Moving_Violations (9 page)

“I can get that from the report,” he snapped. “Tell me about Martin and Davis. You called for back up?”

“Yes.”

“And the response was?”

“They said, ‘In a minute, we’re busy with something.’”

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His expression was incredulous. “That’s their exact words.”

“Yes. Look, Sheriff, I’m not trying to be a bitch here but I need to be able to trust my fellow officers when I go into a hostile situation. I’m brave and I’m tough but I’m not stupidly so. I’m not going to risk my life for nothing.”

Jackson arched a brow and stood. “I agree.” He walked around to stand in front of her. Leaning back against the desk he reached out and touched her cheek. “Were you hurt anywhere else?”

“I’m fine.”

“Stand up.”

“Sheriff, I’m fine,” she said, meeting his hard gaze.

“I said, stand up. God, you’re still as stubborn as always.” He frowned at her.

She stood stiffly. He cupped her face in his hands, gently probing for further injury.

She held still, hoping he could see the warning in her eyes. “It’s only a bruise,” she said in disgust, trying to pull away.

“How did you get it?”

“Mr. Miller backhanded me. But I put him down. No big deal.”

“Is this your only injury?” His voice was strained and violent.

“Yes. Now will you stop touching me?” she questioned with frustration.

“No,” he murmured and moved closer and kissed the bruise.

“Don’t, Jackson. This is a bad idea,” she whispered and put her hands on his shoulders.

She nearly moaned as the bulge of his arousal rubbed against her lower stomach.

“It’s a good idea, Becca.” He spoke softly against her lips. She could taste coffee and him. The slight touch sent spirals of lust through her. “Really, really good.”

His mouth moved over hers with a hunger that pulled at her. Her heart pounded.

Her brain screamed at her to pull away as her arms went around him, her fingers digging into his muscled back. His hands speared through her hair holding her there as his tongue mated with hers. She couldn’t help thinking of that talented tongue traveling her body. Her nipples contracted painfully, wanting his attention. Almost as if he read her mind and body, his hand moved to the buttons of the polyester uniform shirt. She hated the damn uniform and its ugly material, uncomfortable as hell, and right now…it was separating her skin from his. She nearly melted when he nibbled her neck and spoke quietly against her skin.

“I love it when you turn pink for me. Your skin is so hot against my tongue.” He licked her collarbone. “Mmm, baby you taste so good. ”

He finally had her shirt unbuttoned, and he bent and kissed the swells above the top of her lacy bra. With one hand he unsnapped the front clasp of her bra, freed her breasts, and licked the mark he’d left on her. Her nipples pressed against his palms. His hands traveled down her body and circled her waist, then he lifted her and sat her on his desk as he moved between her thighs.

“Ohmigod, Jackson, stop, we have to stop,” she whimpered.

“No we don’t,” was his muffled reply. “God, Becca, I’ve been starving for you.”

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His mouth closed over one nipple and she nearly cried out. She ran her hand through his wild hair, holding him closer to her. Her other hand slid down his tight stomach to the raging erection pressing urgently against the front of his pants. She unzipped them and closed her hand over his shaft. It was thick and hard as stone, hot and pulsing in her hand. He groaned against her breast. Her thumb smoothed over the swollen velvety head of his cock and she felt the slick dew that welled at the tip. It thrilled her, this effect she had on him. The way he became wild with want of her.

His hand was cupping her now; she ground her mound against his hand. She was so close to shattering, and so was he. She could feel his body quaking as she slid her hand firmly up and down along his rigid shaft. It was so hard, so thick. She bit her lip and wondered if she dared slide him inside her clenching vagina. She wanted him pumping hard inside her body. He continued to rub her and suck at her nipples. Her head fell back as she undulated against him.

“Jackson…” She was just about to ask him to fuck her hard when there was a knock at the door. They grabbed each other, panting for breath. Jackson let her go, his hot gaze reflecting the unfulfilled lust in her own. The air was thick with tension, frustration. It had Jackson baring his teeth as he quickly zipped his pants. She should be ashamed, she thought breathing deeply as she jumped down from the desk. Jackson went to the door as she turned away to fasten her bra and button her shirt. “Yeah?”

“Uh, Sheriff, there’s a call for you. I wouldn’t bother you but it’s the mayor, sir,”

Bryan spoke quietly.

“Shit,” he whispered harshly. “Okay, put it through.

She walked past him, too fast for him to stop her. “You’ll have my report before the end of the day.” She met his hot gaze and swallowed then turned and left the office.

Bryan turned and walked backwards. “Hey, you okay?” he asked Rebecca, his brows furrowed over his curious baby blues.

“Yes, why wouldn’t I be?” she asked, trying to hide her embarrassment. Did he know what they were doing, what they almost did? He had to guess.

“Well, you look a little flushed. I guess he really gave it to ya, huh?”

“What? What do you mean?” Rebecca felt sick.

Bryan rolled his eyes. “The sheriff, did he ream you out?” Her eyes widened and Bryan looked exasperated. “For going in and dealing with the Millers without waiting for back up.”

Rebecca smiled with relief. “Not too bad. Turn around before you run into something.” She said as she turned into the restroom and locked the door behind her.

She went to the sink and washed her hands then looked up at her reflection in the mirror. “Oh my God.” Either Bryan was terribly naïve or he was pretending to be for her sake. She looked like a wanton woman, a beat up one. Her hair was already loose from the bun so that wasn’t too obvious. The bruise on her cheek had puffed up a bit more and now had a purple tinge to it. Her lips were swollen and pink from Jackson’s kisses.

Her shirt was buttoned wrong. Her neck was pink…he was right. She lifted a hand to her neck with a sigh. She was in trouble. The man had her entranced. His slightest touch had her wanting to strip all her clothes off and pounce on him. She just couldn’t get enough.

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But, this had to stop. This was her life, her career at stake and when all was said and done and he was finished with her…she paused, looking into her own eyes and pushed aside the dread she saw there…it would be she that suffered. She would lose her job, not the good old boy with the easy grin. No, it would be the stuffy Yank that came back to town to stir up trouble that would get the reprimand and the ax. On top of that, this was just unethical. It was a conflict of interest. It was wrong and she would put a stop to it.

She adjusted her breasts, noting the bluish love bite; she ran her fingers over it lightly and shivered. She sighed and buttoned her shirt correctly then brushed her hair out and piled it back on top of her head. She checked her reflection one last time. “This day can not be over fast enough for me.”

* * * * *

“So, ya wanna join us?” Bryan walked beside Rebecca up to the station. He and some of his friends were planning on going to the Wild Rose to hang out, maybe dance a little. All she had on her mind was getting the report to Jackson, getting out of there and heading home to a hot bath and cool sheets.

“I think not tonight. It’s only Wednesday. I still have unpacking to do and besides that, I’m exhausted. It’s been a day from hell.”

“Yeah, well, maybe some other time then.”

“Some other time.” She gave him a smile when he held the door open. “I really appreciate the invitation, Bryan.”

She looked up into Jackson’s frowning face. “Do you have that report?”

“Yes.” She opened the leather portfolio she was carrying, found the report, handed it to him and started to walk away.

“Wait,” he said abruptly without looking up. “I need to see you in my office.”

“Sheriff Montgomery, could it wait until tomorrow? It’s been a long day and I need to get home and…”

“No, it can’t wait.”

“Fine.” She marched down the hall, her boots noisy on the ugly tile floor. He followed behind.

She stood behind the chair this time. He shut the door quietly and moved up behind her. She whirled around and held up one finger. “Stop!”

He leaned over and sucked her finger in his mouth, nipping at the end. “Don’t you think we’re past this playing hard to get thing? Or do you have a date with Danger Boy out there?” He sneered at her and by God, it pissed her off. What the hell was his problem? She shoved at his chest and he backed up, only to lean against the desk, crossing his arms over that wide chest.

“I don’t have a date with anyone. Bryan is a nice guy, but he’s five years my junior.

I have enough problems with older men acting like children, dating someone younger is the last thing I need in my life right now.” His brow raised slowly, his expression darkening, but she stopped him before he could speak. “This, this, thing between us is over. I will not risk my career this way. And on top of that, it complicates things, adds 46

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stress to an already stressful job. If and when people discover what’s happening, I will be dragged through the mud.”

“Becca, you’ve had a rough day…”

“Rebecca, and do not patronize me, Jackson, do not underestimate me. I’m not that lovesick Pixie Pest anymore and you need to get that through your head. This needs to stop. I mean it.” She was right, she knew she was right even though she could still feel desire coursing through her. Her voice sounded far away to her; deep, hoarse, shaky with residual passion. Her heart pounded in her ears but she knew she had to use logic, not emotion, not passion.

“You don’t trust me.”

“Hell no, I don’t trust you! Jackson, I don’t really even know you. You sure as hell don’t know me.”

A slow smile curled his lips and he nodded. “You’re right. We’ll fix that, but you don’t get to call all the shots, babe.”

She tilted her head to the side as her mouth parted in surprise. He hadn’t listened to a word she’d said. Lifting her brows she nodded. “Yes, yes I do, Jackson. I said no, and no means no.”

“I’ve never forced you, Becca, I don’t intend to start now.” He pushed away from the desk and walked toward her. He touched his finger to her chin and tilted her head up to meet his gaze. “But you do what you feel you need to do, and I’ll do what I need to do. “ He leaned down and kissed her gently on the lips then walked out of his office, leaving her standing there in stunned silence.

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Chapter Ten

Hours later, Jackson read the reports that came in on the incident. Rebecca’s was detailed, thorough and concise. She had been left to handle the Millers alone, at no small threat to herself, due to Roby and Martin’s prejudice of her position on the force. Jackson had little doubt the fact that she was a woman was a major consideration. But he sensed there was much more to their refusal to provide backup. Where the hell had they been and what were they up to? Those good ole boys were becoming more trouble than they were worth. And no one went out to the Miller’s alone. Yet Rebecca hadn’t been warned of this.

For the most part, the squabbling pair did little to cause serious trouble. But each deputy on the force was well aware of the violent tendencies the pair could display when the sheriff’s office was called out. No one went in there without backup, for a reason.

Jackson sat at his office desk, staring silently at other reports that lay on the desk before him. There was an air of sarcasm and mockery in each report, nothing overt, but enough to set his hackles up. Roby and Martin were becoming increasingly insubordinate, and Jackson knew he was going to have to confront the mayor over them soon. The only problem was Mayor Whittaker had hired both jackasses over the previous sheriff’s head. They were decent deputies and for the most part did their jobs well, until lately. The past year or so the two had caused more problems then they had solved. The disturbing information Jacob had given him about Martin only made him more nervous. He narrowed his eyes at the papers, his lips thinning with anger.

There was more going on here, Jackson knew, something that raised the hair on the back of his neck and made suspicion brew within his mind. He didn’t like the answers he was coming up with. Tobias had been killed by someone he knew. No way in hell would anyone else have been able to get close enough to make the shooting appear to be a hunting accident.

He narrowed his eyes as he stared down at the files. He had grown up with the two men. He knew their families, and he knew their personalities. Braggarts for the most part, but he hadn’t seen any real aggression in either man until lately. Come to think of it, Roby’s wife was driving that new car, and his daughter was taking those expensive dance lessons. How was Roby supporting this?

It all came back to the same puzzle that involved Tobias Montgomery’s death. They were linked, he knew in his gut they were, but he would be damned if he could figure out where or how.

Shaking his head, Jackson rose to his feet, filed their reports—Rebecca’s, then his own—and prepared to leave the office. He wanted to stop by the Wild Rose for a drink before heading home to his solitary bed. Damn Becca and her stubborn hide. After a taste of her, he was addicted. He should be rushing to her place, or she to his, and 48

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getting in a few good hours of lovin’. Hell yeah, he could handle that. Instead, he was heading to a damned bar, frustrated as hell.

The Wild Rose was busy. The usual assortment of vehicles lined the graveled parking lot. Customers loitered outside, calling back and forth, laughing uproariously.

Seeing the sheriff, they stilled a little. A few smiled and shouted out, “Hey, Sheriff.”