Double Dare Part 22

"I don't want three guys," Audra said as she shoved a nacho chip into her mouth.

"Then what do do you want?" you want?"

Good question. Audra licked the orange powder from her thumb and considered. She remembered how good it'd been with Jesse. The laughter and the jokes, the simple enjoyment of his company. Who knew it'd be those things, instead of the wild s.e.x, that would send her head over heels for a guy?

He was a cop. A cop who'd used her. Lied to her and suspected the worst of her.

And he was a dare. One she'd used to prove herself.

Which made them even, in her mind.

She knew what she wanted. The real question was, could she handle it? The Wicked Chick and the cop? It was so farfetched, what were the odds?

Then again...she was a Wicked Chick. d.a.m.ned if she couldn't play those odds and win.

"I want Jesse," Audra admitted.

Bea took the bag of chips from Audra's hands and pointed to the door. "Then fix your c.r.a.ppy att.i.tude, take your bad girl self and go get him."

LATER THAT MORNING, after a cold compress and a change into her s.e.xiest lingerie and a leather skirt, Audra sauntered into the Good Times Sports Bar. Att.i.tude at full throttle, she was ready to deal with the first of her tiny problems.

Once she'd confronted Natasha, she'd either be out of a job, or have the creative freedom she needed to do her current one.

Then she'd go tackle her other problem.

Jesse Martinez, good boy cop.

The bar was empty, as she'd figured it would be at eleven in the morning. She waved to the daytime bartender, then made her way to the back stairs that led to the second-floor apartment where her brother lived.

Since they were expecting her and because she was in the mood to seize the upper hand, Audra knocked once, then walked right in.

"Hey, Audra," Drew said from the couch. He aimed the remote at the TV, hit Off and tossed the wand on the coffee table. With a grin, he rose and gave her a hug.

Audra let herself lean into him for a whole five seconds. There was something comforting about Drew. Maybe his resemblance to their father, maybe his easygoing manner.

Either way, she figured she might as well snag her hug while she could. Who knew how he'd feel about her once she'd had her say.

"Hey, you look like China agreed with you," she said when she pulled away. And it was true. With his red hair mussed and his face the most relaxed she'd seen in a while, he looked like a guy who'd had a great vacation.

Natasha walked in, her face a study of cool, composed breeding. Audra wondered, not for the first time, how the h.e.l.l such an uptown lady had ever hooked up with Drew.

"It was a good trip," he was saying. "We've got pictures. I'll put you to sleep with them later, huh?"

"Vacation pics?" Audra asked in mock horror. "Ack, no."

"There are a few you'll really like," Natasha a.s.sured her as she offered a hesitant smile.

Audra's stomach clenched at the reserved look. It didn't bode well for her long-term job prospects.

She lifted her chin. So what? She wasn't sidelining her beliefs anymore. Like Jesse had said, she believed in herself enough to fight, to hold out for what she felt she was worth.

"You don't mind me stopping in, do you?" she asked them. "I figured this was a better place to talk than the boutique with all its distractions."

"No, this is perfect. I wanted to talk to you before we settled into the work week anyhow, and weekends are always so crazy." Natasha gestured to a chair. "Have a seat, I have to get something. I'll be right back."

Audra raised an inquiring brow at her brother, but he'd slapped on his poker face. He pointed to the chair, then sat himself back on the couch.

"So," Natasha said as she joined Drew on the couch, a large folder on her lap, "let's talk design."

"Let's," Audra agreed. Natasha opened the file, and there on top was the naughty little design with the wrist ties. Audra looked at it and felt a surge of mingled pride and excitement. It was one of her best pieces. Innovative, s.e.xy and unique.

She lifted her chin and met her sister-in-law's gaze with her own level stare.

"I didn't intend for that to be shown in China, but I did intend for you to see it," she admitted. "I realize you want to wait until later, if at all, to introduce any changes to Simply Sensual product focus. But as much as I enjoy designing for you, I need to be able to expand my portfolio. Creatively, I can't keep stifling the naughtier, wild designs that come to me."

In a totally bulls.h.i.+t show of calm, Audra leaned back in the chair and gave a little shrug. She was sure the nerves jangling through her system didn't show on her face.

Unfortunately, she couldn't read anything from Natasha or Drew's expressions, either. They glanced at one another, then Drew got up and headed for the kitchen.

Chickens.h.i.+t. He probably didn't want to have to watch his wife fire his sister. He probably didn't want to have to watch his wife fire his sister.

"I'd hate to be responsible for stifling creative expression," Natasha said slowly. She lifted the design and gave a little laugh. "And leave it to you to find inspiration in that b.u.t.t-ugly tie. Keeping your designs from the world would be an absolute shame. You're talented and deserve to make the most of your gifts."

Audra pursed her lips. Nothing like a few pats on the a.s.s before you got booted.

"So, I'd like to offer you full creative control of Simply Sensual's new line. Since it's your designs, and you'd come up with such a clever name, I thought we'd call it Twisted Knickers. And, if you'll take it, partners.h.i.+p in the company."

Stunned, Audra stared. She gave a little shake of her head, the only sound in the room the tinkle of her dangling earrings.

"You're kidding, right? This is a joke to get me back for embarra.s.sing you in front of the distributors?"

"Why would I do that?"

"You were p.i.s.sed."

Natasha grimaced, then shrugged. "Yes, I suppose I was. I'm used to being in control of my business. And, I guess, feeling that I know what's best."

"What changed, then?"

"Drew."

"Huh?" Audra squinted at her, totally lost.

"While I was having a meltdown over how much more interested the distributors were in your naughtier design than what I'd brought to present, Drew looked at it." With a glance, she pa.s.sed the board to Audra. "He pointed out that this was likely your best work yet, and after I got over the urge to throw something at him, I had to admit he was right."

Her brother had stood up for her? Audra's heart did a little happy dance.

"What about Simply Sensual? What about the money constraints and marketing and all that other stuff?"

Natasha lifted one shoulder. "The spicier line will be marketed under the Twisted Knickers label and distributed separately. I've worked up the specs, and it's all doable. As for money," she glanced over as Drew returned with a bottle of champagne and three gla.s.ses, "the Chinese distributors are placing much higher than expected orders, based on your naughty design. And if we need more financial backing, Drew's offered to bankroll Twisted Knickers."

Her brother had that much faith in her succeeding? Tears sprang to Audra's eyes. Oh, G.o.d. She was turning into a total wimp. She tried to take it all in. Not just what was being said, but what was going unsaid.

Her brother's faith in her. Natasha's willingness to take a chance on her. The fact that they were offering her the world.

Excitement dueled with joy in her belly, doing a happy little cancan. Jesse had been right. Her dreams were worth standing up for.

And now that one was being handed to her, wrapped up in a black leather bow?

She didn't want to take it.

"Don't be p.i.s.sed," she said slowly, "but I'm going to say no."

"What?" Drew yelped, the champagne slopping as he poured.

"Why?" Natasha asked, her tone a lot calmer.

"I'd suck as a partner, Natasha. I mean, the design aspect, well, that's a dream come true. I'd love it. But running the boutique, well...I blew it. Things got messy, the store isn't as well stocked as it should be."

Audra sucked in a deep breath and kissed the best business offer of her life goodbye. Then she grabbed the half-full gla.s.s of champagne from her brother and downed it.

"It's just not my gig," she admitted. "If I've learned anything the last couple weeks, it's that I've got to be true to what works for me. And that boss thing, well, that isn't it."

Feeling sick and a little miserable, Audra held out her gla.s.s for a refill. Drew, though, was staring at Natasha. The two of them were doing that whole silent communication thing.

Then Natasha nodded. With a smile, she rose and came around the coffee table to pull Audra out of the chair and give her a big hug.

"How about the design offer, then? They aren't a package deal."

Like the sun had come out on a bitterly rainy day, hope shone again. Audra grinned. Then for the first time ever, she grabbed her brother and sister-in-law both in a huge hug.

JESSE WATCHED Shale peruse the case file. He wished he felt even half the level of triumph the gloating grin on the captain's face indicated. Shale peruse the case file. He wished he felt even half the level of triumph the gloating grin on the captain's face indicated.

"You're sure of this?" Shale asked.

Jesse nodded.

"You did it, Martinez. You nailed them. Not only Larson, but the whole Du Bing Li Du Bing Li triad as well. You've tied them to China and gave us the connection's name." triad as well. You've tied them to China and gave us the connection's name."

Jesse tried to smile, but he was sure it looked more like a pained grimace.

"Once Larson accessed his off-site computer storage unit, I was able to trace his connection. Hacking into it was easy at that point. He's a tidy thief. Everything was neatly labeled, ready to download. I'd bet the triad warned him to ditch the IDs once he'd handed them over, but a guy like Davey likes to have backup."

"Have you physically located his off-site unit?"

"No, not yet. He's smooth. Without the chip he was reputed to hand off, this won't be as easily admissible in court, but we can make it stick. Especially since I was able to access the list of IDs. The triad's moving human cargo from China and already a.s.signed at least a dozen of those IDs to their people. It's not all tied up with a bow, but it's a solid case."

"Too bad we didn't have that chip, or we'd blow it wide open. Even so, this is more than the chief had hoped for. Good work, Martinez. It'll go far toward that promotion. I gotta say, you have a lot of your father in you."

"Yes, sir," Jesse agreed with a grimace.

Yup, he was one righteous b.a.s.t.a.r.d, just like his father. Here he was, justifying sleeping with a woman involved in his case. Good ole dad couldn't have done any better.

"Although, if you don't mind me being honest with you, as much as I admired Diego, he didn't have your knack for tying up loose ends. Or your care to make sure the bystanders and victims in your cases are taken care of. To be honest, his methods were sometimes a cause for concern."

"Sir?" Jesse stared across the desk and wondered if he'd heard right. Didn't everyone universally adore his father's methods?

"Don't get me wrong, Diego had a sterling rep and a solid arrest record. You take that extra care, though. People are more than just names and means to ends for you, Martinez. I appreciate that, and I'm proud to have you on my team."

Jesse wasn't sure what to say to that. Shale didn't think he was like his father? Not in the ways Jesse was worried about. Sure, he'd let his emotions get the better of his common sense with Audra, but maybe that wasn't the same. He'd been with Audra despite the case, not because of it. Which meant maybe, unlike his father, he wasn't destined to lousy relations.h.i.+ps. He thought back to Audra's parting shot, her anger and swaggering att.i.tude. And now that he was remembering it without the cloud of guilt, he felt the faint stirring of hope.

All he had to do was convince her to give them a chance.

For the first time in fourteen hours, Jesse smiled. h.e.l.l, yeah, he'd convince her. Audra was meant to be his, and he'd show her exactly why. Jesse knew her-appreciated her-like n.o.body else in the world. And he'd use that knowledge to court her, to lure her back. Then he'd marry her and tie her to him for the rest of their lives.

AUDRA SLID into her car, the grin still plastered to her face. Rock on. She'd shown up ready to be fired and ended up with her own line of lingerie. Better yet, she'd realized that she really did know what was right for her and what wasn't. into her car, the grin still plastered to her face. Rock on. She'd shown up ready to be fired and ended up with her own line of lingerie. Better yet, she'd realized that she really did know what was right for her and what wasn't.

Now to do something about the man who was right for her. Audra would be d.a.m.ned if she'd give up a guy who not only got her, but got what made her her. her. What made her special. What made her special.

She fingered the design Natasha had returned to her, eyeing the sc.r.a.p of that ugly tie. She remembered Jesse's words about being true to herself. How clearly did he see her? More clearly than she saw herself, apparently.

So what was she going to do about it? Did Jesse really care, or was his interest in her based on his good boy genes trying to justify his naughty foray into down and dirty s.e.x? Could he handle the real her?

Audra thought back over her time with him the last two weeks. He'd never shown any hesitation in accepting her, even when she hadn't been able to do the same.

Maybe she'd underestimated herself. As crazy a concept as it was for a woman who'd always been sure of her own strengths, Audra thought back over her brother's words.

Drew gave her credit when she didn't herself. He was willing to stand up and fight for her when she'd settled for being shuffled aside. n.o.body had ever done that before, she realized.

Like Jesse, Drew believed in Audra's talent. In her vision and her ability to make her dreams a reality.

Audra stroked the ugly material she'd hacked off the end of the tie. The cheap, poorly constructed polyester felt slick beneath her fingers. Then she came to the tip, and winced. It really did feel as if someone had left a needle or something in the fabric.

With a frown, she tugged the tie free of its staple and tore at the material. A small chip, about the size of her thumb and encased in plastic, fell into her lap.

Well, well. It looked as if Jesse had been right. She was guilty, if unknowingly.