But Luis worked her old shift and was home, watching TV with a cold beer by now. She didn’t know anybody on the new shift, which made doing her job more difficult. Trust had to be earned.
Neighbors, no doubt alerted by the sirens and lights, gathered on the street.
Another cruiser pulled up beside her. When its siren ceased, she exited her vehicle and nodded at Rafe, an officer with five years of seniority on her. She hadn’t previously worked a call with Rafe, but they’d taken their breaks together twice at the same late-night café. He seemed like an okay guy. Guzzled as much coffee as Chip.
Rafe nodded back, hiked up his gun belt and moved with Lana toward the woman on the porch. She’d arrived first on the scene, so protocol dictated she take the lead.
As she’d been taught, Lana bent her elbows and held her arms in front of her body, hands ready to grab a tool off her belt if necessary.
Anything could happen on a domestic. They were a cop’s least favorite encounter with the public.
“What’s going on, ma’am?” Lana asked the woman.
“He hit me,” the woman whined. “The bastard hit me.” She rocked back and forth and began to sob.
“What’s your name, ma’am?” Lana asked in a soothing, friendly voice.
The woman didn’t look up. “Shirley.”
“Who hit you, Shirley?”
The front door burst open and a large white dude in his midthirties staggered onto the porch, holding an almost-empty bottle of whiskey in his left hand. He had a round belly and a scraggly beard.
“Hold it right there, sir,” Lana ordered in a loud, commanding voice.
Rafe stepped beside Lana to let this dude know she had backup.
“I didn’t hit the crazy bitch,” the man said. “Don’t tell them that, Shirl.”
“Do not come any closer, sir,” Lana ordered in the same authoritative voice. “Stay right where you are. We are talking to your wife right now.”
“She ain’t my wife.” The man moved closer, and Lana moved her hand to her Taser.
“He’s intoxicated,” Lana told Rafe.
“No shit,” Rafe agreed.
“Did the bitch say she was my wife?”
“No, sir, she did not. What’s your name, sir?”
“Douglas. Douglas Swift.”
“Mr. Swift, please wait inside the house. We’ll come talk to you when we’re done with Shirley.”
“Look what you did to me, you bastard,” Shirley said and lowered the cloth to display an eye swollen twice its normal size. “I hate you.”
“Oh, boy,” Rafe muttered.
Douglas moved toward Shirley. “I didn’t do that, you crazy bitch.”
“Mr. Swift, please stay back,” Lana advised. “I am warning you not to approach this woman.”
“Or what?” Swift asked with a laugh. He raised the bottle and guzzled the rest of the whiskey.
Lana pulled her Taser and took aim. “If you step any closer, I’ll have to tase you, sir.”
Douglas Swift raised the now-empty whiskey bottle as if it were a club. The circulating blue lights reflected off the glass as he lunged toward Shirley. Shirley cowered and placed her arms over her head.
Lana fired. The charged barbs hit Douglas in the chest. He screamed in pain, went to his knees and then dropped facedown onto the porch.
“Oh my God, you killed him,” Shirley shouted.
Lana shook her head. Now she was the enemy. What else was new? Apparently Shirley no longer hated Douglas.
“Relax, ma’am. He’s not dead,” Rafe said.
Douglas moaned and twitched as if on cue.
A boy and a girl, maybe five and six years old, appeared in the doorway, staring at the downed man. The boy screamed, “Daddy,” and Lana’s heart squeezed.
“Y’all go on back to your rooms,” Shirley yelled.
Wondering how many times the kids had witnessed scenes like this before, Lana used the radio on her shoulder to summon more backup.
“It’s going to be a long night,” Rafe said.
* * *
SEVERAL HOURS LATER, Lana stopped her personal car in front of her home, closed her eyes and rested her head against the seat. She needed a moment to process what had gone down on tonight’s shift.
After Lana had calmed Shirley, the woman had asked for information about a shelter for abused women. Hoping she’d follow through, Lana directed her to the Sunshine Center.
Had her mother ever considered leaving her father? Had she known shelters were even an option?
Lana released a sigh. She had enough to worry about in the present. Thankfully she had the next two days off. The problem was that her body hadn’t yet adjusted to her new schedule.
She hated this new shift. She ought to be grateful Rudy hadn’t stuck her on midnights, which would be worse. At least she had a new superior officer, so she didn’t have to deal with McFadden’s snark every day.
The worst part of the reassignment was she hadn’t seen Chip in a week. He was asleep when she got home and left for class before she woke up the next morning. She missed seeing him, talking to him.
If she saw him, she’d be kissing him.
Then she’d be in bed with him, and that thought made her smile.
She obviously spent way too much time thinking about Chip Peterson.
Lana stepped out of the car and locked it with a quick chirp of her key fob. On her way to the front porch, she scrutinized Gary’s home. Nothing going on there right now, but customers often came as late as 2:00 a.m. on Saturday nights.
Would Vice do anything about her report? Surely they’d want to know about something as obvious as Gary’s activities.
Trying not to wake Chip, Lana stepped out of her shoes and slipped into the house. He always left a table light on in the living room for her, and she clicked it off, putting the house in darkness.
She needed the darkness tonight.
McFadden had ordered her to end the investigation. If she didn’t do as he had instructed, her search for Dan’s killer would end her police career.
But how could her mother recover if Lana didn’t find justice for Dan?
Lana moved into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. Using its light, she poured a glass of white wine and took it to her seat next to the window so she could watch the comings and goings at the neighbor’s house. Another big plus for giving up on solving Dan’s murder would be she could finally drive her police vehicle home every night and save herself a lot of time. She could get to bed closer to midnight than 2:00 a.m.
And a marked police vehicle parked in front of the neighbor’s house would have quite the chilling effect on Gary’s business.
She took a sip of wine as she contemplated her decision.
What was more important to her? Solving Dan’s murder or being a cop? McFadden had made it clear that that was her choice. She loved being a cop. It felt good to be able to help people like Shirley and her kids. Because of her, they now had a safe place to go.
An SUV pulled into Gary’s driveway. Lana raised her binoculars. Without turning off the engine, a man exited and approached the front door, which opened immediately. She heard faint voices, and then the man disappeared inside.
Damn. With the angle of the car, she couldn’t read the license. No way to ID Gary’s visitor. She took a swallow of wine and settled into her chair.
What the hell was she doing? Wasting her time, that’s what. McFadden was right. She didn’t have the chops to investigate like a real detective.
But she couldn’t give up. Not yet. She’d promised her mother not to stop until she found the murderer. She just had to be more careful. And smarter.
She’d love to get inside Gary’s home and search. No telling what kind of evidence she’d uncover. Yeah, it would be an illegal search and nothing would be
allowed as evidence during a trial, but that wasn’t the point.
She’d find new leads, give herself a new direction. Could she find an open window? No way. If Gary had a stash of any contraband, he’d keep his house locked up tightly.
She’d have to break in. Or would it be possible to steal a key?
Gary’s customer climbed into his vehicle. When the SUV drove away, she was able to read the plate and jotted it down—for all the good it would do.
She hadn’t spoken to Chip in a week, so had no clue if he’d invited their neighbor over to watch the Dolphins tomorrow. But she’d see Chip in the morning and find out. Maybe they could start leaving each other notes.
What would he think about the idea of searching Gary’s home? Would he help her?
No. If she decided to search, she shouldn’t involve him. He couldn’t be part of something illegal. If things blew up and she got caught, he’d be in the clear. She didn’t want him to get into any kind of trouble because of her.
She thought about Chip sleeping in his bedroom, picturing how he would look, one muscled arm thrown over his head. Because of occasional groggy hallway encounters in the middle of the night, she knew he slept in his briefs and nothing else. So his six-pack abs would be on full display. If not the full package. She swallowed hard.
The image of his hot body lying against cool sheets created a delicious tug on her core. She emptied her wine and moved into the kitchen to pour another glass.
Between the alcohol and her exhaustion, she’d developed a slight buzz. She fantasized about how her roommate would look without his briefs.
Who would have ever thought Chip Peterson would turn out so bone-meltingly sexy? Or to be such an expert kisser? She leaned against the kitchen counter and stared at Chip’s half-open door.
Lately she’d thought a lot about getting Chip naked.
Lana took a healthy swallow of wine, placed her glass on the counter and then moved toward his door. It was time to move on with her life. Wasn’t everyone always telling her that?
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHIP KNEW THE minute Lana had returned home. Through his half-opened door, he heard the key in the lock, the swing of the door and her soft footsteps across the creaky hardwood floor. As usual she was attempting to be quiet, but he’d been awake. As usual.
Waiting for her. Worried about her.
He tossed his sheet aside, restless, glad for the cool air on his overheated body. He could never fall into a deep sleep until he knew she was safely home from her shift.
And that shift must have been difficult tonight because he’d heard the refrigerator door open, a cork pop out of a bottle and liquid dribble into a glass. She’d poured herself a glass of wine. That was unusual.
He was tempted to join her. He could ask her how her day went. He loved listening to her sweet voice as she told him about the crazy calls her squad answered, especially domestics. He could watch her graceful fingers as she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. He missed seeing Lana every day.
He knew exactly what she was doing right now. Obsessed with proving their neighbor had killed her brother, she’d parked her butt in the chair before the east window to watch the cars come and go from Gary’s house. Even from the grave, her brother still had a stranglehold on her thoughts and emotions.
How the hell could Chip fight a ghost?
Obviously he couldn’t, and her new schedule was a blessing. If he didn’t see her, he wouldn’t be tempted to make a fool of himself over her again.
He heard footsteps coming down the hall. So, she hadn’t watched Gary’s nightly drugstore for very long. Probably another sign that her shift had been rough. He flung an arm overhead onto his pillow. Had her asshole sergeant given her a hard time today?
His door swung fully open, and she stood on the threshold, her body vaguely outlined in the glow of the ambient light from the hall behind her.
He waited for her to speak, but she remained silent and still as a statue. Watching him.
“I’m awake,” he said. “What’s wrong?”
She took a hesitant step into his room. “You’re awake?” she asked, her voice featherlight.
“Yes.”
“Good,” she said, moving slowly toward him. “Then I don’t have to wake you.”
She stood next to his bed now, looking at him. What was she doing? He felt himself harden.
“Do you need something, Lana?” His voice sounded harsh in the darkness.
“Yes,” she whispered, her fingers releasing the buttons on her blouse. “You.”
The garment slid off her shoulders and onto the floor.
Chip held his breath when she removed her bra, revealing the most perfect pair of breasts he’d ever feasted his eyes on, her dark nipples rising to a peak. He couldn’t look away. His erection jerked, and he swallowed. This couldn’t be happening, but he knew he wasn’t dreaming.
“Lana?” he managed to say. She had to know what she was doing, but what the hell was she doing?
“Shh,” she murmured. “Don’t talk.” Before he could blink, she’d unzipped her shorts, shed them and her panties.
He sucked in a breath as he gazed upon her naked body. She was even more beautiful than he had imagined. A terrible, urgent need rose up in him that he didn’t possess the will to deny, even if he wanted to.
She paused only a second, their gazes locking, before she slid into bed beside him.
With a groan, he reached for her warmth and pulled her close, his mouth devouring hers, tasting the wine.
The feel of her left him incapable of rational thought, and this was no time for words. Her actions told him everything he needed to know. No way would he stop the miracle about to happen. He’d wanted Lana since he’d known what that wanting meant. He’d never be able to get enough of her.
He cupped her full breasts, loving the weight of them in his palms. He trailed kisses down her chin and her neck, and sucked one nipple into his mouth, flicking it with his tongue, then gently teasing pebble-hard flesh between his teeth.
She moaned something incomprehensible, arching beneath him, thrusting her pelvis into his. She didn’t want to wait and neither did he. He took her breast fully into his mouth and smoothed his hand across her satin-like skin, down to the junction between her thighs.
She was moist and ready for him.
He raised his head to gaze at her. Her eyes were dark with desire, fathomless, her breathing quick. She placed her hands on his chest, threading her fingers through his hair.
He gave her a quick kiss and rolled away to find a condom and sheath himself.
She opened her arms to him when he returned to the bed, but he had to be sure. “Yes?” he asked.
“Yes,” she responded, a demand to do what she wanted.
When he entered her, she was tight, gripping him. She felt so good, perfect for him. A sense of completeness and happiness welled up in him as he thrust deep inside her.
Lana opened her eyes and smiled at Chip. His eyes appeared blue even in the dark.
“Hi,” he said, and lowered his mouth to hers, using his tongue to tease her in tandem with the rhythm of his hips as he thrust into her over and over, filling her completely.
Nothing had prepared her for the sweet intimacy of making love with Chip. For the emotion, for the wonder that encompassed her, the mounting pressure that climbed and climbed until she didn’t think she could endure any more.
Chip kept moving in and out of her. She felt too good, too sensual, as if all the pleasure in the universe was centered between her thighs. Boneless, she lost herself to him. Every nerve ending danced with sensation. She didn’t want him to stop but couldn’t stand this delicious torture much longer. Pleasure flooded her body, and she issued a gasp of surprise and pure delight as she came.
Then he groaned and issued a sound that unquestioningly sign
ified his own release.
After a few final pumps, breathing hard, Chip collapsed onto the bed beside her, his heat searing into her. He reached for her hand, entwined their fingers and gave a gentle squeeze.
Lana stared at the ceiling. Her pulse pounded in her ears. She inhaled deeply, loving the scent of him, and knowing she would never forget the magic of this moment. Chip was her friend and now he was her lover.
Chip rolled over and disposed of the condom. When he lay back down, wanting to be closer to him, she rolled onto her side and stared at his profile. His eyes were closed, his chest rising and falling. She placed her palm on his chest, and he covered her hand with his. She smiled to herself, loving the idea that Chip wanted a connection between them. His heart thumped beneath her fingers.
“That was pretty amazing,” she murmured.
He grinned and turned to look at her. Their gazes locked, and his smile faded. What was he thinking?
She released a sigh and inched closer to place her head on his chest. He used his arm to pull her closer, and she snuggled in. Never in her life had she experienced anything as special as the intimacy of being joined with Chip.
“Was it, you know, okay for you?” she asked after a deep breath.
In a swift, unexpected motion, he rolled her over onto her back and pinned her arms over her head. “Wasn’t that obvious?”
Laughing, she grinned up at him. “Yeah, you seemed to enjoy it.”
“If there’s any doubt, let me make it clear.”
He kissed her so thoroughly then that she thought she might die of the happiness welling up inside her. Maybe this was how it felt to be in love. She’d never been in love before. Could she be in love with Chip?
He rolled over and urged her cheek back to his chest.
“I should have gone slower,” he said.
“I don’t see how that could have made it any better,” she said.
“Oh, it can get better,” he said. “Wait until next time.”
She closed her eyes. So, Chip wanted a next time. Why did that make her feel so good?
“Trust me,” he said, his words sounding slow, as if he were falling asleep. His breathing had fallen into a regular pattern.
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