NY State Trooper- The Complete Box Set

by Jen Talty

  “Holy crap,” Penny mumbled. “I know we didn’t leave the door open.”

  “Maybe I should take a look around.”

  “Are you nuts? We need to call the cops.”

  Ryan glanced over her shoulder and looked to see if Jared was home. Relief flowed through her body immediately. “Jared’s pickup is here, so he’s got to be around somewhere.” Frantically, she looked toward the main house, but all the lights were off. “Where the heck is he?”

  “Right in front of you, babe.” His deep throaty voice comforted her.

  “Thank God.” Her pulse increased as panic set in. Jared stood in her doorway, in his uniform, with latex gloves on his hands. “What happened?”

  “Someone broke in.” He peeled off the gloves. “I’ve got backup on the way.” He directed his gaze to Penny. “Can you drive?”

  She shook her head, jaw gaping open and her eyes wide.

  “Can you call your boyfriend? Chuck, right?”

  “Yeah,” she whispered, then pulled out a cell phone with trembling fingers. “You want to come to my place?” Penny asked, pressing the phone to her ear.

  But before Ryan could answer, Jared said, “Ryan will stay with me. Just sit tight for a little while.” He led her to his pickup and opened the tailgate, hoisting her up onto the cold metal. “Don’t either of you move.”

  Red lights flashed in the sky when a police car rolled down the street. Ryan watched as some local officer chatted with Jared. “Penny?”

  Penny jumped up and took Ryan’s hand. “Is he always this controlling?”

  “This is nothing,” Ryan said. When Jared took over, the world was given no choice but to listen.

  “Thank goodness it was a nice night out. I shudder to think what might have happened if we were inside. But I’m surprised they didn’t go for the main house.”

  “I can’t believe someone broke into my house, period.” Ryan swallowed, remembering all the hang-ups.

  Jared continued to talk with the other officers, but Ryan couldn’t hear them. Her body had gone numb. Then headlights swept down the road and slowed by the driveway.

  “Here’s Chuck,” Penny said, still holding Ryan’s hand.

  “A BMW?” Ryan eyed Penny. “You’ve left out a few details about your new love.”

  “Penny. Are you okay?” Chuck flew from the driver’s seat, leaving the engine running and the door open. He scooped Penny into his arms and planted kisses all over her face before putting her down. “Are you hurt?”

  “Just a little scared,” Penny said as Jared approached.

  “Jared, right?” Chuck stuck his hand out, but held Penny tight with his other arm. “I’m so glad you were here.”

  “You graduated with Randy, right?” Jared swiped a forearm across his head.

  “Yeah, I think it was three years behind you. What happened?”

  “Not exactly sure yet, but I didn’t think Penny should be alone or drive.”

  “All right if I take her home?”

  “That’s fine. If I need her, I know how to reach her.”

  “Thanks. Please keep me posted.” Chuck nudged Penny toward his car. “Are you okay, Ryan? Can I get you anything? Want to come with us?”

  “I’ll take care of Ryan,” Jared said, like it was his job or duty.

  “Ryan can take care of herself,” she said under her breath. But quickly reminded herself that someone had broken into her home, and Jared was just doing his job. He was always just doing his job.

  “I’ll call you tomorrow.” Penny waved as the BMW rolled down the road, red taillights fading out into the darkness.

  “Ryan, this is Officer Jenkins,” Jared said. “He needs you to go through the house with him and make sure nothing is missing.”

  She followed him into the house, tears welling in her eyes. A firm hand gripped her forearm as she made her way down the short hallway to her bedroom. “Oh, God.” She stopped at the doorway and looked at her clothing strewn about the room. Her body trembled. “What were they looking for?” Her throat was too dry to cough.

  “I need you to tell me what’s missing.” Jared smoothed his strong hand down her back. The circular motion at the base of her spine comforted her. “But you can’t touch anything yet.”

  She glanced around the room. “It’s hard to tell, with most of my belongings on the floor. Seems like everything in my closet is out here.” She inched toward her dresser, trying not to step on anything. The drawers had been pulled open and emptied. “I don’t know.” She continued to scan the room. Her clothes had been tossed to the ground as if they didn’t matter. “The only thing I don’t see is my...my...underwear and nighties.”

  “Doesn’t look like there are any undergarments here,” Officer Jenkins said.

  She jumped, having forgotten the officer was in the room. “My underwear? Who would do such a thing?” Her stomach tightened. The taste of bile rose up to her throat.

  “A pervert, ma’am,” Officer Jenkins said.

  “But who? And why me?”

  “Could be an ex-boyfriend or a perfect stranger, but someone decided to fixate their issues on you, ma’am.” The officer turned toward Jared. “I’ll file a report, and our office will up our patrols. We’ll need to get her prints so we can match them against the prints we’ve found here.”

  “State will take care of that and send them to you. What about a tap on the phone? She’s been getting a lot of hang-ups lately.”

  The officer lifted his hat, then wiped his brow. “Doubtful, but I’ll check into it. You might have better luck than us.”

  “All right. Thanks for coming out.”

  “You can put your room back in order now, ma’am.”

  “Thanks.” Ryan plopped on the edge of her bed and tried to make sense of what had happened while she and Penny had been having a quiet drink near the lake only five hundred feet away. If she didn’t know better, she’d have thought her stepfather had returned. He used to go on rampages and trash the house, just because someone ticked him off. But George was behind bars.

  She rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling for what seemed like an eternity. Her eyelids sank heavily and her body demanded sleep. She inhaled deeply, then let out one slow breath. She couldn’t believe this was happening to her.

  Jared had already called his office for a list of every possible perp in the area, but nothing jumped out at him. The background check he’d done on Tom had turned up a few parking tickets, a speeding ticket, and a sealed file from juvie.

  That sealed file could’ve been anything. Hell, Jared had been picked up twice as a teenager, once for lewd behavior and once for possession. Both times the cop had opted to warn him and send him home scared shitless. However, that didn’t make him a criminal. Kids made stupid mistakes every day of their existence.

  He ran his fingers across the splintered wood. Anyone could’ve kicked in the door. Jared grabbed a soda from the refrigerator before heading back to Ryan’s bedroom. The thought that someone had her panties sickened him. There were a lot of heinous crimes out there, but sexual ones disturbed him more than most.

  He paused at the base of her bed and sipped his soda. Ryan had curled up like a kitten and hugged her pillow. He hated the idea of waking her, but she couldn’t stay here alone under the present circumstances.

  He set the soda can down on the nightstand and hesitated for a moment. She looked almost peaceful. He slid his arms under her warm body.

  “Jared?” Her eyes flew open.

  “Relax, babe.” But it was him who needed to relax. The muscles in his body ached like he’d been up for days.

  “I have to work in the morning.”

  “What time do you need to get up?” He lifted her into his arms and she nuzzled her face into his neck. Her hot breath tickled his skin.

  “About six. I’ve got a big event tomorrow at the hotel.”

  “I’ll set an alarm for you.” Careful not to bump anything, he made his way out of her room and through t
he carriage house.

  “Are you taking me to your bed?”

  “You can’t stay here alone; the door doesn’t lock anymore.” That really didn’t answer her question. He hadn’t given much thought to where she’d sleep. Okay, so he had, but only in the name of protecting her. Yeah, right.

  “Thanks.” She cuddled up like a kitten when he stepped outside. The cool breeze smacked him in the face like a cold bucket of water.

  Her thumb glided across his neck and her warm breath heated his skin, reminding him of their kiss in the bar. He wanted to hold her. Make love to her in the moonlight. But not tonight. It wouldn’t be right. He wasn’t sure any time would be right with her. Not because he didn’t want her, but because she deserved more than he could ever give anyone.

  He settled her into his bed and took a step back. Deciding she couldn’t possibly be comfortable in her jeans, he reached for her zipper. His fingers trembled. He fumbled with the stupid thing as if he’d never used one before.

  “Need a little help,” she mumbled, pushing his hands aside. She slipped from her jeans with ease, lifted her shirt over her head, and tossed it to the side.

  He blinked, then blinked again, but couldn’t rip his eyes from her half naked form. He kept telling himself to turn away, but instead he just stared at her matching pink bra and lace panties. “Damn.”

  He yanked the comforter and tossed it over her. A soft, rosy scent filtered around him, sending his pulse into a frenzy. She shifted beneath the blanket, snuggled up with his pillow, and let out a sigh that sent him over the edge.

  After ridding himself of all of his clothing except his boxers, he fluffed the spare pillow and climbed onto the bed, on top of the covers. With his ankles crossed and his hands tucked behind his head, he squeezed his eyes shut. But the rhythmic breathing of the beauty lying next to him couldn’t be ignored.

  “Jared,” she mumbled. “Thanks for being there for me.” She shifted under the covers, inching closer, but never touching him. Thank God for small favors.

  “That’s what friends are for,” he whispered, resting his hand over hers.

  She held it, but didn’t move. She seemed to just drift off and he knew she’d fallen asleep.

  Her friendship meant a lot to him. He had started off as a protector, but somewhere it shifted to something more equal. He settled down and took a deep breath. But he remained restless. Friends shouldn’t share a bed with friends.

  3

  Ryan took in a slow breath. A masculine scent filled her senses. But it didn’t belong in her bedroom. Confused, she blinked open her eyes. Then she remembered her house had been broken into, and Jared had tucked her into a bed in the main house. “Oh, my.” She recognized the room. His room.

  She stretched, enjoying the musky smell of Jared’s aftershave. She had no idea a smell could be so alluring. Or so comforting.

  She scanned the darkened room. She’d been in his house a million times, even his bedroom, but had never expected to wake up there. Only dreamed what it would be like to spend the night next to his strong body.

  She wondered where he had slept as a warm glow peeked through the curtains. She adjusted the pillow behind her and scooted to a sitting position, letting the covers fall to her waist.

  Lifting her arms high above her head, she released the sleep from her body. When she finished her cat stretch, she sighed and glanced across the room at the clock. She still had a few minutes before she had to get up, so she’d enjoy his bed, even if he wasn’t in it.

  She noticed a humming noise just before it stopped, then the bathroom door pushed open.

  “You’re awake,” Jared said.

  Unable to take her eyes off his sculptured body, she nodded. His chest hair glistened with water left over from his shower. A towel had been wrapped low around his waist. Too low. Steam drifted into the bedroom, carrying a soapy smell.

  “You okay?” He adjusted his towel a bit higher.

  “Huh?” She gasped and clutched at the covers as he sat on the edge of the bed, but the blanket didn’t budge. “Fine,” she whispered.

  “Relax.” He lifted the covers, but held them in his hand while his other hand smoothed back her hair. He traced a path across her cheek, down her neck, to the space between her breasts. His finger tickled up and down her skin, just above her bra.

  Her choppy breath burned her lungs. Her pulse throbbed so fast she couldn’t tell where one beat started and another one ended.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he murmured. His eyes darted back to her face as he drew the covers across her chest. “I’ll get you some clean towels for your shower.”

  She pulled the covers to her chin. “I need my clothes so I can go back to my place and get ready for work.”

  “Take a shower here. I’ll get you some of my sweats, and then I’ll walk you to your place so you can change.”

  “I’m sure I’ll be fine getting ready in the carriage house.” This was it, and she’d just blown it. She should’ve acted like a woman. Instead, she acted like a scared rabbit.

  He stood, almost losing his towel. It didn’t seem to bother him, because it took him forever to fix it. “You have to take these threats seriously.”

  “I do. But—”

  “No buts.” He waved his finger in front of her face. “I’d never be able to forgive myself if something happened to you.” He opened a dresser drawer and handed her some clothes. Without another word, he ducked back into the bathroom, once again leaving her unable to catch a breath.

  She slipped on the shirt, which hung to her knees, and opted not to put on the sweats. Her pounding headache demanded caffeine.

  She slipped downstairs and started a pot of coffee. As she glanced out the window toward her carriage house, fear prickled at the back of her neck. Someone had broken into her house, touched her things, stolen her underwear, and she had no idea who or why. It didn’t seem like something her stepfather would do. Besides, he was behind bars, where he belonged. Although, she wouldn’t put anything past that man. He was evil. Pure evil.

  “Ryan?” Jared’s footsteps clunked on the floor like a herd of elephants. “Damn it, don’t run off like that.” He stuffed his gray uniform shirt into his unbuckled pants, and then zipped them.

  That man was too sexy for his own good, even when he wasn’t trying to be. “Just thought you might like some coffee.” Licking her lips, she forced her stare to remain above his neck.

  “Thanks.” With capable hands, he pulled down two mugs. “Go shower, then I’ll make sure you get off to work,” he ordered.

  She bit her tongue; fighting with him wouldn’t be worth it. When he was on a mission, forget it. He’d win every time. “Thank you,” she whispered. “Having you around last night made things a little easier.”

  “You’re welcome.” He bent over and pressed his lips against her temple. He’d kissed her like that many times before, but this time, there was something blatantly sexual about the way his mouth touched her skin. “Now scoot, I’ve got work to do.”

  “Should I call a door guy?” she asked with renewed hope. Maybe she hadn’t blown it after all.

  “I’m your door guy, babe.” He snagged a dishtowel and swatted her bottom. “I’ll fix it tonight, right after I cook you dinner.”

  “Well, now, I can’t pass up an offer like that.” She padded toward the stairs with a mixture of excitement and fear. She’d fantasized long enough. It was time to take action, consequences be damned.

  Hours later, Ryan took a step back and glanced around the banquet hall with a satisfied smile. The sun sparkled through the clear windows, casting a beautiful shine across the grand room. She’d taken part in the design of all the hotel’s renovations right down to the bold red carpet throughout the main dining room, and she couldn’t be prouder. The manager had complimented her taste many times, saying she’d helped raise the hotel’s status as one of the best resorts in the state. Maybe even the country. Her job had been the one thing she could count on. Well, besides
Penny’s friendship and Jared’s overprotecting ways. She sighed. Too many things were changing.

  She checked her watch. The ladies’ club would be arriving any moment, and she couldn’t have been more pleased with how everyone on her team had managed to save a near disaster.

  “You outdid yourself,” Rick Weston said.

  Unable to contain her joy, she smiled wider. “Thanks. I’m happy with the way things turned out, considering the problems.” Impressing Rick, the general manager, was important. Too many things had gone wrong leading up to this day, and it was up to Ryan to fix them. Hell, it was her responsibility to take the brunt of blame. If Ryan didn’t know better, she might think someone was out to get her. Her smile faded. Someone might be. That thought chilled her to the bone.

  “The ladies’ club has been wonderful about the mix-up with the hors d’oeuvres. The chef has managed to pull a few strings, and we’ll be all set with the correct entrees.” Ryan ran her fingers across the deep pink tablecloth. Mistakes had been made before, but this did seem over the top.

  “Any idea what happened to the requests?”

  Forcing her gaze to the centerpiece, a small bowl with a single gardenia floating in a sea of pink water, she swallowed. “I have a copy of everything in a folder on my desk. What I submitted and what Leo has are two completely different things.”

  “That doesn’t make any sense.”

  She turned to her boss and kept her chin up. “Tom received the same papers that the kitchen did. I must have screwed up somewhere. I’m sorry.” One thing Ryan had learned along the way was to always take full responsibility. The buck had to stop somewhere, and today it stopped with her. “I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

  Rick cast an appreciative look around the room. “You’ve always been very efficient. You’ve done a fabulous job here. I don’t believe all this could’ve been your fault.”

  “Well, it is my job to make sure parties like this go off without a hitch.”