Bad Cop Page 13

  Sculpted pectoral muscles over firm abdominals, for God’s sake. And the man walked around like this was no big deal. Her own breasts ached and, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Genevra had come to stand by her side.

  “He really is quite something,” Genevra offered, sounding as enraptured as Piper felt.

  Piper let a long sigh escape, feeling at ease with the woman by her side. “I’m literally having trouble forming a thought,” she said honestly. “I believe I am stupefied.”

  Genevra gave a short laugh. “That’s exactly how it started for me with Hale. We were supposed to be discussing business and I couldn’t get my head out of the bedroom.”

  Piper gave a short huff of acknowledgment and turned, wiping a tear from her eye. “He’s far more than I can handle,” she said, trembling. Shocked by her own response, she busied herself with the rest of the icing.

  “Piper,” Genevra called softly in wonder. “Surely you don’t believe that,” she said, laying a comforting hand on her back. “Vance is just a man, albeit a darn good-looking one.” A laugh broke forth from both women.

  Piper sniffled. “He’s a lot of man,” Piper insisted, “and the two of us have history which hasn’t been thoroughly disclosed.”

  “Bah,” Genevra waved her concerns away. “The two of you have today. Enjoy that. Be present for that.” She pulled out the warming drawer to retrieve the bacon.

  “How the hell did I get this lucky?” boomed a voice at the end of the kitchen island.

  Piper lifted her head to find Hale Evans’ joy-filled expression.

  “Sticky buns the size of my head, more bacon than is bound to be good for me, my gorgeous fiancée pregnant and practically barefoot in my own kitchen—I am in heaven,” he exclaimed. “And Piper, I’m assuming by your sunshiny presence, the boy has yet to muck things up. My pride is almost unmanageable.”

  Piper allowed herself to be caught up in his joviality. With a brilliant grin, she lifted the heavy platter and carried it to him, happy when he started to salivate. “They are cinnamon rolls,” she corrected haughtily. “But I do have a sensational sticky bun recipe I’d be happy to come back and bake for you.”

  “By all means.” He lifted the platter from her hands and headed out onto the patio.

  Smiling, Genevra directed her to take off her apron and pointed down the hall to the powder room. “Wow him,” she ordered. “It’ll take a few minutes to get everything on the table, so I want you to put your bathing suit on. If you didn’t bring one, I have one you can borrow.”

  Piper stood frozen in a daze. “Are you sure?” she whispered, untying her apron. “That might be a little…much for breakfast.”

  “Fight fire with fire,” Genevra suggested. “Besides, hitting him with a one-two punch ought to even the playing field.”

  “One-two punch?”

  “Your cinnamon rolls and that body in a bikini. Trust me. If he’s anything like his father, the upper hand will be yours.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  When Vance saw his father lay Piper’s cinnamon rolls on the large umbrella-covered table, he leaned toward his father’s ear and said, “She’s a lawyer who likes to bake. And from the looks of it, she’s apparently good at both.”

  Hale straightened and licked his finger which had managed to find its way into a pool of icing at the edge of the platter. “It’s just a crying shame she’s so unfortunate looking.”

  Vance bit back a smile. “I’m doing my best to overlook it.” He clapped his father on the arm. As Hale seated his grandmother, Vance moved toward the kitchen and was met at the French doors by Genevra, who thrust a platter of eggs and bacon into his hands.

  “Take these and sit,” she commanded. “Piper is powdering her nose and will be out in a minute.”

  Pinks arrived next with a tray containing tall, slim glasses, an ice bucket, and a glass pitcher of Bloody Marys. “I’m trying a new mix,” he said to the table at large. “It already has horseradish in it, so everyone take care.” He glanced around. “Where’s Piper?”

  “She’ll be out shortly,” Genevra said, indicating the men should sit. “Let’s go right ahead and begin, shall we? I’m sure she doesn’t want the food to cool.”

  “Genevra, here is a Virgin Mary for you.” Pinks handed her a glass. “Miss Emelina, here’s yours just the way you like it. I’ve added Genevra’s shot to yours, making it a double bloody—or a double Mary, whichever you prefer.”

  “Bound to make you doubly merry, Abuela,” Vance said as he took a glass from Pinks. He stirred the red concoction with the long, leafy celery stalk and then took a hearty sip, which he proceeded to sputter out of his mouth and down his white T-shirt as he tried to swallow, breathe, and stand all at the same time.

  The scrape of his chair against the stone pavement brought curious gazes, and soon the entire table joined Vance in watching the playful vision of femininity that was one Piper Beaumont make her way out the French doors and over to the table.

  All three men stood, mouths agape, napkins in their hands, as Genevra and Emelina eyed one another and carried on filling their plates as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening.

  Vance was stunned speechless as he took in Piper’s striking appearance. Her hair, held in place by shiny, little clips, was tucked up into a hot, curly mess on top of her head leaving the slender column of her neck temptingly exposed to the sun’s rays and, dear God, his mouth. She wore a cover-up that did anything but, as it was crocheted in loose stitches with a plunging V-neckline. The teeny-weeny polka-dot bikini underneath that tangle of string was mesmerizing for what it exposed. Her waist—tiny and tucked, tempting him to try to circle it fully with his hands. Her cleavage—full and lush, tempting his mouth and hands at once. Her thighs—sleek and enticing, tempting his groin to stir without remorse.

  The bit of fabric also stirred his imagination for what it did manage to conceal. His mind began undressing her, trying to solve the mystery of the shape of her breasts, the hue of her nipples, and the color and texture of the hair at the juncture of her thighs. He imagined the two of them on a deserted white-sand beach, him laying her down, stripping her naked, and exploring her succulent body with his hands and mouth.

  “Snap out of it,” his brain shouted as he stood daydreaming like a drooling simpleton while his father pulled out the chair between them and helped Piper be seated at the table. “Get a fucking grip,” he told himself as he felt his tongue drag over his lips, his napkin dangling in front of his shorts. But his brain had been short-circuited and he continued to stand even though Piper was seated beside him and reaching for something on the table.

  When she looked up at him in question, with those plump, raspberry-colored lips straining toward the level of his crotch, it took every ounce of self-discipline he possessed not to outwardly groan. He didn’t trust himself to speak, but managed to place a hand on the table and lower himself carefully into his chair. He reached for a glass of water and drank it down, noticing that across from him, Pinks had donned his new pair of shades. Sunglasses so dark that no one could see where his eyes landed. It irritated Vance to no end that Piper was seated across from The Ninja. His foot lashed out and struck the asshole in his shin. “Eyes on your plate,” he ground out quietly, hoping the conversation around him swallowed the remark for all but Pinks.

  The Ninja glared at him as if his feelings were hurt, but Vance didn’t feel an ounce of regret. He was staking his claim.

  Before Vance’s blood pressure could spike and blow off the top of his head, a gentle hand landed on his forearm. He felt his eyes close and the tension ease throughout his body, immediately soothed. It was the touch he remembered from all those years ago, and if he had been alone, he would have cried like a baby, letting the emotion of its return surge through him. Because the touch Piper bestowed on him now performed the same feat of magic it had in the weeks following his mother’s abrupt departure. When there was no one else willing or able to comfort him, it was her touch
that had found a way.

  He forced his mind to reach for solace. Then he nudged his emotional state into gratitude, and when he was able to fully feel it, he turned his attention to Piper and granted her a small, intimate smile.

  Her baby blue eyes twinkled over a hesitant grin, as if she had cause to be unsure of herself where he was concerned. He wanted to tell her everything right then. About her touch and its overwhelming effect. About how he remembered it so strongly from twenty years ago. How it was probably the one memory that had led him to seek her out after all these years. And how her touch was most likely what had triggered his panic attack the night he left her on the dance floor five years before.

  Instead he leaned down and lightly kissed the spot between pink cheek and delicate ear. It must have tickled because she tucked the spot against her shoulder and rubbed as she let out a short laugh. The sound loosened the invisible restraints confining his limbs, and he reached a hand behind her bare neck and stroked the tender skin with his fingertips.

  He was in deep and it scared him. Piper was his childhood savior and his hologram. As he stared across the table at his father’s fiancée who glowed with carefree happiness as she chatted about the latest wedding plans, Vance wondered if he’d ever be able to make Piper feel like that. Make Piper want to tie herself down to the likes of him. A broken man looking to be made whole.

  Christ Almighty. A broken man looking to be made whole? Vance cringed inwardly. What a fucking drama queen.

  He needed to lighten up and he needed to do it now. Taking hold of his Bloody Mary, Vance downed the sucker. He refilled it to the brim also freshening Piper’s. By way of apology, he topped off Pinks’ while he was at it. A little alcohol on a Sunday morning never killed anyone—even if he was on duty later that evening. Which reminded him that Piper had kicked Danny Boy to the curb and shown up for brunch because Bad Cop had told her to as only Bad Cop could. So he doubted that a sniveling confession about the soothing power of her touch would go a long way to enhance the state of his manhood in her eyes. Yeah, he’d best keep all that to himself for now. If Bad Cop was the one who had the woman hooked, he better rely on Bad Cop to reel her in.

  Gradually, the shock of Piper’s smokin’ hot body on Vance’s nervous system eased from a volcanic blast down to a simmering pool of lust settling in the center of his swim trunks. At least his brain had begun to function enough for him to chime into the conversation now and then, and to actually taste the complexity of Piper’s soul-stirring cinnamon rolls. The accolades shouted from all ends of the table were not exaggerated. Apparently Ms. Beaumont not only had a talent for winning cases and making grown men weep, but her culinary skills, at least when it came to sugar and pastry, were also off the charts.

  The breakfast passed pleasantly with most of the focus directed at Piper, although the catalyst that had precipitated her law degree remained a mystery. Eventually Emelina enlisted The Ninja’s help with clean-up while encouraging Hale and Genevra to sit and continue conversing with Piper and Vance.

  “Well, I’m just going to have to come out and ask,” Piper said, sounding a bit apologetic. “But for the life of me, I have not been able to figure out how Davis fits into this family.”

  “No?” Hale teased. “You haven’t figured out that Davis is my future stepdaughter’s ex-boyfriend who arrived on our doorstep uninvited, yet talked himself into a nonexistent internship while secretly planning to win Lolly back or, at the very least, to learn how to seduce the pants off a myriad of other unsuspecting young women? I mean, what could be more obvious?”

  Vance was fully amused by the look on Piper’s face, a cross between shock, horror, and incomprehension.

  “He’s darling,” Genevra defended. “We’ve adopted him as one of ours. And while I have no idea if he’s managed to seduce the pants off anyone, I can tell you that he’s been indispensable around here. He’s taken over a significant role in the planning and execution of our wedding.”

  “But mostly he works for my dad and me,” Vance said, bringing Piper’s attention around to himself. He took one of her hands in both of his and began stroking her narrow, little fingers, realizing he and Piper hadn’t talked much about anything beyond their shared past. “We’ve recently gone into business together,” he explained. “And in just a couple of short weeks, Davis has found us office space, managed to have it renovated, cleaned, and furnished, and has hired a graphic artist to come up with a logo, which he’s having made into a very large shingle for us to hang outside the door. The Ninja is smart, aggressive, and is doing just fine with the ladies.” He glanced over at Genevra. “He’s not winning Lolly back, but I think he’s made his peace with that.”

  “So when will I get to meet the infamous Lolly?” Piper asked.

  Genevra glanced up and nodded her chin toward the space behind the rest of them. “I think now is as good a time as any.”

  ***

  Piper turned her head in unison with Vance and Hale. Looking beyond the swimming pool, she watched as two heads crested the top of the hill, followed by shoulders, then bodies and legs in turn. Piper noticed the couple chatted animatedly while swinging clasped hands between them. They walked toward the pool, but their faces were directed toward one another, oblivious to being the center of attention.

  “Lolly and…?”

  “Brooks,” Vance said. “Brooks Bennett. Best friends since high school. He and I played baseball together here and at State.”

  “Mmm.” Piper returned her attention to the ones on approach. Brooks Bennett was big and handsome with short copper curls, broad shoulders, and a square jaw. He wore navy board shorts under a loose fitting T-shirt and on his feet were athletic shoes.

  “He’s been the Golden Boy of Henderson for longer than he cares to remember,” Vance offered. “The good cop to my bad. And with me as his campaign manager, he’ll be running this town in just over a year. We’re putting together a plan to inspire economic growth with low rent and tax incentives for new and existing businesses.”

  Piper could easily imagine Brooks Bennett as the mayor of Henderson. And, like the rest of the men she dined with, she could plainly see that he was in love with Lolly and not afraid to show it.

  His wide grin showered affection over the tall, lean brunette whose hair was pulled into a high ponytail and tied with a red bow. Lolly’s short red shorts showed off the length and shape of her legs while her white tank top clung to her long, thin torso. She was athletic and only resembled her mother in facial features and coloring. Where Genevra was soft, round, and elegant, Lolly was firm, strong, and pretty.

  It was about then Lolly noticed the table full of onlookers. She waved and then tossed Brooks’ hand aside, breaking into a run. Brooks ran after her, picked her up, and threatened to dump her into the pool. With a shriek, she clung to him and ducked her head into his shoulder. Piper smiled at their fun, standing as they approached. Brooks placed Lolly back on her own two feet.

  Brooks noticed her first, stopping and adjusting his stance as he settled in front of Piper. His muscular legs were spread wide and his large hands were clasped in front of him as he looked her over with an appraising grin. “This?” he said, shooting a quick but pointed look toward Vance. “This is Piper?”

  “Piper?” Lolly said in awe, raising her sunglasses and setting them on her head. “Why…” she stumbled, searching for words, “you’re…perfect. Isn’t she?” she asked Vance, her eyes big and bright.

  “She is,” Vance agreed.

  Lolly took her hand as Vance introduced them. “Piper, this is Lolly DuVal, my…well, my friend and soon to be stepsister. Take your pick. And this is Brooks Bennett.”

  Brooks couldn’t get close because Lolly was standing directly in front of Piper, smiling at her like she was the last of a species thought to be extinct.

  Piper couldn’t imagine why she was being held under such bedazzled scrutiny until Vance stepped in to explain.

  “Forgive my friends,” he said, as he moved t
o stand closer to her side. “They have heard the legend and seem a bit starstruck.”

  “The legend?” Piper looked at Lolly and Brooks in turn as they grinned down at her.

  “About fourth grade,” Lolly said, nodding her head. “When you saved him from utter despair, allowing him to be happy while you took on his sadness. He told us that when you held his hand, it was that simple human—”

  Vance's hand clasped over Lolly’s mouth. “Aaaaand that’s enough,” he decreed.

  But Lolly pulled his hand down below her mouth spouting, “And you’re his hologram—” before Vance shut her up again.

  Vance looked behind him and addressed Brooks. “This is a disaster. You know that, right?”

  Brooks simply nodded, beaming his broad grin.

  Vance leaned down and whispered in Lolly’s ear as his green eyes held Piper captive. “Lolly,” he said calmly, “Piper and I are in the process of getting reacquainted. It would be helpful if you would control any further outbursts regarding things told to you in confidence.”

  Lolly nodded. “Sorry,” she said, as Vance removed his hand.

  “I’m his what?” Piper asked immediately.

  “His hologram!” Lolly enthused, only to find her mouth captured once again.

  Hale howled with laughter as he got up. “Gentlemen, you have met your match. Son, if you’ve anything to confess to Piper, I suggest you drag her off and do it now. Or better yet, let Lolly handle it for you. The two of them seem able to communicate at the speed of light.”

  A muffled response was captured under Vance’s hand. Both women dissolved into giggles over the absurdity of the situation, eyeing each other with gleeful anticipation of what the two of them could reveal to one another. It was in that moment that a bond was formed and Piper had to agree with everybody else.