by Peyton Banks
“I am strong”, she muttered. She closed her eyes tight and breathed in and out slowly. Her heart rate decreased to a steady pace. “He has no hold over me.”
She’d learned that by voicing out loud what she knew to be true, it helped build her confidence. After getting away from Lamont, she’d sought out a counselor who had helped her immensely. Starting over had been hard, but she’d done it, and because of that, she knew she could do anything.
Love didn’t have to hurt. She was sure one day she’d find someone to love her like she was supposed to be loved.
Lamont wasn’t the one for her. When she’d first met him, he’d been kind, loving, and caring. It was once he’d begun picking up the bottle that things had changed. The people he began to associate with were no good, and he couldn’t see that.
There had been plenty of times of him apologizing, and she’d fallen for it. He was good at twisting the situation to where she felt as if it was her fault for making him act the way he did.
Or he was jealous. She snorted at that excuse. He was jealous of how men looked at her, but he didn’t have an issue when he wanted to show her off, like the day he’d made her suck his dick in front of his friends.
That wasn’t love.
A real man wouldn’t humiliate his wife.
A real man would cherish and protect her.
Not use and abuse her.
Love was gift.
Love was sacred, something that had to be earned. It was a two-way street. When love was given, it should be returned tenfold.
Candi held on that one day, she would find a man to share her life with. She didn’t need a man but wanted one to share life’s precious moments with. One who would protect her, care for her, and make her smile.
Dallas pulled his squad car into the precinct’s parking lot. He drove around to the back and found a spot. He shut the car off and sighed.
Another double shift completed.
They were down a few men, and he wanted to do his part by taking an extra shift. The city of Las Vegas needed more police officers, but with the recent budget cuts, there would be no new hires.
It had been a long night with calls of public intoxication, break-ins, and domestic disputes. It was rare for him to just have a quiet night of patrolling, but Dallas wouldn’t complain. His sixteen hours flew by.
Exiting the vehicle, he stalked into the back door of the busy station. He navigated his way through the halls and made it to the stairs that led to the locker room. Jogging down them, he entered the men’s changing room and headed for his locker. His body was weary, and he just wanted to sleep.
“McNeil,” a deep voice called out.
Dallas paused in front of his locker and turned, finding his captain glaring at him.
“Captain.” Dallas nodded in greeting.
“Get your gear off then come meet me in my office,” Captain Shaun Jarvis growled. He spun on his heel and stalked away.
It wasn’t a request but an order.
The hardened captain was a no-nonsense man who didn’t take crap from the police force.
Even Dallas knew not to test the captain.
Within minutes, Dallas found himself walking toward the captain’s office. He’d planned to take a shower before leaving the precinct, but seeing that he’d been personally summoned, it would have to wait.
Arriving to the administration side of the precinct, he pulled open the glass door and stepped in.
“Hey, Dallas.” Anita, the captain’s secretary, smiled. The older woman, with salt-and-pepper hair pulled up in a bun, had been around the station forever. If there was anything one wanted to know about anyone at the station, Anita was the person to go talk to. She always proclaimed she didn’t like gossip but for some reason she was always the first with the latest news.
“Hey, Miss Anita. How are you?” he asked, leaning against the counter.
A wide grin spread across her face. She pushed up her dark frames and stared at him with her magnified blue eyes.
“I’m doing all right. I heard the captain went to find you himself,” she said.
He cringed and ran a hand through his hair. “Yeah. Not sure what I did, but I can’t imagine it’s good.”
“You never know.” She shrugged, reaching for her telephone on her desk. She picked it up and hit a button on it. “McNeil is here to see you, sir,” she announced. She motioned for Dallas to come behind the counter.
Dallas truly didn’t know what he had done to gain the wrath of the his boss. All of his reports were always turned in on time. He hadn’t gotten any complaints. He was the model patrolman.
The door to the captain’s office flew open, and Jarvis stood there, glaring at Dallas.
“Get in here, McNeil,” he grumbled.
Dallas nodded to Anita before walking over to the open door. He stepped through and stood before the desk. The door slammed shut, and Jarvis stalked over to his leather chair.
“Sir, have I done something wrong—”
“Have a seat, McNeil,” he said, cutting him off. He gestured to the chair in front of his desk while he himself sat down.
“I would prefer to stand—”
“Sit.”
The ice in his superior’s voice was enough to make Dallas change his mind about his position on standing. He wasn’t going to argue with the man over a chair. Hell, if he put up too much a fuss, the captain could bust his ass down to traffic duty.
Dallas held back a shudder at the thought.
He took the chair and eyed the man across from him. Jarvis shuffled a few papers on his desk before looking at him. The air in the room was tense, and the silence was deafening.
“Have I done something wrong, sir?” Dallas asked again. He sat rigid, unable to relax.
“I’ve reviewed your file, McNeil, and I’m puzzled.”
“Oh?” That couldn’t be good.
“Yes. I just don’t understand how a man with your background, your experience, would ever just want to be a patrolman.” Jarvis leaned back in his chair and studied Dallas.
Dallas knew he was more than qualified for patrolling and ensuring the safety of the Las Vegas streets. He’d lived half his life as a Marine, and all of those years had been spent going to parts of the world that most people couldn’t even begin to dream of. He’d seen things that no civilian should see and done some things that no one should even have to think up.
“I actually enjoy my job, sir,” he responded.
“We have so many divisions where you would be of better use. We have Gangs, Vice, Homeland Security—”
“I’m aware of the different divisions, sir.” Dallas respectfully cut his superior off. He knew of the other departments, but patrolling was something that he was good at.
Yeah, handing out tickets sucked, but it was part of a long day’s work. He enjoyed protecting the community. He’d gotten to know a lot of the people who depended on the police department.
This job, he wasn’t responsible for the lives of other men who were counting on his decision to be a sound one.
One that won’t get them all killed.
No, patrolling wasn’t as glamorous as the other bureaus, but it was safe.
The captain’s disappointed sigh wasn’t lost on Dallas.
“Listen, McNeil. You are a good man. A fine officer. You’ve served your country, and we are all thankful to you. I really do think you are wasting away on patrol.” Jarvis folded his arms across his chest.
The determined look on his face had Dallas biting back a groan.
“Thank you, sir—”
“Think about it, McNeil. That’s an order.”
Chapter Five
The sun was high, and the weatherman on the radio was calling for mid-nineties temperatures. After being grilled by his superior, Dallas had finally jumped in the shower and changed his clothes before leaving the station.
All he wanted to do was go straight home and crash. He was off today and was going to take advantage of being able
to do absolutely nothing.
He paused his truck at a red light. Traffic was sparse for mid-morning. The light turned green, and he turned the corner. A yawn snaked its way out, but his keen eyes caught sight of a familiar figure walking down the sidewalk.
Candi.
She was dressed in shorts and a tiny t-shirt. In her hands were a few grocery bags.
Without a thought, he pulled his vehicle over to the curb near her and rolled down the passenger window. She stiffened and glanced over at his truck. Her steps faltered as she squinted, trying to look into the cab.
“Candi!” he called out.
A smile spread across her face in recognition. His gaze slid down her body, and his cock strained against his jeans. Her shirt showed off her midriff, and the shorts revealed her brown thighs.
Suddenly, he was no longer tired.
“Dallas?” She moved closer to the vehicle and paused at the door. Her face was free of the makeup she usually wore at the bar, and even though she had tiny bags beneath her eyes, she was still just as beautiful to him.
“Need a ride?” he asked. He certainly wasn’t like Tanner who was smooth with the ladies. His friend always had a woman hanging off him and pretty much took a different one home each night. Dallas was more of the direct and to-the-point type of man. He’d had his share of one-night stands, and the woman from his last long-term relationship couldn’t deal with his absence when he’d been in the military.
“I wanted to thank you for the other night.” Her southern roots came through when she spoke.
She leaned against the truck, and his gaze dropped down to the sight of her teeth nibbling on her lip.
“That’s what I’m here for,” he muttered. It had taken everything he had to keep himself from breaking the guy’s arm who had grabbed her.
Kicking them out of the bar had been very generous.
Dallas had seen red when he’d made his way to her. Ever since the men had entered the establishment, he’d had a bad feeling about them. When his gaze had landed on her, it had been easy to see she’d been frightened and the men were not backing down from her.
We’ll make sure you are paid well.
He’d almost forgotten every oath he’d ever taken.
“I know, but I just want to let you know that I really appreciate everything.”
They stared at each other for what seemed like forever, before Dallas hit the unlock button on his door. “Let me take you to breakfast.”
“I have to get home. I have these groceries.” She held her hands up to show off the bags.
“Come on, Candi, let me take you for breakfast.” He leaned over and opened the door. “Your bags will be fine. Think of this as a way for me to thank you for keeping the coffee coming.”
She grinned and nodded. “Okay.”
Candi slid into the truck, and Dallas’s heart rate increased hearing the door shut.
“Anywhere special you’d like to go?” He pulled the truck from the curb and into traffic.
“I don’t know. You pick, and I’ll treat.” She laughed.
His gaze flew to hers, and he shook his head. There was no way he’d be letting her pay.
Dallas McNeil never let a woman pay for anything.
“You don’t have to treat. Your coffee is payment enough.” He chuckled.
Her gasp filled the air. His gaze cut to hers, and a shocked expression appeared on her face.
“What?”
“I think that is the first time I’ve heard you laugh.” She placed a hand on her chest and feigned amazement.
“I laugh.” He smirked, focused on the road. He knew of a small diner that had good food and strong coffee.
“In all the time I’ve known you, I have never seen you smile.”
He tore his attention from the road to look over at her.
“I’m not that bad,” he muttered, gripping the steering wheel tight.
“It’s okay. I know you are working a lot, and moonlighting at the bar can be tough,” she said, starring out the window. “That’s why I keep the coffee coming, to make sure you’re on your A game.”
He barked another laugh and shook his head. They arrived at the diner, and he guided the truck into the parking lot.
“We’re here,” he announced. He turned the car off and exited it. He narrowed his eyes on the sight of her opening her door. “What are you doing?” he snapped, watching her step from the cab.
Hoisting her purse on her shoulder, she shut the door to the truck and spun around with her eyes wide with confusion. “Um, aren’t we going to eat?”
He stepped closer to her until his body touched hers. A gasp escaped her lips as he pushed her back against the truck, leaving no space in between them. He gently tipped her chin up with his finger so he could stare down into her eyes. He ran his fingers along her bottom lip. It was plump, and he was dying to take a taste of her.
“We are, but I just want to let you know, Candi, that a man like me will treat a woman with respect who allows me to take her out.”
Her hand slid up to cup his that held her in place.
“What are you saying, Dallas?” she whispered. Her eyes searched his.
His gaze dropped down to the pulse at the base of her neck, and he watched it race.
He met her gaze, and a small smile played on his lips. He wanted Candi but he didn’t have much to offer her. A sweet, beautiful woman like her didn’t deserve a man like him.
“I open doors for women,” he murmured. The sounds of cars passing behind them faded off. It was as if the two of them were in their own little world. Her smooth brown skin drew him to her. “I like to treat a woman like she should be treated.”
Her mouth flopped open and shut before she jerked her head in a nod.
“Okay, Dallas,” she breathed.
“Good. Let’s go eat.”
Candi had to beat down her libido. Dallas sat across from her in a tight, navy-blue LVPD t-shirt that perfectly outlined his muscular physique. Her body was in overdrive, and it was letting her know that it had been entirely too long since she’d known the pleasure of a member of the opposite sex.
A man like me will treat a woman with respect who allows me to take her out.
His words echoed in her mind on repeat. She’d practically melted against the truck. At that moment, she would have done anything he’d asked of her.
Apparently, it bothered him that she hadn’t waited for him to come open her car door.
She couldn’t even remember a time when Lamont had opened her car door for her.
She blinked and pushed her ex-husband from her mind. Sitting across from her was a relaxed Dallas, enjoying a cup of black coffee with sugar only.
At the bar, he was usually quiet and constantly moving around to keep the establishment secured. She always felt safe while he was there.
But here, she had him all to herself, enjoying brunch.
Their conversation had been steady, and she couldn’t help but smile. This was the most she’d ever heard him speak.
“Is your brother a cop, too?” she asked, pushing her plate away from her. She reached for her glass and sipped her water. The diner was small and bustling with activity.
“No. Dalton is a firefighter.” He chuckled.
“What’s so funny about that?” She tilted her head to the side, staring at him.
He was an intriguing man, and she couldn’t get enough of him. The memory of his thumb sliding along her lip had her licking her lips. She had thought he was going to kiss her, and she had been disappointed when he’d pulled back from her.
“My brother can’t shoot a gun for shit.” He laughed then gulped his coffee. His deep baritone voice washed over her, and his laugh was infectious.
“And you are a perfect shot?” She lifted an eyebrow at him, leaning forward and resting her elbow on the table.
Any little morsel of his life that he shared with her was absorbed. All she had known before was that he was a cop. It was rumored that he’d b
een in the service, and now she had it confirmed.
“As perfect as a human can be,” he admitted, sitting his mug down. His heated gaze took her breath away. “Someday I’d like to take you to the shooting range and show you.”
“Is that a date?” Her eyebrow rose even higher. She bit her lip and knew she was flirting.
She couldn’t stop herself.
Dallas McNeil was a man who had her full attention, and she intended for him to put her out of her misery.
He was a good man.
He was safe.
And he was the sexiest man she’d ever laid eyes on.
Her attention moved to his hands, and the air escaped her lungs. They were large, powerful, and she knew they were the hands of a man who would know how to work her body.
His eyes darkened, and his gaze dropped down to her breasts. Her nipples grew into taut little buds, pushing against her shirt as if vying for his attention.
“Will you, Candi? Go out with me?” he asked. His voice grew husky, and he flickered his gaze to hers.
Her core clenched with the pure hunger in his eyes.
Movement at the checkout counter snagged her attention. She froze in place, recognizing the man who was not hiding that he was staring at her.
Moody Perlino.
He was an associate of her husband’s, and him seeing her out with another man was news she was sure would get back to Lamont.
She’d heard things about Moody and how he’d come by his name. A shudder rippled its way through her body. Before her husband had gone to prison, he had begun hanging with a rough crowd. She wasn’t sure what he was involved in but knew it wasn’t legal.
“What’s wrong?” Dallas asked.
Moody’s gaze shifted to Dallas who returned the stare. Moody broke off the staring contest first when the young woman behind the counter brought him his order. He grabbed the bag and once again glanced over at Candi.
His head tipped into a slight nod, then he was gone, disappearing through the front door.
Her heart slammed against her chest. She stood abruptly from the table, her hands visibly shaking as she grabbed her purse.