To Catch A Player

“That’s me,” she deadpanned. “A real sweetheart.”

She was, but Reese didn’t want to believe it. Yet. “Last night was fun.”

She nodded and leaned her weight against me. Trusting me. “I thought so, too. The pickles and cheese were particularly interesting.”

“So were the Bloody Marys,” I told her and pressed a kiss to the crook of her neck. “But you and pickles, that was my favorite.”

“Jackson,” she moaned a second before I kissed her again, savoring the taste of hazelnut and coffee on her tongue for a good long moment until I had to pull away or clock in to work late.

And I was never late for work. “Gotta go,” I said against her lips.

Reese’s hand fisted in my T-shirt and she pulled me closer. “Go.”

If only it was that easy. I was powerless under the best of circumstances, but a half-naked Reese pulling me in was more than a man could stand. “I have to.”

“Bye,” she said, swiping her tongue along the seam of my lips.

“Tease,” I growled and stepped back, feeling a swell of masculine pride at the pout that stole over her face before she replaced it with a smile.

“Maybe. Have a good day, Detective.”

Dammit, this woman had me all tied up, and I had a feeling those matchmakers were responsible. “How could I have anything else after a night and then a morning like this?”

She kissed me one last time and pushed me out the door with a smile I knew would stay with me for the rest of the day.By the time I’d changed into one of the shirts I kept in my trunk and settled in at my desk, there was a message waiting for me. From Reese.

That shower was the highlight of my morning.

I groaned and leaned back in my chair as the memories played like a highlight reel in my mind. Reese naked and soapy, riding my mouth. My cock. Screaming my name.

“Ugh, I don’t want to know what I just interrupted. I’ll give you a minute.” Andrea’s voice penetrated my fog and I sat up straight, suddenly alert.

“What’s up?”

Andrea’s brows lifted in surprise. “We’re really not gonna talk about that?”

“Nope.”

“Is it the chef?”

“Stop.”

She laughed. “I heard things were getting hot and heavy with you two.”

My eyes flew open on a frown. “You did?”

“Three words. Tulip Facebook page,” she laughed. “Best damn entertainment ever. Thanks for that.”

“My pleasure,” I grumbled. “What brings you by, Agent?”

And just like that, she was all business again. “Jarrod’s been spotted in Mexico and we want your help to bring him in.” They wanted a familiar face to distract him while the federal agents moved in to grab him before things got messy. Or dangerous. “We’re waiting on the paperwork from the Mexican authorities so a judge will issue the arrest warrant. The director gave us strict orders to stay on this side of the border until we have that warrant in our hands.”

I nodded, happy to hear there was finally some movement on this case. “I’m in. Just let me know when.” Task force operations were always a hurry-up-and-wait kind of event, so I knew what was coming next.

“Pack a go bag and be ready within the hour. You’ll be hearing from me,” she said and then left the office, all business. As usual.

After digesting the news that I would soon be in Mexico bringing Jarrod back home, I made a mental list of what I needed to pack before making sure the boss was in the loop. I knocked at the open doorway. “Got a minute?”

Tyson nodded. “This about Jarrod? Agent Witherspoon already filled me in.” He motioned me into his office and leaned back in a relaxed position. “Your work on this joint task force means more federal dollars for new equipment.”

“And bringing a dangerous criminal to justice?”

Tyson shrugged. “Yeah, and justice, too. Of course.” He rolled his eyes but I caught a glimpse of the smile playing around his mouth.

“I’m happy to help,” I told him honestly. Getting a guy like Jarrod off the streets and saving untold hundreds of girls from a terrifying fate was more than satisfying. It was my calling.

“Glad to hear you say that.” Tyson jumped on that way too quickly, and I knew I’d been had. “The principal needs us to do a scared straight event for a few wannabe troublemakers.” The mischievous grin Tyson wore matched my own and we laughed. “Figured you wanted in on it?”

“Damn straight.” This was exactly my type of community service—especially here in Tulip, where the toughest kids around wouldn’t last a day in the city. “Let me know when you’re ready. This day just keeps getting better and better.”

Waking up with Reese in my arms and on my tongue had been perfect. The food she’d sent me off with took it up another few notches, and knowing we’d have Jarrod in custody soon was like a hat trick.