by Taylor Lee
Chapter 5
I don’t believe I’ve ever seen . . . a dress . . . quite like that.” Annabelle Simpson’s flabbergasted stare matched her disbelieving tone. “It’s so gold . . . and . . . shiny.”
Paul Davis, now clearly on a roll, corrected her. “Face it, Annabelle, it ain’t the dress that’s ten-karat gold. It’s the fuckin’ bodacious body that miniscule stretch of cloth is doing a piss-poor job of covering.”
Deirdre interjected coolly, “Well, well. It seems I will have the opportunity to meet the woman that has all of you men tied in knots. I must say, Paul, your reaction doesn’t surprise me. But really, Frank, do yourself and the rest of us a favor, and put your tongue back in your mouth.” She glared at Reynolds, who had a sappy grin on his face. “I’m a trifle surprised, Frank, that you are taken with such an overt woman.”
Ignoring the cultured woman’s clear rebuke, Paul Davis responded true to form. “Sorry, honey, I can tell you there ain’t a man here tonight that’s got a pecker over an inch long that isn’t busting his zipper at the sight of that piece of sweet meat. I know it’s rude to talk about one of our officers so baldly, but face it, that little piece of ass turns grown men into blathering idiots.”
“Apparently so,” Deirdre said in an icy tone. “Especially those among us who have spent too much time at the bar.”
The commissioner frowned at her obvious criticism, but before he could reply, Jax chose to enter the fray. He wasn’t sure how he managed to keep his response casually cool given that Paul’s lewd reference to their male anatomy more than described his own flaring arousal. But holy Christ, how could he expect his dick not to respond? It wasn’t just the dress that took his breath or even the extraordinary body it revealed. No, it was the fact that Viviana had not only obeyed his order to come to the party, which was surprising enough, but she had taken him up on his dare to wear the dress he’d suggested. Whether she knew it or not, and he was sure that she did, she’d thrown down a gauntlet that he would be hard-pressed not to pick up.
Choosing to address Deidre’s criticism, he said blandly, “I agree, the sergeant does have a way of making an entrance. However, if I recall, Frank, you indicated that her occasionally over-the-top behavior has brought some well-needed positive publicity to the SJPD.”
Obviously relieved to be taken off the hot seat Deidre had placed him on, Frank eagerly grabbed the olive branch Jax sent his way.
“You’re correct, Commander. Sergeant Moreau has become a darling of the press corps. She has the ability to grab attention wherever she goes and definitely knows how to make an entrance.”
Deidre said sarcastically, “I can’t imagine how she manages to do that, Frank.”
Mayor Simpson spoke for the first time. Apparently, like Jax, the mayor wanted to tamp down the salacious response of the police commissioner, which seemed to have startled his sheltered wife as much as Viviana’s entrance had. “In fairness, Deidre, Sergeant Moreau has cultivated a relationship with the press and the public that for the most part is positive, something the SJPD desperately needs. It doesn’t hurt to have ‘Viviana groupies’ among a usually hostile press and a suspicious public.” The mayor turned to Jax, not hiding the sly grin tugging at his lips. “Although even you, Jax, must have been surprised to meet the famous sergeant whose unmanageable behavior, I understand, was the final nail in the coffin precipitating your predecessor’s retirement.”
Chief McElroy joined the circle in time to hear the mayor’s assessment. The smile he shot the mayor and Jax confirmed that he knew the subject of their conversation.
“Since it’s clear what all of you are discussing, let me add my two cents. In addition to being a knockout, Viviana Moreau is a first-rate detective. For those of us charged with overseeing her, let me tell you that young woman doesn’t know the meaning of fear, at least when it comes to her actions. I pity the criminals who get in her line of fire. Viviana will run them to ground, no matter how risky the venture or how much danger she puts herself in. I for one am a card carrying ‘Viviana groupie.’ ” He chuckled and turned to Jax, his smile widening. “That doesn’t mean that I’m not happy as hell that we’ve managed to hire the one guy who might actually put a leash on that outrageous young woman. For her sake as well as for the rest of her supposed superiors who haven’t been able put a glove on her, I wish you the best, Jax.”
Jax gave a nonchalant shrug. “You won’t be surprised that I’ve already seen some of the behavior you all are referring to, but don’t forget, I’ve managed to acquire somewhat of a badass reputation myself.”
At the general laughter greeting his assessment, Deidre leaned over and captured Jax’s arm. Responding to the chief, she said, “I think you made a smart move, Chief McElroy. Although I’m just now meeting the new commander, something tells me that he is more than capable of keeping the female members of his staff under control. After all, isn’t that what the title ‘commander’ is all about?”
Not missing Deidre’s allusion to their previous conversation and not-so-subtle reference to the BDSM component of the infamous movie, Jax made a point of turning the conversation away from his work and the famous sergeant. Instead he sought to put the attention on the clearly annoyed woman at his side.
“Tell me, Ms. Cummings, how did you become the superlative supporter of the arts that has earned you the respect and adulation of everyone from the mayor to his publicity guy?”
Making it clear that she understood Jax’s attempt to steer the conversation from the woman who had caught the attention of everyone attending the fashionable event, Deidre lifted a sculpted brow and replied crisply, “Well, let me put it this way, Commander Hughes, it wasn’t by wearing scandalous clothes that revealed every inch of my anatomy.” At Jax’s raised brow, she bristled. “I decided long ago to make my presence known in subtler ways. At least for me, that has allowed me to make significant contributions without becoming a spectacle.” She added with a sniff, “Being the sophisticated man that you are, I’m sure you understand and appreciate the difference.”
Jax gave the snippy woman a break. It must be challenging for a beautiful woman like Deidre, who was accustomed to ruling whatever arena she was in, to see every man in the room discreetly tugging at his trousers at the sight of the outrageous blonde bombshell. Particularly since in Deidre’s elitist worldview, the sergeant was nothing more than a lowly police officer. It didn’t matter that Deidre flung her wares as indiscreetly as Viviana did. Only her particular assets were money and power. It was also clear that she used her own impressive beauty to capture men’s attention.
When Jax chose not to respond, Deidre went full bore. Linking her arm in his, she smiled up at him. “Surely you don’t think that I am jealous of that woman, Commander?” Her voice dropped as she stroked his arm. Gazing up at him from under her curtain of lush eyelashes, she murmured, “Let me put it this way, I’ve always thought that revealing one’s wares subtly adds mystery and unexpected elements to any encounter—erotic or otherwise.”
When Jax merely nodded, she added, “You don’t have to say anything, Commander. I know an experienced man when I meet one.” She added, “I also know an adventurous one.”
At that moment Jax glanced across the room to see Viviana staring at them. Her startled expression unnerved him, particularly since it was ripe with pain. Managing to loosen Deidre’s hand from his arm, he returned the dark-haired woman’s smile but didn’t hide the slight edge to his voice. “I agree, Ms. Cummings. Mystery can be a powerful aphrodisiac, as can overt sexuality. In my mind, the woman and man who knows the power of both and, moreover, knows when to use them, is assured of an interesting and stimulating life.”
At Jax’s layered response and distancing gesture, a slight frown marred Deidre’s smooth brow. He hoped that he’d made his point and turned to the mayor, who had moved to join them.
“Jax, and you too, Deidre, I’m organizing a small group of leaders from various sectors to meet with me on a regular basis. I w
ant to pick the brains of the smartest people I know to advise me on how together we can make our city thrive. I hope you both will agree to participate.”
Deidre’s face lit in a beaming smile. “Why, George, I would be honored, as I’m sure the commander will be. How prescient of you to understand the power of creating multi-sector leadership teams to advise you. We can help you, and each of us will gain from our comradery.” Brushing against Jax’s arm, she added, “In ways we least expect it.”
Before Jax could answer, Paul Davis’s booming voice broke into their conversation. Jax looked up to see the ebullient man, whose cheeks were even ruddier than usual, approaching with his arm firmly around Viviana’s slender shoulders.
“All right, you three, enough power chit-chat.” Dragging Viviana up next to him, he said, “Mayor Simpson and Commander Hughes, while you know both these remarkable women, I think it’s high time that the two most beautiful women in the room meet one another.” Reaching for Deidre’s hand, he bellowed, “Deidre Cummings, I want to introduce you to Sergeant Viviana Moreau, the reason virtually every man in the SJPD gets up in the morning.” Chuckling at his lewd double entendre, he added, “And Viviana, let me introduce Deidre Cummings, who is almost as beautiful as she is wealthy.”
****
Fifteen minutes earlier, Viviana took a deep breath and nodded to the maître de who had guided her to the fancy ballroom in the luxurious hotel. From the entrance, she heard scintillating jazz music rippling over the sounds of laughter and what she was sure was sparkling conversation. At his nod and smiling reinforcement, Viviana thanked the polite man. His astonished gaze when he had first seen her emulated those of the gaping valets who had rushed to take her car. Their unabashed, dumbfounded expressions confirmed that she looked as hot as she knew she did. The mirrored walls leading to the ballroom reflected her stunning dress and shining blonde hair, ensuring that her entrance would be dramatic, a certain showstopper. As she stepped into the crowded room, a twinge of anxiety caught her off guard. Shoving at the unusual reaction, she reminded herself that dramatic entrances were her forte. Tipping up her chin, she pasted a soft smile on her lips. As she strolled into the room, she congratulated herself that she’d taken the dare the most unsettling man she’d ever known had thrown at her. Minutes later, Viviana would wonder how she was still standing and that she hadn’t crumpled to the floor in a heap.
As expected, the crowd of tuxedoed men and women in glorious designer dresses, flitting about the room like multi-colored butterflies, was stunning. Their casual elegance telegraphed their obvious wealth and exalted positions. She also wasn’t surprised that much of the assemblage of men and women stopped what they were doing and turned to watch her enter. Viviana wasn’t intimidated by their gaping responses. After all, if anything was in her wheelhouse, it was capturing the center of attention. She drew herself up to her full height and met their stunned gazes with a saucy smile.
For several minutes she allowed herself to be drawn into the crowd. Ignoring the frowning gazes of the women who were tugging on their clearly besotted men, Viviana played her usual game. Skilled at making sparkling conversation, she teased and amused the group of men crowding around her, many of whom she knew. Sipping on a glass of champagne, she was struck by how much she would prefer a large belt of scotch. Easing her way over to the bar, she bantered easily with the people she knew and ignored the sullen ones standing off to the side.
In what seemed like a different lifetime, the clusters of scowling women and flushed men suddenly faded into the background. As if a giant hand had turned a 3000K LED spotlight on him and him alone, she saw her commander for the first time. Standing in the middle of an attentive crowd, Jax was a heat-seeking missile, dragging her vision to him, making it impossible for her to look away. If those first few seconds were overwhelming, they were nothing compared to what she allowed herself to see next.
A noisy rush of air filled her ears, the din making it impossible to hear anything but her heart banging loudly in her chest. Forcing herself to acknowledge the painful scene, she saw that Jax wasn’t alone. Not by a long shot. Standing beside him was a beautiful, dark-haired woman. The stunning apparition was gazing up at him with what could only be described as a dazzling expression. One that rippled with sensual energy. The fact that she was openly tracing a long, pointed red fingernail across his wrist left little doubt that a seduction was in the works. Leaning down to better hear what Viviana was sure were the woman’s titillating words, the slight smile tugging at Jax’s full lips as he gazed at the gorgeous woman spoke volumes.
At that moment, Jax glanced her way. A frown darkened his expression, and his eyes narrowed. Choking on the bile gushing in her throat, Viviana knew if she didn’t leave immediately, she would either throw up or faint. Stunned that she could have been foolish enough to think that she could pull this off, she barely heard Commissioner Davis call out to her as she turned to run from the room.
His booming voice stopped her. “Oh no you don’t, Sergeant. You’re not getting away until I introduce you to someone you need to know.” The clearly inebriated man broke through the crowd of interested bystanders and reached for her hand. “Come along, Sergeant Moreau. It’s time you meet the hoi polloi of this fine city of ours.”
Chapter 6
Shoving Viviana in front of Jax and Deidre, Paul Davis huffed a noisy breath. “I wasn’t sure if you’ve seen your sergeant in anything but her official uniform, Jax. Even though she looks good enough to eat no matter what she’s wearing, I thought you might not recognize her in this snazzy get-up.”
Jax didn’t miss the flush streaking across Viviana’s face when the big man dragged her through the crowd. He was furious at the spectacle Paul was making of her and determined to take control of the challenging situation. Certain the hard smile he forced on his lips didn’t reach his eyes, he said, “That’s not an issue, Commissioner Davis. It would be impossible to mistake Sergeant Moreau no matter what she is wearing.” Turning to Viviana, he said, “Good evening, Sergeant, I’m glad that you were able to attend the party.”
Viviana met his eyes, then raised her chin a notch. Turning to Mayor Simpson, she said with a soft smile lighting her shimmering azure eyes, “How could I refuse an invitation from Mayor Simpson himself? Thank you for inviting me, sir. It’s a lovely party.”
At the mayor’s nod and slight bow, Frank Reynolds moved forward and said to Paul Davis, who had stepped back at Jax’s cool greeting, “You’re right, Paul. These two powerful women do need to meet each other.” Smiling at Viviana, he nodded to Deidre, who was still plastered by Jax’s side. “Sergeant Moreau, meet Deidre Cummings. Ms. Cummings is as powerful a figure in the cultural arts community as you are in the law enforcement arena. As I told Commander Hughes, Deidre has almost single-handedly revived the cultural landscape of our fair city. She’s rebuilt everything from the museums, to the theater, and even the orchestra that we had pretty much given up on.”
As Frank was reeling off all of Deidre’s accomplishments, Jax didn’t miss the daggers Deidre was throwing at Viviana, particularly when he extricated his arm from the dark-haired woman’s firm grasp. While there was no way that Viviana could have missed Deidre’s hostility, it didn’t seem to bother her. Instead, in much the same way that Jax had seen her openly confront hostile cartel leaders, she extended her hand and said sweetly, “How do you do, Ms. Cummings. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Not one to be outshone, Deidre said, “The pleasure is mine, Miss—I mean, Sergeant Moreau.” Not giving Viviana an inch, she added smoothly, “Forgive me, but you don’t look or dress like any police officer I’ve met.”
Confirming that she could “out cat” the best of them, Viviana pretended wonder. “Really? That surprises me. But then, I’m an investigator and an expert at reading people. For example, you look exactly how I would have expected you would, even before I knew that you single-handedly raised the cultural quotient of the city.”
Clearly stung by Vi
viana’s astute put down, Deidre took off the gloves. “Tell me, Sergeant, with your apparent need for notoriety and ability to attract attention, I wonder if I could convince you to join one of my committees. Perhaps you could get the media interested in the arts instead of just your antics.”
Viviana’s smile broadened although her eyes were icy sapphire pools. “Thank you, Ms. Cummings, but I must decline. I prefer to use my talents to garner attention for the SJPD. Besides, I’m more comfortable going after badasses than I am having tea with do-gooders.”
Ignoring Jax, she turned to the mayor and Frank Reynolds, who were staring at her open-mouthed. “If you’ll excuse me please, gentlemen. I need to join my colleagues. Thank you again for the invitation, Mayor Simpson.”
Watching her sashay across the room, repeatedly stopped by eager guests wanting to talk to her, Deidre Cummings didn’t hide her outrage. “Well, I never! Really, Ralph, and you too, George, may I suggest that in the future you be more selective in whom you invite to your parties?”
Jax stepped forward. “I disagree, Deidre. I’m not surprised you and Sergeant Moreau didn’t hit it off. You are both strong women unaccustomed to sharing the spotlight.” Ignoring Deidre’s gasp at his on-target assertion, Jax continued. “I specifically asked the mayor to invite my senior officers to the event tonight. It would have been an unforgivable oversight not to include the sergeant. Among other things, Sergeant Moreau is a decorated and courageous officer. I’m honored to have her on my staff.”
Clearly outraged at his rebuke and support of Viviana, Deidre glowered at him and then, without responding, angrily strode across the ballroom toward the ladies’ room.