Illicit Behavior

Undercovers: Illicit Behavior Ruth D. Kerce All rights reserved. Copyright ©2005 Ruth D. Kerce No part of this e-boo...

Author: Kerce Ruth D

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Undercovers: Illicit Behavior Ruth D. Kerce All rights reserved.

Copyright ©2005 Ruth D. Kerce

No part of this e-book may be reproduced or shared by any electronic or mechanical

means, including but not limited to printing, file sharing, and email, without prior

written permission from Changeling Press LLC.

ISBN (10) 1-59596-266-2

ISBN (13) 978-1-59596-266-9

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Publisher:

Changeling Press LLC

PO Box 1561

Shepherdstown, WV 25443-1561

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Editor: Chrissie Henderson Cover Artist: Sahara Kelly

This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

Prologue Donna Browning quietly closed the car door and walked toward the curb. “Stay calm. Stay calm,” she whispered to herself, hoping if she heard the words out loud her worries would lessen. But her body still trembled, and her knees threatened to give way. Her heart beat an irregular rhythm, and she patted her chest. “I’m okay.” With a wary eye, she scanned the dark street. Deserted, except for a cloud of bugs buzzing around a street lamp. Good. Her luck was holding, temporarily. She rushed up to the house. Once on the porch, her semblance of outward calm disintegrated, and she began to sniffle. With her heart now slamming against her ribs, she pounded on the front door. “Callie, Callie!” She glanced over her shoulder, continually feeling watched. After this stop, she needed to get out of town fast. Before they found her. Before they killed her. The porch light flipped on and the door swung open. Her sister stood in the entry in a barely-there cover-up, looking tousled as if just involved in some night-long sex-a-thon. Lucky Callie. She’d change places with her sister in a second. Her husband, though he played the aggravating brother-in-law oftentimes, gave sexy new meaning. And he loved with his whole heart. “Donna?” Callie’s eyes widened. “What’s wrong?” She glanced toward the street at the car. “It’s the middle of the night. Did you get a flat or something?” “No. I’m leaving town, Callie.” She almost dissolved into tears, but held herself together. “I couldn’t go without seeing you first and saying goodbye.” She reached out and hugged her sister. “Wait.” Callie pulled back. “What nonsense are you saying? You can’t leave. You’re under investigation for involvement in drug trafficking. The charge is ridiculous.

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But if you disappear, you’ll look guilty, and they’ll throw you in jail until you’re old and gray.” “Only if they catch me. I’m a target now, Callie,” she answered, barely taking a breath. She looked over her shoulder again. “If I don’t run, I’m dead. We both know that. Keith, the fucking bastard, told his connection --” “Shh… Calm down, before you hyperventilate. Let’s talk to Alan.” Callie tugged on her arm. “Come inside.” She stepped back, out of her sister’s reach, and moved slowly down the walkway. In her current predicament, she couldn’t afford to trust Callie’s husband. “I can’t. Alan’s a cop. If he knows I plan to skip town, he’ll have to arrest me. I need to go. Now. I love you, Callie. Please don’t worry about me.” By telling her sister, she relieved at least some of her guilt about fleeing. And in case she never saw Callie again, she’d know in her heart she’d said goodbye. “I’ll call you when I can, so you know I’m okay.” A big black car screeched to a halt in front of the house. Donna heard two shots before she even had a chance to fully turn around. She’d only seen the car out of the corner of her eye. Pain seared through her. Her sister screamed. Then she felt herself falling… “No!” Donna bolted upright in the bed, sweating profusely. A dream -- the dream. And unfortunately her reality. She glanced at her surroundings. Parkway General. The hospital. Yes, that’s where she was. Her back ached, and she groaned. She looked at the clock. Almost time.

Chapter One A strange eeriness loomed around them, and a feeling of impending death hung in the air. Darkness settled as thunder rumbled in the distance. The approaching storm provided a perfect cover for the planned execution. Moonless and starless, the night now cloaked their presence. He and the orderly stood back from the highway in a field, away from any artificial lights or curious eyes. They stared up at the multi-level hospital building across the road -- sixth floor, corner unit. “Are you sure she’s still in there?” Damn woman. He needed to take care of her, once and for all, make certain she revealed nothing more to the police. Unsure of how much she actually knew about their operation, the boss wanted her silenced, fast, to prevent any possible testimony against them in the future. He agreed. Allowing her to live jeopardized the whole organization. They’d already tried, and failed, to take her out multiple times. The bitch refused to die. Some guardian angel watched over that one. He glanced toward the heavens. Good thing he controlled devils -- human devils, who did his bidding. “An officer is still posted in front of her door. She’s there. But they’re going to move her tonight… late. The paperwork came through mid-morning. I spoke to one of the nurses on duty about her release.” The orderly shifted back and forth as if his pants contained a nest of fire ants. He felt like punching the guy to make him stand still. Though irritating, the man had proven useful to his needs. Flash enough money and a person eventually talked. He reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a wad of cash. “Disappear. I don’t want to see you around here anymore. Find a job in another city.” The words rang hollow to his ears, because he knew the truth. He intended to see

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the orderly dead, to cover all his tracks, but he didn’t want to tip his hand and reveal those plans. He doubted any angel protected this one. “Yeah, yeah, Sanders.” His empty hand shot out, and he grabbed the orderly around the neck. “Never speak my name.” Slowly, he loosened his fingers and let his arm drop. The man wouldn’t die by his hands. He didn’t do that sort of dirty work anymore. He’d send a colleague to take care of the job later tonight, while the orderly slept. He knew where the man lived. The orderly gagged and coughed. “Sorry, man. I forgot.” “Consider yourself reminded.” The organization had made the right decision. They couldn’t chance him keeping his mouth shut. The next time the fool drank himself stupid or screwed some whore, his lips would likely flap. Last week, after a squealer ran to the cops and ratted out one of their operatives, the boss ordered no more leaks. He glanced at the orderly, who looked again at the offered money like a starving man. Saliva practically dripped from his greasy lips. Yep, he needed to plug this leak permanently. The orderly grabbed the money and stuffed the stash down his pants. “What are you going to do to her? Can I watch?” What an idiot! “Don’t ask me stupid questions.” All he intended to do was grab the woman and take her to the boss. He’d received specific orders on how to handle her. Whoever stood in his way, well, they might not get so lucky. Instead of making her death appear random as they’d already tried, she and the other woman, the one held prisoner in their main warehouse, were to be disposed of together. Their simultaneous deaths would send a chilling message to the cops currently seeking them.

*** “Spread ’em wide, Ms. Atkin,” he ordered, his voice a deep, demanding rumble.

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A small smile tugged at her lips. She spread her legs as he ordered, but other plans flickered through her devious mind. Time to switch up this situation and put herself in control. “I’ll give the orders tonight, Detective Hooper.” He arched an eyebrow. “Oh, really?” “Yes, Detective.” Renee’s gaze raked his naked body in admiration. Fit, muscular. A few scars, but the healed wounds made him even sexier in her eyes. She pushed his arms above his head and trapped his hands with hers. His strength far greater than hers, he could easily pull away, if he chose. But she doubted he’d want to. She sank on top of him and moved her body up and down his long, hard cock. Yes. They fit together as if designed by fate. No man had ever given her more physical pleasure or emotional support than Sam. “Oh, yeah.” He moaned. His intense green eyes drew her in. Normally, he kept a bit of a five o’clock shadow on his face for his undercover work, which made him look dangerously sexy and totally irresistible, but tonight he’d opted for a full shave. Still awesomely handsome in her eyes. They had a meeting early tomorrow morning with the task force handling the Browning/Grady case. He’d look spiffy with the close shave and suit he’d laid out. Her lips covered his in a heated kiss. Their tongues touched, and she trembled at the contact. Her feelings ran deeper and more intense than he knew. I love you, baby. Emotions teetering on overload, she worked hard to contain a sniffle. Since he’d moved in with her, they made love all the time. Even though together as a couple for months, and friends for years, they couldn’t get enough of each other. She hoped that meant he felt as addicted to her as she felt to him. She needed him now more than ever. But a measure of doubt niggled at her, because of what she held back. Secrets. They so often destroyed a relationship. And the secret she harbored terrified but exhilarated her at the same time. She needed to tell him. Soon.

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His tongue swirled around hers. He pumped his hips, staying deep inside her, trying to get even deeper. Oh, how she loved kissing him, making love with him. Right now, they lay joined together on the bathroom floor. She’d jumped him as soon as he stepped out of the shower, all clean and fresh smelling. She broke their kiss and licked at his lips. “You serve your mistress well, my slave.” Her tongue grazed her bottom lip, while she thought about licking him all over. Mmm. Usually, he took the dominant role in their lovemaking. But from time to time, she demanded that position. Making a man like Sam submit gave her a sense of extreme power. “Faster, Renee,” he ordered, pushing his hips up hard. “Who?” She cocked an eyebrow at him. His fingers twitched, and she knew he’d have slapped her butt, if his hands were free. But tonight she directed the sex, not him. Doing the opposite of what he told her, she slowed her movements, drawing out both their pleasure, determined to give him a climax he’d never forget. “Mistress. You’re killing me.” She smiled and lowered herself, completely engulfing his cock. He groaned low in his throat. “Quit playing and fuck me hard, woman. Or I’ll flip you over and show you how a master truly treats a sex slave.” “Always making promises.” Sam never entirely fell into the submissive role with her. Given his strong personality, and the fact that she had seniority at work, she understood his desire for control during sex. To dominate. She raised her hips almost completely off him, then sank back down. She squeezed her internal muscles around his cock. His eyes dilated. “You like?” “Yes. Oh, yes. I need to come.” His fingers gripped hers hard. “Please, mistress,” he ground out in a whisper, loud enough for her to hear. Her heart clenched. She couldn’t believe he actually said the words without her prompting him again. He never played the game so completely. His acquiescence caused her need to peak. She moved faster, riding him with wild abandon. “Come, slave!”

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“Yeah!” His hips pumped against her. “Oh, that’s it! Harder.” She heard an odd pop. Or maybe she felt it. Sam stilled beneath her. She stopped moving. Her eyes met his. “Uh, oh.” He cringed, and his face turned pale. “What happened?” She released his hands and slowly rose off him. “Are you all right?” “I think I’ve got a problem, Renee.”

*** Detective Joe Rodriguez strode up the winding pathway to Alan Grady’s house. He and Alan had attended the police academy together, training side by side. When Alan married Callinda Browning, he’d attended the ceremony. Bygone days. Those times of idealistic dreams and wanting to save the world dissolved long ago. The changes in both their lives since their wide-eyed innocence and youth amazed him. Though only in his thirties and far from an old man, he still felt like he’d seen too much and not done enough. Saving the city proved more of a challenge than expected. Taking on the world… well, maybe in his next lifetime. He needed a transfer from Narcotics to a different division, somewhere peaceful to revive his belief in the goodness of people. Did a place like that even exist? In the department? He shook his head, knowing he actually needed an extended vacation from the force altogether. The prospect of a permanent change sounded really good to him. He glanced around the grounds. The grass lay dead, the shrubbery dry and half bare. Flowers once grew in abundance here. Not anymore. And even though he knew it wasn’t the case, the place appeared deserted. He walked up to the front door and knocked. No answer. He checked the blinds, all drawn, so he couldn’t see inside. No noise came from the other side of the door. “Grady?” Trying the knob, he found the house unlocked. “Hmm.” With a cautious, silent push, the door swung open.

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“Alan?” Keeping one hand on the small pistol attached to his belt, he stepped inside. No lights shone in the entryway. No light filtered out from any of the rooms. He walked into the dining area and stopped short. Pizza boxes, beer cans, newspapers, and dirty clothes littered the floor. Someone sat at the table in the dark, holding what looked and definitely smelled like a bottle of booze. He barely made out the shape of the bottle from the rays of the street lamp filtering in through the open front door. His nose identified the contents immediately -- scotch. Joe flipped on the overhead light. Alan raised his hand, shielding his eyes. “Fuck!” Alan’s hair was wild, his eyes red, and his clothes were disheveled. Joe barely recognized him. From the stubble on his face, the man probably hadn’t shaved in days. Joe rubbed his nose, not wanting to think about how long might have passed since his friend showered. “Alan.” Joe couldn’t imagine the pain he was in. Three long months. Even to him, the time seemed more like years, since the tragedy that had destroyed his friend’s life. “What do you want, Joe?” the man growled at him, lowering his hand and taking a swig from the bottle. He glanced at the gun. “If you’re planning to shoot, you better remove that weapon from the holster first, or you’ll take off your dick.” Joe dropped his hand from the gun. “You need help, Alan.” The last time anyone saw Grady at the police station was late last month. If he didn’t snap out of his funk soon, Joe hated to think what might happen to the man. “I need my wife.” Three months ago, she’d disappeared. Kidnapped. Or so the police assumed, even though nobody ever demanded a ransom. Their investigation pointed to involvement by the mob. The search for Callie continued, but each day that passed without a new lead didn’t bode well for her fate.

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Without her, Alan quickly deteriorated into a shell of his former self. He no longer seemed to care about anything or anybody. Joe hated seeing the physical and emotional disintegration of his colleague and friend. “Captain Pentel sent me out to check on you.” “Fine. You checked.” Alan took another swig from the bottle. “Have you been to the hospital to see Donna yet?” Callie’s sister -- and too much on his mind, that woman. Officially, killed at the scene where Callie had been kidnapped. Unofficially, still among the living and under protective custody. The incident had occurred here, at the house. The sight of a woman everyone first believed to be Callie, face down in a pool of blood, was etched in his memory forever. Donna barely survived the gunshot wounds to her back and shoulder, and only recently felt well enough for the attending physician to agree to release her from Parkway General. To protect her life, they’d allowed the public and media to believe she died that night. Nobody but a few key personnel knew any different. “I don’t want anything to do with that bitch. If not for her, my wife would still be here.” “Probably.” An unfortunate truth. Donna’s boyfriend at the time had doublecrossed the mob in a drug deal. Donna got dragged into the mess. Callie tried to save her sister from the situation, but everything went horribly wrong. And Alan knew nothing about it at the time. Months before the drug incident, Callie and Alan had separated. By the time Alan found out about Callie’s involvement, she was in too deep. Though she and Donna both had both been under investigation, Alan got back together with Callie, and they were finally on the road to permanently reconciling when the tragedy occurred. Too bad really. Their relationship had stood a good chance of getting back on track, in his opinion, if the charges against her were dropped. And he had no doubt that’s how the case would have worked out. But before that could happen, the mob attempted to kill Donna, and they took Callie. Or, at least, the police suspected the mob was responsible. Now, Donna’s

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boyfriend was nowhere to be found. And Donna hadn’t been overly forthcoming with details, whether on purpose or because she truly knew nothing more, he wasn’t certain. “I’ve been put on special assignment to protect her, Alan. We’ll need her if…” Shutting his mouth, he shook his head. “Sorry, Grady.” He didn’t want to cause Alan more pain by forcing him to think of the worst. Alan pushed to his feet. He staggered and reached toward the wall for support. “If the bastards involved are brought in,” he finished. “Or did you mean, if my wife’s body is found bloated and floating in the river, and for some reason I can’t identify her?” He wiped the back of his hand across watery eyes. “Alan --” “Get the hell out of my house, Joe. Unless you brought me definite news on Callinda, I’m not interested in anything you have to say.” He shuffled down the hallway, stumbled into the bathroom, and slammed the door.

*** Renee covered her face with her hands. No. How could this happen? She must have heard wrong. Nausea hit her hard, but she fought the feeling, needing to stay strong for Sam. “She broke my dick?” Sam asked the doctor, his eyes wide. One of his hands clenched into a tight fist. “The term penile fracture is a bit misleading, Detective Hooper. The injury is actually a tear that occurs during, well… extra aggressive sex. A simple surgical procedure, which we can do tonight, will fix you right up.” “Surgery?” Renee croaked, raising her head. Oh, jeez. Sure, they got a little rough sexually tonight, but not any rougher than usual, or at least she hadn’t thought so. No more “mistress and slave” play for her. Ever! “Is surgery really necessary, Doc?” Sam rubbed his thigh. He shifted under the covers in the hospital bed and looked about ready to bolt. The pained expression on his face made Renee feel like crawling into a hole. The prospect of someone cutting into his cock had to be terrifying to him. The thought was

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terrifying to her. Though a tough guy at work, she knew Sam hated hospitals and even avoided getting his mandatory shots whenever possible. “Without the surgery, you’ll end up with a crooked penis,” the doctor informed him. “Do the surgery,” both Sam and Renee said in unison. The doctor chuckled. “Very good. I’ll have a nurse come in and prepare you, and you’ll need to sign some papers -- the standard releases. Don’t worry, Detective. You’ll be fine.” Sam nodded, but still looked uncertain. “Um, how long exactly until I’ll be good to go again, Doc? Sexually?” “Well… it --” The doctor glanced at Renee. His eyes narrowed. “Are you all right, Detective? You’re awfully flushed.” “Fine, fine.” She waved him off. Too much stress. She needed to relax, breathe deeply. Somehow, she even managed a shaky smile. They should focus on her love right now, not her. The doctor studied her a moment longer, then turned back to speak with Sam. “Recovery varies. When you can attain and maintain an erection, then you’re all right. A few weeks. I’ll get everything set up for you.” “Thanks.” “Thank you, Doctor.” After he left, Renee walked over and sat next to Sam. “I’m so sorry. I’ll never ride you again.” She felt sick thinking about his pain and what happened to him. She’d relived the moment over and over in her head, trying to figure out exactly what went wrong. Not some novice at sex, she truly didn’t understand how she’d hurt Sam. Talk about a freak accident. “Now, don’t go crazy on me, Renee. You were great tonight, up until… well -Anyway, what are the odds of something this weird happening again?” She simply stared at him, not knowing what to say. His question caused her to wonder. She needed to speak with the doctor and find out. She studied Sam’s face. His sedate, even understanding, response to this situation struck her as odd and made her

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more than a bit nervous. “Why are you so calm about this? Why aren’t you yelling or something?” “Yelling? Is that what you expect from me?” His brow furrowed. “Is my temper that bad?” “Sometimes.” Sam was all bark and no bite, unless threatened. He acted tough with criminals, but was always gentle with her. When the tension heightened though, he yelled to let off steam. And this situation definitely fell into the stress and tension category. Tonight, he seemed too quiet. “Hmm, sorry.” He shrugged. “I think they gave me something when I first got here. I’m feeling loopy. I do know though, this whole event has made me reflect on our last few months together, Renee.” Oh, no. Her heart pounded. Maybe he wanted out of the relationship. Her hand covered her stomach as her gut churned. She understood why he might. How could he ever sleep with her again without reliving this entire incident -- the pain and the fear of permanent damage, or worse, something similar happening again? If he did want out, she refused to break down in front of him. She’d save any hysterics for her long nights alone. “I’m really glad you’re in my life, Renee. You keep me stable and sane. I love you, sweetheart.” His voice broke slightly. The breath whooshed out of her, and her tension immediately dissolved. “Oh, Sam. I love you, too.” She sniffled. He was definitely under the influence of something. Sam wasn’t the type to put tender feelings into words often. Being injured must be making him more vulnerable than usual. She knew she blabbed like a silly-willy -- her grandma’s word -- when emotionally out of sorts. “I’ll yell after I know I’m okay. Will that make you feel better?” She nodded. “Yes. Much better.” His eyes crinkled with silent humor, then narrowed as he focused on her face. “The doctor’s right. You don’t look well.” He reached up to stroke her cheek.

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She tried to smile, but failed. Instead, she took his hand in hers and laced their fingers. “I’m fine. You just worry about yourself. Does it hurt much?” “It’s more embarrassing, I think, than anything. You’ll contact the department for me and let them know I need some time off?” “Of course. I’ll see if I can get some time, too. I want to take care of you.” “That’s not necessary. I’m a big boy.” He glanced down at his lap and frowned. “Well, I used to be.” He looked back up and shrugged. “You still are, Sam. Believe me.” She winked at him and squeezed his hand, hoping to lighten the situation. He needed as much support as she could give. He unlaced their hands and wagged his finger at her. “Don’t start. I should spank your pretty, little ass for all this. My hand still works, you know.” She leaned down and whispered seductively in his ear, “I look forward to it, after you’re feeling better.” Sam groaned. “Don’t make me think of sex, Renee.” “You started it, you tease. I don’t see how you can talk or even joke about anything sexual. You don’t need to sound macho with me, you know.” She recognized a cover act when she heard one. “I’m just trying to be a brave buckaroo here.” He smiled slightly. She pushed his soft, brown hair off his forehead and kissed his brow. “You are brave, Sam. Always.” She could hardly believe just how much she loved this man. If anything serious ever happened to him, she’d fall apart. He held her heart. Sam cleared his throat. “Okay, enough mushy stuff.” His eyes hardened. “The department’s short-handed. They need all available cops. You need to find another lead on Callie Grady, before the department decides to shelve the case. I can manage. You’ll be home on off-hours to keep me in line. I’ll do your computer research for you on the laptop, while you do whatever footwork is necessary.” “You’re sure? I have some time off coming. They’ll probably give me the days, under the circumstances.” She really wanted to stay home for him. “No, I’m sure. You staying on duty will work out better all the way around.”

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“Well, all right.” Whatever made him feel more comfortable, she’d do.

“And honey?”

“Yes?” Sam looked very hesitant and a little worried at the same time. She

touched his hand. “What is it?” she asked softly, her concern rising. “Can we tell everyone I broke a rib or something?” “Sam…”

Chapter Two Joe stood waiting for the elevator. His nose twitched. Something about hospitals made him uncomfortable, especially this hospital. He’d visited too many injured officers here. His thoughts turned to his reason for coming to Parkway General tonight. Personal protection. About the most boring assignment a cop could draw. Under normal circumstances. But boring didn’t describe Donna Browning. Dangerous was a better description for that particular lady -- dangerous to his libido. From the moment he first saw her in recovery, those big blue eyes filled with tears over the news about her sister’s abduction, he felt the attraction. With possible mob involvement, that put an even more intriguing and dangerous spin on this case. Hopefully, Renee Atkin and Sam Hooper, who’d been re-assigned from Vice to the special task force investigating Callie’s disappearance, would break the case soon. For everybody’s sake. He’d cut Donna loose and return to his normal duties in the Narcotics Division, and maybe Grady could somehow move on with his life. If his wife turned up dead, though, Joe didn’t see how Alan would make it through. “Joe?” He turned toward the female voice. “Renee?” He hadn’t expected to see anyone from the department here tonight besides the assigned guard. “Are you visiting our girl?” He was careful not to mention her name where anyone might hear. He knew Renee had been in to talk to Donna a couple of times already. Maybe the captain sent Renee? Pentel might have ordered a change in plans and hadn’t been able to contact

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him for some reason. “I’m supposed to check her out tonight and take her to a temporary safe house. Has there been a change?” “No. Actually, I’m here with Sam.” “Sam? Why? Did he get hurt? When? What happened?” He hadn’t heard anything. His heart picked up its pace. He should have been paged. She laid a hand on his arm. “Just a small accident and while off-duty. He’ll need a little time off, but don’t worry. In a few weeks, he’ll be fine.” Weeks? Whatever had happened sounded more serious than just a small accident. She looked worried. She was a seasoned cop used to dealing with crises. He didn’t see Renee unsettled often. He wanted to ask her what kind of accident, but she beat him with a question of her own. “How long will she remain in protective custody? This case is almost cold, Joe. The mob rarely gets careless, if they are the ones behind all this. I don’t think the department will continue assigning manpower to the investigation much longer.” “We’ll keep things active as long as we can.” Renee was holding something back about Sam. He glanced at his watch. There wasn’t time to question her about him now, but he’d look into it later. “If nothing more comes of the case, we’re going to turn her over to the U.S. Marshals, and they’ll permanently relocate her in a few weeks, after she’s well enough to care for herself.” The elevator doors opened. “I need to go on up. I’m on a timeline. I’ll be with her, hiding her out for a while as far away as we can get inside our jurisdiction, until my replacement takes over. The department will know how to contact me if needed. Talk to Captain Pentel.” “Okay, Joe. Take it easy. And stay safe.” “Will do.” Joe rode the elevator up alone. Renee was right. The mob always covered their tracks. The department wouldn’t stay with the investigation forever, not even for Grady. Without a new lead, the case was destined for the back burner. A deep sadness filled him. Even if they solved the case, he held out little hope of finding Callie alive after all this time. Donna would have to adjust to life on her own, as

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would Alan. He felt sorry for both of them -- and sorrier that they’d never come together as a family, not even in their grief. Although Donna got messed up in a situation not her fault, Alan didn’t see it the same way, given the outcome. He really couldn’t blame the man. If he loved a woman as much as Alan loved Callie, and then lost her, he’d go mad. Yes, the two of them experienced a few marital problems and separated for a time, not uncommon with cops, but their love had never died. A shudder ran through him. Died -- bad choice of words and thought. The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open. He stepped out and headed down the hall. A uniformed officer stood in front of Donna’s room. The second one they’d assigned after an unfortunate incident with the first guard. Right from the beginning, nothing in this case had gone smoothly. “You can take off,” he told the man as he approached. “Yes, sir.” He inhaled a deep breath, and then slowly let it out. Here we go. He pushed open Donna’s door and strolled inside.

Donna spun around, pulling down her top at the same time. She cringed and rubbed her back. “Doesn’t anyone knock around here? Or are you guys trying to catch me naked?” Her heart raced, and not from being surprised. It raced every time Joe Rodriguez came near her. His height, over six feet, and his commanding presence made her feel safe. The way his dark, brown eyes raked her body, as if he saw right through her clothing, made her feel uneasy… and completely turned on. She tugged on the bottom of her shirt. His swarthy complexion, midnight black hair, and muscles enough for two men shot her sexual cravings high and caused her to wonder what kind of lover he’d be. “Change in the bathroom next time. Unless you’re trying to get caught, Donna.”

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Her stomach flip-flopped. She loved the way her name sounded on his tongue. The last week or so, she’d fantasized about what else his tongue might be able to do to her. “There won’t be a next time. Or have the plans changed?” She hoped not. She wanted to get out of this place. Tonight. “Nope. You’re all checked out. You are up to it, right? The doctor cleared you. I spoke to him personally, yesterday.” “I’m definitely up to it.” She rubbed her back again. Still sore, but normal, given the extent of her injuries. Thank goodness for drugs. The hospital pharmacy had already filled her prescriptions for her. One less worry, at least. And even if in massive pain, she’d still want out of Parkway General. She probably could have been discharged a week ago, but the police department extended her stay for her own safety, they’d said. She almost laughed at that decision and bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself. She’d have been safer alone and out on the street. As she fingered the locket around her neck -- one her mother gave both her and her sister -- sadness and regret squeezed the air from her lungs. Callie. She’d stopped asking about her sister weeks ago. Joe always told her the same thing. No news. He probably wouldn’t tell her anything regardless. She didn’t think he trusted her. Well, she didn’t care what he thought about her. Much. Still, guilt weighed heavily on her conscience. She’d probably end up condemned to eternal hell for her part in what happened. She never should have gone to see Callie that night. She’d just wanted to say goodbye to her sister and hug her one last time before she left town. Was that so terrible? Leaving seemed the only way to get out of the situation her boyfriend had put her in -- Keith, the jerk. She figured Callie would be all right. Alan would protect her. He’d never let anything bad happen to Callie. She trusted in his love for her sister. Too bad she couldn’t have protected Callie the same.

Ruth D. Kerce


- 21 -

“What happens now? Nobody ever tells me anything.” She sounded like a petulant child, but she couldn’t help her tone. Besides, she felt entitled, given her circumstances and the recent events in her life. “We get out of here and out of town. You ready to take off?” “Yes, please, before this place kills me.” He gave her a look, but she refused to apologize or retract the statement. She knew they both understood the truth of her words. “Strange check-out time. It’s the middle of the night.” “Safer.”

Of course, that made sense. “Where exactly am I going?”

“With me. That’s all you need to know for now.”

Her stomach clenched. They planned to secrete her away somewhere, but she

feared no truly safe place existed. Since she’d been admitted to the hospital, several incidents, too odd for mere coincidence, almost cost her dearly. Outsmarting whoever sought to kill her might prove impossible, in the end. While here, she’d contracted food poisoning, received an overdose of morphine, which nearly killed her, and the original officer posted outside her door trapped her in the room and tried to strangle her. She’d beaned him with the bedpan, then screamed her head off until help arrived. The man, apparently some cop-gone-bad, and probably paid off by the drug dealer screwed by her boyfriend, now sat in a jail cell. He wasn’t talking, so nobody knew exactly who he worked for or what information, if any, he held about Callie. “What are you taking with you?”

She pointed to the lone bag on the bed.

Joe grabbed the black satchel. “All right. Let’s go.”

“Aren’t I supposed to go out in a wheelchair?”

“I pulled some strings. A wheelchair makes you a sitting duck -- literally. Are

you well enough to walk it?” “I’m not an invalid.”

Ruth D. Kerce


- 22 -

A smile tugged at his lips. “Good.” He opened the door and glanced up and down the hall. “All clear.” Clutching her shoulder bag close to her side, she stepped out behind him. “What happened to the guard?” After what occurred with the first one, she hadn’t much trusted the new man. In fact, she learned quickly not to trust most anyone around her. She still thought one of the night nurses gave her the wrong dose of morphine on purpose, but no real proof ever turned up. Since then, a good night’s sleep became a foreign concept to her. Too afraid to sleep more than a few minutes at a time, she now felt like a zombie and only still functioned somewhat normally by pure determination alone. “I sent the guard home.” He curled his fingers around her arm. “This way.” “Um, the elevator is the other direction. We are not taking the stairs. I’d never make it.” In an instant, uncertainty rolled through her. Maybe she shouldn’t trust Joe either. Her life was on the line here, as well as her sister’s, if Callie still lived. Damn. She had no idea which way to turn. Once she felt strong enough, she wanted to search for Callie on her own. The police obviously weren’t getting anywhere in the case. Alan refused to even talk to her. She’d tried to call him twice while recovering. Without Callie, no one cared one whit about her. She held her tears inside and straightened her back, not about to show any weakness. She loved her sister like no other and was determined to do everything in her power to find Callie. The kidnappers would talk to her. She held a bargaining chip. Information. And she knew who to contact. She hadn’t told the police anything, just in case she needed to use the knowledge. Besides, telling the cops wouldn’t help them get Callie back. The organization wouldn’t negotiate with the department or vice versa, but they’d negotiate with her. “We’re going down in the freight elevator.” “Oh, okay.” She relaxed a little, liking the fact that he was taking extra precautions. If that were his true motive… What if he simply wanted to seclude her for

Ruth D. Kerce


- 23 -

nefarious purposes? She shook her head. Now don’t get all paranoid just because people keep trying to kill you. She hoped he was trustworthy and didn’t plan to drop her in some strange place, then leave her alone. She wasn’t ready for that quite yet. She still needed someone to keep her safe until she felt strong enough to bargain with the devil. Nerves and mile-a-minute thoughts kept her from asking for more details about his plan. Besides, sometimes simple observation yielded better information. She’d wait and see. If she felt uncomfortable at any time, or felt he wasn’t trustworthy, she’d slip away before he knew what happened. Outwitting a man wasn’t difficult. Not usually. She glanced at Joe. He might be more difficult to fool than most.

From the corner of his eye, Joe sneaked a peek at Donna. She seemed uncommonly quiet. He’d checked in with her often over the last few weeks, and they’d engaged in enough conversations for him to know her normal attitude and behavior. She looked so much like Callie -- the same blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes. Her personality was much more “in your face” though. And her eyes held more than a hint of sensuality, whenever she looked at him. That spelled trouble. At least they wouldn’t be alone at the safe house. Two other officers, besides himself, were assigned to her case, and after a few days, a replacement would take over for him. Somehow, the relief he’d expected to feel never came. His eyes took in their surroundings. The wing of the hospital they’d secluded her in seemed almost deserted at this time of night. Better for him. Crowds made personal protection a nightmare. He ushered Donna into the freight elevator. Her perfume wafted over him. Nice. Spicy. The elevator jerked. She gasped and eased closer to him. Her reaction surprised him, given her independent nature. He got the feeling she wanted to trust him, but at the same time didn’t want to allow herself the vulnerability. “If they haul heavy equipment in these, I think this box will handle us. Though, I did eat that extra piece of heavy cheesecake last night.” He patted his stomach and groaned.

Ruth D. Kerce


- 24 -

She laughed, and her eyes lit up for the first time since he’d known her. The sensual sound wrapped around him and traveled straight to his dick. He wanted to make her laugh again. The doors slid open. Joe exited first. Everything appeared quiet. “All right, come on.” He kept his hand on the small of Donna’s back and guided her out of the building. A black car, with tinted windows, sat parked in the lot under a lamp, just as pre arranged. All was going according to plan. He scanned the area. Where the hell was his contact? Damn man probably went to take a leak. He tried the car door. Unlocked. After a brief search, he found a set of keys on top of the driver’s side visor. “Wait here.” He left Donna by the driver’s side door as he walked to the back of the car. After unlocking the trunk, he placed her bag inside beside his. Good. He’d worried the department might forget to load up his items. He closed the trunk and walked back over to her. “Time to load up you now, ma’am.” “Ma’am?” He smiled at the surprised look on her face. She didn’t seem used to being treated with politeness. A shame. The back window next to them shattered, the sound loud and terrifying in the otherwise quiet night. Shards of glass flew in every direction. Joe instinctively ducked. “Shit!” Donna screamed. A bullet whizzed past their heads and embedded in a tree on the far side of the sedan. He yanked open the door and shoved her into the car. “Stay down!” Making little sounds of distress, she scrambled over to the passenger side. He jumped in behind her and slammed the door. Where was that damn backup? So much for everything going as planned.

Chapter Three Joe gunned the engine and sped away, wheels screeching. He grabbed his cell phone, then tossed it aside. “Hey, aren’t you going to call for help or something?” A touch of panic laced Donna’s voice. She reached toward the dash, patting her hand around, feeling for the phone. “I’ll do it, if you won’t. Someone just shot --” He pushed her hand away. “Keep your head down!” He careened around a corner and checked his rearview and side mirrors. All clear. Or so the street appeared. But… Someone had found out Donna was alive, where the department had her stashed, and that she was being moved. The only people who knew the exact details about tonight’s agenda, other than himself, were Captain Pentel, Alan Grady, Sam Hooper, and Renee Atkin. A few uniformed officers and hospital personnel partially knew the plans, but they didn’t know all the details, or the location of the safe house. The fact that nobody met them outside the hospital bothered him. If any of his colleagues had betrayed her, that meant they were on the mob’s payroll. Unbelievable and unthinkable. “Shouldn’t this car have bulletproof windows?” she complained. “You’re not the president, sweetheart.” “I know that, honey bun.” “Cute.” Even while in danger, she maintained a sense of humor. He admired that. At the same time, his irritation grew. This woman, and her involvement with this drug case, was going to get them both killed. He took a sharp right, and Donna practically slid into his lap, face first. He glanced down at her, and she pushed herself back to her side of the car. Her face flushed, and he chuckled when she averted her

Ruth D. Kerce


- 26 -

eyes. Well, she certainly provided a good dose of some seriously lacking excitement in his life. Even his current drug cases had begun to bore him lately. An uncomfortable feeling filled him about someone ratting them out. Alan… Maybe Alan had turned on Donna to get revenge for Callie’s disappearance? He shook his head. No. Alan wouldn’t be that vicious. He hoped. But the information did get out, and now he didn’t know who to trust. He’d change plans, find a location nobody knew about, then make a short call to Captain Pentel from an outside line. A new agenda seemed the safest route, until he figured everything out. “Can I sit regular in the seat now? This is hell on my back.” He checked the mirrors again. “Yeah, go ahead and sit up. We need to ditch this car.” He’d leave his cell phone with the car. When powered up, a special tracker on the cell engaged. It could even be activated by remote control in an emergency. Though handy for undercover work, that little departmental upgrade might become their downfall if someone at the station actually turned up as the snitch. Their location needed to remain secure. “Was it the mob?” “Unless you’ve got someone else after you.” The gunman actually came closer to shooting him than her. Hmm. He wondered about that and worried about the officer assigned to the car. He glanced over at her and cocked an eyebrow. “Well?” “Not that I know of.” Donna sat up and cringed. “But then, the mob connection is all assumption, isn’t it?” “A fairly certain assumption, given the evidence, what you’ve told us, and the Mexican cocaine connection we uncovered. You know that, so why ask?” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her shrug. He quickly looked her over, trying to keep one eye on the road at the same time. “Are you all right? Sorry I didn’t ask before.” “Considering someone just tried to shoot my head off, I’m peachy. So much for police protection.”

Ruth D. Kerce


- 27 -

“You’re still alive, aren’t you?” She was an ungrateful little thing, at times. Maybe Alan had better reasons for not getting close with her than he’d given the man credit for. Still, something about Donna drew on his emotions. She acted stronger on the outside than he suspected she actually felt on the inside. He saw the kitten hiding behind that outer lioness. After several more turns, he pulled the car into an old garage lot. He killed the motor. “Stay here.” “Alone?” She glanced around. “I don’t recognize this neighborhood. Jeez, the area looks like a slum.” “Pretty close. I didn’t spot anyone following us. But honk the horn if you see trouble.” The shooter must have been on foot or parked too far off to follow. Sloppy work, and not normal for the mob. He began to wonder if maybe more existed to this case than the department knew. Donna’s words about the department’s assumption of mob involvement seemed odd to him, too, as if she knew something and was fishing to find out if the police knew, also. “You should be all right for a couple of minutes. I can’t take you in. This guy gets nervous around strangers. I’ll be right back. Don’t leave the car. I’m going to set the alarm when I go. Besides, you don’t want to walk around in this neighborhood by yourself, believe me.”

Donna watched Joe enter the old, wooden-planked building. Nice ass. She shook off the thought. Not the time for admiring male butt -- even one that looked oh so shapely and firm in tight black jeans. She glanced around the lot. A sleazy place, for sure. All the cars stored here were probably stolen. A light rain began to fall, dotting the windshield. “Lovely.” Traveling in a storm didn’t thrill her. She looked up at the clouds. As long as no lightning struck, she’d be all right. Lightning turned her into a shivering, frightened idiot, ever since her puppy got struck and killed when she was a child.

Ruth D. Kerce


- 28 -

The ignition caught her attention. If Joe had left the keys, she could just take off and search for Callie on her own, starting right now. But whoever shot at her would know this car with the broken window, not to mention the license plate. The police would be on the lookout for her, too. She didn’t have access to a car nobody knew about. Yet. Maybe she could somehow get the keys for the new car away from Joe later. She didn’t want to use the bus system -- too slow and inflexible for in-town use, though an easy way to remain anonymous, especially if she decided to leave town. Cabs cost too much. Drat! She needed a good plan, and more money, before she ventured out on her own. She wondered how much Joe carried on him. She’d learned to pick pockets during her teen years. She’d dated a few hoodlums in her day, unlike Callie who always dated jocks or good-looking brains. At least she’d learnt a lot about survival in the real world. Grabbing the cell phone from the dash, she made certain the phone was turned off and then stuffed the cell into her purse. Just in case. Joe seemed to have forgotten all about it and hadn’t wanted to use the cell earlier for some strange reason. Must be that super cop mentality. But she might need a phone later. She supposed the man was worthy of her trust. If he’d been on the drug dealer’s payroll, the organization wouldn’t have needed to send a gunman after her. But nothing was assured in life. She’d learned that the hard way. Joe exited the building and waved at her to join him. He headed toward the trunk. Seeing nothing unsavory in the immediate area, she got out of the car. “What’s happening?” She raised her hands, trying to protect her head from the rain. He grabbed their bags and slammed the trunk. “I got us another car. Let’s go.” He led her around the building to the back. Donna stopped in her tracks. “That?” “Yeah, let’s hustle before this rain gets any heavier.” “I hope we don’t need to outrun anyone.” The old gray van that looked ready to fall apart.

Ruth D. Kerce


- 29 -

“What did you say?” “I said --” The gravel shifted beneath her and she slipped. “Ack!” She grabbed for Joe. He dropped their bags and tried to catch her, but her fingers slipped through his, and she fell forward into the grime and mud. “Ow!” He crouched beside her. “Are you all right?” He helped her to her feet and started brushing her off. When his hand contacted her breast, they both stilled. She wasn’t wearing a bra because of her back and shoulder injuries. Her thin shirt, now wet, didn’t offer much protection. Almost imperceptibly, his fingers curled. Her eyes met his. Donna stepped back, unable to handle the flood of sensations and emotions that assaulted her. She didn’t need to be attracted to this cop. Her life was complicated enough right now. “I’m a mess. Look at me.” A small smile tugged at Joe’s lips. “I’m looking.” He reached out and hooked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She swallowed hard. “So I see. I also see you’re trying not to laugh.” She pointed a finger at him, her heart pounding from their contact. “Don’t you laugh at me.” “Never.” He lightly touched the small of her back. “Did you hurt yourself?” “Just my pride.” The concerned look in his eyes turned her to mush. “I’m all right, except for my clothes. I can change in the back of the van, once we’re underway. As long as you promise not to peek.” “Sorry. I can’t make that promise.” She stared at him for a long, tense moment. “Why?” she finally whispered. “We’re not taking the van. It’s this one.” He turned and stepped to the other side of the van and opened the trunk of a small blue sports car. “Oh.” She felt a flush creep up her cheeks. She’d thought he meant something else, something sexual. She hadn’t noticed the parked vehicle on the other side. “Well, I’ll just wait until we stop somewhere then. A little dirt never hurt anyone.” She wasn’t about to change clothes, without a bra on, while he sat beside her. And they needed to

Ruth D. Kerce


- 30 -

get out of this lot before anyone spotted them. She felt way too exposed here. “Where are we headed now -- the safe house?” “Nope. We’re not going to the safe house.” He picked up the bags and put them in the trunk. Donna’s heart stopped, then beat triple time. Small doubts about Joe again crept into her thoughts. “What do you mean?” “Someone leaked the information on you. I’m hoping one of the medical personnel, but I can’t be sure. It might have been a cop. I’m changing plans until I know for certain.” He slammed the trunk closed. Well, she couldn’t argue with that logic. Better safe than sorry. She relaxed and shrugged away her doubts, willing to continue trusting Joe for now. “All right. Let’s do it.” The sexual double meaning made her smile, though he seemed not to notice. After he unlocked her side, she opened the door and slid into the passenger seat.

*** “What the hell’s going on?” Sam yelled when Renee popped back into the room. “Nobody’s talking to me in here.” He’d heard the commotion out in the hall, saw people running back and forth, but the hospital personnel hadn’t seen fit to inform him of any details. “Sorry.” Water dripped from Renee’s auburn hair onto the floor. Several strands hung limply in her face. He glanced toward the window. “Is it raining?” “Just started.” She pushed the hair out of her eyes. “Shots were fired out back. We think at Joe and Donna. He hasn’t checked in, and his cell phone is turned off. The officer who brought their car to the hospital was found wounded in the bushes. We’re trying to locate the car now, and someone’s going to activate the cell by remote. Hopefully, we can track him.” Sam tossed back the covers. “Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Renee rushed forward. “You stay put, Sam Hooper. You’re going into surgery. I will handle this. And that’s an order, Detective.”

Ruth D. Kerce


- 31 -

Sam grumbled under his breath. “I want a full report as soon as I wake up, Renee, unless you find out something more before I go in. And you might want to think twice about remotely activating that phone. If Joe turned it off, he had a reason.” “If he was the one who turned it off. He could be in trouble.” She kissed him quickly. “I’ll be back before they wheel you in. And I’ll be here when you wake up. I just need to make some calls and talk to some officers first. I promise to keep you informed.” She tucked the covers tightly around him. “Now stay in bed.” He chuckled. “Yes, Mom.” She blanched, then stuck her tongue out at him. “Bring that closer, baby,” he urged in a deep voice. He needed to feel her lips. Sex might be out of the question for a while, but he still wanted her beside him. With her near, he felt able to conquer the world. Her beeper went off. She glanced down at it. “I have to check in with the captain. I’ll just be a few minutes. And you better be here when I get back or I’ll spank your ass.” “Always making promises.” She laughed at what had become their phrase. Her beeper went off again. She glanced down, frowned, then gave him a quick little wave, and she was gone. He once more grumbled under his breath, feeling lonely without her presence. He never thought he’d feel so lost without her. He hated feeling alone. Worse, he hated feeling helpless, both as a man and as a cop. And he never did get that kiss he needed. A male nurse strode into the room with a razor. The man eyed him and smiled. “Time to prepare the area, Detective.” Sam groaned. “Can this get any worse?”

*** Joe pulled into a hotel parking lot, a real dive, but with limited choices, good enough. “We’ll stay here tonight. It’s late.” He glanced up at the vacancy sign. “I know the place isn’t posh, but I don’t have a lot of money with me, and it’s only one night.” “I’ve stayed in worse.”

Ruth D. Kerce


- 32 -

He smiled, but kept his thoughts on that statement to himself. “I’ll get all this straightened out, and hopefully by tomorrow, we’ll be on our way to the safe house on the other side of town.” If he stayed alone with Donna for more than one night, he feared he’d never be able to keep his hands off her. “Well, whatever. I’m ready to stop. I’m hungry, and I need a hot shower.” “Yeah, me too.” He tried very hard not to picture her naked, in the shower, with water cascading down her body. “And dry clothes will be most welcome. I’ll get us something to eat after we’re checked in. I saw a convenience store still open down the block. They’ll have something. I doubt this place has room service.” He parked the car in a spot far from the front. A brick wall blocked off the area on the driver’s side and in front of the car. Good. Anyone approaching the car would be more easily spotted. “You don’t think we were followed, do you?” She looked around the lot, a wary expression on her face. He patted her leg, then quickly pulled back his hand. No touching. Touching led to trouble. “Um, no, I don’t think so. I’m just being extra cautious. You stay in the car. You look like I’ve kidnapped you or something.” “Oh, thanks.” “Sorry, just being honest.” If the clerk saw her, all wet and covered in mud and limping, the man would probably call the cops, even if he flashed his badge. They didn’t need the attention. “I’ll be right back. Don’t sneak off. The only way out of here is to pass by the office. I’ll see you.” “Where would I go?” He gave her a hard look. “I’d rather not think about it.”

Donna waited for Joe’s return. She felt cold, wet, dirty, and her back ached. She needed another pill. She fingered her purse. She thought about popping a pain reliever without water, but with her luck, the pill would stick in her throat and choke her to death before Joe returned. That’s the kind of luck she usually ended up with.

Ruth D. Kerce


- 33 -

She wondered if he’d get them one room or two. Probably one. One with two beds. That made the most sense, as far as protection was concerned. The thought of finally getting a good night’s sleep almost made her weep. A knock on her window made her jump. Joe. Jeez. “You scared me to death.” “Pay more attention to your surroundings,” he said through the glass. “You’ll live longer.” He was right. She couldn’t afford to let down her guard. Even if exhausted, she needed to stay alert to the happenings around her. “Come on,” he said, reaching for the door handle. “I got us a room.” A room. “One room?” “One room.” The door now open, he stared into her eyes, as if waiting for her to protest. She didn’t intend to protest. A soft mattress sounded like a fantasy come true. “How’d you register us?” She assumed he didn’t use their real names, as a precaution. “Mr. and Mrs. Smith.” She almost choked. “Oh, real original. Now they think we’ve come here to…” Well, no need to say it. “Fuck?” He would say it and with a big smile on his face, too. She slid out of the seat and closed the door. She clenched her hand when she saw her fingers tremble. Stupid reaction. “Exactly.” “Then we should fit right in with everyone else.” “True enough, I guess.” Pasting a big smile on her face, as if she hadn’t a care in the world, she looked up at him. “Okay. Let’s do it.” He heard her this time, and she almost laughed at his suddenly taken aback look. “You know what I mean.” She needed to quit saying that, she supposed. Callie used to get on her all the time for overusing that phrase, which had now become a bad habit. “You’re an interesting and fascinating woman, Mrs. Smith.”

Ruth D. Kerce


- 34 -

“Is that good?” She swallowed hard as he seemed to move closer into her personal space. “I haven’t decided yet. Come on.” She let out a tight breath. Oh, man, she was in major trouble here. Harmless banter somehow didn’t turn out so harmless with Joe. After they retrieved their bags, he led her to the room and unlocked the door. He flipped on the light and glanced inside. “All clear.” He stepped aside, allowing her to pass. She stopped just inside the door, and when he entered, he bumped into her. “Oops, sorry.” She didn’t move, and he stepped around her. “What’s wrong?” “One bed.” A strike of lightning made her jump. Between nature and fate, she felt that black cloud descending lower and lower over her head. “That’s all they had. We’ll make do.” He set their bags on the floor in front of the window. “Go ahead and shower. I’ll get us some food.” So casual. Too casual. Especially since she knew he felt the sparks growing between them. She saw the banked passion in his eyes. “Do you think it’s safe here?” And she wasn’t entirely speaking about whoever wanted to kill her. Being at a hotel with Joe Rodriguez made her fantasies soar. She couldn’t help but wonder what kind of fantasies Joe had about her, if any. “It’s safe. For now. I’ll only be gone a few minutes. I should handcuff you in here while I’m gone.” “No, Joe. Please. I’m tired and sore. It’s raining. I don’t have access to a car. The bus doesn’t run in this area. I don’t even have any money. I’m not going anywhere.” At least not tonight. He looked uncertain, but finally nodded. “All right. Keep the door locked and don’t open it for anyone but me. If you need to, dial 911. And Donna?” “Yes.” “If you do leave here of your own volition, I’ll track you down before you get out of town. That’s a promise.”

Ruth D. Kerce


- 35 -

“Is there a reason you keep thinking I’m going to take off?”

He cocked an eyebrow.

She cleared her throat, avoiding his penetrating gaze. The fire in his eyes made

her shiver, like he saw straight into her deepest thoughts. “Fine. I’ll be here.”

Chapter Four Joe re-entered the hotel room and shook the water from his hair. “Honey, I’m home.” Not really a time for levity, he supposed, but tensions needed easing. And sex, the best method in his opinion, was out of the question. One side of his mouth hitched up into a half smile. Too bad the department frowned on such activities while on duty. Donna made his cock ache. No answer greeted him, and the room looked empty. Momentary concern hit, until he heard the shower. “Good, still here.” He frowned. “Probably.” He walked over and cracked open the bathroom door. When he glimpsed Donna’s shape through the frosted shower door, he relaxed, but only slightly. Relaxation would come later, after this case was put to rest. He quietly shut the door, fairly confident she hadn’t noticed his little peek. Not that he’d seen any naked skin, darn it, just a generic female shape behind the frosted panel. With a sigh of exhaustion, he set down two small paper bags on the dresser. Not much of a selection on food at the store. But then options tended to prove slim when on the run and trying to stay alive. He’d find them a fast food drive-thru tomorrow. Donna’s open satchel on the floor drew his attention. He knelt down and began rifling through her things. Ungentlemanly perhaps, but a good cop never missed an opportunity when he needed more information on someone. Red lace panties clung to his fingers. Sexy as hell. His professional demeanor lowered a notch. Too long had passed since his last good fuck, even longer since his last serious relationship. And here he was holed up with a woman who could turn a priest’s thoughts to sin. “Find what you’re looking for?”

Ruth D. Kerce


- 37 -

He jumped up. Donna stood in front of the bathroom door wrapped in a white towel that barely covered her assets, top and bottom. Her hair was also wrapped, making her look like some sex goddess. He hadn’t even heard the shower go off. Way to be a cop, Joe. As if gliding on air, she drew near him. His feet felt cemented in place, and he couldn’t take his eyes off her. At her approach, his heart leapt to his throat. His appreciative gaze traveled down her body -long shapely legs, delicate arms, sizable breasts under the towel, beautiful. He remembered the soft feel of her under her shirt, a definite handful and more. A sexy glint entered her eyes. “Should I model those for you, Joe?” He glanced down. He still held the panties. Dropping the garment came as his first instinct, but his hand proved uncooperative. He figured right now the old adage “a good offense is the best defense” applied. With his sexiest smile, he held out the panties to her. “Red always has been my favorite color on a woman. I’ll just get comfy in this chair over here, and you can go for it. Don’t worry about matching a top. I like my women to jiggle.” Her eyes narrowed and she snatched the underwear from him. “I can’t believe you actually said that. Isn’t sexual engagement, or whatever you call it, against cop rules or something?” With a low chuckle, he leaned toward her and tapped her nose. “You shouldn’t tease, Donna. You need to learn to back off from situations you don’t really intend to see through. You’d end up in a lot less trouble.” “Hmph.” She brushed past him and grabbed some clothes from her bag. “You can have the bathroom in a minute.” She rushed by him and disappeared. Raking his fingers through his hair, he sat down on the bed and exhaled a large breath. He had no idea what he would have done if she’d taken him up on his dare -- he probably would have salivated like a teenager, or lost his cum right in his shorts. Either would have been embarrassing as hell.

Ruth D. Kerce


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He unbuttoned his shirt and stripped off the wet garment, then toed off his shoes. This night felt endless. He stood up and pulled off his belt. The sleeping arrangements tonight should prove interesting. The floor didn’t appeal to him, but no other acceptable choice existed. He reached for the button on his jeans.

“All right. The bathroom is -- um -- all yours.” Donna stood staring at Joe’s bared chest. Wow. Talk about sculpted to perfection. Her fingers itched to trace his well-formed muscles and to follow the narrow line of dark hair that disappeared into his jeans. More sexually stimulated than she’d been in months, she felt her panties grow moist. The sexy red panties. The white nightshirt she wore on top was far from provocative and didn’t match the panties, but she liked feeling naughty underneath. And she liked the idea of wearing something she knew he found sexy. Joe looked more than sexy. He looked wicked, standing bare-chested, in form fitting black jeans, holding his belt doubled-up, like some alpha male ready to dominate everything and everyone around him. Yummy! Her tongue swept along her bottom lip. His eyes followed her movement and sparkled with definite sexual interest. “Donna…” The deep tone of his voice sent a ripple down her spine. She’d better back off now before she attacked him, or he attacked her. She didn’t possess the strength to resist if he touched her sexually. She quickly averted her eyes to the bags on the dresser. “Food?” Her stomach grumbled. “For lack of a better term. Junk, actually.” “It’ll do. I’m starved.” “Me too,” he rumbled. Again, the tone of his voice told the truth. She heard his hunger. He wanted sex, more than food. He wanted her. She refused to look at him. His need scared her,

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because she’d felt the same almost since the first time she saw him at the hospital. His dark eyes had held such caring and did whenever he looked at her. But she’d been involved in too many bad relationships in her life. And this one screamed trouble. Even if Joe wanted a real relationship, she’d never fit into his social circle. Callie fit in perfectly with the other cop spouses and significant others. She’d feel too much like an outsider, given her history. If they got involved, Joe would be just a quick fling. Nothing more. And she didn’t want just a quick fling. Not with this man. Better not to get involved at all and save herself the heartache. He moved to the side, and she thought he was probably going through his things, but she didn’t turn her head to see, pretending interest in the room’s thermostat. After a moment, he silently passed her and went into the bathroom, clicking the door closed behind him. She let out a tense breath, glad he’d let the issue drop. She rushed over to the bags and dug inside. At least one hunger would be satisfied tonight.

*** Joe exited the bathroom freshly showered and dressed in clean white briefs and a white T-shirt. He felt better after getting some distance from Donna. The sight of those red panties peeking through her white nightshirt had almost been his downfall. He’d wanted to grab her, toss her on the bed, rip those panties right off her body, and see what lay beneath. He glanced down at himself parading around in underwear -- which left little to the imagination as far as his own sizable assets were concerned. He should probably have kept his jeans on. Jeans didn’t make comfortable sleepwear though. Not that anything less than a good night of hard fucking was going to ease his discomfort. The truth was… he wanted to turn Donna on, to make her feel as edgy as he did. The television flickered, the sound low. One lamp partially lit the room. Donna lay on the bed, on her side, fast asleep, with her ass pointing in his direction, red panties mocking him. Damn. One bag sat turned over and empty on the dresser.

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Trying not to make a sound, he approached her. He eased the towel, half hanging off her head, from her hair and dropped it on the floor. Her hair still looked damp, but she’d sleep better without the towel. So much for making her squirm with sexual need. She looked small and vulnerable in sleep. The dark circles under her eyes worried him. He hoped the circles came from exhaustion, not pain. He pulled the covers up over her, removing the temptation of her body from sight. Not happy, he stared down at the floor. “This isn’t going to be comfy, that’s for sure.” He grabbed a pillow and tugged the spread off the bed, leaving her the sheet and blanket. Rain continued to fall outside, giving their small hideaway a cozy feel. Too bad their time together was business-only, instead of personal. “Somehow, not my best woman-in-a-hotel memory.” He grabbed the other bag and sat down on the floor to munch and watch the news.

*** Donna forced her eyes open. Even after a rest, she felt oddly wiped out. After a stretch and yawn, she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. The first thing she saw was Joe sitting in front of the window in a chair, peeking out between the curtains. Her protector. Her hero. She shook off the dreamy teenager thoughts. Get a grip, Donna. Dark. She wondered how long she’d slept. Probably not long, given the way she felt. She heard the rain still falling hard. Joe turned toward her. “Hey, sleepyhead.” “What time is it?” “Almost eight.” “Eight?” That didn’t make sense. They’d left the hospital well after that time, from what she remembered. Confusion filled her. Had she gotten the time wrong? Certainly, it wasn’t eight in the morning, unless the storm had turned really bad, making things dark. “You’ve been asleep for two days.”

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“What? Two days?” She bolted upright. Surprisingly, her back didn’t hurt, just ached a little. “Why didn’t you wake me?” “We’re having some sort of monsoon or something. According to the news, the bridges and a lot of the roads are washed out. Since we’re stuck here for a while, I figured I’d just let you sleep.” “Did you call someone about what happened to us?” “Yeah. I borrowed a cell phone from a guy on his way to Canada. I took a chance and it paid off. I thought my captain might be at the gym tonight. I called Pentel there. There’s no way the call could be traced back to this location without a hell of a lot of time and trouble. An unnecessary precaution it turns out, but I didn’t know that at the time.” “Better to err on the side of caution my grandmother always used to say.” “My thoughts exactly.” “So what did he say?” “Pentel told me an orderly’s body turned up in an apartment near the hospital. The orderly just so happened to work on the same floor where you stayed. We even found a piece of paper with your room number on it. He was no doubt the snitch, executed after his services were no longer needed. A maintenance man found the body. When they searched the place, the police discovered a large wad of money hidden in the apartment. The one good thing is that at least we know the informant wasn’t a cop. So, as soon as the rain lets up, we’ll head out to the safe house as originally planned.” “Did they find who hired the orderly? Or who killed him? Or who shot at us, for that matter?” “Not yet.” She tried hard not to roll her eyes. “Figures.” Okay, so she couldn’t keep the bitterness from her voice. But she saw a life of looking over her shoulder ahead of her. Not a pleasant way to live. “Couldn’t a cop have hired him?” Joe turned in the chair to fully face her. “You don’t think much of the police, do you?”

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“Let’s just say my experiences haven’t been real positive.” “Maybe that’s because you’ve been on the wrong end of the baton, so to speak.” “Yeah, maybe.” She glanced around, not wanting to explain. Hell, he obviously already knew her past even though the courts sealed her records long ago. Maybe Alan had told him. Her teen years left something to be desired. She’d never hurt anyone, but she was far from an angel. She’d run with the wrong crowd the last couple of years of high school and gotten involved in some public disturbances, breaking and entering, and lots of alcohol. “Is there food?” “Donuts.” He smiled, a dimple appearing in his left cheek. She laughed. The sound actually surprised her. It felt good to laugh. Lately, not much laughter found its way into her days, except when Joe brought it out of her. She couldn’t help but admire him for that… and more. “You bought those on purpose.” “Not really, but why fight the image? There’s coffee too, but it’s cold. I’d get us some real food, but it’s pretty flooded out there. I’ll try later.” “That’s fine. I like donuts. I can use the sugar rush. I want another shower, too. And I have to pee something fierce.” As she started to get up, she glanced at the spread on the floor. “Your bed?” He shrugged. “My choices were limited.” “I really wouldn’t have minded if you’d slept beside me,” she said in a low voice. “I know.”

*** Joe paced, looked out the window, paced some more. “Ah, hell.” Would the rain never end? They needed to get out of this hotel, for his sanity and their safety. Staying in one place too long increased the chances of their being found, if someone happened to be looking, which he figured was a good possibility. No backup existed here if they needed help fast -- the washed out roads had them cut off. But then, hopefully the bad guys were cut off, too. He flipped the channels on the television. Nothing decent on as usual. He listened to the shower turn off in the bathroom. No distractions except for one hot,

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desirable female. Right now, she provided the most danger. He wanted Donna, pure and simple. Well, pure didn’t describe what he wanted to do to her. She came out of the bathroom clad in a towel. Her hair hung down, wet and tangled. Not again. “Do you have to walk around like that?” he barked, his eyes locking on her barely-covered breasts. His mouth actually watered. “I forgot my comb.” “More like you’ve forgotten your sense.” He tossed down the remote. Yeah, his attitude sucked. But a man could only take so much. “Hey, don’t yell at me, just because… because…” “Because what?” he prompted. She flipped her hand in the air as if to dismiss him. “You know.” She wasn’t naïve. She knew exactly what was going on here, between them. And for some reason, she continued to push. Well, he knew how to push, too. He blocked her path to the dresser where her comb lay. “What?” He backed her up against the wall. “Say it,” he coaxed, his voice low and tight, eager to see if she actually would admit the attraction growing between them. “Because…” He pressed close, his hands coming up on either side of her on the wall, trapping her with his body. “Fine.” She raised her chin, locking her gaze with his. “Because I make your dick hard.”

Chapter Five Oh, yeah. Joe’s breathing grew heavy. This woman wasn’t some inexperienced young girl. Donna knew exactly what she was doing. Good. Because her words just pushed him beyond his control. From the triumphant look in her eyes, she knew the effect of what she’d said on him, too. He could get fired for what he was about to do, but the hell with his job. He’d deal with the fallout later. With a groan and a need stronger than he’d felt in years, he swooped down on her mouth. She opened her lips, and he plunged his tongue inside. She tasted sweet, clean, and full of desire. And she didn’t just let him kiss her. She kissed him back, sliding her tongue along his, with just as much passion as he’d hoped and fantasized. Her hands massaged his chest, and her nails scraped purposely over his skin. A shiver traveled down his nerve endings. Ah, nice. His body, already on the edge, ached for release. He’d love to feel her nails raking his back, scraping his ass, lightly grazing his balls. The thought of her hips pumping frantically against his, fucking him back with wild, pent-up passion, made him moan deep in his throat. He pulled away, but didn’t say anything to her. He didn’t trust himself to speak. Looking into her eyes, he reached out and hooked his fingers inside the towel wrapped around her. If she didn’t want this, she’d better stop him now. Once he stripped her and saw her naked, nothing would stop him from fucking her. Maybe not even her own protest, if she made one, which he hated to admit. “Joe?”

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Needing to get himself under some control, just in case this whole thing went south, he purposely went very still. Her decision. Her needs and desires were of the utmost importance here. With a gravelly voice, he said to her, “Your choice, Donna.” She chewed at her bottom lip, then released it after a tense moment. “Do it,” she whispered. Oh, fucking yeah. With a sharp pull, he ripped the towel off her. At the same time, a clap of thunder shook the room. Donna gasped, but didn’t move. The towel dropped from his hand and ravenous sexual need crashed through him. Control. Otherwise, he’d end up taking her like some savage right up against the wall, and he’d come after fifteen seconds or less. That wouldn’t be much fun for her… or him. He wanted a long session. A fuck neither of them would ever forget. His gaze dipped down. Donna’s full breasts with their firm, rosy nipples captured his attention. Gorgeous. He couldn’t wait to sample a taste of her, but he wouldn’t attack her like some animal. Yet. He cupped her breasts, massaging them lightly. His thumbs grazed her nipples. She moaned and pressed more fully into his hands. “Ah.” He loved her responsiveness. A definite handful and… “Real.” Donna’s eyes widened. She chuckled. “Of course they’re real.” “And beautifully soft.” They stood too close for him to see her pussy. He needed to see all of her, ready and eager for sex. With him. “Don’t move.” She stood with her palms and back pressed against the wall. Her eyes held a wary look. Understandable, since they’d only known each other a few weeks from his hospital visits, and this was their first sexual encounter. Wondering if she intended to bolt for the bathroom at the first opportunity, he stepped away from her. She didn’t move, so he figured she wanted this as much as he did. His eyes zeroed in between her legs. A narrow line of blonde hair, slightly darker than the hair on her head, covered the center of her pussy. The rest looked waxed clean. A super sexy sight. He swallowed hard. “Turn around, Donna. Let me see your ass, baby.”

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A little at a time, as if determined to torture him, she turned. He didn’t think he was going to survive this woman and her body. Even with the scars from the shooting, she looked beautiful in his eyes. The fact that she wasn’t shy about revealing the healed wounds to him said a lot about her self-confidence, and his respect and admiration of her grew even more. “Put your palms up on the wall, shoulder height. Push your ass out, and spread your legs.” Damn, he’d love a permanent picture of her like this, even though he knew the picture in his head would last a lifetime. She smiled over her shoulder. “Are you going to frisk me, officer?” He did not smile. “Maybe. Maybe I’ll do a cavity search.” He saw her shiver. “Look at the wall.” As she complied, his gaze moved down her body. A gorgeous, full ass. Plans for that ass flickered through his head. “Extremely fuck-worthy,” he murmured to himself, careful to speak too low for her to hear. He didn’t want to scare her off. He stepped up close behind her. The sexual tension in the air heightened. “You purposely tempted me with your body, now and earlier. Didn’t you?” he whispered in her ear. “You’ve wanted me to fuck you for days. Weeks.” “Yes.” No hesitation or coyness laced her voice. His pulse jumped. Well, well, well… She actually admitted it and with very little prompting. He liked that she felt strongly enough to confirm her needs. He’d pretty much thought so, but hearing her voice the feelings aloud took away any of his remaining doubts. His nostrils twitched. Damn, she even smelled like sex. “You’ve wanted me too, Joe. I know you have. Right from the beginning.” She didn’t look at him, just continued facing the wall as she spoke, her voice low and seductive. Hmm. True, darlin’, but don’t sound so smug about it. She’d figured him out. But not completely. He still had a few surprises in store for her. Without any warning, his hand came down on her ass, hard enough to get her attention, but not so hard as to rattle her

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back. He groaned when her butt cheek jiggled, and a slight pink mark appeared on her pale skin. Donna took a sharp, audible breath. Her fingers curled against the wall. He held back a grin. Very telling, her reaction. “Yes. I have wanted you for a long time, Donna.” His feelings ran deeper than even that, he feared, but he wasn’t ready to examine those feelings yet. People forced into close quarters sometimes developed a false sense of caring. That might be all this was. He’d concentrate on his other feelings for now. Purely sexual and emotionally safe. “Did you like the spank?” He flicked his tongue against her ear, already knowing the answer. She trembled, but didn’t speak. He slapped her ass again. The opposite cheek this time. The sharp sound vibrated right through him. “Oh!” She pressed her forehead to the wall. The feel and sight of his palm smacking her butt sent a series of erotic thoughts through his head of everything he ached to do to her. “Yeah, you like being spanked, sweet cheeks.” Rarely did he engage in the behavior, unless a woman specifically asked. But with Donna, he wanted to go further than his usual sexual repertoire, and explore a more intense and darkly erotic side of sex. She turned her head toward him, her eyes not quite meeting his. “Mmm, nasty.” “You like nasty?” He chuckled. Interesting. “Turn around.” She turned, and a half smile appeared on her face. “Sweet cheeks?” She rubbed her butt. “The name fits, believe me.” The passion and desire in her eyes almost made him toss her to the floor. He unzipped his jeans, never taking his eyes off her. Her gaze followed his movement. “There’s no going back now, Donna.” He intended to give her the fuck of her life. “I know.” A flush covered her body. Before he finished with her, she’d flush a lot more. Just looking at her was enough to make him come. He’d need nerves of steel with this

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woman to keep from losing it too soon. She possessed a body a stripper would envy. He stepped back, grabbed a pillow off the bed, and dropped it on the floor. “Come over here.” Her eyes widened. She obviously wasn’t accustomed to taking orders from a man. She’d learn. He gave orders all day long. He liked being in charge -- of his men and of his women, in bed and out. His voice lowered to a near growl. “Do as I say.” Pleasure was a great motivator for getting a woman to comply. He’d see that she received plenty. When she didn’t move, he cocked an eyebrow. “Is there a problem?” “Maybe.” Finally, she approached him, but with slow steps. “What if I want you to do as I say?” “Not tonight, Donna.” Or any other night. “Oh? Who says?” “I do.” With her, for the first time in his life, he considered backing down, willing to allow her anything just to be able to touch her soft-looking skin without any protests. Even right now, standing here, proved torturous. He needed to drag her into his arms and feel her naked body against his. But he also needed her to want him as fiercely as he wanted her. She glanced down at the pillow, then met his eyes. “You kissed me once, spanked me twice, and now you want me on my knees sucking your cock.” A burst of laughter escaped him. “Hmm. Sounds good to me. I’d love to shoot my cum down your lovely throat and watch you beg for more. But I didn’t actually ask you to do that.” Her supposition told him a lot about her past experiences. Just because he demanded control didn’t mean that he was a selfish bastard. For the most part, anyhow. “Seems obvious to me.” “Don’t make assumptions.” He dropped to his knees on the pillow. Donna’s heart pounded in surprise. She certainly hadn’t expected him to kneel in front of her. He’d demanded compliance, then intended to reward her for her

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submission. Joe Rodriguez was a different sort of a man than she was used to dealing with, and definitely a different sort of a cop. His hands lightly caressed her thighs. “Hold onto me… or back away, if you want no part of this, Donna. But I won’t promise not to come after you. Tasting your pussy has been a fantasy of mine for a very long while.” Still trying to come to grips with his unexpected behavior and now words, she swallowed hard, unsure of how to respond to him. His touch felt so good. Finally, in acquiescence, she placed one hand lightly on his shoulder. She probably should back away and tell him to forget about them getting sexually involved. This had to break every rule in the cop handbook, and could get him busted. But the desire in his eyes burned so strongly that she couldn’t resist allowing him access to her body. She wanted to feel what he could do to her sexually. And she craved to do a few things to him in return. What harm would come of it? Nobody but the two of them would ever know what happened. Joe raised her leg and draped it over his shoulder. His hands cupped her butt, and his mouth hovered between her legs. “Do you want your pussy licked, baby?” “Oh, yes.” She needed this man’s tongue. He glanced up at her. “Or would you rather I came up there and kissed you some more first?” “Um, no. Your idea seems a better one at the moment.” She missed having a man’s tongue stroke her pussy. Her last boyfriend hated to please her orally, though he expected her to suck him off almost every time. What a fool she’d been! Joe squeezed her ass and nuzzled the inside of her thighs. “Mmm. I love the way you smell. I bet you taste even better. I want to kiss you with your cum in my mouth. I want to taste my cum in your mouth. There’s so much I want to do to you, Donna.” She sighed, certainly not about to protest. He spread her already wet folds, and his tongue touched her, just a flick over the clit. She gasped and tangled her fingers in his hair. “Ah, yes. Lick it, Joe. Make me come.”

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He groaned. “Yes, ma’am.” He leaned in and lapped at her, softly at first, then his strokes turned wild, like some starving animal, who’d discovered her pussy as his favorite meal. “Oh! Oh!” So intense. He sucked her clit into his mouth and drew lightly on the fleshy bud. Her body tensed. “Yes!” She adjusted her position a little to ease the pressure on her back. Just another moment and she’d be coming, then she wouldn’t feel anything but ecstasy. With a moan, he released her swollen nub, gave it one more long delicious lick, then pulled back. He eased her leg off his shoulder and stood up. “Sorry.” She staggered. What? He was sorry. Speechless, she stood staring at him, while he wiped his mouth and cheeks. Was he kidding? Had he started something he never intended to finish? Finally, she found her voice. “That’s it?” “Well --” “Thanks a lot.” She turned away, intending to slam the bathroom door in his face and stew a while. All men must take lessons in jerkdom, just to see how far they could get, so they’d have a good story to tell their buddies later. “You’re such a -- a pig.” He’d made a total fool out of her -- her normal state of being with men, it seemed, given her history. As she started for the bathroom, he grabbed her arm. He laughed and picked her up in his arms. “Calm down, little she-cat. You’ve got a fast and hot temper on you, over nothing.” “Nothing? Put me back on my feet. Now.” Her fist ineffectively pounded his chest, mostly in frustration and disappointment in him. She’d thought him different. But all men were the same. She needed to learn that lesson once and for all. Her heart couldn’t stand to be broken again. Not that she intended to get emotionally involved with Joe, of course. But she needed to stop thinking that guys wanted anything from her other than a laugh or a good time. Her feelings meant nothing to any of them. “That position wasn’t comfortable on your back. That’s the only reason I stopped.”

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“What? Really?” She saw truth in his eyes. Her heart squeezed tight, and she felt terrible for condemning him. How idiotic to jump so quickly to the wrong conclusion. Though she’d believed him different, still in the back of her mind, she’d been waiting for him to screw up, she supposed, just so she could file Detective Joe Rodriguez with all the other asshole men she’d known. But he’d proven over and over that he wasn’t like the other men. And that scared her. “Really.” He lifted her higher and tossed her on the bed. “Ack! Tossing me around doesn’t help, you know.” Outwardly, she tried to maintain her indignation, just to salvage some small scrap of pride, but found it impossible. He’d noticed her discomfort when she shifted positions and hadn’t wanted to hurt her. How could she not love him for that? Um, respect him for that, she meant. Respect. Not love. “The mattress is soft and made for comfort.” He suddenly frowned. “It didn’t actually hurt when I dropped you, did it?” She couldn’t lie to him. Not about this. “No.” He nodded. “Good. I’d rather take you on the floor or up against the wall, but I don’t think your back is up for that. Yet.” He stripped off his jeans. “We’ll use the bed.” Donna’s mouth dropped. He’d gone commando under his clothes. Her gaze immediately went to his cock. Long, dark, extra thick, and hard. Her pussy throbbed in need. He grabbed his handcuffs from the nightstand. “What are you doing?” The stern look on his face sent a wave of apprehension through her. Cuffs? He clutched her wrists and cuffed them to the headboard. “Hey!”

“Quiet.” Joe squeezed her breasts. “Moaning and begging for more is acceptable though, of course.” He chuckled. Donna was going to be one hot, exciting fuck. He

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couldn’t remember a woman he’d ever wanted more. He pinched her nipples until she arched on the bed. “Oh!” Balancing their positions for maximum pleasure and minimal pain wasn’t going to be easy. He knew agony no longer plagued her, but still… her comfort was important to him. Hopefully, the pleasure he intended to give her would far outweigh any aches and pains she still suffered. “There’s something darkly erotic about complete domination and complete submission, don’t you think?” Seeing her naked, handcuffed to the bed, and totally at his mercy was a turn-on like no other. “That depends who’s on what end. I thought you didn’t like kinky.” She jerked lightly on the cuffs, then groaned when his fingers touched her pussy. “Oh?” He cocked an eyebrow. “What makes you think that?” He raised his fingers to his nose and inhaled her scent. He loved the smell of her and couldn’t get enough. She half-shrugged. “I heard.” Hmm. Some female cop must have filled her in on his personal preferences. Probably Renee. They’d dated briefly in the past, but the sexual tension was nonexistent between them, for the most part. Somehow, with Donna, all normal bets were off. He wanted to do wild, erotic, and crazy things to this woman. “You bring out a different side of me.” “Oh.” A look he couldn’t discern entered her eyes. “Um, I don’t normally do the submission thing.” “You’re going to tonight, Donna.” Even though he liked control, he’d never felt the need to completely master a woman until now. He leaned over and flicked his tongue rapidly across one of her nipples, making her moan and squirm. She tasted like strawberries. Delicious. Must be some sort of lotion. He sucked the tempting morsel into his mouth. “Oh, good, good.”

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For him, too. Seizing the nipple between his teeth, he lightly bit down.

“Ah!”

Her whole body trembled. He suddenly realized that he didn’t want to take her

softly and romantically tonight, no matter his previous thoughts. He needed something wild, rough, even savage. Still, he didn’t want to hurt her, no matter what. Taking a large breath, he reeled in his emotions to get control and stay tuned into her feelings. She’d enjoyed getting spanked and having her nipple bit. So hot. What else would she permit? He sat beside her. “How about a small preview?” Showing her what he could do would help make her compliant. “Preview?”

The next few minutes would set the tone. “Spread your legs.”

“Ah, finally.” She smiled up at him. “My pleasure, Joe. Or so I’m hoping.”

The sexy sound of his name on her lips made him grin. As she eased her knees

apart, he licked two of his fingers. He pressed down lightly on her stomach with the palm of his other hand. “Relax.” While making eye contact, he gradually inserted his wet fingers into her hot pussy. Nice. Tighter than he’d expected. When she clenched her muscles around him, he smiled wider. Oh, yeah. He couldn’t wait to get his hard cock inside her. She sucked in a breath. “Mmm. Deeper.”

He curled his fingers and internally stroked her, finding that one special area up

inside her body. In just a moment, she should feel -“Oh!” Her eyes widened. “That feels… that’s… oh, yes!” “Your G-spot.” He didn’t need to ask. He’d done this before, though the last time was longer ago than he cared to admit. He lightly massaged her stomach. “Stay relaxed.” After a few more internal strokes, he stopped and gently pulled out his fingers. The reaction he expected came immediately. “What? No! Don’t stop!” She tried to rise up, but the cuffs stopped her. “Damn it!”

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He chuckled. Now came the negotiations. “You do what I say. Everything I say, and I’ll massage that spot until you come.” A frown crossed her face. “Have you ever climaxed from having your G-spot stroked?” His hands caressed her stomach and thighs. She shook her head. “No,” she croaked. “Jeez, your hands feel good.” Her gaze grew rounder, then she averted her eyes, as if she hadn’t meant to admit that aloud. Such a sexy woman. So many women never had the G-spot experience. He wanted to give her that. “It’s more intense than you could ever imagine, Donna. Or so I’m told from the women I’ve done it to.” Not that they’d had to tell him. He could tell from their reactions. Thanks to a call girl at a party when he was still young and stupid, he’d learned all about G-spot stimulation, courtesy of a free private session, because she’d taken a liking to him. “Do you want to experience that?” He’d realized long ago that if you gave a woman massive orgasms, she became very agreeable to anything you asked, and he still had plans for her luscious ass, and more than just spanking it. He wanted to ensure she wouldn’t deny him. Since the Gspot was the most effective way to achieve sensational climaxes, he doubted she’d pass up the opportunity. Okay, maybe that smacked of sexual bribery. But if they both ended up satisfied, that’s what mattered in the end. “Please, Joe.” Her gaze locked with his. “Then you’ll submit to me and allow me to do whatever I want to your body?” His heart pounded as he waited for her answer. “Yes. I’ll submit to you. Do anything you want.”

Chapter Six Donna couldn’t sort out her feelings. Better not to try, she supposed. Plenty of time would come later to worry about her conflicting emotions over tonight and this whole, insane situation she found herself in. Lying on a pillow supporting her weight, she glanced at her wrists cuffed low on the headboard. Joe had started a lot of things sexually with her, but hadn’t finished any of them. Some men were all talk about their sexual talents. She hoped that wasn’t the case with Joe. Maybe not, since he’d taken her to the edge more than once. He just hadn’t let her topple over and climax. He certainly possessed one hell of a body, the best she’d seen in a long while. She wished she wasn’t cuffed so she could touch every inch of him. Kiss his full lips. Massage his muscles. Caress his long and oh so hard-looking cock. Even lick his balls. She sighed, thinking about all the things she craved to do to him. Maybe prodding him a little would get the action going. “Are you actually going to do anything tonight or just tease me with promises?” One of his eyebrows rose slightly. “You think I’m a tease?” His eyes intensified and darkened. “I’ve never been accused of that before.” He reached for the key and unlatched the cuffs. Uh oh. Instead of urging him on, she’d pushed him too far, insulted him. Darn her mouth. She got into more trouble because of the inability to curb her words. An apology perched on the tip of her tongue, ready to fly, but before she could say anything, he flipped her over on her stomach and re-cuffed her to the headboard. “Oh!” When she turned her head toward him, she saw him remove a condom from his wallet on the nightstand. Equal parts of excitement and panic rolled through her. Okay. He wasn’t insulted. He meant business. She trusted him not to hurt her, but

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she had no idea what to expect from him either. Because she remained cuffed, little stopped him from doing whatever he wanted. Even though she’d agreed to be submissive, that didn’t mean she wouldn’t protest vehemently if he tried something she didn’t like. He climbed up behind her on the bed and lifted her to her knees. Because of the way she was cuffed, her head remained down on the pillow. A little undignified, but kinky and… totally submissive, just as he’d wanted from her. “If your back starts to hurt, let me know, and I’ll stop. But with your head down, the pressure should be less.” She wasn’t so certain about that, but since she felt no pain right now she didn’t intend to argue with him. The fact that he’d said he would stop if she needed him to made her feel better about his intentions. So, she relaxed to simply enjoy what he was about to do to her. She wiggled her ass. Joe chuckled, and his fingers moved gently along her wet pussy. He slowly pushed his cock inside her, penetrating her a little at a time, until he was all the way inside. “Ohhh, yeah.” Because of her position, it felt like his cock went on forever. “Joe! Yes!” His thickness filled and stretched her unlike any man ever had, as if custom-made for her body. He eased halfway out of her pussy and hesitated, stroking her hair with one hand. The fingers of his other hand curled around her hip, and he thrust into her. Deliciously hard. “Yes!” He pulled back a little and slapped her ass. Also hard. “Oh!” She loved it. Submission felt so good. His fingers tangled in her hair as he continued fucking her, thrusting hard, then slowly pulling halfway out each time. “Fuck me back.”

Ruth D. Kerce


- 57 -

She pushed against him as best she could while restrained. She wished the mirror was located closer so she could watch their reflection. She imagined their positions made for one erotic sight. Slowly, he eased off on the intensity of his thrusts. Darn it. Probably worried about her back. If he pulled all the way out before she came, she swore she’d shoot him with his own gun. He massaged her hips and back with light, easy strokes. Her pussy throbbed from unfulfilled need. He was making her crazy with his sudden gentleness. She didn’t want gentle. He’d started out good and hard, and then backed off just when she needed that hardness the most. “Fuck me!” He chuckled. “I thought that’s what I was doing.” “You’re torturing me. And you know it.” Nobody eased off so many times unless they were doing it on purpose. “You’ll come harder. Trust me.” He reached beneath her and teased her throbbing clit with a few light caresses. “I want to lick every inch of your body, Donna. Would you like my tongue stroking you everywhere?” “Yes.” She screamed her frustration into the pillow. “Please, Joe. I need to come.” She’d never begged a man to give her an orgasm, but him purposely keeping her on the edge like this was unbearable. “All right, sweet cheeks.” He pushed his cock deep, then pulled almost all the way out again. He shoved back into her, hard. They both groaned, and she felt his body shudder. Oh, please, don’t come yet. She needed more of his cock moving inside her, stroking her pussy, making her crazy, until she finally came. He repeated the movement over and over, until finally he was thrusting into her at a good, fast pace. “How’s this? You want it hard?” “Yes!” “You want it rough, Donna?”

Ruth D. Kerce


- 58 -

“Yes! Don’t stop!” She needed this kind of fucking so much. From him. Up until now, she’d always preferred an easier lay, but Joe brought out something wild in her that needed taming. At least for tonight. Maybe the fact that someone had tried to kill her, more than once, changed something inside her and made her crave a more intense experience. She didn’t know. She only knew that she loved what Joe was doing to her. “All right, but remember, you asked for it.” He slammed his body into hers, grunting with each powerful thrust. His fingers dug into her hips. “I’m not stopping until you come. And maybe not even then.” He pumped his cock into her almost savagely. “Yes!” Oh, this felt better than any sex she’d had for a long time. “More!” “No problem, baby.” He continued thrusting hard, mumbling words in his native Spanish, the meanings unknown to her. She wanted to come, but she didn’t want him to come. Not yet. Her body needed more than one orgasm tonight, many more, before she’d feel satisfied. She hoped Joe could hold out for a good, long while. Her body tightened, and a strong climax surged through her. She screamed as the pleasure overtook her. She shook, and every nerve ending inside her came alive. As promised, Joe didn’t stop. When her knees went to mush, he held her up, so he could continue fucking her, and didn’t even pause in his thrusts, except for a brief moment to smack her ass. “That’s one.” Oh, jeez. Counting. Macho shit abounded with all men. But given the pleasure she’d just experienced, she wasn’t about to complain as long as his cock remained ramrod stiff and deep inside her. He continued to fuck her just as hard as before, thrusting in short, fast strokes, then giving her slower, deeper strokes, until she felt near to bursting. “Oh, oh!” She moaned, and her pussy clenched. She came again, more quickly than she’d ever believed possible after just coming so hard moments ago. The powerful climax took her by surprise. “Yes!” “Yeah, baby.” He slapped her ass. “That’s two.”

Ruth D. Kerce


- 59 -

While she worked on catching her breath, Joe simply caressed her bottom. After her trembling eased, she glanced up at him. “Are we going for a record or something?” He chuckled and uncuffed one of her wrists. “Just keeping track, but I’ll do my best for you.” He maneuvered them both down onto their sides, and he held her with a tender touch, his cock still buried deeply in her body. “You up for another go?” She wiggled her ass against him. “Feels like you’re up for it.” He kissed her neck. “It’s been a while for me. I’m thoroughly enjoying this and intend to make the most of this evening.” She glanced over her shoulder at him. “It’s been a while for me, too, being in the hospital and all. What’s your excuse, hunk?” “Hunk, huh?” He smiled. After a moment, he shrugged, then moved gently inside her. “I guess nobody much has appealed to me lately.” She swallowed hard. “And I do?” “Yes, Donna. You do.” His fingers curled around her hip, and he pumped rapidly into her. She moaned. “Oh, your cock is so big, Joe. I love how you fill me up.” And how she loved the way he said her name in that deep, sexy voice of his. He nuzzled her neck. “I thought size didn’t matter to women.” She chuckled. “Well, I’ll take the fifth on that one, I think. Harder again, please. And deeper, if you can.” “Yes, ma’am.” He pushed his body fervently against her ass, pumping his cock deeper into her pussy with each strong thrust. His breathing increased, and he licked at her ear. “You’ve got the best cunt, baby.” She sucked in a sharp breath. His unexpected words, graphic and erotic, made her pussy clench, and she came again. Not a strong orgasm, but a nice flutter up and down her body that made her sigh in contentment. “Mmm.” “That’s three,” he whispered in her ear, reaching up to fondle her breast. “What, no spank?” She chuckled.

Ruth D. Kerce


- 60 -

His answer came out as a low growl. “Roll over on your stomach. I’ll spank you.” “Um…” “I want up your ass, Donna.” He tweaked her nipple. Her body tightened, and her pulse jumped. “My --” She shook her head. “You’re too thick, Joe.” “You can handle it.” “I -- I don’t know.” She feared he’d split her in two. Still, she felt somewhat intrigued by the idea. “I won’t hurt you. I promise.” “Make me come again first.” She’d only agreed to anal sex once and hadn’t enjoyed it all that much. She imagined Joe would give her a better experience. Though because of his size, she’d need to be totally relaxed for him to fit. “Greedy wench. I’ll make it worth your while, sweet cheeks. Don’t worry. Now roll over for me.” Tentatively, she did as he asked. She’d trust him to fulfill his promises. As she rolled onto her stomach, he remained inside her, pumping slowly. His warm breath on the back of her neck made her shudder. This was one night she’d certainly never forget. Joe knew exactly how to keep her body sexually stimulated and make her crave more. “All right. Now, come for me again, Donna, while I’m in your pussy. I love the way your cunt squeezes my cock. I want to come this time, too. I need to feel you milking me dry. Then, I’m going to lap up your sexy cream, massage your G-spot like I promised earlier, and then spank you good, until I’m hard again.” At his words, she trembled. “And then?” Her voice came out shaky. She’d never had a sexual experience like this in her life. He began thrusting into her faster and faster. “Then I’m going up your ass. You’ll love it.”

Chapter Seven Gloved inside her hot pussy, Joe came hard. “Ahh, fuck!” His muscles stiffened and pure, animalistic pleasure exploded up his body. He wasn’t conscious of anything except the ecstasy Donna was giving him. If a gang of thugs stormed into the room, armed to the teeth, he wouldn’t be able to move off her. “Fuckin’ hell!” With a deep groan, he collapsed on top of her, and both of them sank down onto the mattress. “Oh, yeah.” Completely spent, his muscles felt like gelatin. Then he remembered her condition. With great effort, he shifted to the side, off her back. She lay quietly beside him. He still wanted to come up her ass, but he doubted he could get hard again, after such a strong climax. He hadn’t expected to experience the kind of orgasm that wrung everything out of a man. He looked at her in amazement. Well, if he didn’t get to fuck her butt, he certainly wouldn’t leave here disappointed. Tonight would remain etched in his memory forever. He kissed the back of Donna’s neck, then forced himself to get up to take care of the condom. He returned and sat on the side of the bed, where she still lay quietly. Concern rolled through him. Maybe her experience had differed from his. “Did you come that last time? I was a bit preoccupied, to say the least.” “Yes, I came.” She sounded sleepy, and her voice seemed a bit scratchy. “I think I screamed my voice raw. Every guest here probably heard me.” “Really? I was in another level of consciousness or something. I heard nothing but my own thoughts, heartbeat, and the blood rushing through my veins.” He lowered his voice, matching his tone to hers. “That was incredible, Donna.” Smiling up at him, she nodded. “We’re incredible together.”

Ruth D. Kerce


- 62 -

“You said a mouthful there.” Softly, he stroked her back. A light sheen of perspiration covered her flesh. Beneath, her skin felt silky and looked like cream, which reminded him of his promise. “Speaking of a mouthful…” He scooted down on the bed and nudged her legs apart. After pushing another pillow under her hips, he began to tongue her from behind, lapping up her cum. He took his time, licking every inch of her pussy. “Mmm.” She stayed relaxed on the bed as he serviced her. “Get it all, Detective.” “Yes, ma’am.” Her cunt tasted so good that he had no problems eating her. He continued licking, while he massaged and squeezed her ass. So fleshy. So perfect. He knew when he’d talked about going up her ass, she wasn’t overly thrilled with the idea, but seemed willing to try, for him. Her belief in his ability to take care of her meant a lot to him, especially because she was right. His cock was thick, too thick for some women. So allowing him access was the ultimate in trust. Joe sat back and wiped his mouth. Now, he needed to fulfill his other promise to her. She hadn’t come from his licking. It probably wouldn’t take much to get her off again. Women always seemed to have an unlimited supply of orgasms inside them. Slowly, he worked one then two fingers up her cunt. “Roll onto your side, Donna, so I can get at you easier.”

Donna rolled onto her hip. Perfectly content with the orgasms she’d already experienced and feeling wiped out, she almost told Joe that he need not bother. Almost. She gasped when he raised her leg and rested her ankle on his shoulder. Well, this position was definitely a first for her. Joe turned his hand, finding her G-spot with his fingers. “Ah, there, that’s better.” He stroked her internally. “Feel good?” She nodded. So nice. She relaxed and let him do what he wanted to her. He understood the female body better than any man she’d ever been with. “Ahh.” Slowly, the intensity built inside her. “Oh, yes, Joe.” He continued stroking. “You want to come again?”

Ruth D. Kerce


- 63 -

How he got her going so easily, she didn’t understand, but she nodded, her body shaking. She certainly intended to enjoy all the pleasure he could give her. “All right. Now, just stay relaxed.” He stroked her gently, taking his time. While he looked into her eyes, holding her gaze, he made a slight adjustment on his angle with his fingers. “Oh, Joe. That’s even better. Keep… yes! Ah!” She had no idea this type of sexual intensity was even possible. “Ohhh! Jeez!” Her body jerked and bowed. She came so hard she swore she passed out for a moment. When she connected again with reality, she was back on her stomach and heard Joe talking to her in low tones, but couldn’t quite make out his words. How had he learned to do that to a woman? One of these days, she intended to ask. Right now, she simply wanted to enjoy the moment. His hand glided across her ass. “I love watching you come.” He patted each cheek lightly. “How’s your back?” It took another moment before her brain actually processed his words. “Oh, um, feels good. I mean, my back’s not hurting. Not right now, anyhow. I’m too relaxed. My insides feel all gooey.” He laughed. “I’ll take that as a good thing.” “Definitely good. Can you remove the other handcuff now?” She twisted her wrist a bit, jiggling the ring, then relaxed. “Not yet. In fact…” He re-secured the second cuff. She made a raspberry sound, but no other protest. Since she was cuffed low on the headboard, she wasn’t uncomfortable, but she wanted to be free to touch Joe and feel all his lovely muscles rippling under her fingertips.

Joe lightly slapped her ass. This night had not only been exciting, but fun, too. He realized now just how much he missed a woman in his life, and not only for the sex. And not just any woman.

Ruth D. Kerce


- 64 -

She wiggled her butt. “You know, I really do think you’re a Master-wannabe, Señor Rodriguez, given how tonight has gone.” He laughed and slapped her ass again, another light pat, enough to stimulate, but not enough to leave a mark. “Not really. Not to that extent anyway.” “What extent exactly?” “Well…” He shrugged. “I don’t know. I don’t actually understand that whole Master-Slave lifestyle. And I don’t think I really want to. It always seemed extreme to me.” He patted her butt. Renee was into all that, and he imagined Sam must be, too. When he had dated Renee, none of it interested him, but now… “You talk a good game, Joe. But I’m not buying it.” A sexy smile crossed her face. “I think the lifestyle intrigues you. Let’s find out. Hmm? Show me what you’ve got, super cop. I know that’s not the best you can spank. I know, deep down, you have some Master in you.” “You’re insatiable and love to push. Too much.” He stared down at her, their eyes meeting. “Only insatiable with you. Now spank me properly.” His heart rate increased at her words, wanting them to be true, but not daring to believe. He’d concentrate on her request instead. Strange, since she’d said she didn’t do submissive, but she certainly had with him. She’d practically dared him for a real spanking. Fine. He’d give her one she wouldn’t soon forget. He adjusted his position for a better angle. “Put your head down. And Donna?” “Yes.” “Don’t ever dare a cop when you’re cuffed.” His palm came down sharply on her ass. “Oh!” She jerked. “I think --” He spanked her other cheek. “You think what?” The mound jiggled, and a groan escaped his throat. “Never mind. That slap sent a shiver right through me. Do it again.” He chuckled and smacked her ass once more. His hand tingled at the contact.

Ruth D. Kerce


- 65 -

She moaned and squirmed on the mattress. More gently this time, he slapped her, one side of her ass, then the other. When he heard her sigh and felt her body relax, he caressed her butt cheeks, giving her skin time to cool. “You okay?” “More than okay.” “You want more?” Secretly, he hoped she did, but he didn’t want her to agree simply to please him. “Um… yes.” His pulse jumped. “Say please.” He watched her chew on her bottom lip. She’d wanted to see the master in him. If so, she needed to play the slave. “Please.” Her face actually grew red. He’d never thought of Donna as shy, especially not about sex, and not after all he’d already done to her. Maybe the flush came from anticipation and excitement instead. “Good girl.” He began spanking her non-stop -one cheek, then the other. Faster and more aggressively than before, seeing what she could take. “Ah!” She clenched her hands. “Oh!” Her breathing increased. “Joe!” “What?” He didn’t let up. “I -- I think I’m going to come.” His hand missed a beat. Come? From being spanked? Fucking yeah! Wanting to keep up the stimulation, just in case she was serious, he continued slapping her ass, now a nice, bright pink, over and over. Her hips pumped against the pillow beneath her. Was it possible? His dick hardened almost painfully at the thought of making her come from a spanking. The sharp sound of his slaps echoed in the room. “More,” she begged. “I’m right on the edge.” His palm smacked her hard. If he rubbed her clit, she’d probably come immediately. But the idea of making her climax from the spanking alone intrigued him. His heart raced. “Come!” he ordered, his hand smacking her again.

Ruth D. Kerce


- 66 -

“Oh! Yes!” Her body shook, and she screeched. “Damn.” She was actually coming. And on command, too. Maybe something existed to this Master-Slave stuff. She wasn’t experiencing some small climax either. Her body thrashed beneath him. Her ass, pretty red now, caused him concern. He worried about hurting her, but he didn’t want to stop until her orgasm ended. His hand smacked repeatedly across her butt, though with a lighter touch now. To intensify the stimulation, he reached under her and stroked her clit as he’d considered doing earlier. She let out a high-pitched scream, and he could tell multiple orgasms wracked her body. He’d never felt so… powerful. Finally, she let out a long, contented-sounding sigh and relaxed. “Damn, Donna,” he whispered, staring down at her ass. What a sexy woman. He caressed her back and stroked her hair. Once his own heartbeat eased, he walked into the bathroom and grabbed a washcloth. After running cool water over the cloth and wringing it out, he returned and placed it gently over her bottom. When the coolness touched her skin, she jerked, but then relaxed with a sigh. “Oh, that’s nice. Thanks.” He sat beside her and undid the cuffs. “That was incredible. Do you always come when spanked?” A spurt of jealousy shot through him, thinking about other men doing the same thing to her body. “No. I mean, I don’t know. I’ve never been spanked. That was a first for me. And all I can say is, wow. I didn’t think something like that was even possible.” He caressed her wrists, a feeling very close to relief flooding through him. “Me either.” Being able to give her that experience, and knowing he was the only one who had, pleased him more than any orgasm he’d ever had himself. Well, it was a close call anyhow. Donna came more often and harder than any woman he’d ever been with. And she’d given him one hell of a climax earlier. His cock stood proud, hard, and ready to go again. But no way was he going to ask her to take him up her ass after setting her butt on fire. Maybe next time.

Ruth D. Kerce


- 67 -

Next time. Depression took hold at the thought. Did a next time even exist for the two of them? Probably not, if he faced reality. Once at the safe house, being alone wouldn’t be possible for them. And after they relocated her, no more contact would be permitted. Their future didn’t look promising. They’d met at the wrong time and under the wrong circumstances. A sense of loss rolled through him. He’d gotten attached, even though he knew better. And only a major change of fate now would allow them to continue this tentative relationship. With a smile on her face, she looked down at his cock. She reached out and ran her fingers up and down the length of him. “Finally I get to touch you.” He groaned. “Careful. I might come in your hands.” “Don’t you dare. I have other plans.” “Oh?” Raising her chin with his fingers, he bent down to kiss her lips. He wanted the taste of her seared into his memory. She wrapped her fingers tightly around his steel-hard cock and whispered against his lips, “Give me your tongue, Joe. Let me taste my cum. Is the flavor still in your mouth?” “Yes,” he confirmed. Their tongues touched, and they kissed deeply. Her hand slid up and down the length of him, and again he groaned in pleasure. When he pulled back, she licked her lips. “Mmm, tasty.” “I think so.” His fingers covered hers and squeezed lightly. He needed to come so badly. “But I’d rather taste your cock.” She scooted around and lowered her head. “Donna, you don’t have to -- ah! Yeah!” The fingers of his other hand tangled in her hair. “Oh, damn.” She was playing with his balls now. His sexy, little slave. She gave great head. “So good. Deeper. Yes. Suck my cock, baby. All of it.”

Chapter Eight Joe’s eyes opened, and he stretched his legs. When he tried to move his arms, they caught. “What the hell?” He glanced up and saw himself cuffed to the bed. “Oh, cute.” He looked at the clock. Not quite sunrise yet. He felt totally sated. Donna was an incredible woman. After she’d sucked his cock, eagerly swallowing everything he gave her, they’d lain in each other’s arms and talked about everything and nothing. He’d learned about her past and her dreams for the future. She learned of his family and career and hopes for promotion. Such a great night. He frowned. She wasn’t beside him. He scanned the room, his heart slamming against his ribs. Nothing. The bathroom door stood wide open, light off. No Donna. No black satchel. “Shit!” He looked at the nightstand. His gun was gone, too. “Damn it!” So much for that pending promotion. This was not going to be a shining moment on his official record. He jerked on the cuffs, but they held securely. He thought about yelling. The rain had stopped, so his voice would carry. Maybe someone passing by would hear him, but at four o’clock in the morning, he doubted it, not with their room located at the end of the complex. Besides, he was buck-naked. And the blankets lay on the floor, so he couldn’t even cover himself. A hell of an embarrassing situation! What a fool he’d been. She’d cuffed him to the edge of the headboard though. If he stretched… With his fingers, he managed to topple the phone receiver off its cradle. With slow and deliberate moves, he dragged the phone base closer and punched the button to connect with the operator. Since the receiver lay on the table, he had to shout for her to understand him, and she had to shout in return for him to hear her. Finally, she connected him to the number he requested.

Ruth D. Kerce


- 69 -

“Hello?” a sleepy female voice responded. “Renee, it’s Joe.” “Joe? You sound far off. Are you at the safe house?” “No. I need you to come get me. And speak up, will you.” “Hang on.” After a pause, “What’s this number on my caller ID? It’s not your cell phone.” He’d left the cell phone in the car at the garage. He knew they’d found the sedan. When he called Captain Pentel, he’d asked. “You didn’t find my phone in the car I ditched?” “No. You left it? We were going to do a trace, but the equipment malfunctioned, then you called in, so we didn’t pursue it after the tech got the software un-glitched. We assumed you had the phone with you.” Wily woman. Donna probably stole his cell, too. Well, she just outsmarted herself and might have given the department the break they’d originally wanted. Personally, he tried hard not to think about her betrayal. If she left to hook up with Callie -- a good possibility -- she could have told him, enlisted his help. Now, she was in even more trouble, not to mention danger. If she ran simply to avoid testifying -- if this case went that far -- then he’d totally misjudged her. With his voice now growing scratchy, he only briefly explained to Renee why he’d left the cell, and his suspicions. He told her where he was, what had happened with Donna -- minus most of the details -- and what he needed her to do.

*** Less than an hour after the phone call, Renee stood outside the hotel room door. “This is it,” she told Alan. She’d called him before she left, knowing he’d want in on this. Sam, of course, had wanted to come, too. She’d talked him out of it. No way was he in good enough shape to return to work yet. She’d left him with a definite pout on his face, but they both agreed on her logic. “We should have leaned on Donna harder,” Alan said. “She loves Callie as much as you do, Alan.”

Ruth D. Kerce


- 70 -

He snorted, saying nothing further. From what the department had pieced together on this case, the detectives suspected Donna knew more than she’d told them. Witnesses often withheld information for a variety of personal reasons. Frustrating as hell. But if Donna possessed any information at all about Callie, she might now lead them to her or maybe to the people who took her and who were behind all the drugs and shootings. Or so they hoped. But then, with their luck, as Joe also mentioned on the phone, they might simply find Donna sipping mocha java at some café, trying to evade the cops, instead of being sent away to places unknown, with a new identity and unable to contact family or friends. Renee knocked on the door. “Joe?” “Yeah!” Renee inserted the key she’d gotten from the hotel clerk, after she and Alan flashed their badges. She swung open the door and flipped on the light. “What’s --” Her voice caught. Alan barked out a laugh. “Oh, man.” “No comments. Please. Just get me out of this.” “Where’s the key to the cuffs?” Renee asked. “Hell, I don’t know.” “Here it is.” Alan picked up a key off the dresser and handed it over. Renee unlatched the cuffs, trying very hard to keep her gaze north. It looked like Joe and Donna’s relationship had taken a new direction toward the personal side, completely against departmental regulations. Not that she planned to turn him in for it. She glanced at Alan, not so sure about him. Alan and Joe were friends, though not nearly as close now as in previous years, from what she understood. They’d taken different paths, in the department and in their personal lives. And Alan wasn’t feeling particularly forgiving or tolerant lately.

Ruth D. Kerce


- 71 -

Alan grabbed Joe’s pants from the chair and tossed them on the bed. “How much of a head start does she have on us?” “I’m not sure,” Joe answered, slipping into his clothes. “I need a gun. She took mine.” “Lovely.” Alan grabbed a pistol strapped to his ankle and handed it to Joe. “Do we have the tracker on?” Joe asked. “I have a man standing by at the computer,” Renee said. “I checked in with him on the way over. Tracking indicates she’s on her way toward the docks. She might have gone elsewhere first, before the tracker activated though. Hopefully, if she’s headed for Callie, she hasn’t already made contact.” “Let’s go.”

*** Donna slammed the car door closed and glanced around the docks. A streak of lightning lit the sky, and she yelped. She was shaking like a leaf, second thoughts filling her mind. Coming here alone, while it was still dark, with another storm pending, wasn’t the smartest thing in the world. But she’d do anything to save Callie, if her sister still lived. And right now, she was Callie’s only hope. She felt bad leaving Joe cuffed to the bed. He was a man unlike any she’d ever known. A special man, who gave her a renewed sense of self-worth. Not just sexually -though the sex was better than she’d ever had before -- but emotionally he made her feel as if her thoughts and feelings were important. While he held her in his arms after their lovemaking, he’d actually listened to what she said, asked questions, and genuinely seemed interested in her answers. Unfortunately, he was also a cop and bound by law and departmental regulations. She couldn’t take a chance on putting Callie in more danger. Hopefully, if she got out of this alive, he’d forgive her. She swiped away a tear, whether from anger or sorrow, she wasn’t quite certain, and feared examining her feelings too closely right now.

Ruth D. Kerce


- 72 -

She took Joe’s cell phone out of her purse and punched in a number, the same one she’d called right after leaving the hotel. “All right, I’m at the docks. I want to hear Callie’s voice or I take myself and my information right out of here.” Because of her involvement with the jerk, she and Callie had ended up in this situation. Now, maybe the information he’d let slip would save them. The only way she knew who to contact in the first place was because Keith called the same number so often that she’d memorized the connection. While they’d dated, he thought it cool for her to answer his cell phone and place his calls, as if she were his freaking secretary or something. Idiot. Though now, she supposed, she was grateful. Just another bit of information that might help her save her sister’s life. “Callie!” As her sister’s voice washed over her from the other end of the phone, tears rolled down her face. “Don’t worry. I’m going to get you away from them. Did they hurt you?” If they so much as touched a hair… A man came on the line. “No -- wait!” She listened. “Okay, yes. I’m in front of the warehouse you specified. Yes, I’ll be here.” She clicked off the phone and paced, waiting for their next move. Terror was too mild a word to convey her feelings right now. Less than ten minutes later, a black sedan pulled up and two men in suits got out. One stayed next to the car while the other slowly approached her. She took a step back. “That’s close enough.” She wasn’t trusting anyone to get within arm’s reach. He stopped several feet from her. “Ms. Browning?” “Are you Sanders?” “Yes, ma’am.” He smiled. “I take it you’re interested in a trade.” “That’s right. My information on the drugs in exchange for my sister’s release. That is what you’ve wanted all along, right? The drugs. That’s why you took Callie. Except she doesn’t know where they are. She was just trying to get rid of that crap for me when the police stopped her. But I do know where the rest of the stash is stored.” “Yes. We were hoping you knew something.”

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“I’d almost expected to see Keith here,” she added, as an afterthought. He’d probably only been using her the entire time. Her history with men was a disaster. Still, her curiosity about what happened to him ran high. “Ah, yes. Poor Keith. He held out until the end. He never would tell us what we wanted to know. I think he actually believed if he kept quiet we’d keep him alive until he broke. But he got on our nerves when we realized he wasn’t going to cooperate.” Donna swallowed hard. They’d killed him. She saw the reality of Keith’s fate in Sanders’ eyes. “Your sister swore neither of you had any more information about the cocaine. She was very convincing.” “Callie doesn’t realize I know. I didn’t want her any more involved than she already was.” His previous words suddenly registered. “Wait, you said you knew I had information. Why kidnap Callie and try to kill me then?” “We had Keith. We thought he’d talk. You needed to die, so as not to tell the cops what you knew. Or if you had talked, you wouldn’t be able to testify if you were dead. We didn’t know you had the exact location of the stash until you called though. So, when we realized Keith wasn’t going to spill his guts, our plans changed.” “And Callie?” When he looked to be getting impatient with her questions, she didn’t hesitate to push her advantage. “Tell me. Or you’ll never get the information out of me that you want.” “Originally, dear Callinda was taken as leverage. She really witnessed too much for us to allow her to live, but we thought she might prove useful later. We knew all along, even before she gave us her story, that she held no helpful information on the drugs. When you called and said you had the information, you then became more important alive than dead. A few minutes later, Keith expired.” He shrugged. “Fairly simple really.” Donna began to shake. They’d killed Keith because they thought it easier to get the information out of her. No, wait. Sanders also said they realized Keith wasn’t going

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to talk. They’d have killed him anyway. Probably. Hell, who knew the real truth. Everything Sanders said could have been simply to shake her up. Still, thinking she might have been responsible for Keith losing his life earlier than he would have otherwise made her sick. “I want to see my sister. I’m not telling you anything until she’s safely tucked away in my car.” Though she’d formulated a plan earlier, she was still making a lot of this stuff up as she went along, depending on Sanders’ responses. She just hoped they wanted the information badly enough to agree to her terms. “And what guarantee do I have that your information is credible?” Donna got the feeling, one she’d gotten before, that they weren’t really dealing with the mob here. Sanders had the look, actions, and attitude of a small-time criminal, but sounded educated and didn’t appear to have connections with a large organization. Better for her and Callie if that were true though, so she hoped her feelings proved correct. “It’s either believe me or take the loss.” “No, I don’t think so.” He took a step closer, and his eyes narrowed. “Here’s the deal. You take us to the drugs. When we verify the stash, then you and your sister go free. If I’m feeling generous.” Oh, shit. Now what? Should she bluff and play hardball or go along with him and hope for a better bargaining position later? The guy standing by the door of the sedan pulled out a gun. Donna gulped. Her mind raced for the next move. If she made a mistake, it could cost both her and Callie their lives. The rear door of the car suddenly flew open, whacking the guy in the back and sending him to the ground. Sanders jerked around at the sound. He drew his gun from a shoulder holster under his jacket. Trying to look over Sanders’ shoulder, Donna rose up on her toes. Had she really seen that other man go down? Still unable to see clearly, she stepped to the side to get a better view of the action. “What’s happening?” Callie scrambled out of the car. “Donna, run!”

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Sanders aimed at Callie’s head. Callie? “No!” Donna’s stomach clenched. She drew Joe’s gun. Damn it. She wasn’t prepared for this yet. She tried to fire, but nothing happened. Safety! She found the control and flipped it off. “Callie, get down!” a male voice shouted from the shadows. A shot rang out. Callie dove for the pavement, scrambling for the gun the other man had dropped. Sanders whirled away from Callie and toward Donna, his gun aimed at her heart. “Bitch! You double-crossed us.” “Move, Donna!” The voice, Joe’s voice, caused her to momentarily hesitate, but she quickly recovered and backed away as Sanders drew nearer. She fired at the same time he did, and as another shot rang out from the shadows. Sanders lurched forward, knocking them both to the ground. Pain exploded in her head. She heard some yelling, several more shots, and then everything went black.

Epilogue Donna’s eyes fluttered open. Her whole body ached, and her nose twitched from an all too familiar scent. She turned her head and moaned. Everything looked blurry. When someone squeezed her hand, she concentrated hard until her vision cleared. “Joe.” Warmth spread through her, and suddenly she felt safe. “What happened? Where am I?” “You’re in the hospital. It’s all over.” “Am I shot?” She felt bad enough to be on her deathbed. Well, almost. “No. But you hurt your back again and have a nasty bump on your head.” Thus the cause of her headache, she supposed. “How long have I been here?” All sense of time had left her. “Since last night. You passed out after you hit your head.” She looked into the intensity of his eyes, wondering at his thoughts. “Are you mad at me?” She chewed at her bottom lip, afraid of his answer. “Yes.” His stern voice and lack of smile scared her. She didn’t want him mad at her. Personally or professionally. “I’m sorry.” “I know.” His expression softened, as did his voice. “You scared me to death. Don’t ever do anything like that again.” “I had to save my sister.” Her heart lurched, and she held back tears. She needed to ask, but was terrified of the answer. “Callie? Is she okay?” She remembered hearing a lot of gunfire. If her sister hadn’t made it… “She’s fine. She’s with Alan. Understandably, he’s not letting her out of his sight, and probably won’t for a good, long while. She’ll be in later today to see you. You’re both lucky to be alive.”

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Thank goodness. “Did they hurt her?”

“Remarkably, no.”

A huge weight lifted from her shoulders, and she felt like weeping. “So what

happens to me now?” “You’re free and clear, after you tell us where the drugs are. You should have told us from the start, Donna. We’d have set up an undercover operation to get Callie back.” “I couldn’t take the chance. The cops play by the rules too much. That information was too critical to Callie’s life.” “Well, I’m not going to argue with you about it while you’re in the hospital. You won’t need relocating now. You’re safe. All charges against you and Callie have been officially dropped. The district attorney feels you two were victimized and simply tried your best to survive the situation.” She nodded. “Exactly. We never had any real involvement in trafficking those drugs.” “I know. Also, Sanders and company weren’t part of the mob, but a new organization trying to carve out a niche here in town. They’re all gone or dead, even the head honcho, as of last night, from what we gather. The local mob, which we’ve been trying to dismantle, took care of most of them, according to the rumors on the street. They didn’t like someone else coming into their territory. Those who survived left town to save themselves and their families. We got the rest on the dock.” “So, your job is done.”

“Minus a few loose ends.”

“I guess I won’t be seeing much of you from now on then.”

“Like hell.”

Her stomach clenched, and her heart rate kicked up a notch. “Oh?” Could she

allow herself to hope? “You’re not getting rid of me that easily, Donna. We have all that Master-Slave stuff to work out. Next time I have cuffs on though, I’d prefer you to be there with me.”

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He chuckled. “Where you even got the idea to push me on that, I don’t know. But I liked it. And even more, I feel the need to explore a real relationship here. As long as you promise to stay out of trouble. I don’t need any more heart palpitations. What do you think?” She smiled up at him, her outlook on life feeling lighter than it had been in months. She wasn’t about to confess that Renee gave her those sexual suggestions, when she found out about her attraction to Joe on one of her visits, but Donna was eternally grateful. Renee was certain, although Joe always protested kinky, deep down he possessed a need for ultimate sexual control in unconventional ways. Donna had never been interested in bondage and such herself, but somehow with Joe, she loved playing the master/slave game. She couldn’t help but tease him. “Maybe next time I can play the master, or actually, mistress, I guess.” “Seems to me that you had plenty of control.” “But not total. I want total next time.” He chuckled. “Total, huh?” Leaning over, he kissed her gently. “Don’t count on it,” he whispered against her lips.

*** Sam stood outside the closed bathroom door, listening to Renee retch. He jiggled the doorknob. Locked. Worry gripped him hard. His own discomfort, from the recent surgery, became secondary. The need to help her was his primary concern right now. “That’s the third time this week, Renee. You’re sick. Stop denying it. If you don’t see a doctor, I’ll drag you out of this apartment to one myself. You’re not going back to work until this is settled. I’m serious, Renee.” He used his most commanding tone, so she’d know he meant business. He heard the water turn on and waited. Patience was not his strong suit. “Shit.” He felt like breaking down the door, her privacy be damned. Furball -- their attack cat, as the guys in the department liked to joke, since the feline took down a criminal trying to murder Renee -- scratched at the door and

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mewled. The cat and Sam didn’t much get along, but shared a commonality where Renee was concerned. “Yeah, I’m worried about her too, Furbie. Renee!” After a few moments, Renee opened the door. “I’m fine.” She looked pale, shaky, and totally drained. “You can calm down and get that irritated expression off your face. I’m not sick, Sam.” “You’re not sick,” he echoed. “Damn it, Renee!” He was about ready to explode. Renee had always been stubborn, but this went beyond the ridiculous. “What in the hell do you call it then?” She lightly patted his chest and gave him a wobbly smile. “Pregnant. Congratulations, Sam. You’re going to be a daddy.”

The End

Ruth D. Kerce Award winning novelist Ruth D. Kerce loves to write. Her favorites are crossgenre stories -- stories that break the rules. Ruth’s futuristic, historical, and contemporary short stories and novellas are now available as e-books. Several of her titles are also available in print. She loves feedback from readers. You can visit her website at www.ruthkerce.com or email her at [email protected].

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Illicit Intuitions

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Illicit Magic

Illicit Intuitions

Illicit Christmas

Illicit Magick

Illicit Desire

Illicit Behaviour

Illicit Hunger

Illicit Desire

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Illicit Magick

Illicit Attraction

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Behavior Analysis And Behavior Modification

Perfect Behavior

Ugly Behavior

Negligee Behavior

Feline Behavior

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Organizational Behavior

Inappropriate Behavior

Model Behavior

Explaining Behavior

Verbal behavior

Organizational Behavior

Phase Behavior

Illicit Behavior

Illicit Intuitions

Illicit Intuitions

Illicit Magick

Illicit Magic

Illicit Intuitions

Illicit Christmas

Illicit Magick

Illicit Desire

Illicit Behaviour

Illicit Hunger

Illicit Desire

Illicit Hunger

Illicit Magick

Illicit Attraction

An Illicit Temptation

Injecting Illicit Drugs

Behavior Analysis And Behavior Modification

Perfect Behavior

Ugly Behavior

Negligee Behavior

Feline Behavior

Model Behavior

Organizational Behavior

Inappropriate Behavior

Model Behavior

Explaining Behavior

Verbal behavior

Organizational Behavior

Phase Behavior

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