracted that I’ll wake up and things will be worse than ever. I don’t need a broken heart to go along with that once you realize I’m just another small town dreamer and you’re sick of hanging around.” I let out a long breath and turned to hurry out before I said anything else.

  Thanks to the alcohol, I’d already said too much.

  CHAPTER TEN - CASH

  I had hurried out of the bar leaving Starla to walk home alone. I knew her brother was around, and despite him being a piece of work, he wasn’t going to let anything happen to her. I needed to get back to my motel room so I could listen in on what was being said, and knew anything I missed had been heard by surveillance. They’d set up their mobile unit in the parking lot of the motel. My biggest mission still was ensuring Starla and Lu’s safety and that meant staying focused on the task at hand.

  I stayed up late until finally Scott and his friends left, and it had been a very interesting night. I learned Scott’s friends were no doubt dealing in drugs, and using his bar to cut and package the stuff for street sales. There was also mention of guns and black market trade, but no mention of the man in charge, Kings Mitchell. But from what I read, this was his usual style. Too bad his boys had been trained to keep his name out of their mouths; I needed a clear connection before I could wrap things up.

  The guy was going to use Scott until he couldn’t use him anymore and then he’d probably kill him. That was usually the way in situations like these. Once Scott’s life no longer served a purpose, he’d be killed. What terrified me the most was that
Starla and Lu had probably already seen too much too, and they were at risk. I shivered at the thought but the reality was that the bar would probably be burned to the ground with the three of their bodies in it - if I didn’t get the evidence I needed to get to Kings locked up.

  I was determined not to let harm come to them. Yes Scott would be arrested, but and I could at least save Starla the heartbreak of losing her brother. That’s the best I could hope for, and I didn’t want to think about the worst any further. There was no way I’d let that happen. Not to Lu and Starla. Not to the Starlight – the place I was beginning to think of as a second home.

  I was halfway through a takeout burrito when the chief called. He’d missed his usual early morning assault of questions, and I should’ve known I wouldn’t get through the day without hearing from him.

  “I heard you’re finally getting something from that bug?” He slurped into the phone, and I could only imagine he was sipping coffee.

  “Yeah, the crew was in last night after closing. I sort of pissed Scott off though; he saw that Starla was upset with me and he threatened me to stay away from his sister. I didn’t stick around to let it escalate, but it was hard.”

  “You did the right thing, if anything we want you to befriend him and if Starla Jones is pissed at you, then it’s in your best interest, and everyone’s involved that you smooth things over with her.”

  I had already been contemplating doing just that.

  “I’m on it.”

  “Good, man. I’m proud of the work you’re doing. Keep it up. Oh, and I talked with the men in PR. They said you’re a shoe-in for the job. We want to make sure that’s in the bag for you.”

  “Thank you, Sir.” For some reason, the new position didn’t settle right, and I wasn’t sure if I even wanted it anymore. I thought about my little girl and knew no matter what I had to do something that would allow me to be with her, no matter what.

  I got off the phone with him and got cleaned up. I had been upset about Starla all night. I still wasn’t sure what I’d done but wondered if it had anything to do with those two girls at the bar. They’d been telling me dirty jokes all night, and I was giving them a bit too much attention, though in my defense, it was kind of hard not to when they kept ordering drinks and I was stuck behind the bar with nowhere to go. Okay, so they were good looking, but nothing compared to Starla. She had to know I wasn’t interested in anyone else.

  It was a good five hours until my shift, but I decided to drive out to Starla’s in hopes of getting to talk to her. Not only was I going to try and mend things for the sake of the case, but I didn’t feel good about the way things ended the night before.

  She mentioned how important her family was to her and I needed her to know that I understood. It was important to me too, and I could respect that about her. I knew once the sting was done, she’d know everything and hopefully understand, and maybe then we could work it out somehow if she didn’t end up hating me when all was said and done.

  I pulled into the parking lot and parked in the closest space near her house. She was across the lawn on the porch, and she stopped whatever she was doing and stared my way. God, she was a sight. Her hair was swept up in a loose knot and most of it had escaped. She had on cut- off jeans and a loose white tee that still hugged her breasts even though the cleavage was covered.

  I stepped out of the truck, and she walked to the steps to greet me. There was a smudge of dirt across her cheek and nose, and sweat beaded across her forehead. It was a hot day, and despite her being in the shade, she’d obviously been working hard. I couldn’t help but think I’d sure like to work hard with her.

  “You’re a tad early.” She crossed her arms and leaned against the porch rail. She glared down her nose at me, but I offered her a half-hearted smile anyway.

  “I’d hoped you’d see me, Starla. I wanted to talk about last night.”

  She lifted her shoulder and tucked her chin. “I see you.” But then she seemed to let her guard down and relax as her arms fell to her side. “Come on in. I’ve been cleaning up this porch, and I could use a bit of cool air.” She opened the door to the old shiplap house and stepped inside, and I followed as she headed to the kitchen where there was a long bar. She pulled out a stool and patted its seat as she passed and headed to the fridge.

  “Since you’re off, let me fix you a drink.” She wasn’t asking as she took two tall glasses from the cabinet and filled it with ice. Then she took a large pitcher of lemonade from the fridge and poured me a glass. I looked around the room and realized the house was quite a bit larger than it seemed from the outside. The place was rather nice though, and more updated on the inside than one would think after seeing the bar.

  “Look, about last night, I’m sorry for whatever I did.” I shrugged. “I’m sure I did something?”

  Even with the glass to her lips, I could see her roll her eyes, but then she shook her head as she placed her glass on the bar. “You didn’t do anything. You were just being a guy. The problem is mine. I guess I was feeling a bit nostalgic with the pool tournament and let some old feelings rear their ugly head.”

  I wondered what on earth could have happened in her past to make her so upset.

  “I don’t understand. Can you elaborate?”

  “I used to play with the pool league along with my ex, Rick. We were supposed to get married, but he wanted to take me away from my family and had all these big dreams.” She took another sip of her lemonade and wiped her forehead. So that was the reason for the drinking and all the talk about families. “He got to where he was chasing tail all over the place, the Starlight included, until he finally bailed on me.”

  And that explained the anger. I’d been laughing it up with those women at the bar. Even though we weren’t a couple or anything, considering what had happened, I could understand her being put off by it. “I’m sorry I was talking to those girls, but in my defense, I am sort of a captive audience.”

  “I understand that and don’t be sorry about it. Lu didn’t raise no jealous fool, but I guess I was sure acting like one. The drinks certainly magnified the situation” She covered her face. “I’m sorry about Scott and thanks for not punching him in the mouth.”

  “He’s your brother; I wouldn’t do that. I know how much your family means to you and honestly, Starla, it’s one of the many things I like about you.”

  “Many things, huh?” She lifted her eyes to the ceiling as the color rushed back to her heat-flushed face.

  “Yes. You say that like it surprises you.” Surely she had to know how amazing she was. She took care of her grandmother and taken on all that her brother was supposed to be doing so things didn’t fall apart. She was the glue holding it all together, and she didn’t know how amazing and sexy that was.

  She met my eyes. “Maybe it does.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN - STARLA

  I walked to stand closer to him, but then I noticed some dirt on the back of my hand. I had been digging in the flower pot on the porch before he came. “I’m a mess. I feel like I have dirt all over me.” I looked down at myself and laughed at my dirty knees.

  “Just a little on your face and knees.” He looked down, and my face reddened more. I grabbed the toaster and glanced at my distorted reflection.

  “Why didn’t you tell me sooner? I was tending the flowers on the porch.” My cheeks were burning, and I was sure they were bright red from blush.

  “You’re beautiful to me.” He touched my arm, and I stilled as he pulled me toward him.

  My smile dimmed, and I felt as though he were teasing me. “You’re lying.”

  “I’m not, it’s sexy.” He leaned in closer, only a whisper away. “I love a dirty girl.”

  “Here I am trying to cool off, and you’re only heating me up.” I gave him a nudge.

  “Yeah, I guess I should behave before Lu gets onto me.” He looked around the house and then narrowed his eyes. “Is she here?”

  I shook my head. “She’d gone into town for
a few hours.” I noted the way his brows jogged upward as if a thought crossed his mind.

  “So I guess we’re all alone without a chaperone?” He slipped his arms around me and let them rest against my ass.

  “I’m curious what wicked thoughts are going on inside that head of yours.” I touched my index finger to his forehead as he grinned.

  “Well, now that you’ve hung all over me, I’m all dirty too.” He gave me a teasing look and stood, taking my hand.

  “Hm.” I put a finger to my mouth as if thinking long and hard about something. “You know, I bet Lu will be gone long enough that I’d have time to clean you up. If you’d like me to.” I led him down the hall to my room and into my private bathroom. He closed the door and locked it, even though I knew no one was going to come in, and then he turned and planted a lazy kiss on my lips.

  He tugged at the hem of my shirt, and as I lifted my arms, he pulled it up over my head and tossed it to the floor. I unhooked my bra, and he slipped me free of it, then his fingers worked the buttons on my fly, tugging them until one by one they popped open. Then he tugged them down past my dirty knees, as he fell to his.

  He looked up at me and slipped his thumbs inside my panties, and brought them down nice and slowly. His gaze fell to my mound, and then he leaned forward planting a soft kiss on it, and I shuddered, my knees going weak. He stood, and I stepped free of my shorts and panties, kicking them to the pile with my other things. Then I reached and turned on the shower, setting the hot and cold water to just the right temperature.

  As the room filled up with steam, I worked down his zipper, and as he pulled his jeans off, I worked on his shirt.

  His hard length jutted out, and he wasted no time taking it into his palm. His balls hung heavy, and I looked him over thinking of how good his long, broad shaft would feel once I got past the penetration of his fat, bulbous head. His size was intimidating, but I was up for the challenge.