Resisting (Dirty Cops #1)

Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

Ryker

“ D o you have a reservation, sir?” The hostess’s question barely registers. Either the universe is fucking with me or I’m seeing a mirage of the girl who’s been at the forefront of my every thought today.

“Yes.” I nod, my voice now strained. The part between my legs straining too. “It’s under Torrence. Table for two.”

The hostess scans her screen while I scan the beauty across the room. Rowan’s wearing a fitted top and skirt this evening and every inch of her body is revealed through the snug material. Her outfit makes her look older, but I still know just how young she is. Too young for the thoughts once again flooding my mind.

“Right this way, sir.” The hostess takes two leather-bound menus in hand and starts leading me in a different direction of my fire-haired beauty.

“Could you seat us over there?” I ask, pointing in Rowan’s direction. “I’d like to be in her section.”

The young lady stops and looks toward Rowan who happens to be taking an order at the moment. Her smile nearly knocks the wind from my lungs. It makes me jealous of the damn bastard she’s waiting on.

“Do you know her?” the hostess asks, and I can hear a hint of tension in her voice. She probably thinks I’m some old creeper who has set his sights on the hot young waitress. A girl way too young to be gawked at by a man my age.

“She’s my daughter,” I quickly answer, not knowing what else to say to excuse the situation. Not wanting her to think I’m some kind of pervert. Although, I should’ve just said she’s a friend’s daughter. Fuck. My mind is messed up.

“Oh, you’re Rowan’s dad? Of course, I’ll seat you in her section. Right this way.” She smiles big then leads me to a table in the back and stops. She waits for me to take my seat. When her eyes run down my body, I’m wishing I had one of those leather menus she’s holding to hide the front of my pants. I think she thinks my hard-on is for her, but it’s for the girl I just claimed was my damn kid.

“I’ll go tell Rowan that her seriously hot dad is here,” the girl purrs, and immediately, alarm bells go off. The last thing I need is for her to tell Rowan someone claiming to be her dad is here. Rowan’s going to think I’m some kind of stalker. Shit. I need to fix this.

“I’m not quite her dad,” I say, trying to think past the fog in my brain. “I mean. I’m dating her mom. And…” Fuck. I can’t even finish the lie. I’m digging my hole deeper and I need to stop before I’m buried alive in my deception.

“Oh,” the hostess says, her face dropping. “So you’re hoping things will work out with her mom?”

I shake my head, then realize my mistake again and nod. Fuck me. I should’ve turned around and walked back out the front door the moment I spotted the girl who’s quickly becoming an obsession. Traeger requested a steak, but I could’ve taken him to the Sizzler and I’m positive the man would’ve been just as happy. Probably more so because it’s a buffet.

“Do you have a wine list?” I ask, hoping we can shift the conversation to safer ground. Based on my current state, I may need a glass, or even a bottle to calm my nerves. Haven’t been this razzed up since I made my very first arrest. What the hell is wrong with me?

“Yes, sir. It’s in the back of the menu.” She opens the large brown leather folder and hands it to me. “I’ll go let Rowan know you’re here. By the way”—she bats her eyelashes—“if things don’t work out with her mom, you know where to find me.”

She gives me a flirtatious smile before scampering off in Rowan’s direction, and I’m left wondering what the hell her father would think if he caught her flirting with a man my age. Then again, maybe she’s like Rowan and her dad isn’t in the picture. Maybe the girl is craving someone older because she has some kind of daddy issue. Makes me wonder if my fiery beauty has any issues of her own that she needs me to step in and help her out with.

Dammit! There goes my dick again, drooling at the thought. My mind sinking way into the gutter as I think of walking into the house and calling out “Daddy’s home!” Expecting Rowan to come prancing out of her bedroom in her little schoolgirl uniform and give me a kiss. I’d haul her ass over to the couch and have her sit on my lap cowgirl style while she tells me all about how her day was. And while she’s filling me in, I’d be sneaking my fingers under her pleated skirt in search of a sensitive little button to play with.

I’d get her all worked up and have her squirming over my dick, trying to get the friction she needs. And that’s when I’d slip my fingers under her panties and tease at her wet little hole. Diddling that tight little pussy until she’s coming all over my hand. The word daddy falling from her lips as she shudders in my arms. And when her body goes limp, I’d rub her back and tell her what a good girl she is.

Fuck! I need to stop or else I’m going to be busting in my pants. The last thing I need is for Traeger to show up and see a damn wet stain on the front of my slacks. He’ll think I’m suffering from incontinence. What I’m suffering from is an illness far worse. A forbidden obsession that seems to be taking over.

My eyes focus back in on the girl who I just mentally scandalized, and based on the way she’s glaring at me, I wonder if she can read my mind. The hostess is still talking to her, and whatever the girl is saying has Rowan’s eyes narrowing further. And as she stomps toward me, holding a pitcher of water in a white knuckled grip, I’m thinking I’m about to get doused.

“Do you need anything besides water as you wait?” she asks, her tone clipped, gorgeous face stiff as she fills the two glasses at the table, refusing to meet my eyes.

I don’t like her indignant attitude, or the fact that she’s annoyed with my arrival. I was hoping that electric heat I saw burning in her eyes this morning would catch fire and she’d be flustered to see me for an entirely different reason.

“You want to try that again, Rowan?” I state, sounding sure of myself. “The proper greeting is hello, or good to see you again, Ryker.”

Her eyes snap up, cheeks flaming red. Now I’m really in jeopardy of being drenched in ice water.

“In spite of what you told Monique, you’re never going to be my father. So I’d appreciate it if you stopped acting like one. Now, do you need anything while you wait for Rhonda to arrive?”

That salty attitude of hers, along with her pert little chin, has my palm twitching once again. I’d love nothing more than to bend her over this table and spank the sass right out of her. Then I’d flip her over and feast on the juicy cut of prime meat she’s got hidden between those legs. I’d spread those thighs wide and nibble on every inch of that young pussy. Loving on her pink tenderness until she’s screaming “daddy” at the top of her lungs for the entire restaurant to hear.

Fuck! I’ve never been this out of control before. The perversion is spreading through my mind like wildfire. I can’t stop the fantasies from flooding in. Nor can I control the words that come out of my mouth when I go to speak.

“Based on that attitude you keep throwing my way, it seems like you need a daddy in your life. Someone to give that peach of yours a good, firm spanking, and show you what happens to girls who mouth off to their elders.”

Her breath hitches and her pink cheeks have turned five shades deeper. I’ve hit a button, one that looks extra hot, given the way her eyelids have lowered and her nipples have just poked through her thin top. I think she likes the idea of being disciplined more than she’d ever care to admit. And I definitely think she’d let me have my way with that sweet cunt once I was done delivering my lesson.

“You need it, baby doll, don’t you? A firm hand between those legs; Daddy to teach his little girl a lesson?’

Another flare of heat hits her eyes. This morning, the attraction seemed undeniable, but right now, it’s fucking palpable. I can practically feel the charge tethering us together. The pull that’s beyond any magnetic force. Beyond anything I’ve ever experienced.

Rowan leans forward as if she can no longer fight the attraction. Her full cleavage comes into view. Her red lips within inches of my mouth’s reach. The lavender scent floats from her red hair and teases my senses. That little brown beauty mark tempting my hunger, my tongue longing to swipe across it. I swear, if she gets any closer, I’ll slip my hand under that skirt and let the world see the perversion running through my veins. There won’t be anything that can hold me back. I’m too far gone at this point. Famished for this forbidden girl.

“Here’s your table, sir.” The hostess’s voice has Rowan snapping upright and putting distance between us. The nervousness that’s now shaking through her frame wakes me the fuck up. I was about three seconds away from mauling this girl in front of her boss and all the patrons in this room. What the hell was I thinking? I’m supposed to be a man of the law. A leader by example. Not some dirty old bastard trying to sink his cock into a girl twenty years younger.

Traeger takes the seat across from me, pinning me with a stare, and I know the inquisition will commence as soon as we’re granted privacy. Followed by a lecture on how I shouldn’t be robbing the damn cradle.

“Rowan will be your server for the evening, but if you two need anything, anything at all”—Monique gives me a wink—“just flag me down and I’ll be happy to help in any way possible.”

The clueless girl must not have picked up on what almost transpired between me and Rowan; otherwise, she’s ignoring the truth that was blazing in my eyes. If I was ever going to charter into forbidden territory, give into the salacious fantasies which have plagued my mind all day and drink from the fountain of youth, then there’s only one girl I’d be willing to risk everything for. And that girl happens to be glaring at me. That attitude of hers back in full force.

Monique makes her exit and Rowan steps up to the table, keeping her eyes trained solely on my friend, a man who could easily be mistaken for Bigfoot. And probably has been since he lives out in the woods in a cave dug through the side of a mountain.

“Welcome to Iron Horse, sir. My name is Rowan and I’ll be your server this evening.” Of course, she gives him the proper greeting, a sweetness in her voice, no doubt to spite me. “I was just pointing out the wine list at the back of his menu. If you have any questions, let me know. But I’ll give you two a moment to look over the drink menu and will be back in a moment with some warm bread.”

She turns, refusing to look my way, and heads off toward the kitchen. I want to chase her down, drag her fiery ass back to this table, and finish what we almost started. But I can’t.

“You might want to rein it in, Ryker. You can’t fuck that girl in the middle of this fancy-ass place you dragged me to.”

I ignore his comment, unfolding the cloth napkin and putting it over my tented crotch. “You’re the one that said you wanted a steak so I brought you to the best steakhouse in town. By the way, you interested in a bottle of red?”

“Nice try, Ryker.” He shakes his head, placing his menu off to the side of the table. “But if you want my help with this case you’re working on, then I want to know who that girl is. You two looked awfully familiar with each other. I find it hard to believe that your ornery ass would walk into a place like this and would hit on that young little hottie, so what’s the deal?”

Fuck me. Talk about ornery. He’s not going to back down. And I sure as hell need his help, which means—I’m confessing my sins.

“She’s the daughter of a friend,” I admit, though calling Rhonda a friend is a stretch. And I’m not going to mention the fact that I fucked the woman loud enough for Rowan to hear last night. “And I already know she’s too fucking young for me so I don’t need a lecture.”

He smirks, shaking his head. “You know I’m the last person to judge and don’t give a shit if you want to get it on with a pretty, young girl who definitely seemed to be hungry for your old ass. But I am concerned about your reputation, especially given all the shit happening at your precinct. If you’re trying to take down some dirty cops, then you may want to keep things on the down-low in order to make yourself look credible.”

He’s right about that. I need to get myself in check. One thing I know for certain will make me look credible to the Chief of Police is showing up with the missing surveillance footage. “That’s what you’re here for, Traeg. I need you to get me the truth.”

“So that’s it? That’s all you’re going to give me on the girl?” He leans back, crossing his arms. “She’s your friend’s daughter?”

“His girlfriend’s daughter,” the obstinate girl states, placing a bread basket briskly down in the center of the table. Shit. Now, I’m really going to get the third degree from Traeger.

“Girlfriend?” Traeger looks from her to me, landing back on her with an intrigued expression, an amused smirk, knowing I’ve left out some important details.

“Yes,” Rowan says, nodding toward my friend. “But apparently, he thinks he’s snagged a two-for-one deal. A mother/daughter duo.” She turns and hits me with a glare. “But he’s wrong. I’m never going to sleep with a man who’s been in my mother’s bed.” Her comment is thick with adamance, but my stubborn dick only hears a challenge. It feels like we’re playing that game of chicken again, but this time my cock isn’t backing down, nor do I think he’ll go down until I get inside her ripe cunt.

She returns her attention to Traeger. “Can I get you something to drink? And would you like to put in any appetizers?”

“We’ll get a bottle of your best red,” Traeger states, biting back his amusement with my shit predicament. “And one of each of your appetizers. This one”—he nods toward me—“is extra hungry.” He has no fucking clue. Or maybe he does.

Rowan tips her chin in his direction and doesn’t offer me another glance before she leaves again. This time Traeger’s definitely judging me with his questioning stare.

“I’m not dating her mom.” I immediately clear up the misconception. “I drank too much last night and slept with the woman. Didn’t even realize Rhonda had a daughter. I wouldn’t have gone there if I did. And now I’m fucked. There you have it. ”

He lets out a low whistle, shaking his head. “You sure are fucked, man. Because I’ve never in all my life seen you so worked up over a girl.”

Yeah, he’s got that right. This is the first time I’ve actually given a shit over what a woman thinks of me. And Rowan thinks I’m a piece of shit. Based on my actions, fucking her mom loud and hard all night and then trying to slip it to her daughter right in the middle of her place of work, I am a piece of shit.

“Well, all I can say is good luck, because that girl is going to put up one hell of a fight.” He’s not wrong about that. Bottom line is though, she can’t be mine. Not just because of our age difference and how that would look for me at work right now. But I would never want to come between her and her mom. This attraction, the obsession trying to take over, is never going to see the light of day. After tonight, I’m going to walk away and never look back.

“And this is why I live in the fucking woods. To avoid the drama.” He takes a long swig of his water. “Now, tell me what’s going on with these shady cops. Give me all you got so I know where to start.”

I’m more than thankful for the subject change, and the mental distraction, especially knowing Rowan could return at any moment. So, for the rest of dinner, I bury all thoughts of the beautiful girl away and share what I know about the dirty pigs down at my precinct. I fill him in on how Ferguson has been taking bribes to make false arrests. And that between him and Diaz, and who knows how many others, evidence has come up missing, dashcam footage has been deleted, and I’m pretty damn sure Bugano has been able to evade an arrest on account of being tipped off by one of our own.

Traeger continues to ask me his questions, gathering the details he needs to be able to uncover the truth. Dates and times. Where the main servers are located. I do my best to answer and not watch the beautiful, fiery girl as she moves about the room, taking orders and handling herself with such poise. For an eighteen-year-old, she’s very mature. Mature and so damn sexy.

As she checks in on our table throughout the night, taking our dinner orders, making sure we’re doing okay, I notice how she becomes friendlier with Traeger. And each time she offers him a smile and continues to ignore my presence, I grow increasingly more and more jealous. When she leaves the check at our table and gives him a flirtatious wink, I snap. I grab the bill and go after her, placing a thousand dollars inside the sleeve, knowing our tab was only a few hundred.

She’s typing on a screen over in the corner, putting in an order for another table. I step up to her back, holding out the black folder in front of her. My chest pressed against her body, caging her in. Breathing in her lavender scent. “Just a warning, little girl.” I run my lips down her ear, nipping at the spot where it meets the curve of her neck. “The next time you go around flirting with my friends in hopes to make me jealous, be prepared for this ass to suffer the consequences.”

I give her left butt cheek a firm squeeze through her thin skirt, making sure my point has been received. Before she can protest and give me lip again, I release my hold and turn and head back to my table where Traeger is shaking his head and giving me a smirk.

“The man has met his match,” he states smugly, chuckling.

“Come on,” I grumble, knowing that it’s the damn truth. “I paid so we can go.”

“I’ll be in touch,” Traeger says before we part ways in the parking lot and he disappears into the darkness of the night, heading to wherever he’s parked his bat-mobile to return to his bat cave. I head to my truck, forcing myself to start the engine and not sit here in this lot like the obsessed stalker I’ve become.

I pull out and turn left, taking the long way home again so I can make sense of my damn thoughts. The young, edgy, fire-haired beauty has my wills at war with one another. The good part of my conscience telling me to leave her be, that I should drive away and never look back, but the devil that’s enlisted my dick as backup to his cause, has me recalling the heat in her cheeks and the way her body was drawn to my commanding words. He almost has me convinced I need to go back.

It’s obvious Rowan’s in desperate need of a good spanking, and whether she’ll admit it or not, she yearns to have a daddy in her life. Someone to protect, guide, and discipline her when needed. A man who will make her body purr, not just some young boy her age who barely knows what a clit is or how to play with it.

Just the thought of some kid trying to click her little button has me making an illegal U-turn in the middle of the road. I start heading back toward the restaurant, ready to sit and wait until she gets off work. Then what? Will I approach her? Or will I sneakily follow her home? And do what? Fuck her senseless in her room while her mother is on the other side of the wall?

Goddammit. The lunacy of that plan has me slowing, ready to turn around again and head home, lock all thoughts of the girl away in a mental cell and throw away the damn key. A relationship with Rowan is never going to happen. Rhonda loves her daughter enough to protect her from the drunken bastards at the bar, and I’m not going to come in and dirty the girl up with my perversion and ruin their relationship.

I’m about to make another U-ey when I spot a police cruiser tucked into the darkness off on the side of the road. I obviously won’t be breaking the law now since I’m in my civilian vehicle, but I’m also curious as to which officer is staked out here by the restaurant. When I get close enough, I see that it’s Diaz hidden in the darkness. Immediately my hackles raise.

I’d bet money on the fact that he’s out here, ready to catch the rich men leaving this fine establishment, offering to take cash in exchange for being let off on a warning. And given the likelihood that the men have been drinking with their dinners, I’m guessing he’s going to pull the breathalyzer out and see if he can’t up his ante. But guess what. I’m not going to let that happen.

I cross the road and pull right up to the side of his vehicle to where our driver’s side windows are parallel. I roll mine down and pop my head out. Diaz looks surprised by my arrival; he also doesn’t look very happy to see me.

“Aren’t you supposed to be off the clock, Officer?” I offer a friendly smile even though I want to punch the guy’s lights out. Can’t wait until the day I can.

“Just figured I’d make my ticket quota on the way home.” He gives a fake smile of his own. “You know how these rich bastards love to impress their women and rev their sports cars. I catch them speeding down this road all the time.”

I bet he does. And I bet he’s made a hefty amount of side income by letting those men off the hook.

“Yeah, well, I know how belligerent those guys can be. I’ll stick around and make sure no one gives you trouble.” Before he can argue how he doesn’t need backup, I pull forward and zip around so I’m facing the back of his car. I’m guessing he’s flipping his shit right now and trying to figure out a reason for me to get lost, but I’m not planning on going anywhere. There’s no way I’m going to let him use his power to work the system. And if he tries to pull that shit in front of me, I’ll arrest his ass on the spot.

Just as I expect, he starts his car and pulls out, then I hear his voice come over my radio. “Need to use the crapper and I’m getting kind of tired so I’m heading home. I’ll see you at the precinct tomorrow.”

I give him a “copy that” then pull out. Just in case this was a tactic to get me off his back, I follow him to his house, keeping my distance so he doesn’t think I’m tailing him. Lucky for me, we both live in the same direction, so it’s not suspicious that I would be driving this way. But instead of continuing on home to my house, I park up the street from him. I want to make sure the fucker doesn’t have plans to go back out. And tomorrow, I’ll be putting a tracker on his vehicle.