Justice for You, page 1
part #5 of SAPD SWAT Series
Nikki Mays
Published by Nikki Mays
Cover Design: Tracie Douglas @ Dark Water Covers
Photographer: Reggie Deanching @ RplusMphoto
Cover Model: Matt Mueller @ The Stable & Models of RplusMphoto
Editing: Golden Life Publishing
Formatting: T. L. MasonText Copyright © 2019 Nikki Mays
All Rights Reserved
This book contains material protected under International and Federal Laws and Treaties. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without express written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain noncommercial uses permitted by copyright laws. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons, living or dead, events or locations is purely coincidental.
Disclaimer: This book is intended for mature audiences only. It contains adult language and explicit scenes. Not intended for readers under the age of 18. Reader discretion is advised.
As usual, I would like to thank my husband for his unwavering support. Thank you so much for always being supportive about my writing. You have no idea how much I truly appreciate you.
I want to thank my mom for helping me so much all of the time! While writing this book, I had back surgery. My mother literally moved in with us for a few weeks so that she could take care of my children for me. I don’t know what I would do without you Mom. I love you!
And just thank you to my amazing readers! Thank you so much for reading what I write! When I first started, I never thought that anyone would actually be interested in anything that I have to write. All of you have made my dream a reality, and I thank you for that.
Finally, I want to thank my editor Brooke for all of her hard work. She makes sure that all of my words are pretty, coherent and not redundant! I also appreciate the fact that you get so into the stories and really edit with my vision in mind. It’s a great feeling to have someone at your back who gets what you want and tries to help you accomplish it.
No, no, no this can’t be happening! This has to be wrong! These tests are always wrong. I’ve heard of false positives. Yes! That’s what this is. I’ll just go back to the store and get a different brand and retake this and I’m sure that it will come back negative. It has to, I think to myself as I stare down at the test on the sink. I take a deep breath and look at my pasty reflection in the mirror.
There is no way that I can be pregnant by a man that I’m not even dating. A man that I try with all my might to stay far away from. Squeezing my eyes shut, my mind drifts back to that one time in Vegas. Stupid sister’s wedding. Stupid tequila shots! I barely drink wine, how was I supposed to know that I would become a damn tramp and practically maul that man of my every dream and fantasy.
That’s it! It’s those darn dreams and the stupid tequila’s fault. Plus, I’m not even one hundred percent sure that anything really happened. That whole night after Sage and JJ got married is pretty much just one big blur. And, okay, sure, I did wake up naked as a jaybird in Rocco’s room. And sure, our clothes were thrown haphazardly all over the room.
Easing myself to the floor I can’t help but think of waking up in bed with him wrapped around me like an octopus. I still remember the soreness between my legs. Maybe I got really drunk and thought that riding one of those mechanical bulls was a great idea. They have those things in like every bar...right?
So, yep, I totally did not have a one-night stand with the man of my dreams. I then did not slither out of bed carefully so as not to wake him. I definitely did not get dressed faster than a fire fighter going to a call. And I can assure you that I did not creep out of his room and back to my own praying that no one would see me. I also, did not make sure that I was nowhere near him for the rest of the trip.
All of this sounds completely legit. Right. I can do this. I am a well-educated, grown woman for Christ’s sake. Any moment now, I am going to get off of my bathroom floor where I have been sitting for the last five minutes – possibly an hour- and I am going to drive myself to the store to get a different test. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. What? I may be well-educated but I still teach five-year-old's for a living....cut me some slack.
Any minute now, I will stop staring at this tiny test like it’s a ticking time bomb. It’s not like it’s going to jump out and whack me in the face. And so what if I am pregnant? I’m an adult, with a stable job and health insurance. I can definitely raise a baby at my age. I mean, my sister Sage had twins at sixteen. If she can do that as a teenager, well then I can very well raise a wonderful child as a grown woman.
I jump sky high when my phone starts ringing on the floor next to me. My heart is hammering in my chest. I look at the caller id and see that it’s the man that I’ve been studiously ignoring. I do have a sneaking suspicion that it was either my sister, Kayla or Declan who gave Rocco my number.
Now that Sage and Kay are ridiculously happy and in love, they think that everyone should be. I’m happy for them, but it does not mean that I need to be near the man that makes me too nervous to even form words. Declan, well, he’s just a big busy body. I absolutely adore the man, but gosh can he get all up into your business. I swear that charming smile and those innocent little boy eyes are so hard to resist when he insists on being part of your life.
Not that I mind having him in my life. Thanks to him, I’m constantly laughing at something that he says or does. He really is a blast to be around. Except when he’s being a busy body and trying to push me – ungently – into the arms of his friend. I actually have a sudden flash back of Declan doing just that in Vegas with a big cheesy smile on his face.
I swear, if he played any role in this – totally false positive – pregnancy, I’m going to kill him! Okay, I probably won’t even yell at him but I will cry to Sage and Kay. They can be very mean when they want to be. It’s one of the perks of having an awesome older sister. She deals with the people that I can’t.
She’s always been the outgoing, take no crap, in your face and I’ll do whatever I want one. I’m always more of the one to stay quietly in the shadows. I tend to get a little tongue twisted in front of a lot of people. I can easily command an entire class of children but staff meetings make me want to dry heave...go figure.
I ignore the ringing. When it stops and starts again, I’m tempted to fling it off my lap. Why won’t he just give up! I swear this man is the most stubborn and infuriating man in the entire world! Doesn’t he understand that I can absolutely not function around him, well unless I’m drunk apparently. Why can’t he just fixate on any of the gorgeous women that are constantly vying for his attention anytime that we’ve all been out together?
Why in the world would he want an overly average woman like me, when bombshells practically throw themselves at him? I just don’t get it. And it’s not like I think that I look horrible, because I don’t, I know that. But dull brown hair, muddy brown eyes, lips too big for my face, a weird tiny nose and a weird pear-shaped body – Sage calls it hourglass – with medium sized boobs, does not even come close to being in the league of a man like Rocco.
Seriously, the man’s body is a work of art. Luckily for me, Danny and Sage opened up a gym and all the guys like to work out there, especially Rocco. Have I mentioned that the Adonis is usually shirtless when he’s working out? I’ve never liked going to a gym as much as I do these days. And I know for a fact that I’m not the only one who enjoys the show. Several other teachers have come with me after work to “catch the show” as they call it.
He’s so tall, probably at least 6’3 and he is all muscle. Every inch of his body is like granite. Unlike the other guys, he doesn’t have tattoos all over his body. He just has one arm completely covered and it looks amazing every time he flexes his muscles. He has dirty blonde hair and hazel eyes that change color with his moods...not that I’ve paid that much attention to that or anything.
Oh, who am I kidding, I am totally a stalker, except I try to stay away from him when he’s actually near me. I probably suck as an actual stalker. But I swear that the minute he turns those hazel eyes in my direction, my usually over active brain goes entirely blank.
I can’t even seem to form coherent syllables whenever he’s near me. It’s so embarrassing, especially since it’s obvious that it’s just him, since I can speak like an adult to every single other person in the darn world!
This will be an absolute disaster if I really am pregnant. Let’s not even get into the fact that I didn’t think that I would actually ever be able to have children. I’ll have to co-parent with the man of my dreams, whom I can’t say even simple things to when he’s near me. Then there’s going to be my heart getting completely crushed when he eventually finds a gorgeous woman whom he’ll marry and have tons of other babies with. I feel like a Debbie Downer as my mind rambles on.
The phone starts ringing again and I finally can’t take it. I answer the thing and kind of wish that I could take back that momentary lapse in judgment...well two of them if I’m being truthful.
“Hi, Rocco.”
Finally! Finally this infuriating woman answers the damn phone! And damn does her voice saying my name send chills running down my spine and to other body parts.
“Hello, sweetheart.” I say gently trying not to spook her. That seems to happen any time I even get near her. She’s worse than a horse seeing a fucking snake. “How are you?”
I slap myself on the forehead. I finally get her to answer the phone and this is how I’m starting out? Not why did you skip out on what was the best night of my entire life...the parts I can remember anyway. Not why did you make sure that you were never anywhere near me ever again. Not why have you been ignoring every phone call, voicemail and text message that I’ve left you.
Okay, that sounds pretty stalkerish, but I swear I’m not completely stalking her. If I happen to be where she is – often – well then so be it, that just means it’s fate. Okay, it means that I have great friends who are helping me stalk the woman of my fantasies and now vivid dreams. But hell, I just can’t catch a break when it comes to her. She’ll talk to everyone but me! Do you have any idea how frustrating it is to have the woman that you would do anything to get a simple date with, ignore your entire existence?
If I wasn’t convinced that she was by far worth it and my end game, I swear that I would’ve fucking called it quits months ago. But after Vegas, that’s not even in the realm of possibilities any longer. She’s going to be all mine, even if I have to pull a Damon and stalk her fine ass for two years! I look up at my ceiling. Lord, please don’t let it take years. I don’t have the same will power that Damon does. He’s a freakish bastard and trained sniper, I just don’t have it in me.
I let my legs dangle over the edge of the couch, while sinking further into the cushions. Besides the silence on the other end of the phone, I could hear the sportscaster speaking from the T.V. in my kitchen. At the sound of her voice, I tune back in.
“Oh, umm, I’m, you know, *cough* I’m okay.” She stutters out adorably. “How are about you? I mean how about you? How are you? That’s what I meant to say.”
I’m glad that she can’t see me right now because she would probably take offense to the huge smile that I now have on my face. She’s just too fucking cute for her own damn good. I swear it was her unwavering goodness and sweetness that was my total downfall. This may sound shitty but women come and go, but a sweet woman who just reeks of light and goodness is extremely rare in today’s world.
Plus, I might have a thing for the whole kindergarten teacher thing. My mom was a teacher and my dad a cop. I wouldn’t mind following in their footsteps. It’s seemed to have worked out for them for close to forty years now.
Two of my sisters married fire fighters, I think just to annoy our dad. Okay they might not have married them to annoy him but they definitely agreed to the first date for that reason, I would bet a year’s salary on it. At least two of them found quality guys, now if our baby sister Kellie could stop dating douchebags and ending up with deadbeat dads, that would be awesome.
I push the phone even closer to my ear like it could somehow place me right next to her. “I’m doing good honey. I was just wondering what you were up to right now?”
I learned that it’s somewhat best to catch her off guard at times. Sage even told me it’s best not to give her too much time to over think things.
“What!? Why!?” She screeches into the phone. I even have to pull it away a bit due to the volume that she just reached. I’m pretty sure the dogs down the street are now howling. “Ahem, I mean why would you like to know what I’m doing right now?”
She answers the second time more calmly but her voice is almost robotic. I can’t understand why me asking her what she’s doing would throw her into such a tizzy as my mother would say. Damn, she’s even more skittish than I realized.
“I just wanted to see if you were busy right now. I’ve been craving a big greasy burger all day. Especially since I had to skip lunch because of a call. The diner in town has some of the best ones. I was just wondering if you wanted to have dinner with me there...tonight?”
I cringe at my words. Even I would turn me down after that long ass rant. Jesus man, what happened to keeping it quick and simple?
“Oh.” She says in her low, angelic voice. “Umm,” I can imagine her worrying her bottom lip with her teeth as she normally does as she speaks. “I suppose so.”
Jumping up I pump my fist in the air. “But…” Dammit...so close. “I will need to be home early. I have school tomorrow and I like to get an adequate amount of sleep. It helps being aware and alert when dealing with small children.” She states primly.
I smile the biggest smile that I think has ever come across my face. “I wouldn’t dream of keeping you out late on a school night sweetheart. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure that you’re in bed at an early hour.”
I hear her making a choking/coughing sound on the other end of the line. I know that I should probably tread lightly but I just really couldn’t help myself. My mouth started speaking before my brain was able to tell it to shut the fuck up. Please do not let me have screwed it up before it even began.
She’s talking again “Ah, umm, yes, I would appreciate, ahem, being home at a decent hour. Thank you. I could even just meet you there so that I can leave if you feel like staying out later!” She practically shouts that last part out a little too excitedly.
I snigger to myself and sit up, yeah that shit ain’t happening. I’m getting as much time with her as I possibly can. Even if it just means me picking her up and dropping her off at home. Grabbing the Sports Illustrated magazine from the table I stare into Peyton Manning’s smiling face as I answer. “No, I like going to bed early myself on work nights.” This is a lie, I’m a night owl, but she doesn’t need to know that just yet.
“It will work out just fine if I pick you up. Plus, there have been a few muggings in town – okay one – and I would just feel better knowing that you were safe at all times.” Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know that I’m going to hell for preying on her fear like this, but it’s been fucking months! Desperate times call for desperate measures.
“Oh my gosh!” She gasps. I just smile, she doesn’t even curse fully. “I hadn’t heard about that.” She pauses again and I just know that she’s chewing on the damn bottom lip that is quickly becoming somewhat of an obsession of mine. “Well, if you think that it would be best for you to pick me up then I guess you should. You’re the police officer after all, you would know best when it comes to safety issues.”
“I really do think that it would be best.” Straight to hell, my ass isn’t even going to pass go, just straight down.
“Well, okay then. Do you think that you could give me an hour or so? I need to run to the store to pick something up.” She says.
Tossing the magazine down I lean back.
“Why don’t we just stop while we’re in town. It doesn’t make sense to have you drive into town to go to the store when we’ll be there soon anyway.” I plan to get as much time in with her as possible.
“Ahhhh, it’s kind of a personal matter type of thing that I need to pick up.” I just smile and shake my head.
“Sweetheart, I have three sisters. I have no problem with spending a few minutes in the tampon aisle. Hell, I’ve even had to go in by myself and pick some up for them.”
I can hear her blow out a big breath. Crap, maybe she’s not comfortable with that? “Or, I could just wait in the car while you go inside. Whatever makes you more comfortable.”
“Yes, that would probably be for the best.” I shrug to myself at her words.
“Alright, so how about I pick you up in like twenty minutes? Is that okay?” I ask hopefully. Like Sage said, the less time she has to think, the better.
“Yes, that’s fine. Do you need my address?” She asks sweetly.
“Nope, it’s a small town and Declan pointed it out one day when we were on patrol together.” Not a total lie. I did get her address from him. It doesn’t count as stalking if I’m on patrol and making my rounds around town. If I happen to pass the school and her house a few times, it just means that I’m thorough. Call it doing my job!
“Oh, okay. That makes sense. He’s driven me home from Sage’s house a few times.” Lucky bastard.
“Okay sweetheart, I’ll see you in a few then.”
“Okay, bye Rocco.”
I miss her voice immediately when the call is ended. But I’m happy with the arrangements. Scrolling through my phone I click the connect button to one of my favorite people in the world. The fact that she happens to know Lavender is just a bonus.
