Page 128 of The Friends and Rivals Collection

PERRI

My nerves skyrocket as Jansen pulls me aside for a one-on-one chat. “Listen, I’m sorry to do this on a Saturday night.”

My heart slams against my rib cage and all I can think is he’s letting me go, that passing me over was the first step in saying sayonara.

I swallow, steeling myself.

If I lose my job, that will suck royally. But somehow, I’ll manage. I have my friends, my family, and my man.

With my shoulders held high, I wait for him to say more.

He clears his throat, his voice a little gruff. “Listen, I know you didn’t get the promotion, and I wanted to tell you why.”

“Okay.” I brace for impact. This is when the rug comes out from under me, but I’m ready.

His lips quirk up, and he grins.

The man actually grins.

“The reason you didn’t get the promotion, and the reason I couldn’t tell you right away, is I had some other paperwork to tend to.” His smile widens like he can’t rein it in.

What the hell? Does he like bearing bad news?

“I understand.” I give nothing away, staying strong.

“I had paperwork to deal with because there’s another opening. I think it’s a good match for your fine skills.” He takes a beat, and I’m not sure I’m hearing him correctly. Did he just say fine skills ? “How would you like to be a detective?”

Chills spread over my flesh. The hairs on my arms stand on end. “Are you kidding me?”

He laughs, shaking his head. “I’m completely serious.

We made an arrest today on the jewelry store case thanks to your intel.

You impressed me with your commitment to solving it, and that’s simply the tip of the iceberg.

You’ve been a stellar officer. Every year you improve, and you excel.

I wanted to give you the news the other day, but I had to iron out some final details to move you up the ranks.

It’s the perfect position for your experience, know-how, and smarts. ”

And I guess I don’t have to wait for another promotion. An amazing one is coming my way. One I earned with time, attention, and dead-on focus.

Hell, I’m damn good at my job.

And I love my job. My smile takes over my face.

“You’ve demonstrated that you deserve it, and I hope that you’ll accept,” he adds.

“Thank you, sir. I accept.”

I say goodbye to Arden and Vanessa before I leave, hugging them and thanking them for being the best friends a woman could ask for.

“You were my besties in grade school, high school, and now. We’ve been through everything, and I love you both.”

They hug me back together. “Group hug,” Arden says.

“Also, we decided you won the bet,” Vanessa adds.

“I did?” I ask with a smile as we separate.

“Didn’t you hear? Your most passionate kiss raised the most money.”

I shake my hips. “I had a feeling we’d own that category.”

We choose Derek’s bed.

“The scene of the first crime,” I remark.

“Then expect me to be guilty a helluva lot, officer.” He smacks his forehead. “Excuse me. I meant Detective Keating .”

I grin as I take off my top. “That’s right. I want you to keep calling me ‘detective.’”

“Can I call you ‘detective’ when I cuff you to my bedpost, put you on all fours, and fuck your sweet pussy with my tongue?”

I shiver at the tantalizing possibility. “My cuffs are downstairs.”

“Then consider it an unbreakable promise for next time.” He tugs me close, rubbing his hard-on against my hip through his jeans.

I groan, leaning my head back. “You need to get naked and inside me now.”

“Then undress me, kitten. I’m all yours.”

All mine.

Those words both turn me on and make me unimaginably happy at the same time. I strip off his clothes, he yanks off the rest of mine, and I pull him to me on the bed. Grabbing his chin, I bring his face closer. “I love you, Derek McBride. Will you fuck me like you love me?”

He nuzzles my neck with his trim beard. “Easiest thing you’ve ever asked me to do.”

When he slides inside me, I feel it . Not just his cock, which I adore. But I feel the love between us. The intensity, the connection, the need.

He does fuck me. And that’s what I want. He takes me like he loves me, like he needs me, and as I let go, I give in to love at last.