by Peyton Banks
Images of Myles flashed before her, and his hands were the only ones she wanted on her.
“Well, you should have thought about us, before you got with her.” She spun around on her heel but was snatched back by a strong hand on her forearm. Roxxy narrowed her eyes on Korey.
He had lost his mind if he thought he would be able to manhandle her.
“I want to know who you would be shopping for in there,” he demanded, pointing at the lingerie store.
“None of your business,” she ground out. She yanked her arm out of his gasp. “We’re done here.”
Roxxy turned on her heel and rushed to her car. She got in and slammed the door. Her gaze landed on Korey who stood before her car with his hands resting on his hips.
Her heart raced a mile a minute. She started the engine and threw the shift in reverse. She was livid.
How dare he try to act as if she had to answer to him about anything.
She tightened her grip on the steering wheel to keep her hands from trembling.
Her gaze flickered to the rearview mirror, and she prayed she didn’t see Korey behind her.
The road was clear.
She breathed a sigh of relief.
Her cell rang, interrupting her thoughts.
Myles.
“Hello?” she answered, using her hands-free button on her steering wheel.
“What’s wrong?” Myles replied immediately.
She smiled at the fierceness in his voice.
“It’s nothing.” She relaxed her hands on the steering wheel while the tension faded from her.
“It didn’t sound like nothing when you answered the phone.”
“I just ran into my ex, that’s all. Just seeing him made the urge to commit murder rise up in me.”
Myles gave a low chuckle. “Now as an officer of the law, I’m going to act like I didn’t hear that.”
“No, I wouldn’t want you to be labeled as an accessory,” she joked.
“The breakup was that bad?” he asked quietly.
“What would you think if you stopped by your boyfriend’s house and found the waitress from ya’ll favorite diner on her knees giving him head?”
“Ouch.”
Roxxy grunted. “Exactly. He acts like I should have just forgiven him. The motherfucker even tried to blame me—” Roxxy caught herself.
She didn’t want to go into details of her relationship with Korey. There was no point in her getting worked up over the past. She was happy with where she was and who she was currently fantasizing about all the time.
“You know what, I’m sorry,” she breathed. She guided the vehicle to a halt at a stop light. Her gaze flickered to the mirror, and she was happy to see there was no sign of Korey. She’d half expected him to follow her.
“What’s to be sorry for? Our past helps shape the person we are today,” he replied. He gave a slight cough. “Plus, I’m reaping the reward for his mistake.”
“You got that right,” she muttered. The light changed, and she pressed her foot down on the accelerator. It wouldn’t take her long to get home now. The road opened up to a highway and the beautiful land of South Carolina. “So when can I bestow my gift upon you?”
Her heart missed a beat. He hadn’t replied to her text, and she was already mortified that she was taking such brazen steps.
First sending the sexy picture to Myles, then boldly offering herself up to him.
“That’s what I was calling for.” His voice deepened.
She briefly closed her eyes, letting his baritone wash over her. She gripped the wheel tighter, imagining him next to her with his hands sliding down her body.
“I have a couple days off this week and figured if you could pencil me in on your busy sched—”
“When?” she asked, dancing in her seat. Her lips spread into a wide grin at his announcement.
“I could drive down tomorrow.”
“You’d have to get a hotel.” She bit her lip, hating how that sounded. She was a grown woman, but even at her age she didn’t want to have the conversation with her parents about having a man stay over.
Plus, the noise they’d keep up, there was no way she’d be explaining that.
“I’m fine with that as long as you stay there with me.”
“Um, did you think I wouldn’t be staying with you?” She laughed. She immediately began thinking of all things she needed to pack.
Hell, with Myles, she was sure she’d only need her new slutty outfit she’d just purchased.
Chapter 16
Myles glanced at his watch and was ready for this shift to be over. He’d be heading out first thing in the morning to go visit Roxxy. He couldn’t wait to see her. Hearing her voice and seeing her on the screen was nothing compared to being able to feel her and breathe in her scent.
He walked through the precinct toward the conference room where they would be holding their interview with Officer Knight.
As with any potential new member joining the team, he’d looked into her and read her file. She was a generational cop. Her father had retired from Atlanta’s police department. Her brother was a SWAT officer in Miami. Her grandfather had been a cop.
Policing was in her blood.
Already Myles had respect for her.
“Lover boy made it,” Iker announced when Myles strolled through the door.
Today’s meeting would be in the boardroom, not their usual conference room where they held their briefs.
Jokes flew through the air as he made his way to his seat. Zain, Brodie, Iker, Ash, and Declan were seated on the same side of table. The candidate would sit opposite the team where they could conduct their team interview.
“Whatever,” he muttered. He sat back and glided a hand across his bald head.
“I hear you’re taking a couple days off.” Zain leaned over.
Myles glanced him. Zain’s eyes twinkled, revealing his friend was up to something.
“Yeah, I am. I haven’t had any real days off in a while.” Myles shrugged.
“Going to go visit your girl?” Zain’s lips grew into a grin.
“None of your damn business,” Myles remarked. He tried to keep a straight face but he couldn’t keep his lips from curving up into a small smile.
“Ahhh…” the guys teased and laughed.
Zain made the whipping sound.
“Fuck ya’ll.” Myles shook his head.
“Oh, how the mighty has fallen.” Ash chuckled.
Declan coughed, obviously trying not to laugh. He held up a hand. “Okay, men. We need to get serious for a second. We’ll all talk about Myles in a bit.”
The room quieted. A couple of snickers could be heard before the team turned their attention to Declan who stood from his seat.
“Mac is meeting with Officer Knight to explain the interviews to her. I’m sure I don’t have to remind you to be professional with the questions. Did everyone review her CV?”
Nods went around.
Myles had to force himself to focus. He couldn’t let Roxxy consume him now. Team interviews were essential. If the team was satisfied with the candidate, it could mean adding on to their team. It had been a few years since they’d accepted someone.
He tried to think if he had any questions for Knight. He was sure something would come to mind once they got the meeting going.
A few minutes later, Mac ushered Officer Knight into the room. She was an African-American woman, tall and fit. Her dark hair was pulled back away from her face in a respectable ponytail. Her face was void of any emotions, making it hard for Myles to read her. She took her seat and gave a tight smile to the room.
“Officer Knight, I’m sure you have met the team, but I’ll go around and introduce everyone,” Mac began. He moved over to the corner. He announced each man’s name to move the introductions quickly.
“It’s nice to formally meet everyone,” Jordan said. She had good eye contact with them.
Myles was pleased. Meeting their team sometimes cau
sed anxiety or the candidate to become flustered.
Jordan, on the other hand, was cool as a cucumber.
“Thanks for applying for SWAT. We reviewed your file and see you were with Atlanta’s PD for some time. Why the transfer?” Declan started the questions off.
Jordan sat back and crossed her legs. She was still dressed in her blues, but she appeared as if she were in comfortable clothing.
“My sister lives here in Columbia. She recently became a widow and now is a single mom to two rambunctious boys. She needed me, and I was willing to move here to be close to her so I could help out.”
Loyal to family. That was a good quality and one that was needed for a SWAT officer.
The level of respect for her was rising.
“What makes you the best candidate out of all the ones who applied?” Zain asked.
The room was dead quiet and slightly tense. This was the one time that the team came together to assess the candidates, and they had to nail the interview.
“Police work is all I know. My father was a cop. My brother is SWAT for Miami. My grandfather was a cop, as was his father. I grew up surrounded by policemen and women. I’ve always had a great respect SWAT officers. I feel that I am the best to join this team, because I know what it takes to be a member. Long days and nights, physically fit to be able to do the job, intelligence, discipline, skills, and camaraderie. You can check with any of the partners I’ve had in the past, and they will vouch that I have all of that.”
Myles had to fight back a grin. She was spunky. The woman obviously knew what it would take to be on their team.
“Training. How have you trained? You impressed us at tryouts, hence why you are here, but what have you done in the past that gives you an edge?” Iker asked.
A grin spread. “Being one of few women gave me the drive to ensure I am the best at what I do. In Atlanta I always felt I had to prove myself because of who my father is and because I’m a woman. So I’ve trained with the Atlanta guys and with my brother’s team when I would visit him. Not only am I a master of weapons, but I hold a black belt in karate.”
“Why didn’t you try out for Atlanta before you moved?” Brodie asked.
“The year before I came here, my sister’s husband was very ill. I couldn’t commit to what they needed at the time because my priority was my sister and her family.” Jordan’s gaze landed on Myles.
He had yet to ask a question. He had been studying her the entire time. Watching her body language.
To sum it up, the woman bled blue. She was a tough cookie and fiercely loyal to her family.
“What do you hope to get out of joining SWAT?” Myles asked. He knew why most people wanted to, but there was something that everyone wanted out of the special team they applied for.
Being SWAT didn’t make a person rich by any means. The job would beat that person down and take everything from them.
Jordan stared at Myles. She blinked a few times. It wasn’t a normal question to ask, but her answer would be the determining factor for Myles.
“What do I hope to gain from joining SWAT?” she repeated the question back. Her brow furrowed while she thought of her answer. “That’s a good question, Officer Burton. Besides the opportunity to use my skills, I would say a team where I would really feel like I belong.”
Myles sat back.
He was satisfied with the answer.
The interview lasted another twenty minutes until the guys reached a place where they felt they had asked all the questions they needed.
“Let me walk you out,” Mac offered. He pushed off the wall since the team had concluded their interview. “Thanks for coming at the end of your shift. We appreciate it.”
Jordan stood with a smile. “It was no problem. Thank you, gentlemen. I really appreciate the opportunity to sit down and speak with you. Have a good evening.”
“Have a good one.” Myles nodded to her.
She turned on her heel and exited with Mac behind her. The room remained silent as each man pondered over the interview.
Myles knew his answer.
Mac returned and shut the door. He stood next to the chair Jordan had vacated. He met each member’s gaze.
“All those in favor of Officer Knight moving forward, say aye,” he commanded, not beating around the bush.
“Aye.” Replies echoed through the room.
The team had made their decision.
Officer Knight could move on to the next phase of interviews.
Roxxy glanced around her room to double-check if she was forgetting to pack anything.
Two nights in town with Myles had her nervous.
What if he got bored in their little town—
“Wait a darn minute. He’s going to be with me. There won’t be any time for him to get bored.”
What was she thinking?
A knock sounded at her door.
“Come in!” she called out. She turned and zipped up her small suitcase.
“Are you going to let us meet your friend?” a deep voice asked from behind her.
Roxxy flew around to find her father standing in her doorway. Her face warmed instantly. She had hoped he was going to be gone all day.
Roxxy didn’t know why, with one glance from her father, she felt fourteen again.
“Of course. Did you think I was going to just sneak out the house?” She forced a laugh. She brushed past him and walked toward the stairs.
“You’ve done that a time or two before.” He chuckled. He followed her down to the first floor.
Her mother hummed, and Roxxy followed the sound.
Shelby was in the kitchen fixing lunch. This was safer ground to have this conversation. She’d rather have her mom in the room.
“What time is your gentleman caller arriving?” Shelby asked.
Roxxy rolled her eyes as she took a seat at the island. “Mom, this is not the ninetieth century.”
“Well, what am I to call him? Is he your boyfriend?” Shelby rested her hands on her hips.
“How about we back up to what is the young man’s name?” Earl asked. He walked over to his wife and placed a kiss on her cheek.
Shelby melted against him with a small giggle.
Roxxy sighed. She hoped to one day have what her parents had.
Earl turned his attention to her.
Roxxy blew out a deep breath. She might as well get this over with.
“His name is Myles Burton,” she blurted out.
Her father’s eyebrows shot up. “Really.” He folded his arms across his chest and stared at her.
She swallowed hard, knowing what he was thinking.
That morning at the hotel when he saw Myles leaving their hotel in Columbia.
“I asked you if you knew why Burton was coming from the elevator—”
“Oh, hush up, Earl.” Shelby swatted her husband’s arm. “Leave the girl be. There are some things she’s not going to fess up to with her father.”
His brow furrowed, and he turned to Shelby. “But, honey—”
“Oh, don’t you ‘honey’ me. I remember a time when a certain young man was caught crawling out my bedroom window.”
Roxxy burst out laughing. This was one story she had yet to hear from her parents.
Imagine that.
Earl Sutton had got caught sneaking out her mother’s bedroom window.
“My daddy had his shotgun. You should have seen your daddy sprint across the field to where his truck was parked.” Shelby had tears running down her face.
Earl shook his head and held his hands up. “I give up.”
Roxxy wiped the tears from her cheeks. She hopped down from the chair and walked over to her father. She wrapped her arms around his waist. He rested his arm around her shoulders and hugged her back.
“It’s okay, Daddy. Myles is a good man. You would like him. He’s an Army man like yourself.”
“I heard.” Earl instantly warmed up.
Roxxy knew her father, and he was loyal to his Ar
my men. That would be one thing that he and Myles could bond over.
Earl placed a kiss on Roxxy’s forehead. “If he hurts you, I don’t care what branch he served in. My bullets aren’t prejudiced at all.”
“Oh, you hush now. From what Roxxy tells me, he’s a fine, standup man. I can’t wait to meet him,” Shelby announced. She turned back to her task of sandwich making.
“So you’ve already shared with your mother about Burton?” her father asked.
Roxxy slipped away and walked to the fridge. Before she left with Myles, she had planned to take him riding up to her favorite spot. They would have lunch out on the farm. She wanted to show him where she lived and give her big city man a taste of the country.
She had to introduce him to her mare, Sunshine. That horse was considered a best friend of Roxxy’s. She’d had her forever, and it was important that her two special people meet.
“You know how us girls gossip.” Shelby placed the sandwiches in a container. She had agreed to make lunch for Roxxy and Myles. Shelby Sutton’s cooking was known all over the county. A few things had rubbed off on Roxxy, but today, she was treating Myles to Shelby’s food.
“What time is he going to arrive?” Earl asked, leaning against the counter.
They were interrupted by the sound of the doorbell. Roxxy grinned and fought back jumping in place like a young schoolgirl. She was a grown woman and should be acting like it.
But the memories of riding Myles’s thick cock dried her mouth.
“Now. Promise me you will be behave.” She gave her father the same stare he gave her when he meant business.
“Of course he will.” Her mother elbowed her father in the side. “Go on, girl. Don’t leave your man out there waiting.”
Roxxy grinned, not needing to be told twice. She turned on her heel and practically ran to the front door.
She paused in the foyer and tried to will her heart to slow down. Glancing at the mirror on the wall, she made sure she appeared perfect. Satisfied with her appearance, she stepped back and strolled to the door.
She opened it, and there was Myles, larger than life. He looked even better than the last time they’d FaceTimed each other, which was last night. The sight of him in a tight t-shirt, jeans, and boots had her core clenching.