Partners in Crime (Gambling on Love Book 4)

by M Andrews

  “We are kindred spirits.”

  “Well, well, well, lookie what we have here.” He grabs the picture hidden in the back of the shelf. My cheeks turn a bright red. “You were a cheerleader.” He looks at the picture again then back at me. “You weren’t just a cheerleader, you were the captain. I’m marrying the captain of the cheerleading squad. Dreams really do come true.” He chuckles as he takes the backing off the frame and removes the photo. “This is mine now.”

  I shake my head as he stuffs it into his jacket pocket. “Does somebody have a thing for cheerleaders?” I ask.

  “What horny teenage boy didn’t? You know what this means, right?” He takes a seat on the edge of my bed.

  “And what might that be?” I ask, cocking an eyebrow up at him.

  “You have to do a cheer for me.” He gives me a self-satisfied smile.

  “Are you being serious right now?” My whole body is blushing.

  “I have never been more serious about anything in my life. Just one cheer, please,” he says, flashing me sweet puppy dog eyes.

  “Okay, just one cheer.” I can’t believe I’m doing this. I slide off my sweater, take a breath, and go for it. “Hank, Hank, he’s my man, if he can’t do it no one can.” I roll my arms. “Goooooooooo HANK,” I shout lifting my arms over my head.

  Hank falls back on the bed with laughter. “Babe, that was amazing. I’m going to need that cheer every morning before I leave for work.”

  I straddle his lap. “You should see me do it in my uniform.”

  “Oh, please tell me you still have it.” His cock twitches with excitement under his jeans.

  “Are you getting off on this? Does my man have a cheerleader fetish?” I snort.

  Hank sits up and wraps his arms around me. “I have a Nora fetish.” He runs his tongue up the length of my neck.

  “Mommy, Daddy, what are you doing?” Colby’s head peeks through the baluster of the stairs.

  “Busted again.” We both laugh. “I think we are going to have to get more creative with our hiding spots,” Hank whispers in my ear.

  CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

  Hank

  BRIAN AND I are doing our best not to look directly at the naked woman sitting on the couch in front of us while we ask her questions about her deceased husband. I have seen a lot of crazy shit as a cop, but a murder investigation at a nudist colony is a new one on me.

  We were having lunch in our unmarked car earlier when a naked man came running down the street past our vehicle. Nothing new to us, it happens more often than you would think. Someone has a little too much to drink and suddenly decides they need to remove all their clothes. At the time, we just ignored it, it was not worth the extra paperwork. It wasn’t until later that afternoon when we got the call that said naked guy got gunned down that it became our problem. Never a dull moment at the Second.

  “Mrs. Johnson, we are sincerely sorry about your loss. If you can think of anyone who would want to hurt your husband please give us a call.” I pull out my business card and hand it to her while keeping my eyes locked on hers.

  “Thank you, Detectives.” She sniffles and takes the card from me.

  Brian and I walk calmly out of her living room. When we are out of view we bolt for the front door. Once outside, we look over at each other with confused looks on our faces. “Leave it to us to get a case involving a nudist colony. I’m all for my wife walking around the house naked but, when two cops show up, I would expect her to put on her clothes before answering the door. This lady thought nothing of it. Now that is having comfort in your own skin.” Brian shakes his head with a chuckle.

  “There were a lot of people in there who should have had clothes on. Did you see the guy who looked like he was wearing a sweater?” I ask, trying to hold back a laugh.

  “I thought he was a fucking bear. We are going to hell.” Brian bursts into laughter.

  “If we weren’t before, we sure as hell are now.” I join Brian in laughing about our situation. “Oh shit, I need a drink after that.”

  “It’s your last night as a single man, you’re going to need more than one drink.”

  Tomorrow is the day I have been waiting for since Nora showed up on my doorstep. After getting Jack’s blessing to marry Nora, we went full steam ahead in planning the wedding. With the help of her family, we managed to get everything ready in a month. A month too long, in my opinion, but I want Nora to have the wedding she’s dreamed of. It’s also a big day for Colby as well. Nora will be signing the adoption papers before the ceremony, officially making her Colby’s mother. All the pieces are coming together, and, in less than a day, we will be a family.

  “I’m going to need about six very large drinks to burn the image of big bear out of my head,” I say with a cringe.

  “That image is going to haunt my dreams for the rest of my life. Let’s head back to the precinct then we can go wash our eyes out with whiskey.”

  “Speaking of tonight, what exactly are we doing? And please tell me there will be no strippers showing up at any point.” I didn’t even want a bachelor party or the sleeping a night apart bullshit. I wanted to spend the night before my wedding with Nora and Colby, watching movies until Colby fell asleep, then, after I carried her up to bed, spend the rest of the night fucking my fiancée.

  “Don’t worry, I’m keeping it low key just like you requested. Poker and beer at my place.”

  After everyone passes out, I can sneak back home and crawl into bed with Nora.

  CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

  Nora

  COLBY IS SITTING on the edge of the bathtub watching me while I get ready for my bachelorette party tonight. I peek over my shoulder in her direction. “Are you excited to have a sleepover at Nannie and Papa Jack’s house with Ella, Matthew, and Bailey, Lucy’s daughter?” I ask. My parents are ecstatic to have a house full of kids tonight. It’s all my mom could talk about all week. I, on the other hand, am dreading being away from Colby and Hank for the night.

  “I can’t wait to help Nannie with baby Matthew.” She smiles over her mug. Colby absolutely adores Matthew, Brooke and Brian’s new baby boy. She dotes on him when we meet up with Brooke for mommy and me yoga. I can tell she wants a baby brother or sister so bad. The way Hank and me have been going at it, she’s going to be a big sister before she knows it.

  I give my hair one last spritz of hair spray then join Colby by the bathtub. “Come here my sweet girl, I need some Colby cuddles before Nannie gets here.” I hold my arms out wide. Colby jumps down from the tub then climbs into my lap and gives me a big squeeze. “I’m going to miss my Colby cuddles tonight.” Hank has been working late the past week, so Colby has been sleeping in our bed.

  “I’m gonna miss you, Mommy.” She hugs me tighter.

  “I will be at Nannie and Papa’s first thing in the morning, then we can spend all day together before the wedding, okay?” I say trying to ease both our minds.

  “Promise?” she asks.

  “I promise.”

  * * *

  “Come on Zoe, get out from underneath Dylan and open up,” I call out, banging on her apartment door.

  The door opens and, Dylan, Zoe’s new boyfriend, appears in the opening. “For your information, she was on top,” he says with a self-satisfied grin. Dylan was the cop Zoe had been flirting with at the donut shop she works at. They finally got together and have been fucking like rabbits for the past few weeks. He also works at the Second with Hank and Brian. There must be a hotness requirement at the Second, because I have never seen so many hot cops working at one precinct in my life.

  “Dylan, you’re making her do all the work. Tisk tisk,” I say, shaking my head.

  “She was just giving me a rest after the three orgasms I gave her,” he counters.

  “Only three, huh. Hank gave me seven before he even left for work this morning. Strive to be better, Dylan. My baby sister deserves the best.” I give him a comforting pat on the shoulder as I step inside. Dylan treats my sister
like a queen, I just like giving him shit. It’s my right as her big sister. He makes Zoe happier than I have ever seen her, so he’s good in my book.

  “Good to see you Nora,” he says as he pulls me in for a hug. Dylan is a hugger. The first time we met he came in for a hug and nearly squeezed the life right out of me. He sure fits in well with our family. “So, are you ready for tomorrow?” he asks.

  “I am so ready to marry Hank tomorrow. I already know I won’t be getting any sleep tonight because I’m so excited.” I gush. I feel like Hank and I are already married and tomorrow is just letting the world know it.

  “Hi Nora, sorry.” Zoe blushes as she walks out of the bedroom.

  “No worries, Brooke told you we needed to leave an hour before we actually had to for this very reason.” I snicker. There are days I don’t want to let Hank out of our bed, so I know how it is. “Are you finally going to tell me what we are doing tonight?” Brooke and Zoe have been secretly planning my bachelorette party for weeks. The only details I’ve been able to get out of them is that we are meeting at Lucy’s coffee shop. Strange place to start a bachelorette party, but I’m going with it.

  “Sorry sweetie, I can’t say.” She cackles. I hate her so much right now, but I’m also proud that she could keep this secret for so long. Zoe is the absolute worst at keeping secrets. Growing up, our parents would go straight to Zoe to find out which one of us fucked up. She was their little informant.

  “In that case, let’s get the hell out of here and get this party started.”

  * * *

  We stumble into the lobby of the Sheraton hotel, giggling, and drunk off our asses. The night started with drinks at Lucy’s, and then more booze at the Le Faux drag show where Lucy and Brooke somehow ended up on stage with a Lady Gaga impersonator, singing a very off key rendition of Bad Romance. Now here we are at our last stop of the night, and I have no fucking clue what is going on.

  We come to a stop in front of the elevators. “Okay my love this is where we leave you.” Brooke wobbles as she hands me a room card. “Your final surprise of the night is waiting for you in room five-eighteen,” she slurs.

  “What’s going on, why are you leaving me here?” I ask completely confused.

  “You’ll see why once you get up to your room.” Zoe hugs me and gives me a slobbery kiss on the cheek. “Now go, your surprise is waiting.”

  The elevator door opens and Zoe pushes me inside. Everyone waves goodbye as the doors close. I’m too drunk to really comprehend what the hell is going on. I only hope whatever is waiting for me in this hotel suite includes tacos.

  I sway my way down the hallway to room five-eighteen. My hand shakes nervously as I slide the key card into the lock box. I take a deep breath before turning the handle. The door opens and I’m met by the scent of flowers and the warm glow of candles. I step inside the suite. Every inch of the room is filled with pink and purple peonies, and lying on the bed, wearing gray sweatpants and no shirt, is Hank.

  I drop my bag and the key card on the floor and lunge for the bed, landing on top of my man. “Hank, what are you doing here?” I ask between kisses along his face.

  “Zoe knew we wouldn’t be able to go the entire night away from each other, so she set this whole thing up with Dylan. I’m glad she did, because I’ve fucking missed you.” Hank rolls me onto my back, his nimble fingers work open the tie on my wrap dress. Warm, soft lips ghost down my chest, and his tongue glides between my breasts.

  “Oh God, I missed you,” I softly moan. Our lives have become so intertwined with each other’s, I can’t imagine it being any other way. Hank is forever embedded in my soul.

  He pulls down the cup of my bra, sucking me into his hot mouth. My back arches off the bed, hands raking up his back. The sharp sting of his teeth pulling at my nipple sets my body on fire. Every part of me comes to life when we’re together. His hand slips inside my panties, and his fingers gently circle my clit.

  “I want this sweet little pussy of yours riding my face.” His lust-filled voice sends the heat pooling between my thighs. He brings his wet fingers to his lips, licking them clean. It’s so damn hot when he does that.

  My body sighs at the loss of contact when he lifts himself up off me. I stand up on the bed and slide off my dress. Hank settles against the headboard and watches me strip. His dark, primal eyes make me feel so sexy and wanted.

  “Is it strange that we are spending our last night of freedom with each other?” I ask as I unclasp my bra.

  Hank licks his lips hungrily as he watches me strip. “There is no place in this world I would rather be than here with the love of my life.” His words bring a smile to my face.

  “I love you so much.” I bend down and capture his lips in a soft kiss. He massages my breasts in his strong hands while I slide my panties off. I rise back up and slowly inch closer to Hank’s waiting mouth. His mouth falls open, and a deep growl escapes his throat. He grips the back of my thigh, pulls me to his mouth, and plunges his tongue inside me. I brace one hand against the wall behind the bed, the other is gripped tight in his hair. My hips rock against his face. His nose bumps my clit, and the scruff of his stubble leaves a delicious burn along my thighs.

  My head drops back as Hank’s name falls from my lips. He replaces his tongue with three of his long, thick fingers. His mouth on my clit, along with his fingers twisting and thrusting, sets the fire ablaze in my body. My screams fill the room as my orgasm rolls through my body, coming all over Hank’s mouth. My body goes limp and I collapse back on the bed. Hank wraps himself around me and softly kisses along my shoulder. This is absolute heaven.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  Hank

  THE COURT BAILIFF looks shocked when she sees our group waiting outside the courtroom. Every member of Nora’s huge family and my mom is here to witness and support Nora signing the adoption papers. Colby has been counting down the days until Nora would officially be her mother. It seems like ages ago that she was sitting on my bathroom counter confessing how she wished Nora could be her mommy. Maybe that tiny piece of sea glass did have a touch of magic in it after all.

  “The judge is ready for you now.” The bailiff smiles and holds the door open for us as we all pile inside. Nora and I walk hand in hand with Colby up to the judge’s bench. He calls for everyone to be seated.

  “Colby, do you understand what we are doing here today?” he asks.

  “Yes sir, Nora is going to sign papers so she can be my new mommy,” she replies with a big excited smile.

  “That’s correct. I have one question to ask you before we get started. Do you want Miss Cunningham to be your new mother?”

  Colby looks up at Nora with loving eyes and says, “More than anything.”

  Nora’s eyes begin to well up with tears as she lifts Colby up into her arms. I’m finding it hard myself to hold back the tears.

  “Miss Cunningham, do you have anything you would like to add before we get started?” the judge asks.

  “Yes, your honor I do. Colby, today I promise in front of the judge, Daddy, and all our family to love you and take care of you. First and for most, I will be your mother, your best friend, your shoulder to lean on when times are hard, and the one to tell Daddy to chill when you bring boys home.” She winks at me, and I just shake my head and chuckle to myself. “I am the luckiest person on the planet to get the opportunity to be your mommy. I love you and Daddy to the moon and back.” Her voice fades as the tears stream down her cheeks.

  I wrap my arms around my girls and kiss them both. Today is the start to a new chapter in all our lives. Four years ago, the only direction I was headed in was straight to a pine box. Thanks to Nora and Colby, I have a future, and a family I would do anything for, because they gave me a second chance on life.

  “Daddy, Mommy, can we get a puppy now.”

  * * *

  I’m standing down in the basement of Nora’s childhood home, trying and failing to tie this damn bowtie. “Looks like you could use a hand.” I turn
and see my mom standing at the bottom of the stairs. She walks over and takes the tie from my hand. “Are you nervous?” she asks.

  “Nervous, no. More anxious to marry Nora,” I reply. The judge thought I was joking when I asked if he would just marry us after Nora finished signing the adoption papers.

  “I’m very proud of you and how far you’ve come. I know I don’t say it as much as I should, but I am. You’ve gotten clean, raised an amazing little girl, and now you’re getting married. I never thought this day would ever come for you. You probably won’t believe this, but the fear that one day the phone would ring and it would be the hospital telling me that you had overdosed kept me up at night. I know I didn’t always make the best choices when it came to raising you and for that I am so sorry.” She gets a little misty eyed as she straightens my bowtie.

  “What happened in the past is done. I survived. I may have taken a few knocks, but I got back up and kept fighting. I wouldn’t have made it through that first year with Colby if it wasn’t for you. And I sure as hell wouldn’t be here getting ready to marry the woman of my dreams. You have more than made up for the past,” I assure her.

  “I am the luckiest mother on the planet to have a son like you.” The regret in her eyes fades. “So, when can I expect another adorable grand baby?”

  “Let’s make it through the wedding before we start talking about more kids, Mom.” I chuckle to myself.

  CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

  Nora

  MY MOM CLOSES the final clasp of my dress. I can’t believe I’m in my wedding dress, it feels so serial. I’ve been so focused on planning the wedding and going through the adoption interviews and paperwork, I haven’t had a moment to let it all sink in. Now that it’s finally here, I want to shout it from the rooftops that I’m getting married.

  “Nora, you look absolutely breathtaking. You did an amazing job on your dress.” My mom smiles at me through the mirror. With the small time frame we had for our wedding, I knew I would have to make my own dress. Even if we had a year to plan, I would have still made my dress. I had a vision of what I wanted in my head, antique lace with tulle and a trumpet flare, and a sweetheart top. Romance mixed with a bit of sexy.