Hot as Hale (Hale Series Book 3)

by Marie James

  “Is it too soon?” I whisper. My body is heating up, and I know it’s only in part to the two full glasses of wine I’ve drunk in the last ten minutes.

  “I don’t think so,” Lorali answers softly.

  “When you know, you know,” Alexa agrees as she stands and fills my glass again.

  “It’s too soon for him, though.” It has to be. Right? Only women fall in love at the drop of a hat. The idea that my inexperience is what’s causing me to have such a strong reaction to him settles in my gut.

  “I’m not so sure, Josie.” Lorali’s face is serious. “He watches every move you make.”

  “He’s protective, that doesn’t mean he loves me.” His protectiveness is one of the things I love most about him.

  “The fire in his eyes when he’s near you is dizzying,” Alexa adds.

  “Lust,” I explain her statement away.

  “More than lust, Josie. The way he looks at you. The way his body seeks you out the second you’re within his field of vision, the way he always has to touch you. I thought he was going to explode Sunday at lunch when he had to go almost an entire meal being near you and not able to put his hands on you.” Lorali’s words make me smile. Apparently, I’m not the only one who has been paying attention to Kaleb.

  “That doesn’t mean anything!” I’m growing irritated at her insistence on the subject.

  She slides over beside and places a warm hand on my knee. I look her in the eye, trying to figure out why she’s pushing the conversation so hard.

  “He loves you, Josie. All of those things he does, the way he responds to you, it’s the same way Ian is with me.” She nods towards Alexa. “The same way Garrett reacts to Alexa. That’s love.”

  I grin, and they can see my acceptance of what they’ve been trying to get through to me. “He loves me,” I say softly.

  “Let’s celebrate!” Alexa says enthusiastically even though I know she’s still on her first glass of wine.

  I smile and hold my now empty glass back towards her for another refill. My head is swimming, and I can’t wipe the ridiculous smile off my face.

  We talk for what seems like forever. The conversation about Kaleb slowing transitioning to the wedding and to Alexa and how she only has a few more days until her doctor appointment that will release her to full duty. She’s absolutely giddy and explains in more detail than I’d ever be comfortable sharing just how she plans to celebrate with Garrett. If I ever have to ground myself when I feel guilty or embarrassed about what Kaleb and I do, all I have to do is think about Alexa; she’s way more adventurous than I’ll ever be!

  I’m gazing sleepily at Lorali as she talks about the colors of the flowers for the wedding when the conversation stops and both she and Alexa look up and grin. I turn my head and see all three of the guys walking towards us. It has to be a sin for men this gorgeous to congregate so near one another. It’s like putting the President and the Vice President on the same airplane. There should be laws against it.

  I lick my lips as Kaleb stalks towards me. His tight t-shirt clings to his muscled chest and the blue jeans he’s wearing squeeze his thick leg muscles in all the right places. I can’t help the giggle that escapes my lips when he bends down and kisses my cheek softly.

  The incredible scent of his skin combined with the faint scent of liquor envelops me. “You’ve been drinking,” I whisper before gently sucking his earlobe into my mouth.

  “And you’re drunk,” he says on a moan as I release the delicate skin of his ear.

  “Drunken sex,” I offer louder than I intended if the sound of Ian’s manly chuckle is any indication.

  The clearing of a throat pulls Kaleb’s attention from me.

  “You guys are welcome to stay in one of the guest rooms.” Ian offers.

  Kaleb looks back at me to make sure that’s ok. “I’d rather not drive since I’ve had a few drinks,” he explains.

  I shrug my shoulders. “It’s fine with me. But can we head there soon?” I yawn unexpectantly.

  “I’ll show you to the room,” Lorali says, and I stand beside Kaleb as we follow her down the hallway.

  I’m light headed and borderline dizzy as Lorali swings open the door to a guest bedroom that has no business being as big as it is.

  “There are clean towels in the bathroom. Goodnight you guys.” I catch her wink as she gives me a hug and closes the door behind her.

  I lazily walk towards the bed and begin to undress as I make my way.

  Kaleb slides in behind me to help me with the clasp of my bra, kissing me on the shoulder as he glides it down my arms. He tosses it on the chair in the corner, and I face him and hook my fingers in my yoga pants and begin to shimmy out of them.

  Bending over and the amount of wine I drank makes my head swim.

  Kaleb has mercy on me. “Let me help you,” he laughs and steps towards me.

  I watch him with glazed eyes as he drops to his knees in front of me and pushes my bottoms seductively down my legs. He kisses my lower belly softly as he raises one leg and then the other to free them from the bunched fabric. He carelessly tosses it in the direction of the chair, his eyes never leaving mine.

  Dipping his head, he nuzzles my cleft with the tip of his nose before reaching in with his tongue and sweeping it over me.

  “So perfect,” he mutters reverently just as he takes nearly my entire mound in his scorching hot mouth.

  I moan as his tongue begins to flick over my very sensitive nub, the feel of the hot breath from his nose running over my stomach just as intoxicating as the wine. His strong hands are gripping the backs of my thighs is the only thing that’s keeping me upright.

  Due, I’m sure, in large part to my alcohol consumption, an orgasm sneaks up on me and slams into my body. Just when the shuddering wracks taking over my body begins to wane I feel his tongue leave my clit and snake inside of me, either prolonging my already intense release or setting an entirely new one off. It’s anyone’s guess at this point.

  Rising from his knees, Kaleb slowly kisses and nips up my torso before reaching my mouth with his. I reach for the front of his pants lazily. My body, although sated, still wants to please him. He gently grips my hand and sweeps me off my feet and into his arms, cradling my body as he walks us to the bed.

  “We need to get some sleep,” he says softly as he lays me on the soft bed.

  With half-closed eyes, I watch as he strips out of his clothing and I feel more than see him slide in beside me. I snuggle against his chest and tangle my legs around his.

  He kisses the top of my head. “What did you ladies talk about this evening?” he asks so softly I’m not one hundred percent sure he even uttered a word.

  “About how much you love me,” I answer honestly to the tender voice before drifting off to sleep.

  Chapter 30

  Kaleb

  We stayed in the guestroom bed tangled around each other until the very last second possible. I hated to even wake her when the first sign of dawn began to filter through the wispy curtains, but my body needed hers with a desperation I’ve never felt for anyone before her.

  I fell asleep last night knowing that not only do I know that I love Joselyne Bennett but apparently all of the other men and women that were in this house last night know as well. When she let it slip that they talked about me loving her, I knew the conversation the women had last night was similar to the one us guys had.

  I found it surprisingly easy to talk about falling love with Josie after only five days of having a physical relationship with her. I know it was in large part because the conversation was with two guys who were head over heels themselves.

  My love for her is absolute. I know I could never leave her side and the thought of the daily separation while we’re both at work is frustrating. I wish I could find her a position at the Department. Surely fourth-grade science is something each officer should be taught!

  I wake her up with my mouth on her breast, flicking and suckling the very tip, and two v
ery large fingers dipping inside of her. I’m certain she’s been awake for a few minutes, and she’s keeping her eyes closed to revel in the myriad of sensations. Her eyes bolt open when I bite down harder on her breast.

  “Good morning, Beautiful,” I say against the heated skin of her breast.

  “Mmm,” is her response along with a deep swivel of her hips.

  I slide up her body until we are aligned, keeping my fingers in her.

  “I need you.” I pant against her lips.

  “You have me, baby.” I love that she calls me that, especially when her eyes are hooded and she’s breathless.

  I remove my fingers and slide inch by delicate inch into her. She whimpers as I circle my thumb repeatedly over her clit until her body accepts all of me. I kiss her deeply as I move in and out of her, one hand under her hips to ensure I hit her just where she needs me. I want to make love to her slowly, but I also know we’re short on time since we have to go all the way back home to get ready for work.

  I swallow her moans of pleasure with my mouth and the overwhelming way I feel, not only my body but my heart is making me delirious. I pull my head back a scant inch and watch her eyes, searching her very soul for the same overwhelming reaction.

  “Baby,” she sighs drawing my attention to her kiss-swollen, trembling lips. I feel the glorious sting of her fingernails on my back, and I’m unable to suppress the moan.

  “Tell me,” I beg, my lips a whisper against hers.

  “I’m coming, baby,” she heaves against my lips as she throws her head back on a long moan.

  “I love you,” I mouth without making a sound against her neck as her clenching core pulls me down with her.

  ***

  Against my better judgment, Josie was able to convince me that she was fine driving herself to work today. I knew if we didn’t take separate vehicles I would be late for work and my compulsion for punctuality had me relenting.

  I make my way into the department with only minutes to spare, avoiding a knowing look from Detective Riley as I hurry past her to my desk. Just as my day always begins, I start sorting through emails and voice messages. A brief voicemail from Detective Holt nearly stops my heart. News on the case he grunted into the phone.

  I jump up from my desk and all but sprint down the hall to the desk of the detective in charge of Josie’s case. He’s not at his desk, and a quick glance around comes up fruitless. “Has anyone seen Holt?” I ask no one in particular.

  “Down in tactical.” I hear someone answer.

  Three minutes later and I’m busting through the steel door that opens into the largest room in the department. Vests, weapons of all kinds, and SWAT equipment line the walls.

  “Glad you could join us,” Holt says without malice as he straps a bulletproof vest over a snug fitting polo shirt. The man is a beast, and the added armor he’s strapped on makes him more than a little intimidating.

  “Your voicemail said you have news.” I prod, knowing he’ll give me the information when he damn well feels like it and not a minute sooner. He’s a great cop if not a little cocky and power hungry.

  I watch with baited breath as he straps a glock to the outside of the right leg of his black BDUs. It’s killing me to not know what they’ve discovered and the smirk on his rugged face tells me he knows it.

  Once he’s armed to the nines, he finally speaks. “Prints came back on the death threats. Seems Evans’ newest girlfriend is none too happy about lover boy being locked up.”

  “Who is it?” I know they checked all of his closest acquaintances first and nothing came up as a match.

  “Trina Gilbert,” he answers more quickly than I thought he would.

  “Never heard of her.” I keep pretty close tabs on the people I use as confidential informants. Not knowing this woman means she must be a fairly new addition to his life, which is surprising since she’s willing to go so far as to make threats against Josie and Alexa for Evans. “How’d you guys figure it out?”

  “He tried to add her to the visitation list down at County. The guys have been keeping a close eye on him since they know the vic is your girl.” I can’t help the smile that creeps up on my face. Even my brothers in blue know that Josie is mine. “She’s in the system for a minor pot possession from years ago before it went legal. We got lucky.” He supplies as he bends and positions a small thirty-eight at his ankle.

  “So, what are you guys getting suited up for?” I nod towards the other five SWAT members who are strapping on just as much protection and firepower as I just witnessed Holt don.

  “Her address is out on Old Post Oak Road. Intel says she’s there, but she’s not alone. Apparently, they got a fairly decent meth operation going on.”

  My heart is racing knowing this team is likely an hour away from ensuring that Josie is safe.

  “You going to suit up or just stand there?” He offers.

  I’m gearing up for the raid a split second later. I know he won’t let me into the house in the first wave, but just the offer to let me participate at the location at all is incredible. It’s the gray area of police work. So long as I don’t go rogue and I listen to my commanding officer’s instructions, I’m welcome to ride along, but I can’t actively participate unless things go to shit and they need backup to their backup.

  I’m in the background minutes later as the SWAT team discusses which penetration technique they will use and who’s responsible for each entrance and exit to the small farmhouse. They’ve been informed that there are six adults, but what complicates things the most is there are two small children inside as well. They have to use the least invasive means to extract the adults while keeping the kids safe.

  An hour later, I’m in one of the backseats of a blacked-out Tahoe with five other officers. A sense of relief washes over me and then I’m hit with the knowledge that this situation is almost over. An overwhelming fear of the unknown hits me. Not the unknown of the situation we’re about to face because we’re all highly trained and meth heads although compulsive are usually easy to take down because they aren’t normally armed since they tend to sell weapons to score more dope.

  What is sitting on my chest like a ton of bricks is not knowing if Josie is going to stay at my house once it’s over, and more alarming is what if she realizes she doesn’t need me at all once the threats are no longer an issue. She hasn’t given me any indication that she’s using me only for protection. She’s not the type at all, but the unbelievable perfection of the past five days has me questioning their sincerity.

  Before I know it, the large caravan of Denver Police’s SWAT fleet is pulling over a distance from the secluded house. The group of officers designated as the first wave is running through plans once more. They will have to circle around the back of the house through the woods that surround the small clapboard house. The driveway is slightly hidden by rows of trees, but the property opens up in the front, and it’s impossible to sneak up from that direction.

  I slip my earpiece in and stand by the Tahoe and wait for the unfortunate call that my help is needed. If I get that call, then I know that the guys have been ambushed and loss of life is probable. I pray the only chatter I hear on the radio is that all suspects are in custody.

  What I don’t expect to hear and what comes across clearly in my ear is the “all clear.” I stare towards the property in utter shock. No one at the house. They’ve cleared out of there in the two hours since surveillance left to prepare for the raid.

  The only way an entire meth house would clear out of all cooks is if they’d been tipped off. The situation is now direr than ever, and a sinking feeling settles in the pit of my stomach. Unable to resist I shoot Josie a text.

  Kaleb: Checking on you. How’s your day?

  I know she’s in class and it may take a while for her to respond. My nerves won’t calm again until I’m holding her tonight. I should’ve known better than to think this situation was over before it actually was.

  I watch as Holt makes his way
towards me slowly shaking his head. He slaps me on the shoulder. “Good thing you’re here, Perez. They’ve left a mess in there. The entire operation was just deserted. The whole place needs to be dusted for prints, and there are several batches of meth in different stages that have to be collected and cataloged. You’re going to have a busy day.”

  He notices the slight fall of my head, and he knows it has nothing to do with the amount of unanticipated work I’m in for. “We’ll get the bitch, Kaleb. Don’t you worry about that.”

  Chapter 31

  Josie

  I have never been happier at being this exhausted ever. Every time I move I can feel the delicious soreness from our relentless lovemaking from the past five days. I feel like I could sleep for days, but I know I could never go that long without looking into Kaleb’s gorgeous green eyes.

  I sigh as I close the door for my conference period. End of the year means I have absolutely nothing to do and I was in such a rush this morning trying not to be late for work that I inadvertently left my cell phone sitting on the bathroom sink, and I’m sure it’s completely dead since I had the music app running while I got ready.

  The day crawls by, and I regret making it movie day even though October Sky is an excellent one, time would have passed more quickly had we been doing a hands-on project rather than me sitting at my desk without my phone.

  I don’t have pickup duty today, so I’m out of the school by three forty-five and heading to my car. The temperature difference outside has me tugging off my cardigan before opening my car door, knowing it will be sweltering in there.

  “Help!” I hear a woman’s voice and my eyes dart all around, but I don’t see anything unusual. Just as I’m about to step around the end of my car to get a better look a rather ragged, dirty woman runs into me.

  She grabs both of my arms, and instinctively I move to push her away. Before I can get the words out, she pulls me towards a van.