Baby, It's Cold Outside Read online

  Evernight Publishing

  www.evernightpublishing.com

  Copyright© 2012 Vanessa Devereaux

  ISBN: 978-1-77130-195-4

  Cover Artist: Sour Cherry Designs

  Editor: JC Chute

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  DEDICATION

  For Nan.

  The biggest fan of romance books I’ve ever known.

  BABY, IT’S COLD OUTSIDE

  Romance on the Go

  Vanessa Devereaux

  Copyright © 2012

  Chapter One

  “Put your hands on the wall where I can see them. And after that, don’t move an inch.”

  He smiled.

  It had been a woman’s voice making that request.

  Ben knew the guy he was tracking didn’t have a wife or girlfriend, which meant…

  He turned slightly to take a peek.

  “Did you hear what I said?”

  He smiled again because he’d been able to get a quick glance at her. Definitely: female. Definitely: cute.

  Ben turned back to face the wall, and this time did exactly what she’d requested. He didn’t want Mike Wallis’ daughter throwing a tizzy fit. Yeah, he knew it was her. He’d heard through the rumor mill that he was getting his son and daughter more involved in the business. The old man had sent one of his offspring to collect John Hansen, who’d skipped bail three days ago. On Christmas Eve, no less.

  That guy had no heart.

  She kicked at the inside of his left foot, forcing him to move his legs farther apart. He glanced down. Her shiny black boots were now placed between his old, scuffed cowboy boots. Her footwear looked new and downright sexy.

  He’d also heard through the grapevine that Mike’s daughter looked exactly like him. No offense to Mike, but that wasn’t exactly a compliment. This woman didn’t seem to have any of Mike’s oversized features or hook nose, so he assumed Mike’s wife was one hell of a looker.

  “I’m going to search you now, so just keep your hands on the wall. And no funny stuff,” she said.

  He should really tell her that he wasn’t John Hansen and put an end to this charade right this minute. However, it was Christmas, and this was much more fun. Plus, it would be good practice for her. He’d get to see how good her dad was at training his new generation of bounty hunters. He might even critique her and throw in a few pointers for improvement.

  She started at his shoulders, tapping her way down his arms. That felt pretty good. He was cold and her hands got his circulation revived up. Well, in all honesty, another part of his anatomy was getting revved up too.

  Ben glanced down at his chest as her hands patted it. He noticed her perfectly manicured tails adorned with red shiny polish. She tapped around his waist before turning her attention to his butt.

  Oh yeah, this was getting borderline erotic.

  She focused on his legs next, trailing her way upward from his ankles to his thighs. His groin burned. He never thought this sort of thing would turn him on so much.

  She got to his crotch and felt around. She moved her hand over his balls before touching his cock.

  Bet your dad didn’t teach you to do that, you naughty girl.

  “Hey, you mind? Let’s be careful with the family jewels, okay...”

  “Not much treasure here,” she said. She held his balls again and gave them a teasing tug.

  Shit, he was almost losing it now.

  “Do you have a hard-on?” her breath tickled his ear and he realized she was now standing directly behind him. As close to his body as you could get without invading his private space. Not that he minded one little bit.

  “What do you expect? I’m a man and you’re a woman…well, at least I think you are, and you’re touching my dick.”

  “You make it sound like I’m having fun patting you down.”

  “Sure feels like you are.”

  “I can assure you I’m not. Just want to make sure you’re not concealing anything harmful or dangerous.”

  “Ladies have called my dick lots of things, but dangerous isn’t one of them.”

  “I’m going to handcuff you, so I want you to be still. No fighting it, okay?”

  That’s what you think.

  Fun time was over. Time to reveal his true identity. He’d give her the bad news that she’d nabbed the wrong guy. Wouldn’t daddy be disappointed…

  Ben waited until she’d put one cuff on him before spinning around to take her by surprise. He got hold of her hands and flung her against the wall. Her back hit it with a slap as he pinned her arms above her head.

  Fuck, now he’d taken a good look at her, he realized she wasn’t anything like her dad. Her body, while not model thin, had that “come and check me out” quality to it. And her face…God, help him, she was cute, right down to the freckles across the bridge of her nose. Her greenish hazel eyes held him captivated. For God’s sake, he was speechless.

  “You’re hurting me. And I have to warn you that if you do anything to harm me, rape me––anything like that––you’ll be spending lots of time in jail when I haul your ass there.”

  He didn’t pay much attention to what she was saying, because he was too busy watching that pretty mouth of hers as she moved her lips. He’d just set eyes upon on her, but he only wanted one thing.

  To kiss her.

  “I think it’s about time I searched you,” he said.

  “I’m warning you. You lay one hand on me, and I’ll…”

  He couldn’t help it.

  He kissed her.

  Not so much to stop her from ranting and raving, but he wanted to taste her, run his tongue along her lips, and plunge it into her sweet little mouth.

  She didn’t fight him, but opened up to him. As his tongue greeted hers, he was sure he’d even heard her murmur. He pulled away and looked her in the eye. Her cheeks had a reddish hue to them, despite the cold nip in the air.

  “I could have you arrested for that,” she said.

  “What…for being a good kisser?”

  “You’re so full of yourself. That’s probably how you’re able to con so many innocent people into giving you their money.”

  He laughed.

  “And what’s so damn funny?”

  “You don’t even know who I am.”

  “Oh, don’t I, Mr. Hansen?”

  “Rule number one––and I don’t suppose daddy taught you this. Check that you’ve got the right guy before you go searching him. Especially before you check out his bits and pieces.”

  She bit her lip. Was she about to laugh?

  “I’m U.S. Marshal Ben McGinley, and like you, I also tracked John Hansen to this house tonight.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “Daddy didn’t give you a photo of Mr. Hansen?”

  “Yes, but…”

  “He’s not here. I’ve checked. I’m assuming he’s gone somewhere warm this Christmas Eve.”

  She didn’t look quite as pissed as he had when he’d found the Montana hideaway, empty. He’d been tracking the son of a bitch for three days, and coming up empty-handed had been the final straw.

  “So you know my father?”

  “Everyone knows Big Mike. Rumor has it he’s training you and your brother to take over for him.”

  “Not exa
ctly. You’re referring to my half-brother, and also half-sister. She slipped on the ice last week and my half-brother’s gone to Vegas for the holidays. Dad thought he’d let me handle this one and keep it in the family.”

  “Half-brother and sister?” asked Ben.

  “He had a one-night stand with my mother twenty-five years ago. I’m the result. By the way, my name’s Jade.”

  Well, well, good old Mike. Judging by her good looks and body, he’d say Big Mike probably got some gorgeous lady blind stinking drunk the night they’d conceived Jade...he even liked her name.

  “Are you going to let me go? Because my arms are getting numb from being held up like this.”

  He’d forgotten all about that.

  “I will…but I think I should search you, just in case,” said Ben.

  Now that the tables are turned.

  “But you know who I am. You know my father.”

  “You want to argue with a U.S. Marshal?”

  “No, but I haven’t done anything wrong.”

  “You threatened and touched a government official’s private parts.”

  “That was before I knew who you were.”

  “So you’re admitting that you go around touching criminals’ private parts?”

  She was turning as red as Santa’s outfit. He hadn’t teased someone this much in years.

  “That’s not what I meant.”

  “Turn around, face the wall, and hands flat on it. Don’t forget to spread those legs.”

  “I will not.”

  “Do I have to arrest you? Because it’s either me doing the searching, or some fat old lady in the woman’s jail.”

  She muttered something under her breath. He was sure he’d heard the word asshole in there somewhere. He grinned. Maybe coming up empty-handed at this house wasn’t so bad after all.

  She gave him a dirty look before turning to face the wall.

  “You do know that men aren’t allowed to search women, don’t you?” she said before placing her palms on the wall. She spread her legs.

  “I’m a U.S. Marshal. Of course I know that, but these are unusual circumstances.”

  He looked up and down her body, wondering where he should start. Every inch of it looked so damn inviting.

  “You’re not to let your hand linger on any one part of my body,” she said, resting her forehead on the wall.

  He went rock-hard thinking about making any sort of contact with her body, let alone the lingering bit.

  “You mean, like the emphasis you put on my cock and balls?”

  “It was a pure accident. I thought I felt something suspicious there.”

  He grinned while looking at her tight, black bomber jacket and those sexy, skin-tight, black jeans tucked into the boots.

  “So what did you think of it?” he asked, running his hands down her arms.

  “Of what?”

  “My cock.”

  “Smallest thing I’ve ever had my hands on.”

  “I think you’d change your mind about that if it was inside you.”

  Ben tapped her back, running his hand down her spine, and then over her sexy little ass. She wiggled.

  “A dick that size? Well, I don’t think I’d even realize it was in me. Bit like being fucked by a pinkie.”

  She had a dirty mouth, and he liked it.

  He slapped her bottom. He was getting off on the verbal exchange between them.

  Ben ran his hands up her legs, first on the outside, and then the inside. She wiggled again. He bet her panties were already drenched.

  “You all done back there?” she asked.

  “No. I’m not convinced you’re not concealing something dangerous, so I must insist that you take all your clothes off so I can search you some more.”

  Chapter Two

  Jade hadn’t expected it to go quite this far, this quickly. She’d known who he really was when she’d entered the room. The ‘searching him’ bit hadn’t occurred to her, until she’d seen him sorting through the desk drawer. Her dad had told her that Ben McGinley could be an arrogant son of a bitch when he wanted to be. He’d also warned her that he could charm the panties off just about any lady. Her half-sister, Addy, had told her that he was drop-dead gorgeous. So even though it was Christmas Eve, Jade had begged her father to check out John Hansen’s, knowing that U.S. Marshal Ben McGinley would be tracking him there.

  She looked over at him. Her sister’s description hadn’t done him justice. He was more than gorgeous, with his thick dark hair, the high cheekbones, and those come-and-get-me, hazel eyes.

  He now sat on a chair, one leg bent over the other knee, fingering the stitching on his right cowboy boot. He was waiting for her to undress. What he didn’t know was she’d do it and take great pleasure in stripping for him. Searching her would bring even more thrills to her body. Jade wouldn’t let him know that, though. She’d put up some resistance just to let him think he was the boss, and was therefore getting the better of her.

  His cock had been anything but small. If she played her cards right it would be pounding away inside her by the time Christmas morning rolled around.

  “I’m still waiting for you to take your clothes off.”

  “I’m pretty sure that you don’t have any right to do this to me.”

  Her acting skills amazed her.

  “I have to know that I’m safe around you. And it’s not as if I haven’t seen a naked woman before.”

  According the rumors about him, that was probably the most honest thing he’d said so far.

  She unbuttoned her jacket as slowly as she could. Her hands were shaking, not from fear, but sheer anticipation of what was going to happen when she stripped down to her birthday suit. Addy had also told her that she knew one woman he’d had sex with, and her orgasm had been off the charts. She’d sworn people in the next state had heard her cry out when she came.

  Jade had never experienced one of those types of climaxes. She’d make that her wish for this Christmas Eve.

  She took off her jacket and threw it down on the ground. He didn’t take his eyes off her as she pulled out the sweater from her jeans and lifted it over her head.

  Being prepared had paid off big time. Anticipating that she’d run into Ben at some point tonight, she’d worn her black lace bra and matching high-cut panties. She’d also tossed a box of condoms into her purse. If that wasn’t wishful thinking, nothing was.

  He sat back in the chair as she unbuttoned the clasp on her jeans and pulled down the fly. She glanced over at his crotch. If she wasn’t mistaken, the bulge in his jeans was getting more distinct by the minute.

  Jade bent over and unzipped her boots, slid them off her feet, and then pulled down her jeans. She dropped them on top of her jacket.

  She lingered somewhat on her socks, peeling them off her feet at what she hoped was an agonizing pace for him.

  “Don’t you think me stripping down to my bra and panties is enough? As you can see they’re lace and transparent, so you’d see if I was concealing anything.”

  She hoped she wasn’t making it too easy for him to say, okay, you’re right. But if she read him correctly, they were both looking for the same thing tonight.

  He didn’t answer straight away. Her heart beat faster, thinking maybe she’d said the wrong thing.

  “Nope. You’re not going to get away that easily. Bras and panties can conceal some of the most dangerous things for a U.S. Marshal.”

  She reached behind her back, making him wait even longer as she unclasped her bra. He’d appreciate her naked body even more this way.

  “You do realize I’m going to report you for this very inappropriate behavior?” she said.

  “I’ll give you the forms to file a complaint once we’re done.”

  She bit her lip, hoping that would suppress the grin that threatened to burst forth. She’d always loved a man with a sarcastic and dry sense of humor.

  Jade pulled the straps of her bra down each arm, got hold of it and lifted i
t up to show him there was nothing inside. She let it drop to the ground, allowing the lace to seductively slip through her fingers.

  She lifted her arms out to the sides and then straight up in the air, making her breasts rise too.

  “Like what you see…I mean, no concealed weapons?”

  He fidgeted in the seat before tugging on the front of his jeans.

  Oh yeah, by the time they were done with this game he’d be more than ready to fuck her.

  He pointed at her lower body. “The panties, if you wouldn’t mind,” he said.

  Jade was about to put her index finger underneath either side of them, but stopped. She had a better idea. One that would turn both of them on so much more.

  “No. I refuse to take off any more. You want me naked, then you’re going to have to take my panties off yourself.”

  She took two steps backwards, hoping he’d think she was going to put up a struggle. She creamed when he got up off the chair and headed her way.

  Neither of them said a word as he put his hands on either side of the lace and tugged them. They scraped her butt on the way down and made her more excited. She glanced down at her underwear now sitting around her ankles, with their very obvious telltale wet patch on the crotch. Jade hoped he hadn’t spotted it too.

  Without being asked, she stepped out of them. Ben got hold of the panties, and soon they joined her bra. Jade lifted her arms away from her body.

  “Satisfied now?” she asked, knowing…hoping, he wouldn’t be.

  “You’re not getting away so lightly,” he said.

  Her pussy tightened.

  “Up against the wall and spread your legs,” he said. This time his voice sounded deeper, huskier even.

  “You know you’re being a bully about this, don’t you?” she said, almost smiling as those words tripped off her tongue. Had she seen him grin?

  “Just doing my job. And the sooner you cooperate, the quicker you’ll get through this.”