Deceived At Every Turn

by Jennifer Cole

Trying to push her way past him, she said with restrained evenness, “This is ridiculous. Now, get the hell out of my way. You are not coming in my house.”

  Spence took a half step back and cocked his head, dumbfounded. “It’s procedure.”

  “It’s bullshit,” Summer returned.

  In silence, they stood studying one another. The only sound in the quiet night was their uneven breathing.

  Without warning, a large hand grabbed her wrist and another plucked the keys out of her grasp. Then he turned his back to her.

  “Hey! You son of a--”

  He cast a warning glance over his shoulder. “You aren’t about to verbally assault a police officer, are you?”

  She growled low, baring her teeth. “Bite me.”

  As he raised a brow in response, she could have sworn a look of arousal flickered in those blue depths. Was their little sparring match actually turning him on? Before barking out an obscenity at him, she stopped. A red warning flag shot skyward as she realized she was enjoying their banter. In an attempt to rid her wandering mind of those unwelcome thoughts, she gave her head a shake.

  Spence turned his attention back to the task of unlocking the door.

  The lock clicked open on the doorknob followed by the first deadbolt. Spence looked over his shoulder again and whispered, “You wait here.” He pointed down at her feet to emphasize his order.

  She nodded, but once he turned his head again, she leaned in to him and said, “Right.”

  Another look of warning was his response.

  As the tumbler clicked open in the second deadbolt, Summer pushed her way past Spence. “Get the hell out of my way, cop.”

  “Jesus Christ, lady,” he growled and tried to stop her entrance. “Will you let me do my job?”

  “Keep your voice down,” she quipped in a hushed tone.

  “What?” he griped back in a whisper.

  She felt the heat of his body against her back and spun around to shove him away. When she slammed into his solid frame, her head nestled under his chin. A clean, spicy, masculine scent filled her nostrils as she used his broad chest to brace herself.

  With lightning speed, Spence gripped her around the waist to steady her. She felt him inhale softly against her hair. Even in her five-inch heels, he towered over her. His hardening erection pressed against her belly as he held her body to his.

  “I need to search your house, Miss Rain, to be sure you don’t have any unwelcome visitors.” His voice was husky, just above a whisper.

  Clearing her throat, she backed away from the intense heat of his body. “You’re the only unwelcome visitor I have,” she responded quietly. “You don’t need to check my house. You’ve seen the locks on the front door, the back is the same, and I have a security system.”

  “A security system? In this place?” As he looked around the dark foyer, an amused expression crossed his face.

  Instantly, she saw red. Her heart thumped so hard she thought it would burst from her chest. The smug son of a bitch insulted her! Again!

  “Yeah, that’s right, cop. It might seem like a dump to you, but it’s my dump. And all the worthless shit inside it is mine,” she snapped and flicked on the light switch beside the door.

  “I didn’t mean--” Spence stepped back toward the door as the foyer lit up around them. “Whoa!” His beautiful blue eyes grew as big as saucers.

  “Meet my security system.”

  Five feet away, her two Rottweilers eyed him as if he was dinner.

  She watched him, but spoke to the dogs. “Fred, Ginger, don’t let this man into our house.”

  Fred growled low. Spence backed out onto the porch

  “Good night, Officer.” With him finally out of her house, she closed the door.

  After locking up, she made her way through the small house to her room. She removed her long, brunette wig and the clips holding her sweat-soaked blond hair in place. Looking at her reflection, she smiled as she thought of how easy it was to get under Spence’s skin, and was surprised at how effortlessly he had the same effect on her.

  There was no way she would ever allow him to gain the upper hand. The fact he carried a badge wouldn’t intimidate her. If he thought she was going to cower to his bullying tactics, the man was sadly mistaken.

  She supposed it really was only a matter of time. The past five months of relative peace had been too good to be true. The chief now had her under protective custody, which was a flowery bullshit term for ‘under surveillance’ as far as she was concerned.

  After carefully plucking off her false eyelashes, she stepped out of her skimpy outfit. Climbing into a hot, steamy shower she stood under the pounding spray of the scorching water, letting it work its magical fingers to soothe away the day’s stresses--and her sudden arousal.

  Once her shower was over, she wandered back into the living room and glanced out the front window. There, parked at the curb in front of her house, sat the black Beemer.

  She hoped Tiny would get some answers about why this cop was keeping an eye on her. Since he’d used her stage name instead of her real name she thought it might somehow be related to the club. He might have been given the wrong dancer’s name. Maybe this would all be cleared up in the morning, and she was worrying for nothing.

  It was a long shot, but she could hope.

  * * * *

  On the other side of the steel door where he was finally able to blow out the breath he’d been holding, Riley Spence heard the deadbolts click then a chain slide into place.

  She’s a feisty one. This ought to be fun.

  He turned and walked back to his car, hoping to get comfortable for the long, lonely night ahead, but he wasn’t sure that would be possible. The arousal that had been triggered at the club when he’d studied her face, wondering what she looked like without all the makeup on, had left him in a state of discomfort.

  The look of fear in her gorgeous, dark green eyes when he’d stormed her vehicle earlier, twisted his gut. Christ, he hadn’t wanted to frighten her, but she’d interfered with him doing his job.

  She’s infuriating, he thought wryly, and a fucking turn on.

  Bad combination.

  Why did the chief want this woman watched? Orders were orders, and it wasn’t his place to question. But damn it, she made him want to--no, need to--know.

  She appeared perfectly capable of taking care of herself. Feisty, intelligent, and a ‘no bullshit’ attitude were all admirable qualities. And what about those dogs? He was confident that no one in their right mind would dare approach the woman while she was in the company of those two beasts.

  If he was going to do his job, and keep her safe, he’d have to get more information regarding this case.

  Chapter 3

  “Hey, you’re up.” Harper Rainier entered the kitchen and smiled at her niece, already seated at the table eating breakfast.

  “Melina made me French toast,” Olivia mumbled around a mouthful of food.

  “Aren’t you a lucky girl?”

  “Here’s your coffee.” Melina handed Harper her favorite mug, steaming with hot brew. “How was your night?”

  Melina was a godsend. She was a terrific nanny, well worth her weight in gold.

  “Fine. Thanks for asking. Give me a sec, I’ll be right back.”

  “Sure thing.”

  With cup in hand, Harper headed into the living room and over to the front window. Her brow furrowed as she looked out. The black Beemer was gone, but in its place sat a blue unmarked car, a lone occupant behind the wheel.

  A few minutes later, Olivia hugged her leg. “Whatcha looking at?”

  “Nothing, sweetie. Go get dressed, we need to leave soon.” With immense love, she stared down at the little girl at her side and tucked a stray lock of blond hair behind the child’s ear.

  “Are we going to see Daddy?”

  “Yeah, baby. Go on, get ready.”

  When Olivia disappeared, Harper walked back into the kitchen.

  “Me
lina, a cop followed me home last night and spent the night in his car at the curb.”

  The temptation to tease about the unwanted escort the night before became clear on Melina’s face. Harper was appreciative of her not seizing the opportunity.

  “Now there’s an unmarked car parked out front. Tiny’s checking it out, but until we know more, or anything for that matter, let’s keep things low key, okay? I don’t want to upset Olivia.”

  “Of course. What do you think they want?” Melina asked.

  “I don’t know. The one last night said I was in danger.” Harper attempted to hide her discontent with a shrug of indifference. “I’m sure it’s nothing, just a misunderstanding or mistake.”

  Twenty minutes later, the trio left the house. While Melina went in one direction, Harper and Olivia got into her car and headed off in the other. A glance in the rearview mirror confirmed her suspicions. The unmarked car pulled into traffic behind her.

  Unwilling to let the unnerving situation get the better of her, Harper went about her regular business throughout the day. The car and its occupant never let her out of sight the entire day.

  * * * *

  At ten that night Harper walked out of her house, locking the front door behind her. Stepping off the porch, she immediately spotted the shiny black BMW parked in the driveway directly behind her rusted out, multi-colored car. She blew out an audible sigh and threw her shoulders back in preparation for the inevitable confrontation.

  Officer Spence opened his car door and got out to meet her.

  “I’ll be driving you tonight.” His eyes met hers, and his voice was low and tinged with irritation.

  “That’s not necessary.” Her tone matched his. “Why don’t you just follow me?”

  “You don’t play the ‘I’ll follow you’ game fairly, Miss Rain. This will make my job of keeping an eye on you easier.” As his eyes zeroed in on her, his full lips pulled into a tight, thin line.

  It pleased Harper to see him as tense as she felt.

  “Look, cop, I’ve been babysat all day. Why? Who said I’m in danger? Why is Metro PD keeping tabs on me?” She didn’t bother to mask her anger. “I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what I want to know.”

  “You’ll have to take that up with headquarters. Or ask Tiny, he’s been asking questions all day. Now get in my car,” he ordered through clenched teeth.

  Harper snapped her heels together, saluting Spence military style, and walked over to the passenger side of his car where he opened the door for her.

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  They rode in silence to the club, and he escorted her inside. As Spence and Tiny exchanged unpleasant grunts, she rolled her eyes at the two He-Men and disappeared, alone, behind the employees-only door. She wasn’t interested in sticking around for their pissing match.

  Tiny was waiting for her when she finished her final set and arrived backstage to clean up her things.

  “All right, what did you find out, Tiny?”

  “Sorry, kid. My contact at the PD doesn’t know anything about why you’re being tailed. He says this Riley Spence seems like a good guy though. Does everything by the book. He’s new to Metro. Apparently had some sort of run-in with a superior a couple of months back. All of a sudden, he showed up at Metro.”

  “There’s no such thing as a good cop,” Harper reminded him.

  “I know you think that, kid. I’ll keep digging.”

  “Thanks. You’re the best.” Standing on her tiptoes, she kissed his smooth cheek. “Where is he?”

  “At the bar. He hasn’t moved all night. Not even to take a leak.”

  Leaving the area designated for staff only, Harper walked through the bar toward the cop waiting there for her. They looked each other over thoroughly as she approached.

  * * * *

  The night before Riley had been a perfect gentleman, but tonight he looked his fill. He’d be lying if he said Summer’s womanly figure didn’t make him hard. He let his mind wander as his gaze caressed her full breasts. Wouldn’t mind sliding my cock between those.

  “May I buy you a drink?” Riley flashed her a smile, knowing his dimples should weaken her stone façade.

  What woman wasn’t a sucker for dimples?

  “No, thank you. I’d like to go home.” Her face displayed no emotion as she replied.

  Apparently this one.

  “I don’t hang around here after my shift.”

  He nodded and led her out to his car. He wasn’t interested in hanging around a strip joint either. Co-workers and even friends were always trying to get him to loosen up and join them for a beer or two at the titty bars, but the bar scene held no appeal for him.

  The ride back to Summer’s house was as quiet as the ride to the club had been.

  “Did you enjoy the show?” she asked.

  “I wasn’t paying any attention to the stage, I was watching the crowd.” Riley shrugged, the lie sliding easily from his lips. He hadn’t watched anyone else perform, but couldn’t take his eyes off Summer when she was on stage. Her sensuality mesmerized him. “The strip club scene isn’t my thing. Speaking as a first timer, I suppose it was fine.”

  “You’ve never been to a gentlemen’s club before?” Disbelief was clear in her tone.

  “No.”

  “Well then, Officer Spence, what do you do for fun?”

  “I work. And what I do outside of keeping tabs on you really isn’t any of your business.” His attention remained focused on the road ahead of them. No matter how sexy he found her, this was an assignment, and he wouldn’t allow things to get personal between them.

  * * * *

  Must have hit another nerve . Summer smiled with satisfaction.

  “Are you going to answer my earlier questions?” she asked, finally looking over at the gorgeous man beside her.

  His sharp, chiseled features caused her tummy to flutter. He was stunning. Her nipples puckered tightly against her lacy black bra and her pussy grew wet.

  “I have nothing to tell you. I’ve been assigned to watch you from eleven to seven, until further notice.”

  “You were out front of my house at ten tonight.”

  “I finished up my reports early.”

  Once he was in her driveway, Spence shifted the car into park.

  “Thank you for the ride.” She opened her door before he could get out and do it for her.

  “You’re welcome.”

  “How long is this shit going to go on for?”

  “Until I’m given another assignment.” A smile accompanied his reply.

  An incredible smile. Sexy. Playful. Dangerous. A hint of mischief sparkled in his eyes. Summer’s nipples grew even harder, pressing painfully against her lace bra, and moisture flooded the tingling juncture between her thighs. The damn cop stirred a sexual arousal in her she was not prepared to act on.

  She couldn’t.

  “Good night, Riley Spence.”

  Riley looked surprised that she’d used his given name.

  “I have my sources too.”

  “Well, good night then, Miss Rain,” he said softly.

  After getting ready for bed she wandered to the front window and studied Riley’s silhouetted profile inside his car. In frustration--a combination of irritation, but mostly arousal--she sighed and went to her room.

  * * * *

  Sitting alone in his car, Riley caught himself shaking his head and scowling at Summer’s closed front door, positive steam was actually shooting from his ears.

  She’d called him ‘cop’ again. His skin prickled, and he cringed inside. What the hell had he done to deserve this? He was a good man, a good officer. He helped little old ladies cross the road, carried groceries to their cars, and volunteered at the local soup kitchen on holidays, he’d never kicked a puppy, he said his prayers before bed. Well okay, the prayer thing was pushing it, but he was still a good guy.

  Giving himself a mental forehead slap, he snapped out
of his one-man pity party.

  It amazed him just how easily he’d allowed this woman to rattle his nerves.

  After taking several minutes to process the evening, Riley caught his reflection in the rearview mirror. A broad smile crossed his face as it suddenly hit him. She knew exactly what she was doing to him.

  He chuckled.

  Summer Rain was out of her pretty little mind if she thought for one minute Riley Spence would allow her to gain the upper hand.

  Chapter 4

  Several days later when the unmarked car with the replacement pulled up at seven sharp, Riley exited his own car and squatted down beside the driver’s window of the other.

  “Hey, Spence. How was your night?” Dale Smith asked him.

  “Not much happens on graveyard,” he answered with a shrug. “How about you?” Riley yawned with exhaustion.

  They glanced toward the house.

  “She usually goes out for a run with her guard dogs.” Smith checked his watch. “Anytime now. Then she and the kid leave around nine-thirty and head over to Metro Nursing Facility.”

  “Kid?”

  “Yeah, a cute little blonde with big green eyes. Waves at me every morning.” He smiled fondly, collecting his notepad from the seat beside him. “After they spend a couple of hours at the nursing home, she drops the kid off at a day care center across town and does her shopping, or heads to the gym, you know, chick stuff. My replacement meets me at three, wherever I am.”

  The front door of the house opened.

  “Got to go, Spence, she’s on the move,” Smith said, and started the car.

  Riley backed away, letting him drive off.

  * * * *

  A couple of hours later Riley pulled up behind the unmarked car and sent Smith for a break. He waited patiently behind the wheel of his car until three occupants emerged from the small house.

  First, a young, full-figured, pretty, dark-haired woman came out and slung a backpack over her shoulder. As Riley tried to figure out why she looked familiar, his attention was quickly diverted when a blond child with pigtails bounded out, her lips moving a mile a minute. Riley guessed she was probably three or four years old.

  Smith was right, she was adorable.