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Category: Erotica/Erotic Romance/Romance
Description: Jack Callahan had to think fast. He needed to scope out and keep a dangerous gang of criminals under surveillance and he needed the lady's house in order to do it. He hadn't gone there with the intent to kiss her. It was simply a ploy to discourage any suspicion. They had to look innocent, even though innocent was the last thing he felt, once this lady was in his arms. Elllie Stone had no intention of sharing her house with the cops. It didn't matter if she found one detective particularly appealing. It didn't matter that she felt instant attraction. She had a baby to think of, to protect. Only once he kissed her and her new neighbors thought he was her man, she was trapped. Now he couldn't leave and she knew nothing but frustration to be forced into this position. When he kissed her again, she forgot any sense of irritation and knew only an unexpected jolt of lust. It was no longer a matter of sharing her house. After that kiss, she knew they'd soon be sharing a bed.
eBook Publisher: Resplendence Publishing, LLC, 2011 March
eBookwise Release Date: August 2011

1 Reader Ratings:

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Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [114 KB]
Words: 24294
Reading time: 69-97 min.

"Ellie Stone?"

"Yes," Ellie returned as she watched the dark, handsome man at her front door pull a wallet from his pocket and flash his identification. According to his I.D., he was Jack Callahan, a detective with the Suffolk County Police. She frowned. What would the police want with her, and how did this particular detective know her name?

"Ma'am," he said, "Do you have a minute?"

She nodded.

"Inside," he said when she made no move to allow him entrance.

Ellie shook her head. "What do you need?"

Jack took a deep breath and went on with, "I realize this is an unusual request, but we need permission to set up surveillance in your home."

"What?" She almost laughed. "Surveillance? Who are you watching, and why do you need my house to do it?"

"We have reason to believe your newest neighbors," rather than nod his head toward the house directly across from hers he used his eyes to indicate the house in question, "are hardly the usual sort. If I could have a few minutes of your time, I could explain."

"What, Mrs. Wilson's place?"

"Mrs. Wilson's tenants," he explained then smiled.

Ellie's first instinct was to step aside and allow him entrance to her home. At his smile she felt her heart stumble, while her breathing grew oddly irregular as she realized her instant attraction to the man. She couldn't remember when she'd seen another quite so appealing.

That he wanted to step inside was obvious, but Ellie pulled herself together and regained her common sense as she again shook her head in the negative. It didn't matter what he needed, or what he said, or even what she might have liked, she wasn't about to allow the police the use of her home. She had a baby. There was no way she'd jeopardize her son's safety. And she hadn't a doubt that to cooperate with the police in this instance would do just that. "I'm sorry, I'd really rather not get involved," Ellie said, her voice slightly breathless as she shut the door to her huge Victorian bed and breakfast, leaving the detective--or whatever he professed to be--standing on her top step. Her cheeks were flushed. She wondered if he'd noticed her reaction to him.

Purposefully, she shook away the spell his dark gaze and white smile had cast. What in the world was that? Lord, but she was losing it if just looking at a man caused her heart to pound and her breath to catch in her throat. Nothing like that had ever happened to her, and all she wanted was for it to never happen again.

Ellie leaned against the door and took several deep breaths, trying to clear away the strange incident.

"What in the world?" she mumbled to herself, even as she wondered how he knew her name.

Her hand was on the second door, which led to the private side of her bed and breakfast, when he knocked again. She turned and once more opened her front door, this time with a frown. "Listen, I just told you, I can't--"

The rest of her comment was muffled against his lips as he grabbed her and pulled her against him. She was so stunned by his actions it took a moment before she began to fight. She tried to twist her face away, but his hand easily held her head still, her mouth to his. She tried to cry out, but her startled exclamation, muffled against his mouth, only sounded like a hungry groan.

He held her tightly against him and walked into her house. The door closed behind them. Quickly, he moved them through the door she'd left partly ajar and closed that one, as well.

The moment it closed, he let her go. Quickly, he said, "Hold it," as he blocked her swing. "I'm not going to hurt you." As if to prove his words, he pinned her hands behind her back, causing her no discomfort. He pressed her against the door with his body. "Just take it easy, and I'll let you go."

"Are you out of your mind?" she gasped, her heart pounding madly. He'd said he'd let her go, but did she truly want that? She frowned at the nonsensical thought. Of course, she wanted that. What in the world was she thinking?

Ellie found it impossible to breathe normally. She couldn't seem to regain her senses. A kiss that should have meant nothing had somehow flung her entire world off kilter. She was gasping as he leaned even closer. And she never thought to stop him as, amazingly enough, his lips touched softly upon her own.

Again, again, again, he teased her mouth with sweet kisses. Every touch of his mouth caused her lips to grow fuller and achingly sensitive. Ellie's toes curled. What was happening here? What was she allowing him to do? Why wasn't she stopping him? Why didn't she say something? Why didn't she tell him to stop? Why was her gaze drawn to those firm yet deliciously soft lips, while she fought back the urge to cry out for more?

A low moan escaped her throat, and her mouth grew softer still. She knew only unbearably succulent sensation as the most delectable kisses bombarded her senses, rendering her helpless but to gasp.

"Ellie, God, what's happening here?" he frowned. "How is it possible that you taste this good?"

Again, Ellie never thought to ask how he knew her name but shivered as he spoke into her mouth. He smelled so clean, like a distant hint of coffee, like a trace of mint, like a man. She knew nothing except a sudden, near desperate need to know more. Her entire world became his mouth. She was drowning in his taste, the feel of him against her and the scent of his breath and skin. It robbed her of her senses and sent chills racing down her spine as each kiss left behind his wondrous taste.

A pulse pounded in her throat as the hot, wet kisses grew slowly more intense. He invaded her mouth as he sucked her lower lip into a furnace of heat and laved it with his tongue. God, had anything ever felt more delicious? Ellie groaned as he sucked harder then suddenly twisted his head to allow for greater access and thrust his tongue deep into her mouth.

She moaned her pleasure and trembled at the promise behind that kiss. Her knees had the consistency of melted wax. She felt herself sliding down her door and couldn't stop it. Ellie hadn't a doubt that, should he let her go, she'd crumble to the floor in a mindless heap of muscle, skin and bone, a pathetic facsimile of what had been once an intelligent woman.

He nuzzled his lips to her cheek and jaw. Both of them were gasping for every breath. He pulled back and smiled as his gaze settled on her lips. "You have a beautiful mouth. Do you know you taste delicious?"

Caught in his overwhelming web of seduction, she knew she could easily say the same, but whispered, "I know you said I do."

"Did I?" He laughed softly and with some surprise. Obviously, he hadn't realized he'd said the words aloud.

Slowly, the cloud of passion dissipated and reality came to take its place. Despite the fact that she'd been a willing participant in these few moments of nearly gut-wrenching passion, Ellie nevertheless managed to instantly convince herself that it was solely his fault. As her thoughts became clearer, her lips grew stiff. They barely moved by the time she said, "I want your badge number. There's no way that I'm not reporting you."

He grinned. "It's 619. The name is Jack Callahan. And I only kissed you because while I was standing there one of them showed up. I didn't want anything to look suspicious."

"You kissed me inside my house," she reminded. "No one could see that."

He nodded and bit his bottom lip. "Right. That was the reason for the first kiss. For the second, I couldn't resist. You tasted so delicious; I had to sample a little more."

"What?" She frowned only just realizing what he'd said. "One of what?"

"The gang."

"Oh yeah, I forgot, my newest neighbors. You profess a gang has moved in across the street." She tried to escape his hold. His hands were like steel and didn't permit the smallest of movements. "Let me go. I'm not going to hit you."

Slowly, and obviously with no little doubt, he did as she asked. Once he released her hands, he stepped quickly away.

Ellie rubbed her hands together and groaned softly at the slight tenderness. They hadn't hurt until she tried to wiggle them free. "God, what do you eat for breakfast? Rivets?"

He grinned even as he apologized. "Sorry, I didn't mean to hold you that hard."

"Do you mind if I ask what kind?"

"Kind?" he repeated. "Kind of what?"

"Kind of a gang," she reminded. Ellie knew she was changing subjects faster than anyone could keep up, and she didn't care.

"Criminals," he said tightly.

"Terrific. That clears everything it up," she said with pure sarcasm, while one brow raised, and she shot him a look of scorn. "You say a gang of criminals has moved in across from my house. And because you said it, I'm supposed to believe it."

"If it isn't the truth, give me a reason why I would say it?"

"How should I know? Maybe you're the kind of...nut...who...tells...women..." As she spoke, Ellie inched down the short hall toward her kitchen. She didn't care if her attempt to reach her phone appeared less than subtle.

Jack shrugged. "I'm not going to stop you. If you want the precinct's number, I could dial it for you."

She ignored him and dialed information. When the connection went through, she asked for the number for the police.

Once she got the number, he offered, "Ask for Chief Summers. He's my boss."

Ellie never took her gaze off him as she spoke into the phone. It took a few minutes, but once she was connected to the Chief of Detectives, Chief Summers quickly explained the situation. And the department's need of her help. The final decision would of course be hers, but he would be grateful for any cooperation on her part. She told him she'd think about it and would be in touch tomorrow. Ellie was obviously a little more relaxed by the time she finally hung up.

"Why didn't you report me?"

She shot him a puzzled frown, confused at the question.

"For kissing you."

Her gaze widened with surprise as she realized the question and the fact that she'd forgotten all about reporting him. "I forgot."

He grinned.

Ellie frowned and tried to ignore what that smile did to her stomach. It wasn't his smile, in any case.

Be sensible, she silently insisted. Certainly the simple lifting of the corners of his mouth, combined with the sparkle in dark eyes couldn't cause her muscles to tighten and ache. She was just hungry. "Your boss sounds nice, very polite and most persuasive."

Jack shrugged. "He's all right. You didn't give me a chance. I could be even more persuasive."

Ellie watched his slow grin and felt her heartbeat quicken, but she turned from the danger and dismissed his teasing with a brief shake of her head. "I'm sure."

"So what's your answer?"

"You heard me. I told him I'd think about it."

Jack sighed, shook his head and said, "I'm already here. I can't leave for a while. What are you cooking?"

"Spaghetti and meatballs. I'm having a friend over, and you're not invited."

"See him tomorrow. I'm already here."

"I know you're here. There's no need to keep repeating it. You can wait by the door until it's time to leave."

He grinned at her obstinacy. "Listen, it's very simple. Criminals are a suspicious lot."

"No," she said sarcastically, with an exaggerated gasp and the slightest of sneers. "You mean they're like cops?"

"Maybe." He shrugged. "But at the other end of the spectrum. And if they see me leave, they're bound to wonder why, especially if another man comes right after I'm gone. They'll think, why wouldn't I have stayed for dinner, maybe even longer than dinner, especially since they probably saw me kiss you? So if I kissed you, who's the other guy? Who am I? Could we be cops?"

"Or they might think you're one of my renters. Do you imagine you're the only man who comes into this house?

Jack grinned and asked, "Do your renters kiss you?"

Ellie sighed unhappily. "So what you're saying is it's too late for me to say no. In order to keep everything above suspicion, like it or not, the cops are here to stay."

He shrugged and gave a slight nod of agreement. "It won't be that bad."

"Right," she returned in disbelief. "Exactly how bad do you figure it will be?"

"We'll come and go from the back. You'll hardly know we're here."

"What about my guests? I run a bed and breakfast here. What will they think when they see cops all over the place?" She shook her head. "Now that I think of it, what you're asking is impossible. I'll never get a client to stay or, for that matter, come back again if they know what's really going on."

"How many are here now?"

"Only one, but in a few weeks all my rooms will be full."

"We'll be quiet. No one will know we're here. The sign out front says this is a bed and breakfast. No one will suspect a thing. To make sure of it we won't be coming in and out the front door."

She shook her head. "My yard is fenced in."

He nodded. "We know how to jump fences."

"My guest will see--"

He shook his head. "Twelve hour shifts. No one will even notice."

Ellie gave another unhappy sigh. "How long will this take?"

"I don't know, maybe a week, maybe a little more."

"How long does it usually take?"

He shrugged. "Sometimes a month."

Her groan bordered on despair. She didn't want him here. She shook her head. How was she supposed to manage with this man underfoot for a month? There was no telling what might happen. Ellie reconsidered her thoughts for she knew they weren't true. Judging by the first few minutes in his company, there wasn't a doubt what would happen. It wouldn't be a week before he joined her in her bed. "You won't be here twenty-four hours a day, right?" she asked hopefully.

He nodded. "Not me, but someone in my crew will be here 'round the clock."

Ellie sighed again. Her voice held not a modicum of pleasure as she remarked, "That sounds just great." It was impossible. How was she supposed to manage this? How was she supposed to feel comfortable in her own home when every time she turned around he'd be there? And despite his denial, she knew he'd be here.

"Look, all we need is a room upstairs where we can watch the house and set up our recording equipment."

"Wonderful. These people are criminals. But they're not only criminals, they're stupid criminals," she remarked with pure sarcasm. "If I'm not mistaken, stupid enough not to realize, once this is over, that you used my house to spy on them. So naturally, I'll never have to worry that they might look for revenge. Right?"

"You're giving them more credit than they deserve."

"I don't think so," she said as she picked up her phone again.

"Who are you calling?"

She didn't answer him but glared her resentment that he should dare to ask, as she said, "Hi Glen. Listen, something came up and I'm going to have to cancel tonight. I'm sorry."

She listened for a moment before she spoke again. "I was looking forward to it myself. Would tomorrow be all right?"

Jack cleared his throat, bringing her attention back to him and shook his head in the negative.

"How about at your place?' she asked as her gaze narrowed with warning that he should dare refuse her a guest in her own home. "Things are a little crazy here."

Again she listened. "Great, I'll bring everything. Just pick up the wine. See you tomorrow," she said and hung up the phone.

"Don't tell him about us. The less people who know, the better."

"I hate this. I hate that I never really had a choice. I hate that you came to my door. I hate that you pushed your way in here." Her lips grew tight. To say she was less than happy with the situation would clearly be an understatement. She glanced in his direction. "After I have some time to think about it, I'll probably hate it even more." As she spoke, she began to set the table for three.

Jack watched her set the table and asked, "Who's the third party?"

"What?'

"Who else is coming for dinner?"

"Oh, my mother. Being that I had to cancel my date and I'm eating with you, I might as well ask her over."

"Really?" he asked with no little surprise. "Where does she live?"

She glared her resentment and said tightly, "You're not much of a detective. You know my name, that I own this bed and breakfast, probably my charity donations, but you don't know about my mother? She lives in an apartment over the garage." Ellie nodded toward the back door. "She moved there after my husband died. She watches Joey."

"And Joey is..." He waited for her to fill in the blank.

"My baby," she said, smiling at the thought of him. "I just got home. They should be here any second."

"I'm sorry I messed up your plans. If we hadn't been standing outside when their car pulled into their drive, none of this would have happened." He shook his head. "I couldn't just walk away. They might have wondered who I was and what I was doing here."

Once she was finished with the table, she looked up and said bluntly, "They would have said, 'He's a cop', because you look like one."

He grinned. "Do I? What gives me away?"

She looked him over for a second. "Jacket and tie. Jeans are good but not with a jacket and tie."

Jack glanced down his body in obvious surprise. "I thought this was casual."

"It is, if you're going out to lunch or to a movie, but on you, it looks a little too..." she frowned and finished with, "perfect."

He grinned. "Does it? You mean I'm perfect?"

She shook her head and was surprised to find her heart pounding at his grin. This man was dangerous. If she admitted to the truth of it, he was incredibly dangerous. Ellie forced a calmness she was far from feeling.

"We're talking about looking perfect," she reminded. "And I mean you look like a cop. Lose the tie and wear a sweatshirt or windbreaker, and you won't look so neat."

He nodded. "Thanks for the tip," he said as he pulled his tie away, rolled it up and shoved it into his jacket pocket.

"Will I have to feed you while you're here?"

"No, we'll bring our own food. It smells like an Italian restaurant in here. I understand you're a great cook."

"How long have you been looking into my private business?"

"Not long. It didn't take a minute to find out your name, your marital status, that you converted this old house to a bed and breakfast after your husband died, that you cater events and attend church regularly, that you're registered to vote." He shrugged. "The usual stuff."

"The wonders of computers," she muttered unhappily.

"What kind of events do you cater?"

"All kinds."

"But not from this kitchen." His gaze moved over the spotless, homey room. It was obvious she couldn't cater from so small an area. Her house was huge but separated. One side appeared to be hers alone, while the other was obviously shared amongst her guests. Still, her kitchen was barely big enough to supply the breakfasts that came with their rooms.

She shook her head. "You can't cater from your own kitchen. Not in this town. You need all kinds of inspections and permits. I have a kitchen over at the industrial complex. I cater from there."

"Yeah? Where exactly?"

"On Cable Ave."

"Cable? Near the Adult shop?"

She shot him a quick knowing look. "I see where you spend your off-duty hours." She shook her head. "It's next door."

"At the church? Don't tell me you're one of the preachers."

Again she shook her head. "Between the two."

He laughed. "Do they ever raid the place, while services are going on in the other?"

"All the time. Once they raided my place by mistake."

"I doubt it. That sounds like Henry. He's in charge of vice. He probably saw you and figured it would be a good way to meet you so he could ask you out." He grinned at her shock. "He did ask you out, didn't he?"

"Actually, he did."

Jack laughed at her look of astonishment. "You didn't think cops were above that kind of thing, did you?"

"I never gave it any thought at all."

Again she picked up her phone. "Hi Mom, come on over and eat."

Moments later Ellie hung up and took the third setting from the table. At Jack's questioning glance she said, "My mother ate earlier. She thought I was having company and Joey is sleeping. I'll pick him up after I eat."

He nodded in understanding.

"Sit down," she said. "It's almost ready."