The Big Gamble Read online

  Calm yourself Brooke.

  “Wow! Ace you look beautiful,” he says eyeing me up and down with a hungry look in his eye. I can tell he’s fighting the same battle I am—go out on this date or stay home and fuck.

  “You’re looking pretty good yourself there handsome.” I step over the threshold and gently kiss him on the cheek.

  “I brought you a little something.” I watch curiously as Brian moves his hand around from behind his back. “Normally the guy brings flowers, but being that you’re a writer I thought you might enjoy these better.” He grins, holding up a bouquet of pens and Sharpies in every color of the rainbow.

  My faces lights up with joy and I squeal with delight. “Oh my God, Brian, this is the sweetest thing anyone has ever brought me.” I grab the pens from his hand and throw my arms around him and rain kisses down all over his face.

  “I take it you like it?” He chuckles.

  “I absolutely love it. Now every time I use one of these I’ll think of you. Thank you.” I kiss Brian one last time then set the pens down on the side table by the door and lock the door behind me. “So where are we off to?”

  Brian slides his hand into mine and we start to walk to the elevator. “I thought we’d begin the evening with dinner at The Kitchen, it’s a funky little restaurant I found a few weeks ago, then take a walk down by the sound. It’s beautiful at night.” He pushes the down button for the elevator then turns to me. “But first, I want to do something I’ve been waiting to do all day.” He slides his fingers under my chin and tilts me up to his lips and tenderly kisses me. His lips are warm and soft against mine, and I can’t help but to deepen our kiss. I wrap my arms around his neck pulling him tighter against me. His hands fisting into my dress and he pulls me up off my feet. Before it can go any further, the elevator dings bringing us back to reality. We walk into the elevator, both of us breathing hard.

  “I don’t know how long I’m going to be able to go without having my dirty way with you,” Brian says, giving me a sideways glance.

  “Well, there’s always the restaurant bathroom,” I say, smiling to myself.

  “You’re killing me, Ace.”

  We manage to make it through dinner without throwing each other on the table and having each other for dinner. And I’m pretty sure the other patrons are happy we fought the urge too. The food’s fantastic and the conversation’s even better, which it always is with Brian. Brian filled in a few more pieces of his life, like how his birthday is on Valentine’s Day. Now, I have a reason to love February fourteenth. Fuck Valentine’s Day, from now on it will be known as Brian’s Day to me.

  We occasionally stop for a quick make out session when no one’s looking. We feel like a couple of horny teenagers.

  After dinner, we walk down to the waterfront. The night sky is clear and lit up with a million stars and the sea air is softly blowing over the water. Brian and I walk hand-in-hand along the pier, stopping along the edge to watch one of the ferries coming in from the islands. It’s absolutely perfect.

  “I know this might sound cheesy, but would you like to take a spin on the Ferris wheel?” he asks pointing to the Seattle Great Wheel all lit up in the distance.

  “That’s not cheesy at all. I love Ferris wheels.”

  We make our way through the crowd and stand in line waiting for our turn. Brian keeps his arms firmly around me, occasionally kissing my cheek. He says he’s rusty with the whole dating and relationship stuff, but he’s been doing an impressive job all night. He’s definitely getting some when we get home. Like there’s any doubt he’s getting laid tonight.

  Our turn finally comes and we step into our pod and cuddle up nice and close on the bench seat. The attendant closes the doors and the ride starts to take us up. Once all the pods are filled, the Ferris wheel begins to circulate. On the second time around the ride comes to an abrupt stop and the lights go out, leaving us stuck at the very top of the ride. The attendant’s voice comes over the loudspeaker and announces they’re having some technical difficulties and will have it resolved as quickly as they can.

  “Looks like we’re going to be here for a while.” Brian’s hand finds its way to my knee and slowly slides up my thigh. My body begins to come to life from his touch.

  “Whatever will we do to pass the time?” I giggle.

  “I think I know something we could do.” A mischievous grin pulls at Brian’s lips. The dark look of lust growing in his eyes telling me he wants more than just a few hot kisses. His other hand grips the back of my neck and pulls me to his lips. The hand on my leg slipping further under my dress. My breath hitches when his fingers glide over the lace of my panties.

  “Jesus Ace, you’re already so fucking wet,” he whispers against my lips. “Does this excite you, Ace? Knowing we could be caught at any moment?”

  I nod my head, yes. The whole night has been one long round of foreplay, so I’m already pretty amped up at this point, but the thrill of someone seeing us makes me even more excited. So much so I can feel my desire for him soaking through my dress. God damn the effect this man’s having on me. Brian’s lips trail down my neck.

  “Such a naughty girl,” he groans, nipping gently at my tender flesh. He slips his fingers into my panties, letting them sink between my wet folds. My head falls back against the glass as Brian pushes two fingers inside me, slowly working them in and out. I can’t believe I’m sitting at the top of a Ferris wheel, the world only a few feet below us, while my boyfriend’s finger fucking me. I thought we’d just make out but this, this is so much better.

  “Mmm…Brian, I need you,” I pant, my hips now riding his hand. Needing to feel him buried inside me.

  “I want you too, Brooke, but I don’t have a condom with me.”

  “I have an IUD and you’re the first man I’ve slept with in two years so I’m clean. Please baby, I need you,” I plead.

  He releases his fingers from me and pulls me into his lap. I quickly work open his pants and pull out his cock. He’s rock hard and dripping with pre-cum. I slide my panties to the side and slowly sink down onto him. He felt good before, but now that there’s nothing between us he feels fucking incredible. He’s hot and hard, his skin like velvet inside me.

  The moonlight illuminates Brian’s face. His brown eyes sparkling in the light staring up at me, his soft moans turning me on even more. Brian lets out a low hiss, his head rolling back as I start to ride him. His hands grip my hips, working me harder along his length. The pod now swaying in perfect rhythm with us. Our moans echoing through the tiny space.

  My lips capture his in a heated kiss, swallowing every single moan and chant of my name. I can feel him throbbing deep inside me. “Come for me, Brian,” I moan between kisses. I hold him tighter against me. His hand fisting in my hair, he pulls my lip between his teeth fighting back the deep rumbling growl emerging from his chest as he comes. Every pulse of his orgasm is sweet, sharp and perfect, pulling me right along with him.

  I press my forehead against his watching a satisfied smile stretch across his face.

  “Fuck! Brooke, you’re amazing.” He cups my face in his hands, placing feather light kisses down along my jaw.

  “You’re not so bad yourself.”

  Just as we’re feeling lost in our little bubble the lights flicker back on and the ride jerks to a start. I quickly climb off Brian’s lap and straighten my dress and panties while Brian tucks himself back into his pants. We come to a stop and the attendant opens our door and we step out of our pod, smiling and holding on tightly to each other and laughing to ourselves, not caring if anyone saw what we’d just done in there. I now love Ferris wheels even more.

  We make it back to our apartment building, still flying high from our adventure on the Ferris wheel. Stopping at the front of my door, Brian backs me up against the door frame, looking down at me through dark hooded eyes. He leans in pressing his lips against mine, tongue tracing along my lips. His hands slip under my dress, fingers softly caressing my ass while his lips
move down along my chest.

  “Tonight was great, Brian. Thank you,” I say in a whispered moan.

  I hear a muffled, “You’re welcome,” come from Brian just before he dips his tongue between my breasts.

  “Do you want to come in?” I ask, already knowing the answer.

  “Fuck yes.”

  “Wait, you’re telling me you fucked sweet innocent little Brooke on the fucking Ferris wheel.” Ryder looks over at me, his eyes wide like a deer caught in the headlights.

  “She’s not as innocent as you’d think.” My girl was full of naughty secrets.

  “But still. Damn, I could have had that and I just fucking handed her to you.” He leans over banging his head against the steering wheel of our cruiser.

  “You didn’t even stand a chance with her man,” I say trying to hide my laughter.

  “You only say that because you know had I gotten to her first I would have ruined her for all men.”

  I choke back a laugh at his absurd statement. “More like you would’ve sent her screaming to women.”

  “Only because no other man would be able to please her like I could.”

  “Whatever helps you sleep at night Ryder.” I shake my head laughing.

  “Seriously man you’re one lucky son of a bitch. Brooke is an amazing girl.”

  “She’s pretty amazing.”

  I rest my head back against the headrest, looking out at the dark quiet street, watching the beads of rain trickling down the window, while Ryder goes on about some chick he met at the bar the night before. I tune him out and start to wonder what Brooke’s doing right now. Thanks to a shift change¸ Ryder and I were stuck on the night shift for the next few weeks. I’d barely seen Brooke, except for a few brief moments in the hallway, stealing a kiss before she would head off to do research for her book and I’d go to bed.

  I fucking miss her. I miss her body. I miss the way she smells, the way she tastes. I miss those gorgeous blue eyes. And I especially miss falling asleep and waking up with her in my arms.

  I’ve never been much of a cuddle-after-sex kind of guy. I would always kick them to the curb once the condom hit the trash. But with Brooke, if she’s not in my arms it feels like a piece of me is missing. She’s making me feel complete in a way I didn’t know I needed or wanted, and now that she’s not around I can feel the emptiness. I guess this is what it feels like when you fall in love. God, was I really falling in love with Brooke? It’s barely been a month since we started seeing each other.

  Sure I’m crazy about her and I can’t stop thinking about her, and when I’m not with her I feel like I can’t breathe, but is that love?

  I thought I loved Jillian, I thought I was happy with her. But I never felt anything like the way I do with Brooke. When I look at her, my heart literally skips a beat. I want to do everything in my power to make her as happy as she makes me.

  Shit! I am falling in love with her.

  “Hey man, I’m going to go hit the head.”

  “Grab me some coffee on your way back,” Ryder calls out as I climb out of the cruiser.

  I start walking down the street toward a coffee shop and pull my phone out of my pocket and scroll through my contacts finding Brooke’s number. I know she’s probably asleep, but I needed to just hear her voice. It takes three rings before Brooke finally answers.

  “Hi baby,” Brooke answers, her sweet sleepy voice warming my heart.

  “Hey Ace, did I wake you?”

  “Yeah, I just fell asleep.”

  “I’m sorry, babe. You go back to sleep, I’ll try calling you in the morning,” I say feeling slightly sorry for waking her up.

  “No, it’s okay. I miss your voice. How’s the night shift going?”

  “If fucking sucks because it’s keeping from my girl.”

  “I love it when you call me your girl.” I can almost hear the smile on her face through the phone.

  “So how is my girl doing? Get any more writing done, I loved the new pages you sent me.” I really must be falling for this girl. She’s got me reading something that’s not police procedures or a take-out menu.

  “Really? You really liked it?” she asks with a yawn.

  “Granted, I know nothing about the genre that you write, but I think the hard on it gave me must mean it’s good.”

  “Are being serious?”

  “Yes, I almost had to come over and wake you up.” I chuckle. I can’t believe I just admitted that.

  “I wish you would have. I fucking miss you.” She lets out a low sigh into the phone. “I’ve been wearing your Seattle PD shirt all week because I miss you so damn much.”

  “So you’re the one that stole my shirt?” I’ve been looking for that damn shirt all week because I remembered you were the last one to wear it and wanted to see if it still smelled like you.

  “I didn’t steal it, I borrowed it to wear while you’re working. I wanted to have a piece of you around.”

  “Damn, I can’t believe it but I’m actually jealous that my shirt gets to be on top of you and I don’t.” I want to be there, in bed with her, so damn bad. Even if it’s just to be able to fucking hold her. “I miss you so much, Ace.”

  “I miss you too, Brian.”

  “I better get going, Ryder’s waiting for his coffee. But before I go, I have some vacation time coming up after our shift change in a couple weeks. I have a cabin on the San Juan Islands. It’s right off the water and away from all the noise and distractions. I wanted to see if you would like to come away with me for a few days?”

  “Brian, I would absolutely love to. That sounds perfect.”

  “Good, we’ll talk about it more in the morning. Now go get some sleep Ace and I’ll talk to you soon.”

  “Goodnight baby and stay safe.”

  I stuff my phone back into my pocket my steps becoming lighter as I walk to the coffee shop.

  Yeah, I’m definitely in love with this woman.

  “Here you go sweet Lola.” I bend down placing Lola’s food dish in front her and give her a rub behind the ears. Brian’s still working the night shift and I offered to help take care of Lola while he was at work. Lola and I are becoming quite good friends, plus it’s nice having her sleep in bed with me. The past few weeks my bed has felt quite lonely without Brian, but that comes with the territory of dating a cop, they’re gone a lot. Being raised by a cop, it was something I became accustomed to, but it still doesn’t keep me from missing Brian like crazy. Which is why I’ve decided it’s time to surprise him at work with dinner and get a glimpse of my man.

  I managed to wrangle Ryder into helping me by bribing him with food—he’s so easy. He messaged me a half an hour ago letting me know they’d be heading back to the precinct around ten to finish up their reports for the week and take a dinner break before heading out for checkpoint duty.

  I fill Lola’s water dish then return to the kitchen to finish wrapping up the meatloaf sandwiches, homemade potato chips, and Brian’s favorite bacon maple donuts. I pack everything up in my picnic basket, tossing in a couple bottles of water and some napkins. I give Lola one last pat goodbye then head out to surprise Brian.

  Arriving at the station promptly at ten, I quickly message Ryder of my arrival then head inside. The precinct is quiet and almost empty except for a few ladies working dispatch and two officers working the front desk. A few minutes later Ryder comes through the doors and escorts me down the row of empty desks to where Brian is sitting working on the week’s reports.

  “Look who I found wandering around out front,” he announces as we walk up to Brian’s desk.

  Brian looks up, his hardened expression fading to a soft smile when he sees me. “Ace, what are you doing here?” He stands up from his chair and pulls me into his arms, spinning me around before setting me back down on my feet.

  “I missed you and thought I’d surprise you with dinner.” I set the basket down on the desk and reach inside to grab one of the sandwiches, handing it to Ryder as payment for his hel
p. I couldn’t help but giggle as he brought it up to his nose taking a big deep breath and making gargling noises like Homer from The Simpsons.

  “I’m going to go eat this in the break room and leave you two love birds alone.” He turns and starts to walk away.

  “Enjoy your dinner, and thank you again, Ryder,” I called out to him.

  “Anytime Brooke. Especially if you pay me in food,” he calls back, waving his sandwich in the air.

  As soon as Ryder is gone, Brian slides his fingers under my chin, tilting my head up and places a soft, warm kiss on my lips. Damn, I’ve missed these lips.

  “This is a pleasant surprise.” He grins. “So what did you bring me?” he asks eyeing the basket sitting on his desk.

  “I made meatloaf sandwiches, homemade potato chips, and your favorite, maple bacon donuts.” I hand Brian a sandwich as he takes his seat again. Pushing his paperwork aside, I sit up on his desk, letting my purple wrap dress fall open just enough to show off my long, lean legs.

  “Damn woman, you spoil me.” He flashes me that gorgeous sexy crooked smile. Licking his lips while his eyes trail up my legs.

  I watch as Brian takes a big bite of his sandwich, letting out a loud satisfied moan while he chews. “Damn this is good,” he mumbles taking another big bite.

  “I’m glad you like it.” I pop a chip in my mouth and look over the mess of paperwork and empty coffee cups on Brian’s desk and that’s when I see it, a book with Detective Practice Exam printed on the spine. I pull it out from under the mess and hold it up. “Brian are you thinking about becoming a detective?”