Page 174 of Hot Cops

“Take off your pants. We need to get you dry and warm.”

Chloe moved away only a few steps, slipping her own jeans off as Blake watched. She didn’t have a shy bone in her body—never had—so her disrobing became part seduction. She turned her back to him before sliding the denim over her hips. She tugged her panties down at the same time, so when she bent forward to draw the material over her feet, he was treated to a bird’s-eye view of her perfect ass.

Before he could think better of it, he reached over and slapped it. Chloe gasped—the sound more surprise than pain—then she grasped her ankles. “Do that again.”

He considered making her beg. They had only started to explore their sexual kinks when he’d stolen that money and left town. Even so, he had recognized Chloe’s desire for pain, her love of rough play and her need to be dominated. He’d spent too many lonely nights, jacking off in bed as he imagined all the ways he would have taken her if life hadn’t thrown them the curveball.

Now, all those fantasies came rushing to the surface. He would make them a reality. But first…

He grasped her gently by the elbow and helped her up. She turned, confusion briefly flashing across her face before she understood.

“I’m sorry, Blake. I…”

He tugged her into his arms, holding her tightly. “I get the same way around you. I lose all sense of control. I just need to try to make things right between us before we let this go any further.”

She nodded. “I agree.”

He led her to the couch and they sat down together side by side. Chloe tugged an afghan from the ottoman and spread it out over top of them. It was cozy and warm.

“You said your dad was making plans after you bailed him out. To do what?”

“He was in big trouble with the drug pushers. We went back to our place and he started packing up our stuff. Within half an hour, we were back on the street. I’d worked at that crummy sub shop for nearly three years after school, saving enough money to buy my motorcycle. My dad went out that afternoon and stole one. By noon, we were on the highway, speeding away from New Orleans.”

“Just like that?”

Blake rubbed the back of his neck. He’d spent countless hours trying to figure out why the hell he’d followed his father so easily, why he hadn’t fought to stay. “I’d stolen from your mother, Chloe. I couldn’t figure out a way to make that right.”

“You could’ve explained it to me, Blake.”

He lifted one shoulder. “I know. But my dad…”

“He couldn’t stay in New Orleans. And you couldn’t leave him.”

“That was the biggest mistake I made that day. I chose to stay with the wrong person.”

Chloe fell silent. Blake wasn’t sure what else to say. At this point, the ball was in her court. Either she would forgive him. Or she wouldn’t.

“You’ve been back in New Orleans for almost six years?”

He nodded.

“Did you come back to town with your dad?”

“No. My dad and I split ways about two years after we left.” Blake didn’t tell her about the near-rape or the fight. That was a story he’d take to his grave. “I’d been on the force nearly three years before I realized he’d come back to New Orleans too. Got a call when I was on duty. Drunk and disorderly. I walked into the bar in my uniform and sure enough, there he sat.”

“That must have been an uncomfortable reunion.”

Blake snorted. “You can’t even imagine.”

“Did you arrest him?”

Blake shook his head. “No. I drove him back to his place. Crazy asshole was actually proud of me for joining the force.”

“Really?” Chloe asked. “I thought he hated cops.”

“He’s a twisted bastard. He believed he could use my position to cover up his crimes.”

Chloe winced. “Wow.”

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