NY State Trooper- The Complete Box Set

by Jen Talty

  The more the sun’s heat reminded her of his tender touch, the tighter her nipples became, and the more she throbbed for him. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. She wasn’t supposed to want to make love with him.

  The boat swayed as a loud thud vibrated her seat. “You can stay right there,” he said, so I can enjoy looking at you sun yourself on the engine cover.”

  “I won’t fall off?”

  “I won’t drive fast enough for that to happen.”

  She heard the engine roar to life. Keeping her eyes closed, she focused on the humming of the motor and the rocking of the boat. She was sure she dozed off, exhausted and jubilant from the day’s events.

  At least ten times, Josh wanted to stop the boat in some private nook and seduce the woman who’d given him the most erotic afternoon of his life. He didn’t want to screw her. No. He wanted to touch every inch of her. Take his time with her. Taste her. Make love to her. No woman had ever made him feel like that. Not even Nicki, and if he was being honest with himself, part of him had been in love with the woman who had not only tried to kill him, but had been playing him from the very start.

  He held open the door to The Heritage Inn, carrying Delaney’s bag.

  “I’m on the second floor,” she said.

  “Lead the way.”

  Patty, one of the hotel owners and one of his confidants since he’d first moved here, stood behind the desk giving Josh an inquisitive stare as she greeted them. He could have just handed Delaney the bag and said his goodbye at the dock. But no. He had to walk her all the way to her room. And she didn’t protest. Not even a little.

  “I had a really great time today,” she said, sticking the key into the lock. “I love how they use old-fashioned keys. Not those plastic things.”

  “I’ve never been in here before. I mean, I lived in one of the cabins for a month, but I’ve never seen these rooms.”

  She turned as she pushed open the door. “Is that a line to get into my room?”

  “No.” He cleared his throat, crossing the threshold. “But since you invited me.”

  “I did no such thing.”

  The door clicked closed behind him, and his heart beat a little faster as he rested her bag on the neatly made king-sized bed with white-and-red quilt. A small wooden desk sat to the right of the bed, just underneath the window. “Lucky you. You’ve got a view of the lake.”

  She stood next to him in her bikini top and denim shorts, her body drenched with the scent of a warm summers day. “Thank you,” she whispered. Her hand gripped his biceps as his muscle flexed.

  He palmed her cheek, and she rewarded him with the fluttering of her eyelashes. Her body trembled as he wrapped his other arm around her waist. “Are you cold?” he whispered, holding her against his chest.

  “No.” Her hot, moist lips rubbed against his neck. “But I’m confused.”

  “About...?”

  “Why I want you so badly.”

  “I want you, too.” He cupped her face, holding her head steady, searching her eyes for any reason to back away. Her fingers dug into his back. Something in the way she blinked indicated fear, but he didn’t think she was afraid of him based on the way she pressed her hips against him.

  She rose up on tiptoe, slipping her tongue between his lips, then swirling it against his. Anything she wanted, he’d give her—without hesitation. He cupped her firm ass with one hand while the other glided across her soft, milky skin in search of the small piece of triangular fabric that covered her perky breast. He told himself he just wanted a single feel. To pinch her nipple once, hear her moan…once. Then he’d be done. He could walk away.

  But he knew that would be impossible as he pushed the flimsy fabric away, brushing his thumb across her tiny, tight nipple, swallowing her deep, guttural moan. He guided her down to the bed, kissing her lips, his finger still toying with her breast when he abruptly pulled away. “Protection,” he whispered. “I don’t have any.”

  Her big, blue eyes, laden with lust, stared up at him.

  “Do you?” He shouldn’t have asked, because this needed to stop. He wanted to keep her close, in case she was an enemy, but it was never a good idea to take potential threats to bed.

  She shook her head, biting down on her lower lip. “I wasn’t planning on meeting anyone. I was just going to lock myself up in my room and write.”

  “It’s a nice room to do that in.” Carefully, he covered her breast, adjusting the bathing suit so as much of her soft swell was covered as possible, but he wasn’t prepared to get off her just yet, enjoying the softness of her flesh against his thigh. “I have to work tomorrow until around five. Want to have dinner with me?”

  “I’d like that.” She bit down on her lip.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m not… I don’t… This isn’t like me. I don’t…”

  “Shhhh,” he whispered. “I don’t, either.” Rolling to his side, he propped himself on his elbow, pressing his hand firmly against her lean, taut stomach. “I’ve been mentally scolding myself all day for my thoughts. You’re so beautiful, but it’s more than that. I like spending time with you.”

  “Twice today, I’ve thrown myself at you,” she said, covering her eyes with the crook of her elbow.

  “I wouldn’t go that far,” he said. “Look at me.” While she’d initiated both intense kisses, he would have devoured her mouth anyway. He wanted to believe he was just following her lead, but both times, her body trembled. The first kiss, he assumed was from the adrenaline rush of cliff jumping. He felt bad, standing on the side of that cliff, knowing how scared she’d been. He didn’t think anyone could fake that kind of anxiety. But she overcame it for one moment. Conquer once, so you know you can.

  She groaned, tossing her arm to the side, but kept her eyes closed.

  Cupping her chin, he turned her head and those baby blues fluttered open. “We both got wrapped up on what, at least for me, was the best second date ever had, and I just didn’t want it to end.”

  “It was pretty awesome.”

  Her smile sent heat to places he’d been trying to calm down.

  “Not sure how you’re going to top it tomorrow night,” she said.

  “No pressure there.” He couldn’t stand being on this bed for one more second as his mind pictured all the things they could do without protection that would satisfy at least part of his ache. “Do you ever sit outside and write?”

  “I’ve been known to bring my laptop outside. Why?”

  “If you go down to the waterfront tomorrow, will you text me?” he asked.

  “If I had your number, sure.”

  Pulling his cell phone from his back pocket, he unlocked it, then handed it to her. “Put your number in there, and then call yourself so you have mine.”

  He swallowed a grown as she rolled to her stomach, facing him. She propped up on her elbows, feet in the air behind her, ankles crossed, seemingly oblivious to her flirtatious posture.

  “Can I take your picture for my caller ID?” she asked, handing back his phone while she dug through her bag.

  “I guess.”

  “Smile.” She held up her oversized pink phone then tapped. “Nice.”

  “Then I get one of you.”

  “Do you know how to set a picture to a number?”

  “No idea.”

  “Unlock your phone,” she said. “then give it to me. I’ll take a selfie and then set it to my number.”

  In awe, he watched her take three or four selfies before she found one she liked, then she fiddled with his phone a little more before handing it back.

  “I should go,” he said softly. “Pick you up at seven for dinner?”

  “Sure.”

  He bent and kissed her cheek, letting his fingers trace a path down the side of her neck to her shoulder. “I’ll see you then.” He didn’t wait for her to get up before he headed toward the door. Stopping there, he turned. She sat on the edge of the bed, legs crossed. “You’re going to be impo
ssible to resist,” he said.

  “You are impossible to resist.”

  Josh took the steps to the lobby two at a time. He didn’t trust his instincts when it came to women. Not after what happened with Nicki. He wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to trust a woman intimately again. Even when Craypo had been in jail, he couldn’t bring himself to date, or even hook up. He always worried there was a hidden agenda.

  When he stepped into the lobby, Patty’s husband, Reese, had joined her.

  “What are you doing here?” Reese asked, jutting his chin toward the stairs.

  “Walking a friend home,” Josh said.

  “He came in with one of our new guests,” Patty said. “One of the pretty, young ones.”

  “You don’t say,” Reese chided. “The woman at the Boardwalk last night?”

  “That’s the one,” Josh said.

  “He didn’t stay up there very long, though.” Patty had been one of the first people he talked to about Nicki. She’d been a good listener, never judging him or telling him he should have done something differently. She’d just been there for him. And so had Reese.

  “I just met her.” Josh shook his head. “Can you check on something for me?”

  “Depends,” Reese said.

  “Can you tell me when she made her hotel reservation?”

  “Why do you want to know?” Reese asked.

  Josh glanced over his shoulder, hoping Delaney wasn’t going to come bouncing down the stairs anytime soon. “She’s from downstate and I’m probably being paranoid, but—”

  “Say no more.” Reese tapped away on the keyboard behind the lobby desk. “She made the reservation two weeks ago. She was lucky we even had a room.”

  “Was there a cancellation?” Josh asked.

  Reese shook his head. “Does that help?”

  “Just makes me more paranoid,” Josh said. “Thanks. Appreciate the intel.”

  “We can keep an eye on her,” Patty said. “I could friend her. Chat her up.”

  “No, you won’t,” Reese barked. “I’m sure Josh doesn't need you to play detective while playing matchmaker at the same time.”

  “You’re no fun.” Patty swatted her husband’s arm. “And it’s about time Josh started dating. She’s very pretty, but on the quiet side. I bet—”

  “I’m sure Josh doesn’t want you meddling.” Reese looped his arm over Patty’s shoulder. “If there is anything you need, let me know.”

  “Will do,” Josh said. “And feel free to chat her up.”

  “Don’t encourage my wife.” Reese playfully kissed Patty’s cheek. “She’ll have you married by the end of the month.”

  3

  Delaney closed her laptop and stared at the lake. A large boat cruised up the shore, creating rolling waves that crashed against the break-wall. A group of children pranced down the yard and onto the docks while a group of women scolded them for running. The noise created a calmness inside her, but didn’t give her the ability to concentrate on her book. The sky burned red and orange as the sun’s rays collided with the oncoming dark of night. She tried calling her brother again, but his phone went straight to voicemail. Tapping on the Contacts app, she pulled up a number she should have removed a long time ago.

  The sound of heels clicking on the wood steps behind her saved her from making a huge mistake. She set her phone beside the chair.

  “Hi,” a familiar female voice said.

  Delaney spied Patty with a bottle of wine and two wine glasses.

  “Delaney, right?”

  “Yes.” She snatched her feet from the small coffee table in front of the rocking chairs facing the lake.

  “I’m Patty. I don’t think we’ve officially met, and I like to meet all our guests.” She set the bottle and glasses down. “May I buy you a drink?”

  If Patty were any other woman, Delaney would have been rude and said no. “I’d love that.” Besides, maybe she could get some inside information on how to get Josh in bed.

  Did she just think that?

  “I couldn’t help noticing that you spent the day with Josh,” Patty said.

  Think quick, but be as honest as possible. “He took pity on me, sitting alone in a restaurant reading a book, so he offered to show me around.”

  “He’s a good man.” Patty poured two generous glasses of wine. “He told me you’re an aspiring writer.”

  “Emphasis on ‘aspiring,’” Delaney said, swirling the white liquid around the tall glass.

  “I’m surprised such a beautiful young woman doesn’t have a boyfriend.” Patty tilted her head.

  “I’m surprised Josh isn’t married.” Delaney didn’t want the focus on her, even though she got the impression Patty was going to continue with the twenty questions.

  “The date was that good?” Patty arched a brow.

  Delaney smiled.

  “Now you have to tell me all the details.” Patty set her glass on the table as she shifted in the chair, tucking her legs underneath her.

  “I have no idea how to describe it because it wasn’t even so much where we want, but the way he’s so attentive and sweet, never once expecting anything but maybe a kiss.”

  “Chivalry isn’t dead yet.”

  “The men I usually meet…” Delaney glanced at Patty then down to her own fingers. “Most men I know try to get you in bed right away.”

  “That’s not Josh’s style,” Patty said, smiling, “but I slept with Reese on our first date.”

  “Really?”

  Patty laughed. “I’d known him for a couple years. He used to be a Trooper and was my cousin’s partner, so we’d been flirting, kissed a few times. Reese only dated women for a few weeks, then moved on. He had issues with commitment, and I’d been so relationship-focused that I thought a one-night stand seemed like a good idea. Only that one night turned into a year before we broke up because I’d fallen in love with him, but didn’t think he felt the same way. Two weeks later I had to tell him he’d knocked me up.”

  Delaney’s laugh came out more like a nervous chuckle. “I take it he loved you after all.”

  “He did, but men can be such morons sometimes.”

  “I don’t think anyone could call Josh a moron.” Bile rose from the pit of Delany’s stomach. She swallowed the wretched taste.

  “When it comes to women, all men can be idiots.” Patty looked over her shoulder at the main building. “Reese and I have owned this place for almost six years, and any new Trooper coming into town or being stationed here, we put up for free for a couple of weeks until they find a place to live. We even built a special cabin for it. Josh was no exception. When he first arrived, he’d been healing physically. Not my place to say what happened. But—”

  “The shooting,” Delaney said. “He told me he’d been shot, but didn’t give me the details.”

  “He nearly died, and it’s taken him a while to get back on his feet, so I was glad to see him with you.”

  “Why do I feel a ‘but’ coming?”

  Patty smiled. “I don’t think it’s a ‘but.’ Josh, on the outside, is this confident, “nothing bothers me” kind of man, but inside, he’s tender, sweet, kind, and a little broken.”

  Perspiration beaded across Delaney’s forehead. She was about to destroy this kind, wonderful man for a brother who couldn’t bother to show up for Thanksgiving dinner. “And you’re afraid I’m going to hurt him.”

  “That’s part of it,” Patty said, “but if you do sincerely like him, you’re going to have to fight his mule-like male stupidity. He’s got a brick wall stacked so high, you’re going to need to parachute in.”

  “I just met him,” Delaney said. “I have no idea what I want, if anything.”

  “Mommy!” a little girl yelled from across the yard.

  “Oh, good Lord, this should be interesting.” Patty sat up, downing her glass of wine. She waved to her husband, who held the girl in his arms while she wailed, and a young boy ran ahead.

  “She’s such a brat!�
� the boy said.

  “Be nice to your sister.” Reese set the little girl down, and she took off running, falling at least three times before crawling up the stairs, her brother and father taking their sweet time.

  “How old is she?” Delaney asked. Her heart pounded so fast she thought the blood circulating through her body could punch a hole in her veins.

  “She’s two.” Patty scooped the child up. “And she loves to give her father a hard time a little too much.”

  “She’s adorable. What’s her name?”

  “Emily.” Patty laughed. “Not adorable at all when she acts like this.”

  Emily wrapped her arms and legs around her mother. Her high-pitched crying settled down to sniffles as she buried her face in her mother’s neck.

  “I didn’t mean to be so forward, and it’s none of my business,” Patty said, “but Josh, in the year I’ve known him, hasn’t taken out a single woman.”

  “Are you kidding?”

  “Nope,” Patty said.

  “Hey, honey.” Reese sat in another chair before taking his wife’s wine glass and pouring himself a drink. “You two girls look like you’re having fun.”

  “More fun than it looks like you just had.” Patty smiled, batting her eyes at her handsome husband. “You could have kept this little family temper tantrum at home.”

  “Yeah, well, it started with me not wrapping the towel around her right, then I messed up the story, and then she—”

  “Emily ruined my Lego building!” the little boy said as he plopped himself at his mother’s feet. “I was working on it all day with Nana.”

  Delaney gripped the sides of the chair. The crazy normalness of this family collided with the insanity of her life in the last two weeks. Actually, since her parents had died. All she wanted was to live life, be happy, and maybe, a few times, feel like she had when jumping off that cliff.

  “We can rebuild it.” Reese patted his son’s head. “Justin, say hello to Delaney.”

  He waved. “Hi.”

  “I am sorry to have interrupted,” Reese said, “but there seems to be a plumbing problem in one of the cabins, and I thought you’d rather deal with this, than that.”