Be Ours: A Valentine's Day Romance Read online

  “What did I just fucking say?”

  “You mad I’m the one she kissed?”

  He freezes. Slowly, he turns to glare at me over his shoulder. But then he smirks. “I don’t know. Are you mad you’re not the only?”

  I blink. Bishop slides into his truck, slams the door, and revs the engine on. I watch in cold silence as he peels out of my driveway and roars off. I glare back at my front door. I can’t tell if I’m furious or fucking turned on. I can’t tell if I want to storm back inside and taste that mouth of hers again. Or if I want to demand answers.

  I close my eyes. I take a slow breath and exhale. Slowly, the roaring demons in my head shut the fuck up. I glance at the door again. But I know what needs to happen. I don’t even know if I believe Bishop’s insinuations. Part of me thinks he was just trying to wind me up and piss me off. Well, it worked.

  But much as I want to punch my friend in the face, I make myself calm down. Even if he’s telling the truth—that he kissed Cora? Well, so what. I don’t have a claim on her. She’s not my fucking girlfriend, for fuck’s sake. I met her two damn hours ago. I know fuck-all about her. Well, except that she’s trouble, and brings more of it with her.

  I also know that now that I’m out of the house, Bishop’s right: I need to stay out.

  I head down the stairs and then off to the edge of my yard. When I reach the dunes, I climb up to the top and gaze out over the dark bay of Santa Marina. The lights of the town glitter. Further around the bay, the glitzy glow of the huge mansions glitter even brighter.

  But there’s one I focus on. Even with all the big houses over there across the bay, I’d know this one with my eyes closed: Kip Clausterman; the man who tore my life apart.

  I plunk my ass down on top of the dunes. I glare at his fucking house, seething. Two years and two months ago, it all went to shit. Before that, I was happy. Well, at least I can pretend I was happier then. I was still a cop. I was still dating Monica, though that being over is a godsend.

  Bishop and I were partners back then. That night, we responded to a noise complaint at the Clausterman mansion. Kip’s fuckwad of a son, Nils, was throwing an especially huge party. But we knew it wasn’t going to be just a dumb college kid thing the second we rolled up. This was too aggressive. The wrong type of people were there. Not just drunk college kids, but guys who had cartel written all over them.

  When I spotted Santa Marina’s resident drug dealer make a quick exit when we arrived, I should have known shit was going to go down. But we kept going. We heard what we thought was a fight, and then a gunshot. Bishop and I charged into Kip’s study, guns out.

  Obviously, we weren’t there to shoot anyone. But the bullets started flying instantly. Bishop got hit hard and went down. After that, I just fired back on instinct. Except, the perp wasn’t just some cartel guy running amok at a rich kid party like I assumed. It was Nils, Kip’s son.

  He lived; he was fine. My career as a cop died that night though. I know Nils was the shooter. I know the huge amount of drugs they later found at the party didn’t belong to “some bad guys who crashed a party they weren’t invited to”. But Kip Clausterman means too much to this town. He means too much to the annual police fundraising gala, too. He also had too many friends in positions way above me.

  So that was it; game over. I lost the badge. I got sued and lost my house, and even lost my girlfriend. Though, I can definitely say good riddance on her.

  I spent about a year drowning in bars. But then I got my shit together. With my years with the force, and before that, the Marines,I built the security business I have now. I’m doing great, and I know that. Business is kicking ass, and I’ve got this great house on the beach.

  Yet it still doesn’t feel like I’m where I’m supposed to be.

  I push my feet into the sand at the top of the dune. I’m still glaring at Kip Clausterman’s house. But I’m not thinking of that asshole or his fuck-head of a son. I’m thinking of Cora.

  I’m also thinking of Bishop, though trust me, not in the same way. With Cora, I’m thinking about how insanely drawn to her I am. How magnetic the attraction I have for her is. I’ve been alone since Monica took off; purposefully so. I’m not unaware of my looks or my physique. I get it. But I’ve never been a one-night kind of guy.

  But that’s also not how I’m looking at Cora. I look at her, and I feel the earth move under my feet. I’m near her, and I want her always, in every way.

  But then, there’s Bishop. He’s also not a hook-up kinda guy. He’s also not one for lingering eyes, ever. But I saw how he looked at her. I saw how furious he was with me when he caught me kissing her. It wasn’t just about her being a witness. Hell no. It was about a lot more than that.

  I frown, thinking about his parting shot when he left just now. Nah, no way, I think to myself. He didn’t kiss her. He’s just trying to fuck with me.

  I sigh, pull my hoodie up, and lay back on the dunes. He is right though. I shouldn’t be in that house with her. Because I can’t trust myself with her. I’m not sure I can trust her with me, either.

  The idea of sleeping in my car doesn’t exactly appeal to me. But for now, I’ve got the sand under me and the surf in my ears. It might at least partially work for taking my mind off Cora.

  I grunt. Man, Happy fucking Valentine’s Day, huh?

  7

  Bishop

  “How’s it goin, Leer?”

  I’m barely out of my truck in the station parking lot. I don’t flinch, but I’m still caught off guard by Marvin’s voice.

  “Hey, good, man,” I turn to nod at the lieutenant. “Uh, sir.”

  He chuckles. “Taking some getting used to for me, too.”

  Marvin was just a regular badge like me until about a month ago when he got promoted. With the tit-for-tat bullshit that usually goes on in this place, that would usually mean he’s in Chief Millbrook’s pocket. But Marvin’s promotion might actually be one of those justly-earned ones. He’s straight as an arrow, and does it all by the book.

  “Got any plans?”

  I frown. “For?”

  “Valentine’s Day, brother!”

  I roll my eyes. “Yeah, no.”

  He chuckles. “No? C’mon man, big guy like you?”

  “I’m not seeing anyone,” I grunt. I haven’t seen anyone in fucking years. I got burned by women long ago, and I haven’t had a single inkling to play with fire ever since.

  “So get on Tinder, man!”

  “I’m fine,” I growl. But I’m not. I’ve got Cora simmering in my fucking brain. I’ve got the taste of her mouth forever etched onto my lips.

  “Hey, listen,” Marvin plows right along, oblivious to my thoughts. “Chief wanted you to pop in to his office when you got in.”

  I frown. Damn, I knew coming back here was a mistake. I’ve already done the paperwork for tonight. But after going back to Tanner’s place and seeing what I saw? It was this or getting wrecked in a bar. Work seemed more productive.

  “Actually I was going to go over some of the Kenner estate forensics from tonight.”

  “Oh, fuck, I can’t believe I didn’t lead with that. That’s some crazy shit, Bishop. You okay, man?”

  “Yeah, it was fine.”

  “Five guys?” He shakes his head. “Oorah Marines, huh?”

  I smile. “You know it.”

  “Well listen, that’s what Chief wants to see you about.”

  I stiffen. “Oh?”

  There’s a lot about everything that’s happened that doesn’t make sense. First and foremost of course is the video I’ve watched of Chief Millbrook executing a guy next to the liaison for one of the most violent cartels in California. Not to mention setting up a massive drug deal with that same cartel.

  “Yeah, just details I think. You know Millbrook. Just wants to make sure the T’s are crossed and the I’s are dotted.”

  “It’s two in the morning.”

  Marvin shrugs. “Yeah, I was surprised to see him in here too. But I
guess it’s not every day we’ve got a cartel shootout going down.”

  “Thankfully,” I grunt. “Alright, well I’ll head up there now.”

  “Glad you’re okay, Bishop.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  Marvin chuckles and heads off. I walk into the precinct and up the stairs to the admin floor. At the end of the hallway, I take a breath. Shit, a drink or two would probably help right now. I’m not nervous or anything. But I am about to go in there and look my Chief in the face when I just watched him murder someone.

  I take another breath and then knock.

  “Come on in.”

  I twist the knob and step inside. “Hey, Chief, you wanted to….”

  I frown. Chief Millbrook isn’t alone. Sitting in the chair across the desk from him is Kip Clausterman.

  “Officer Leer,” Kip smiles thinly at me. He stands and walks around Chief Millbrook’s desk to lean against the wall.

  Christ, I’ve never liked this asshole’s smile. I’ve never liked any smile from pricks like him. It’s always so predatory; so condescending. I don’t hate Kip Clausterman because he’s rich. But I do hate him for being a douchebag. I’d hate him even if his fucker of a son hadn’t shot me and gotten away with it. Not to mention getting Tanner fired.

  “Mr. Clausterman,” I growl thinly.

  “How’s the…shit, where was your injury?”

  “Ass.”

  He chuckles. “Christ, that’s right. Damn am I sorry that happened on my property, Officer Leer. I really hope they find the prick who pulled that trigger. I mean honestly,” he shakes his head. “Can you imagine trying to hurt an officer of the law?”

  Half the time, I’m convinced he’s just being a smug asshole and rubbing salt in the wound. Other times, I think he really might actually believe his son is innocent. Either way, I know what I was told after that whole thing was neatly tied off. I’ve been a cop long enough to know how to read between the lines.

  And what I read and what I was nicely told was that this is over. Nils Clausterman is untouchable, because his father is untouchable. End of story. So officially, they’re still looking for this mystery shooter who put a bullet in my ass. What a waste of everyone’s time.

  “Imagine that,” I say thinly.

  Chief Millbrook eyes me. “That was some solid work tonight up at the Kenner estate.”

  “Thank you, sir,” I mutter thinly.

  “Cartel, in our town?” He’s laying the indignant thing on thick. I might even believe it if I hadn’t just seen what I saw.

  “Imagine that,” I growl again.

  He nods. His eyes hold me closely. “So, walk me through this report. You got the alarm trip from Loretta’s system. And you rolled up there by yourself?”

  “Yes sir.”

  “With two guns?”

  “Officer McCoy—” I frown. Chief Millbrook and Kip smirk. “Tanner,” I grunt. “We were at a range a week ago and he lent me his Beretta. I brought it with me when I took a look around the property.”

  “And that’s when they started shooting at you?”

  I frown. The report is right there in front of Millbrook. I know he’s read it. What’s he doing, trying to trip me up in a lie? It’s not a fun thought. He’s not exactly a genius, but I am vulnerable. I’m hiding a witness, and Tanner too. I even went back there and wiped evidence. I mean hell, that’s tampering with a crime scene. That’s a big deal.

  “No, sir. That would be after I stepped into the second floor bedroom.”

  “Through the sliding door that you found ajar?”

  “Exactly, yeah.”

  Tom and Kip glance at each other. Kip turns to me and smiles that shit-eating smile again. “Anyone else there?”

  I frown. Why he’s even here is concerning enough. But why the fuck is he the one asking questions? And yet, Chief Millbrook just nods at me.

  “Well?”

  “No, sir,” I grunt. “I walked in, they started shooting. I returned fire and advanced on their position until I had them all.”

  “Wow!” Kip laughs. “Captain America over here!”

  I don’t say shit.

  “And how is Tanner doing, Bishop?” Chief Millbrook says pointedly.

  “He’s good.”

  “You’re still friends.”

  At least until he started kissing Cora Kenner, I mutter inside my head.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “That security business of his is doing great I hear,” Kip smiles.

  “He’s done well, yes,” I say thinly.

  “Loretta Kenner is a client, right?”

  I frown. I could lie, but why? And besides that, if he’s my friend, why wouldn’t I know that?

  “She is.”

  Millbrook shrugs. “And he wasn’t there to check on the property with the alarm having been tripped?” He smiles. “I mean I know his gun was there,” he says thinly. But I don’t flinch or blink.

  “I called him from the scene when I arrived and didn’t immediately see any signs of forced entry. He was going to run some diagnostics on his end to check for loose connections or something.”

  I resist the urge to smile smugly. Hell, not bad, double-0-Bishop.

  Kip laughs. “Well, seems I won’t be hiring him to watch my house if he doesn’t even show up!” Millbrook chuckles along with him. I keep my face neutral and unblinking.

  “One last question, Bishop.”

  “Sir?”

  “You have any idea why Soldados de los Muertos was on Loretta Kenner’s property with guns?”

  I shrug. “I don’t. Not yet at least. I just came back in to look at the evidence.”

  “Tom, I think you should bring Tanner McCoy in here to—”

  “But who knows?” I smile widely. “You know how rich people sometimes have a hard time avoiding guns and cartel drugs.”

  I look pointedly at Kip. He smiles back, but I know he’s thinking about putting one between my eyes.

  “Anything else, Chief?”

  “That’ll be all, officer,” he grunts. I nod, turn, and walk out of his office.

  Tom Millbrook executing a guy. Jim Curren setting up cartel drug deals with the Chief of Police. And now Kip Clausterman getting real interested in official police business. I growl to myself.

  When something stinks, there’s usually shit. When everything stinks, it’s officially hit the fan.

  8

  Cora

  The heat envelopes me when I sink under the covers. My hands roam freely, like I’m helpless to even try and stop myself from reacting to the filthy thoughts roaring through my head.

  My lips tingle with the feel of Bishop’s mouth. The feel of the beast of a man who could have pinned me to my bed and taken anything he wanted from me. And I’d have given it. I’d have begged him to take it in that moment.

  My hands push down my stomach and under my shorts. They slide over my slick, aching pussy. I gasp when I sink a finger deep into my heat. I moan, rocking my hips up against my hands and grinding my clit against my palm.

  I kissed two men tonight. I kissed two men I had no business kissing. But what makes it even worse is that it was the most thrilling experience of my life. My mind starts to replay both—first Tanner’s hands all over me while he tasted my lips. Then Bishop’s hulking form all but pinning me to the wall as he kissed me hard.

  And then, my mind runs wild. I start to imagine both of them, together. I imagine them both coming for me at the same time—both taking turns claiming my mouth and running their hands over me. I whimper, and my hips grind faster. I rub my throbbing clit and feel my slickness coat my fingers.

  I writhe under the covers, imagining for the first time ever just how fucking sexy it would feel to be with two men, at the same time.

  I groan. I’ve never dreamed of two guys before. It’s never been a fantasy I’ve explored even in my head. The fact that Bishop and Tanner are both so much older makes it even steamier. They’re both so hot, rough, and built…

&
nbsp; I rub my pussy faster. My slickness coats my hands and drips down my thighs. I imagine two hard bodies manhandling me—four hands touching me everywhere, prying my legs apart. My free hand moves to my mouth. I suck a finger between my lips. I moan and twirl my tongue around it.

  In my head, it’s them. One finger is one of them between my legs. The other is claiming my mouth. I imagine them gripping me from both ends, utterly making me theirs in every conceivable way.

  I turn and bury my moans into the pillow. I suck and slurp at my finger, lost in the fantasy as I rub my clit faster. My body coils and tightens, my skin tingling and my breath catching. My pulse skips, my eyes squeeze shut.

  Suddenly, I can’t hold it in any longer. I come hard, and my entire body shudders and shakes. I scream into the pillows. My body twists and writhes, and I grind my clit against my fingers when the orgasm trembles through me.

  After, I collapse panting into the sheets. I blush deeply and curl into a ball. I shiver in my aftershocks, glowing. Though my mind is still racing with everything that’s happened to me in the last twenty-four hours, somehow I fall asleep.

  But my dreams are far from sweet.

  When I wake, the house is silent. I stay in the guest room for a while before even poking my head out of the door. I almost can’t even bring myself to leave the bed. Because I’m mortified in the light of day about what happened last night.

  But eventually, I tip-toe to the door and peek out. When I don’t hear a thing, I slowly step out. I follow the hallway back to the kitchen and look around.

  Yep, empty.

  But there’s a note by the coffee machine that says, “help yourself,” and it’s signed “-T.” I remember that this is in fact Tanner’s house, and that Bishop doesn’t even live here. But I wonder where both of them are, just the same.

  I pour some coffee and sip it slowly while I walk around the house. God, it’s freaking beautiful here. It’s not the majestic cliff-side ocean views of Loretta’s place, but it’s still stunning. Through the huge windows, I drink in the sight of the dunes and the ocean beyond them. My mind keeps trying to drag me back into the darkness of what I saw and why I ran.