Jared laughed when the little rookie came hopping out of the bathroom. With her pony-tail in arrears and the flush on her face, she looked like a ten-year old Pippi Longstocking rather than Anna Kournikova’s twin sister. Ignoring her protesting squeal, he scooped her up in his arms and headed toward the bed. Any thoughts of a rosy-cheeked little kid vanished when he held her voluptuous body against him. It didn’t help that when he laid her on the bed his hand skimmed her bare butt. He choked back a groan, barely. When she tried to free herself from his grip, he shook his head. Sitting beside her, he firmly clasped her hip and said gruffly, “Uh uh, Valley Girl. I’ve got you now.”
At her wide-eyed cry, he blew out a harsh sigh. “The question is now that I have you, what the hell do I do with you?”
Not waiting for her to answer, Jared carefully put a pillow under her ankle, then crawled alongside her. He tried unsuccessfully to ignore the heady fragrance emanating from her sumptuous body. It was an intoxicating mix of spice and musk, the latter betraying that the shapely rookie was as excited as he was. Given that she was essentially naked and his cock was about to break through his pants, Jared concluded that subtlety was neither necessary nor possible. Reaching to clasp Hailey’s bare thigh in one hand, he tipped up her chin with the other. Her eyes were shining with a mix of anxiety and desire. He knew that the next few seconds would determine if he took this gorgeous creature the way that his rock hard cock was begging him to or if he’d actually behave himself. The fact that his big brother was one floor below and no doubt counting the seconds until he returned didn’t discourage his randy dick, but was a potent deterrent nevertheless.
Jared huffed a hard sigh and pulled back, leaving scant inches of breathing room between them. Holding Hailey’s chin he gazed into the molten cobalt pools of her astonishing eyes and shook his head.
“Look, Valley Girl, there’s no use pretending that you aren’t as hot for me as I am for you.” When she frowned and tried to push him away he tightened his grip on her leg, eliciting a soft moan that hardened his dick to nail-pounding status.
“Admit it, rookie. You are as turned on by me as I am by you. That little moan was a giveaway, as if I fucking needed one.” He chuckled when the bright pink splotches on her cheeks flamed a deep scarlet. “Oh yeah, Angel Face, I know when a woman is hot for me. And in the event you don’t think what’s between us is mutual, you might want to see the evidence.” He placed her hand on his hard erection and grinned, “Or at least
feel
it.”
Pressing Hailey’s hand against his throbbing staff, Jared barked a harsh laugh at her surprised gasp. Christ, she should be impressed. He sure as hell was! Knowing he was making a mistake, Jared admitted he couldn’t leave her without tasting her enticing lips. He held her chin tighter. Promising himself that a taste was all he would take, he bent down to kiss her. At the touch of her lips on his, the sparks of electricity that shot through his groin confirmed the enormity of his misjudgment. It was clear that tasting Hailey’s moist mouth would never be enough. Before he could stop himself, he roughly pressed against her lips forcing them open. In seconds, he was devouring her mouth. He actually might have been able to stop but Hailey stunned him by kissing him back. To his surprise, she wove her eager fingers in his hair and tugged on the roots, sending a riot of sensations to his already burgeoning cock. When Hailey cried out, a deep passionate sound, and frantically began tangling with his tongue, Jared knew they’d crossed the Rubicon.
Later Jared would marvel that he’d been the one to pull back. But before he did, and knowing that he was minutes away from flat out taking her, he allowed himself a few seconds of blissful exploration. Groaning, he ran his greedy hands across her taut stomach and reached for her full breasts. Cupping them, he groaned in delight at their lush softness. It didn’t take her sobbing shriek to know that her nipples were hard aroused nubbins begging to be sucked. And God, was he willing to suck them! Instead he somehow pulled back, unwinding her fingers from his hair, fighting against his need to attack her breasts, suckle them, and when he’d brought her to a screaming orgasm, move on to her weeping pussy.
Standing next to the bed, Jared shook his head and expelled a deep sigh, shoving his hands into his jeans’ pocket. He held her gaze with a fierce glare.
“We’re not done with this, Valley Girl. Not by a long shot, little rookie. You deserve to experience a guy who wears boots—not tasseled loafers or worse flip flops. A guy who knows how to make love to a woman, not a Barbie doll. Soon, little rookie, you and I are going to tangle. And, Honey, when we do, I’m going to take you places you and your beach bum buddies never knew existed.”
Jared stared at her for a long moment knowing that he was the cause of the confused dismay streaking her beautiful face. He sucked in a deep breath and said. “Best you know, Angel Face. As the youngest of four arrogant brothers I learned from the best. I’ve made a life-long habit of getting what I want.” He added with a gruff snort, “And, Sugar. I want
you.”
He reached down, and gently pinched Hailey’s cheek, then headed for the door.
Chapter 6
T
he warm sunshine streaking through the latched windows above her bed nudged Hailey from a deep slumber. For a minute, she struggled to remember where she was. The jolt of pain she felt when she moved her ankle made last night’s unbelievable events brain shatteringly real. Gingery lifting her foot she acknowledged that her sprained ankle was the least of her worries. Struggling to drag herself up to a sitting position, Hailey glanced around the room then slammed her eyes shut as if she could reorder the overwhelming sight. But it was not to be. There was simply no way she could change her location
or
her predicament.
She groaned remembering the damning sequence of events. It was bad enough that she’d compromised her very first op with Lt. Justice by getting injured and outing his undercover sibling. Her carelessness had forced her boss to sequester her overnight in the Justice’s family home—where to her horror, she’d slept in the bed of her commander’s brother. It didn’t take the blanket rasping across her sensitive nipples or the tell-tale scent of arousal suffusing the tangled sheets to remember the man who’d laid her in this amazing bed and then crawled in beside her. When he’d kissed her in a way that she had never been kissed, he did what she never could have done: He stopped.
Remembering Jared standing beside the bed, naked lust gleaming in his emerald hard eyes, Hailey was shocked at the surge of electricity that sparked through her groin. Dear God, the least she should be was embarrassed. But, knowing she’d have the rest of her life to regret what she’d done, for a stolen moment Hailey gloried in the memory of the sexiest man she’d ever known coolly telling her that he always got what he wanted.
And
that he wanted
her
.
Glancing at her phone, Hailey saw to her dismay that it was after nine o’clock. Hoisting herself to her feet, relieved that she could put weight on her injured ankle, Hailey hobbled into the bathroom. A quick glance in the mirror confirmed that she looked as disheveled as she felt. Gazing longingly at the mammoth designer shower Hailey admonished herself. No matter how much she needed it, a shower was not on the agenda this morning. No, her mission was to get as far away as fast as she could from this overwhelming house. Her narrow hope was she could avoid meeting anyone as she fled.
On the bathroom counter, Hailey saw the clothes she’d worn in last night’s torrential rainstorm. Her uniform had been cleaned and pressed. Even her underwear was folded neatly on top. Next to her clothes, Hailey was surprised to see designer jeans and a classy vintage t-shirt that seemed to be precisely her size. For a moment she wondered how the hell Jared could know her sizes, then shrugged. Of course, he would. Why not? She was hardly the first woman who’d sneaked out of his bedroom in the morning who needed fresh clothes. She snorted in disgust. Undoubtedly her arrogant caretaker had a closet full of women’s clothing in various sizes.
Knowing that she had to get to her apartment, and not wanting anyone to recognize her as a cop, Hailey yanked on the jeans and t-shirt. Taking advantage of the toiletries on the vanity, she brushed her teeth, washed her face, and worked her tangled blonde hair into a respectable ponytail. Shoving her swollen ankle into her regulation work boots wasn’t gonna happen. Instead she carried her boots and uniform and headed to the doorway in her stocking feet, praying that she could find a back exit somewhere in the daunting mansion.
A deep voice from the bottom of the stairwell shot her prayer to hell.
“Well, well, I wondered when Sleeping Beauty was going to wake up.”
Hailey looked down the stairs to see a tall, white-haired man peering up at her. His pressed trousers, tailored shirt and vest revealed his ramrod frame, confirming that the elderly man had maintained his military bearing. Introductions weren’t necessary. Clearly the ruggedly handsome, green-eyed man was Jared’s grandfather, James Justice, the patriarch of the Justice family. From the abbreviated history she knew of the Justice family tragedy, the octogenarian eyeing her with a frown was the man who’d raised his grandsons after his son and daughter-in-law died in a tragic boating accident. Swallowing hard, Hailey prepared to tell the imposing man who she was and why the hell she was creeping down his stairs when he continued.
“Hmm, you must be Officer Michels. I understand you were hurt in the mission last evening. I’m glad to see that you can walk.” He added unnecessarily. “I’m James Justice. You may call me Judge. Everyone else does.”
Before she could protest, the big man took her uniform and boots in one big hand and offered his other to her. Helping her down the last steps, he studied her thoughtfully then shot her an appreciative smile.
“Hmm, I can see now why that arrogant grandson of mine left a list of orders this morning for Margarite and Gregory. Not only were they to clean and press your uniform, but to provide an alternative outfit as well.” Sweeping his approving gaze over her, he nodded. “Apparently our overworked staff followed his orders explicitly.”
Hailey tried to hide her distress but couldn’t keep from stammering. “I…I don’t know what to say, Sir. I would have worn my uniform…I…I didn’t ask him to—”
Judge Justice put up his hand, stopping her protest. “First, please call me Judge. I stopped allowing people to call me Sir when my ill-mannered grandsons started saluting every time they said it.” He added, “One thing you should know, Officer Michels, when that incorrigible grandson of mine gives an order, we all jump. Especially, Gregory and Margarite, who have been caring for him for nearly thirty years. Moreover, they are so thrilled that he has returned they would crawl over glass on their hands and knees to do his bidding.”
Mortified, Hailey glanced longingly at the front entrance, wishing that she could sprout wings and fly away. The astute man confirmed that he understood her beleaguered expression when he winked at her and smiled.
“Unlike the servants, I don’t always follow Jared’s orders. For example, I’m
not
going to encourage you to stay here through lunch, or even insist that you have breakfast. Instead, I’ve asked Gregory to bring the car around and take you to your apartment where I’m sure you will be more comfortable.” He hesitated then added carefully, “I understand from Jared and Jake that you are aware of Jared’s undercover status?” His expression hardened when she nodded in affirmation. His voice was soft, but the underlying threat was clear. “I trust you know how important it is that no one else knows this. We have planted the rumor that I have serious health issues which is the reason Jared has returned to our fair city.”
Hailey was stunned that he thought for even a second that she might expose Jared. How stupid did they think she was? “I understand, Sir, I…I mean Mr. Justice. I promise you, I would never reveal Jared’s undercover role.” Realizing that he thought she couldn’t be trusted, that she was just a blonde ditz, she added coolly, “I’m a police officer, Sir. And…and I would never do anything to hurt Jared.”
Judge Justice eyed her narrowly as if considering, then nodded in agreement.
“Yes, Officer Michels, you are a police officer and according to Commander Justice, you are a damn good one.”
As he walked her out to the town car in the driveway, the solemn man concluded, “Do know that in addition to Jared’s list of commands, Lt. Justice, your boss, ordered you to take the day off and keep your ankle elevated. He indicated that one of his sergeants would be stopping by to see that you have everything you need, or want.”
Hailey breathed a grateful sigh of relief when she was safely inside the luxurious town car. When she started to thank Judge Justice, he shook his head. “No need, Officer Michels. It was a pleasure to meet you. I hope I see more of you, and that your ankle heals quickly.”
Judge reached into his vest pocket and took out an envelope. Handing it to her, he said, “I almost forgot. Among his litany of orders, Jared indicated that I should give this to you.”
As he closed the door he smiled at her and nodded as if in agreement.
“Yes, Officer Michels, I do hope to see you—often.”
Bolstered by his gentlemanly and seemingly sincere wish, Hailey waited until Gregory had maneuvered the impressive automobile onto the street before opening the envelope. Willing her hands to stop shaking, she removed the single sheet. Neither the bold handwriting nor the crisp, authoritative warning surprised her.
“Just to confirm what I said last night, rookie. We’re not through. No, Angel Face, you and I have barely begun. J.”
***
Hailey put the bottle of white wine and three glasses on the coffee table and said apologetically to the stern woman sitting on her sofa, “Sorry, Mitzi. This is all the alcohol I have.”
Remembering what she’d done the night before after she’d had her first glass of hard liquor, Hailey figured it was just as well that she only had white wine. At the memory Hailey felt her cheeks flame. Fortunately Sgt. Olson and her fellow officer, Tara Peterson, didn’t seem to notice. They were too eager to hear about her last evening’s escapade. Hailey went over the details one more time wondering what the two veteran cops would think if they knew what actually happened. Retelling the story that she and Lt. Justice had agreed to, she explained that she’d gotten lost in the rainstorm and that Sgt. Solberg and Lt. Justice had found her and brought her home.