by Ava Miles
“Haha. Okay, out you go. I need to hear what Peggy has to say.”
The smile left her face. “She’s coming?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m so pissed at her for picking on you yesterday. Abbie said she made you lose your cool.”
“Abbie’s wrong. No one makes you lose your cool but you.”
“Don’t tell Brian that. I accuse him of that all the time.” She waddled over and kissed his cheek. “It’s going to be okay, Mac.”
He squeezed her arm. “Christ, I hope so. I’ve dealt with stupid security issues before, but this goes way beyond anything I’ve encountered. It’s sabotage.”
She patted his cheek. “We’ll figure it out.”
“No, I’ll figure it out with the properly trained professionals. You do your job and take care of yourself.”
Her electric blue purse’s rhinestones sparkled when she swung it over her arm. “Being pregnant, I appreciate the gallantry.”
“You should show your purse to Rhett. It might match his outfit.”
“Funny. Tell Peggy to pop by my office before she takes off.”
“Will do.”
He took a deep breath and fell back in his chair. A bomb threat at his hotel! The mother fuckers. His rage had grown into an open fire by the time Peggy appeared in his doorway. He called security and told them he’d let them know when he was ready for them.
“Come in. What do you have for me?”
“I thought your team would be here.”
“They’ll be along shortly. I wanted to hear what you had first.”
She walked toward his desk. “I’m sorry, but not much. We confirmed that the call came from a burner cell. No idea where.”
“I know that. What else?” he demanded, unbuttoning his jacket.
“The timing seems odd to me. It came in right after the tournament wrapped up. I don’t have anything concrete, but it could have been someone onsite.”
He gestured toward the flimsy file Aaron had handed him this morning. “That’s what my team thinks too, but they can’t find anything to support it. I want a lead.”
“Look, with no package, there’s not much of an evidence trail.”
“So in other words, we’re not going to catch this guy.”
She rubbed the heel of her police–issue black boot into his carpet. “We’ll keep looking. See what—”
“Pops? You should know I’m offering a hundred grand for credible information leading to the perpetrator’s arrest.”
Her face pinched. “Rewards don’t always—”
“I don’t care! If it’s an inside job, I need to know. I’ll do whatever it takes.” He drew in the frustration to clear his desk. He inhaled deeply and reached for every ounce of control. “Sorry. I want to punish whoever did this. They ruined my grand opening.”
“Yes.”
“And now I have a question for you.” He stepped forward until he was in her face. “Why the hell did you show up yesterday, anyway?”
She leaned her chin in. “Jill all but dragged me—”
“Bull. No one drags you anywhere. Hell, if I tried to drag you off to bed right now, you’d knee me in the nuts or pull your gun on me.”
She pushed him back with a small shove. “You’re just pissed you lost yesterday. Do you think I didn’t hear Cincinnati–whatever–his–name–is teasing you and Rhett for being distracted by a couple of women?”
He ground his teeth. “Cince lets his mouth run off. I lost because he beat me.”
“But you were ahead when I arrived,” she sneered. “Are you saying I didn’t make you lose your cool?”
“As I told Jill, who was pretty pissed at you, no one can make you lose your cool but you.”
The woman had the audacity to snort like some farm animal. “So, you don’t think I can make you lose your cool?”
His instinct was to stalk away. Then he realized that it would prove her right. “I won’t let you.” A rapping sounded at the door. He wondered who in the hell would interrupt him while he was in a meeting. “Not now, dammit!”
She put a hand on her police belt. “Nice way to talk to your worker bees.”
“Well, I’m not feeling particularly nice today.”
She titled her head back and stared him in the eyes, her expression all flint and fire. “You didn’t answer my question.”
He leaned forward until he could feel her breath on his face. “I told you. I won’t let anyone do that to me.” And he told himself yesterday was a momentary blip.
“Now I say bull. How about we play Texas Hold ‘em?”
His head darted back. “You hate poker.” He scoffed. “Plus, you couldn’t beat me.”
“Wanna bet?” Peggy lurched forward and grabbed his dick through his slacks.
“Jesus!” He inhaled sharply and tried to disengage her hands, but she squeezed with enough finesse to pump all his blood to that one area. “Ah, that type of Hold ‘Em. You should use analogies from your own profession. It’s misleading when you use mine.”
Her smile held power and determination, and a hint of intrigue. “Hmm… Okay. I received the highest marks in police training for my ability with a night stick.”
He wrestled her wandering hands up and pulled them between them. Was she serious about this? “Much more appropriate. I don’t doubt you know how to handle a…stick. What are you doing, Peg?”
“Proving I can make you lose your cool.”
“You’ve proved that on numerous occasions. Satisfied?”
“No,” she replied, sneaking a hand loose and giving him another tantalizing caress. “Not by a long shot.”
He cupped her face. “Okay, if it’s Hold ‘Em you’re after, let’s slow down. Find a nicer room. I have one—”
“I only have thirty minutes.”
“Don’t put us on the clock.”
“I’m a single mom. I don’t have tons of time.”
“Bullshit. Get a sitter. Or I’ll get one for you.”
Her hand stroked his shirt, fingering the buttons. “What are you so concerned about? Guys don’t last that long anyway. We’ll have this out of the way in five minutes flat.”
He studied her for a moment. “Was that your experience with your ex? Or all men?”
She looked away. “I don’t want to talk about that. I just want to get this behind us. It’s starting to affect the way I do my job. I didn’t want to come out here to give you my report.”
He stepped closer, realizing how hard that admission was for her—and why she was finally yielding to temptation. “And here I was hoping you’d know it was me you were making love with.”
“You want this.”
He pushed her hands away and walked across the room, fighting the urge to down a shot of whiskey. “True, but I want something more. I always have. If we do this now, your way, you’ve scratched the itch. That’s it.” He sighed, suddenly sickened by how vast the gulf still was between them. “I don’t want it to stop. And I sure as hell haven’t waited this long for a quickie. I won’t cheat you or myself.” He pulled on the front of his pants. “I can’t believe I’m saying this.”
She stood there, hands on her hips. “So you’re turning me down?”
He dropped some ice into a highball and poured himself a sparkling water. He downed it. “Yep.”
“You’re a tease.” She pointed her finger at him like she’d called him out in a crowd.
“No, I think you have to make someone hot to be a tease. I haven’t.”
She pointed to herself. “How in the hell would you know whether I’m hot for it?”
He raked his hands through his hair. “I’ve had some experience with women. You’re intrigued. And you’re pissed.”
She fingered her gun. “You bet I am.”
He didn’t think she’d shoot him, but he kept his eyes on her hand nonetheless. “No, you’re pissed that you’re weak enough to want this—me. If I take advantage of that, I’ll be confirming everything you believe a
bout me, yourself, and…men.”
“You bastard.”
“No, not today. Think about what I’ve said. And, Peg, when you really want to be with me, I’m here. All the way… I lied before. You did make me lose my cool yesterday. I saw you standing under those casino lights in that dress, and I lost it. I couldn’t concentrate on my game. I kept wondering what you were thinking while you studied me like I was a leper, fascinating and repelling all at once.”
Her hand clenched her night stick.
“Now, go before I change my mind. I’ll brief the team myself since there’s not much to report.”
She rocked on her heels. “I wouldn’t screw you if you were the last man on earth now.”
He chuckled at her reddening face. “Yes. Got that. Think about what I said. You know where to find me if you change your mind. I can take you places you’ve never gone. Give you pleasure you’ve never experienced. All you need to do is open yourself up to what’s between us.”
“You don’t get to decide how it’s going to be.”
“You’re wrong. I do. I’m an active participant. I won’t take the crumbs you want to hand out. I want more than that.”
Her narrowing eyes confirmed fear was lurking behind their slanted corners. “You’re insane.”
“You’ve lost a part of yourself. I can help you reclaim it. I want to treat you like a woman…and for you to see me as something other than a sexual itch you’re scratching.”
“I hate you.”
The energy of that verbal arrow flew across the room and landed in his gut. “Right now you do. I hope that changes. Forgive me for not showing you out.” She flew out of his office, slamming the door behind her.
He pressed a panel on the wall, revealing the surveillance TVs behind it. Watching them, he felt new hope.
Her shoulders were slumped, and his eagle eyes picked up the slightest tremble in her fingers when she ran her hands through her hair.
When she walked down the hallway, it took all of his self control not to go after her.
But he knew better. She had to come to him willingly.
Or they’d both be destroyed by what was between them.
Chapter 21
When Peggy’s alarm went off at 5:30 a.m., the first hints of fire and ocean blue permeated the sky. She tugged on shorts and a T–shirt. There was one perk to mowing the lawn straight out of bed. The vibration of the engine under her hands allowed her to sleep on her feet. All she had to do was remember to push.
She checked to make sure Keith was still sleeping. Cartoons called to him in the mornings like a siren. Thankfully, he was still out, feet dangling from the bed.
Easing out of the house, she decided she’d have her coffee later. Summer mornings were cooler in the mountains than in their previous home, but she always broke a sweat when she worked outside.
Dew covered her shoes as she headed to the shed, the birds chirping happily all around her. What in the hell were they so happy about? She might have to wake up early because she was a mom, but she still hated mornings with a passion. A fellow cop had told her about these adult afternoon naps called siestas somewhere in Europe. She couldn’t remember where. It sounded like heaven.
Why was she up at the butt–crack of dawn if she was already thinking about naps? Oh yeah. Because she was trying to ensure Maven didn’t show up with his nephew, especially after what had happened between them. What guy refused sex? He was right. She pretty much wanted to maim him permanently right now. Give him a permanent limp. Or a limp dick. The humor of the thought made her feel more awake. Yeah, she could get on board with that one.
Lost in thought, she reached for the shed door and pulled. Nothing happened. She looked down. And froze.
There was a lock on the door!
She fiddled with it, wondering if Tanner had added it for security, and she’d forgotten. She rubbed her face, trying to get her brain going.
Then it clicked.
There was only one person who would have put a lock on her shed.
Maven.
Dammit!
Fully awake now, anger coursing through her blood, she stalked into the house. She had his phone number because he’d called a few times about the mowing—and dinner. There was no way either of those things was going to happen now.
She eyed the clock. If she was up, he was going to be—and he’d better show up with a key in hand. She couldn’t shoot the lock off without drawing attention. Plus, she’d have to explain why she’d discharged her weapon on her own shed like an idiot.
She hit the button and put the phone to her ear.
“Good morning, Peg,” he muttered, his tone all gravely with sleep.
She was speechless for a minute. Was she programmed into his phone? The woman in her conjured up an image of him swathed in black satin sheets, his hair mussed, the shadow of a beard on his face. And then her imagination took it too far. She’d bet the farm he slept nude. Oh cripes. And all this from “Good morning”? She needed to get a life.
“There’s a lock on my shed.”
“Yes. I didn’t think you’d appreciate it if I sent someone to stake out your place so I could know exactly when you were mowing your lawn. This seemed the best option.”
“I don’t want you here,” she said, not bothering to deny it.
“I know, but you made a deal. Abbie wants Dustin to repay you for what happened, and so do I.”
“I don’t need repayment. The law is taking care of things.”
“So the law’s the only thing connecting us? Don’t kid yourself, Peg.” His voice held a warning.
“You’ve overstepped.”
“And you welshed on a bet. I didn’t like dancing around when Keith asked me if Dustin and I were still going to come mow your lawn. He said you were tired from doing it in the morning.”
Her kid had ratted her out?
“When did you see Keith?”
“When he was getting ice cream with Tanner and Meredith yesterday. I went to Wal–Mart and bought the lock right after that and installed it, praying you wouldn’t see me and shoot. I know you don’t want me around, especially after our last ‘chat,’ but I won’t let Keith think we don’t keep our promises, Peg.”
She stalked around the kitchen. “You’ve boxed me in nicely.”
“No, you boxed yourself in. You agreed to have Dustin mow the lawn and do yard work in front of your son and my family. If you back out now, he’ll think Abbie and I don’t follow through on our punishments.”
She kicked a chair. “Dammit, I don’t want you here.”
“I know, but you don’t have a choice. I’m not walking away. From my commitments or what’s between us.”
“There’s nothing between us.”
“Liar.”
“Are you calling me a liar? ”
“Would you prefer Pinocchio? I’ve always found that story incredibly disturbing. You’re only pissed because I told you I want to make love to you instead of having a crappy quickie.”
Her breath hitched at the images he invoked. “Enough!” She stared at Keith’s recent drawings on the fridge. The mom in her surfaced. He was right. They were doing more than fighting each other. They were both raising kids. And kids needed to be taught lessons, see things followed through. “Okay. Dustin can come mow the lawn.”
“Thank you,” he said, surprising her. “We’ll be there after I finish work.”
“Can’t he just come with Abbie while I’m at work?”
The long pause on the line had her dancing in place.
“No, I’m afraid that’s not possible. You’re not her favorite person right now after the poker tourney. You’ll have to deal with me, Peg. Now, when are we going to have dinner?”
“When pigs fly.”
“I’ll buy some wings today. Are you trying to welsh again?”
She put her hand to her rapidly beating heart. “How about after Dustin mows? We can order pizza.”
“You agreed to have a meal with me.�
�
The intimacy in his tone stole her breath. “Not alone.”
His slight chuckle made her toes curl. “Ah, so that’s the way it’s going to be, eh? Well, Deputy, you didn’t add anyone to the party before we played our hands, so a meal together with me means you and me. Only.”
“In your universe.”
“That’s the only one I’m interested in.” There was another murmur—soft and sexy—from his side. “And yours, of course.”
“I’m not interested in discussing planetary alignments.”
“Fine, when are we having dinner?”
She stayed stubbornly silent, ripping up a paper napkin to give her hands something to do.
“Okay, here are your choices. We get dressed to the nines and go to Brian’s or the Chop House. Everyone will see us and start talking. Or I can take you to Denver. It’s a long drive at night, so we might want to stay over. Make love.”
Her breathing shattered.
“Option number three is that we can have a private dinner at my house. Abbie and Dustin can go see a movie. We’re the only ones who will ever need to know we broke bread together.”
She didn’t like the idea of spending time alone with him, but the other two choices didn’t bear contemplating.
“Did I mention I have a private residence in Denver?”
Lothario couldn’t have come up with a more seductive offer. She could imagine it. They wouldn’t even eat dinner—they’d feast on each other instead. His body would give her all the sustenance she needed, filling her until she was sure she couldn’t take anymore. She stopped the fantasy. Was she getting hot in the kitchen at the crack of dawn? She was losing it.
“Your place in Dare then,” she agreed. “And in case you’re thinking of making a move, I should tell you I’m bringing my gun.”
His chuckle reverberated in her ear. “It just makes me look forward to the moment when I disarm you.”
“That’s never going to happen.”
“We’ll see. Friday night?”
Since she was a single mom who didn’t have a life, her Friday was free. And her Saturday…
