Courting the Cop

by Coleen Kwan

  Abigail found herself whispering under her breath, “Push it and you push it, and you…crossover.” For some reason she wanted so desperately for Brody to get the routine right. He stumbled, and she almost gasped, clutching her hands together in suspense. But he recovered, shooting her a grin as he found the next step.

  That brief smile lit up his face and sent a fizzing thrill right down to her toes. Oh my God. Brody was dancing the Shim Sham for her. Just for her. No one had ever done something like this for her before. No one could make her heart curl up with wonder. No one could make her feel this happy. Warmth burst from deep within her and electrified her with joy.

  Before she realized what she was doing, she flung off her coat and ran up to Brody. Aligning herself by his side, she began to click her fingers and move her body, and they were doing the Shim Sham side-by-side, smiling at each other. Brody’s eyes held hers, alive with energy, infecting her with his euphoria. He wasn’t touching her or talking to her, but his eyes and his dancing did everything and more to her. She felt something cracking inside her chest, like winter ice breaking in the spring thaw, and emotion poured out.

  She laughed and danced with Brody, never letting her gaze wander from his. People snapped their fingers and slapped hands on hips in time to the music, but they were nothing but a background blur. She had eyes only for Brody.

  Maybe that was why, as they neared the end of the routine, she stumbled and would have fallen if it hadn’t been for Brody, who leaped in and held her arm.

  “Steady there,” he murmured, his lips not far from her.

  How could she be remotely steady when he was touching her, his body leaning so deliciously close? For a moment she could only stare at him with open longing.

  His hand tightened. “Let’s get out of here.”

  She nodded, mute, and he slid his hand down her arm to entwine his fingers with hers. The other cops protested, calling for another dance, but Brody ignored them, and Abigail clung to his hand, oblivious to everything except him. He grabbed their coats and led her out of the crowded bullpen, his grip firm and warm and urgent. Outside the station, freezing night air made a grab, but Abigail was too blissed out to feel the cold.

  Brody tugged her into his arms, spun her round, and pressed her up against his parked car. Her heart jumped with excitement as she waited for him to kiss her, finally, but instead he stroked her hair and cheeks with hands that were clearly unsteady.

  “Well?” His eyes searched hers, the usual cockiness replaced by yearning, and maybe even desperation. “Do you think I’m good enough to take you to your fifties dance?”

  “Oh, Brody. I can’t believe you’d do something like this just for me.” Her voice shook as it sank in—what he’d done, what it meant. To him, to her. Reaching up, she traced her fingertips over his stubbled jaw. “I would be so happy and proud to take you anywhere, Brody Donovan.”

  He made a choking sound, and then his mouth was on hers and her entire being lit up. They kissed eagerly, desperately, hands and lips caressing, exciting. They were lost to the world, and she never wanted to be found.

  Eventually they had to break off, and the air between them steamed white.

  “I’m scared,” Brody croaked out, gasping for air.

  “Of what?”

  “Of screwing up. Of not measuring up. Of hurting you.”

  Her heart swelled with love at his brutal honesty. She cupped his face between her hands. “I’m scared too. I’m scared of not being enough. Of boring you. Of losing you to some random thug on the streets.”

  He nodded and took a deep breath, his expression anxious. “I don’t have much experience with relationships—not any, to be honest—but I want one with you, Abby. I want it so bad, and that’s why I’m counting on you to tell me when I slip up. Tell me to my face in words I can understand, because I’m no good at woman-talk.”

  “You’re better than you think.” She smiled, stroking her fingers over his ears. He had the most delicious ears, she realized, and she was dying to nip his earlobe with her teeth. Wrapping her hands around his neck, she drew his head down to hers and whispered, “In fact, after that dance, I think you’ll be incredible at this, Brody Donovan.”

  He actually blushed with pleasure. “Thank you. That means a lot to me. I put on a macho front to cover my inadequacies, but for you I’m going to do everything—everything—to prove myself worthy of you.”

  “I’d say you’re already doing that,” she whispered. She tightened her grip around his neck, her heart swelling with emotion. She was head-over-heels giddily in love with Brody, and she sensed he felt the same about her. She also sensed that those serious declarations could not be made tonight, that they deserved their own special moment. “And you aren’t inadequate at all. You’re magnificent.”

  “You honestly think that?”

  “I know that.”

  Their heads rested together, and for a little while they stood in silence, savoring the moment.

  Eventually, she reached up to nibble his earlobe. “Now take me home, Detective, and I might tell how magnificent you are again, once we’ve done the Shim Sham together.”

  He squeezed her waist, and she sensed desire swelling between them, hotter and sweeter than ever.

  “You’re definitely going to tell me that.” His lips brushed against hers. “Especially after I show you my own special Shim Sham moves.”

  Epilogue

  Brody’s car pulled up at the curb with a slight screech. Abigail jumped in and was instantly enveloped in Brody’s arms, his mouth coming down hard on hers.

  “God, I’ve missed you,” he muttered as he lavished kisses down her neck.

  Brody had been on late shift the whole week, and it was playing havoc with their sex lives. Abigail squeezed him tighter, desperate to get as close to him as possible. A few more kisses and he broke away from her with a groan.

  “Enough, or we’ll be late for Mom’s lunch, and everyone will have a wisecrack for us when we do show up.”

  “I do love Sundays at your mom’s.” The Donovans were all heart and soul, and she loved being with them, wisecracks and tough roast beef and all.

  A couple of months had passed since Brody had stunned her with his Shim Sham at the station. Brody still had his own apartment, but he’d practically moved in with her. So far, he hadn’t shown any signs of missing his old bachelor lifestyle. In fact, he had booked a spring vacation in Mexico for the two of them, much to the surprise of his family and friends.

  Winter had been busy for Abigail. Katherine O’Brien spent more time at Abigail’s store, and had even begun to chat to a few of the regulars. She needed the support, especially after her visits to her son in jail. With the Spikers in retreat, the shopping strip showed signed of recovery. Abigail’s new knitting and crocheting classes were popular, and business in her yarn store had picked up. The old deli store had been rented out to a friendly couple, who were reopening in a few weeks.

  After all this activity, Abigail was looking forward to spending a week alone with the man she adored. Each time she saw him, her heart gave that funny stutter of happiness, and deep down she knew she’d never get tired of that feeling.

  Brody brushed her hair away from her face. “Before we go, I’ve got something for you.” He reached into the back seat and lifted a square parcel which he pushed into her hands.

  “But Christmas is over,” she said, gazing in surprise at the gift.

  “Just open it, will you?”

  She felt his tension rise as she unwrapped the gift to reveal a slim, leather-bound book.

  “A book of poems,” she breathed, running her fingers over the tooled leather.

  “To replace the one you threw away. Hopefully you’ll keep mine forever.” He scratched his chin, an anxious look tugging at his lips. “I wrote something in there for you.”

  Holding her breath, s
he opened the book, not knowing what to expect.

  I stole an orange, but you stole my heart.

  I act all tough, but you make me strong.

  I thought I didn’t need love, but you gave me love anyway.

  I am just a man, but you are everything.

  I love you, Abigail.

  She lifted her gaze to him, speechless. Finally he’d written the words she’d longed to hear. Words she’d almost spilled to him several times.

  He reached across and cupped her face in both his hands. “I love you,” he said. His voice was deep, his eyes filled with honesty. “I’ve been in love with you for ages, but now I feel like I’ve finally earned the right to say it to you.”

  “Oh, Brody.” She was trembling, but his hands were rock-steady. “I love you too,” she choked out.

  His face lit up. “That’s good. Because I’m gonna be around for a while.”

  “Promise?”

  “Promise.” A small frown clouded his brow. “So what d’you think of the rest of my poem?”

  Her heart swelled as she traced the earnest lines of his face with her fingertips. “It’s amazing. Like you are.”

  “You think?” He scraped his thumbnail along his jaw. “I had a helluva time coming up with those lines. I’m no Emily Dickinson. All I could think of was Roses are red, violets are blue, but I knew that wasn’t good enough for you.”

  Blinking back tears, she hugged him, the precious book sandwiched between them. “Oh, Brody, your words come from your heart, and that means the world to me.”

  Love lit up his eyes as he bent to kiss her, and she knew that everything he was came from the heart, and that would always be more than good enough.

  About the Author

  Coleen Kwan has been a bookworm all her life. At school English was her favorite subject, but for some reason she decided on a career in IT. After many years of programming, she wondered what else there was in life—and discovered writing. She loves writing contemporary romance and steampunk romance.

  Coleen lives in Sydney, Australia with her partner and two children. When she isn’t writing she enjoys avoiding housework, eating chocolate, and watching TV shows like Criminal Minds and Bob’s Burgers.

  Coleen can be contacted at the following places:

  Website: www.coleenkwan.com

  Facebook: www.facebook.com/coleenkwan.authorpage

  Twitter: www.twitter.com/ColeenKwan

  Sign up for her newsletter at www.coleenkwan.com/p/contact-me.html.

  Look for these titles by Coleen Kwan

  Now Available:

  Darke London

  Don’t miss this other title by Coleen Kwan

  The only way to save her life is to resurrect the dead…

  Uncanny Chronicles, Book 1

  Julian Darke was only a newborn when he was abandoned on the doorstep of a gentleman doctor. Though raised with love, he is driven to discover his true origins.

  Convinced Sir Thaddeus Ormond knows something, Julian shadows him one night—and is shocked to see a young woman thrown from Ormond’s carriage and accosted by a thug. Julian manages to save her life, but not her face and hands from horrific injuries.

  Nellie Barchester doesn’t recognize the scarred, disfigured stranger in the mirror. Though the gifted doctor and engineer has done his best to repair the damage, scars ravage her body, and chill her soul with the realization that her own husband may have plotted her death.

  Julian’s tenderness is a balm to her soul, and Nellie is drawn to the edge of passion by a man not repelled by her deformities. But as their pursuit of the truth draws them into London’s underbelly, they cross the path of a ruthless enemy who will stop at nothing to fulfill his schemes.

  Warning: Can a brilliant but troubled doctor find happiness with a woman scarred both inside and out? A hint of the supernatural plus a night of passion spice up this Uncanny Chronicle.

  If you loved this book, then you’re sure to love these Samhain favorites as well!

  Sometimes there is enough sweet to make up for the bitter.

  Turtle Pine, Book 1

  Years ago, a broken heart sent Annie Cookie running from home, and she’s never looked back—until now. Her grandpa’s broken wrist means the family bakery is at risk of losing two big orders.

  Reluctantly, Annie returns to Turtle Pine to help out, only to discover it’s not just seven hundred cupcakes she has to bake, but also a wedding cake for the half-sister who stole her high-school sweetheart. Annie left town to get away from her sister. No way is she getting mixed up with her again. Once the cupcakes are done, she’s outta there.

  Back in high school, Cade Revlin hid his crush on his brother’s girl, but when his brother dumped Annie for another Cookie sister, Annie slipped through his fingers and out of town. Now that she’s back, he’s determined to give her a reason to stay.

  He’s got one week to change her mind. Or she’ll be gone in a cloud of powdered sugar.

  Warning: Contains small-town meddling, family drama and all the necessary ingredients for a second chance at love—if they have the guts to turn up the heat.

  Catching the one that got away could be the ultimate ride.

  Wild Crush, Book 1

  Champion surfer Ty Butler is living the dream—a great career, a globe-trotting lifestyle, and his pick of women. Then a visit to his hometown forces him to face Summer Campbell.

  A decade on, she still gives him an adrenaline rush to beat the biggest waves. She’s also as unavailable as ever, or so he thinks. When the truth comes out, Ty decides it’s time to lay old ghosts to rest—and lay Summer flat out in bed.

  Ten years ago Summer committed the ultimate sin by falling for her sister’s boyfriend. She rejected Ty’s love out of duty, even marrying another man in an attempt to move on. An attempt that failed. She never forgot Ty—or the havoc loving him wreaked in her life.

  Her body wants to finish what they started long ago. Her head tells her she can indulge in a wicked affair with no regrets. But when the pro-surfing tour inevitably calls him away, her heart could crumble like a sandcastle beneath his feet.

  Warning: Book contains hot sex with a hot surfer. Might warm your heart and heat up a few other parts, as well. Might even inspire you to chuck it all in and chase the endless summer.

  eBooks are not transferable.

  They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work.

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  Samhain Publishing, Ltd.

  11821 Mason Montgomery Road Suite 4B

  Cincinnati OH 45249

  Courting the Cop

  Copyright © 2015 by Coleen Kwan

  ISBN: 978-1-61923-125-2

  Edited by Anne Scott

  Cover by Leah Kaye Suttle

  All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  First Samhain Publishing, Ltd. electronic publication: October 2015

  www.samhainpublishing.com

 

 

 
uttons">share