ARRESTED: A Stepbrother Cop Romance Read online

  “Are you okay, sweetie?”

  “Fine mom.” I squeeze Cory’s fingers in warning. “It’s just been a long day and I’m hungry.”

  “Me too. So hungry.” Cory rests the menu down and takes a drink, grinning to himself and I want to slap his hand away and wipe the smile from his face, but I don’t. His hand feels really big and really strong, his palm warm and dry. I think about the way they felt against my skin when he frisked me and how I imagined him touching me in my fantasy. I’m still gripping his hand so he hasn’t had a chance to do more than rest it on my thigh, but the heat of it alone is enough to make my pussy clench. For a terrible second, I imagine my mom dropping her fork on the floor and seeing us sitting like a horny teenage couple with no public decency.

  I’m totally still as everyone confirms their orders and the waitress takes her time to note them down. When she bustles away, Cory gives my leg a gentle squeeze and I practically combust.

  “Cory is a policeman,” Jeff says.

  “Really? How interesting.” My voice sounds all breathy and overly enthusiastic and I don’t want to let go of Cory’s hand but I can’t hold it for the rest of the evening. My palm is starting to sweat and it’s pretty obvious, by the way I’ve been gripping him in my almost-claw, that he needs to lay off. This isn’t the time or the place. I let go of him and reach for my water again, expecting him to move away on his own, but he doesn’t.

  “It is interesting. I meet all kinds of people on the job. Mostly just normal people who’ve stepped over the line; speeders for example.”

  I cough on my water and slam the glass back on the table sloshing its contents over the side. He’s going to tell them. I can just tell.

  “Went down the wrong way?” mom asked.

  “Yep,” I gasp. Cory chooses that moment to move his hand upward, ruffling my skirt and pulling it higher on my leg. His fingers are firm but teasing, his little finger brushes against the bare skin of my thigh and I can feel my cheeks getting hot.

  “Can you tell us about any interesting cases you’ve had?” Mom asks Cory. She’s using her fancy voice, pulling out all the stops to impress.

  Panic races through me again.

  “It’s all confidential I’m afraid. Every day has something new, though, so I’m never bored.”

  “He’s got the makings of a great officer,” Jeff beams. “He’ll rise through the ranks fast, I’m sure of it.”

  I glance over at Cory and find, to my absolute shock, that he’s blushing. Despite the attention on him, he’s still managing to multi-task as his hand strokes my thigh again dipping down a little more between. I want to squirm in my seat and spread my legs slightly to give him access to where I’m so hot and needy. My pussy throbs the further up my thigh he goes. I shouldn’t want him to be doing what he’s doing. This is an important dinner for all of us. It’s an opportunity to cement our families before the wedding. I shouldn’t want him to, but I do, and maybe because he won’t slip his hand between my legs, my pussy throbs even harder. It craves his touch, remembering the fantasy I conjured and how hard I came around his imaginary cock.

  I silently urge him to slip his hand deep between my legs, even as I curse myself for being so damn weak. He keeps tracing a finger up and down my thigh, getting closer to my hip each time.

  I look around the restaurant for our server, praying the food is going to arrive soon. I can’t concentrate on anything my mom is saying. I think she’s talking about the wedding.

  “So what do you say?” Mom’s looking at me expectantly.

  What the hell did she ask me? Something about the wedding. Do they have my blessing? Of course, they do. But what if the question wasn’t asked like that? What if saying yes means I’m not giving my blessing?

  I glance at Cory who gives the smallest nod I’ve ever seen. Relief rushes through me, only to be followed by fear. Would he sabotage me?

  “Yes.” I wait for mom’s reaction.

  A smile spreads across her face and she reaches over the table to squeeze my hand. “I’m so happy you said that! We’ll go shopping for your dress next week! A maid of honor has to wear something pretty special.”

  I slump back in the chair with relief. I can do that. It’ll be a good distraction from everything bad that’s going on in my life.

  The food arrives with three different wait-staff placing steaming dishes in front of us. The chicken on the plate looks good but I can’t seem to find the appetite to want to eat it. I push the food around on the plate, then take a bite of chicken before my mom can ask me again if anything’s wrong. I’m not good at lying to her.

  Everyone digs into their food but Cory got pasta. Only one hand required. His other hand continues to rest on my thigh as he eats nonchalantly. Unable to take the sensual torment I nudge him to get up.

  “I need to go to the restroom.”

  Cory withdraws his hand and gets out of the booth. I hurry to slide out behind him, smoothing my rumpled skirt as I dash across the restaurant and burst through the door. I’m a mess; hormones raging, heart pounding, hot everywhere. I run my wrists under the cold water to try and get myself under control and take a few deep breaths to steady my nerves. My hands tremble, and I look at myself in the mirror because I really need to give myself and internal pep talk.

  I can do this. I can make it through dinner. All it’ll take is a few more bites of chicken, a bit more wedding talk, and then I’ll make my excuses so I won’t have to see Cory until the wedding. I can’t let anything ruin mom’s plans and I’ve got enough going on dealing with Drew. Trust me to end up complicating my life.

  As long as Cory keeps his mouth shut about our little introduction, everything will be fine.

  Even though I’m calmer now, I still feel so hot between my thighs and in the mirror I can see the hard peaks of my nipples poking against my shirt. I should have gone with the padded bra instead of the sheer one I chose but how did I know that Jeff’s cop son would be so damn hot and cocky. I wasn’t exactly expecting foreplay over dinner.

  I check my make-up, fluff my hair and paste on a smile. When I yank open the restroom door I find Cory leaning against the wall beside the men’s room, waiting for me.

  His smile is gone but his eyes are still burning. I’m not sure which cop I like better; the friendly one or the stern one. He pushes away from his position as I’m walking past him, pinning me to the opposite wall with his body almost pressing into mine and his hand resting against the wall above my head. I feel tiny like this and he seems huge, all coiled muscle and raging heat.

  “You okay, sis?” he asks in a deliberately mocking tone. His eyes flash but it isn’t with amusement. There’s something darker there, something that sends a shiver up my spine.

  “What do you think? And don’t call me that. It’s weird when you’ve just had your hand on the inside of my thighs.”

  He smirks, and this close I can see that dimple up close and personal. I want to punch him hard and lick him softly. Then tell him he’s a shit.

  “It’s just funny isn’t it?” he says, looking at my mouth. “That you’re going to be my sister in a few months. I’ve never had a sister before.”

  “Stepsister.”

  “Hmmm…why does that sound so sexy?” He leans in closer and I get another whiff of his cologne and behind it, the unmistakable scent of his skin. The heat from his body seems to seep into mine, waking the little hairs on my arms and sending a shiver over my scalp.

  I don’t know what to say to him. He’s talking like we’re going to be family but he’s looking at me like he wants to taste me. I can’t take my eyes off his lips and when he draws in the bottom one, wetting it with his tongue, I blink.

  “Did you think about me?”

  “No,” I lie. It sounds like a lie, too.

  Cory’s eyes crinkle at the sides as he smiles knowingly.

  “Not even a little bit?”

  “No.”

  “Liar,” he whispers. He’s so close, and moving closer in su
ch tiny increments that before I know what’s happening his lips press against mine. For a few seconds we stand like that, mouths touching but neither of us moving. My mind is scrambled. My hands hang limply at my sides but itch to take hold of his face and pull him into me. It’s as though he’s giving me a chance to push him away, and when I don’t he moves.

  Those lips that I’ve been fantasizing about push mine apart, his tongue finding its way into my mouth, stroking. Shivers of sensation pass through me because this is not a sweet first kiss, it’s a claiming. I feel owned by the force of it and the need I can feel. His mouth moves over mine, nibbling, teasing, as if he’ll die of hunger if he stops.

  I’m lost in him, dazed by the force and passion I can feel with every pass of his lips over mine. I’m so lost that when he pulls away suddenly, I drift forward in his wake. His eyes burn into mine, his thumb strokes over my bottom lips as though he wants to wipe away the evidence of what we’ve done. I’m panting, waiting for more when he turns and stalks away.

  The wall is cool at my back as I sag against it, wondering what the hell just happened. I exhale, then drag in a shaky breath. It seems that I hadn’t imagined the chemistry between us. In his uniform, Office Carlisle is pure professionalism. In his off-duty attire, he’s a big bundle of sin and sex. My lips feel bruised and I put my hand to my mouth, wanting to trap the sensation there. The ladies room door opens and an elderly woman comes out looking at me strangely. I feel rumpled and disheveled.

  Ravished.

  Horny as hell.

  And in desperate need of a stiff drink.

  I manage to walk back to the table, though my trembling legs make it tough. Cory vacates his seat before I can ask, allowing me to slide back into the booth. I don’t know where to look. Cory is smiling and chats comfortably with his dad about his schedule for the week. I plaster a smile on my face, trying to look as natural as possible.

  Mom and Jeff are almost finished with their dinner. Cory has eaten more than half of his. I eat some more of the chicken but it doesn’t taste good. All I can think about is Cory’s lips on mine, but his teasing words are starting to come back to me.

  The more I go over them, the more used I feel. Who the fuck does he think he is, kissing me and then walking away? Who the fuck does he think he is, fondling my thigh at our parents’ special meal?

  The kiss doesn’t seem to have affected Cory’s appetite. He wolfs down the rest of his pasta, chatting jovially with my mom, turning on the charm like a pro. I seethe quietly as mom blushes at his compliments. She’s high on all the attention and obviously excited about this new stage in her life. I should be happy but all I feel is dejected and washed up.

  Maybe Drew is right and I do give off the wrong vibes. He was always telling me that his friends thought I was flirting with them. He told me that I give off sex signals like a whore. I shift further away from Cory, feeling deeply shameful about what we did and the reasons why. If I hadn’t have flirted with him at the roadside, he never would have thought he could get away with his actions this evening. All I was trying to do was get away without getting a ticket, and I’ve managed to get myself into even worse trouble.

  The rest of dinner drags by. I try to take part in the conversation, hoping that no one senses my mood. When dinner is over, mom, Jeff, and Cory decline dessert and coffee, so I follow suit. Everyone is busy the next day so no one wants a late night. While Jeff sorts out the check, I walk arm in arm with my mom to the front of the restaurant.

  She glances over her shoulder, studying her husband-to-be, and Cory who is standing beside him.

  “You like him, right?”

  For a panicked moment, I think she’s talking about Cory. But of course, she’s looking at her fiancé.

  “I think he’s great. I’m glad he makes you happy, mom.”

  She squeezes my hand. “He does. And I’m so happy you’ll be standing next to me on the day.”

  I kiss her on the cheek and give her a big squeeze of a hug. “Thanks for tonight.”

  Jeff and Cory join us, Cory’s eyes scanning my face as though he can tell something’s wrong. I avoid his gaze, glancing towards the exit, feeling hollow. Jeff walks my mom out of the restaurant and I can’t get out of there fast enough. I don’t even wait for Cory to say goodbye or whatever mocking words he’s been thinking up since he kissed me. I dash out behind my mom and hurry to my car, waving when I get there. Once I’m safely inside I throw my purse on the passenger seat and start the engine. By the time I pull out of my spot Cory is already at his car, leaning against the driver’s side door, watching me. His arms are crossed over his chest, making his biceps bulge. Shit, I’m actually angry at his biceps for making me swoon.

  I’m an idiot.

  I check the rear view mirror as I wait at the end of the parking lot to pull into traffic. Cory is still watching me.

  My stomach is full of butterflies but I’m angry, too. Angry that he has the ability to fluster me with so little effort. I tear my gaze away from the rear view mirror. When the traffic thins I pull out and drive for college.

  I’m tempted to speed just to say a cosmic ‘fuck you’ to Officer Carlisle.

  But when I’m tucked up in bed that night, I find myself touching my mouth again, remembering how amazing his lips felt on mine.

  7

  ALLYSON

  It’s a few days after the dinner with Cory and his dad and I’m following Rachel through a crush of college coeds at a campus party, wishing I was back at my dorm. I down another shot of something. I don’t even know what I’m drinking anymore. It’s blue and tastes sweet like bubblegum. I could drink a whole tray of them if I knew where the girl with the tray had gone. As soon as we’d grabbed a few of the blue concoctions she hurried off to someone else.

  I don’t even know why we’re here. A campus party is the last place I want to be right now. I remember the last one I went to and a surge of panic runs through me. As hard as I’m trying to drink away my worries, the alcohol can’t dull what’s hanging over me. I turn to Rachel, needing to find a way to distract myself.

  “And did I tell you how awful he was?” I ask, my words on the verge of slurring.

  “Yes. And how annoying he is!” Rachel turns sideways to squeeze through a small opening in the crowd.

  I know she’s humoring me and I give her shoulder a little shove. “Maybe I have been droning on since we got here but he is so annoying. Did I tell you what he did to me at dinner?”

  “I seem to recall you mentioning something about it.” She smiles and I puff out a breath.

  Finally, through the crowd and on the other side of the room we settle in next to the table full of munchies. I grab a handful of chips, put the shooter glass down and pop a chip in my mouth.

  “He’s so cocky and arrogant.” I shake my head trying to rid my mind of Cory. It’s no use. The memories of his grin, his hand caressing my thigh, his lips crushing mine, won’t leave me alone.

  Involuntarily my fingers touch my lips and Rachel smiles knowingly.

  “Right. He’s so horrible.”

  “He is,” I insist.

  “He sounds like just the kind of guy you would go for.”

  I pop another chip in my mouth. “I’ve had enough of guys like that.” The image of him races back to my mind; the strong arms, muscular legs. His serious professional face and his gorgeous flirty smile.

  I’m about to reach for more snacks when an arm comes around me from behind, grabs my breast as the other brushes my hair aside. A wet mouth touches my neck and my stomach lurches. I don’t need to turn around to know who it is.

  Drew.

  I try to pull away but his grip tightens around me, his groping hand moves to my other breast as he yanks me back into his body.

  His hot breath against my ear turns my stomach. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you, Allyson. Do you want those pictures going to everyone you know?”

  I stiffen in his arms and look at Rachel who screws up her face with extreme dista
ste. She can’t hear what he’s saying to me because the music is so loud, but even so her eyebrows raise and her eyes grow wide as though she’s waiting for me to do something; to fight him, push him away.

  More than anything I wish he wasn’t here, but the threat of revealing the pictures keeps me rooted to my spot.

  “That’s a good girl. If you don’t do what I say I’ll send those pictures to everyone. And I do mean everyone. How would your mom feel seeing her little girl tied up like that?”

  I grimace when his hot breath gusts over me again. Rachel’s expression changes to one of disbelief at my passivity. Her eyes bore into mine questioningly, but not even Rachel knows the shame I’m trying to hide from everyone.

  His hand squeezes my breast again then he moves his arm down my body and grabs my wrist. He tugs and I follow, throwing an apologetic look over my shoulder at Rachel as we disappear into the raucous crowd. The booming music hurts my ears and makes my head pound in time to the beat. Rachel shakes her head in response, her eyes still swimming with confusion. She knows that I dumped Drew so I understand her reaction. If she knew what he was threatening to do, I know that she’d be laying into him right now. I wish I could find it in me to confide in her, but the embarrassment is too much. Rachel’s a good girl. She’s only had one boyfriend in her entire life. She’d think so badly of me if she knew.

  Drew looks back at me, a half grin twisting his face as he struts through the living room toward the den, pulling me behind him. I want to punch the smugness right off him but I’m powerless against his tight grip. I have no idea what I’m going to do once he has me somewhere quieter. My knees feel like jelly, the fear slowing me down. He yanks on my wrist dragging me forward. I want to scream at the top of my lungs, draw some attention and get help, but I can’t. If I fight him he’ll release the pictures and my future will disappear into dust.

  Before we get out of the den he stops and pins me to the wall. His lips come down hard on mine and he pushes his slimy tongue into my mouth. The smugness is there when he breaks the kiss and looks down at me. My hands are fisted at my sides but I’m paralyzed. “That’s my girl,” he says roughly grabbing my face. It’s as though he thinks I enjoyed what he did to me. Or he doesn’t care that I didn’t. “I’m going to fuck you so hard when I get you upstairs,” he growls. “On top of you so I can see those tits jiggle. From behind so you know your fucking place.”