STORY EXCERPT

Things hadn’t been so bad when Heather was still here, Valery mused as she typed up a breaking and entering arrest report, because she mostly patrolled with her partner and only had to see the sheriff’s sullen face at the station or when the miserable bastard was needed as back-up. But Heather had gone on maternity leave six months ago, and she Valery found herself either patrolling alone –— which she infinitely preferred -— or partnered with the sheriff himself. Spending time with him was like some nightmare straight from hell. 

Which was why she couldn’t wait for the new deputy to start today. Getting a new partner and getting away from Dane was the stuff dreams were made of. Maybe she could finally let this inexplicable crush lie and move on with… 

She glanced up as the door opened and boot- heels sounded on the hard floor, and all thoughts fled instantly from her mind. Her jaw dropped open as a man walked down the corridor towards her desk. 

He was around six feet two, and he had a body to rival Dane’s, all rippling muscle that strained the seams of his impeccable uniform. He wore cowboy boots. On one lean hip, he carried an empty holster, and on the other, a baton and Taser. Never had Valery seen anyone who filled a uniform the way Dane did, and the subject of Dane in uniform featured in every one of Valery’s fantasies. All those daydreams were now forgotten in the wake of the new deputy approaching her desk. 

He was as blond as Dane was dark, his hair buzz cut, his perfect skin suntanned and without blemish. Closely- shaved, his jaw was strong, and his mouth had an amused little twitch to it as he smiled down at her. 

“Deputy Harley Miller reporting for duty, ma’am.”  

His eyes were the colour color of amber. They twinkled as they regarded her.  

She stood up on unsteady legs and held out her hand. She didn’t miss how his gaze swept down her, lingering on her full breasts and something about it excited rather than offended her. 

“Valery Prince,” she said. 

His grin widened. “My new partner. I’m looking forward to it.” He took her hand, squeezing gently. 

She stared into his amber eyes. They seemed to glow with promise, and just like that, a year of unrequited desire for Dane was blown away. She smiled as her nipples tightened and her pussy tingled. 

Footsteps sounded, and that voice blew her out of her reverie. 

“You’re late.” Dane scowled, more at her than at the newcomer. That was interesting. She’d think about that later. 

Harley dropped her hand and turned to Dane, not losing his grin. “Sorry, boss. I stopped to help an old lady across the road.” 

Dane’s poker face tightened further if it were possible. “My office,” he said. 

Harley glanced back at Valery. “See you later, partner.” And he winked. Actually winked. He turned to follow Dane into his office, and Valery sank down into her chair with her panties damp.  

Dane? Dane who? 

* * * *

Dane sat stiffly behind his desk and made Harley stand before him because he felt like being a bastard. He looked at the handsome young buck and simmered with jealousy and rage. Yes, he’d chosen him as the best qualified, but no, he hadn’t met him prior to this or seen a photo. And if he had, no way would he have let this guy anywhere near Valery. The interest in her eyes had been palpable. Christ, she was virtually salivating. How come she never looked at him with such heat in those intense violet eyes of hers? While her body fuelled his fantasies, those eyes haunted his dreams. He had never seen eyes like those in his life. Like Elizabeth Taylor reincarnated in her prime. They stripped his soul bare to her, so he was convinced that one day she would look at him and see the need eating him alive. 

He tried to focus on the latest thorn in his side, disliking Harley on sight. How could he not? He’d seen the interest written all over his new deputy’s face, too, and the guy was younger than him by maybe ten years, although certainly not better looking. Dane was sure of that. His body rivalled Dane’s, though. He fought back the urge to ask how much Harley could press and instead glowered at him in silence. 

Harley returned his stare equably. He seemed to have all the time in the world to play Dane’s games. 

“Work place romances are forbidden,” Dane finally said. No way had he expected his opening gambit with his new deputy to be that and was a little alarmed at himself. Especially as he thought about work place romances every second of every day. 

Harley raised an eyebrow, looking amused. “Sure,” he said. “I know how it goes. Look, but don’t touch, right?” 

Dane’s mouth tightened.  

Harley grinned. “Is that what you do, Sheriff?” 

Dane felt his face heat. “I don’t know what you mean. I saw the way you were looking at Deputy Prince. It’s inappropriate at work, and I’ll discipline you for it if I see it happening again.” 

This time Harley looked suitably chastened. “Yes, sir,” he said, although his eyes remained defiant in a way Dane didn’t like. He longed suddenly to wipe the expression off Harley’s face with the back of his hand. 

Dane stood. “Come with me. I’ll issue you with your gun, and then you can go out on patrol with Valery.” 

That cocky look was back on Harley’s face, and Dane clenched his jaw as he led him out of the office and down past Valery’s desk to the weapon’s store in the back of the station. He saw his two deputies glance at each other, and his stomach burned with renewed fire. He had lost the battle but reminded himself yet again that he had never bothered putting himself in the fight. 

ADULT EXCERPT

He was here against all her better instincts. He was here because she was mad with Dane for showing up in the bar, and he was here, most importantly of all, because she wanted him and needed him, and she just couldn’t wait any longer. 

He sat in the living room as she made coffee. Her hand trembled as she held one mug out to him. They sat opposite each other and made polite conversation, each knowing they were delaying the inevitable. When he stood, took her hand, and led her up her own stairs and into her own bedroom, she screamed at herself internally to stop, that he was her colleague, that this should never be brought into the equation, but she was too tired, aroused and drunk to care. She had to have him, and damn what Dane thought. She was sick of being a good girl. She wanted to be a bad girl tonight. A very bad girl. 

In the moonlit room, he kissed her, and she gave a soft sigh of pleasure at the touch of his lips. His He lifted her shirt over her head, and she shivered as he discarded it and moved to unclasp her bra. Her breasts fell free to him, and he cupped them, rubbing her stiff, aching nipples as his tongue sought hers. 

She groaned as he moved her backwards and pushed her down on the bed. She watched with her pussy throbbing as he stripped. First, his shirt, revealing a rippling torso and huge biceps, then he kicked his shoes off and unfastened his belt. She watched with a dry mouth as he shoved his pants down. He peeled them off and stood there in the tightest pair of white briefs she had ever seen, his cock thickly outlined beneath the flimsy, damp material. His cockhead was leaking. She could see the stain of the pre-cum, and it drove her wild with desire. She caught her breath as he knelt on the bed to divest her swiftly of shoes and socks, and then he wrenched the pants from her, leaving her in the black lace panties she had changed into after her shower at work. The right choice, she knew, when she saw his face. 

He growled and lowered his face to her breasts, sucking one nipple while he pinched and toyed with the other. She arched, moaning, gripping his hair, shifting on the bed. He responded by pressing easing a thigh between hers, and she eagerly latched her own around it, rubbing and humping in a way which that seemed to drive him as crazy as it drove her. Her panties were soaking when he kissed his way down her belly and pressed put his mouth to the lace. 

She whimpered as he kissed all over her pussy before deliberately pressing his tongue into her slit, licking through the wet lace. 

“Oh my God,” she groaned. “Please.” 

He lifted his head. “Please, what?” His smile was wicked in the dark. 

“You know what. Don’t tease.” 

“Tease? I don’t tease.” And with that, he wrenched the underwear from her and pushed her knees wide apart. His wet tongue captured her clit in a fierce lick, and she cried out, shaking all over. 

He lifted his head to look at her from under his lashes, and then he set about eating her out. She shivered and shook and writhed under his ministrations. He sucked and licked her clit, ran his tongue down her slit to sink deep into her. She grabbed his hair, bucking, trying to hold back the orgasm already rearing. 

He went back to her clit, flicking his tongue over it agonisingly agonizingly as he pushed one finger, then another easily into her wet pussy. She thrust against them, moaning, needing more, but not wanting to come yet, even though she was so close. 

Once more, he moved his mouth all over her, sucking at her lips, burying his tongue inside her, and then he lifted his head. While he looked at her, he kept two fingers inside her, fucking her backward and forward. 

She slid around on the bed, grabbing hold his hand, making him go harder and deeper. “Please,” she gasped. 

He withdrew and climbed off the bed. She waited with little patience while he located his jeans and took out his wallet. He came back with a foil square and ripped it open with his teeth. She watched as he pushed his briefs down, and his thick, long erection sprang free. She panted for breath as he climbed back onto the bed and knelt between her knees. He held the condom out to her, and with trembling hands, because she had never done this before, she rolled it down his stiff shaft. 

He caught his breath. “Fuck,” he said and pushed her hands away, finishing the job himself. “Don’t touch me again, or it’ll all be over.”