Photo Finish Read online

  “How do I know she’s not…you know…wired or something?”

  Tate laughed, but Brogan saw the flash of uncertainty in his eyes. Tate glanced over at Paige, scowling at the phone still clutched in her hands. The man cursed and lunged for it, shoving Brogan sideways. Brogan grunted as he slammed into a box.

  “You fucking bitch!” He held the phone up. “This isn’t a code. You’re recording everything!”

  “Paige! Down! Now!” shouted Brogan.

  Everything seemed to happen at once. Paige hit the ground as Brogan’s other contact drew his gun, hitting Leo in the shoulder. Brogan dropped the buyer’s other guard, throwing his body in front of Paige as more bullets rained down. He heard Tate screaming out orders as he ran for cover behind the car. Brogan cursed and fired at the windows, shattering the glass into a thousand pieces. Tate fired back, ricocheting a shot off the pallet beside him. The sound echoed through the large warehouse, making Paige jump beneath him. He growled, wondering where the hell Doug was when Paige’s arm snaked out and a bright flash lit up Tate’s car.

  Tate cried out, rubbing his eyes against the blinding light, giving Brogan the opening he needed. He aimed through the broken windshield and fired, hitting Tate in the chest, watching the man’s body contract in pain before he disappeared behind the car. Sirens echoed across the wharf. Red and blue lights reflected off the warehouse walls, casting colored rings on the ground. There were a few more rounds of gunfire before the pier fell quiet.

  Doug rushed to Brogan’s side, pulling him to his feet. “Fuck. We didn’t expect it to go south so fast. One minute we’re listening on Paige’s phone, the next we hear shots.”

  Brogan nodded, helping Paige to her feet. He’d practically squished her into the concrete in an effort to keep her covered. “He caught on to the phone trick, and I couldn’t wait.”

  Doug nodded, watching as Brogan hugged Paige.

  “Looks like a success. With all the evidence you’ve gathered over the past six months, Paige’s photos and the conversation we were able to record tonight, we’ve got more than enough to put him away for a very long time, that’s if the doctors can get that bullet out of his chest.” Doug patted Paige on the shoulder. “You did great. If you ever want to change careers…”

  Paige laughed, but Brogan could tell it was forced. “Thanks, but I think I’ll stick to the other side of the lens.”

  “Fair enough.” Doug cleared his throat and pointed to the motorcycle. “Better get her out of here, Agent Johnson, before the press arrives. I don’t want to have to explain her involvement. I trust the two of you can lay low for a few days, while we get this sorted out…see what we can do to bring you back to life.”

  Brogan didn’t even answer. He just swept Paige into his arms and headed for the bike.

  * * * *

  Paige walked into the cabin and headed straight for the bed, her body so tired it took all her strength just to take off her boots. They’d only stopped to pick up a few necessities before heading back to the old shack. Brogan had insisted they stay there until Doug had everything wrapped up.

  Brogan followed her in, leaning against the door as he watched her from behind a veil of shadowy lashes. She could see his indecision hunched in his shoulders, but wasn’t sure what to say. There was a visible distance between them she knew only he could bridge. An unsettled silence filled the room, until he sighed and moved to the chair, making it creak as he sank into it.

  It took a few moments before he met her gaze. Unshed tears reflected off the pale moonlight, making her heart clench. She wanted to reach for him, but wasn’t sure if he’d turn away.

  Finally he tilted his lips into a tentative smile and nodded at her. “You were brilliant tonight. That bit with the flash… I didn’t even know you had it in your jacket.”

  “I’m a photojournalist. It’s kind of the same as you and your gun.”

  Brogan chuckled but his smile faded with his laughter. “I’m sorry, Paige. What I did…” He sighed as he stared down at his boots. “I just didn’t know how to get to Tate without dragging you down with me. I’d promised myself I’d never let that bastard hurt another person I loved.”

  His voice cracked, and he turned away. She watched his muscles flex as he went to push himself up and grabbed his hand, stopping him.

  “I won’t lie and tell you I’m not hurt by what happened. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want you in my life.” She flashed him a genuine smile. “Do you know what I wished for the entire time you were gone?”

  He shook his head, his gaze riveted to hers.

  “This,” she said, tracing her finger along his jaw as she pulled him toward her. “I love you, Brogan. Six months hasn’t changed that.”

  Relief washed over his expression and a single tear slipped down his cheek before he gave her a dangerous smile. “I love you, too, baby. But I’m afraid there’s still one little problem, besides the fact you have way too many clothes on.”

  She giggled as he stripped them both bare, but then frowned, wondering what was still left unsaid, when he wrapped one arm around her waist and hoisted her off the bed. The room blurred as he jostled her onto his lap, stopping with her hips over his thighs and her ass beneath his palm. A tingle of excitement sparked along her skin as he smoothed his fingers across her buttocks, humming softly.

  “Despite the fact everything turned out okay, there’s no denying that you’ve been a very naughty girl these past two days. A fact I can’t let go…unpunished.”

  Moisture pooled between her thighs as heat coiled deep inside her, electrifying every nerve until her skin felt charged. She wanted to challenge his new dominant attitude but couldn’t seem to get her tongue to form the words. Instead, it curled around a deep moan as Brogan drew circles across her ass.

  “Damn, I love your butt, so curvy and strong. You should have seen Leo’s face when you took off through that intersection. I thought the poor guy was going to cream his pants just watching your ass wiggle on the seat. If only he could see me now.”

  “Brogan, I—”

  She cried out as the first slap warmed her ass. Her skin tingled beneath the blow, sending a ripple of pleasure straight to her sex. She’d often thought about being spanked, but had never dreamt she’d actually experience it.

  “Hush, baby, and take your spanking like a good girl should. If you behave, I’ll give you a reward after.”

  Paige turned to look at him over her shoulder when his hand rained down on her, placing a series of slaps across her cheeks. Each one stung her skin until the sensation bled into a hot spike that culminated in her groin. Warm honey coated her lips and she moaned when he slipped his finger between her folds, drawing it slowly along her cleft until he could circle her clit.

  “Oh, baby. Do you know how wet you are? Damn, if I’d known you’d love being spanked so much, I would have put you over my knee long ago.”

  Paige wanted to tease him back, but his finger kept rubbing her nub with just enough pressure she couldn’t speak…couldn’t breathe. She bit her lip, trying to hold the feeling at bay, until his other hand slid between her legs and he plunged two fingers deep inside.

  “Oh, yeah, baby, come for me. You’re so beautiful. God, I love you, Paige.”

  Paige smiled, not resisting when he lifted her up and placed her gently on the bed, lying down beside her, his arm stretched toward the headboard. She summoned some inner strength and rolled on top of him, kissing his chest as she draped her body over him. He sighed against her hair, ruffling it across her face as he trailed his fingers up and down her back. She leaned over a bit, slipping her hand to the floor, before moving it up his side and lightly scratching his skin as her hand joined his.

  “What the—”

  Brogan’s voice cut off, silenced by the click of the handcuff. Paige flashed him a wicked smile, quickly snapping the other bracelet around the metal bed frame. Brogan stared up at his wrist, stunned.

  “I’m not the only one who’s been naughty,�
� she whispered, wiggling off him when he tried to trap her. “Oh, no, darling. I took my punishment, and now it’s time to take yours. But don’t worry, I’ll make sure we both get a reward.”

  Brogan laughed, and she watched the last of his tension fade from his body. He reached his other arm up and grabbed a spindle, giving her complete access to his body.

  “Have you got anything particular in mind?”

  Paige nodded, jumped off the bed and returned with her camera, setting it on the table as she punched a few buttons. Then she joined him on the bed and took his cock in her hands. “Let’s just say, I’m planning on a photo finish.”

  About the Author

  Kris sees herself as somewhat obsessive and feels she tends to push the boundaries of common sense sometimes. Her friends graciously see her as passionate and adventurous. After all, speed limits are only a guideline and shouting is just her way of rising above the chaos.

  Kris loves the outdoors. If she’s not on her computer—or chasing after her three kids—you’ll find her out on a trail somewhere, either running or riding her mountain bike. Kris took up adventure racing a few years ago, and does her best to enter one or two races every year.

  Kris started writing some years back, and it took her a while to realize she wasn’t destined for the padded room, and the voices chattering away in her head were really other characters trying to take shape. (And since they weren’t telling her to conquer the human race, she went with it.)

  Kris loves writing erotic novels. She loves heroines who kick butt, heroes who are larger than life, and sizzling sex scenes that make you squirm in your seat, and leave you feeling just a bit breathless.

  Kris loves to talk to her readers and can be found at www.krisnorris.ca.

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  Handcuffs and Lace

  Resplendence Publishing’s Erotic Romance Line of

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  Sheriff Ian Blackwell has loved Jazz since high school and then some. When their relationship burned out so many years ago, he wasn’t sure he would recover. Now he’s getting a second chance, and he won’t Jazz slip away from him this time. He has her naked and at his mercy, and he’s going to keep her that way. Forever.

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