When he strode into Shaw’s office her breath caught, the stories regarding his presence were accurate. His handsome face, although troubled, had a boyish look about it. His longish dark hair was dishevelled and cried out to be smoothed. His eyes penetrated hers, and even though his expression was apathetic, his eyes were intense and wonderfully hazel. Her attraction to him was instantaneous and she surprised even herself.
He strode from the office and she followed assuming this was what he wanted her to do. She hadn’t expected him to be quite so abrupt. His tough guy attitude certainly got the results but he could at least be civil to his partner.
“This will be your desk,” he gestured to a desk, which faced another desk full of clutter although seemed ordered somehow. He sat at this desk so she followed suit, waiting for him to say something, anything.
“Break room is over there,” he pointed, “if you want a coffee or anything.”
“Um sure, would you like some?”
“Yeah, white, loads of sugar, thanks.”
While pouring herself a black coffee and a white one for the rude yet sexy Hudson, two other detectives wondered in. She didn’t recognise either of them so she busied herself with the mundane task.
“Hey,” the younger one spoke. “Yeah you, what’s your name?” Realising he was talking to her, she turned her head.
“Are you talking to me?”
“Yeah.”
He grinned and although cute, appeared cocky with it.
“Maggie.”
“Are you Hudson’s new partner?”
“Yeah.”
“Watch out for him?”
“What do you mean?”
“He’s the love em and leave em type and seeing you’re so easy on the eye, I’m sure it won’t take long for him to try and get a leg over you.”
His partner sniggered and Mr I know I’m Handsome, smirked.
“Yeah, well, thanks for the warning but I can take care of myself and for the record, maybe I’ll be the one to try it on.” With a wink she exited the room.
Silence followed her. She smiled secretly as she thought about their mouth open expressions. She placed Lucas’ coffee down in front of him and he met her eyes before replying with a curt nod.
“So, what are you working on?” she asked.
“We’ll be continuing an investigation into a number of robberies, which, as of about two minutes ago, have escalated to murder. I just received the call to attend the scene.”
“Oh, okay, want to catch me up in the car?”
“Just so you know, I drive.”
“Yes, Boss.”
His frown was more enduring than menacing. “Leave the jokes for your friends in the break room.”
Without further word, he strode towards the exit, leaving her puzzled. How had he heard their conversation? She headed in the direction he’d just gone and had to hasten her steps to catch up.
20
Familiar Territory
“This is the fourth robbery in the area in the same number of weeks,” he began once she’d finally caught up to him and joined him in the car. “The first two were straight forward robberies, both jewellery stores without casualties. The last two, the proprietor or manager in both incidences was stabbed, not critically but wounded quite badly. The file is there,” he pointed to the file lodged down the side of her seat, “if you want to read over it. The call that just came in said that two victims were killed, probably last evening as they were closing up. What does this indicate to you?”
“Um, they are either escalating or the two last evening along with the previous victims, resisted in some way. There are a few files here, are they all related?”
“There are two others which may be relevant to our case. One has a string of robberies which occurred over a number of weeks and the other was a murder which eventuated from a similar robbery.”
“These are from ten years ago,” she said after noting the date on the outside of the files.
“Yeah I know but the MO is similar and it’s quite possible they’re being committed by the same people.”
“Why the gap? Were they inside?”
“That’s one of my theories. Compare the files, you’ll see. I believe the scene we’re about to attend could be the same ...” he stopped.
Maggie turned to study him a moment. He seemed to be working his jaw and his face had become even harsher than before, if at all possible.
“Are you alright?”
“Yeah,” he snapped.
When he turned to look at her, his expression, although masked, held something, especially his eyes. He frowned at her again.
“Is there anything you want to tell me?” she asked.
Lucas tapped impatiently on the steering wheel, waiting for his stunning partner to join him in the car. His instant attraction and craving to ... do unspeakable things had to be controlled. He’d watched her in the break room and desired had surged through his veins. What cruel twist of fate had sent her to him?
Patterson and O’Conner obviously amused themselves at her expense until she’d put them in their place. He’d smiled when he witnessed the exchange and as he remembered it now, found he was doing it again. Not only was she beautiful, she had a little sass, which was only going to make it even more difficult to control himself.
When she pulled open the door and jumped in her aroma tickled his nostrils. The feminine flowery scent surprised him and sent his pulse racing. How was he going to do this day after day? Deciding it best to talk shop he told her about the case and other similar ones. He could feel her eyes studying him as he spoke so he avoided her absorbing blue eyes. Why was she looking at him like that?
When she asked him if he was alright, it surprised him. How did she know he was bothered? When he’d told her he didn’t have the details regarding the murders they were about to attend he hadn’t told her the complete truth. He knew exactly what they were about to face and it had caused his heart to lunge into his throat. It was going to be all too familiar.
“Why would I have anything to tell you?” he snapped. “It’s just around the corner. We’ll get further details when we get there.”
“The names in this file are the same as yours.” Dammit.
He hadn’t wanted her to look at that file. He’d forgotten it was in the car. It usually stayed home but he must have picked it up with the others by accident.
“Yeah,” he answered.
“Are you going to tell me?”
“Why does it matter? It’s a cold case and may not have anything to do with this case or the other cases.”
Though he had a strong feeling that wouldn’t be the case.
“Who were they?”
“Why do you need to know?”
She dropped it and he was relieved, until they arrived. He slowly climbed out of the car as she came round to meet him. It was obvious, even from the outside, that the shop was destroyed; displays smashed and shelves missing items. Images flew into his mind and he bit down hard, urging them aside. His heart raced and his throat tightened. Clearing his throat and swallowing hard, he prepared himself. It had been ten years, he seen many awful images and scenes since then, the nightmares had stopped, he could handle it.
Without saying a word to Maggie he walked towards the entrance and she trailed behind. He wasn’t being helpful or a very good example for a newbie but she was too damn irresistible and pushing him to the limit of his self-control. He’d worked so hard over the past two years to distance himself from temptation and then fate sent Maggie.
As they entered the building the unmistakable metallic smell of blood was thick in the air. Both victims, one male and one female, were sprawled awkwardly on the floor. The male was lying in a doorway which led to what appeared to be a storeroom, with his feet facing the rear. The female was behind the counter, near the open register. She’d probably opened it for them prior to being killed. Both their necks were bloody and gaping. Suddenly he was seventeen again.
“Hudson,” he heard her speak again and he shook his head in an attempt to clear his mind. “The ME’s here.”
“You can handle it. I’ll be outside.”
He was on his third smoke when she emerged and walked with a determined stride towards him.
“Look, I don’t know what your problem is but I don’t appreciate you leaving me to do this alone, especially on my first day! I’ve heard you can be ...difficult but ...”
“I’m sorry,” he spoke before she could finish.
“Okay ...”
“It was my parents and I found them the night it happened. They were killed the same way. I should’ve told you before we went in.”
“Oh, how awful, I’m so sorry. It must have been terrible.”
“It was ten years ago and I’ve been doing fine with it for a while now but that was pushing my limits a little too far.”
“It’s alright, I understand.”
She touched his arm. Lucas looked up and met her eyes. When he saw his desire for her mirrored in her eyes, he pulled back and shut down.
“Anyway, have we got all we need?”
“I think so.”
“Alright, first thing we need to do is interview the owners of the surrounding shops.”
When he strode off she found herself trailing him again.
21
Unbridled Passion
After his initial confiding in her, a barrier went up and he became almost impossible and intolerable to work with. His abrasive and aloof manner day after day was wearing at Maggie. Something needed to be done. What irked her mostly though was, regardless of how rude or difficult he could be, she was still drawn to him and exceedingly attracted to him. Something warm, kind and compassion hid in those gorgeous amber eyes and she was determined to find it.
Two weeks passed before she got enough nerve to follow through with her plan. She waited for him in the car park and even knowing it was stalking behaviour, she followed him home. He wouldn’t talk to her if she asked, he hardly seemed the type, but she wanted to try regardless. Hard, hostile silence seemed to be his strong suit.
His apartment building was one of the older ones on the street, in the whole suburb, and it surprised her. He always appeared so neat except for his tousled hair which was endearing, just like so many things about him. She chastised herself for the hundredth time; she had to stop looking at him that way. Numerous reasons cautioned her to ignore her feelings and attraction but it remained nevertheless. Besides, he showed no indication the feeling was mutual. He’s your partner, Maggie! Ignoring her persistent thoughts of how wrong this was she walked up to the front door.
Lucas was preparing to shower when the doorbell rang. Having absolutely no idea who would be visiting, unless it was Carrie and she usually rang first, he answered the door shirtless without a care. There stood his partner, eyes downcast with a self-conscious expression. As she lifted her gaze, he observed her checking out his exposed body before coming to rest on his face.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’m sorry to disturb you at home but I wanted to talk to you and didn’t think you would be receptive to it at work, if at all.”
“You’re probably right. How do you know where I live?” She winced. “Stalking me are you?”
“No!” She met his eyes and saw a glimmer of humour. “Please, this is hard enough.”
“Come in.”
She took a few steps inside and he closed the door behind her while she stood rooted to the spot.
“Do you want a drink?”
“No, thanks.”
Curiosity drove him into his sparse lounge room where he perched himself on the couch. Maggie hadn’t moved just stared at him in a way he couldn’t decipher. Even though they’d settled into a rhythm as partners, despite him being rude due to his attraction to her, her turning up at his doorstep like this confused him. Maybe she wanted to change partners. Maybe he’d been too abrasive. Was she going to say anything?
“Sit down, please, you’re making me nervous.”
Realising she must look like an idiot just standing there staring at him, she walked over to a chair adjacent to the couch he occupied and sat.
“Okay, what’s on your mind?”
His smile was warm and crooked. Her heart did a somersault.
“You,” she blurted out before her cheeks heated up in a blush. “What I mean is I’m finding it really difficult working with you.”
“You are?”
He didn’t look surprised. Was he being rude on purpose or was he this way in general? His lack of surprise indicated he knew exactly what he was doing.
“Yes, you’re rude and ill tempered.”
“Ill tempered?” He smirked with a crooked half smile.
“Yes and you smiling at me like that isn’t making it any easier.”
“Okay ...”
He dropped his smile much to her disappointment.
“If you have a problem with me then I’m quite happy to ask to be reassigned or ...”
“I don’t have a problem with you ... even though you are difficult, I can handle it but ...”
Her words became lost. Maggie didn’t know if she could even say it out loud.
“What is it then?” His amber eyes mirrored the confusion in his words.
“Is it so hard to be pleasant?” She stood up. “I know it must suck having a female partner but from what I’ve heard you like women, too many probably but that isn’t my concern. Forget it. I’ll talk to the captain tomorrow and as soon as they can organise a transfer, I’ll be out of your hair.”
When he stood up and took a step toward her, her mouth went dry. Trying to swallow was impossible. If he kept looking at her that way she would definitely jump his bones.
“You don’t need to be reassigned. I know I can be ... difficult, it’s easier that way. My only problem with you, which is really my problem, is this ...”
Lucas took her by the shoulders and kissed her briefly and tenderly. His eyes then sought hers and she was aware he would see confusion mixed with longing. Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her tight against him and kissed her hungrily. Two years of abstinence poured from his lips to hers as his tongue passionately teased her. When she threw her arms around his neck and returned the kiss, he groaned.
He walked her backwards as he removed her shirt. His hands roamed her skin before removing her bra and easing her against the wall. His mouth never left hers as he ran his hands up her strong, lean arms and captured her wrists above her head. He held them fast, and she loved the passionate control he had over her. He continued to kiss her before trailing them down her body to capture each nipple one by one. Moaning bounced around his sparse apartment before he captured her mouth again.
Releasing her hands he grabbed her arse and pushed her harder against him while her hands instantly became buried in his hair. Hitching up her skirt, he removed her underwear and continued to savour her body with his lips and tongue. Her hands gripped his shoulders when he got down on his knees to tease her with his mouth. She ran her hands through his hair again as he brought her to a swift climax.
He removed his pants and she lifted her legs to wrap them around his waist. Trailing his hands up her arms he restrained her wrists again. He then kissed her before slipping on protection. When he plunged inside her it took her breath. He increased the tempo gradually, taking them both to a swift climax. Carrying her to the bed he laid her down before lying beside her for a moment.
“Sorry, it’s been a while, give me a minute.”
After several panting minutes he leaned over to remove her skirt. Lucas indulged himself by exploring her with his hands. He teased her nipples with his tongue as he let his fingers trail down to gently massage her. She arched her back and moaned as he idly pleasured her until he was ready. When her breathing increased he readied himself again before slipping slowly inside of her and moved with deliberate ease as he kissed and nibbled at her lips. He slowly built his crescendo of move
ment while she gripped his back, digging her nails deep into his flesh. This time her climax was long and strong and he watched her pleasure filled face. It took all his control to stop himself from joining her. He wanted to enjoy the moment a little longer. Finally he allowed himself relief as she cried out his name.
Lucas lay beside her again, watching her, as she tried to regain her breath. She turned to look at him and smiled.
“The locker room talk wasn’t all exaggerated stories,” she told him.
His deep laugh sent shockwaves of desire through her body to land between her legs. She wanted him again.
“I wouldn’t go that far. I’m sure the legend is probably much better than the reality.”
“Not from where I lay.”
“I haven’t been able to stop thinking about that since I met you.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, really, that’s why I’ve been so rude. I push everyone away.”
“Because of what happened to ...”
“Yeah. As much as I really enjoyed that and want to do it again, it’s only fair you know exactly how I feel about ... relationships and ties, and on top of that we’re partners.”
“We shouldn’t be doing this, should we?”
“Probably not. I want to though. But you have to understand I like no strings and if we continue to do this nothing is going to change, ever.”
“Okay, I can live with that.”
“As far as being partners is concerned, well, I won’t tell anyone if you don’t.”
He offered her that lopsided grin again sending more lust through her body.
“I won’t tell anyone because I definitely want to do that again.”
Hudson Page 11