Cuffed & Claimed

by Lori King

  Janey was right behind him. She was comfortable on a horse, more so than he’d expected. It made him even more curious about her past.

  When he reached the water’s edge, Kyle loosened his hold on his mount’s reins, allowing him to drink. He reached into his saddlebag, removed the bag of trail mix they’d been given, and sat back in his saddle. The river was fairly calm here, but he could hear more rapidly moving water not far downstream.

  Coming up beside him, Janey followed his lead, allowing her horse to drink. He offered her some of his snack. “Thanks.”

  They sat there for several minutes watching the water go by and listening to the sounds around them. As much as he loved coming up here by himself, he found that having Janey with him made it better, rather than taking something away.

  His sister’s question this morning popped into his mind. He hadn’t answered her, but even then he’d known the answer. Yes, he wanted to see Janey again. But was that what Janey wanted? He had no idea.

  Uncertainty gripped him. He’d dated his fair share of women in his thirty-five years, but for some reason asking Janey if she wanted to make this more than a one-night stand, or weekend fling or whatever, had him sweating.

  The situation struck him as amusing. Or maybe ironic was a better word. He was a police officer. Over the years he’d had to talk down more than one out-of-control drunk or jealous husband. This should be cake.

  But it wasn’t.

  “Want to share what’s so funny?” Janey asked when she noticed the goofy grin on his face.

  Kyle reached for her hand and was pleased when she laced their fingers together. “I’ve been thinking.”

  She waited for him to continue.

  “I’d like to see you again.”

  The seconds ticked by as they sat there, the sounds around them suddenly seeming louder than they had a few moments before. It was one of those times when he really wished he had the ability to read her mind. “I thought . . .”

  “What did you think?” he asked, curious.

  When she didn’t move away from him, he took that as a good sign. She looked down at their linked hands. “I wasn’t thinking it was going to be anything more than last night. And today.”

  “Is that all you want?” He held his breath waiting for her answer.

  “I live two hours away.”

  Kyle dropped her hand and shifted in his saddle so he could touch her face. He tilted her chin up until she was looking at him. “That doesn’t answer my question, Detective.”

  She smiled at his use of her title. “I know, but I’m trying to think rationally.”

  “Does that mean you do want to see me again?”

  Janey removed his hand from her face, but didn’t release it. “I like you.” She grinned at him. “A lot. But I’ve tried the long-distance thing before, and it doesn’t work.”

  He opened his mouth to argue, but she cut him off.

  “We both have unsolved cases. Cases that might very well be connected. I don’t want it to be awkward if we have to work together again.”

  “You’re worried we couldn’t work together professionally if things didn’t work out between us?”

  “Aren’t you?” she asked.

  One of his best friends was his boss, and they’d figured it out. Even if he and Janey couldn’t, Kyle thought it was worth the risk. “No. I’m not. I like you, Janey. I like you a lot.”

  “I like you, too.”

  All his anxiety fell away. Janey wanted this, too. She was just scared. He didn’t quite understand her fear, but he wouldn’t dismiss it either. “What are you so afraid of?”

  Instead of answering his question, she asked one of her own. “What about the women around here? Claire, for example.”

  “Claire isn’t my type.” He squeezed her hand and grinned. “And you didn’t answer the question.”

  Janey sighed and looked toward the river. “I don’t want to get attached and then you decide it isn’t worth it.”

  Kyle knew at that moment that she was speaking from experience. “What if I get attached and you decide I’m not worth it?” He rubbed his thumb along the inside of her wrist. Her pulse was beating rapidly under her skin. “You know as well as I do that there are no guarantees in life.”

  She held his gaze for a long moment before rising up and pressing her mouth to his. It was completely unexpected, but not unwelcome. Kyle cupped the back of her head and held her to him for as long as possible, enjoying the feel of her lips.

  “You make it very hard to say no to you,” she whispered, lowering herself back into the saddle.

  Kyle smiled and traced the outline of her lips with his index finger. “Then say yes.”

  She held his hand in place against her cheek. “Just promise me something, okay?”

  “I’d promise you just about anything if you agree to see me again.”

  “Somehow I doubt that.” She grinned and lowered their hands to rest on her leg. “Promise me that if you change your mind, you’ll tell me.”

  Another puzzle piece fell into place. “I promise.”

  She looked down for several minutes, seeming fascinated with their hands. When she met his gaze once more, there was determination and something else that had him wishing for more room in his pants. He was mentally doing the calculations of how quickly they could get to the stables, return the horses, and make it back to his house when Janey picked up her reins and began moving away.

  “Wha—”

  She had a serious look on her face, but the heat was still there. “I think I might have forgotten something at your place.”

  “Really?” he asked, catching on to her line of thinking.

  Janey nodded and turned her horse in the direction of the trail. “Yeah. I think we should head back. I wouldn’t want to leave it behind.”

  “We wouldn’t want that, now, would we?”

  “Certainly not.”

  They made it to the stables in record time. She set the pace and he followed. Every now and then Janey would look back at him, a seductive smile on her face. He couldn’t wait to get her back in his house . . . his bedroom. Kyle had a feeling being with Janey would never be boring, which suited him just fine.

  About the Author

  Sherri spent most of her childhood detesting English class. It was one of her least favorite subjects because she never seemed to fit into the standard mold. She wasn't good at spelling, or following grammar rules, and outlines made her head spin. For that reason, Sherri never imagined becoming an author.

  At the age of thirty, all of that changed. After getting frustrated with the direction a television show was taking two of its characters, Sherri decided to try her hand at writing an alternate ending, and give the characters their happily ever after. By the time the story finished, it was one of the top ten read stories on the site, and her readers were encouraging her to write more.

  Writing has become a creative outlet that allows her to explore a wide range of emotions, while having fun taking her characters through all the twists and turns she can create. You can find a current list of all of Sherri’s books and sign up for her monthly newsletter at www.sherrihayesauthor.com.

  Other Books by Sherri Hayes

  Finding Anna series

  Slave

  Need

  Truth

  Trust

  Finding Anna Boxed Set (Books 1-4)

  * * *

  Daniels Brothers series

  Behind Closed Doors

  Red Zone

  Crossing the Line

  What Might Have Been

  * * *

  Serpent’s Kiss series

  Welcome to Serpent’s Kiss

  Burning for Her Kiss

  One Forbidden Night

  * * *

  Single Titles

  Hidden Threat

  A Christmas Proposal

  * * *

  Indulge (Dominant Persuasions Anthology)

  Dirty Liars by Sydney Lea

 
Undercover FBI agent Nikolai has been treading a fine line between right and wrong for the last few years, and everything he has worked for is thrown into utter chaos the moment he risks it all to save Harper. Harper’s life has just been turned upside down, and now she must rely on the one man who has been lying to her from the moment they met.

  * * *

  Can they overcome all the dirty lies told between them?

  To all of those who have found perfect love and

  happiness, in imperfection xxx

  1

  Nikolai leaned against the bar of the nightclub with a drink in hand, the cool liquid sliding its way down his throat as the lights pulsed and the music blared. Beside him, his partner Travis chatted with some brunette whose tits seemed bigger than her brain from the way their conversation had deteriorated. Nikolai gave them five more minutes before the chick dragged Travis to the bathroom to finish things off.

  "Jesus Christ, man, just do her already, would you? We’ve got work to do," he muttered and finished off the last of his drink.

  The woman threw him a withering glare and attempted to be affronted by his comment, as though that hadn’t been her endgame to begin with.

  "Ignore him, sweetheart. The man’s on edge because he hasn’t had the pleasure of a Tesoro like you in a while." Travis chuckled, nuzzling the woman’s neck and whispering something Nikolai couldn’t hear. Given her intense reaction, he was kind of glad.

  “Travis,” he warned.

  The other man sighed. "Why don’t we finish this...elsewhere, Tracey?"

  “It’s Stacey,” she said with a frown, her brows smoothing out almost instantly as she shrugged. “And will he be joining us?”

  Nikolai nearly choked. “Ah, he will be just fine, thanks.”

  Giving him what he supposed was an extremely intoxicated come-hither look, she reached out and stroked her hand down his arm. “Are you sure?”

  “I’m sure.” He glowered at Travis. “Just hurry the fuck up.”

  Travis winked and grinned. "Come on, man. We both know my prowess is better than that."

  Before Nikolai could snap back with some scathing retort, Travis grabbed Stacey and all but dragged her away.

  “Testa di cazzo.”

  Christ, he hated having to be the serious one. Here they had a job to do, and Travis was once again off fucking some chick in a dirty bathroom while he kept watch and waited. It surprised him that Travis’ cock hadn’t fallen off with all the action it got. Hell, the family would likely remove it themselves if they screwed this up. Working for the Martinellis had its perks, but it also had its consequences if you fucked up. You did not want to piss off one of the main families of the Italian mob.

  And Nikolai, well, he was pulling double duty for them and the FBI, and if the Martinellis found out who he really was, then he’d be dead within seconds.

  Ah, undercover work. Why the hell had he volunteered for this again?

  Still, the chance to have a hand in taking down the people who ran the city’s major sex trafficking network was worth the risk. Nikolai had seen enough of the damage in his time working for Boston PD. The aftermath, the human beings reduced to nothing but mere cattle and then left in the gutter when they were considered damaged goods, were too much for him to handle. So when he joined the FBI and worked his way into the Organized Crime Unit, he jumped at the chance for this assignment.

  If only he had realized how complicated things would end up.

  “Can I buy you a drink?” a husky, yet slightly irritating voice asked him, jerking him out of his daze.

  Fuck. He was supposed to be on the lookout.

  Nikolai turned his head to peer at the woman. Average height, slim build, and eager blue eyes stared back at him. Looking closer, he realized this was no woman, but a kid, no more than sixteen or seventeen if he had to guess. And dressed to impress.

  Smiling politely, Nikolai shook his head. “Sorry, kid. I’m a bit busy at the moment.”

  Although she was cute in her own way, he wasn’t interested or into statutory rape.

  The young girl’s gaze narrowed. “What? Are you working or something?”

  He smirked. “Something like that.”

  If only she knew.

  “So you’re a whore?” the girl scoffed, and Nikolai fought hard not to roll his eyes. “In the wrong area, aren’t you?”

  Annoyed, Nikolai turned to face the adolescent brat square on. “No, I’m not a puttana.” However, your quick assumption and clear lack of common sense suggest you are much younger than you claim to be.” He shrugged. “At least to get into this club, anyway.”

  The girl all but screeched in outrage. The term if looks could kill came to mind. “You asshole. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Uhuh, I’m sure I don’t,” he drawled, his eyes moving to scan the room again. He huffed out a sigh when the girl continued to stand there scowling. “Listen, we both know you are too young to be here and way too young to be offering what you’re not so willing to give just yet.”

  Her attitude morphed with his words, and she pouted. “Can I even get your name?”

  His eyes narrowed as he studied the girl. She had been quick to react to almost anything he had thrown at her, and even faster in deflecting. Her ability to go from seductress to outrage, to manipulation, was like a warning bell. Fuck...the kid was a pro or at least one in training.

  Knowing kind and concerned words would only encourage her, Nikolai settled for glaring. “Go home, little girl. You don’t belong here. And you don’t want to.”

  Without a second glance, Nikolai grabbed his drink and left the bar, moving through the crowd.

  The thumping of the beat echoed and vibrated up through his feet. He loved the sound of techno, nothing got bodies swaying and grinding like a decent bass.

  He felt eyes roaming over him as he passed through the crowd. Nikolai knew what they saw: Ice-blue eyes; broad, muscular shoulders in a white shirt; and thick thighs encased in tight black denim. His Italian roots were strong and noticeable with his hair so dark it looked black, with flecks of light brown strands. With both arms covered in tattoos and a thick beard, Nikolai gave off a menacing vibe that worked well in his profession and had the added benefit of making people avoid him. Given that he wasn’t a fan of most people and hated conversation, it worked for him even more.

  Reaching the other side of the dance floor, he claimed a seat with a perfect view. While the sight of all those hot, sweaty bodies was tempting, Nikolai really did have a job to do.

  “Well, that certainly relieved some tension.” Travis snickered, slapping him on the back as he flopped into the chair next to him.

  Grunting, Nikolai narrowed his gaze at the other man. “You know, when guys go to the bathroom to relieve themselves, they usually have something else in mind.”

  “Not if they’re doing it right.” Travis chuckled.

  Shaking his head, Nikolai’s gaze continued to move around the room, keeping an eye out. “Focus, will you? The targets should be here any moment.”

  Travis' eyes were already scanning the room, taking in the throng of moving bodies on the dance floor, and slipping to the few women who sat at the tables nearby. The guy couldn’t help himself.

  "See anything?" Nikolai asked, growing more concerned by the minute when nothing appeared to be happening. Were they being set up?

  "Actually, there might be?" Travis’ eyes lit up as he spotted something across the room. “But it’s not the something we were expecting, that’s for fucking sure.”

  Nikolai followed Travis’s gaze, and his entire body froze when he caught sight of who more than what had Travis’s attention.

  Shit. Not her.

  “Isn’t that Annabella and those two friends of hers? What are…” Travis’s voice trailed off in disbelief.

  Damn.

  Nikolai growled. “What are the chances that the club we are sent to in order to stop a trade from going down, also happens to be the same one t
he daughter of one of the five families has decided to party at?”

  Shit. He wasn’t in a position to deal with this crap and had no real back-up in place.

  He watched as Annabella and her friends Harper and Corina moved to the dance floor. They wore identical easy-going smiles as a few men closed in on them, giving them their undivided attention.

  Travis nodded, a peculiar look on his face. “Did we actually get intel on what was being traded?”

  “No. Just that whatever it was had a large price tag attached. The family wanted us to intervene, grab it for ourselves and if need be take out the competition,” he said absently, his eyes fixed on the young women. “You don’t think they are the...?”

  “Yeah. I really fucking do.”

  When Travis got quiet, Nikolai snuck a glance at him, worried when he could see the other man contemplating something.

  “We should let this play out.”

  “No,” Nikolai said too quickly.

  Travis eyed him suspiciously before frowning. “You think the family will be any more impressed if we bring Annabella home but can’t identify who was after her? They are already looking for a mole in the ranks. No need to draw attention to ourselves and have them ask if we’re up to the task they gave us, ya pussy.”

  “They’re just girls. We can’t use them as bait,” he snapped.

  Christ, there were lines he was forced to cross on a regular basis, but this?

  “Since when do you care?” Travis raised an inquiring brow. “Or is it just a who?”

  Grunting, Nikolai ignored the question, and that seemed to encourage Travis.

  “I’ve seen the way you eye that Harper chick Annabella’s friends with.”

  Travis didn’t know the half of it.

  For the last few months, he and Harper had been what could be loosely termed as dating. Ever since the families hosted their enormous Christmas party.