Chapter 28
28
COURT
Three weeks after the case was closed, I made my way to Internal Affairs to find out if I would be reprimanded for breaking protocol. Whatever the consequence was, I would take it. The Sapphire Lounge was seized and closed, my cousin Nick applied to the academy, and Ryan and I were better than ever. I was sure he still harbored some shred of doubt, but I’d made it my mission to prove to him that I loved him.
We went on dates several times a week, spent countless hours in bed—and other places around our apartments—naked, and even managed to score playoff tickets for the Red Sox. Things were good. Really good. But as I parked my Durango and headed to the building that held the fate of my career in its hands, I had to wonder if everything was going to implode given our relationship, and how I didn’t follow the plan with the bust to the letter.
The IA office stood apart from the rest of police headquarters. Unlike the commotion of my precinct, quiet filled the place. The walls were a dull off-white, decorated with framed motivational posters featuring words like Integrity and Accountability beneath images of mountains or eagles.
I didn’t have to put on my uniform for the meeting, so I’d chosen dark slacks, a pressed white shirt, and a navy blazer. A plain gray tie added to the subdued mood. I’d also waived representation from my union rep because I felt as though I didn’t need them. I hoped I’d made the right decision.
A receptionist directed me to a conference room near the back of the office. Inside, a long wood table sat in the middle of the room. Two chairs were set up on one side, and a single chair sat alone on the other. A legal pad and a manila folder with my name on it sat in front of the two people waiting for me.
“Detective Wilder,” Captain Morales began, gesturing for me to take a seat.
“Captain. Detective,” I replied, acknowledging him and Detective Greene before I sat. The chair was hard, the kind designed to keep any user uncomfortable. I clasped my hands together on the table, forcing myself to keep my posture straight despite the tension in my shoulders.
Greene opened the folder in front of her and glanced at me. “Let’s get right to it. We’re here to discuss your actions during the operation against Donnie Pierce at the warehouse in South Boston. Specifically, the moment you revealed your identity as an undercover officer prior to the suspects being fully detained. Walk us through your decision-making.”
I nodded once, forcing my voice to stay steady. “The situation escalated quickly. Lo was armed, and tensions were already high given the absence of Mr. Pierce. I made a judgment call to intervene before things got more out of hand. It was a calculated risk, but I stand by my decision.”
“You went off script,” Morales interjected. “The plan was for you to stay in character and let the tactical team handle the arrests. You’re aware of that, correct?”
“I am,” I said, meeting his gaze. “But Lo was standing next to me and in the process of raising his firearm. The situation was unraveling, and I saw an opportunity to act before anyone got hurt. If I’d waited, things could have spiraled out of control.”
Greene’s pen scratched against her legal pad as she took notes. She didn’t look up as she asked, “And your injury? When did that occur?”
“Two days prior,” I answered. “I was with Mr. Pierce when an unforeseen situation arose. A third party intervened and targeted an asset. I stepped in to de-escalate and ensure the asset’s safety.”
Morales leaned forward, steepling his fingers. “So, not only did you break protocol by revealing your identity at the warehouse, but prior to that, you acted without backup in a volatile situation.”
I swallowed hard. “I’m sure you’re aware of the circumstances that led me to make a split-second decision to protect Ryan Ashford by taking out an armed fugitive.”
Morales exchanged a glance with Greene. She nodded slightly before he turned back to me. “Here’s the situation. Given the success of the operation—the arrests, the confiscation of drugs and weapons, and the dismantling of the ring—there’s no question your efforts were instrumental. However, your deviation from protocol when it came to the bust cannot be overlooked.”
My stomach tightened. Here it came.
“Effective immediately,” Morales continued, “you’re being placed on a two-week suspension. During this time, you will be required to attend a mandatory review of departmental policies and participate in a tactical decision-making training program.”
I forced myself to nod. “Understood.”
Greene added, “This is not a reflection on your overall service record, but it is a formal reprimand. Any further incidents of this nature will result in harsher consequences. Are we clear?”
“Yes, ma’am,” I answered.
Morales leaned back in his chair. “You’re dismissed.”
I stood, nodding once more. As I left the room, the weight of their words settled over me. Two weeks off. It wasn’t the worst outcome, but it still stung. At least no mention had been made of my relationship with Ryan. Since I now had a couple of weeks off, I was planning on spending every minute with my man when he wasn’t working.
The scent of coconut and vanilla filled the kitchen as I stirred the mixture on the stove, keeping a careful eye on the thickening cream. Ryan stood beside me, tossing a handful of shredded coconut onto a baking sheet, spreading it out in a mostly even layer.
“You better not burn that,” I teased, glancing at him as I adjusted the heat on the burner.
He raised an eyebrow, grabbing the sheet with a little too much flair. “Burn it? Who do you think I am? This is precision work.”
I shook my head and chuckled. “Precision work means keeping an eye on it. Not getting distracted.”
I stepped to the side so he could open the oven door and slide the tray in.
After he closed the oven door, he turned to me and said, “You’re the only distraction here with your sexy apron on.”
I took the creamy concoction off the burner. “Would you rather I be naked?”
He slowly smirked. “Um, yeah.”
“And what if this hot cream splashes on my dick?”
His grin only widened. “Are you hearing yourself right now?”
We both started to laugh. “You need to behave or I won’t get this pie in the fridge in time.” We were having dinner at my parents’ house later, and I was bringing the dessert, as always. I should have made the pie the night before, but Ryan and I had lost track of time and ended up doing other things .
“It’s hard to behave when—” A faint whiff of toasty coconut hit my nose, and I turned to him sharply. “The coconut.”
“I know, I know!” he said, throwing open the oven door and pulling the tray out. The edges of the coconut were just a touch darker than golden, but I had to admit it wasn’t bad.
He set the cookie sheet on the counter and held his hands out dramatically. “Golden brown perfection. Your pie’s safe, Courtland Crocker.”
Shaking my head and fighting back a smile, I leaned over to inspect it. “You got lucky. Now step aside before you decide to eat it all.”
“How about”—he dipped his finger into the warm milky blend and bopped my lips with it—“I take a little taste off of you instead?” We leaned together at the same time until our mouths were touching, and then he licked my lips. “Damn, that’s really good.”
“I have a better idea.”
“What’s that?”
I started to pour the mixture into the pie crust. “Go get your ass naked. Once I put this in the fridge, I’m going to bring the bowl and lather your dick with it and have a taste test.”
“Damn. Who knew baking a pie would be this much fun?” He winked and took his T-shirt off.
I chuckled. “It usually isn’t, but yeah, I like baking even more now.”
He hurried off and I leveled out the creamy filling in the crust. After sticking it into the fridge to set, I untied the apron and then removed it and my T-shirt and followed him to my bedroom.
We fell onto my bed, our bodies tangled as our lips attacked each other. I could feel his cock hardening against mine as they rubbed together. A part of me wanted to hurry and strip my clothes off and sink into him, but another part wanted to savor the way he kissed me because even though we were in a good place, the fear remained that it could all end at any moment. That he would stop believing my words and actions and just leave. I wasn’t sure if I would ever feel as though he completely trusted me, but that wouldn’t stop me from trying to prove to him daily that he was mine.
My tongue ran up the side of his neck, tasting his salty skin. He moaned, and his hips ground harder into mine.
“I can’t wait any longer,” he admitted and sat up.
I gave a quick nod, then I was in a frenzy to get naked. I was salivating to taste him, to run my tongue over every inch of his body. But instead, I kissed him briefly and then said, “On your stomach.”
He cocked a brow, but then turned to lie face down on the bed. His firm ass begged to be touched, so I grabbed each cheek, squeezing them before getting the lube from the nightstand drawer.
Crawling on top of him, I kissed my way up his back until I got to his ear and whispered, “The coconut cream pie isn’t the only dessert I want today.”
Ryan groaned as I trailed kisses down his back until I got to his impeccable ass. I spread his cheeks apart and gave his hole a little swipe with my tongue. He moaned, raising his hips to encourage me to keep going.
“You like that?” I asked, even though I knew he did.
“Yes,” he breathed.
He panted and moaned, and his fists clenched the sheets as I twirled my tongue around his tight hole. I licked it like it was covered in the whipped cream I still needed to make for the pie. My cock ached for attention, so I reached down and stroked myself as I devoured him.
“I want your dick,” he whimpered.
“Flip over then. I want to watch you come.”
He rolled onto his back. I grabbed the lube, used some to slick his asshole, and then smothered my shaft, getting it slippery with lubricant so his hole would swallow me up with one push.
Settling between his bent legs, I leaned forward and kissed his perfect lips. His hands went to my hips, and he held on as I slid my hard length past his tight rim.
“Fuck,” he breathed. “I’m never going to get tired of feeling you fill me.”
I smiled. “That’s what I like to hear, baby.”
We locked eyes and shared an unspoken moment. I had to hope he felt it too. That even with everything that had happened with my work, fate brought us together.
Ryan worked his cock as I drove into him, each stroke making the headboard hit the wall. Sweat slicked our bodies, and it didn’t take long before we were both coming. When I was spent, I pulled out of him and then licked all of his cum that had sprayed his stomach.
“Yeah, this cream is just as good as the one in the fridge.” I smirked.
We pulled up to my parents’ house, a classic colonial-style place tucked in Newton, a Boston suburb. My stomach twisted with a nervous energy I hadn’t felt in years—not since I’d been a rookie cop waiting for my first assignment.
Ryan sat beside me in the passenger seat, his green eyes scanning the house. He looked calm—confident, even—but the way he kept fiddling with the cuff of his shirt told me he wasn’t as relaxed as he seemed.
I rested my hand on this thigh. “You look great.”
His lips curved into a small smile as he glanced at me. “You think they’ll like me?”
“Ryan.” I gave his leg a reassuring squeeze. “They’re going to love you. Just be yourself.”
We stepped out of the car, and he carried the coconut cream pie we’d made earlier, the perfect gesture for someone like my mom who had a sweet tooth.
Letting ourselves in, we were greeted by the smell of roasted chicken and herbs mingled with the faint scent of my mom’s favorite cinnamon-scented candles. My mom, Sarah, was the first to welcome us. She wiped her hands on a dish towel before she pulled me into a hug.
“Courtland!” She beamed. Then her eyes shifted to Ryan, and her smile widened. “And you must be Ryan. It’s so nice to finally meet you.”
“Mrs. Wilder, it’s great to meet you too.” Ryan extended a hand.
“Oh, call me Sarah.” She waved his hand away and pulled him into a hug instead.
Dad appeared next, his voice a deep rumble as he offered a handshake. “Matt Wilder. Good to meet you, Ryan.”
“Good to meet you too, sir,” Ryan replied.
“Sir? Let’s not make me sound older than I am.” Dad grinned.
We moved into the living room, where my sister Rita was already perched on the arm of the couch, scrolling through her phone. When she looked up, her smile lit up her face.
“Court.” She stood to give me a quick hug before turning to Ryan. “So this is the guy you’ve been keeping under wraps?”
“Rita, this is Ryan,” I introduced them.
She shook his hand. “Nice to meet you. Heard a lot about you these last few weeks since Court finished his undercover assignment.”
“All good things, I hope,” Ryan said, earning a laugh from her.
“For now.”
She laughed, returning to her seat. “Anyway, the market’s insane right now. I’ve got a couple of Bruins players trying to close on places before the season gets hectic. They’re a riot, by the way.”
“How’s the team looking this year?” I asked.
“Good, but their defense needs work. My clients give me tickets whenever I want. You two should come to a game,” she suggested.
“We might take you up on that.” I smiled at Ryan.
“Now that baseball season is over, we totally should,” he replied.
Dinner went smoothly, with Ryan holding his own through my dad’s questions about work and my mom’s embarrassing stories about my childhood. But then, as dessert rolled around, my mom turned to me with a curious expression.
“Courtland,” she said, her tone soft but pointed, “you’ve never brought anyone home. A boyfriend, I mean.”
The room grew quiet and Ryan froze beside me. I took a deep breath as I reached for his hand.
“That’s because I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.” I turned to Ryan, hoping my feelings showed in my eyes. “I love you, Ryan. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”
Ryan’s eyes softened, and the tension in his shoulders eased as he looked at me. “I love you too.” His fingers tightened around mine.
“Well, that explains it,” Mom stated. “Welcome to the family, Ryan.”
Rita raised her glass with a smirk. “About time you started dating someone.”
I playfully glared at my sister. “You’re one to talk.”
“Don’t worry about me, big brother. I’ve got my eye on a Bruins player.”
“Who?” Ryan asked.
Rita’s grin widened. “Just wait until it’s official, and then I’ll bring him to dinner too.”
As I watched Ryan laugh with my sister, I couldn’t help but think about how far we’d come. What started as a lie had become the most honest thing in my life. I hadn’t planned on falling for him, but I did, and somehow, he had found it in himself to forgive me. If I could go back and change the way we’d met, I wouldn’t. He first met me as Court West, but all along I was just Courtland Wilder—a cop, a son, a brother, and now the man lucky enough to call Ryan Ashford his.