Men In Uniform Anthology Read online

  Except he couldn’t without first showing her a good time. He didn’t want her to think she was nothing except a quick lay to him.

  He steeled himself against his intolerable lust. “Yeah, I’m wearing my gun. It’s regulation. I have to.”

  She eased back, her eyes wide. “Show me.”

  “Out here?”

  Her brow furrowed. “Why not? Where exactly did you put it? Wait.” She leaned close. “Are you packing more than the usual heat between your legs?”

  He laughed quietly. Damn, you’re something. Rarely had a woman made him feel so comfortable being himself and worthy, too, even though he was imperfect as hell. “What do you think?”

  “Where is it?”

  His black dress shirt hung outside his equally black jeans, effectively concealing his service revolver. He lifted the shirttail to reveal his gun holstered on the waistband.

  “Whoa.” She stroked the handle. “You are a badass.”

  Not as much as he wanted to be. “You have no idea.”

  “No?” Expectation glittered in her eyes. Her breathing grew shallow. “Show me.”

  He cupped her neck and drew her close, thigh to thigh, then drank her in, not rushing, enjoying the moment.

  She softened. Fuck, she yielded, her lips parting on a faint sigh.

  He liked knowing she desired him as much as he did her. For some reason, he seemed to have waited a lifetime to get to this point: the velvety night surrounding them, their scents and heat mingling, their mouths inching closer.

  Jake yearned for her tonight—and possibly tomorrow. The endless, unknowing future wasn’t something he wanted to think about. Right now was enough.

  He angled his mouth over hers and eased his tongue inside, fitting against her perfectly. His pulse sprinted, and the world slowed then faded away. Only he and she existed.

  On a wanting moan, she wreathed her arms around his shoulders and suckled his tongue deeper, encouraging him to fill her as much as he could.

  No way would he do anything less.

  He cradled her breast, his breath catching at its softness, weight, and warmth. Taking in more air wasn’t easy. Once he’d cupped her lavish ass, he pulled her into him, cock to cunt, precisely as they should be.

  A pleased whimper followed her moan. She wrapped her leg around his, then pushed his tongue from her mouth and filled his instead.

  Their kiss grew savage. Deep and wild. They touched each other every-fucking-where they could, her exploring his hard planes, him luxuriating in her lush curves.

  A door slammed.

  Startled, he broke away from Krista.

  She gulped air.

  Footfalls sounded, nearing the parking lot, then faded into the distance.

  Jake rested his forehead against hers. “Ready to go?”

  “Go?” She panted. “Inside?”

  Sleeping with her at this point would be heaven—but too easy. They’d have fun, and that would be it. He needed to show she was special, more than a warm body for him to get lost in.

  “Yeah.” He took a deep breath that didn’t do shit to compose him. “Ever been to Choices?”

  “Get out.” She edged back. “No one steps foot in there without a reservation, unless they’re willing to wait hours in line.” She bounced on her heels. “Not a prob. I’ll wear other shoes.”

  “Don’t you dare.” He grabbed her arm and pulled her back. “We won’t have to wait a second, promise.”

  Surprise then wariness touched her eyes. “You already had a table booked for tonight?”

  Before she asked if he’d dumped his intended date to take her out, he explained. “During my time off, I do security for them to earn extra cash.” He eased her back into him and kissed her neck. “I don’t need permission to get inside. I can do whatever the fuck I want.”

  She ground her hips against his. “Like I said, a real badass. So what are we doing here?” She ran inside her condo, grabbed a sparkly purse then joined him. “Show me.”

  He fully intended to.

  Upon arrival, he flaunted his power shamelessly, leading her past restless patrons in line, then exchanged pleasantries with the security detail and breezed inside.

  Krista halted. Her mouth sagged open.

  He couldn’t blame her. The place had redecorated recently, purple and green abounding, the colors like nothing nature intended. In here, the shades glowed. A female server had told him they were lustrous. Whatever. They were certainly weird. Coupled with that, there were enough plants to stock a small jungle, and yellowish spotlights sweeping the crowd.

  People his and her age crammed the dining area and dance floor. The band sang to a hard-core hip-hop tune that pounded loud enough to rattle his molars.

  Krista snuggled against him, her mouth to his ear. “Is that the only type music they’re going to play tonight?”

  Gangsta rap wasn’t his fave, either. “Nope. They’ll play everything.” Thus the name—Choices.

  The tuxedo-clad hostess approached, her costume brief enough to impress a stripper. “Jake, hey.”

  “Deidre.” He spoke as loudly as she did and pulled Krista against him. She, in turn, placed her hand on his chest. Their possessive gestures should have bothered him but didn’t. He was still intoxicated from their kiss. “Your best table.”

  Deidre wagged her finger. “You know the Bieb will want it if he drops by.”

  Krista clutched Jake’s shirt. “Is she serious?”

  “She is.” Jake arched one eyebrow. “I wouldn’t have pegged you as a Justin Bieber fan.”

  “I’m not. His stuff makes me hurl. But he’s a celebrity. This is too cool.”

  He tightened his arm around her, ready to show off. “You haven’t seen anything yet.”

  Smiling, Deidre led them to a table slightly apart from the others. He winked at her in thanks and took the menus she offered.

  After Krista slid into their booth, he followed, their thighs and knees touching. His hair stood on end. “You like?”

  She nodded, taking in the scene. “Do you dance?”

  Not well. Of course, the guys on the floor looked like humping apes, so he didn’t have much competition. “I prefer the slow stuff.”

  Pleasure lit her features. “Me, too.” She opened her menu. “What’s good—like, tastes the best?”

  “No clue.” He shrugged. “Never tried anything.”

  Her eyes rounded. “You’ve never been here as a guest?”

  She was the first woman he’d wanted to take here. Again, showing off to impress her. With his other dates, a sports bar or regular restaurant was as far as he’d ventured, wanting to get to the main event in his bed.

  He should have lied to keep this evening casual, no expectations or regrets, but couldn’t. “No. Have you?”

  “It’s been a dream.”

  “Like your franchises?”

  She laughed and sagged against the cushion. “That’s a goal, not a dream.”

  The set ended, the band taking ten.

  “Thank God.” She cleared her throat. “I’m nearly hoarse from screaming.”

  “No kidding.” He played with her fingers, and she played with his. Nice. “Tell me about your franchises. How much are you going to need to buy in?”

  She lifted her eyebrows.

  He didn’t get her reaction. “You’re surprised. Why? Don’t you like to talk about your goals?”

  “No one’s ever asked before.” She stroked his thumb. “Especially the ghouls I work with.”

  Sounded serious. “Are the guys at your place giving you grief?”

  “Let’s just say we’re not BFFs.” She offered a limp smile. “They don’t get that I have to make a living, the same as them. I’m not a trust-fund brat. Working retail or fast food isn’t viable if I want to pay rent and stuff, even if they think that’s where I belong.”

  “Where you belong?” Outrage tore through him. “They actually said that?”

  “Hell, no. They were far blunter,
saying I have no damn right to take a good job that should go to a man who deserves it.”

  Heat rose to Jake’s chest and face. “Pricks.” He cradled her hand. “You want me to talk to them? Trust me, I can put the fear of God into—”

  “No.” She touched his lips, keeping him from speaking. “I can take care of myself.”

  He eased her fingers from his mouth. “I have no doubt. I saw what you did in my garage.”

  She grinned.

  “However…” He leaned closer. “They’re not trying anything physical with you, are they?”

  “They’re not that brave. If they did try something, they wouldn’t walk normally for days. Like I said, I can handle things.”

  He didn’t want to consider the snide remarks she had to endure or them challenging her abilities. Men were so fucked up. It was a wonder women bothered with them. “Understood. I won’t say another word about it. You talk, I’ll listen.”

  Wonder filled her face.

  Their server rushed up, a new girl he’d never met. “You guys ready to order?”

  They read their menus hurriedly and settled on veal meatballs as an appetizer, rib eyes for the entrées, and the house brew to drink.

  The server collected their menus. “Be back with your beers and appetizer in a sec.”

  Krista shifted to face him. “Do you like being a cop? Have you always wanted to be one? Does it run in your family?”

  “Like dark hair or blue eyes?”

  “Yeah, something like that.”

  “Nope. My dad’s a CPA. Doesn’t like or approve of guns. Mom’s a high school teacher. No need to explain how she feels about weapons. My younger sisters work in my dad’s business. They’re CPAs, too.”

  Krista cradled his cheek. “You’re the black sheep, huh?”

  “Let’s say a maverick, like you.”

  “Oh, hey, Mom and Dad are good with my career choice.” She stroked his bottom lip.

  Pleasure shot from his mouth to below his belt. He cradled her wrist and kissed her palm, drowning in her wondrous scent. “They’re real proud of you, huh?”

  “Oh yeah.” She eased his hair behind his ear and kissed his lobe.

  Even that made his balls and cock go wild.

  “How about your parents?” Her breath glided over his cheek. “Given how they feel about guns, are they okay with you being a cop?”

  “For the most part.”

  She snuggled closer. “Which is?”

  “As long as I don’t get hurt.”

  “What? Never.” She cupped his face and stared at him, worry in her eyes.

  “Oh, hey. Nothing bad’s going to happen.” Her reaction surprised him as much as him liking her response. He wasn’t certain why he enjoyed her concern. “Coral Vale isn’t Miami by any stretch.” He forced a smile. “I make damn certain of that.”

  Rather than laugh at his dumb comment, she regarded him solemnly.

  He sobered. “No one’s ever been hurt in my department.”

  “I’m glad.” She kissed him tenderly, her lips gliding over his, then lustily, her tongue plunging inside his mouth.

  He suckled her deep and held her close, precisely where she belonged.

  A satisfied moan poured from her.

  He was too breathless to make any sound, his passion ratcheting up several notches.

  Hell, they practically devoured each other.

  “Hope you’re hungry and thirsty.” The server waited for them to break apart then slid appetizers their way and delivered the drinks.

  Jake stopped Krista from taking a meatball. “Let me.” He lifted the fare to her lips.

  She sucked it inside her mouth, licked the toothpick, and chewed. “Hmm.”

  “Good?”

  “Outstanding. You have to taste it.”

  Planning to, he gathered her close and licked sauce from her bottom lip.

  She sagged against him.

  Their mouths joined again, this kiss slow and lazy, a gentle exploration that left him light-headed.

  Given the huge breaths she kept taking, she wasn’t faring any better. “Wow.”

  “I’ll say.” He suckled her wrist tat. “This is too cute.”

  “Thanks. Yours rules.”

  You’re too good for my ego. Any more praise and he might forget he was merely human. “No way does it compare to your work boots. I love the flowers on them.”

  “Thanks.” She stroked his throat. “Just because I work in a typically male field doesn’t mean I’m going to behave like a guy or dress like one. I bought them deliberately so no one forgets I’m a woman.”

  Laughter bubbled up. “I doubt that will ever happen.”

  “No?” She pressed her lips to his neck.

  They were back at it again, making out, then simply gazing at each other and smiling. Her eyes were more beautiful than he first realized and not pure brown as he’d thought. Gold flecks brightened them.

  Amazing. He grinned.

  So did she.

  The band returned, their selection unhurried and seductive.

  He pressed his cheek to hers. “Dance with me.”

  They caressed each other on the dance floor, hips snuggled close, her pussy to his dick, their steps simple. Nothing more was needed for a man and woman who enjoyed each other’s company and were on the same wavelength. With her, he didn’t have to pretend he was someone else or someone better, which was the greatest gift she could have offered. To his mind, she was perfect as she was: fun, bright, and damn sexy.

  Partway through the melody, they stopped and kissed, not caring about the others surrounding them, lost in their own world. Their pleasure lasted through the current song, and the next.

  At the table, they fed each other. He licked sauce or crumbs from her mouth. She did the same for him.

  Time sped by and seemed to stand still, a strange contradiction. He couldn’t stand waiting any longer to be inside her—her softness and heat thrilling then comforting him—but didn’t want to rush.

  Finished with their steaks, they held hands. His grin felt goofy, and he didn’t mind. Her smile was beyond luminous.

  She caressed his cheek. “Let’s leave. Let’s have some real fun.”

  …

  To Krista’s delight, Jake not only agreed to her suggestion, he ran to his car and kept tugging her to keep up.

  Wasn’t easy in her heels, but she did her best.

  Inside his vehicle, they scooted toward each other. She captured his mouth first, her tongue filling him.

  Growling, he pulled her as close as he could, given the center console, and suckled her deep.

  Their arms and hands collided. Twisting to get nearer, she kicked the door.

  He dragged her top past her breast, touched bare skin, and pulled his mouth free.

  “Wow. I’d guessed you hadn’t worn a bra. Good girl.”

  He latched onto her nipple and sucked hard and soft, then every other way she adored, his hot, wet tongue miraculous in the pleasure it delivered.

  Heat rushed through her. She cupped his head, not wanting him to stop.

  When he finally broke free to start his car and drive, he accelerated past the speed limit and then some on the deserted streets.

  She cradled the prize between his legs, stroking his thick cock and gently fondling his balls.

  He sucked air. “Easy.”

  “My thoughts exactly. Better slow down before we get stopped.”

  “No cop would dare.”

  She liked when he was alpha.

  He passed the turnoff for her street. She looked behind them. “Where are we going?”

  “My place. I cleaned.”

  Talk about the perfect man. “Hurry.”

  On his front porch, they kissed feverishly, pulling at each other’s clothes. Once they stumbled inside, she tossed her purse on the sofa and tugged his shirt, tearing off several buttons. He pushed her top to her waist.

  She couldn’t wait to get naked. He set her on fire, her sk
in burning.

  In each other’s arms again, they kissed and staggered blindly to what she guessed was his bedroom.

  The lights flicked on.

  He pulled away from her and yanked off his shirt.

  Wow, wow, wow. His chest was more amazing than she recalled, his tat the stuff of wet dreams.

  Her mouth watered. She needed to lick it.

  Later.

  Trembling, she threw her top past his head. It landed on the freshly vacuumed carpet. He had cleaned. Everything smelled like the fabric softener she used.

  “Leave the heels on.” He leered at them and her breasts. “I like them.”

  “Your wish is my command.”

  They undressed faster than if fire ants had covered their clothes. Naked, at last, his gun safely on the nightstand, he pulled her down to the mattress.

  The bed frame groaned beneath their combined weight.

  He rolled her beneath him and crawled past.

  “Hey, wait.” She grasped his hairy calf. “Come back here. Where are you going?”

  “To get the condoms.” He grabbed a large box from his nightstand, sat on his heels, and fished out a foil packet.

  His cock called to her as few things did, the column long and thick, a prominent vein winding down it to the plump head. Precum glistened on the tiny slit.

  Food had never looked as good as he did.

  She pressed her face into the thick hair on his groin.

  “Whoa.” He eased her away until she lay on her back. “That comes later. This first.” He sheathed himself and settled between her legs.

  Her pulse raced at his proximity, their nudity, and the craving in his eyes. No compliment he might have uttered could have delighted her more.

  He eased his crown down her slit, bathing himself in her juices.

  Pleasure sped from her pussy to distant points, leaving warmth in its wake. Hunger for everything he was consumed Krista, a pleasant ache she needed to satisfy by having him fill her.

  Their gazes locked.

  Her heart leaped at the awe on his face, telling her she was important, desired, necessary. She softened even more, yielding as she had with few men, and ran her foot up his muscular calf.

  He winked then entered her, his thrust hard and precise.

  Her mouth fell open at his rigidity and size. She got even wetter.