Protecting Phoebe

by Shelli Stevens

  Phoebe palmed the card, curling her fingers over it and feeling like a complete idiot.

  “Thank you for your time, Officer.”

  “No problem.” He hesitated and stood. “I wish there were more I could do. But until—”

  She lifted her hand to stop him and grimaced. “I know. Trust me, I know how this works. Gabby was just worried about me.”

  “She a good friend outside work?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Good. She’ll keep an eye out for you. Stick close to you.”

  “No doubt.” Her mouth twitched. “She’s actually convinced me to go out with her and her guy tonight. There’s a funk band playing down at The Retro, you ever been there?”

  He gave a soft laugh. “Once or twice.”

  “Was it worth the cover charge?”

  “Might be. The only times I was there I was working undercover.”

  Her mouth rounded. “Oh. I see.”

  His gaze turned considering before he stood and gave curt nod. “You ladies take care and give us a call if there’s any trouble.”

  “Will do.” She watched him turn and leave the office, her gaze shifting downward to his ass in the tight pants.

  Wow.

  The door closed behind him and she pressed a hand to her warm cheek.

  Gabby was right. She really did need to start dating again. Or at least get her sex life back on track.

  Though she still had no clue where she’d gotten the gonads to tell the officer about her plans tonight. It had been kind of a passive aggressive hint that he should show up. But it wasn’t like he would. Why would he?

  She was likely just part of the business he took care of during the workday. He probably went home, cracked a beer, and forgot about anything that had to do with his day job. Maybe had some hot little girlfriend waiting for him back home too. Actually, very likely.

  Gabby rushed in, her gaze bright. “How’d it go?”

  Phoebe scowled and swerved her chair back to her computer. “I just made a complete idiot of myself. You are so on my shit list, missy.”

  Chapter 2

  After five minutes of shimmying his Hyundai into the tiny parking spot, Craig climbed out and clicked on the alarm.

  He smoothed his hands down the crisp designer shirt and wondered for the tenth time since he’d left his house what the hell he was doing.

  Jogging across the street when there was a break in traffic, he drew in a deep breath and shook his head. The line outside The Retro had dwindled to only a few people.

  The man who stood outside, checking IDs and taking money, glanced up and spotted Craig. His bored expression morphed into a scowl of dismay.

  “What the hell, you think they’d send someone else undercover this time. I promise, man, I’m not letting any minors in.”

  Craig grinned and lifted his hands. “I’m off duty tonight. I swear.”

  The bouncer lifted an eyebrow and held out his hand. “ID and ten dollars.”

  Craig fished his wallet out of his jeans and drew out his license and the money.

  The bouncer glanced down at the license and took the money. “Twenty-five? Hell, you’re older than you look.” He handed back the ID. “Don’t know why you’re shitting in the same place you eat, bro, but go on in.”

  “Thanks.” Craig slipped the license back into his wallet and stepped through the doors of the bar.

  The snap of the bass greeted him, driving the beat of the laidback seventies funk song the band played.

  He wove through the crowd, scanning the group of people for her. Though it was possible she hadn’t even come. She sure hadn’t seemed all that excited when she’d told him of her plans for tonight.

  But she had told him. The blood rushed through his body, tightening his dick and making him draw in a unsteady breath. Damn.

  He’d been called out to the office of Second Chances many times in the past few months. And each time he’d noticed her.

  Phoebe Jeffries. She was confident, friendly, and sexy as hell. And up until today, he hadn’t let himself think for one moment that she held even a spark of attraction toward him.

  But today, when they’d been closed in her office together, discussing her past…

  His fists clenched at his side and his jaw tightened. He’d never have imagined her having been an abuse victim. She was too strong. Didn’t put up with shit.

  But maybe that’s what happened to someone when they overcame that type of horror.

  As if his internal sensor knew she was near, his gaze swung to a table in the corner of the bar.

  Phoebe sat on the outside edge, nursing a beer between her palms and looking uncomfortable.

  His blood pounded a little harder as his gaze ran over her. Damn.

  Her dark hair had been straightened into a sleek curtain, instead of curly like she usually wore it. And he hadn’t thought it possible, but she was even sexier outside of work than she was in the skirts she wore to the office.

  He thought about the thigh she’d inadvertently flashed him earlier today, when she’d crossed her legs during their conversation. They’d been so smooth and pale, and the sight of her soft-looking skin had almost given him an erection on the spot.

  There was no skirt on her tonight—her denim-clad legs under the table gave that fact away, but the light blue blouse was cut low and he knew when he saw her up close it would be a near match to her eyes.

  Her gaze lifted toward where he stood, almost as if she’d known he was there. He saw her eyes widen and her mouth part slightly.

  She leaned over to whisper something to Gabby. A second later, Phoebe slid out of the booth and crossed the crowded floor toward him.

  “Hi.” Pushing her hair off her shoulder, she gave him a hesitant smile. “I’m surprised to see you here, Officer. Are you working tonight?”

  The light caught her face, her gaze sparkling up at him. He was right, her shirt was an almost-exact match for her eyes. They were the prettiest blue.

  “You can call me Craig. And, no, I’m off duty.” He moved his gaze over her face before letting it drop for just a moment to her cleavage. “You mentioned this place earlier and I thought I’d drop by.”

  He lifted his head again to watch her expression, wondering how she’d react to his blunt reply. Though the fact that he’d shown up at all should be a clear sign of his interest in her.

  She didn’t look at all uncomfortable, if anything her smile grew.

  “I’m glad. You should join us.”

  “You sure your friends are cool with that?”

  Phoebe lifted an eyebrow. “Did you forget that part where Gabby practically threw me at you earlier?”

  He gave a soft laugh. “No, I didn’t forget.” Unable to stop himself, he reached out and caught a strand of hair that still lingered by her neck. “Why do you think I really showed up tonight?”

  She swallowed visibly and ran her tongue over her lips. “Well. In that case, can I buy you a beer?”

  “I was about to make the same offer.”

  “You can get the next one.” She stepped back and smoothed her hands down her thighs. “What do you drink?”

  “IPA.”

  “Okay. I’ll be back in a second.”

  As she moved past him, he swung his gaze to watch her advance on the bar. His lowered his gaze to her ass, snugly cupped in the dark blue denim.

  Damn, she was hot. And that confidence he’d noticed earlier carried over outside the office. No giggling, or silly games. She’d known exactly what she was doing by mentioning her plans to him for tonight, and when he’d taken the bait, she’d clearly been pleased.

  She leaned over the counter, talking to the bartender, and the jeans tightened even more over her backside. He tore his gaze from her, willing his blood not to rush to his dick.

  He took the moment to check out the band on stage and some of the people dancing on the small dance floor.

  Someone moved to step past him and his shoulder slammed into Craig�
�s.

  Craig stepped back, his brows drawing together in irritation, as the taller man didn’t even bother to apologize.

  The man just gave him a hard stare, before scooting by him and out the door of the club.

  His gut prickled with a warning that something wasn’t right. A feeling he’d gotten all too used to with his job.

  “Your beer.”

  He turned at the soft statement and found Phoebe with a pint in her hand.

  “Thanks.” He accepted the drink with a slight smile, still thinking about the hardness on the other guy’s face.

  “Sure you’re up for hanging with Gabby and Justin? They’re fun. I promise.”

  “I’m up for it.” His mind shifted back to the woman in front of him and his thoughts hit the gutter. “I’m up for a lot of things.”

  “I’ll just bet you are.” Her laugh was throaty, her amusement genuine. “Come on, then.”

  Craig followed her to the table, not at all surprised to see Gabby grinning from ear to ear as she noted his approach. She whispered something to the man beside her and he glanced over, his gaze narrowed.

  Maybe a little overprotective? Now that he knew Phoebe’s past, he wouldn’t be surprised to face that from her friends.

  “Hey, look who I found.” Phoebe slid into the booth and then scooted over, making room for him.

  Craig sat down on the plastic cushion of the booth, his thigh brushing up against Phoebe’s. His cock strained against his jeans and he drew in a slow breath.

  “Well, hey there, Officer Redmond,” Gabby drawled and nudged her man in the ribs. “This here is my guy, Justin.”

  “Craig. I’m off duty.” Craig reached across the table to shake Justin’s hand. “Hey, what’s up, man?”

  “Not a lot.” Justin shook his hand, but his expression clearly indicated he was still withholding judgment on Craig.

  “Phoebe mentioned earlier that this band might be worth seeing, so I dropped by.”

  Phoebe made a quiet harrumph.

  Justin laughed. “Not so much. These guys are sucking up the place big time.”

  “Yeah, you so owe me.” Gabby scowled and took another swig of beer. “I gave up watching the game on TV tonight for this.”

  “You guys Giants fans?” Craig asked, lifting his IPA.

  “Hell, yeah, we are,” Justin replied. “Season tickets.”

  “That’s cool. Yeah, I try to make at least a game a month.”

  Phoebe cleared her throat. “We should all go to one together sometime. I’ve never been.”

  He glanced at Phoebe, surprised by her statement. He found her gaze on his lips. She jerked her head up, as if realizing she’d been staring. Her cheeks filled with color.

  Desire built low inside him, rushing through his blood. He drew in an unsteady breath. Had she been thinking about what it would be like to kiss him? Because he sure as hell had been having similar thoughts. For a few months now, really.

  Damn but if he didn’t want to just cup her face and run his thumbs over the cheeks, before taking her lips in a hard kiss.

  What would she taste like? What kinds of sweet sounds would she make when he sank his tongue deep into her mouth?

  Phoebe shifted next to him, as if sensing his sensual thoughts. Her thigh scratched against his.

  A hint of desire flashed in her eyes, pushing his primitive side further to the surface.

  Wanting to test her limits, he gave a slight smile, still holding her gaze, and let his right hand rest on her knee.

  A small, visible tremble ran through her and he heard the shift in her breathing.

  Never mind if the band sucked, the idea of getting her on the dance floor and pressing those sweet female curves against his body held entirely too much appeal.

  “Dance with me?” His words were soft, and though he’d meant it to be a question, it sounded far more like a command.

  He half expected her to turn him down, instead she tilted her head and gave a slight nod.

  “Why not.”

  Setting his beer on the table, he slid out of the booth and held out his hand to her.

  She took it and he curled his fingers around hers, tugging her to her feet and onto the dance floor.

  Finding a space in the crowd of dancers, Craig slipped his hand low on her hip and pulled her close.

  *

  God, she was so completely in over her head. Phoebe swallowed hard, but didn’t protest when he pulled her body snug against his.

  Their bodies ground together, moving to the snapping bass of the funk song. He moved his hand behind her hip, almost cupping her ass cheek, his other hand on her upper back, pressing her close.

  She bit back a groan as a heavy ache gathered between her legs, her nipples tightening under her shirt.

  The way they danced wasn’t particularly dirty, almost every couple on the floor danced in a similar fashion. But the way he moved against her had to be a promise of what he’d be like in bed.

  And she wanted him there. All too much. This was crazy. She closed her eyes when he nuzzled her ear. Absolute insanity.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body closer to him, grinding her hips against his.

  His breathing grew heavier and his erection harder to ignore. He caught her chin with firm fingers, lifting her head. He gave her no warning before his mouth slanted softly across hers.

  Heat exploded in her belly at the first light caress. The second pass of his mouth came firmer, his tongue sliding easily between her lips to flick against hers.

  Phoebe’s head swam, the room tilted and she had to tighten her grip on him to stay grounded.

  He lifted his head with a groan and pressed her head back against his shoulder.

  “Sorry.”

  “Don’t you dare apologize.”

  He laughed and the hot rush of air from his mouth against her ear almost made her legs weak.

  “Okay. Then I won’t.”

  His tongue slid along the curve of her ear and she stumbled with a gasp.

  He gave a husky laugh and she flushed. He knew exactly what he’d done to her with that little tongue trick.

  “Easy, baby,” he murmured and then lifted his head a bit.

  Disappointment stabbed that he’d put another inch between them. Just when things were getting good.

  She was at the point where she didn’t care. She’d gone far too long without a man, and here was Craig, ready to make her feel like a woman again. Make her feel alive.

  Maybe it was because he was a cop, and it made her more inclined to trust him. Made her think that he wouldn’t hurt her and he’d never be the type to abuse a woman—even as her logical side knew that theory was crap. Statistics had long proven that police officers had a high rate of abusive behavior. But somehow, on a gut level, she knew she had nothing to worry about with Craig.

  She trusted him. Even if she had no reason to, she did. And it scared the hell out of her. But at the same time, she wanted him. Wanted to do spontaneous, crazy things she’d never done in her life. Had been afraid to do after Rick.

  Or maybe it had something to do with the fact that Craig was younger. He was sexy, confident, and endearing. Plain and simple, he made all the bells and whistles in her body come to life. So why the hell shouldn’t she take this step? It didn’t have to be serious. It didn’t even have to be a relationship. It could just be one night of sex if she wanted. And right now? She wanted.

  She lifted her head from the curve of his neck and leaned back a bit, meeting his heated gaze.

  “Come home with me tonight.”

  Surprise flickered in his eyes before they burned even hotter and his nostrils flared.

  “You sure you know what you’re asking, Phoebe?”

  “I know damn well what I’m asking,” she fired back and gave him a slow smile. “Do you know what your answer will be?”

  His gaze lowered to her mouth. “My answer would be…whose place is closer?”

  Tension threaten
ed to weave through their sensual discussion, but she pushed it aside and tried to make light of her reply.

  “I’d rather you come to my place.” Going home with him meant she’d be in unfamiliar territory. Gave her the handicap.

  Understanding flickered in his gaze and he moved his hand over her back in a gesture that could only be described at reassuring.

  “Your place it is.” The song ended a moment later and he moved back from her. “Do you want to go back to the table and have another drink with your friends first?”

  “No.” She licked her lips. “I’d rather go. Now.”

  “My car or yours? Or separate?”

  “Separate.” She gave a slight smile. He was catching on quick.

  They moved back to the table to grab her purse. Gabby and Justin watched, looking intrigued.

  “Hey, guys. We were just going to order some nachos. You want some? We can get a full order.”

  “We’re actually going to head out.” Phoebe could feel her face burn red. “Thanks for inviting me, guys. I’ll catch up with you on Monday.”

  “Nice meeting you,” Craig said and reached over to shake both of their hands again.

  Phoebe cleared her throat and shot Gabby a quick look. “I’m going to run to the bathroom real quick. I’ll meet you near the entrance outside, all right, Craig?”

  He gave her a slow smile and nodded. “Sounds good.”

  Biting her lip, Phoebe spun and hurried across the club, knowing Gabby probably thought she’d lost her mind. Which is why she’d called the last-minute bathroom meeting with her.

  Sure enough, she’d only been in the neon-lit restroom for about ten seconds when the door swung open again and Gabby strode inside.

  “What the hell?”

  Chapter 3

  “Hey.” Phoebe braced her hands on the sink and met her friend’s stunned look in the mirror.

  “Hey? That’s all you can say? Hey?”

  “Are you looking for something in particular?”

  “Yeah, like maybe…Hi, Gabby, let me explain why I’ve decided to give up seven years of celibacy to go screw a cop I barely know.”

  Phoebe bit her lip to avoid laughing. “Who says I’m going to screw him?”