NY State Trooper- The Complete Box Set

by Jen Talty

  Instead of working on her novel, Delany found herself reading articles on how to seduce a man, because obviously she’d been doing it all wrong since Josh had turned her down flat.

  She picked at her bacon, sitting on the wraparound porch of the Heritage Inn overlooking the waterfront, but her head was behind her computer screen, reading all about how to become a temptress, according to some online magazine.

  The clock on her computer read just past ten in the morning. Waiters and waitresses moved about, setting tables for the lunch crowd. The restaurant did steady business daily, from open to close, but guests could reserve tables the day before. The owners had created a vastly different atmosphere from that of the Boardwalk by opting not to build a bar and closing by nine. They maintained a quiet, family-friendly ambiance.

  “Hi, Delaney,” Patty said. “How are you this morning?”

  “I’m doing okay,” Delaney said.

  “Just okay?” Patty smiled. “Are you sure you’re not better than okay? Because I heard you went out with Josh after Reese and I left you last night. “

  Delaney swallowed. “I didn’t realize we were the talk of the town.”

  “I didn’t mean it that way,” Patty said as she sat at the table. “The chatter actually started with Tristan and the new waitress at the Boardwalk.” Patty held up her hand. “It wasn’t gossip, just that my cousin Frank and his wife were there last night and said Tristan had planned on taking Viv on a date where she works, but that you, or Josh, somehow saved the day.”

  “I don’t know about that. By the time I got there, we were heading to play miniature golf.” Delaney chewed on her thumbnail.

  “What’s bothering you?” Patty asked. “Because if it’s what I just said, honestly, none of it is gossip. That said, we live in a small town, and when it comes to all the State Police, well, we’re one big, dysfunctional family.”

  “It’s not that.” Delaney shook her head. “Most of the time, I think Josh really likes me, but then, he… I don’t know.” She had to be nuts to be asking Patty to help her have a one-night stand with Josh, just so she could make a sex tape and ruin the sweet man.

  “I get it.” Patty leaned in. “Before I say anything, mind if I ask you a personal question?”

  Oh, Delaney minded, all right. “No. Go ahead.”

  “Are you looking for a fling? Summer romance? No strings kind of thing? Or do you want a long-term relationship?”

  Delaney had no idea how to answer that. “I like him. I’m attracted to him, but I recently got out of a bad relationship, and I’m not sure I want anything but a good time. Plus, I don’t live here.”

  “I totally get that.” Patty smiled. “My advice to you is, tell him what you just told me, because it’s better to be upfront about these things than have regrets later.”

  “Thanks,” Delaney said, tripping over the word. Her phone vibrated on the table.

  “I’ve got to go help Reese with the kids. His nana can’t really handle them anymore, and we haven’t found the right part-time nanny.”

  Delaney closed her eyes briefly before staring at her phone for a long moment, not wanting to see Gray Eyes’ phone number flashing in her messages. The creepy man with the ominous eyes had been relentless between sending her ‘gentle’ reminders, as he called them, and pictures of her brother, tied, gagged, and sporting a pair of black eyes. Snagging the phone, she tapped her passcode. Three text messages.

  One from Josh and two from Gray Eyes.

  You have three days to make this happen, or Liam is dead.

  If you fail, not only will Liam die, but we’ll kill you, too.

  She coughed. That meant she had until Saturday to make a sex tape…

  Her heart thumped as she tapped on Josh’s text.

  Can you go to the waterfront at 10:30?

  It was 10:20.

  Yes…

  She contemplated running up to her room to put on a little makeup, fluff her hair, and maybe put on a sundress, but decided that would be overkill, especially after that conversation with Patty. The blue tank top that went just below her belly button and a denim skirt, would have to do.

  After gathering her things, she headed toward the docks, trying to calm her racing pulse.

  From a distance, a Lake George Patrol Boat sped across the water toward the shoreline. Josh stood behind the helm, his green eyes hidden behind dark shades.

  He pulled up to the docks, waving her over, his uniform conforming to his muscled body.

  “You really are a Trooper,” she said, leaning against the post a few feet from the one he held, keeping the boat steady.

  “That wasn’t a line.”

  “But it would work. Especially if you’re wearing that uniform. I bet you get a lot of bleeding hearts when you pull over women.”

  He smiled, placing his hat on the seat, then yanked his shades off his face, tucking them in his pocket. “Why is it that you ladies think crying will prevent me from writing a ticket?”

  She tilted her head, giving her best pouty lips, and batted her eye lashes.

  “Now, that might work.” He leapt onto the dock, wrapping a single rope around the post.

  She laughed. “Next time I get pulled over, I’ll have to give it a try.”

  “Actually, I’ll give you a signed card and a sticker. Just drop my name, and no one will bother you.”

  “I couldn’t ask you to do that.”

  “You’re not asking.” He licked his lips. “I came up with an evening that will surpass yesterday’s picnic and miniature golf.”

  “Impossible.”

  “Trust me. This will be an epic date that no one, ever, will be able to top.” He did a loopy thing with the rope.

  “You’re pretty sure of yourself.”

  He waggled his finger. “I’m sure you’re going to kiss me right now.”

  “No, I’m not.” But she found herself pushing away from the post toward the man who made a gray uniform the sexiest thing any male could sport. Keeping her hands behind her back, she got so close, his wintergreen-scented breath fanned over her mouth. “What should I wear tonight?”

  “What you have on now works.”

  She held his gaze in an erotic tug-of-war. She hoped she had restraint, for a change. “Not appropriate for a restaurant.”

  “Where we’re going, it’s perfectly appropriate.” Licking his full, luscious lips, he leaned a little closer. “Shorts and T-shirt is fine. The atmosphere is chill.”

  Her chest heaved dangerously close to his. “Okay.” Her single word sounded more like a long, slow breath with a hint of a moan.

  His lips parted as he brushed them against hers in a tender, slow kiss, but it ended too soon when he pulled back. “Is your brother the overprotective type? Should I be inviting him for a manly beer so he knows my intentions, and hope he doesn’t beat the crap out of me?”

  She cocked her head back, trying to keep from flinching.

  “Didn’t mean to ruin the mood,” he said, “but if I had a sister, I’d have been the kind of brother that demanded to meet all her suitors and threatened bodily harm if they hurt her.”

  “Suitors?” She laughed. “I don’t know if I am annoyed, or you’re just the sweetest man ever.”

  “I’ll vote for the latter,” he said, “but you haven’t answered my question.”

  “My brother and I aren’t that close. I mean, we are, but we stay out of each other’s lives. If we didn’t, we’d fight all the time, especially because he works for my ex,” she said, keeping as close to the truth as possible.

  “Good to know.” He unraveled the rope as he jumped back into the boat. “Mind coming down to my place at seven?”

  She shook her head, her body still hot from the erotic encounter, but her mind reeling with worry. “Should I bring anything?”

  “I’m not sure you want me to answer that honestly.” He winked before putting his shades on. “But I’ll take care of what we didn’t have yesterday after lunch.”


  “Oh.”

  He waved. The engines roared as he sped away, creating large waves on the water and setting her stomach to rolling as if smashing against a break-wall.

  Delaney had opted for a black miniskirt and cream-colored halter top that fitted her body, leaving little to the imagination. Standing at the top of the stairs behind the Boardwalk restaurant, she banged on the door with a little more force than she intended.

  Less than a minute later, Josh let her into his cozy but unique apartment with the most breathtaking view of the lake.

  “Hey, beautiful,” he whispered in her ear as he drew her in for a lingering embrace, his lips dancing across her neck.

  “This is amazing. You can see the lake, but also the band below.”

  “It’s better now that you’re here.”

  She laughed. “I’d want to keep the curtains closed all the time, so people couldn’t see in.” A dozen men and women occupied the gazebo off the restaurant’s deck, swigging beer or sipping wine.

  “No one can see. It’s privacy glass,” he said. “Follow me.”

  His warm fingers curled around hers as he guided her through the kitchen and then into a small closet with a short staircase. “This is the entire reason I rented this place.”

  “I don’t understand,” she whispered, watching his ripped arms as he pushed back a panel in the ceiling.

  “After you.”

  “I’m wearing a skirt,” she said.

  “It’s pretty dark, and I promise not to look.”

  “You’re a man. Not sure I believe that.” Tentatively, she gripped the small railings as she climbed the four steps. Her hair brushed across her face as the breeze from the lake rolled in. She looked to her right and gasped. A table with a dozen pink and white roses and a carafe of wine graced her vision. “Holy shit,” she whispered.

  “Pretty spectacular, isn’t it?” His strong, protective arms wrapped around her body. “I’ve never had anyone up here before.”

  “You can stop feeding me lines.” Cocking her head, she made room for his soft, sweet lips on her neck. “You had me at hello.”

  He laughed. The warmth of his breath tickled her bare skin. “If you weren’t making fun of me, I’d think you just professed your undying love.”

  “And here, we haven’t had any wine yet.” She wiggled, turning to face him, looping her arms around his broad shoulders and clasping her fingers behind his thick neck as if this were a normal date. “You want to kiss me.”

  “I do,” he said. He lifted her chin slightly.

  Holding her breath, she let the dizzying sensation float over her body, enjoying being in his arms and staring into his green-gold eyes, waiting for his tender kiss. His full lips ignited a fire deep in the pit of her stomach. Every inch of her skin sizzled in anticipation of his touch, while his tongue slowly twisted around hers, drawing it into his mouth

  She leaned into him, holding him tighter. His tender hands glided down her back before cupping her ass. Every part of her body welcomed him in ways she’d never experienced.

  The camera.

  Her body stiffened, and she ended the kiss.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  She nodded.

  “Would you like some wine?”

  “You seem more like the beer type.”

  “I am, but sometimes, in the presence of a beautiful lady, a nice glass of red is necessary.”

  “I think you’re trying to seduce me.” She let him lead her to the table on the small terrace, overlooking the lake with a sky full of bright stars. Blues music from the band playing at the restaurant added to the ambiance.

  “Am I succeeding?” He pulled back a chair.

  “I’ll let you know in a little while if it’s working.”

  He groaned as he poured two glasses of wine, then sat across from her, his blond hair catching the light from the half moon. “Cheers.”

  “What are we toasting to?” she asked, holding up her glass and swallowing the horrible taste of betrayal.

  “To new friends.”

  She clinked his glass then took a swig of the full-bodied red. It burned a little going down. Getting tipsy might be the only way she could follow through with this plan.

  “Excuse me.” He pulled out his phone. “Dinner is here.”

  “You ordered out?”

  “Trust me, you don’t want to eat my cooking.”

  She sat alone for a few minutes, checking that her phone’s secret camera still worked. This wasn’t only going to hurt Josh. She could lose her job, and would have to live with the shame for the rest of her life.

  But her brother would be alive.

  “I ordered two dishes,” Josh said as he reappeared on the patio. “We can either split, or you can have the one you like better.”

  “What are my options?”

  “Blackened salmon over fresh greens, or filet mignon, with sour cream and chive mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables.”

  “Oh, we’re sharing both.” Her taste buds went into a frenzy. She couldn’t afford meals like this at home.

  “Thank God,” he said. “I was an ass and ordered my two favorites.”

  “I’m a surf-and-turf kind of gal. Had you ordered lobster, I might have had a food orgasm before the first bite.”

  “I know where I’m taking you tomorrow night, then.”

  “I don’t know,” she said. “You might have topped yesterday’s date, but this, with the stars, the moon, and the music from below, will be impossible to top.”

  “By tomorrow morning, it won’t matter.”

  “You’re confident,” she said, inhaling the mix of vegetables, seafood, and beef as she began to separate the dishes.

  “Don’t split up the meals.”

  “I thought we were sharing.” She glanced at him, catching his lust-filled eyes.

  “I want to feed you.” He sliced through a thick piece of meat that was perfectly pinkish-red in the middle. “Open your mouth.”

  “I can’t believe you’re not married yet.” She drew the succulent piece of steak into her mouth. “Oh, my,” she said. “Is this from downstairs?”

  “No.” His voice turned deep and throaty. “My turn.”

  The salmon flaked apart as she stabbed a chunk onto her fork, taking some of the mixed salad greens with it. Her hand trembled as she laid the pink fish on his tongue.

  Taking another stab at the fish, she tasted it herself. “Wow. Tastes fresh, too.”

  “I got it at a place called Dante’s. You pass it just as you come out of the village.” He scooped up some mashed potatoes. “Open,” he whispered.

  Locked in an intense gaze, they continued to feed each other small bites, but all she wanted was for him to nibble on her neck. She reached across the table, stabbing her fork into the steak.

  He grabbed her wrist and groaned. “We need to feed ourselves.”

  “Huh?” She blinked a few times.

  “I’m mostly a gentleman, but if we don’t stop this now, I’m going to hoist you on the table and—”

  “Oh. I see.” She swallowed as her gaze shifted to her phone. No way would she be able to find a way to turn it on now.

  “I don’t think you do,” he said in deep, throaty voice. He pushed a few pieces of his meat onto the plate in front of her. “Let me wine and dine you.”

  “I am hungry.” A nervous laugh trickled from her lips. She gripped the fork and knife as she put half her meal on his plate, and he did the same. Long moments of silence followed as they ate and sipped wine, listening to the soft jazz mixed with the sounds of conversation from the people below. “If you don’t mind me asking, what does an apartment like this go for?”

  “About a quarter of what you’d pay for a shoebox in New York City,” he said, shoving his plate aside and leaning back in his chair.

  “That’s impossible.”

  He topped off their glasses, finishing the bottle of wine. “Cost of living here is different from the city. Besides, they like havin
g a cop above the restaurant, so I got a little bit of a break. Every once in a while, I end up having to go down and break up a fight.”

  “Their own personal bodyguard.”

  “Something like that,” he said. “I have chocolate cake and ice cream in the kitchen.”

  “I don’t think I could eat another bite. Maybe for breakfast,” she said, immediately grateful she’d agreed to a second glass of wine.

  “Does that mean you plan on staying?” His fingers danced across her thigh like a feather, easing under her skirt.

  “I shouldn’t,” she whispered, uncrossing her legs.

  “But you want to.” His hot breath in her ear made her shiver. His hand eased to the crevice between her thighs and the very thing that made her a sexual woman. Her legs parted involuntarily, and he obviously took that as an invitation, palming her. He sucked on her earlobe.

  “The people down below,” she said, wondering if her whisper would reach his ears.

  “They can’t see up here.” He nibbled on the side of her neck while he glided his finger across her panties, over her throbbing nub, sending pulses to her nipples, tightening them in a painful desire, begging to be touched. He must have sensed her need because his other hand landed on her breast, toying with her nipple through the thin fabric. “No bra again,” he whispered.

  “It’s a shelf bra,” she panted out, wondering why she didn’t feel as though she were completely exposed and vulnerable. No one had ever touched her like this before. Most weren’t allowed until she was ready, which was rare because no one had made her feel like this, like she was the most important person ever.

  He slid her panties aside as his forefinger glided gently inside her, stroking. “Oh…Josh…maybe we should…”

  “Shhhh,” he whispered, his finger gliding in and out, his thumb rubbing her where she throbbed the most. “Let me please you here. Like this.”

  Dropping her head back, she slid down a little in the chair, her arms stretched up over his neck, fingers digging into his rock-solid muscles as she caved to his sweet strokes, feeling every possible erotic sensation a couple of fingers could give, though she had no comparison since no man had ever made her want to come so badly.

  “Do you like this?” His soft, smooth voice nearly brought her to climax.