Playing Tough: Tainted Love, #5

By Violet Rae

Meri
When my best friend goes missing, help comes in the form of Tony Cooper, the sexy detective who just happens to be everything I've ever wanted in a man. He makes me believe in love at first sight, and the instant attraction that simmers between us inevitably bubbles over into full-blown passion, leaving me yearning for a lifetime in his arms. But, after one glorious night together, the heart-battered detective pushes me away, making it clear that we have no future together and breaking my heart in the process, proving that love isn't always enough to free someone from the demons of their past.

Tony
The first time I lay eyes on Meredith Green, she literally takes my breath away. Everything about her is captivating, from her hazel eyes and delicious curves, to her quick wit and feisty spirit. I want her until it's an ache in my soul, but it's a desire I can't afford give into. She deserves so much more than a man like me, a man shackled by his past, a man no longer emotionally whole. So I do the only thing I can – let her go. But, when Meri's safety is threatened by the very criminals I'm trying to bring down, I realize that not only will I move heaven and earth to make sure she's safe, I'll also do everything in my power to make her mine, because life without her is no life at all. I only hope I haven't left it too late.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Violet Rae
• Release date: May 29, 2018
• ISBN: 9798201645595

Book preview

Chapter 2

Tony

I sigh wearily, leaning back in my chair and stretching out my legs. Rolling my shoulders, I try to ease some of the tension from the last three hours, making all the necessary arrangements for Kaylee’s visit to Stanislaus Correctional Facility to meet her father tomorrow.

I glance at my watch—almost 11 AM—before grabbing my car keys and heading for the door. I need to update Dawson and Kaylee, and it's best if I do it in person.

As I approach the check-in desk, I hear raised voices. Officer Aaron Smeely—the uniformed officer on duty today—seems to be on the losing end of an argument with a woman.

". . . I’m telling you my best friend has been missing for two days, and wasting time filling out these forms isn’t going to help me find her!"

I’m sorry, miss, but I wasn’t . . . I mean . . .

I smirk at the sound of the normally suave Aaron—who’s not averse to bragging that he can charm the panties off most women—being put firmly in his place.

"My name is Meredith Greene, not ‘miss,’ Officer . . . Smelly, the woman continues, misreading Aaron’s name badge. And if you don’t start taking my concerns seriously, I’m going to take this pen you’ve so generously given me and stick it somewhere warm and dark and⁠—"

It’s a criminal offense to threaten a police officer with a dangerous weapon, I interrupt, rounding the corner of the check-in desk. I come to an abrupt halt as I lose myself in a pair of hazel eyes. Suddenly, I understand why Officer Smeely has regressed into a stammering idiot.

Her face is exquisite, flushed with anger and framed by midnight-black hair that tumbles in soft waves around her shoulders. My breath gets trapped somewhere between my lungs and throat as my eyes slide helplessly down her neck to the V of her figure-hugging green sweater, which does nothing to hide the generous curves beneath. Her form-fitting jeans cling to her thighs and butt, and I can’t focus on anything other than cupping that heart-shaped ass in my hands and pulling her against me, pressing my hardness into her softness while I…

I give myself a mental shake, releasing a shaky breath as I struggle to regain my composure.

Jessica’s face flashes in front of my eyes, pouring icy cold water over my inappropriate desire for the woman in front of me. What the fuck is wrong with me? She looks to be in her early twenties, making her a good fifteen years younger than me.

I hardly think a pen can be classified as a dangerous weapon, Meredith retorts, those hazel eyes flashing fire in my direction.

Even a pen can be dangerous in the wrong hands, I point out, my voice harsher than I intended. I raise an eyebrow at her. Who is it?

She looks at me blankly. Who is what?

Your best friend? The one who’s missing? I say, deliberately talking slowly as if explaining something to a child.

My patronizing tone isn’t lost on Meredith. Her eyes narrow and her angry flush deepens. I can almost see her swallowing the retort on the tip of her tongue. Her need to put me in my place wars with her desire to find her friend. Her name’s Kaylee.

Kaylee Kemp?

Her eyes widen in surprise. How did you…?

Shit! What are the fucking chances? I ignore her question and glance at the officer. I’ll take it from here, Officer Smeely.

He doesn’t appear to hear me, his full attention on Meredith as he openly appraises her.

Aaron! I bark, annoyed by his ogling.

Aaron jumps. Oh! Uh . . . yes! Sorry, Detective, he mumbles guiltily.

Follow me, I say with a curt nod in Meredith’s direction.

I head out to the parking lot, not waiting to see if she follows. I’m being rude, but she’s knocked me off balance. I haven’t been this instantly attracted to a woman since I met Jessica.

Hold your goddamn horses, Starsky! Meredith hollers, her shorter legs trying to keep up as I stride ahead of her across the parking lot. We don’t all have great, long… oomph!

She rebounds off me as I turn unexpectedly, and I reach out instinctively, grabbing her arms to steady her.

Starsky? I raise an eyebrow at her reference to the popular cop show from the 1970s. You’re too young to remember that.

Meredith shrugs, blowing a stray hair out of her face as she looks up at me. I like those old shows, and the re-runs are always on cable. My brother and I call it ‘Car Keys & Clutch,’ she says with a wicked grin that lights up her face.

I lose my breath for the second time in less than ten minutes, suddenly becoming aware of the proximity of our bodies. Her palms are pressed flat against my chest, and her thighs brush mine. Our eyes lock, and I hear her breath hitch in her throat, feel the fine tremble of her body against mine. A surge of pleasure hits me as I realize she’s as affected by me as I am by her.

Um . . . do you have a license for a weapon that large? she whispers.

For a second, I think she’s talking about the huge erection straining in my pants until I see her eyes are on the Glock in my shoulder holster.

I clear my throat. Standard police issue, I reply, annoyed she’s reduced me to a bumbling adolescent.

I release her, almost shoving her away from me. Walking to the car, I yank open the passenger door with more force than necessary, looking at her expectantly. Well? Do you want to see Kaylee or not?

Meredith’s mouth drops open. You know where she is?

I nod. She turned up here Saturday night, and she’s staying with a colleague of mine.

A colleague? What’s her name?

I smile. "His name is Dawson."

Dawson? Her brow furrows as if she’s trying to place his name. "Kaylee is staying with a man?"

They know each other from Gainsville, I reply, amused by her shocked expression. She looks as if it’s a cardinal sin for a man and a woman to be under the same roof. Are you coming, or are we going to stand here wasting time?

What about my car? She points tow a battered, mustard-yellow monstrosity a few spaces over.

That hunk of metal will be safe in the police parking lot, I reply, deliberately misunderstanding her.

Hey, don’t make fun of Gertrude, she snaps, hands on her hips as she glares at me.

"Gertrude? You named that sorry excuse for a car, Gertrude? I scoff in disbelief. Looks like the damned thing will fall apart with a good gust of wind. It’s a wonder you made it here in one piece."

Meredith’s eyes throw daggers at me. Now, just wait a minute⁠—

Okay, okay, I cut across her, holding out my hands in front of me in mock surrender. She's the prettiest car I’ve ever seen. Now, are we going or not?

Men! Meredith huffs, climbing into the passenger seat of my Dodge. No appreciation for a classic car.

Classic car, my ass.

I remove my suit jacket, tossing it onto the back seat before sliding in behind the wheel. And it’s Hutch, I say, my mouth twitching.

Meredith gives me a blank look. Huh?

David Starsky was the dark-haired one. Ken Hutch was the blond one I indicate my blond hair.

Her hand flies to her mouth to stifle a giggle. "You so don’t look like a Ken!" She laughs, my insults about her precious car forgotten.

No? What do I look like?

She purses her lips as if thinking it over. You look like a . . . Troy.

I cast her an incredulous look. Troy? Shouldn’t I be wearing flower-power trunks and carrying a surfboard?

She laughs loudly, and the sound is infectious. You’d rock it. You’re pretty hot for an older guy. Her eyes slide up and down my body suggestively as she wiggles her eyebrows.

That look has an immediate effect on my body south of the border, and my next words are out of my mouth before I can think. Do you enjoy playing with fire, little girl?

Meredith’s full mouth turns up in a sensual smile. I'm not a girl. And I’m not little.

I decide to play along to see how far she’ll go. No. You’re not. My eyes drop to her breasts.

I lean toward her, sliding my arm along the headrest and noting the increased rise and fall of her breasts. My eyes follow the flush of color running up her neck and into her cheeks until our eyes lock. The sizzle of pure energy that passes between us would bring me to my knees if I standing.

Her breath puffs out in short gasps, and an edge of uncertainty creeps into her gaze. Interesting. She's not as confident as she'd have me believe.

I lean forward even further, so close I can see the green flecks amongst the hazel in her eyes. Her tongue darts out to moisten her lips, and my body clenches with desire. What started as a bit of fun on my part has quickly escalated into something more because all I can think about is kissing her senseless.

The blare of a car horn startles us, and I blink, suddenly remembering where we are.

Shit.

Was I about to kiss her? A woman I barely know? Her age alone is enough to make a jaded, emotionally damaged guy like me think twice. I need to get my fucking head on straight. I haven’t wanted a woman like this for . . . well . . . years. Maybe never if I’m brutally honest. The thought hurts like a bastard considering I used to be married.

Meredith looks as shaken as me. I'm tempting fate, but I can’t resist reaching across her body for her seat belt. My fingers brush her thigh, and she trembles as I secure it in position.

I force myself to move away, securing my belt before starting the engine. The atmosphere is laden with tension as I guide the car out of the parking lot, merging with the late morning traffic and heading toward Dawson’s house.

So, was I right? Meredith breaks the heavy silence. Your name? she elaborates at my blank look.

Tony, I reply. Tony Cooper.

I was close with Troy. Three letters out of four ain't bad. She grins, and the tension between us lifts. I think I’ll call you… Coop, she murmurs, talking to herself.

Not gonna happen, I reply firmly. I don’t do nicknames.

Oh, come on now, everyone needs a nickname, Meredith argues. My brother’s name is Rory, but I’ve always called him Roo, and Kaylee’s nickname is Chick.

I raise an eyebrow. "Chick?"

I know, right? She smirks. She rescued a baby chick when we were five, and it kind of stuck.

You have a car called Gertrude, so nothing surprises me, I say dryly.

It’s a sign of affection, Meredith defends. Talking of Kaylee, I’m guessing she came here on some ridiculous quest to see her father?

I frown. You know about that?

She nods. Well, not the part about her coming here. Which is totally out of character for Kaylee and reminds me how pissed I am at her for taking off like that, no note, no phone call, no⁠—

Well, now you can tell her yourself, I cut across her rantings as we pull up outside Dawson’s place.

Something tells me Kaylee is about to get her ass handed to her.

Chapter 3

Meri

I watch as Tony releases his seatbelt, almost drooling on myself as his biceps strain against the material of his work shirt.

He’s tall, maybe six-two, with a body made for sin. I’m guessing he’s in his mid-to-late thirties, which should be off-putting given I’m barely twenty-two, but I can’t seem to give a damn.

And what the hell was that back there in the parking lot? For a second, I thought he was going to kiss me. Wanted him to kiss me. Hell, I still want it.

The sexual heat between us is almost palpable. I want to straddle him, push my hands through his hair and bring his mouth to mine so I can taste him with my tongue until he moans his need into my mouth. Heat blossoms between my thighs as I imagine his hands on my bare skin, his mouth on my . . .

Shall we? Tony interrupts my wayward thoughts as he opens his door, looking at me questioningly.

Oh! Um, yeah, sure, I take a deep breath to compose myself and climb out of the car.

Dawson’s place is a quaint, two-story house with a pale green facade. My designer eye is drawn to the pretty front porch with its white railing and the front door framed by two stone pillars. The front yard is laid to lawn, dotted with euonymus shrubs and splashes of lavender here and there, their subtle smell carrying on the slight breeze.

I follow Tony up the path, standing behind him as he knocks on the front door. After a full minute, there’s no reply, so he knocks again, louder this time.

Still no reply.

I wonder if they’ve gone when Tony bangs on the door with his fist this time, shouting their names. Dawson! Kaylee?

A few seconds later, the door flies open, revealing an enormous dark-haired, bearded man wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt. And he looks mighty pissed. What the fuck, Tony?

I've been knocking on your door for five minutes solid, Tony defends, exaggerating a little. It's almost midday, for God's sake. What are you still doing in bed? Never mind, don't answer that. I have someone here who wants to see Kaylee.

Meri?

I look past Tony, my eyes homing in on Kaylee dressed in a silky robe. She comes to a halt halfway down the stairs, her mouth open in shock.

Kaylee!

I push past both men, making a beeline for her, and we both reach the bottom of the stairs at the same time. I throw my arms around her, hugging her tight for an instant before pushing her away, hands on hips, eyes flashing fire.

"What the fuck, Kaylee? Do you have any idea how worried I've been? Remember these? I ask sarcastically, holding up my cell phone. They're called phones, and when you press these buttons, I stab at my phone forcefully, magic happens, and you get to call your best friend to let her know you're still alive, not to mention it stores all twenty-seven text messages and sixteen voicemails left by said best friend over the last two days, who, by the way, drove here very early this morning trying to find you and, holy-sweet-nipples-of-Christ, Kaylee, you better have a fucking good excuse!" I finish, finally running out of breath.

Kaylee looks at me pleadingly. Meri, I'm so sorry! I've been . . . busy.

Busy? I shout. I had visions of you lying dead in a ditch or kidnapped by some mafia boss or forced to become a novelty act in a human circus, or⁠—

I'm okay, Meri, Kaylee cuts me off as she pulls me in for another hug. I'm so sorry I worried you, and I promise I have a good excuse, which I'll tell you all about as soon as you calm down.

After a few seconds, the tension drains from my body. My anger is replaced with relief and I return her hug. Don't ever do that to me again, Chick, I whisper, my eyes shining with tears.

Kaylee looks over my shoulder at the two men standing in the doorway. I follow her gaze, almost laughing out loud at the bewildered expressions on their faces.

Meri, you remember Dawson. He was a few years above us in high school, Kaylee says, indicating Tall, Dark, and Bearded.

You're the dude Kaylee tutored for a while, I recall, looking him up and down. Holy-crap-on-a-cracker, you've changed. Have you grown even taller? I crank my head back to look at him.

Dawson smiles as he moves to stand next to Kaylee, dropping a possessive arm over her shoulders and pulling her against him.

My eyes narrow suspiciously at the easy display of affection. I look between Dawson and my best friend, noting his ruffled clothing and her state of undress. Wait a minute. Have I slipped into a time-warp here? It’s only been two days but you two look like you’ve been playing hide the sausage.

Guilty color washes over Kaylee’s cheeks, and Dawson shifts uncomfortably.

Oh, my God. You have, I breathe, looking at Dawson with new eyes. You must be special, Dawson, because my girl here was ready to join a convent.

Dawson pulls Kaylee closer, and she slips her arms around his waist. She’s the special one, Meri.

For some reason, my eyes skip to Tony to find his gaze already on me, and my stomach does cartwheels.

I tear my eyes away, softening as I see how close Kaylee and Dawson are. There’s something tangible between them, and for a split second, I’m envious. Yeah, she is. I’m glad someone else finally realized it, I agree with a smile.

Kaylee moves away from Dawson, linking her arm through mine and drawing me into the living area. How did you find me?

We sit on the sofa and I wave a hand in Tony’s direction. Starsky, here. Or was Hutch the blond one? I never can remember. I sneak a look at Tony from under my lashes to see him frowning at me.

I’ll go make the coffee, Dawson gives Kaylee a wink as he heads for the kitchen.

I’ll help you, Tony says a little too quickly, and it’s my turn to frown.

As soon as the door closes behind them, I turn angry eyes on Kaylee. I haven’t heard diddly-shit from you since Saturday morning. When you didn’t answer your texts or messages I got scared. After the way you’ve been behaving lately, you left me no choice but to track you down, and this was the only place I could think you’d come.

"I’m so sorry, Meri. I thought I