Womack, Betty - Fast and Easy (Siren Publishing Classic) Read online

“We can never be more than partners.” She glanced down, not wanting him to see the pain in her eyes. “From now on, I’ll keep my hands to myself, and you’ll see me as just another cop.”

  “Sure.” His deep voice stirred memories of sexy things he’d said to her in bed. “I got you loud and clear, Sergeant Redstone.”

  “Don’t get hot under the collar, Genonese.” Now she could speak her mind. He was pissing her off. “It might save us a lot of trouble in the future.”

  He loosened the knot in his tie. “I said I got your message. Shit.”

  Before she could do more damage to the situation, he turned around and headed back to the redhead in the green dress.

  Carmen was too angry to let hurt feelings make her change her decision. He’d made it clear he wasn’t going to attempt a decent explanation or make her reconsider.

  She bit her lip to stop the rush of devastation twisting her heart.

  Your damn level head and foolish rules have cost you everything.

  Chapter Five

  The next day started out like most, domestic disturbances and grocery store robberies. Carmen took a long drink of the Coke she’d left in the cruiser before making a stop at an apartment complex where a fight had broken out. The collar of her blouse hung in shreds with the top two buttons missing.

  Don sat beside her, working his shoulders as if he were in pain. Maybe she should inquire about it. No, he’d just criticize her method of handling a drunk.

  “Want a drink, Genoese?” She remembered he’d dropped his when they got to the family riot.

  He took the cup and drank thirstily. “Thanks. Let’s stop somewhere for another. I’m dry as dust.”

  “Okay.” Damn her craven hide. She made sure to place her lips on the spot he’d had his. She’d always done that, and couldn’t break the habit. The dash computer lit up, and she nodded in its direction. “Take that, will you? I have to find a pin for my blouse.”

  Don put down his clipboard and listened to the message. He took notes, grimacing as he wrote. “Now what? I have half a mind to apply for a spot with the FBI.” He drank the last of her Coke. “I couldn’t catch anymore shit than being with this crazy outfit.”

  “I heard.” Whatever the problem at headquarters, it couldn’t compare to the fact that Don really wanted to leave the department. That meant he would be leaving her as well. That wasn’t supposed to matter to her, but God, it did. “It’s probably nothing. You know how they call you in a dozen times if a felon gripes about you.”

  He gazed at her with those dark, sexy eyes and nodded. “You’re probably right.” In an unconscious gesture, he touched the riot gun bolted to the dash. “We’d better get downtown before they send out the dogs.”

  “Look in my purse and get my sewing kit.” His look of surprise made her want to laugh, but she held it in. “Look for a safety pin.”

  “Damn.” He grabbed her satchel and rummaged through the contents, finally holding up her emergency repair kit. He opened the plastic box and dug out a huge safety pin. “This okay?”

  “It’ll do.” She pulled into a fast food parking lot and turned on the overhead light.

  While she closed the blouse over her bruised breast, Don quietly observed her.

  “You haven’t said much about seeing the chief.” He took the box from her and dropped it in her purse. “You’re not worried about being pulled in for an ass chewing? Not even the least bit pissed off?”

  “Nope.” She drove from the parking lot and headed downtown.

  Carmen couldn’t afford any more problems with the department. She had no intentions of staying on the street or being a uniform until retirement. That wasn’t good enough, especially since she’d worked so hard for advancement.

  She knew Don had applied for captain when she had, almost a year ago. He was too good a cop to keep chasing two-bit drug dealers and the hassle of domestic calls.

  Her thoughts drifted on a forbidden journey, teasing her with the memory of his lips on hers, the weight of his muscular body pushing her into the mattress. She had recurring wet dreams of him and was tempted to lure him back into her bed, but it would have to look like his idea.

  “We should have gotten drinks back there.” His bellyaching erased her erotic daydream. “And, I need to empty Big John.”

  “For God’s sake, Don. You’ll survive.”

  She found barking at him a release for her knotted up nerves. The closer they got to downtown headquarters, the tighter her nerves coiled. Keeping him ticked off meant he’d forget to insult her.

  God, what was she in for now?

  * * * *

  Three months later, and she still treated him like shit. Don had thought he knew women, but Carmen showed him how little he knew.

  “Did you come up with anything? This is a hell of a note, being dragged down here like a cut steer.” He cleared his throat at her cool glance in his direction. “We went over that river bottom arrest.”

  So the brass got to live like this, drapes at the windows and flowers on a table? Redstone would fit perfectly in here, only she’d have buffalo robes covering the windows and a moose head on the wall. She caught him staring at her and broke the deafening silence with a not unexpected insult.

  “You’re paranoid, Don.” She sounded confident, but the constant checking of time on her watch drove him crazy.

  Sitting in the Chief’s office wasn’t on his list of great things to do.

  And why had they both been called in at the same time?

  Hell with that. He was more concerned with getting Carmen to pull some more time in the sack. He hadn’t meant to hurt her, or do any of the lowdown things she thought he’d done. On the other hand, he wasn’t ready to start explaining his every move to the woman who wanted nothing beyond a working relationship with him.

  When Major Green had been shot, all he could think of was Carmen could have been the one lying on the floor. He’d been shaking so hard, he’d scared himself while driving that chick back to her apartment and now, he couldn’t even remember her name.

  Carmen. Beautiful, hot blooded, hot tempered Carmen Redstone. He didn’t realize he had been grinning until she hissed at him.

  “I’m glad you find this so amusing.” She walked to the water cooler and filled one of those dinky little cups.

  “By the way, Genonese, what have you done?”

  He jumped up in a flash and crossed the room to grip her arm. “I could ask you the same question. You’ve run the string out on good behavior. Shot anyone in the ass lately?”

  That drew fire. The slightly drawn lips and narrowed eyes told him she wanted to punch him.

  “Get back in your cage, you bastard.” She drank the water and death gripped the cup.

  “Can’t take it, huh?” He laughed and pried the paper from her clenched fist. “I don’t have any idea why we’re here but I’d suggest we act as a team, not good cop, bad cop.”

  “And we both know which you are.”

  “I was worried about you at the reception, Redstone.” He’d never had to apologize for making a hare-brained mistake with a woman before. Forgetting he’d loosely made a date with that redhead had been the dumbest thing he’d done in years.

  “Your brain’s in your jeans.” She slid by him and out of the corner he’d had her in for a few seconds. “Get this straight, Genonese, I don’t give a damn about your personal life. It has nothing to do with me.”

  “What happened to us being friends?” Don knew that was a stretch, being friends with a wild cat, but something crazy in his blood made him want to be in her favor. “And, Miss Carmen, you’ve been in my jeans more than I have.”

  Her eyes narrowed in silent warning. He couldn’t stop the grin that messed up his angry expression.

  She was beautiful, and he especially liked the way her eyes changed colors to match her mood. Right now, they were jet black. Really pissed off jet.

  “Don.”

  “Yes, dear.”

  “Shut your mouth.�
� She glanced over his shoulder. “Chief Drummond is here.”

  He straightened his attitude and turned to look at the burly man in a gray pinstripe suit. Hell, this scene could be straight out of The Godfather.

  Chief Drummond waved his fat cigar in their direction and sat at his desk. “This won’t take long.” He dropped the cigar in a crystal ashtray and gestured toward the two chairs near the desk. “Now, you both have applied for the rank of captain some months back.” He cocked an eyebrow at them as they took their seats. “There weren’t any vacancies then.”

  Carmen glanced at him and gave the tiniest shrug he’d ever seen. Don figured she was getting set for another disappointment. What the hell had the Chief hauled them in for? To see the disgust on their faces at his denial of approval?

  “We understand, sir.” She started to stand, but the chief’s wave sat her down again. “We all have to wait our turn. Sir.”

  Damn it. How could she go on being nice to the pompous prick? He probably planned to cut her to shreds.

  “Sir, we appreciate your time in explaining the situation.” Don leaned back in his chair, copping a nonchalant pose. “Is there another reason you made time for us today?”

  The look he got from the busy man fried his nuts. Once again, he’d stepped over the line.

  “Genonese, you have a reputation for having a fast tongue and faster trigger finger.”

  Aw, shit. Don couldn’t argue with that, and now, he was chin deep in crap. “A reputation well deserved, sir. I spoke out of turn. Sorry.”

  Carmen slid an amused glance his way. She obviously enjoyed his being on the carpet. The air weighed a ton while he waited for the hammer to fall. He sucked in a deep breath when the Chief focused on pulling a folder from the desk drawer.

  “Now, if I can get on to more serious matters.” The head man of the department shot a warning look at Don. “Two of our best men have been promoted up the chain, and that leaves room for a couple of new captains. The board has decided the two of you, Sergeant Redstone and you, Sergeant have been given the promotions.”

  Don felt his tongue swell in his mouth. A promotion he’d given up on, and Carmen looking radiant even though she sat still as a rock.

  “Thank you, sir.” Don stood and reached across the desk to shake the chief’s hand. “Oh, and thank the board for okaying these promotions.”

  With as little emotion as a person could pull off, the Chief went on with his little speech. “From now on, you’ll have a squad of men to take care of and an ass load of paper work. Still want the job, Genonese?”

  “Hell yes.” Don grinned, not caring at the moment if he was the Chief’s worst dream. “Sir.”

  What the hell, a guy could act a little goofy at a time like this. Carmen finally stood and shook hands with their boss, her face serene under the tension. What the hell was she feeling?

  “Congratulations, Genonese.” She headed for the door, leaving him to trail after her and that sexy whiff of perfume she always wore. “It’s time for us to pull our shift. I’ll drive, since you look hung over.”

  She didn’t completely fool him with that calm demeanor. Her stride was quick, and she smoothed the hair at her nape before they stepped out in the steamy evening heat.

  “Carmen.” She turned to face him. He struggled to find the best way to humble himself without sounding like a wimp. “How about having a drink after our shift? Kind of a celebration?”

  “No thanks.”

  Short and sweet, she chopped his dick off and handed it to him. He couldn’t believe she saw him as a pariah after the blazing sex they’d had. The way she turned him down stunned him.

  “I didn’t ask to get in your pants, Redstone.”

  “Yes, you were.” She got in the car and waited for him to get in. “I’m going to go see my mom after work.”

  Don eyed her with new insight. She took pride in the promotion after all. He hadn’t even thought about his family or what they would say.

  Luscious Carmen had a soft side to her stony exterior. It made her that much more beautiful.

  As they drove to the latest drug bust, he wanted to rid himself of the mounting desire in his balls. How long could he be with her ten hours a day and not have a hard on all the time?

  Carmen was like no other woman he’d met, sensual in every way. Even while she twisted some jerk’s arm, she took his breath away.

  Chapter Six

  Carmen touched the handmade turquoise and silver squash blossom necklace her mother fastened around her neck. She’d wanted the piece of art since seeing it in the display case.

  “Momma, this is too expensive to give away.” Carmen protested mildly, thrilled to receive such a gift.

  She loved her mother so much. Everything about her was perfect, right down to the heavy braid gracing her straight back. Years of abuse had not dampened her pride or joy of living.

  “I have been saving it for you.” Ruby Redstone was a woman of few words. New and unexpected ones hit like a bolt of lightning. “You’re in love now, Carmen. Why are you so unhappy?”

  “In love?” Carmen flushed with embarrassment. She never could hide her emotions from her only ally. “That’s ridiculous, Momma. I’ll let you know when I find the right man.”

  “Don’t let your childhood ruin your chance for happiness.” Ruby kissed her flustered daughter’s cheek. “You should be celebrating your success, not wasting time with me.” She picked up a half finished bracelet, smiling as she added some feminine advice. “A humming bird likes sweet flowers, dear. You have yet to blossom.”

  “Momma, what the heck does that mean?” Carmen knew what the wheedling comment meant. It meant she could bag Don with sweetness and femininity. “I only attract bumble bees, and they have a sting that reminds you to keep your petals closed.”

  They laughed with shared affection, each having known the crushing blow of rejection from a heavy handed man.

  After having coffee and a look through the new items of Ruby’s small, thriving jewelry boutique, Carmen headed home. She needed sleep to face another night with Don. She had to be on top of her game to keep him from proving she wasn’t worthy of her coveted promotion.

  Three blocks from her apartment, Carmen remembered her mother’s shocking observation. In love? It’s not love when you’re the only one feeling the emotion.

  A kernel of an idea settled in her brain. Maybe a cruise, or a couple weeks in the tropics would help her get over Genonese.

  Of course, you’d cut it short and run right back to see if he’s really as hot as you pictured.

  Spotting a liquor store, she drove into the parking lot, intending to buy a six-pack or a case of soft drinks. Bottles of wine sparkled on the glass display shelves. She carried a soft Merlot to the counter along with the colas.

  “Celebrating?” The older man smiled at her while bagging her items.

  “No, just thirsty.”

  She went back to her car, groaning when she spotted two high school kids hanging around the trash dumpster, taking swigs from an open beer. She wouldn’t hassle them tonight. Not too much. She drove up next to their shadowy party area and flashed her shield.

  “You guys twenty-one?”

  The beer bottle hit the concrete and shattered in the bag. “No ma’am. We wuz just going home.”

  “See that you do.” She let the car ease forward a few feet. “I’ll be back around, and if you’re still here, you get a free ride in the paddy wagon.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” The two skinny kids took off like deer, probably wetting their pants.

  Carmen grinned when they looked back before turning the corner. Little shits.

  At her apartment, she pulled her car into a parking space in the crappy lean-to garage, and got out, tired and ready to crawl into bed. Walking to the entrance, she recognized the car parked in front of the building.

  Genonese.

  She approached the maroon GMC wagon, and leaned on the fender. “The woman on the second floor will call the cop
s if you sit here too long.”

  He leaned across the seat, grinning in his special ‘I want to fuck you’ way. “Okay. Invite me in.”

  Invite him in? The arrogant bastard.

  “Sure.” Admit it, Carmen. You’re happy to see him.

  He didn’t seem surprised by her quick agreement. He got out of his car and locked it before following her into the building.

  She trembled with apprehension, afraid now of all the crazy feelings racing through her. Did he have to stand so close? Damn it, where was that light switch?

  The door opened and they walked in, not speaking until he took the wine and coke from her hand. “Planning a party?”

  “I will, as soon as you leave.” She placed her purse and weapon on the coffee table. “Did you come back for your jeans?”

  “I came back to celebrate with you, Captain Redstone.” His fingers toyed with the heavy necklace between her breasts. “And, to tell you, I think they picked the right woman.”

  She moved away, carrying the drinks into the dark kitchen. Images of him and that woman iced her blood. His shadow fell over her when he walked into the room. “I think you’d better go celebrate with the redhead.”

  Damn, why did you let him in? You’re a fool.

  Her attempt to freeze him out melted under the touch of his hands on her waist. “Let’s not go there, Carmen. This is between you and me.”

  “There’s nothing between us, Don.” She shivered when his lips teased her earlobe. “Why don’t you leave?”

  He ignored her suggestion and methodically removed the combs from her upswept hair.

  “I’ve always wanted to do that.” His hand locked in the long strands while he gazed at her with arousal flickering in his eyes.

  Stay? Go? What should she do?

  The heat building in her blood screamed with the desire to walk into his arms, yet the resentment of his lies blocked her emotions.

  “Very poetic, Don, but I’d rather you didn’t touch me.”

  He eased closer until he chin grazed her cheek. “Why not? Afraid you like me? Just a little.”

  Ah, heaven in blue jeans warmed her soul while he pressed soft kisses on her mouth. Like him? She loved him more than her next breath. Her heart pounded out the words she couldn’t say.