ALLOut of Control
Page 21
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No sooner had Officer Handsome left than the phone began to ring, nearly drawing a cry of fright from Emma. She reached for it, watching him with interest from her kitchen window as he sauntered to his cruiser in a sexy gait that made her mouth water. She wasn’t in the market for a man, but she couldn’t help admire his physique. After all, she wasn’t dead. Plus a man in uniform had always held a certain appeal.
Her eyes measured the way his broad shoulders filled out his navy police uniform before running down the straight line of his backside, finally settling on the stretch of material over his taut buttocks. Goodness, he had a nice body. To her mortification he glanced back just as he was getting into his cruiser, catching her ogling him! She quickly stepped back, but not before she saw the white of his crooked grin.
“Hello?” she breathed into the receiver, closing the blinds and ignoring the sudden heat spreading over her body.
“Mom, it’s me. Did someone pick up Cupid’s Arrow yet?”
Emma smiled at the concern in Amanda’s tone. “They’re on their way,” she replied, deciding not to tell her about the mix up. They’d been talking on the phone earlier when Emma had switched to the portable so she could go in search of the too quiet dog.
“Do you want me to come over?”
“Of course not.” She smiled, wondering if Amanda knew how motherly she sounded all of a sudden. Emma could always tell when she had something on her mind. She’d been about to ask her a question earlier when finding Cupid’s Arrow had cut their conversation short.
There was a significant pause before Amanda finally said, “So, what about what we were talking about earlier?”
What were they talking about? Several thoughts came to mind: her upcoming move, shopping, working out. She vaguely remembered Amanda mentioning something right about the time she’d discovered Cupid’s Arrow. “You’ll have to refresh my memory.”
Amanda expelled a heavy sigh. “The policemen’s picnic this Saturday? I asked you if you wanted to go this year.”
Oh, that. Emma rolled her eyes because it wasn’t the first time Amanda had asked her. In fact it seemed the topic came up every time they talked. It occurred to her that Amanda was paying way too much attention to her lack of social life lately, causing her to wonder if she had ulterior motives behind her invitation. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d tried her matchmaking skills on her.
“Come on, Mom, you’ll have a good time. You need to get out more, you’re not an old maid,” she pleaded, using a tone especially designed for getting her own way as it had many times in the past. “It’s been two years,” she reminded Emma, not needing to say more.
Emma knew Amanda was trying to be kind so didn’t take offense at her aggressive tone or the wise crack about her age. They were sisters actually, yet with the thirteen year age difference and without their mother around while growing up, Amanda had started calling her “Mom” at an early age and it had just stuck.
“I don’t know,” Emma hedged, not completely convinced she wanted to be around a park full of men high on power and attitude. She’d had enough of that to last a lifetime.
“I don’t want to go alone.”
“Troy will be there,” she pointed out, thinking about Amanda’s boyfriend. These days they hardly went anywhere without each other.
Misunderstanding her reluctance, Amanda offered, a little too eagerly, “Well, what if I hook you up with…”
Emma eyes grew round; she wasn’t ready to be hooked up with anyone. Yet that didn’t stop the vision of a sexy policeman’s face from flashing before her eyes. Would he be there? Stratton was a small town yet they’d never run into each other before. However, in the next instant she shook her head with disgust. “Forget it,” she broke in, panic over the thought making her heart miss a beat. “If you’re planning on playing match maker then I’m definitely not going.” Leaning her hip against the kitchen counter, she looked at the various size boxes running along the counter top while thinking about all the work she still had to do. “I’m not finished packing and the movers…”
“I was joking and you have plenty of time for that. I’ll come over and help you. Will you go or not?”
Emma smiled at the impatience and persistence in Amanda’s tone. These days she had to remind herself that her little sister was all grown up and living on her own. Well, when she wasn’t staying at Troy’s, which was more often than not lately. She didn’t understand why they just didn’t move in together and make it official.
“Give me the details.” It wasn’t as if Amanda was asking her to take a ride over Niagara Falls or something. Emma didn’t have the heart to turn her down, or the energy to think up an excuse that would justify her not going. Besides, it was time she started getting out and doing things again.
“Great! You won’t be sorry,” she made the mistake of replying enthusiastically.
Emma’s brows rose with mild concern. “Well I hope not; this is just a picnic, isn’t it?” she cut in. “Or did you miss my little comment about not setting me up?”
“That’s not what I meant,” Amanda rushed out. “You’re so suspicious,” she went on with an obvious smile in her tone. “The policemen’s picnic is always a lot of fun. The whole town turns out for it. There will be a ball game and tons of good food…”
Emma’s mouth turned down, thinking about her widening waistline. She wasn’t fat, but lately she’d put on a few extra pounds and the mention of tons of good food wasn’t exactly what she wanted to hear. Maybe if she worked doubly hard at the gym the next couple of days she could afford to indulge a little on the weekend.
In the end she found herself agreeing to meet Amanda on Saturday, at ten, at the park behind the police station. She thought about the last time she’d gone to a picnic, realizing at least twelve years had passed. That is if joining Amanda at school for lunch one day and eating on the playground qualified as a picnic.
* * * *
By the time Saturday arrived, Emma was almost looking forward to it. However, when it came time to dress, she found herself in a real dilemma. Her picnic attire options were practically non-existent. Amanda had often accused her of dressing older than her age. After standing in her walk-in closet for twenty minutes she was inclined to finally agree with her. She scanned the row of dresses and skirts. For the first time it occurred to her she’d been dressing to please Richard all those years. How could she not have realized it before now?
Memories flashed through her mind as early as when they’d been dating. He’d always preferred her to dress conservatively and feminine. Thinking about her ex caused Emma to pause from what she was doing for a moment. Two years had gone by since their amicable divorce. She wondered how long it would take to wipe away the memory of being with the same man for ten years. At least thinking about him and his betrayal with another woman wasn’t as painful anymore. She actually hoped he was happy finally, because she certainly hadn’t been able to make him happy.
They’d sold their restaurant business and most of their joint holdings, splitting everything right down the middle. Once the divorce was final Richard hadn’t wasted any time in marrying his little waitress, who was twelve years his senior, and leaving town. The last she heard they were living in the sunshine state.
The house was the last asset between them and Emma had been allowed to live in it until it was sold. However, that all changed once she’d signed the papers two days ago. Now there was nothing left to prove they’d even been married. She hadn’t kept so much as a single photo of just the two of them together. She gave herself a little shake, annoyed for letting Richard monopolize her thoughts again. He was history. She was looking forward to moving into her new town house down at the lake.
Reaching for an old pair of jeans hanging at the back of the closet, Emma wondered why she’d kept them. A long time had gone by since she’d had a reason to wear them, recalling she’d only purchased them to go on a weekend camping trip with Amanda and her class one
year. Ten years and at least ten pounds ago… Doubts surfaced that she’d be able to get into them as she yanked them off the hanger. By the time she managed to work them over her hips and zip them up, she was gasping as if just running a mile on the treadmill.
She stepped out of the closet, facing the full-length mirror on the back of the bedroom door. Her mouth turned down at the picture she presented in skintight jeans and lacy bra. Maybe an over-sized shirt would help complete the look she was going for. A quick glance at the clock on the dresser revealed it was nine-thirty and she was running out of time. Well, who was she hoping to impress anyway? She quickly slipped the jeans back off and took a pair of scissors to them, cutting them off at mid thigh before grabbing the ends of her shirt and tying them together at her waist. Sighing at her reflection, she slipped into a pair of sneakers, grabbed her purse and keys and headed for the door.
Amanda wasn’t going to recognize her.
****Author’s note: KISS ME was previously published as Cupid’s Arrow under the author’s real name with publisher Whiskey Creek Press. ****
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tory Richards often describes herself as a grandma who likes to read and write smut. Known for her smokin’ hot erotic romances, she’s also penned erotic paranormals, and contemporary suspense romance. Writing is a hobby for Tory. It thrills her to be able to share her stories, and she loves seeing her characters come to life with each new book cover. Though published with a few epubs like Ellora’s Cave and Liquid Silver Books, she also self-publishes her stories on Smashwords. All of Tory’s books are available on Amazon.
Tory began writing short stories on notebook paper when she was only ten. At thirteen she received her first manual typewriter, a few years later an electric one, and not until she was forty-five did she get her first computer. For many years writing was a secret hobby as well as therapy for Tory. She didn’t submit to a publisher until her daughter and niece encouraged her to pursue her dreams. Her first book, Cupid’s Arrow (under her real name) AKA Kiss Me (under her pen name) was on the publisher’s best sellers list for two consecutive months. First chapter is included with this book.
Originally from Maine, Tory has spent most of her life in Florida. She’s retired from Disney and spends her time between family, friends and writing. Besides writing her likes include: spoiling her grandchildren, any kind of sandwich, sweet iced tea, good coffee, traveling, going to the movies, watching Syfy, taking care of her four cats, and naps.
She loves to hear from readers so you can email her at: toryrichards60@gmail.com.
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Author’s other books:
Up in Flames
Her Hands-On Man
Passionate Encounters
Yield to Me
Breathless Surrender
Talk Dirty to Me
Serve and Submit Series
The Evans Brothers Trilogy
The Perfect Fit
Hot Spot
The Promise
Out of Control
Happy Birthday Baby!
Touch Me
Scent of a Wolf’s Mate
The Mating Ritual
Bishop’s Angel
Wicked Desire
All the Right Moves
The Mercenary Way
Nothing but Trouble
Burning Hunger
Surrender to Desire
Instant Attraction