by Fast
* * * *
Don had to have her, bury his cock as far in her as possible. He’d never forgotten her passion, and tonight she was a hundred times hotter. His shoulders and back burned from her scratching, but the pleasure numbed the pain.
“Damn, Carmen, you’re a wildcat.” He needed no help finding her pussy, his dick centering instantly on her throbbing entrance. She held her arms up, pulling him down to lie on her. He knew it sounded Neanderthal, but all he could manage was a growl against her ear.
He couldn’t slow down and knew she was ready to come again. She was ready, his drive into her hot and tight. She clenched around him, grinding her hips until she cried out again. Pushing forward, he rocked against her until she lifted her hips to pull him deeper, moving in rhythm with his fast, hard stokes. He couldn’t breathe, yet the pounding blood coursing through his body kept him going. It blew him away, his orgasm powerful and brilliant behind his eyes.
She clung to him, kissing his neck and shoulders in spent passion, sighing with contentment. He rolled to his side and pulled her close.
“You’re beautiful, Redstone.”
Her eyes opened slowly, her smile mocking. “You don’t have to play me with drink and pretty words, Don.”
He exhaled roughly, wanting to shake her. “Why do you do that?”
She lifted up on her elbow. “Do what?”
There was a hint of anger in her voice. “Can’t a guy ever get nice with you?”
“Not you, Genonese.”
He had no answer for that comment. After all the time he’d blamed her for putting him in the hospital, all the macho quips he’d sent her way, she still had more balls than he did.
“There’s got to be a story behind that.” He brushed her hair from her forehead.
“You don’t need to know my life history.” She moved with cat-like grace, straddling his waist to stare darkly at him. “Are you bored already?”
“Hell no, baby.” What was she thinking, planning in that evil brain? “Forget I asked.”
“No.” She leaned back and then laughed. “I watched my pop beat my mom all my life, ran when he’d whip his belt over his head, buckle end out when he was drunk. Which was most of the time.”
Don had never heard Carmen reveal anything personal before. He wanted to hug her, but she sat rigid as stone on him. He didn’t interrupt her as she spilled the rest of her past.
“Pop taught me one thing that was useful. Not to be afraid of guns and how to fire them.” Her shoulders relaxed the longer she talked. “When he died in a gutter, we didn’t cry. We were relieved.” She grinned at him. “Sounds awful to you, doesn’t it?”
“Not that he died, just the part about how he treated you and your mother.”
“A girl wants a father to love, Don.” She slid off his hips and lay down beside him. “I didn’t want to be tough and fire guns.”
Propping up on the pillows, he thought about her hard ass attitude. Now he knew where it came from. “It wasn’t a waste, Redstone. You’re one hell of a cop.”
“Yeah, and it sure goes good with eating Christmas dinner alone and singing happy birthday to yourself.” She threw a pillow against his face. “Fuck it.”
She got up and went to the doorway. He wanted her to stay in bed with him. “Don’t run off mad, beautiful.”
“You have never seen me mad.” Grabbing her robe off a chair, she spoke matter-of-factly. “Want coffee or to get drunk as hell?”
“Your call, babe.” He couldn’t help being crazy about her. She was too fascinating to ever forget.
Chapter Four
Carmen groaned, a major headache pounding in her temples.
Why had she tried to match him shot for shot?
The aroma of fresh brewed coffee tantalized her nose. Don had entertained her until dawn and showed her he hadn’t lost a thing.
“Hey, Redstone.” He popped his head around the door to grin at her. “I always have coffee before sex.”
Now he was the old Genonese, cocky as hell and a pain in her ass. “In that case, you’d better drink a pot full.” She wished her tongue hadn’t loosened up with him, but it was too late to worry about.
He wasn’t put off, his lean body propped against the door as he teased her. “I can wait, but I don’t know about you.”
“Kiss my ass, Don.” She sat up and stretched her arms over her head. He was still leering at her, making her body flush with pleasure. “What’s with you? Never seen a naked woman before?”
“Not like this one.” He took a step toward the bed.
“Hold it, Detective.” She slid off the bed and pointed to the empty scotch bottle on the floor. “You didn’t have to get me plastered to have sex.”
“Yeah, maybe.” He picked up the shirt he’d brought and put it on, slowly buttoning it. “I have to run, babe. You going to get up to see me off?”
Run? Run where? To whom?
The bubble she’d played around in popped with a painful jab of reality. She’d asked for it, latching onto him with no thought of him leaving.
She shrugged and tried to not sound petulant. “You’re probably already late.”
He paused a half second before clipping his shield and weapon on his belt. “I’ll see you later.”
“Sure.” Carmen snuggled down in the sheets and turned her back to him. “Be sure to lock the door.”
He nodded and left the room. She heard the refrigerator door close and the clink of a spoon in his coffee cup. He was still here, and she wanted to see him, even if it was for just a minute.
She got up and pulled on her robe, hurrying to the kitchen. Her heart almost flipped, seeing him leaning against the sink, smiling at her in that damn sexy way.
“Coffee lure you out here?” He held his cup out to her. “You want to talk?”
She waved the cup away, licking her lips. She felt tongue-tied bringing up the subject. “Are you going to Major Green’s retirement party?”
He glanced away then back at her. “No, I’m tied up that night. How about you?”
“No.” She picked a lie from the air. “I’m scheduled to work that day.”
He set the cup on the counter and took a couple steps toward the door. “What’s the real reason you aren’t going? Major Green thinks the sun sets in your ass.”
“Maybe it does, and you’d better remember that.” She threw a dishtowel in his direction. “Get out.”
Before she could take a breath, he was back, wrapping his arms around her, his mouth clamping down on hers in a hard kiss. She trembled with desire. She hadn’t gotten enough of Don and never would.
He swatted her ass and stepped back, a smart alec grin on his face. “I only remember that ass pumping me dry.”
He walked out, and the emptiness of the apartment closed in around her. “I’d love to put a hex on you, Genonese.”
She poured coffee in the cup Don had used, turning it to the spot his lips had been on. Now that he was gone, she gave thought to the retirement party she was supposed to attend. Downtown, posh hotel and her showing up with no date. Wouldn’t she be just the one?
Pissed off at her situation, she tossed the coffee in the sink.
Why did you bring it up? He cut you off at the ankles. Damn it!
Out of habit, she put the cup in the dishwasher and shut the door. There was nothing in the racks but a saucer and two spoons.
What a life, Carmen. You’ll be talking to yourself if you don’t make some changes and soon.
Glancing in the bathroom, she grimaced at the mess they had left. Wet towels and ripped clothing lay in heaps on the floor. She gathered the discarded clothing, and dropped them in the washer.
Remembering Don hadn’t taken anything with him, she searched for his jeans. They were in the living room, and his shirt had found a home on the sofa.
Just holding his clothing, stained with mud and filthy water gave her a thrill.
She removed the towels from the washer and tossed in his things. While they w
ashed, she sat on the counter and thought about the sound of his voice, the bronze tone of his fine body, head to toe.
While she’d been working him into another round of sex, she’d found the ugly scar from the slug she’d put in him, and nearly gasped at the sight. There would always be that reminder of the pain she’d caused him.
Disgusted with the path her thoughts had taken, Carmen hopped down and went into the living room. She picked up her phone and then dropped it onto the coffee table.
You were ready to call him, weren’t you? Fool.
Going to her closet, she tried to push Don out of her thoughts. The hangers squeaked and grated on the pole as she searched for a decent dress. She had to have something appropriate for the major’s party.
Hell no. Everything she owned was either backless, strapless, or thigh-high creations. In the mess were some even shorter skirts. The floor, littered with shoes, told the same tale, all inappropriate just like their owner.
Maybe she’d wear her uniform. That would be a kick in the ass. Whatever the hell she wore, she wasn’t staying long. She would be all set gift wise with a box of Monte Christos. The major was such a sweet guy, helping her out of plenty of hot situations.
Shutting the closet door, she thought about Don’s comment. What had he meant by that crack about the sun setting in her ass? She’d never gotten the slightest inkling Major Green played favorites with her. Don was a typical male, reading crap into everything.
Too bad he couldn’t read her emotions. They would both be a lot happier if he could. Then again, maybe not.
She showered and dressed, putting the wet clothes in the dryer before heading off to find a decent dress. She rolled her eyes at the idea.
For the next several days, Carmen was forced to have a recruit ride with her. Genonese was doing his annual weapons proficiency test and had been testifying in a murder trial. She missed him like fury, but being away from Don for a few days gave her a chance to think of something else.
Time seemed to drag, yet the evening of the reception came all too soon for her. She dressed in her new cocktail dress and piled her hair into a reasonably stylish do. She gave up trying to appear perky and let the stubborn strands around her cheeks do as they pleased.
Where had the time gone?
Why hadn’t she had her hair done in a salon? Shoes, she had tons of, but she settled for her standbys, white sandals with three-inch heels.
It was time to leave the comfort of her apartment and head to the Plaza where all the in people hung out.
That was a laugh. She’d arrested most of them for drunken driving or wife beating.
Lord, don’t let this night drag on too long.
* * * *
Remembering several unexplained scrapes on the fender of her car, Carmen wasn’t anxious to use valet parking. She reluctantly handed over the keys to her Lincoln to an attendant and went inside the discreetly lit lobby of the hotel. Following the signs, she found the banquet room and stood near the exit.
She hadn’t been sure about the white silk cocktail dress, but after seeing what the other women were wearing, she relaxed. The dress had cost her a week’s pay, but the soft swirl of the skirt around her knees had convinced her to buy it. She was confident the feminine, draped bodice was modest, and the tiny straps would hold her breasts in place.
Lifting her bare shoulders, she moved through the crowd, smiling at the officers she knew, and exchanged a few words with some of them. They all had dates, or their wives hung onto their arms in a territorial stance.
Carmen moved on, finally spotting the guest of honor. She held her hand out. “Congratulations, Major.”
He pulled her into the circle of his arms for a hug. “Thank you, Redstone.” He smiled and turned to the group of men with him. “You all know Detective Redstone, don’t you?” He eyed her dress with a smile. “She’s an exemplary officer and is going places in the department.”
Knowing some of the men thought she wasn’t qualified for advancement, heat rose to her cheeks. After the incident with Genonese, she was considered poison, a joke. “You’re too kind, Major.” To change the subject, she pressed the cigars into his hand. “I hope you still like these.”
He grinned and held the box up for the others to see. “She knows a good thing when she sees it. Thank you, Carmen.”
The others agreed, gathering around, and quickly drew the retiring man back into their conversation. It was a good time for her to think about leaving the scene.
A waiter hoisting a tray loaded with champagne came toward her. She stopped him. “I’ll have one of those.”
He nodded, holding the tray down for her. The guy was in a hurry, but she didn’t miss his male perusal of her legs.
The night wasn’t a total loss. Score one. Tipping the flute up to take a sip, her good mood froze solid.
Genonese stood in a corner with his arm around the waist of a redhead in a green dress.
No, oh no. You’re not going to let this slide by.
She pasted on a smile and worked her way to where he leaned against a wall. He didn’t notice her for several seconds, wrapped up in a bragging session, no doubt.
The redhead saw her first and moved closer to Don’s side, a smug little smile on her puss.
Carmen itched to push the chick aside but kept a tight rein on her temper until he caught sight of her.
“Carmen.” He dropped his hand from his date’s waist and turned red under his tan. “I thought you weren’t coming.”
She faced him, taking his arm in a firm grip. “That’s right, partner. I came over here to see if it was the same guy that lied in my face after we’d fucked all night.” The idiot touched her shoulder in a flirtatious way, a grin curving his lips. She brushed at his hand and lowered her voice. “Don’t do that again, Genonese.”
He mumbled some kind of lame apology to the girl he was with, and stepped away from the group. “Redstone, I forgot I’d set this up weeks ago.”
“For a cop, you have a short memory.” Carmen smiled at him and whispered, her comments for his ears alone. “You’re a liar and a special kind of pig.”
“Redstone, you’re flying off in all directions.” He reached for her arm. Her glare obviously changed his mind, and he withdrew his hand.
“Go back to your lady friend. She looks like she’s just been mugged.” Carmen glanced around before verbally slashing him again. “I’ll see your sorry ass at work. Oh yeah, you’ll find your damn jeans on the trash heap.”
It was hot in the crowded room, and all she could think about was that snake in the grass. She felt like a fool, never considering Don would already have a date. The idea infuriated her all over again. He didn’t have enough balls to tell her.
He was like every other man she’d known. She couldn’t trust him.
Hell with it. The music sucked, the champagne warm, and the man who jerked her around was following her.
“Redstone, wait a minute.”
“I don’t have a minute, Don.” She let those little moonbeam feelings creep in while he gazed intently at her. “I have somewhere to be and I’m late.”
“That’s bullshit.” He curved his arm around her waist. “You’ll just have to sleep with me after you hear my side of this.” He grinned. “Kind of makeup sex.”
“Go have it with the dumb chick whose eyes are glaring a hole in your back.” Carmen hated the turmoil of jealous hurt that knotted her stomach. “I don’t like being lied to.”
Damn him! He didn’t even try to make up some lame excuse, or follow her as she moved away, weaving her way back to where Major Green stood.
If she hadn’t been so caught up in her miserable self pity, she’d have paid more attention to the man who pushed her aside, running straight toward the major.
The flash of exploding powder jolted her into action. Her hand went into the silly evening bag she carried to yank out her snub-nosed thirty-eight. She ran to kneel by her friend who lay wounded. “Is there a doctor here?” She che
cked the Major’s pulse, relieved to feel the strong beat under her fingers. She tried to make herself heard over the noise. “This man needs help right now.”
A grim-faced officer worked feverishly, pressing a handful of fancy dinner napkins to the bleeding wound.
She barely heard the shouts and commotion of the other officers taking the shooter down and dragging him from the reception area.
Major Greene groaned and tried to sit up. “Hell, I’m only winged, Carmen. Don’t look so worried.” He laughed and clutched his arm. “Looks like he ruined my best jacket.”
Hearing him joke about it, she breathed normally and patted his shoulder. “You can always get a new coat.” He was in pain, no matter how he tried to hide it. “Relax, Major. The EMT’s are here.”
“There’s plenty of party time left, Carmen. Go dance with one of these men.” He coughed and winced. “They haven’t sense enough to ask you.”
“I just want to make sure you’re taken care of.”
Strong hands pulled her to her feet.
“Carmen, are you all right?” It was Don, his complexion pasty, worry etching lines on his face.
Anger forgotten, she leaned against him. “Why couldn’t I have gotten here sooner? I should have gotten here in time.”
He laid his arm across her shoulders. “Two hundred officers are asking themselves the same question. Just like me.”
They moved aside to let the EMTs do their job. They stayed put until the Major was carried to a waiting ambulance.
She put her weapon back in her purse. “I’m going home.”
“I’ll take you.”
“I’m a cop, Genonese.” Brushing at her ruined dress, she tried to sound calm. “I’ll get there on my own. Take care of the woman you brought.”
“I take that as a no.”
He gazed at her for a moment then nodded as if he’d been dismissed by a witch. She couldn’t leave things in the mess they were in.
“Don, wait a minute.” He turned to look at her, his dark eyes shadowed by his lashes. “This should teach us something.”
“And, what would that be?”