Hot as Hale (Hale Series Book 3)

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Hot as Hale (Hale Series Book 3) Page 4

by Marie James


  My cell phone screen informs me that it’s just after five-thirty and I frown since I’ve yet to hear from Josie. I’ll give her another hour before I call her. I did ask her to call me, just like I did each time I gave her a business card, but I won’t let her get away with not doing it again. No way will that one kiss yesterday be enough to satisfy the need I have for her.

  Heading out of the parking lot of the courthouse I turn the unmarked towards the precinct. There is always paperwork that can be done, and I want to be close on the off chance that Josie will call and maybe want to go for another green tea or something.

  Just as I put the car in park in the patrol car parking lot of Precinct Four my cell phone begins to ring. Josie’s information lights up the radio dash, my car having synced my phone.

  “Perez,” I answer the phone in my usual manner. Don’t ask me why I didn’t just say hello; my brain stops functioning where she’s concerned.

  “Hi, this is Josie,” she replies in a business-like manner. I wonder how many men she’s called before since I can still hear a hint of the shyness I was sure I rid her of yesterday.

  “Hey, Mariposa. How was your day?” I unbuckle my seatbelt and slouch in my seat, getting comfortable.

  “Long,” she answers. “I didn’t sleep well last night,” she admits.

  “Bad dreams?” I would hope she wouldn’t have bad dreams after our kiss, my ego taking a hit.

  “No. I just couldn’t turn my brain off.”

  “What were you thinking about?” I inquire in a husky voice, my accent getting thicker due to increased arousal.

  I hear her giggle and not respond. I can imagine the color of her cheeks flushing a beautiful shade of pink. I decide to cut her some slack and not press the issue. The sound of shuffling and keys can be heard through my car's speakers coming from her end of the line.

  “You out for a walk?” I query.

  “Just getting in. Hit the gym after work.” That’s the reason she didn’t call right away. Knowing she works out and stays fit doesn’t help the below the belt issue that pops up just from hearing her voice.

  “How was your day?” Her voice is soft, and I can tell she’s genuinely interested in my response, and it isn’t just a pleasantry she’s throwing out there.

  “Boring. I had court all day again today.” I explain.

  “Have to bring more witnesses to the courthouse? Go for coffee after?” I tilt my head at the questions and wonder if she isn’t just a little bit jealous.

  “I did help one lady get to the courthouse today.” I tease her. “But she turned down my offer of coffee.”

  “Really?” She huffs mildly. “Couldn’t imagine a woman alive that would deny you.”

  Does that include you, Josie?

  “Well, she’s eighty-five and said caffeine gives her the shakes, so I didn’t press the issue.” Her laugh at my story is heaven, and I close my eyes and let it sink into my bones; I can picture her head thrown back and eyes closed.

  A gasp and a high-pitched shriek from her makes my eyes pop open. When I hear her phone fall and the line go dead, I slam the car into gear and tear out of the parking lot breaking more laws than I’m willing to admit.

  I try to call her several times while driving like a bat out of hell to her apartment and it goes straight to voicemail every time. I finally give up after five times and focus on driving. I pull up to her apartment and park illegally at the front entrance. I’m cognizant enough to lock it up before hauling ass inside. I know I have several firearms including rifles in the trunk and even the Captain wouldn’t understand if they were taken in a moment of chaos.

  I opt for the stairs since I don’t have time for the elevator. The door to her apartment is standing wide open, and I palm my glock on instinct as I slowly make my way into her apartment. The first thing I see is mail scattered on the floor and then Josie’s cell phone in pieces beside it. Just as I’m reaching into my pocket to call for back up, I hear her whimper from the kitchen, but my first glance in there doesn’t reveal her.

  The second time I hear the whimper I angle my head around the counter and see her curled up in a ball against the refrigerator.

  “Josie?” I slide on my knees to her.

  Her eyes go wide when she sees the gun in my hand. I reach out and place a calming hand on her knee, but even in her fear, I’m not ready to lower the gun until I clear the apartment and make sure there’s no danger to either one of us.

  “Josie?” I coax again. “Where is he?”

  She raises her eyes to mine and the sight of the tears streaking down her face nearly guts me. She’s as pale as a ghost, and her entire body is trembling. “Wh…who?”

  “Whoever hurt you? Is there someone in the apartment?” I am on her side facing out towards the rest of the apartment. We’re cornered, and this isn’t a very tactical position to hold if we are in fact not alone here.

  “No one’s here.” She states and looks a little confused.

  “Josie, you screamed, and then the phone went dead. There’s mail all over the floor, and your cell phone is smashed.” I shake my head and peer into her eyes. “What happened?”

  “The letter,” she says and points across the room to the pile of mail with a trembling hand.

  I clasp her hand in mine and bring it to my lips, my pulse pounding erratically in my ears. Since there isn’t an imminent threat, I settle down beside her and pull her into my arms, hoping to calm her, knowing it will help settle my nerves as well. The adrenaline and fear finally began to dissipate.

  “What did the letter say?” It has to be pretty bad with how shaken up she is.

  Chapter 7

  Josie

  I sit in the huge, blue recliner in the living room and watch as Kaleb speaks with the two uniformed officers who responded after he called in the death threat. He’s been the consummate professional in dealing with the situation since they arrived. I wish we could go back half an hour, that way we’d still be in the kitchen and I’d be wrapped in his arms.

  The trembling has only subsided marginally even though I’m wrapped in a thick blanket. I close my eyes and try to give myself a pep talk. I need my nerves to calm and can think of no other way to force them to settle.

  “Hey,” I hear Kaleb’s voice as a hand is placed on my shoulder.

  I open my eyes and tilt my head back to look into his eyes. I can feel my trembling subside, just in the few seconds since he came to me. His proximity is all I need to feel safe again.

  “These guys are done and fixing to leave unless you have any questions for them.” I know he sees my eyes go wide.

  I have no clue what to ask, and I feel put on the spot like I should have something to say, but my mind is drawing a blank.

  “Any questions you have I can answer later if you think of them,” he informs me. I nod my head, and he stands and makes his way across the apartment to release the other officers.

  They gather the evidence bag that contains the death threat, and the sight of it sets off the quivering again; I wrap the blanket around me tighter. I can hear whispering in the foyer and then the close of the front door. The fear that I’ve been left alone hits me like a bucket of cold water, and just as I’m about to get up to leave, Kaleb comes back in the room.

  I release the breath I was holding since hearing the front door click shut.

  “What’s wrong, Josie.” He crouches down in front of me and places both of his large hands on my knees; his eyes lining up with mine.

  “I thought you left,” I manage to say with a shaky voice.

  He nods. “When does Alexa get home?”

  “Sh…she’s been staying with Garrett,” I answer with a stammer. “I’ve been staying here alone.”

  I see him clench his jaw, the muscle twitching under his stubble, obviously not happy that both of my roommates have bailed.

  “I’m hungry,” he says and stands. “How do you feel about Chinese?”

  I honestly couldn’t imagine eating anyt
hing right now since my stomach is doing flips, but knowing it means he will stay longer thrills me.

  “I love Chinese,” I whisper

  “Anything in particular?” He asks, looking something up on his phone.

  “Honey sesame chicken with fried rice.” He chuckles and smiles.

  “You’re a woman after my own heart,” he says and puts the phone to his ear to place a double order.

  “You have no idea,” I whisper under my breath.

  ***

  Even with how upset I was from this afternoon, being around Kaleb has settled my traumatized nerves. Dinner never sounded so good by the time the delivery driver knocked on the door, and not one to eat out very often I devoured almost my entire order of chicken and half of my rice. Kaleb finished everything I wasn’t able to. I can tell he’s incredibly fit, so I determine that he either works out like a madman or doesn’t eat like this often either.

  I smile at him as he slides the chopsticks out of his mouth after his last bite.

  “Good?” He nods his head.

  “Excellent! It just means I’ll be in the gym for three hours instead of two tomorrow.” He laughs.

  “I was just thinking the same thing.” He tilts his head at me.

  “You look wonderful, Josie. You have no reason to be at the gym two hours a day.” I shrug my shoulders.

  “Nothing better to do. My life’s not really that exciting.” I shudder and wrap my arms around myself, remembering just how much excitement I got today. Hoping my life will go back to uneventful really soon.

  We clear away the trash from our meal and make our way to the living room. Kaleb holds my hand and walks to the couch, sits down, and tucks me into his side.

  “You’ve had quite a hectic day today,” he states.

  “I just wish I could forget the whole thing,” I mutter into his chest and close my eyes, breathing in the spicy scent of his cologne.

  I feel a warm finger under my chin as he raises my head to look at him. His eyes dart from my eyes to my lips. The attention has me running my tongue over my own lips.

  “I can help you forget, Mariposa,” he whispers as he leans in and presses a delicate kiss on my lips. “If you’ll let me.”

  I moan as he kisses me in earnest; his tongue persuading mine into action. My body is humming and the sudden urge to grind against him hits me, and I can feel his erection against my hip since I’m practically sitting on his lap. He has one large hand behind my head controlling the depth of his mouth on mine, and the other is wrapped around my back.

  My hands are clinging to the front of his shirt as I nip his lower lip. I raise my flowy skirt enough so I can position one leg on either side of his and my body starts trembling again. Only this time it is need and desire that has my nerves on end.

  He pulls his mouth from mine, and the hand on my head slowly tilts my head just as his hot mouth skims down my neck.

  “Oh, God,” I groan as his actions send waves of cold chills over every inch of my skin.

  His nipping and licking has my whole body on edge. I do my best not to give into the urge to rock my hips and grind my center over his erection. The silent begging of my core is almost too much to ignore.

  Kaleb’s hand is flexing against my hip, and I can tell he’s struggling with need as well. We’re moving too fast, and I know that we are, but I’ve never felt this way with a man before. I haven’t been put in this situation very many times in my lifetime, but Kaleb Perez is practically irresistible.

  “Josie, wait,” I hear Kaleb whisper, and my hands register the weight of his.

  I look down and gasp at the realization that I’ve unbuttoned his shirt almost completely.

  I’m panting as I pull my hands from his shirt.

  “Sorry,” I whisper, my feelings slightly hurt.

  “Don’t be,” he says and brings both of his hands to cup my face. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispers as his fingers stroke my cheeks.

  “You’re pretty hot yourself.” My eyes go wide at my admission, and his face lights up with a smile.

  He sweeps his thumb over my bottom lip before he pulls my head back, slanting his mouth over mine for another kiss. Our dueling tongues and the feeling of his hot skin against my chest send my senses into overdrive. The ability to resist rocking my hips against his flew out the window when he told me I was beautiful.

  I gasp at the initial swipe of my center over the seam of his suit pants, his erection thick below. He groans into my mouth, and I feel his hands leave my back and head and settle on my thighs. His fingers find their way under the edge of my thin skirt, and the feeling of his big, hot hands on my exposed skin makes my core throb.

  I tremble when his hands sneak up higher and rest on the flesh of my butt that’s not covered by my boy shorts underwear. I pant into his mouth when his fingers flex and pull forward causing me to rub along the length of him once again. I’m panting against his mouth as he increases the tempo of the rocking; my core begging for just an ounce more of stimulation in its quest for release.

  Kaleb provides it when he flexes his hips upwards increasing the pressure against me. My orgasm creeps up my spine and radiates into every cell in my body. I squeeze my eyes closed tight and let out a moan like I’ve never heard before. Kaleb stretches his neck so he can reach my heaving mouth, kissing me delicately as he slows the rocking of my hips.

  I’m weightless; every nerve ending in my body is tingling. I never knew my first orgasm with a man would be so explosive.

  I whimper when he pulls his lips from mine. My breathing is still uneven as I look down at him; his hands are back to my cheeks. “You are so beautiful when you come, Josie.”

  Unable to maintain eye contact with him as embarrassment washes over me, I collapse against his chest and smile when I hear the sound of his racing heart in his chest. The clock on the mantle quietly chimes the hour.

  “It’s getting late,” Kaleb murmurs in my hair.

  I pull back away from him, fear suddenly hitting me again.

  He glances towards the door and then looks down at his watch. I didn’t even consider how I may have ruined his plans for the evening.

  I slide off of his lap, straighten my skirt, and voice my concern. “Do you need to leave?”

  “Do you want me to stay?” He returns with a smile his voice husky and full of desire.

  I bite my lip and nod, suddenly feeling brazen and sexy after my release and his praise for it.

  Standing, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone. “I have to make a phone call first.” He turns from the living room, and I can hear him mutter something about Mia and how she’s going to be pissed that he’s not coming home again tonight.

  I freeze. I never even entertained the idea that he would be in a relationship with someone. I’d assumed he wasn’t since he was flirting with me. The thought that he has a girlfriend or even a wife at home disgusts me. This is why I don’t date; people can’t manage to even be honest these days.

  You’re so naive, Josie.

  As mad as I was I knew if he left I’d never get any sleep. I chew on my lip as I stand and consider my options. Settling on a decision, I head to the linen closet in the hallway and pull out a clean set of sheets and head into the guest bedroom. I strip it since it has been sitting unused for a few months and remake it with clean sheets. Once it’s done, I make my way back to the living room to find Kaleb sitting on the couch.

  His grin fades when he sees the hard set of my jaw. “Josie? What’s wrong?” He starts to stand, but I hold my hand up to stop him.

  “Clean sheets are on the guest bed. Second door on the left.” I tell him without inflection and turn and head to my room.

  I close my bedroom door and flip the lock, crawl into bed, and do something I haven’t done since sophomore year in college. I cry myself to sleep.

  Chapter 8

  Kaleb

  I have no idea what changed in Josie during my five-minute call to my neighbor to make sure he coul
d go feed Mia and let her out to use the restroom. Every wall I had worked to break down were resurrected higher than when I first met her.

  I made my way around her apartment and made sure the door and all the windows were locked. I was less than happy when I discovered several of the windows unlocked. I would have to have a conversation with her about basic home safety tomorrow, especially if she’s going to be staying here alone.

  I tap my fingers against my thigh as I pace the hallway. I’m uneasy having found several windows unlocked throughout her apartment already and know I won’t sleep well until I check the one in her room. I tap gently on her bedroom door after several trips up and down the hallway with no response. Figuring she’s sleeping I try the handle, telling myself I’ll just slip in and check the window, but I find the door locked. She doesn’t want me in her room. I sigh and head to the guest bedroom she indicated for me to use.

  Sitting on the edge of the bed, I run my hands roughly over my scalp, frustration with myself setting in. I never should’ve let things go as far as they did tonight. She’s not the type of girl to do something like that. Hell, she probably isn’t the type of girl to do something like that after weeks of dating.

  I took advantage of her tonight after she was traumatized by that fucking death threat. What did I expect? An elementary school teacher gets a letter that reads: ‘Tell them you saw nothin’ or we will kill both you bitches.' To top it off it was written in what appears to be blood.

  Instead of comforting her and making sure her questions were answered, and she felt safe, I practically mauled her. I could allow myself to consider the fact that she climbed on my lap not the other way around, but I’m trained in victim services, and I know what she was doing was a coping mechanism even if she doesn’t. Her actions were completely out of character for her, and that was the biggest red flag of them all.

 

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