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“ H ey, Royce. My man. What are you doing back in Pineville? It’s good to see you.”

Royce looked over his shoulder at the sound of his name, all the while remaining on alert to his surroundings. Tonight, he was on unofficial bouncer duty at his sister’s nightclub, whether she liked it or not. His superiors weren’t thrilled with his off-duty moonlighting, but he wasn’t breaking any rules, and if ever there was a night his twin sister needed him—it was tonight.

The last thing he needed or wanted was a trip down memory lane.

He shifted his gaze back to the bar and swore. Much to his irritation, his gaze had been glued to a pair of legs attached to the untouchable Amber. He’d been battling the urge all evening to warn away every guy who dared to approach the one woman he himself wanted yet forced himself to stay away from.

Untouchable. By his own decree. It was driving him nuts to see men, not unlike him, drawn to her with similar, if not the exact intent as him.

The Club and attached restaurant was the most popular nightspot in Pineville, and Reese had outdone herself by organizing the private party for the Idaho Outlaws celebration. She’d managed to have printed invitations sent out within twenty-fours of the game, and no one got in without one.

The guy who’d shouted his name walked unsteadily over to him with the distinct gait of someone already deep into the bottle. Hell, he knew the face but couldn’t remember the name. Shit. The guy had bad news flashing in neon over his head. What was the guy’s name; Ted, Tanner, something with a T?

Unfortunately, he didn’t have a choice to ignore anyone tonight. However, everyone at the closed-door event had to have some type of connection to the Outlaw organization, that didn’t guarantee zero problems. How had this guy been invited?

Royce always anticipated the unexpected. It was in his job description. He’d make sure no one would ruin the evening for the Outlaws’ baseball team or his sister.

“Hey, back.” Royce nodded but continued to scan the growing crowd. Reese had already scolded him once for staring down another partygoer till the guy almost tripped. Well, too bad. He never turned off his inner radar for trouble. Unless he was horizontal, or hell more likely holding a woman up against a wall while they both reached a happy ending. And even then, it was less than an hour in off-line mode.

Ten years on the force between Dallas and Pineville had ingrained habits in him that were hard to break, even off duty.

“You been hitting the gym, man, you’re ripped.”

Drunk-guy was now slurring his words. Awesome. Royce controlled the urge to roll his eyes. Most of the people in his circle growing up weren’t in his circle now, and he liked it that way.

Plus, the last thing he wanted was to reminisce about the stupid crap he and his friends had done back in the day. What he wanted was sitting by herself at the bar in a dress that ignited a constant itch to caress every curve the thin material hugged.

He’d already had to count to twenty—twice whenever he caught a glimpse of Amber’s legs. She was maybe a few inches shorter than his own six-one, and he loved a tall woman with curves. Damn, if she didn’t have legs for days. Legs he wanted wrapped around his waist as he pounded into her.

The last few months had been the longest he’d gone without taking a woman to bed since his early twenties, but he couldn’t deny that she was the only one who managed to get him hard lately simply by being in the same room. And that was why he’d promised himself he was taking a break from this friend group. He no longer trusted himself when it came to her.

And if Reese found out he was thinking about bedding Amber, she’d start lecturing him again about his tomcat ways. Or, her favorite lecture, “Isn’t it time you picked one woman and worked on a real relationship?”

Yeah, his sister was undoubtedly aware of his love-em-and-leave-em history, but she didn’t know everything. Thankfully, they didn’t have any weird twin connection where they could read each other’s thoughts or whatever. Because Royce’s needs weren’t for every woman. However, he was happy to accommodate the ones who were as hungry as he for intense sex without any strings. And he was more than happy to play out their cop fantasy for a night. But that’s as long as he stuck around.

Amber didn’t give off that vibe, but it didn’t stop him from thinking how he could separate her from her clothes whenever he saw her. But tonight, she was a damn distraction he didn’t need. Yet that didn’t keep him from looking—looking never hurt.

Thinking of her again had him gazing in her direction. Dammit, he was setting himself up for disappointment and a shitload of frustration. Nothing would happen between them, as long as he stayed away. Just as he was going to turn back to Tyson, who hadn’t stopped his yammering, Royce caught Amber gaze in his direction. Not just in his direction but at him point-blank. Pent up sexual desire punched him square in the chest.

Her gaze was full of all the things he’d wanted to do to her, and he almost forgot to breathe. She didn’t turn away. She held his gaze. Her directness threw him off. He’d pegged her for a “good girl” but never expected she’d be the pursuer.

Why was he hesitating? He always went after what and who he wanted. Always had. But this time felt—different. Could it be that he’d been thinking of her as off-limits for so long that he’d never considered she might want the same?

Damn if she wasn’t sending him an invitation. She looked down at her drink, then back up at him and smiled again before she turned away. That was an unmistakable signal from a woman; she wanted him, and he was letting her connection to his sister play with his head. Well, screw that.

Sure, they’d only had a few short interactions, and he’d always behaved since his sister was typically around. But she wasn’t now. What was the harm in a little verbal foreplay? It would tell him once and for all if he should shut down his thoughts about her or offer her a night. A night they’d both walk away from satisfied; his curiosity and need for her put to rest. Then maybe he could get back to his normal routine.

His gaze still on her, Amber looked over her shoulder and locked eyes with him as if daring him. Well now, he never backed down from a dare.

Unaware he’d taken a step toward her, the man he’d quickly forgotten about blocked him.

“Royce? Hey man, there are a ton of sweet things here for the taking. You pick one out yet?”

Reason number one he hadn’t looked up old friends stood next to him. Tyson. Yes, thank god, that was it, Tyson Brown. That was drunk-guy’s name. Memories flooded him, and he remembered exactly who the d-bag was. In high school, Tyson often took before given permission by girls who’d had too much to drink. Royce may have walked that line once, but he’d wised up. A willing woman was much more satisfying.

Unimpressed, Royce watched as Tyson puffed out his puny chest and scanned the crowd.

“So, what’s your gig now? You seem a bit more, what’s the word am I looking for? You’re not as… I don’t know, relaxed or whatever. You were always looking for a good time when we ruled the streets. Man, what happened to you?”

He looked back in Amber’s direction and noticed several of the rookie players had walked over to her. A shot of something he didn’t recognize landed in his gut. He didn’t like it, nor what the feeling likely represented.

He wasn’t a jealous guy, so he took the unfamiliar anger of seeing other guys hit on Amber and turned and dumped it all over Tyson. Royce felt just mean enough to yank the jerk’s chain with a healthy dose of truth.

“I left Pineville and grew up for starters. I’m past the sweet young thing phase, and you should be too. Hell, you plan on partying forever? And as far as my “gig,” I joined the police force in Dallas, worked my way up, and landed in SWAT here in Pineville. So, keep it in your pants and go easy on the whiskey. That used to be your thing, right?” Royce flexed his fingers and took in a breath. He didn’t want a fight; just needed to let out a little steam.

“Damn. You used to always be up for a party, and any girl you could separate from her panties. You changed, man.” Tyson drained his glass and wiped his face with the back of his hand.

Yeah, his high school friends were full of class. He hoped Tyson behaved. The last thing he wanted to do was haul his ass in.

“Well, you have fun bouncing or whatever it is your sister’s paying you to do. I’m headed for some prime tail. See ya.”

Royce slammed his arm up and pressed it into Tyson’s chest. He locked eyes with the drunk, “Like I said, keep it in your pants, and we’ll be good. You got it?”

Tyson’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down, and a sheen of sweat appeared on his hawkish face. Royce kept him locked in place. Training kicked in, it always did, and he softened his voice even though he wanted to growl. “You keep it nice and polite. This is not the night and definitely not the place to cause trouble. You understand?”

Licking his lips, Tyson scanned the crowd behind Royce’s back.

“No backup, Tyson?” Royce asked.

Tyson visibly shook. “Yah…uh, I mean no. The guy who got in me in already left with a girl. I’m by myself. Look, I was just teasing, ya know. Don’t worry, man. I’m good.”

Royce let a good thirty seconds pass before he dropped his arm. He caught the distinction between Tyson saying, ‘I’m good’ and ‘I’ll be good.’

Shit. It was going to be a long night.

“Hi, Amber. So glad you could make it.” Reese joined her at the bar.

Amber set her drink down and hugged the woman who’d she’d become closer to over the last year. She cherished their friendship but secretly wished Reese’s brother had an overbite and was a straight up jerk. It would make her decision to be at the party tonight, dressed up for one reason only—to catch Royce’s eye among other body parts.

She took a small sip of her favorite drink, “Hi, yourself and thanks. Caris made sure I knew I was invited. Actually, I think she has ulterior motives. She’s been bugging me to go out since I dumped the last guy I dated.”

Amber had a habit of talking too much when she was nervous. She looked around to see if Royce was still looking at her. Disappointment hit her when she couldn’t find him.

“Aw, Caris means well. And I get it. Happy friends always want everyone else to experience the happiness they have. And it seems you’re it now that all of us have a special guy. Don’t worry; I’ll do my best to wave off any men who don’t live up to our standards, K?” Reese scanned the crowd, then lifted her hand and waved.

“Hey, speaking of men, my man is signaling me. If you see someone you want an intro to you, find me. I know everyone.”

Amber watched Reese rush over to her boyfriend, Connor, wrap her arms around his neck. Their kiss was hot and long, and he grabbed her ass for everyone to see. Amber wanted that. She wanted hot and hard and everything she never got from her last ex or anyone she’d dated.

And for that, she wanted Royce Kincaid. Hot cop and decorated member of the local SWAT, he was the only one she wanted to give her the hot and hard part. He had a reputation for his prowess in bed. He also had the reputation of one night and done, or so it was rumored. But she didn’t want the rumor—she wanted the man.

She wanted a man who could handle her need for edgier sex, the kind where her partner wouldn’t stop until she exploded-half-a-dozen-times-sex. Yup, she wanted what the rumors about Royce proclaimed.

Except she had one tiny little problem. Amber had never shared that need with any of her previous boyfriends. Men always treated her like she was a good girl, like she might break at the slightest amount of pressure. It was her own fault. She hadn’t spoken up before and asked for what she wanted, what she craved in bed or out. But that was going to end.

Tonight.

She hoped.

With Royce. The man she should stay away from, but who she wanted to bring alive her deepest desires. And she was still working on the courage part. She signaled the bartender for another drink. He nodded and took down a clean glass and began to mix her favorite, a pina colada, when she felt someone take the seat Reese had vacated.

She knew it wasn’t going to be who she wanted and mentally prepped a polite turndown.

“Come here often?”

The words were followed by a vapor cloud of Jameson and a sweaty hand in her face.

“Tyson Brown. Ty to my friends. Wanna be my friend?”

Amber cringed at the awful line and the accompanying leer. Ugh, why did she always attract the creeps?

“Um, I’m waiting for someone. But uh, it was nice to meet you.” She turned to face toward the crush of people celebrating on the dance floor.

“Someone, huh? Yeah, right. Look, I’ve been watching. You’ve turned down like what, three other guys. You got a problem or something?”

Ty’s voice had risen, and it was laced with barely controlled anger. She spotted Reese and Connor dancing, but the noise level was too loud to try and catch their attention; her voice would be swallowed up by the crowd.

“Look, I’m serious. Why else would I turn down those other guys if I wasn’t waiting for someone?” She offered the best smile could muster.

“Nice story. You tell that to the other losers too?” Tyson rubbed his face.

He let out a weird laugh. “Sorry. Man, I just really wanted to meet you. You’re the hottest girl in here, and you know it’s kinda strange you’re sitting here all alone, unless… well, you know.”

“No, I don’t.” Afraid to give him an opening to hear his reasoning, she nodded to no one in particular. Please take the hint. Please take it, please .

He leaned in close. Her prayer went unanswered. He was way too close for comfort. She automatically leaned back as another whiff of whiskey made her gag.

“Hey, I’m not gonna bite.” He growled. “Unless you want me to.”

Nope. She didn’t. She was saving that for someone else. Someone, not him. “I think you have me confused with someone else.” Amber stood up, intent on finding anyone she knew and maybe someone she didn’t.

Tyson jumped off his chair and leaned into her, and grabbed her arm.

“Ow! What are you doing, asshole? That hurts. Let me go.” She tried to shake his hold, but he didn’t budge.

“You think you’re too good for me? I’d have you begging for more after the first round. And then I’d?—”

“Hey, Amber, I heard you were here. The gang’s looking for you. They’re over in the VIP section.”

Maverick Jansen, the star pitcher of the Outlaws, stood behind Tyson. She offered him a smile of gratitude and nodded. Then she looked down at his hand wrapped around her arm and back up into Tyson’s face.

What she found made her break out in a cold sweat. For a split second, she saw evil, then he blinked, and the cruelty was gone.

“This guy bothering you?” Maverick stepped from behind the much shorter man and stood by her side.

She let out the breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding as Tyson let go of her arm and offered it to Maverick. “Hey, man. Great game. Congratulations on the championship.”

Maverick didn’t acknowledge Tyson other than to cross his arms and glare at the now sweating man. “Amber, you okay?”

“Y-yes. He was just leaving. He thought I was someone else, isn’t that right?”

Still too close for her peace of mind, Amber shifted away from Tyson but not before his whispered words reached her.

“Saved by the bell. Catch you next time. Amber ,” Tyson whispered and walked away.

Amber and Maverick watched the king of creeps disappear into the crowd. She turned to Maverick, “Thank you. He wasn’t taking no for an answer.”

“You sure you’re okay?” Maverick was looking at her arm.

She glanced down at the slowly darkening skin and rubbed. “Yeah, he was drunk. I’ve never seen him before, and he was convinced I was blowing him off. And I was, but...”

“No, buts. Some guys can’t handle no, even when it’s a polite no. Next time be more of a bitch. Dump your drink in his lap. Hell, anything to cause a scene, okay?”

Amber nodded, then looked behind Maverick and discovered Royce intently watching her. He stood behind the railing between the dance floor and the front entry. Her gaze traveled down his muscular arms and rested on his hands gripping the metal, his knuckles white.

She swore she could feel his anger across the room. He gave her a slight nod and pushed off the railing, and went in the direction of the now-vanished Tyson.

She let out a sigh as she watched his backside disappear into the crowd. That man exuded power and protection. What she wouldn’t give for a chance to wrap herself around all that muscle and hard angles.

She heard Maverick speaking, but what he was saying didn’t register. Still shook up from her encounter, she wanted what? She wasn’t sure now about approaching Royce tonight. Maybe she should leave and treat herself to half a pint of salted caramel ice cream and stream a movie and rethink how to hook up with Royce.

She looked back to where she last saw him and noticed he was now speaking to one of the security guards Reese had on staff. Amber took the opportunity to observe him unnoticed and took another moment to admire his strong jawline, broad shoulders, and toned body. She sighed and turned back to Maverick.

“Amber? You with me, hon?” Maverick turned around to where she was looking, then chuckled, “Now, that’s someone you need to stay away from. He’s a nice guy, but definitely not in your league.” He motioned to where the rest of his friends and his wife, Kelsey had gathered. “Why don’t you come hang with us? And we’ll see what we can do about finding someone in between creepy guy and commitment-phobia guy. What do you say?”

Boy, had she’d been that obvious? I guess staring at a man across the room wasn’t exactly subtle behavior, but still— ouch . “And what exactly does that mean? You think after what just happened, I’m not capable of choosing the right guy?”

“Hey, don’t shoot the messenger. It’s just he’s not known for anything long term. A bit like me, I guess, before I found Kelsey, but he’s not your type, Amber. You need someone like?—”

Oh no, he just didn’t. “Like who? The calm, boring type that a good girl like me deserves? Well, the hell with that. I’ve had my fill of those men, and no thank you.” Wow, Amber. Where’d that come from?

“Okay, let me rephrase. Royce is a great guy, but he’s got a broken heart list longer than mine ever was. You deserve someone, well you just deserve a guy who’ll last, ya know? So, what do you say? Come join us. I know Kelsey and the rest of the ladies want you too.”

Amber felt about two inches tall. She didn’t have a temper, but obviously, Maverick had hit a nerve. And she wanted nothing more than to catch up with everyone as she hadn’t seen them since Noel and TS’ baby shower for their son, Carson.

“I say, thank you, Mav. And for the record, I wouldn’t have shot you. I know you’re only looking out for me. Besides, I don’t want Kelsey hunting me down to the ends of the earth for payback.” Amber grinned then let out a laugh.

She followed Maverick to the VIP area, but not before she looked back for another peek. Yeah, he probably wasn’t someone she should pursue, but damn he made her want things she’d only fantasized about. But as much as she wanted him, she also wanted more than just one night. She wasn’t built for one-night stands.

She tried to put her feelings and her body’s desire for Royce on the back burner, but she had a distinct feeling she’d be a failure at both.