by Jaci Burton
Chapter Two
As usual, Maria’s throat went dry the minute Colin entered the office and dropped the Delgado file on her desk.
“Thanks,” she said, reaching for her coffee and taking a long swallow. “You talk to the DA?”
“Yeah,” he said. “We’re a go for counseling.”
“Great.” One down, way too many more to go. “Thanks for wrapping that up so fast.”
“My pleasure.”
She damn near shuddered at the sensual, dark tone in his voice, deciding to make notes in the Delgado file instead of gazing at Colin and letting her fantasies run wild in their usual perverted way. She thought they were finished, but Colin lingered, which was kind of odd since he usually breezed in and out, his caseload worse than hers.
“So, you going to the Domestic Violence holiday benefit?” he asked.
Her gaze shot to his. “Me? No.”
“Why not? Everyone from the services is invited and it’s a fantastic fundraiser.”
“I know. But I figured I’d just, ah, work or something. Leave the fundraising to the fat cats.”
His handcuffs jingled against his belt. Nothing turned her on more than a cop and all his hardware. Handcuffs, holster and one badass forty-caliber visible as his jacket gaped open. She swallowed hard as her throat went dry.
Really, Maria, you have got to get over this. Thank God Joan was off today or Maria would never hear the end of it. Again.
“Maria, you of all people know how important it is to convince those so-called fat cats to donate money. Posters and pamphlets aren’t going to get the job done. We need you there to tell them what it’s really like. Give them the gritty, realistic stories of domestic violence and sex crimes against women. You have to go.”
She wrinkled her nose and looked down at her files. “I hate that kind of thing. I’m not in public relations, Colin.”
“Then go with me. As a favor. Because I have to go and I hate to go to these things alone. It would be nice to have a friend with me.”
If her throat went dry the minute he walked in, it was a veritable desert now. Go with Colin? Like, as in a date?
No, he said a friend. That’s all she was to him. Just a friend. “Are you serious?”
“Why not? It’s Christmas. Think of it as your gift to me.”
“It’s too far away.”
“We’ll get a room.” At her look of wide-eyed shock, he corrected with, “Two rooms, I mean.”
“At that hotel? No, that’s too expensive.”
He rolled his eyes. “Now you’re being purposely difficult. I’ll book two rooms. I’m trustworthy, honest.”
“I trust you more than any man I’ve ever known, Colin,” she said, then immediately regretted it. Way too personal.
“Thanks. I’ll take that as a compliment. Now say you’ll go with me. Think of it as the best Christmas party ever. We’ll dress up, enjoy the expensive food and drink and not have to worry about driving home.”
She regarded him for a few moments, wondering if she could really do this. Now she really wished Joan was here today, though she already knew what her friend would tell her to do. Go for it. “Okay, but only if you let me buy you breakfast the next morning.”
He grinned. “You’re on. I’ll make all the arrangements. Give me your home address and I’ll pick you up Friday night. No sense both of us wasting gas and I’ll use the company car.”
“Okay.” Her hands were shaking as she jotted down her address. Silly woman. It’s not a date. Yet the telltale tremble was still evident, at least to her, as she handed the sheet of paper to Colin.
“Thanks. I’ll pick you up at six-thirty.”
“Great.” He sailed off and she sat there staring at the empty doorway. Not great. She didn’t have anything to wear to a black-tie affair, panic was already setting in. She was going to spend the night at the same hotel with Colin Maguire. She didn’t know what to wear. She hated these public events, they were so out of her league. She felt…out of sorts in so many different ways. Oh, why hadn’t she just said no thank you?
Much as she hated to do it, she picked up the phone and dialed Joan’s number.
* * * * *
“I’m going to throw up.”
Joan laughed and rolled her eyes. “You are not. Women who look as hot as you do not throw up.”
“I do not look hot.”
“Yes, you do. Turn around and look in the mirror.”
“I don’t want to.”
“Baby.”
“Bitch.”
“Love you too, honey. Now turn around and look at the masterpiece I’ve created.”
Maria cocked a brow at Joan. “You have a pierced eyebrow and porcupine hair. I hardly think you made me look like Catherine Zeta-Jones.”
Joan pouted. “You wound me. I’m a genius. Trust me and turn around.”
She did, but she kept her eyes closed, then felt stupid. What difference did it make anyway? As long as Joan hadn’t made her up to look like a goth prom queen, she could get through tonight. Opening her eyes, her jaw dropped as she surveyed herself in the mirror.
“Holy shit.”
“You’re welcome,” Joan said behind her, smiling smugly.
Her long, normally blah dark hair gleamed like starry midnight. It was pulled halfway up, curling ringlets falling over her shoulders. Instead of her usual no-makeup look, Joan had applied a subtle amount of eye shadow, mascara, blush and lipstick, making her look sexy but not trashy. And wow, her lips looked full and pouty like a fashion model’s.
The dress Joan made her buy when they dashed out to the mall yesterday was damn near scandalous, but Joan insisted it was more than appropriate for the Christmas benefit. Black velvet, above the knee, with a deep décolletage, it had thin spaghetti straps of rhinestones, the only thing holding up the bodice. The dress hugged her curves, making her waist look small, her boobs look huge and her hips look…damned womanly.
Add the garter belt, stockings and “fuck-me” shoes and she was decked to the nines.
“Wow.”
“Yes. Like I said, babe. Hot stuff. So when Colin propositions you, tear off his clothes, tell him you want to be tied, spread-eagled, to the bed, and let him give you exactly what you’ve been craving.”
Maria laughed and shook her head. “Not on your life, sister.”
“Coward.”
“You got it.”
“He wants you.”
“He does not.”
“It’s Christmas, Maria. And you need to live. Don’t be so afraid of your sexuality.”
“It’s perverted, Joan.”
Joan grabbed the shawl and draped it over Maria’s shoulders, letting her hands linger there. “There is absolutely nothing perverted about you or your sexual desires. As long as it’s between two consenting adults, whatever floats your boat is gravy, honey.”
“I don’t agree.”
Joan sighed. “I know. That’s why you’re terminally horny.”
The doorbell rang and Maria’s heart lodged in her throat. “Oh God, he’s here.”
Joan ran over and flung the door open. “Well, dayum, Maguire, don’t you clean up well.”
Clean up was an understatement. In blue jeans and polo shirt, he was devastatingly handsome. In a tux, he made her legs turn to jelly.
“Thanks, Joan. You’re pretty hot stuff yourself,” he said, winking at her.
“And you’re full of shit,” she said with a grin. Turning to Maria, she said, “Have fun, okay?” She blew a kiss and sailed out the door, leaving Maria alone with Colin.
“You ready?” he asked, stepping in her living room.
He was so…big. God, she couldn’t believe he stood in her living room. How often had she lay draped across her sofa, legs spread, fingers buried in her pussy, mind drenched in fantasy of Colin fucking her, demanding things of her. Wicked, dark things that made her cheeks burn and her pussy throb with need. She handed him her bag and said, “Yes. Let’s go.”
; This wasn’t the first time she’d been somewhere alone with Colin. They’d gone out to a victim’s house together before, but somehow tonight was…different.
Not a date, Maria. Remember?
Right. Not a date. Just friends. “You look really nice,” she said, then cringed at how inept she was at making small talk. Then again, if she said what she really wanted to say to him, he’d be appalled.
You look so goddamned hot I want to take your bow tie off with my teeth for starters, then lick every inch of your body until you command me to pleasure you.
Yeah, that would go over well. He’d turn the car around and dump her at her front door, fast.
“Thanks. And you take my breath away,” he replied, his gaze sweeping over her face and body. Was it her imagination, or did his eyes linger on her breasts and legs?
Wishful thinking, no doubt. She smiled and prayed the night ended early. Maybe he’d find some hot babe to hit on and she could slink off to her room.
Fortunately, he asked her about a case file and the rest of the drive was spent on work talk. That part was easy and seemed a lot more normal. By the time Colin pulled up in front of the hotel, she hadn’t realized how long they’d been talking.
The ballroom where the gala was taking place was enormous, and once again Maria felt out of her league. She was the daughter of immigrants, raised in the poor part of Los Angeles. She lived in a modest, one-bedroom apartment filled with secondhand furniture.
This was Beverly Hills, for God’s sake.
But when Colin stepped around to her side of the car and placed his hand at the small of her back, the warmth she felt there comforted her. And disturbed her at the same time.
“Relax. You’re gorgeous and you look like a movie star.”
“Shut up. I do not,” she said, laughing.
“Yeah, you do. Good thing I’m wearing my gun. I’ll probably have to fight off tons of men tonight to save your honor.”
If he kept whispering in her ear like that, he’d have to use his gun to fight her off. She shivered when his lips made contact with her earlobe.
It was going to be a long night.
* * * * *
Just as Colin had expected, Maria was the center of attention. He grabbed two flutes of champagne and pushed his way through the throng of people clamoring for her attention.
She had no idea how alluring she was. And not just her beauty, though she damn well knocked his socks off when he’d stepped through her front door tonight, rendering him idiotically speechless. Her hair was pulled back off the sides, long raven ringlets falling down her back. A clip of sparkling rhinestones was attached to her hair. The woman glittered, and it wasn’t just her hair adornment.
And, God, that dress. Soft black velvet clung to her curves. He itched to touch her, to sweep his hand down her bare arms and see if her skin was as soft as it looked, then rest his palm on her hip, squeeze the globes of her ass and draw her against his rapidly growing hard-on.
Thank God for long tux coats. He’d been in misery for hours just watching her work the room.
What he found exceptionally beautiful about her was her passion for her work. Despite her trepidation about coming tonight, as soon as everyone discovered who she worked for, she’d been barraged by questions and concerns, and handled the crowd with her typical grace and intelligence. He’d wager the benefit tonight would gross more money than it had in years. Maria had charmed them all.
In fact, he’d had a difficult time getting a minute alone with her. But that was about to change. It was close to midnight and the gala was almost over. He had a Christmas wish to fulfill and he was going to start granting that wish very soon.
Chapter Three
Maria was exhilarated and filled with hope, something that didn’t happen too often in her line of work. Not only had she received pledges of financial assistance from very prominent and well-to-do patrons, but a genuine concern for what was going on in the poorer areas of Los Angeles and a vow to help make changes and bring resources to her jurisdiction.
Now if they put their money where their mouths were, she’d be ecstatic.
Finally, the crowds around her eased and she searched the ballroom for Colin, realizing he’d left her alone. She hoped he wasn’t angry that so much of her time had been monopolized tonight.
She missed him. Which was stupid, of course, since he hadn’t brought her as a date.
“Looking for someone?”
She smiled and turned around, accepting the glass of champagne he handed her. God, he looked edible in that tux. “Thank you. Where have you been?”
“Standing on the outskirts watching you.”
Her face warmed. “Watching me?”
“Yes. You did a great job talking about the county’s services and needs.”
She shrugged. “I was just honest. And they were all very nice people.”
“With a lot of money. Hopefully they’ll put it to good use.”
“I hope so.” She sipped the champagne, wrinkling her nose when the bubbles tickled, finally able to relax and look around. The place was packed, wall-to-wall important people and celebrities. A live band played beautiful music, the food was fabulous and she was standing there with the man of her fantasies. All in all, a pretty good night.
“Would you like to dance?”
Her eyes widened. “Uh, sure.”
He took the glass from her hands and placed it on a nearby table, then reached for her hand, leading her onto the dance floor and pulling her into his arms.
Her breath caught when her breasts met the rock-hard wall of his chest. She tilted her head back to look into his dark eyes.
“You feel good against me.”
“Colin, I—”
“Did you ever have a secret wish, Maria?”
Oh God. She couldn’t breathe. Her throat constricted and her heart pounded against her chest. “A…secret wish?”
“Yeah. Something you wanted but you didn’t want anyone to know?”
“I don’t know. Not really,” she lied.
The music was slow, soft, as intoxicating as the man holding her in his arms. This whole night was surreal, especially this conversation.
“C’mon, Maria. I’ll tell you my secret if you tell me yours. It’s Christmas, after all.”
And no way in hell would she ever tell him what she really wanted. He’d think she was sick and twisted. “I don’t think so. I don’t really want anything.”
He arched a brow. “Nothing? You have no secret fantasies? Hell, I have tons of them.”
“You do?”
“Yes. You want to hear one of them?”
No, she wanted to hear all of them. In graphic detail. “Sure.”
“I’ve been dying to kiss you ever since I walked into your house tonight.”
Her knees turned to jelly. If Colin didn’t have such a firm hold on her body, she’d have fallen into a puddle of liquid on the floor. He wanted to kiss her? Wow. She never even knew he was interested. “I thought you said this wasn’t a date,” she blurted, then winced.
“I just said that to get you to come with me tonight. I want you, Maria. I’ve wanted you for years. I have a lot of secret wishes, and most of them revolve around you.”
Where was that champagne? She needed to down the entire contents, then go for seconds. This couldn’t be happening. She had fallen, hit her head and was having a really incredible dream right now.
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Tell me what you want.”
“I…I can’t.” She couldn’t bring herself to tell him her fantasies. Wanting to kiss someone was one thing. Her needs were a little…darker.
He twirled her around the floor, drawing her closer. Her eyes widened when she felt the rigid length of his cock against her belly. Dear God, she was going to faint.
Colin bent and whispered in her ear. “I’m hard as a goddamned rock, Maria. And if I know you like I think I know you, I’ll wager your panties are wet right now just
thinking about fucking me.”
The feel of his lips caressing her earlobe sent shivers down her spine. And he was right. God, he was right. Did he have some kind of sixth sense about her? Her panties were soaked, her pussy quaking with tremors. She trembled all over, whether from shock or desire she couldn’t say.
She pulled back and searched his face. “This can’t be real.”
His smile was wicked, not at all like the Colin she thought she knew. This Colin was hot, dangerous, the man she’d always wanted him to be.
“It’s real, Maria. All you have to do is say the word and we’re outta here. The choice is yours.”
Choice? What choice. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Colin took her hand and led her out of the ballroom without a word, taking the elevator up to the floor where their rooms were located. He took her to his room, opened the door and shut it behind him, then flipped on the light and turned to her, taking her hands in his.
“I read Joan’s note to Santa.”
Her eyes widened, embarrassment flaming her body. “You did? How?”
“It was tucked inside a file.”
She tried to push away but Colin wouldn’t let her go. “Thank God I found it or I might never have known you had the same desires I had.”
Shock rooted her to the spot. “You…you do?”
“Yeah, babe, I do. Here’s your choice. I want to make love to you. All night. In every way imaginable. I want to do things to you that you’ve only dreamed of. Wicked, nasty things. I want to fuck you in so many ways you’ll be screaming your head off and begging for more. I have very specific tastes, Maria. And I need a woman who wants the same things I do. If you want that, then I’ll grant your every wish. All you have to do is say yes.”
Her panties flooded at his words. But could she do what he asked? Yes, she wanted what he offered. Colin was the answer to every one of her fantasies, and he’d just laid out everything she’d ever dreamed of. But could she grab the brass ring without regret?
She looked at Colin, wondering why she even hesitated. He was sexy, drop-dead gorgeous and offering her a night she’d never forget. One night to fulfill all her fantasies. Then she’d hold onto those memories forever. She’d be insane not to take it, knowing a chance like this would never come again. Tomorrow she’d be professional, conservative Maria Perez again, pushing her deviant desires into the closet so no one would ever discover the kind of person she was.