Some Like It in Handcuffs

a finalist in the 2010 Golden Rose Contest

by

Christine Warner

To my wonderful sister, Cara.

Thank you for the encouragement.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

A word about the author...

“Take it easy. It’s not like I’m going anywhere.” Sunny jerked her arms back hoping to slow the pace of the large-framed detective who continued to drag her from the bar with unwavering force.

“Calm down, Wildcat. You’re only making it harder on yourself.” He didn’t slow his stride, or ease the firm grasp he had on her arm as he walked beside her.

The handcuffs were hard and solid, and she yanked her wrists a second time against their depressing weight. She scowled at his profile when he didn’t respond. Bruises would form from their mini tug of war.

He led her through the pock covered gray metal door of Benny’s Backyard Playhouse to the outside coolness of the early morning air. The stench of garbage filled the back alley, and Sunny wrinkled her nose. The schedule for trash pickup was the least of her worries. She rolled her eyes, dreading the explanations she’d have to make to her family for this mess.

Aware of the smirks on the faces of a few of the city’s finest standing on alert outside, Sunny glanced around until she noticed Officer Craig Kennedy, her brother.

Craig winked at her as she marched past. She served him a mutinous glare. Humor pulled at the corners of his mouth, and he shrugged wide shoulders when his gaze connected with her brutish guard.

“All in a day’s work, Judson?” Craig directed his question to the man in charge of her.

“I had no idea I’d need a whip and a chair when I came in tonight.”

Both men glanced at her and laughed. Craig better enjoy his fun now because he’d pay dearly the next time their paths crossed. As for the man named Judson, her skin prickled at his confident, cocky attitude. Too early to tell what she thought of him, but knowing he’d bonded with her brother, made her suspicious.

“Sounds like you need to talk to your ring master about different props.” The words shot from her mouth. She yanked a final time, sighed, and let her arm go limp.

“Like tranquilizer guns.” Judson’s quick comeback surprised her. She pressed her lips together to stop from smiling. He appealed to her and made her uneasy at the same time. Most men became tongue-tied when she started spewing sarcasm.

She hadn’t visited the department lately and assumed the egotistical beefcake dragging her across the pavement must be new to the precinct. With a twist of her head, she scanned the length of his body. His gray suit didn’t hide his broad shoulders or the long powerful gait of his strides.

Mr. Tough Guy tugged her arm to keep her moving. It wouldn’t be smart to tell him whom he was manhandling just yet. A few of the dancers were close and already stared at her with wide eyes for being sassy. No way would she put her job at Benny’s in jeopardy because she couldn’t control her mouth. She bit her lip.

“Looks like you have your hands full, Jud. Good luck.” Craig followed his comment with an exaggerated whistle.

“Nothing a sturdy muzzle can’t handle.” Judson challenged her with the lift of his brow.

“Try it buddy.” She broke her resolve to remain silent, and whispered through clenched teeth, “It’ll be a fight you’ll never forget.”

He purred loud enough for her ears alone. “I bet you leave scratches, Wildcat.”

His eyes flashed, and she couldn’t tell if it was in amusement or anger. With a thrust of her chin, she turned from his gaze to stop the instant retort that sprang to her lips.

A gust of wind followed their parade across the dimly lit parking lot. The tangled mass of dead leaves and discarded debris in the corner of the alley whipped into a small tornado. Goose bumps popped up on her skin and she shivered.

Sunny inhaled a deep breath in an attempt to calm her pulse. Anger at the detective wouldn’t accomplish anything. He had a job to do and she shouldn’t blame him for doing it.

Better she
kill him with kindness.
The best advice her father had given her when dealing with four tormenting brothers. She might not win every argument, but she’d come out on top if she kept her cool.

The warm smile she pasted on her face could have melted butter. Her voice softened. “It’d be nice if I could at least grab my jacket. It’s freezing out here, and I’m not exactly dressed for the occasion.”

Her body shook as the cold air penetrated her skin. She fixed her stare on the rigid body of the man at her side. The slinky sequined bustier and pair of barely there matching jean shorts hardly covered the necessities. No wonder he didn’t listen to her. Nobody would take her serious in this get up.

His large hand combed through his thick overgrown hair before he stopped in annoyance then swung around on his heel. The mercury light on the pole behind her lit his face as he looked down at her with the most extraordinary pair of gray eyes she’d ever seen. Not solid gray as she summed up in her hasty inspection, but the type of blue-gray color that matched the sky during a spring storm.

Definitely easy on the eyes. The startling realization that this no nonsense detective was quite a specimen of manhood surprised her. It took her what...all of five minutes to notice. The word handsome didn’t do him justice. His strong, rugged features and dark coloring made his Native American heritage obvious. His height and size made her feel feminine and—she flinched—protected. Her gaze traveled from the top of his head to the toes of his well-made leather shoes. If she’d paid attention from the start, instead of pouting over her predicament, she’d have noticed all of this sooner. Her lips twitched at her own blatant evaluation of him.

Just the type of guy she was attracted to, too bad he worked law enforcement. All her life she’d been surrounded by men who talked cop day and night. Sunny had sworn off ever actually dating anyone in the profession, even though she’d had so many offers from the guys who worked with her brothers, she stopped counting. Not that she kept a tally, but it was a lift to her confidence.

Without a word, Jud the stud shrugged out of his dark gray suit coat and draped it unceremoniously across her shoulders. His calloused hands brushed the smooth skin of her upper arm. This time the damp Lake Michigan air wasn’t the cause of the sudden shudder that ran through her entire body. The heat radiating from his touch warmed her flesh, and an instant swell of desire rose within her. She sucked in a gulp of air so fast she coughed.

“Thanks.” Sunny stumbled on an invisible stone from the pavement, but managed to take the last few steps to the unmarked police car.

Judson placed his hand over her head to guide her into the back of his sedan. The instant awareness of his touch circulated through the blood in her veins and traveled her body. Something about him upset her equilibrium, and she landed awkwardly onto the back seat. If he hadn’t acted so quickly by holding her steady, she’d have fallen face first. Sure, it’d been awhile since she’d been in the company of an attractive man, but she hadn’t realized she missed it until now.

She might have to reevaluate concentrating solely on her career and start accepting dates. Of course, it’d help if anyone asked. As of late her phone only rang with job opportunities, which was good for the bank account, but not her confidence.

The door clicked closed and she leaned forward to adjust her position. It was difficult to move with her hands cuffed behind her. She flicked her head to the side to clear the curls from her face. They interfered with her view of Judson’s swagger as he rounded the front of the car. An intense heat ignited throughout her body. The thrilling tingle resonated across her limbs and fanned a flame where her legs met. Sunny squirmed in her seat to ease the burn.

She chastised herself for thinking about sex when trouble was only minutes away. About fifteen minutes to be exact. Sunny rested her head against the cool leather of the seat and stared up at the interior ceiling of the sedan. She didn’t look forward to arriving at their destination. By now not only did her other brothers know about her imminent arrival, but her father did as well.

Sunny lifted her head from the seat as Judson opened his door. Tasha, a dancer from the Playhouse, stood next to a blonde haired officer, her wrists cuffed in a pair of steel bracelets that matched Sunny’s. The young officer talked with Judson. Sunny strained to hear what they said, but the snapping of Tasha’s bubblegum blocked out their voices. Before she could lean forward the rear door opened and Tasha slid into the seat across from her. Sunny closed her mouth and kneed the back of the seat.

The debate she had with herself about informing Judson just who she was had been decided. No way could she say anything with Tasha in the car, unless she wanted to blow her cover.

All too soon Sunny sat forward when the car stopped. She scanned the familiar rustic six story brick building. Panic welled in her throat, she swallowed the lump. Several deep breaths controlled the quick rise and fall of her chest. She had to face them, but it didn’t mean she looked forward to it.

Hair prickled on the back of her neck. She preceded her hot Sherlock Holmes into the brightly lit squad room, squaring her shoulders in preparation for battle.

A few hoots and hollers greeted her when she passed the desks of the detectives working the graveyard shift. A sudden lack of confidence and unease rose up from her belly, a reminder of her awkward teen years. She swallowed the anxiety and reminded herself she knew everybody here. It wouldn’t be normal if they didn’t give her a hard time. Detective Karr turned in his chair and gave her a hefty wink as she waltzed past him. She darted her tongue over her lips and winked back. The grown up Sunny could dish it out as well as take it.