Harlequin - Fallen Angels 3 - Caught In The Act

228 Pages·2016·0.76 MB·English

by  Foster Lori

Synopsis:

COINCIDENCE?
Not.

Mick Dawson, undercover cop.
He’s got his hands full with a pushy broad who claims she’s just in the wrong
place at the wrong time. Except all the perps seem to know everything there is to
know about her. Who’re you going to believe? Only one way to find out.
Get real close.

Del Piper, mystery writer.
She’s as confused as he is, but mostly because he’s got the sweetest smile, when
he smiles. Still, he’s sticking with her twenty-four/seven-is this love or duty? Is
he her protector or her captor?

Dear Reader,
When Mick Dawson first appeared in Beguiled, he was a sixteen-year-old stud
with a grown-up’s sense of responsibility and a heart begging for love. I loved
him, and many of you must have, too, based on the number of letters I received
asking for Mick’s story.
Now, in Caught in the Act, Mick is all grown up, still very much a stud and, yep,
he’s still looking for love, whether he realizes it or not. Of course, I had just the
right woman for him! Between me and Mick’s two friends Zack and Josh (pretty
hunky heroes themselves), we gave Mick everything he deserved—and more.
Poor Mick didn’t stand a chance.
I hope you enjoy reading Caught in the Act as much as I enjoyed writing it.
And be sure to check back next month for Treat Her Right, Zack’s story,
Harlequin Temptation #852, and then again in November to see what Josh has
gotten into in Mr. November, Harelquin Temptation #856.
Happy reading!
Lori Foster
Caught in the Act
Lori Foster
Fallen Angels 3

HARLEQUIN®
TORONTO • NEW YORK • LONDON
AMSTERDAM • PARIS • SYDNEY • HAMBURG
STOCKHOLM • ATHENS • TOKYO • MILAN • MADRID
PRAGUE • WARSAW • BUDAPEST • AUCKLAND
If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is
stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the publisher, and
neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this “stripped
book.”
ISBN 0-373-83469-1
CAUGHT IN THE ACT
Copyright © 2001 by Lori Foster
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization
of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or
other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography,
photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is
forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Harlequin Enterprises
Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.
All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the
author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or
names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or
names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or
unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
® and TM are trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks indicated with ® are
registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade
Marks Office and in other countries.
Visit us at www.eHarlequin.com
Printed in U.S.A.

I want to give a very special thanks to
Officer LaDon Laney, who exemplifies the types of heroes I enjoy writing about.
While helping me with my research, Officer Laney spoke of his family, his
community, his co-workers and his job with admirable love and respect.
His help was invaluable to me.
And to Kathy McCutter for medical assistance, and Lynda Sue Cooper for
answering “cop” questions.
You’re all wonderful!

Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER ONE
Contents - Next
Rain drubbed the window sluggishly, but Mick Dawson could still see out, still
see all the different people milling around with colorful umbrellas and hats. He
was so intent on watching for her he listened to the conversation with only half
an ear. But then, half an ear was the most required when his friends got started
on that particular topic.
“See that gorgeous blonde?” Josh Marshall said, deliberately baiting as usual.
“The one who just came in? She’s wearing a push-up bra.”
“Is that right?” Zack Grange kept his tone dry. “How can you tell?”
“I know women.” Josh’s reply held an overdose of world-weary cynicism. “And
I especially know women’s breasts.” He added, “At your age, I’d think you
would, too.”
“Yeah, and at your age,” Zack retorted, “I’d have thought you’d outgrown your
adolescent obsessions.”
The three of them sat in the corner booth at Marco’s, a casual Italian restaurant
they’d first discovered five years ago. It was central to where they each worked,
in the downtown area.
in the downtown area.
They came often, more so every year, it seemed, until now they met almost daily
for lunch and often for dinner, too. None of them was married. Josh remained a
confirmed bachelor, Zack was now a widower and Mick… well, Mick hadn’t
met the right woman. His criteria were strict, but to his mind, marriage was
forever. He’d seen the worst quite often, marriages made in hell and sustained
with sarcasm and cheating and drink. He’d also witnessed that elusive best,
unions overflowing with love and trust and support. No way would he settle for
less than what he knew could and should be.
Because of their different jobs—each of them stressful—and their lack of
romantic ties, meeting at Marco’s was about as close to a domestic routine as the
three men ever saw.
The restaurant served as a place for celebration— a promotion, a new house,
whatever came up that seemed celebration worthy. They also commiserated with
each other there, as when Zack’s young wife had died and he’d wanted to retreat
from life, not seeing anyone, not doing anything except coddling his little girl.
Or after Mick had gotten shot in the leg and missed several weeks of work,
making him edgy.
Mick’s life was all darkness and threats and caution. Ugly. Except here at
Marco’s, and with the people he trusted—his two friends, his family.
No one else. At least, not yet.
No woman had ever snagged his attention long enough to build a trust, certainly
never for anything serious. Until now.
Now he was intrigued.
“Mick, tell this fool that breasts don’t lift to the sun like a flower.” Josh laughed
at his own jest “If they’re damn near touching her chin, she’s wearing a push-up
bra.”
Mick glanced at Zack and grinned. “Josh is an idiot where women are concerned
—including his insane fascination with breasts, which, I agree, he should have
outgrown years ago.”
Josh shook his head in a pitying way. “Men do not outgrow their fascination
Josh shook his head in a pitying way. “Men do not outgrow their fascination
with breasts. You two are just weird.”
“A real woman,” Mick told him, “would chew you up and spit you out.”
“A real woman?” Zack asked, feigning confusion. “You mean someone with an
IQ higher than ten? Why would Josh date anyone smarter than he is?”
Josh said, “Ha-ha. You’re just jealous.” He grinned and added, “Besides, the
ladies have better things to do with their mouths when they’re around me.
Chewing is definitely out.”
All three men laughed. “So,” Josh said, “if you two abnormal specimens aren’t
turned on by a woman’s breasts—which should be soft and natural, not shoved
heavenward—then what does do it for you?”
Mick groaned. “Didn’t we have this discussion back in high school?”
“Yeah, but it’s still interesting.”
“Bellies,” Zack blurted.
Josh raised a brow. “Excuse me?”
For the moment, Mick felt content to just listen.
“I love a woman’s belly.” Zack leaned back, smiling to himself. “Not all
muscled up the way some women want to do these days. Just a nice soft smooth
woman’s belly.” He nodded, confirming his own conclusions. “Very sexy.”
Josh considered that, then nodded, too. “Okay, I’ll give you that one. Bellies are
hot. But not belly button rings.”
“No,” Zack agreed. “A good belly doesn’t need decoration.”
“What about you, Mick?” Josh prodded. “Long legs? Great ass? What?”
Mick took another bite of his BLT, almost by rote, not because he was hungry.
He considered his reaction when he’d seen her for the first time. What had he
noticed? What had caught his eye and kept him so interested, to the point he
almost felt obsessed?
He glanced out the dim window again. It was a miserable, dank July day, breezy,
with fat purple clouds hanging low in the sky.
She should be coming along any minute now.
He’d first noticed her at his old neighborhood. He’d been there to rent out the
upstairs apartment of the building he still owned, the same building he’d once
lived in as a child. There were a lot of… unpleasant memories for him there,
along with a few special ones. He kept the building as a reminder to himself that
his life had changed, he had changed, but he was still a product of his
upbringing.
Evidently, she rented from the building next door, because she had come down
the walkway to the street and headed toward the post office, letters in her hand.
It worried Mick, because no one traipsed around unprotected in that area. To call
it rough would be a gross understatement.
But there she’d been, strolling along without a care. He hadn’t hesitated to
follow her, making certain she remained safe, enjoying the back view of her as
she strutted along, her stride long and sure and almost cocky.
The sun was blistering hot that day, shining down on her blue-black, shoulder-
length hair, hair so silky it appeared fluid when she moved. Soft, light blue eyes
looked beyond everything and everyone, including Mick, as if a great distraction
held her. He’d been nearly spellbound by her tall, willowy body with its
incredibly long, slim legs and broad, fragile shoulders. Strangely enough, even
when she came back out of the post office and went past him, again oblivious to
her surroundings, he hadn’t noticed her breasts. All his attention had been on her
face, with its strong jaw, straight nose, pale eyes.
Mick wondered for an instant what Josh would think of his oversight.
Because he wanted to meet her, wanted to get to know her and have sex with her
until he passed out from sheer exhaustion, he wasn’t about to discuss her with
Josh or Zack. So he merely shrugged. “It’s a combination of things, and it’s
different with every woman.”
Before either Josh or Zack could respond to that obscure reply, Mick saw her.
Blindly, he laid his sandwich aside and twisted in the booth to better see out the
window. Regardless of the drizzling rain, the gray sky, he’d expected her. A
little rain wouldn’t chase her inside. No, not this lady. She jogged every day
little rain wouldn’t chase her inside. No, not this lady. She jogged every day
around the same time, the same place. Or at least she had for two weeks now. It
felt like fate, seeing her first in an area where he owned property, and then here
again, where he routinely visited.
Zack, being a reasonable sort, hadn’t complained much when Mick had made
him move so he’d have the window seat. Josh, though, was unreasonable,
always. Outrageous bordering on obnoxious. He’d demanded, all with laughter
and taunting grins, for Mick to admit who he was watching for. Mick had
refused, but now it didn’t matter.
The second he shifted his attention, going on alert, Josh noticed.
“Aha! There you go, Zack. I think we’ll get to see this mystery lady any second
now.”
Mick told him, rather succinctly, what he could do with his speculations. But
that didn’t deter Josh; if anything, it made him more curious.
Both Josh and Zack twisted around, and they, too, watched through the window.
The streets were crowded during the lunch hour. Open umbrellas jumped with
the breeze as people milled up and down the sidewalk.
And there she was, weaving in and out of human traffic as she jogged, her head
uncovered, her clothes better suited to a bright spring day than drizzling rain.
Funny thing was, she went right past them, inky-black ponytail bouncing,
rainwater dripping off her nose and darkening her sweatshirt, and still Josh and
Zack looked, searching the crowds.
They hadn’t realized she was the one.
Mick’s body knew that she was. Just seeing her now, bedraggled and wet and
distracted, he wanted her. His muscles felt tight, his blood hot, his flesh prickly.
Damn, if just watching her jog did this to him, how would it feel to kiss her,
touch her, to slide deep inside her and hear her moan out a climax?
He felt the stirrings of an erection and muttered a curse. Insanity, he decided, but
it couldn’t be helped.
To hide his reaction, he grinned and leaned into the corner of the booth. Now
that she’d gone by, he could face Zack and Josh and still keep an eye on her for