by Dawn Atkins
“Sir?” He started to interrupt, but the steely glare Lieutenant Stone shot him made him stop.
“Do you want to know what I told her?”
He opened his mouth, started to speak, and settled for “Yes, sir.”
“I told her the cop should keep his mouth shut and just do his job.”
Rick swallowed hard. “I don’t know what to say, sir.”
“Don’t say anything. Just be the good cop you are. There’s a squad of men and women out there who trust you with their lives. Take a look.” The lieutenant yanked the blinds up and Rick saw that everyone stood there, waiting for the outcome of this meeting, eyes steady, expressions grim.
He felt the sting of emotion. Despite everything, they trusted him. The lieutenant did, too, it seemed.
Rick looked at the man, his chest so tight it hurt. “Thank you, sir. I won’t let you down. Or them.”
“I don’t think you have it in you, West. We need more cops like you, not fewer. For God’s sake, use good judgment from now on. Especially with the hypotheticals.”
“I intend to, sir.”
“And that lady had a pretty high damned opinion of that cop. I couldn’t shut her up about his morals, his principles, his integrity. That hypothetical cop must have done something right.”
“I hope he did, sir. I do.”
Rick left the office, emotions swirling through him. The trust of his squad and Lieutenant Stone touched him deeply. Samantha’s heartfelt defense, too. Everything he’d always believed about his obligation to others and what he could expect in return was tumbling around inside him.
Despite what he’d done, they still believed in him, trusted him, had faith in him. He thought about what Samantha had said about a woman who loved him not needing him to be perfect. If she loves you, she’ll forgive your flaws and mistakes.
Was there a chance she loved him?
But his mistakes had been huge. Could she forgive him anyway?
“IT WAS A MISTAKE to sleep with him,” Samantha said to her friends, nibbling on a chocolate boob, trying to relax into the shoulder rub Mona was giving her.
“I don’t see how,” Blythe said licking a blue cock pop. “You wanted it so much. You had to go for it. And this tastes more like grape than blueberry, Val, FYI.”
Samantha had invited Mona, Blythe and Valerie to her town house to commiserate about the disaster, but all three were more interested in talking her into making up with Rick than bemoaning the fact she’d set them up in business in the middle of a drug deal.
Mona, happily in love with Chuck, planned to be a mobile therapist for a while. Blythe would lease space at her old salon and Valerie would go back to mail order until Samantha found a new location for Mirror, Mirror or, if Rick could pull strings, reopened the center.
“You’re not supposed to know what you’re doing in love,” Mona said. “That’s the magic of it. Remember? You told me that yourself. Oooh, save me that strawberry vagina.” Val had snagged a box of sex candy on her way out of the shop and they were all enjoying the loot.
“This wasn’t love. It was a fantasy,” Samantha said, dragging her locket back and forth on her chain. “The man doesn’t even approve of my work. He even told me I should take regular portraits.”
“What’s wrong with diversifying?” Val shrugged.
“That’s not the point. I’m not giving up who I am for a man.”
“Was he asking you to?” Mona said.
No. Rick would never do that. He’d been trying to help her with her own uncertainty about her parents. Besides that, he’d happily played sex games with her for days, even when she could tell he’d rather just make simple love—no chocolate, no costumes, no playacting. “He wants a wife and I want a life,” she said weakly.
Mona stopped rubbing. The other women just stared at her, telling her with their eyes she was full of it.
“You’re going to snap that necklace right off its chain,” Valerie said, grabbing the locket she was tugging on. “Let me see.” She opened the locket and sighed. “I loved that outfit on you.”
Mona stopped rubbing her shoulders and leaned in with Blythe to look. “You look so hot.”
“It was my first bedroom photo.”
“To impress Barry, right?” Mona said. “You look a little shaky.”
“I was shaky.” But not anymore. She thought about the photo Rick had taken of her. The one on her bedside table.
“Hang on a minute,” she said. “I want to show you guys something.” She brought it back and handed it to Valerie, who still held her locket. “What do you think?”
“Great bikini. Do I sell that?”
“No. It’s one of my costumes, Val. And that’s not what I mean.”
“I like your hair this length,” Blythe said, tapping the glass.
“Yeah, but what else do you see?” she said. “Don’t I look more confident? Like I know who I am and what I want?”
“Absolutely,” Mona said. “You look in charge.”
“And like you just ate a big piece of the best chocolate cake in the world and you can’t wait for seconds,” Val said, “now that I look more closely.”
“Or like you just got laid,” Blythe added.
The girls burst out laughing.
When Samantha didn’t reply, Mona said, “We’re just kidding, hon.”
Samantha was lost in the photo. Rick had caught the double image she tried to capture in all her portraits. She could see it here—her confidence, her sexiness, her readiness, her triumph. All of her right in this little square of exposed paper. She did know what she wanted.
“Did Rick take the shot?” Mona asked gently.
She nodded. She thought she needed the photo to remind her not to settle, because she feared she’d lose herself in someone else’s view of her. But she wouldn’t do that. Not anymore. And Rick would never ask her to.
“He’s good,” Mona said.
“Yes, he is.” And not just as a photographer. Or a fantasy lover. He was good in all the everyday ways. She’d told him she didn’t know him, but she did. And it was about time she forgot fantasy and went for the real thing. With the man she loved.
TWO HOURS AFTER HIS MEETING with the lieutenant, Rick sat in a booth at Jade’s Grill and let Rocky pour him a beer. He wasn’t quite used to the idea that he still had his job and the loyalty of his squad mates, but he was doing his best to get into the moment.
“So, now that it’s over, what was it like to have naked ladies prancing around you every day?” Marston asked, sitting across from him, next to Jessie.
“It wasn’t like that,” Rick said. “What Samantha does is professional and respectful. She captures the real person.”
“Oh, I bet,” Marston said, rolling his eyes.
“Tell you the truth, Rocky, you should take your girlfriend in for a picture. Seems to me you take her for granted.”
“What?”
“Oh, yeah, you do,” Jessie said. “Standing her up for dinners, expecting her to do your laundry. You’re lucky she doesn’t leave your fat sorry ass.”
“Hey,” Marston said, but the truth had hit home, Rick could tell. He did take the girl for granted.
“And Gloria would like a photo, too, Mark,” Rick added. “Because of how you’ll react to it. You’ll see her new again. Samantha opens people’s eyes. I’ve seen it over and over.”
“I don’t know about my girlfriend, but I’d pay to have Jessie get a shot like that,” Rocky said. “We’d pick out your outfit, wouldn’t we, guys?”
“Sit and spin, Marston,” Jessie said, but she leaned closer to Rick. “So, how does it work exactly? My boyfriend kind of wants a picture for his wallet.”
“For his wallet, huh? Oooh.” Marston again. Jessie slugged him this time. Hard.
Rick explained a sitting to Jessie. As he talked, he remembered how each shot Samantha took held heart and hope and, hell, magic. And, even more, he realized he’d loved helping her take them. People shots weren’t s
o bad. Lately, it didn’t hurt so much to look into their hearts, their hopes, their shy dreams.
In fact, he felt honored to be part of it.
Because of Samantha and what she’d taught him.
He looked up and saw that Marston, Mark and three other guys were drinking in every word, not even touching their beers. Bedroom Eyes was just down the road. The photos on the wall would still be up. Maybe he could snag some new clients for Samantha…and talk to her, too, about what he’d been thinking.
“Come on. The studio’s a block away. You can see for yourselves.”
He dialed Samantha’s number. He’d surprise her with new clients for down the line. And he’d surprise her with his heart. And pray to God she meant what she’d said about love being sturdy.
He knew his love was strong, for sure. As he waited for her to answer, he felt as if someone had wrapped a fist around his heart and wouldn’t free a beat until he got her back, convinced her to spend her life with him. He wasn’t so sure about the rules anymore. Except for one: When you find a person to love, don’t let her go without a fight.
SAMANTHA PULLED UP to Bedroom Eyes, her heart in her throat, her breath coming shallow and quick. Rick wanted her to meet him here to talk. He’d sounded mysterious, but also warm, and he’d made her hopes soar.
She didn’t know what to think. Really, she was afraid to think. She just jumped into her car and drove to the studio, pulling up in front behind Rick’s Jeep and another SUV.
Through the window, she could see Rick pointing at one of her pictures and talking to four people—she recognized Mark among them—looking for all the world as if he were leading a gallery tour. How bizarre.
The lobby entrance was unlocked, the crime-scene tape pulled away, and she hurried to the Bedroom Eyes entrance, pausing outside the door at the shock of seeing through the glass door the tipped-over counter, remembering all that had happened here since that morning.
She shoved open the door and everyone turned to her.
“Samantha,” Rick said, his eyes brimming with emotion—love, maybe, and hope. “I want you to meet some of my squad mates. I was trying to tell them about your work and figured that seeing was believing.”
“How nice,” she said, her heart spilling over with love for him.
“You do wonderful work,” a woman said. “I’m Jessie.”
Samantha shook the hand she extended. “Thank you very much.”
“And how much does something like that cost?” the man next to Mark asked.
“That’s Rocky Marston,” Rick said to Samantha, “and he makes every nickel squeak.” Rick turned to Rocky. “Less than you lost on the Suns game and it’ll change you both for the better.”
His words made her smile. Where had she ever gotten the idea that Rick disapproved of her work? It was her parents she was worried about and maybe they wouldn’t be as judgmental as she’d feared. It was high time she found out. Even if they were horrified, it wouldn’t change what she did or how she felt about her work. She was through seeing herself through others’ eyes.
“Take that woman,” Rick said, nodding at one of the photos. “She came in here looking like hammered shit—cold and scared hammered shit. Samantha warmed her up, brought her out of herself, captured that extra something about her that—”
“We get the idea,” Mark said, holding up his hands, rolling his eyes with affection. “Book us for photos, Samantha. Once you get going again. And while you’re at it, got any time shares? Rick seems to think you walk on water.”
“You can use my cameras until your equipment’s released and we can rent studio space,” Rick said to her, already doing what he could to help her, just as he’d promised he would.
“I’d be honored to take your pictures,” she said to the group. “Anything for Rick’s friends.”
“Great then. Terrific,” Rick said.
“Yes, great,” she said. They just stared at each other. She drank him in, looked into his green eyes, which, if they were windows to his soul, were flung wide to let in all the light there was. For the first time, Rick was completely present, fully himself, and she realized she loved him even more in the bright day of reality.
She’d hidden, too, in her fantasies.
She became aware that the silence had gone on too long. Finally, Jessie cleared her throat. “So, uh, we’ll be taking off, right, guys? Nice to meet you, Samantha. Take care of this guy.” She patted Rick’s arm.
“I hope to,” she said, looking up at him.
The door closed behind the cops and Samantha and Rick were alone in Bedroom Eyes again. “That was nice of you, Rick.”
“It’s the least I can do after all that happened because of me.”
Love has to be earned. He still believed that. It would be up to her to show him love could be freely given. Without fear. With faith.
“How did it go with your lieutenant?” she asked, figuring he must still have a job, considering that he’d brought folks from his station here.
“He gave me another chance. They all…believe in me.” He shrugged, seeming mystified.
“Of course they do. They should. You deserve it.”
“Thanks for calling him. It means a lot. Your doing that.”
“I had to. I believe in you, too, Rick.”
“How can you? You were right. You don’t even know me.”
“Oh, yes I do,” she said, her voice low with the intensity of her feelings. “I know everything that counts. I know that you’re loyal and honest, that you have honor and principles and—”
“I love you,” he blurted. “That’s the main deal. All this time I thought I should settle down, have a family. Because of Brian, I guess. And for me. But I didn’t really want that. Not until I met you. I guess…” He paused, swallowed, then pushed himself to speak. “I was waiting for you.”
“Oh, Rick,” she said, rising up on tiptoes to meet his lips.
He pulled her into his arms and held her tightly, and she felt safe and protected and so loved. This was real. This was better than all the fantasies in the world.
She broke off the kiss and looked into his open green eyes. “I love you, too, Rick.”
“So love is pretty sturdy after all.” He looked so happy, as relieved as a child, that she kissed him again.
“I can’t believe I fell in love with the first man I had great sex with.”
“Sometimes you just get lucky.” He winked at her, the smart-assed, wicked Rick back again.
“Sometimes you do.” She looked around at the wreck of her studio and felt like the luckiest woman in the world.
“So, we’re starting over, right? Allow me to introduce myself. Samantha Sawyer, I’m Rick West. I’m a cop. A good one. I work hard, by the book, love my work, but I won’t let it interfere with our life together.”
“Nice to meet you, Rick West. It’s kind of scary to me, you know, you being a cop. Thinking of you getting shot at or hurt. That’ll take some getting used to.”
“I don’t take unnecessary risks, Sammi, and with you in my life I’ll be even more careful.”
She considered that closely. It wouldn’t be easy, but every life held risk. She would adjust. She smiled up at him, knowing they had all the time in the world to work things out.
“I guess this means you’re quitting as my assistant.”
“Sorry.” He grimaced.
“I won’t need help for a while anyway.” She sighed. Maybe when she did, Bianca could work for her. She was taking that class, she’d need a distraction from the mess with Darien, and Samantha enjoyed working with her.
“I can help on the weekends,” Rick offered.
“Oh, no. On the weekends, we’ll be far too busy to be in the studio.” She pushed her body tight against his, tucked her fingers into his hair and looked up into his eyes, delighted by the emerald heat she saw there. There wasn’t a shadow in his eyes, no hint that he’d disappear from her or the love growing between them. He was hers. For good.
“Busy, huh?” He nuzzled her neck and spoke into her ear, “I suppose this means more of your sex games? I haven’t got all the butterscotch off me yet.”
“Just a few more…” she teased, shivering with desire.
“One request? Can we skip the cop-and-suspect one?”
“Too close to home?” She laughed. “No problem. Actually, I’m excited about just plain us, fantasies not required. I think we’re pretty damn sexy all on our own.”
“Whatever you need me to be, Samantha, I’ll be,” he said in that low, steady way she loved.
“I’m counting on it. We’ll take it slow, okay? Not get carried away.”
“Whatever you need.”
She loved when he said that. “What I need right now is you, Rick. The rest I can build again.”
They stood together, in the messy wreck of all she’d built, but she’d never felt happier in her life. Her work would go on. Her studio was in her heart, in the way she saw the world through her lens. She’d bring her dream to life again.
She was enough just as she was. She didn’t need a photo of her sexy side on her bureau or around her neck to remind her. She could be a small-town girl, shy and repressed, or a sultry temptress, wild and wanton, or anything in between. She was all that and more, under the skin and in her soul. And she’d found a man who loved her for it.
And, more importantly, so did she.
TWO HOT!
Cara Summers
TORONTO • NEW YORK • LONDON
AMSTERDAM • PARIS • SYDNEY • HAMBURG
STOCKHOLM • ATHENS • TOKYO • MILAN • MADRID
PRAGUE • WARSAW • BUDAPEST • AUCKLAND
To Donna and Salvatore Buffa.
Thank you for all your support
(and for reading every book I’ve ever written!)
Most of all, thank you for being such good friends.
I love you both!
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
