Hot as Hale (Hale Series Book 3)

by Marie James

  “We don’t have much time, baby. How fast can you make me come?” She nips at my bottom lip and releases a moan.

  “Count back from thirty,” I challenge as I turn her around, press my hand on her shoulders causing her to bend at the waist and slam into her from behind.

  ***

  I watch as a wide range of emotions come over Josie’s face as we pull up to the school. Kids are bustling around, and teachers interact with some and watch as they make their way safely inside. Her hands are clasped in her lap, and she’s trembling slightly.

  I reach over and take her hands in mine, once again reminding myself she wants to be seen as strong and struggling with my urge to coddle her when she looks so sad.

  “Do you have your phone?” My question diverts her attention from the kids going to the school.

  “Yes,” she whispers softly.

  “The threats have been made to your apartment,” I explain. “There’s a chance that whoever sent them has no clue who you even are. Have you had issues or seen suspicious behaviors that make you feel unsafe here at work?”

  “No.”

  “Do you think I would ever send you into danger?” She shakes her head no. I smile at her. “What time do you get off?”

  “I have pickup duty this afternoon, so it will be close to four-thirty before I can leave,” she informs me.

  “I’ll text you when I get here.” I stroke the side of her face with my thumb. “Call me if you need me before then.” She nods. “What do you want for dinner?” I ask as a distraction.

  “You,” she whispers, her eyes on my mouth.

  “Me it is then,” I reply huskily as I slide my thumb between her lips. She gently bites the tip before sucking it into her mouth; I swell in my pants, “Fuck, Josie.” I watch as she grins around my thumb. “You have to go inside. Now, Mariposa.” She frowns and releases my thumb from her mouth. “If you don’t we’ll both be in jail by lunch.”

  I want to lean in and kiss her senseless, but that would be beyond inappropriate to do in front of an elementary school. The cop car and K9 with her head half out of the window are drawing enough attention.

  “Keep your phone close, baby.” Her request is sensual, rolling off her tongue sweetly and dripping in sexual innuendo. “I may need to text you later.” She winks at me and gets out of the car quickly and walks into the school.

  Every day.

  Every day I want to spend with this woman. I want to wake up with her in my arms, her wild hair tickling my nose. I want to kiss her awake and run my hands all over her body. I want to make her come like a freight train every morning in the shower. I want to make her a cup of coffee each morning and cook her dinner each night. I want to fall asleep with her across my chest, her legs tangled with mine.

  I pull away from the curb and drive slowly off the school campus, and my mind turns to work mode as soon as I pull up to the station. The best way to make sure Josie is not only safe but also feels safe is to catch whoever this asshole is that sent the threats.

  I open the back door of the car, and Mia jumps down. Her ass end is waving so much she looks like she may tumble over. She’s so happy to be back at work it’s ridiculous. I feel sorry that she’ll more than likely get to do nothing more than sit in the office all day. I may send her out back with the other K9’s later; some same species interaction would be good for her.

  I swing by Holt’s desk the second I make it through the doors. No new info. It seems Blake Evans was friends, and enemies, with just about everyone in the drug world, so there are hundreds of sets of prints that have to be shuffled through. Not what I wanted to hear, but it’s what I expected because I know he will call the minute he gets anything.

  I settle in at my desk and run through voicemails on my phone. Not as many as usual since I wasn’t on call this weekend. Once they are taken care of, I start on emails, which are more numerous than the actual voicemails. People are much more likely to drop a line than actually use their voice on the phone, texting and emails are quickly becoming the most common form of communication in the police department these days. I think it has a lot to do with having a paper trail of sorts to refer back to.

  I’m reading a scanned witness statement in an email when Detective Jessica Riley sits down in the chair across from my desk. I know what’s coming next and six weeks ago she’d be a welcome sight. She’s a welcome sight now, for me, probably not for her. Today she’s a chapter in my life I have to close.

  “Hey, Kaleb.”

  “Hey, Jess. What’s up?” I close out my email. Jessica is a sweet girl and deserves my full attention. I hate that I haven’t even given her a second thought in the past few weeks.

  “You were here later than usual this morning.” She smiles at me, and I return hers with a grin.

  What do I tell her? That I had the most incredible reason to be late this morning? She doesn’t need to hear that. We aren’t buddies like that.

  “Technically, I wasn’t late. I got here on time. It was just substantially later than I normally arrive.” It’s the truth. I’m not scheduled in until eight, but I’m usually here no later than six forty-five.

  She shrugs her shoulders and leans across my desk conspiratorially. “You got plans tonight?” The sexy draw of her voice would normally be what I want to hear from her. Things have changed substantially over the last few weeks.

  We’ve had an understanding the past year or so. When we had an itch, we would use each other to scratch it. We weren’t exclusive because that’s not what either of us was looking for. We’ve been together a handful of times or so and it was just always easy between us. I’ve never gotten the vibe from her that she wanted more, so I’m hoping she takes the end of this in stride.

  I take a minute to really see her. She’s gorgeous, so pretty that when she’s undercover for the prostitution busts she actually has to be dirtied down. I suddenly feel a pang of guilt for what we’ve done like I used her even though she was the one who approached me with the whole fuck buddy idea.

  I clear my throat. “I do actually have plans, Jess.”

  “Tomorrow then?” She asks.

  “Look, Jess.” Fuck this is harder than I thought it would be. “I’m seeing someone.”

  She nods and briefly tilts her head trying to hide the pain I see flash in her eyes. “It’s serious then? I mean it has to be if you’re turning me down.”

  “I’m not trying to hurt you, Jess.” I shrug my shoulders because what else can I say? She doesn’t want to hear that even though I don’t believe in Cupid and love at first sight, I’ve apparently been hit in the ass with his arrow.

  “It’s the Bennett girl isn’t it?” Her voice is calm, but there’s a small inflection that tells me she’s not only jealous but a little more upset than she’s letting show.

  I give her a ‘what the fuck’ look, and it’s her turn to shrug her shoulders. “Chad Mills mentioned an attraction he thought you guys had.”

  Ah, yes. The patrolman who called Friday when he responded to the break-in at Josie’s apartment. It appears Denver Police Department is full of gossips.

  “Pillow talk?” I give her a tight smirk, letting her know that I’m well aware of her agreement with Mills. I could mention several of her other ‘agreements,’ but it’s not my place. Just like it’s not her place to question me about Josie.

  She grins back at me, giving me the feeling like she thinks I’m jealous of what she does in her free time.

  “Look, Jess, our encounters were great, but we both knew it would never go anywhere.” I’m trying to hide the irritation in my voice. “Yes, Joselyne Bennett is the woman I’m seeing. In fact, she has actually moved in with me.” I hope I didn’t just jinx myself, but technically all of her clothes are hanging in mine, our, closet.

  I almost want to laugh at the look of pure shock on her face. I’m pretty surprised by it myself.

  “To y..your house?” She sputters. I nod and smile. “You never even invited me to come over to your
house.” Her statement catches me by surprise.

  “We weren’t dating, Jessica. That was the agreement.” She cuts her eyes away from mine, having an even harder time hiding her pain with this latest news.

  She nods her head up and down several times like she has to convince herself that we weren’t more than a good time to each other.

  She stands, and I stand with her.

  “I’ve still got Mills, right?” She steps around the chair she just vacated. “Right, well I wish you the best.”

  I watch her walk away and even though she’s upset and obviously had more invested in me than I had in her I can tell that she means it. I’m hoping she finds someone long term. She really deserves that. I’m confident that she’ll take this in stride and we won’t have any issues or problems where work is concerned.

  My phone buzzes, drawing my attention away from Jessica’s retreating back. I smile when I look down and see a selfie of the most beautiful woman in the world. Fuck, how did I get so lucky to have this woman?

  Chapter 27

  Josie

  I couldn’t resist sending Kaleb a picture of me. Well, I lasted until after the second bell for first period. The day has been completely normal. No one at work even knows about Friday’s break-in, and I have no intention of telling them. The last thing I need is everyone crawling all over me or worse yet, watching to wait for me to fall apart. It was bad enough after Alexa was shot. I was pretty upset, and it spilled over here at work, which was completely unintentional. I hate for people to fuss over me.

  I’ve not given any clues that I was practically devastated Friday. The smile on my face says the exact opposite. The smile I couldn’t even get rid of if I tried. This smile. This smile is one hundred percent Kaleb’s fault. I can say this past weekend was so incredible, the break-in and death threats barely even registered, and now that I’m actually at work and things are normal, it’s not really even bothering me anymore.

  It’s fourth period now and my conference time. I decide that I need some girl time. Just us girls. We really couldn’t talk on Saturday. Everyone was so afraid I was going to crumble or have some sort of break down; they practically walked on eggshells around me.

  I open my desk drawer, pull out my phone, and shoot a group text to Alexa and Lorali.

  Josie: We need to get together immediately for some girl time!

  I pull out my lesson planner while I wait for them to respond. I know they’re both at work, but they have quite a bit of flexibility in their day.

  Alexa: I’m always ready for some girl time!

  Lorali: Eek!!! Yes!!

  Josie: Ampere?

  Alexa: No.

  Lorali: NO!

  What in the world? They always want to go there!

  Alexa: I’m not ready for that type of social scene.

  Ah yes! How did I forget for even a brief second that Alexa has practically sworn off drinking and partying?

  Josie: Sorry, Alexa. Where to then?

  Alexa: No worries!

  Lorali: Why doesn’t everyone come over here?

  Alexa: That works for me. Garrett will want to come if Ian is going to be there….

  Lorali: Well, Ian lives here, so chances are he will be around.

  Dang! This is going to be a repeat of Saturday, and I’ll never be able to honestly relax. How can I talk about Kaleb with him right there?

  Josie: I was hoping for more privacy

  Lorali: We’ll make the guys go down into the basement. I’m sure there will be some sort of game on they can watch.

  Josie: When are you guys thinking?

  Lorali: This evening?

  Alexa: I have no other plans.

  Josie: I’ll ask Kaleb and get back to you guys. If so what time?

  Lorali: Early. Say 5:30? 6?

  Alexa: Perfect.

  That was easier than I expected. Has Alexa actually turned into the type of girl who is satisfied with just hanging out with a quiet group of friends? I know Lorali and myself have always gravitated to calm and subdued behaviors. I’m glad the plans for the evening have diverted away from a loud club scene. The idea of being out in the open sends a nasty chill up my spine.

  I shoot a text to Kaleb.

  Josie: Want to hang out at Ian’s house this evening?

  I hope he answers soon so I can let Lorali know. I’m sure she’ll want to have time to get snacks and such together. She’s the perfect hostess. I only have ten minutes left in my conference period.

  Just as I’m about to slide my phone back into my desk for my next class, it buzzes in my hand.

  Kaleb: Sure. What time?

  Josie: We could head over there right after you pick me up.

  Kaleb: ok. There’s something I have to run home and do first. But it shouldn’t take me too long.

  Josie: Bell just rang. See you soon, baby.

  The remaining few hours of work went by in a flash. This is my first year to teach, but I already love the end of the year. My days have been filled with fun games and science experiments we didn’t get around to during the year. Every one of my students passed their standardized test the first time, so we have less to worry about than some of the teachers, which I feel is awesome because the kids need a break from the stress that the tests bring.

  I head back to the school just as the last student is riding away with their parent. I head back to my room to get my purse, jacket, and cell phone. I’m planning to wait near the entrance for Kaleb to let me know he’s here. I don’t have to worry about locking up because the janitorial service is here cleaning.

  “Hey, Josie,” Martha Hall, a fellow fourth-grade teacher falls into step with me on my way back to the front.

  “Hi, Martha. How was your day?” I’m polite but know that Martha is less than cordial most days.

  “Meh, you know same ‘ol same ‘ol.” I just nod, trying not to engage. Negativity just leaves me in a bad mood. “I saw the police drop you off this morning.”

  I don't understand people who complain and want to bring people down. I mean if you're not happy with your life, do something to change it.

  “My boyfriend dropped me off this morning.” I don’t even try to hide the smile on my face.

  I can see Kaleb pull up to the curb in front of the school through the front glass. Oh, thank goodness I don't have to wait with Martha!

  I watch him climb out of the car. He notices me the second I walk through the front doors. I resist the command from my feet telling me to run into his arms.

  “Holy shit.” I hear Martha say under her breath. Well, I guess there are some things she can appreciate.

  “Have a lovely evening, Martha,” I say over my shoulder as Kaleb begins to stalk towards me. I swear I hear her say something about being a criminal and needing to be frisked, but I ignore her. Why would I focus on her when this incredibly gorgeous man is looking at me like he's dying of thirst and I'm the last drop of water on earth?

  We crash into each other. I wrap my arms around his neck. His arms circle me as he lifts me up, so I can reach his mouth as he spins me around. Think super romantic movie, only better because it's Kaleb Perez.

  “I missed you, baby,” I whisper against his lips.

  He sets me back on my feet. “I missed you too.” I see him look over my shoulder “Friend of yours?”

  I know he's talking about Martha, so I don't even chance a look back in her direction. “Not really. She did say she wanted you to arrest her.” I grin at him but roll my eyes.

  “Original,” he mutters. Apparently not the first time someone has looked at him and suggested it. “Let's get out of here.” I fall into step beside him as he helps me into the front seat of his cruiser.

  I wait for him to make his way around the car and busy myself with my seat belt.

  “How was your day?” I ask as we pull away from the school.

  “It was good. Not very productive, but no one shot at me or tried to stab me.” I know he means it as a joke, but I can’t stop fro
m wincing.

  The idea of him getting hurt at work nearly guts me. Knowing that every day it’s a possibility almost makes me reconsider having a relationship with a cop. My mom is a very strong woman, but I can remember times when she sat in the living room watching the door, waiting for my father to come home, not knowing if she would ever see him alive again.

  He notices my frowning face. “Sorry, Josie.” He shrugs his shoulders. “Cop humor.”

  I decided to change the subject quickly. “My class is building overnight crystal gardens tomorrow.”

  “That sounds messy. Do you have all of the supplies? I’m sure I have Epsom salt somewhere at the house.” He grins over at me.

  “You know how to make quick growing crystals?” My panties just got wet from how sexy it is that he knows something like this.

  His smile is miraculous. “I love science. I’m really dorky when it comes to stuff like that.”

  “I think I just fell in love with you,” I say jokingly under my breath, still smiling at him.

  His only response is a mischievous wink in my direction and a squeeze of our clasped hands.

  We pull up in front of the house rather than the garage since we will be leaving shortly to head over to Lorali and Ian’s house. I follow him to the door and wait for him to unlock the door and deactivate the alarm. This man is serious about security.

  “What do you have to do?” I ask following him inside and closing the door behind us.

  He turns around, picks me up and throws me over his shoulder. “You,” he states and swats me on my butt while carrying me to the bedroom.

  Chapter 28

  Kaleb

  I love the sound of her squeal when I pick her up and throw her over my shoulder. I was able to make both of us come in less than a minute in the shower this morning, and it did nothing more than getting me worked up, needy for more.

  I lay her gently on the bed and take the few steps to the dresser where I divest myself of my badge and firearm, laying them on top of the dark wood. She watches every move with hooded eyes, periodically snaking her tongue out to lick her lips. Being the generous man that I am I give her exactly what she wants. I remove each piece of clothing at an antagonizingly slow pace, making sure I fold and situate each item on the top of the dresser before moving on to the next one.