Chapter 10
CHARLOTTE
It’s less than a week until Christmas, and I’m convinced Kez is nearing her breaking point.
She’ll be putty in my hands in a matter of days.
But as much fun as solo boudoir is, I have other business that needs my attention.
I’ve spent the afternoon catching up on editing digitals for a beautiful sapphic couple Rory and I photographed in Japan.
I’ll never forget that day, how stiff they walked into the studio, barely touching and full of nerves.
By the time they left, they were giggling like lovestruck teenagers, already booking their next session. A reminder of why I love the work I do.
The fireplace crackles in front of me as I adjust my position on the couch, crossing one leg underneath the other, snuggling deeper into my favorite oversized knit sweater.
My eyesight is strained after staring at a screen for several hours.
I hit send on an email announcing proofs are ready, then shut my laptop.
Outside, Ember barks in a cadence at Kez’s commands. I try to make out what Kez is saying but her words are too muffled to hear. Curiosity piqued, I’m tempted to get up and investigate, but that’d require a bra and I’m not leaving this cozy spot or the warmth of the cabin.
I stretch my arms over my head when the sliding door opens.
Cold air rushes in, followed by the sound of Kez wiping Ember’s paws with a towel.
I twist around on the couch and look up just as Kez unclasps Ember’s vest and hangs it on a hook by the door.
She tosses Ember a treat, which the puppy graciously accepts before trotting to her bed.
Kez peels off her jacket and beanie, then adjusts her vest.
I do a double take. Why is she dressed in her uniform?
I scan her entire body, up and down. She’s commanding without saying a word.
Lean, defined arms under a fitted navy short-sleeved shirt.
Her black hair is slicked into a tight, low ponytail, not a single strand out of place.
A black vest hugs her chest with a radio clipped to her shoulder.
She rests her hands on the utility belt slung low on her hips.
Of all the items organized with precision, the silver handcuffs steal my attention, filling my head with thoughts of her using them on me.
There’s a confidence about her I didn’t notice until this point. I can only imagine how powerful she is in her element. My cheeks flush with heat.
I can’t help but stare at the way her pants hug her hips as she moves around the kitchen and bends to retrieve a pot from the lower cabinet. She catches me gawking. I quickly turn away and flip my laptop screen up like I haven’t been checking her out this entire time.
“Still working?” she asks behind me.
“Mmmhmm.” I nod, pretending to squint and focus on the screen I never typed a password into. I’m not paying attention to the gibberish flying from my fingertips as I clack away at my keyboard. Her footsteps slowly approach, each one making my pulse leap underneath my skin.
“Must be pretty important if you’re glued to your laptop this close to Christmas,” she says, her tone devilishly sweet. Especially given the delicious torment she’s received the last few days.
I mumble something about client commitments and chew on my bottom lip.
“What was that?” Directly behind me, she bends down while the cursor blinks on my computer login screen.
“I was just saying—” My body reacts before my mind does. She begins massaging my shoulders and I melt into her hands kneading my tight muscles. “It’s nice seeing you and Ember getting along like that. You’re really good with her.”
My words transform into a satisfied sigh as her hands work in unison. “That feels amazing.”
“I know it does,” she murmurs, voice more Krampus than Kringle.
My eyes get heavier as her thumbs work a spot along my shoulder blade. Over the years, I’ve dreamt about her hands—not just the way they make my legs shake when I’m close, but how she could ease every knot in my back in minutes.
“I admit, Ember’s been doing a nice job. Much better than I expected. That little dog is as determined as they come.” She slides a knuckle up each side of my neck and chuckles at my moan. “You know who else has been working hard?” she whispers, breath warm and delicious against my ear.
A chill runs down my spine, then lower, reminding me it’s been too long since anyone’s rubbed the right parts of my body. “Who?”
“You. You’ve been very productive these last few days.”
That’s one word for it. I can’t help my smile. “I’m just—” I halt my words.
Her hands slide lower, the warmth of them traveling dangerously close to the side of my breasts.
“I’m quite committed to my craft,” I continue. “And my business partner is on vacation.”
“Mmhm. I’ve noticed.” Her fingers trace slow circles. “But you know what really caught my eye?”
My nipples press more firmly against the fabric of my shirt with each brush of her fingertips. Her lips graze my earlobe, making my breath catch.
“Seeing you lying under the Christmas tree. What was that pose again? The one with your back arched and ass up.”
“Oh, that.” I say with a grin, biting my lip. “I was just adjusting the lights.”
Her hands stop moving. “With your legs in the air and lace panties around your ankles?”
Smiling, I nod. “Did you enjoy the view?” I ask and dip my head back, wrap my arms around her head, and pull her closer. The cold metal of her necklace grazes my bare shoulder, spreading goose bumps across my skin, the way her touch has so many times before.
“I believe you already know the answer to that.” Her voice drips like honey against my ear.
I tilt my head, granting her more access to my neck. “Maybe I was hoping you would do something about it.”
That devilish grin I know all too well is back. She clicks her tongue and straightens from my embrace. Both her hands travel to my hair, and she rubs slow, deliberate circles. “Tell me something, Sweetheart.”
I love that she remembered how much I enjoy scalp massages. That I want you? I almost say, but don’t. “Anything.”
Her voice drops to a low, sultry whisper. “Have you been trying to get under my skin?”
“No,” I insist weakly, eyes rolling back in bliss as her thumbs trace circles around my ears. “I’ve been working.”
“Not even a little?” The pressure increase goes straight to my already pulsing clit. “You can tell me the truth.”
Silence.
“Maybe, a little,” I finally confess.
“Good, Charlotte,” she growls my name, drenching my panties in the process. “Good girl.”
By now, I’ve forgotten what day, month, and year it is. I don’t care what planet I’m on, as long as she doesn’t stop touching me.
“I want to massage that perfect ass of yours. Would you like that?”
A whimper falls from my lips when her hands travel south again. She knows I used to love those too. I nod.
“But first, tell me.” She pauses her words, while her hands work magic on my lower back. Then, she whispers hot against my skin “Were you trying to get me to leave this cabin? Or make sure I stay?”
“I—,” I let out a breathy moan, then the truth spills from my lips. “I wanted you to leave initially, but now—”
Her hands disappear. “I knew it,” she says, her tone victorious. “All that ‘working’ was nothing but a stunt to torture me.”
I blink, realizing the trap I walked straight into. She’s good. I twist and see the devious expression plastered on her face. I scoff. “Me? You’re the one in the police uniform.”
Her brow jolts upward. A smirk paints her mouth when she leans in. “Is my outfit doing it for you?”
My eyes drift to her lips and back up. “I never said that.”
She meets my gaze. “You don’t have to.” We pause. “Maybe I do want to do something about it—finish this game we’ve been playing…before you leave.”
Our flirting needed to stop five minutes ago. Our faces are too close, and my panties are too wet. Being stuck with a hot woman in uniform who’s good with her hands and her mouth isn’t helping either.
Something ignites inside my belly, overcome with an urge to end this moment before it’s too late.
“Or once you leave—,” I exhale and abruptly stand before I kiss those very kissable lips.
I yank my phone off the couch and adjust my lounge shorts that are probably soaked through.
“I’ll finally have some quiet time to actually get work done. ”
“Where are you going?” she asks, voice thick with desperation.
I’m glad I’m not the only one affected by our moment. Forget waiting her out. I’m ending this today. The perfect idea comes to mind. “Calling the tow company back.”
“Oh.” Her shoulders droop with disappointment. She faces me, but I’ve already rushed past her. “Are they still giving you a hard time about your car?”
I grab my winter jacket by the front door. “No, that’s taken care of. I’m reporting an unauthorized vehicle creating a hazard on private property. My property.”
“Wait. You aren’t serious.” Her jaw drops when the front door swings open. “You wouldn’t dare.”
Winter air pierces the bare skin above my thigh-high socks. I know it’s cold—somehow warmer than yesterday—but I don’t feel it, my body still on fire from Kez’s words, hands, and of course, her damn uniform.
“Watch me.” I huff a laugh and boots on, I march outside. “I just need the license plate number.”
I’m halfway down the long driveway, far enough from a barefoot Kez still standing in the entryway. Not even a sexy policewoman can catch me.
Heavy footsteps hit the snow-brushed porch. She yells from behind me. “Hey! Charlotte—wait. That’s my dad’s truck!”
I falter for only a moment, then continue, picking up my pace. The truck isn’t far ahead.
Suddenly, my right boot catches on something. I trip, my hands and knees sinking into the snow. I glance back at my foot. Seriously? A tree root?
“Drop the phone!” Kez’s voice booms through the wind.