Daring the Judge: Daring Desires, #5

By Ann Omasta

One night of sizzling passion in each other's arms threatens to ruin both of their lives.

 

Brilliant Sienna Clark was recently appointed as the youngest judge in the history of her district. She has worked tirelessly to earn this honorable post. She can't let one mistake steal the career of her dreams.

 

Jake Blackstone is a notorious bad-boy, but he isn't a criminal. When he's framed for murder, his only alibi is the sexy judge sitting across the bench from him.

 

Judge Clark can't help him without admitting to a crime of her own. Jake can't prove his innocence without her. Will one night of wild abandon cause both of their downfalls?

 

Sienna and Jake can't get what they want without destroying each other. Who will come out on top? Find out NOW in Daring the Judge.

 

Daring the Judge is part of the Daring Desires set. You can meet these sexy heroes in any order. They smudge lipstick, never mascara. Meet them now!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ann Omasta
• Release date: Apr 25, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386870685

Ann Omasta

Ann Omasta is a USA Today bestselling author.  Ann’s Top Ten list of likes, dislikes, and oddities: I despise whipped cream. There, I admitted it in writing. Let the ridiculing begin. Even though I have lived as far south as Key Largo, Florida, and as far north as Maine, I landed in the middle. If I don't make a conscious effort not to, I will drink nothing but tea morning, noon, and night. Hot tea, sweet tea, green tea––I love it all. There doesn't seem to be much in life that is better than coming home to a couple of big dogs who are overjoyed to see me. My other family members usually show significantly less enthusiasm about my return. Singing in my bestest, loudest voice does not make my family put on their happy faces. This includes the big, loving dogs referenced above. Yes, I am aware that bestest is not a word. Dorothy was right. There's no place like home. All of the numerous bottles in my shower must be lined up with their labels facing out. It makes me feel a little like Julia Roberts' mean husband from the movie Sleeping with the Enemy, but I can't seem to control this particular quirk. I love, love, love finding a great bargain! Did I mention that I hate whipped cream? It makes my stomach churn to look at it, touch it, smell it, or even think about it. Great––now I'm thinking about it. Ick! ** I would LOVE to send you a free copy of my novella, Aloha, Baby! Visit annomasta.com for details. ** Stay up-to-date on new releases and insider info by liking / following Ann: - Facebook: facebook.com/annomasta - Goodreads: goodreads.com/annomasta - Bookbub: bookbub.com/authors/ann-omasta - Website: annomasta.com

Book preview

1

Even though she was the judge, Sienna Clark sensed she was the one being judged by her gorgeous and outgoing best friend, Maddie.

When Maddie tried to refill Sienna’s glass again from the seemingly bottomless pitcher of frozen mango margaritas, Sienna put her hand over the rim to stop her.

Stop being such a fuddy-duddy. We’re here to celebrate having your countless years of sacrifice and hard work pay off. You keep trying to delay it, but it’s time to cut loose a little. Maddie grouched at her, pooching her shiny, bright pink lips in distaste, as if Sienna’s reluctance to drink any more was personally offensive to her.

Sienna shook her head. I don’t want to be miserable all day tomorrow. Sundays are my only day to relax.

Maddie had been grinning shamelessly at a handsome stranger at the bar, but her attention snapped back to her tablemate. What about our Saturday spa days? You don’t find perfect days like today to be relaxing?!?

Although Sienna was tempted to tell her friend the truth, she feared that revealing her reluctance to spending Saturdays how Maddie preferred would hurt her friend’s feelings. Being pampered with mani-pedis and massages was wonderful, but getting all dolled up, drinking too much alcohol with dinner, and watching Maddie flirt her way into hooking up with a random stranger was not Sienna’s idea of a relaxing time. She would much rather be alone at home, wrapped in a blanket on her couch, sipping a glass of chilled Riesling, and reading a sizzling romance novel or two.

Sienna had the sense to know that her introverted version of the perfect, relaxing evening would appall her bubbly best friend, so she kept it to herself. Today was a great day. I just don’t want to ruin tomorrow by overdoing it tonight.

It seemed like a perfectly reasonable explanation to Sienna, but Maddie’s perfectly arched eyebrows snapped together. She waggled her freshly polished hot pink index fingernail at Sienna. That’s what your problem is… You’re always worried about tomorrow, instead of enjoying today.

The future is always better if you give it some consideration in the present. Using a pointed stare as Maddie finished off the remaining slush in her margarita glass again, Sienna added, You might want to try it sometime.

Not one to ever be ashamed of her choices, Maddie’s voice didn’t hold a trace of bitterness when she lifted one of her manicured brows and dared Sienna, I will, if you will.

Just as quickly as the dare fell out of her mouth, Maddie was distracted, like a dog discovering a squirrel in a tree. She craned her neck around to search the colorful restaurant. Where is our waitress? We’ve been out of chips for a long time, and we’re ready for another pitcher of margaritas. The amount of her tip is dwindling fast, and will be nonexistent if she doesn’t make an appearance soon.

Sienna couldn’t help but smile and shake her head, amused by her friend’s typical blustering. To be honest, it hadn’t been that long since the waitress had checked in with them. Besides, both women knew that Sienna would end up paying the bill and tip.

Maddie’s money was always tight because she jumped quickly from one minimum wage job to the next. She had managed to pay for her own salon treatments today, but when she remarked that it wasn’t her responsibility to pay the spa’s workers, Sienna pretended to have forgotten her phone, so she could discreetly go back inside to properly tip the ladies who had pampered Maddie.

It was tempting to point out that if Maddie had ever worked as a waitress––as Sienna had during her grueling years of law school––that she wouldn’t be so quick to decrease the tip amount, but Sienna bit her tongue.

Just when Sienna thought Maddie was sufficiently distracted from her dare, her friend veered the conversation back to that topic. So, are you up for it? I’ll spend next weekend doing whatever boring activities you want, but the following weekend, you’re mine.

Her friend’s word choice made Sienna nervous, but she wasn’t normally one to back down from a challenge. Maddie’s pretty brown eyes were sparkling with anticipation as she waited for Sienna’s answer. Even though she knew she would probably regret it later, Sienna wasn’t able to resist nodding her head. You’re on.

The waitress scooted past their table and left a half-empty basket of chips and a black leather check holder containing their bill. Before Maddie could request another pitcher, the harried woman was gone.

Ridiculous! Maddie yelled at the woman’s back before picking up a broken chip from the basket and tossing it back down. Her voice was filled with disgust when she said, These are just crumbs. Let’s go.

Sienna nodded and pulled some cash from her wallet to pay the bill. I’ve got it, she offered, knowing that the spa treatments had probably put a big dent in Maddie’s spending money for the week.

I’ll buy next time, Maddie offered. They both knew it was a fib, but it seemed to make Maddie feel better to at least say it, so Sienna didn’t call her out on it.

Once Sienna had the bill settled, the ladies put on their jackets and moved to get up. Maddie leaned in to ask, You didn’t tip her very much, did you?

Sienna wasn’t sure why Maddie considered it to be any of her business, but she shook her head anyway. It was just easier to pretend like she agreed with her friend on the topic.

Once they were outside, they opted not to call for a ride, but instead set off down the sidewalk arm-in-arm. It was an affectionate gesture that helped mask the fact that Sienna was steadying her tipsy friend as they walked to their apartments. They had intentionally chosen this Mexican Cantina, due to its close proximity to both of their homes, which saved either of them from having to be the designated driver.

Sienna tipped her head back to look at the clear, starry sky. She was just getting ready to comment on the balmy weather when they heard someone chasing after them. A quick look told her it was their waitress from the cantina.

Oh no… Did you stiff her? Maddie bugged her perfectly lined and shadowed eyes out at Sienna. She looked prepared to make a run for it in her sky-high heels, if necessary.

Of course not, Sienna hissed, ignoring the waitress as she tried to keep Maddie walking.

Maddie dug her heels in and refused to budge when the waitress yelled, Hold up for a second, please!

Reluctantly, Sienna turned around and gave the approaching woman a flat smile.

Once the waitress jogged close enough to speak without yelling, she held out a handful of cash towards them. Panting from the exertion, she said, You forgot your change.

Nope, we’re all good. Thanks. Sienna assured her before attempting to wheel Maddie around to resume their walk towards their apartments before the waitress said anything more.

But, why? I know I did a terrible job serving you tonight, yet you left a tip for more than the total of your bill. I don’t understand. The waitress gave them a confused expression.

Without turning to look, Sienna could feel Maddie’s exasperated look. There goes that anonymous, random act of kindness.

The waitress seemed to be expecting an answer, so Sienna did her best. It was obvious that you were frazzled with trying to keep up at work, so we figured there must be something in your personal life distracting you. We just thought a little extra cash might help you out in some small way.

Awkwardness overwhelmed Sienna as she defended her decision to leave the waitress an overly generous tip. She had intended to be long-gone before the waitress found the money. Having to face the woman to explain her reasoning made Sienna shift her weight anxiously from foot to foot.

Suddenly, the waitress’s face crumpled and Sienna wondered if her gesture, which was meant to be kind, had somehow offended the woman. The woman covered her mouth with her palm as tears trailed down her face.

Sienna felt the sudden, irrational urge to apologize for leaving her a big tip, until the woman spoke. You have no idea how much this means to me… She practically wailed before continuing. The words flew out of the woman’s mouth almost faster than Sienna could comprehend them. You’re right. I was distracted tonight. My little boy is sick, and I just want to be home with him. My mother is watching him, but his fever keeps rising. We need to take him to the emergency clinic to get checked out, but I didn’t know how I was going pay for it.

She gave Sienna a watery-eyed grin. Her voice was filled with gratitude when she held up the wad of cash that would have been Sienna’s change from the bill. With this, I’ll be able to cover the bill. Thank you so much.

The woman pulled surprised Sienna and then reluctant Maddie into an embrace. After a heartfelt Gracias, she quickly and effortlessly switched back to speaking English. Thank you and God bless you for your generosity.

You’re welcome, Sienna grinned at her back as the woman turned and hurried towards the restaurant.

Under her breath, Maddie quipped, "Little did I know that I was dining with a judge and a saint."

Turning them back towards home and placing a steadying arm around Maddie’s shoulders, she said, Bite me.

Maddie placed a hand over her heart and pretended to be shocked by her friend’s angry retort before saying. I guess you’re not all sunshine and roses. You have a little, tiny bit of a dark side, Judge Clark.

When she continued, her words were so quiet the light breeze almost carried them away, but Sienna was fairly certain she heard her friend add, We’ll explore that dark side of you in two weeks when I’m in charge of our Saturday night plans.

Sienna didn’t even want to think about what that might mean, but she was already dreading it and regretting her decision to accept Maddie’s dare. She’d been clutching onto the hope that Maddie might be too drunk to remember their agreement in the morning, but she sensed she wouldn’t be that lucky. She tried unsuccessfully to quell the queasy feeling in the pit of her stomach that was silently warning her that her friend was likely to insist on a night of wild abandon that neither woman would ever be able to forget.

2

Somehow, Maddie was up early on Sunday morning, despite her over-indulgence the night before. She seemed to be in good spirits when she texted Sienna to say there were only thirteen sleeps left