Sunny turned toward her brothers. “Think about what you’re doing.”
She’d arrived nervous, but with the notion she had everything under control. Instead, they turned the tables on her. She couldn’t believe it. After all of these years they’d finally succeeded in duping her. She wanted to laugh at the irony of it all, but her present mood wouldn’t allow it.
She looked at her father and brothers. “There has to be someone else. I can’t work with him—I mean—I don’t even know him.” Her stalling tactics were lame, but she needed time to think of a way out. She stood, turning on her heel to inspect her unwanted helper. The mischievous light in Judson’s eyes propelled her heart beat into overdrive.
“I can remedy that.” Her father moved to Judson’s side, humor laced his voice. “Judson, this is my daughter, Sunny Kennedy. Sunny, this is Judson Blackwolf, one of the best detectives in the state. He’s worked a couple cases with us in the past when we were short staffed. Now he’s transferred here from his precinct until his release papers from the department clear for early retirement, then he’s on his way to Montana.”
“Thanks Captain.” Respect sounded in Judson’s voice. “I appreciate you letting me finish up my obligations here. After what happened to Rox, I couldn’t stay at my old precinct. Too many memories.”
“The department is losing a good man, Jud. Maybe you should reconsider and just take some time off,” Brent said.
Her father slapped Judson on his back in a jovial manner. “If I could talk you into staying on here, I would. You’re one of the best.”
“Sheesh, it sounds like a love fest. Maybe you should consider adopting him, Dad.” Sunny’s bitter concession sounded juvenile, even to her ears, but she didn’t care. But when Judson’s jaw tightened at the mention of his partner, guilt webbed through her core for not considering that he might have been forced into what she could only assume was a babysitting assignment for him.
Judson held out his hand. She extended hers with hesitation. His firm grip took command as he pulled her close to whisper in her ear, “Don’t flex your claws too often, Wildcat. You might regret it.”
Their eyes held for several long seconds. She looked away first. The shock of awareness she experienced earlier returned as his fingers tightened around her palm. One word came to mind…DANGER! A tremor ran up her arm. From the way his eyes darkened he felt it too, and the knowledge gave her the power to let her fingers glide from his grasp with feather-like pressure.
He licked his lips. She bit hers.
“Ditto.” Sunny locked her knees so they wouldn’t buckle.
She’d never reacted like this to a man she barely knew. Her whole game was thrown off, which only confirmed her limited experience when it came to dealing with men. In the past, her brothers always interfered with any attempt at a love life. Most of the men she dated were scared off after a few weeks of dealing with her family. She got more satisfaction from focusing on her job than a man. She accepted her fate, at this rate she’d be single the rest of her life.
“I need to get back to my paperwork.” Judson glanced at the watch on his left wrist and when he looked at her again his eyes were hooded, unrevealing. “I’ll be in touch.”
Her insides kicked at the thought of Judson paired with the word “touch.” Then reality reared its common sense head and her frustration returned. Yes, he was a hottie, but keeping her distance from him would be easy. There was no way on earth that she would get involved with a detective. Or any man in law enforcement for that matter.
They’d won the first round, but it didn’t mean she couldn’t find a way out of this situation if she thought about it hard enough.
****
Judson strolled from the room full of confidence, his mind on the perky little blonde. Not only had she gotten his attention when she returned his jacket, but his pulse jumped when he recalled the feel of her soft skin. The tips of his fingers throbbed. He wanted to touch more than her silken wrists when he removed her handcuffs.
He inhaled deeply, reliving the clean powder scent of her perfumed body. His imagination guided his hands along her smooth arms, down her narrow sides, and over her small rounded rump.
Damn, he better keep it together. When he stopped beside his desk he brushed his hand through his hair, releasing his breath. She wasn’t only the sister of two detectives he worked with, but more importantly the daughter of his boss.
He’d be the first to fail a lie detector test if he didn’t admit he found her extremely attractive, but he’d also be first in line at a firing squad if he didn’t keep his distance. Her brothers were protective. Another detective, especially one that wasn’t planning to stick around, wouldn’t top their list as a potential date for their little sister.
Date. He shook his head to clear that word from his mind.
The case should be his one and only focus. If he had to do it with a tag along, fine. Hell, it didn’t even bother him if she took all the credit. He wanted to close this and get to Montana where he could work in peace.
Landon Lloyd came up beside him. “You lucked out. It’s a cushy job helping the boss’s daughter.”
“Looks that way,” Judson said, eyeing the younger man.
“Watch out, she’s a handful. At least, that’s the rumor.” His thin lips parted into a sneer-like smile. “It’s the main reason I keep my distance from her, though she’s always flirting with me.”
Judson raised his brow. He heard rumors how Landon pursued Sunny, but she always shot him down. “Really, I hadn’t noticed.”
Landon pulled at his neckline. His gaze darted around the room. “Well, I’m just warning you. She’s a cute thing, but it wouldn’t be wise to get involved with the boss’s only daughter.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Judson muttered. He threw himself into his chair, leaned back and tossed his feet on his desk. He couldn’t afford to become personally involved with anyone he worked with. He needed to keep his distance. He had to keep his distance if he wanted his sanity. That lesson he’d learned the hard way, after he’d lost Roxanne.
Chapter Three
The sharp rap on the front door echoed through her apartment and Sunny jumped. One of the photographs slipped from her hand and fell to the rug which covered the worn wooden floor. Chocolate meowed, jumped from the edge of the yellow leather sofa then took off for the safety of the bedroom. Sunny hadn’t realized how quiet the room had become. The crime scene photos absorbed all of her attention.
On her way to the door, she looked over the top of her reading glasses to check the clock on the far wall. Relieved, she smiled, and pushed her glasses up the ridge of her nose. There was plenty of time before she needed to get ready for work.
Pulling the door open as far as the chain allowed, her eyes widened when she recognized her visitor. Pleasure welled up inside of her at the sight of Judson standing on the doorstep. At the same time, a cold grip of dread climbed her spine. She’d avoided his calls the last couple of days in hopes he’d forget about her. Apparently he was as persistent as she.
“Detective Blackwolf, how can I help you?” She sounded breathless, excited even, and it annoyed her. Just because he sent her pulse into hyper-speed didn’t mean she had to let him know.
“I stopped by to make sure you’re okay.”
“Yes, I’m fine. Thanks. Have a good night.” She started to close the door, but he slapped his palm against the wood.
“I’ve called and left several messages.” He raised one eyebrow a fraction and continued, “How about letting me in for a chat?”
“About what?”
“You can figure it out.” He stared at her through the narrow slit in the door, his expression devoid of humor.
“Hmm, you’re full of intrigue, hang on a sec.” Sunny closed the door to release the chain and paused chewing on her lower lip. If only she had pretended not to be at home. She needed to invest in a peep hole so she could screen her visitors. Taking a deep breath, she released the lock and
gestured him inside with a defeated wave of her hand. “Come on in. Let’s talk.”
As he sauntered past her, hands tucked inside the front pockets of his trousers, her gaze drifted to the taut fabric stretched over his behind. Heat flared on her cheeks, and she looked away, but not before her glasses slid down to the tip of her nose.
****
Judson soaked in her appearance, but controlled his grin. A pair of baggy sweatpants and a stretched out blue sweatshirt which matched the color of her eyes looked sexy as hell on Sunny. She’d pulled her hair into a pony tail and her small feet were hidden in a pair of girlish, fluffy, pink slippers.
With her tomboyish ways, he never considered she’d own anything girly, fluffy, and especially pink. The black framed glasses perched on the tip of her nose almost caused him to come undone. He didn’t usually go for the brainy look, but the whole effect had him rethink his prejudice. Nerdy looked great from this view.
He looked around her small, homey apartment. Antique wooden tables accented the array of bright colored leather furniture. Neon red, green, yellow and blue leather filled the room. Somehow the quirky furnishings matched her personality, and the way she’d arranged the old and new pieces brought the room together nicely. Pictures of her family were visible on every available surface, and unexpected piles of romance novels covered a corner of the floor to his right. He smiled at the discovery. He’d have guessed she’d be more interested in true crime or mysteries.
He cleared his throat. “Nice place.”
“I like it.”
The way she slid her heart shaped pendant back and forth along the chain of her necklace betrayed her agitation. She hid her gaze beneath the fluttery fan of her lashes.
“Surprised to see me?”
He waited until she’d taken a seat on the yellow sofa before he claimed a spot on the red chair across from her.
“You could say that. I hoped you’d drop it and leave me to work alone.” The smile on her lips didn’t reach her eyes. “Your tough skin must’ve deflected the message I sent through my powers of mental telepathy.”
He laughed outright before he could stop himself. Her outspoken sense of humor and girl-next-door-look were a lethal combination since she was off limits. Only an idiot would mess with the boss’s daughter. He dragged his gaze from her face and focused on the coffee table in front of him. An assortment of pictures littered the surface.
“Are these from the DeVito case?”
“Let’s be up front here. You can’t be anymore thrilled to work with me than I am with you.”
She sounded nervous, and his gaze shifted to her face as she adjusted her glasses on her nose. He needed to focus his attention on something else besides Sunny if he wanted to get through this assignment.
Judson picked up some of the photos, determined to work. Even though she wouldn’t have been his first choice to team up with he’d get through it for the sake of his old mentor, Glen. Hopefully Sunny had some smarts when it came to investigations and hadn’t relied on her brothers to do the leg work for her.
“How long have you been working for Glen?”
“About three weeks. He just gave me these pictures and notes from his own investigation. That’s what all of this is.” She swept her hand over the table.
“How did you manage to get a job at the bar so quickly?” He lowered the pictures to study her.
Her hand fluttered up and twirled a loose piece of hair from her pony tail. He unnerved her, and despite repeated warnings to himself not to let his attraction to her grow; he enjoyed his effect on her. When she tilted her head and licked her lips he couldn’t stop himself from surveying the glistening sheen her tongue left behind. His body tightened as he imagined how sweet she’d taste.
Damn, his attraction could only lead to trouble. Trouble he needed to avoid. His head cleared in an instant as he remembered Roxanne, how he’d failed her because of their tight bond. He wouldn’t repeat it with Sunny. Sure, he’d watch out for her, but he wouldn’t let himself get close. A dash of humor and fun, but keep it strictly professional.
****
Sunny smiled and batted her eyelashes. In her best Dolly Parton imitation, complete with a southern drawl, she replied, “My sunny disposition.”
His face remained blank as he studied her. Sunny’s hand stopped mid-twirl as the hair twisted around her pointer finger began to stick to her damp skin. She constantly came out looking like a fool in front of him.
“I haven’t witnessed that side of you.”
Sunny liked the way his lips twitched before he smiled. Good to know she hadn’t imagined the hint of humor he’d displayed last week at the precinct. If it were possible to kick herself, she would. She needed to stay firm and not let his looks break her will down. A partnership with him was not something she wanted, if only her libido would remember that.
“Seriously, how’d you get Benny to hire you?”
Her nerves dissipated, and she focused on him with a steady gaze. “I had to do some quick talking. Basically I gave him a sob story about needing a job, or I’d be sleeping in my car.”
“So he took pity on you and set you up as bartender?”
“Only after I assured him I’d scare his customers away if he threw me on stage.”
She couldn’t look away as a thick wave of hair fell over his eyes when he laughed. Rich. Deep. Earthy. Real. She’d never heard anything so genuine and relaxed, and it warmed her all over. He smoothed the hair from his face as he glided his large hand through the unruly mass.
“Hmm, it’s nice to see you have a sense of humor,” she said.
“You didn’t think you held the monopoly on it, did you?”
She had no response. Men never bantered with her like this. She was used to having the upper hand and the last word.
“Well—um—did you want to look at evidence, or would you rather sit here all night while I practice my southern accent?”
His lips curved into a heart stopping smile, one he should reserve for special occasions. “Benny must’ve been disappointed when you quit.”
“Hmm.” Sunny remained noncommittal.
She sat in numb silence while he did a thorough examination of the snapshots. Her hand touched the unruly pony tail at the nape of her neck and her heart sank. She barely dragged a brush through her hair before securing it with a rubber band. Dressed like a slob, and totally void of makeup, a feeling of inadequacy trickled through her. She looked like she’d come out at the losing end of a tango with a tornado. She never wore much makeup, but she usually applied a little bit of mascara and lip gloss. She hadn’t bothered with either today.
Not that she was out to impress him, or anyone else for that matter. But looking like something the cat just dragged in wouldn’t gain her any respect.
Sunny glanced at him from beneath her lashes. After appraising him from head to toe, she felt worse.
If she had to describe perfection, she’d hold up his picture. Dressed in a black and gray pin striped suit he looked like the poster boy for a tailored professional. His body filled out his suit so well, it should be illegal. The dusky hue of his skin, and the luxurious dark chocolate eyelashes framing his penetrating eyes showcased his heritage.
The way the length of his hair fanned across his forehead made her think of a small boy. But, there was nothing boyish about him. He was all man.
What would it feel like to run her fingers through his wealth of hair and pull his head back with a quick tug while she hovered over him with her face millimeters from his own? Not liking the direction of her thoughts, she coughed, cleared her throat and then focused on the wood grain pattern of the tongue and groove floor.
Judson stopped shuffling through the photographs and looked at her. “Were these all the pictures Glen had?”
She nodded, not trusting herself to speak and make any type of sense.
He tossed the pictures onto the coffee table one by one, and she scooped them into a neat pile.
Judson rested
his forearms over his knees, locking his fingers together. “I know you’re about as happy at the prospect of working with me as I am with you, but I think if you hear me out you’ll understand why I agreed to get involved.”
At least the dislike of her family throwing them together on this case wasn’t one sided. It stood to reason a well versed detective with years of experience might not like the idea of working with a novice. Especially one so well connected with his boss and co-workers.
“I’m all ears.” Listening to his spiel was the least she could do. His involvement in her work would be limited. Unknown to him, he wouldn’t be by her side to work the case like her family planned. He’d remain in the background for information when she needed it. Sunny placed the neat stack of photos in the center of the table and sat back.
“Glen took me under his wing when I first joined the force. I was fresh out of the academy. He showed me the ropes and this would be a chance for me to pay him back.”
“I didn’t realize you worked together so closely.”
“I haven’t seen him since he retired, so it’s been a few years.” He stared at his clasped hands. “After working with him a short time, he told me about Karina. At the time it’d been well over ten years since she’d been strangled and he still had a hard time dealing with it.”
“He still does,” Sunny sighed.
“You know he tried to solve it on his own don’t you?”
She nodded.
“Some of his buddies on the force helped too.” Their gazes held for a moment. He looked down, grabbed the pictures she organized moments ago, and sifted through them a second time. “They spent nights and weekends going over evidence. Everything always came back to Benny in theory, but they couldn’t come up with anything concrete.”
“Hmm.” Sunny had no plans of divulging any of her information.
“At one point Benny came into the station to report Glen for harassment after they had a confrontation at a grocery store.”
“This happened before Glen retired?”
Judson nodded.
“What happened?” Sunny scooted forward. Finally, something of interest she didn’t know about.
Some Like It in Handcuffs Page 3