Crushing on the Cop Read online

  Crushing on the Cop

  Piper Rayne

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  © 2018 by Piper Rayne

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

  Cover Photo: Wander Aguiar Photography

  Cover Model: Andrew Biernat

  Cover Design: RBA Designs

  Line Editor: Gray Ink Editing

  Proofreader: Shawna Gavas, Behind The Writer

  Contents

  Foreword

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Epilogue

  Cockamamie Unicorn Ramblings

  About Piper & Rayne

  Also by Piper Rayne

  Cristian Bianco has two things against him—he’s a police officer and he’s a police officer in the 18th District…meaning my dad is his boss.

  * * *

  Growing up as the Commander’s daughter and having his magnifying glass focused on everything I did was more than I could handle.

  * * *

  Now, I’m out on my own, living by my own rules. Well, mostly. The ‘job’ I created for myself has me in some hot water and my exit strategy isn’t exactly working out how I’d hoped.

  * * *

  Which is why when my best friend bids on Cristian for me at a charity bachelor auction, I’m not having it. A man in blue is only going to be one thing for me—a problem.

  * * *

  Except after his brother starts dating my best friend he becomes harder to ignore. The eight-pack abs. The sense of style only a girl like me can appreciate. The way he puts his family first. It all adds up to make him one irresistible prospect and has me wondering if he knows how to use those handcuffs the right way—by locking my wrists to his headboard.

  Chapter One

  Cristian

  Middle Child Syndrome.

  It’s not really a thing. At least, not in my family.

  Being the middle child of three boys, all a year apart, I should know.

  Mauro is the eldest, the first son born into an Italian immigrant family. I came along so quick after him that Mauro needed my ma’s arms as much as I did. I wasn’t off my Ma’s tit before Luca barreled out of her. When I say barreled, it’s the truth. The guy was four weeks early, screaming and wailing, already searching for the party.

  You’d think it would go Mauro takes care of Cristian, Cristian takes care of Luca and Luca—well, let’s be thankful he’s the youngest because he’d take care of no one but himself. Somehow though, I ended up with all the responsibility genes. I’m the one who checks on my parents, the one who makes sure Mauro and Luca remember birthdays and anniversaries, the one who organizes the paperwork for our recreation teams and makes sure everyone has paid.

  Is that why I became a police officer? Maybe. It’s not a lie that I thrive on order and rules. Who wants to live in a world of mutiny and insubordination? Not me, that’s for damn sure.

  What all that means is that it doesn’t add up to why I’ve been staring at the blonde across the field for the past five minutes. Because she doesn’t seem to want to follow rules and she could definitely invoke riots with her presence alone. The worst part about it, and the fact that my dick is overruling my brain, is that she’s my commander’s daughter, Vanessa Flanagan.

  We’re all here because Mauro came up with some cheesy way to win Maddie back and we’re re-enacting a bonfire from high school.

  “Hunt is driving me fucking insane. Did you see her wanting to arm wrestle me?” Luca doesn’t even notice I’m distracted. Youngest child—everything’s about him. “I mean, she’s like a little Energizer bunny that never dies. Does she honestly think she’d have a chance to win? She’s so competitive. It’s annoying.”

  I’d take the opportunity to remind my brother that he’s no different if Vanessa hadn’t just laughed at something someone in her circle said. Because as she lets her laugh loose, she pulls at her hair, sliding it to one side, exposing her long slender neck and my jeans grow tighter and I’m speechless.

  “Mauro owes me for this one. He and Maddie disappear now that they’ve made up and we’re left here with Hunt. I should be in those woods with some chick fucking her against a tree like it was high school again. Instead we’re here…”

  A hand waves in front of my face.

  “What the fuck are you staring at?” He must follow my line of sight. “Nope. Sorry, I’m not letting you get involved with one of Hunt’s friends. It’s bad enough that Mauro is probably popping the question to Maddie right this moment since he’s completely pussy whipped now. But not you, too. No way I’m sharing two weddings, and every monumental life event with Hunt. Find someone else.” He glances around the area, past the bonfire blazing in the middle of the field. “What about her?”

  He points. My gaze drifts to a redhead who is attractive but more his type than mine. I’ve always loved blondes and the fact Vanessa’s tall only increases her appeal.

  I give him an indifferent shrug.

  “Okay then, screw her, have some fun, but no wedding shit. You hear me? No way I can be with Hunt all the fucking time.” He shakes his head, arms crossed over his chest.

  I do remember this from high school—him and Lauren Hunt. The king and queen of jockville at St. George. Each one played four different sports and I don’t even know why they grate on each other’s nerves so bad. It’s not like they ever had to compete against the other.

  “She’s the Commander’s daughter,” I say. “She’s been refusing to go on a date with me since Maddie won her a date with me at the bachelor auction. The commander’s on my ass to know why we haven’t gone out. What am I going to tell him? Your daughter has something against police officers? She’s giving me the cold shoulder? I might as well admit I rescue stray cats.”

  “Lie. Fuck, Cristian, just lie.” He smacks me on the shoulder, downing half the beer from the red Solo cup.

  “Yeah and that will go over well when he finds out the truth.”

  Damn, she is gorgeous though. Picturing her long legs wrapped around my waist is my first thought when I look at her.

  “Stop living in the fucking right lane, dickhead. Slide on over to the left and enjoy the ride until you have to go all slow and shit for kids in the backseat. You’re like an eighty-year-old in a twenty-eight-year-old body. It’s a shame you work out so much. A waste really.”

  I quirk an eyebrow. Not that I can refute what he says. He’s right. I take my life way too fucking serious. Do I want a family? I do. I want a woman to come home to, to make a life with. A woman to carry my kids. And Vanessa is not her. She’s the female version of Luca in the dating department fr
om what I can tell.

  When Vanessa visits the district, rumors fly about her like she’s a Kardashian. She’s so gorgeous you can’t take your eyes off her, but you know she’s not the bring-home-to-mom type. Guys like Luca crave girls like that. Me, not so much.

  “Listen to the right head this time.” Luca glances down to between my legs. “The one who knows what he wants. You just have to listen to him.” He tips his Solo cup again. “Fuck. I’m out. You want one?” he asks, already stepping away.

  “Nah.” My gaze is still glued to Vanessa as she pulls a ponytail holder from her purse and secures her hair low at the bottom of her hairline.

  Luca laughs as he walks away. “Just get her out of your system, man.” He points at me with a stern expression. “But no going back for seconds.”

  Once Luca’s gone, I weigh my options. He’s made some valid points. Fuck Mr. Responsibility, for once in my life I’m taking what I want without thinking of the damn consequences. Downing the rest of my beer, I head across the grass not willing to accept the answer Vanessa loves to give me—no.

  Chapter Two

  Vanessa

  A new guy I just met who’s on the fire department with Mauro carries on and on about how romantic Mauro is. Yeah, I didn’t need that confirmation since I’m standing dead center in a re-enactment of a night that happened ten years ago.

  And that’s not jealousy in my tone—it’s envy. I love Maddie and I only want her happy, but no one has ever put in an effort like this for me. Not that I really care that much because the last thing I need in my life is another man thinking he owns me and can run my life.

  “He is sweet,” I say with a smile and nod.

  “Yeah, one day he’ll be captain at the firehouse. Maybe after I retire.”

  His wife touches his arm in an affectionate pat. “I doubt that day will ever come.” She smiles.

  What must it be like to love your job so much you don’t want to leave.

  “We have three kids and they’re approaching college. Someone has to pay for their education,” she says.

  Patel, as he introduced himself to me, stares down at his wife with a smile that matches hers.

  “Scholarships,” he says to his wife.

  They laugh like it’s a conversation they’ve had a million times.

  It’s nice and yet it still makes me want to throw up about as much as Mauro setting this whole thing up for Maddie does.

  Again, envy not jealousy.

  “You know I have this cousin,” the wife whispers in my direction. “He likes blondes. He’d love you.”

  Patel shakes his head. “Excuse my wife.”

  She slaps him on the shoulder in a friendly ‘stop’ manner. They’re cute and the fact that they’re married with three kids and still civil to one another proves that marriage works for some people.

  “No, just think, we wouldn’t have met if it wasn’t for Raj.”

  Patel nods in agreement at his wife. The sweet look shared between them tells even a bystander like me how much in love they are.

  “Patel,” a deep voice interrupts our conversation.

  Thank God, I needed a clear path to escape from yet another set-up.

  “Cristian.” Patel places his hand into the hand of the large figure to my left.

  Great, tonight just got even more intolerable. I down the rest of my flat keg beer, ready to excuse myself to go for a refill.

  “I was just telling this lovely woman what a romantic your brother is.” Patel gestures to me.

  Like Cristian didn’t know I was here. I swear he’s embedded a chip in me like they do to dogs and cats. The guy doesn’t understand the word no. I could still kill Lauren for giving him my number. What kind of friend is she?

  I search her out with only the glow of the bonfire flames to light the surrounding area. She’s nowhere in sight. Great because I’m about to ask Mrs. Patel to drive me home even if I have to hear her brag about her cousin’s dating resume.

  “I hope him and Maddie are happy. They seemed it when they left.” Cristian smiles. One that probably leaves most women he comes in contact with, weak in the knees. Uniform or no uniform.

  He’s a good looking guy. Okay, okay, he’s hot. Like mysterious hot. Always more stern looking than his brothers are. Maybe it’s the police officer in him. Assessing the scene before he can relax and be himself. My dad has the same trait. On guard most of the time in public. Never able to settle until his back is to the wall so he’s able to see the entire place and prepare for anything that might happen.

  “Hey, Vanessa,” he says to me, sipping from his own Solo cup.

  I want to roll my eyes at his pretend surprise at finding me here, but Commander’s daughter and all that.

  “Hello, Officer Bianco.”

  A smirk tilts his lips.

  Patel and his wife’s gazes are poised on us with curiosity.

  “You can call me Cristian,” he says.

  “No. That’s okay.” I shrug.

  “Okay, Miss Flanagan.” My gaze snaps to his and he raises his eyebrows, his smirk growing more prominent.

  Touché Mr. Bianco.

  “Well.” I drag my eyes away from him although I have to say seeing him out of uniform is doing crazy things to my libido. Isn’t it supposed to be the other way around?

  For such a stiff do-gooder he sure has a sense of style even in the decade-old clothes we’re wearing. “It was a pleasure meeting you. I’m going to refill my cup.”

  “You too,” Mrs. Patel steps forward, reaching into her purse. She pulls out a card. “Just in case you change your mind. He’s a very sweet boy. He’s just holed himself up with studies, what with being a doctor. Has a great big mansion on the north shore.” Her eyes light up, selling her cousin to me.

  “I’m just not looking for anyone at the moment, but maybe I’ll think about it.”

  I shoot her an easy out that should allow me to leave this conversation and Cristian’s proximity.

  “What’s this?” Cristian glances over us to read the card.

  “Oh, it’s my wife matchmaking again.” Patel laughs.

  “Cristian, I have a niece that you’d love.” Mrs. Patel moves on from me to Cristian.

  Perfect.

  “Thanks for thinking of me, but I’m not looking for anything serious right now.”

  I can’t help but wonder if that’s actually true.

  A puffed sound falls from Mrs. Patel’s lips. “You’re only getting older. You don’t want to be chasing your grandkids around in a walker.”

  Cristian’s head rears back.

  “She’s pretty. Just graduated from UC, smart as a cookie, but she’s disappointed her parents by wanting to go to culinary school now.” Again, she looks up to her husband and they share a look of what are you going to do.

  “I wish her luck, but I’m going to take my chances on that whole walker thing and stay single a while longer.” Cristian smiles and for some reason, he appeases Mrs. Patel to stop pushing. She’s not giving him a business card or handing out her niece’s phone number.

  “I try. That’s all I can do.” Her hands come up in front of her in a placating gesture.

  Patel wraps his arm around his wife’s waist. “Let’s get you home, Match dot com.” He kisses the hairline of her scalp and a small piece of my icy exterior melts at the affection they share.

  “See you both and if you’re ever finding yourself alone on a Saturday night give me a ring.” She winks.

  Patel and Cristian shake hands before the couple ventures off into the darkness.

  I turn around to head to the keg, but footsteps fall in line behind me and I know I’m not alone. Ignoring his presence, I walk into the woods where grown people are pretending they’re hiding from the cops. Hello, half the force is probably here today.

  “Bianco, what’s up man?” Some guy approaches Cristian behind me. Not that I needed clarification that Officer Bianco was probably staring at my ass the entire walk over here.


  “Not much,” Cristian says.

  A slapping of hands commences behind me. “Killer hat trick this past Thursday. I think we’ve got a shot this year.”

  Stop listening.

  I step forward to the keg, waiting in line behind two women laughing about how they can’t figure out the tapper, reminiscing about their college days and how they only drink from bottles now.

  “Let me help.” I approach, pumping and tilting their cups under the nozzle. A minute later they’re saying thank you and complimenting me on my hat.

  I forgot I was even wearing my favorite hat from a decade ago. Good thing my dad stores everything in marked boxes in the basement. He might be organized, but he’s still kind of a hoarder.

  The unfortunate part of helping the two women is that by the time I’m ready to fill my cup the keg needs pumping again. I place my cup down on the forest floor, ready to do just that when two strong corded muscular forearms come into my line of sight.

  Cristian pumps and I’m not even going to ask why he’s not wearing a jacket in the fall. He’s probably one of those hot-blooded males who wears shorts the minute he hears bird’s chirping after a long winter. I question those dumbasses every spring.

  “Thank you,” I mumble because it was kind of him to pump the keg, even if I never asked.

  “You’re welcome.” He fills his own cup.