Part 24 (2/2)
”MARTINEZ?” called out a voice from the boutique.
”Back here,” Jesse called out, glad to have reinforcements here. He'd had enough of Larson's bulls.h.i.+t. All he wanted was to get the guy out of his sight so he could hold Audra. Leaving the frilly bow in place, he slapped the cuffs on Larson's wrists and pushed him through the door at a waiting uniformed officer.
Audra's eyes widened as she looked into the shop. He followed her gaze. It probably looked as if cops had overrun the entire boutique.
”I see you brought the cavalry?” she said softly.
”I called it in when I saw his car out front,” Jesse said. He shot her a glance, then winced. She was as pale as the white walls behind her. As if her usual tough sh.e.l.l had been peeled away, she looked vulnerable and unsure. He wanted to think it was because of his emotional declaration. But being threatened by a desperate criminal at knifepoint probably had a little something to do with it.
Jesse gave a few orders to the gathered cops. Within thirty seconds, they'd cleared the boutique. Audra visibly relaxed when they heard the front door close.
”I found the chip this afternoon. I'd totally forgot about the tie the geek had tossed at me that night in the club. I didn't mean to ruin your case, but I had no idea that chip was in the tie when I cut the tip off and sent it to my sister-in-law,” Audra explained. She obviously realized she was babbling, because she abruptly stopped talking and pressed her lips together. He watched the adrenaline fade and her hands start to shake.
”You didn't ruin the case. We nailed Larson and the triad. That chip will help us make sure the case is rock-solid, though. Thanks to you.”
At his words, she threw herself into his arms. Jesse buried his face in her hair and inhaled the musky rich scent with a groan of pleasure. She fit perfectly against him. He wanted to make sure she stayed there.
”I'm sorry,” she murmured against his chest.
”No,” he said. Jesse pulled back to see her face and lifted her chin. ”I'm sorry. I'm sorry I kept things from you. I wasn't using you, I swear. I can see why you thought so, but honest to G.o.d, Audra, I wouldn't have slept with you if I wasn't sure you were innocent.”
She gave a watery laugh. ”I've been a bad girl so long, I'm almost used to being guilty. Or at least naughty. But to have a cop declare my innocence like that is strangely gratifying.”
”Despite the previous evidence to the contrary, I hope you finally believe I'm totally on your side. I've wanted you from the first moment I saw you,” he vowed. Then he gave her a teasing wink. ”Even if it took a do-me dare to get you interested in me.”
”You gonna do me now?” she asked with that smile he loved. The one that promised s.e.x, but hinted at the humor and fun that went with it.
”I'll do you anytime,” he vowed. ”I hope you keep all those do-me dares just for me from now on, though.”
Vulnerability like he'd never seen was clear in her eyes as Audra stared up at him.
”You're looking for an exclusive?” she asked hesitantly.
Jesse took a deep breath, the adrenaline quieting in his system, just leaving pure nerves. What if he'd misread her? What if they were just about s.e.x to her?
d.a.m.ned if he'd let a what-if what-if get in his way, Jesse kissed her. When they finally came up for air, he looked into Audra's eyes. get in his way, Jesse kissed her. When they finally came up for air, he looked into Audra's eyes.
”I love you,” he said simply. ”I guess you'd say I'm definitely angling for an exclusive. How about you?”
Her eyes went huge and her mouth moved, but no sound came out. Then she gave him that slow, s.e.xy smile that sent his heart reeling and his body into overdrive.
”Yes,” she said.
”Yes?”
”I want you,” she admitted. With a deep sigh, she curved her hands over his biceps and pressed against him. ”I'd blame it on all that leftover adrenaline, but that'd be a lie. I want you, Jesse. Always.”
He frowned, looked around the dressing room, then out the door to where cops were probably waiting.
”Here? Now? Um, can it wait a bit?”
”I'll wait as long as you want,” she admitted. Then, with a deep breath and in typical bad girl fas.h.i.+on, she laid it all on the line. ”I want you for more than just s.e.x, even though you've achieved immortal status with that nine and a half.”
Jesse knew his smile was pure smug male satisfaction. But he didn't care. Obviously, she didn't, either, since Audra grinned back and shrugged.
”I want you for your humor and your sweetness. For all those good boy traits that make you so strong, so special. I want you for the way you make me feel. s.e.xually and emotionally.” She took a deep breath. ”I love you, Jesse. I want you for good.”
Jesse's heart did a flip. He'd followed his conscience and stuck to his beliefs in this case. And look what it got him. Every possible dream he'd ever had, right here in his arms.
Life didn't get much better than this. He'd bet his father would be proud of him.
”For good, huh?” He leaned down to brush a kiss over Audra's mouth. He'd intended it to be a sweet gesture but, as did most things with Audra, it quickly turned hot and wild. Their tongues dueled, her hands gripping his shoulders. Desire, always close to the surface when he was with her, surged. A sound in the boutique reminded him they weren't alone.
Jesse pulled back just a little and caught his breath. ”For good sounds perfect,” he said. ”Especially since I'd planned to tell you the same.”
”You're sure you can handle me? All of me?”
Could she doubt it? He tugged her hips tighter to his, letting her know just how much he wanted her.
Her roll of the eyes made him laugh.
”Always,” he answered. ”In every way.”
Her smile lit up the small dressing room.
”Shall we commemorate it?”
”Let me take that loser down and book him, tie up a few loose ends, then we'll celebrate.”
”Celebrate?”
”I'm thinking something with whipped cream, chocolate syrup and jar of cherries.”
A burst of happy laughter escaped Audra, and she hugged him again. She winked. ”Bring those handcuffs, huh?”
”I'll bring them,” he agreed, ”but you don't need them to keep me with you for the rest of our lives.”
Who knew? A Wicked Chick and a cop...forever.
His own personal fantasy.
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