Double Dare Part 5

Natasha tapped the pencil on the pad of paper, the dull thump keeping rhythm with Aerosmith belting out "Just Push Play" on the radio.

"I can call Aunt Sharon and get the money transferred today. The sooner we get the contracts and an idea of what kind of numbers we'll be producing, the faster we can deliver product. What do you think about me leaving tomorrow? It's like an all-day flight, but I can set up meetings starting on Wednesday."

"Sounds like a plan. Let's get this party rockin'."

Natasha settled behind her desk with a cup of peppermint tea while Audra knocked back a Red Bull. For the next half hour they sketched out a plan of action, then went over the boutique responsibilities for the next week or so.

"I think that's everything," Natasha said as she tidied her notes into a stack. "And just in time to open the doors."

She came around her desk and gave Audra an excited hug.

"We're making it, Audra. Big-time. Drew is so proud of you." She pulled back, obviously realizing all this sentimental stuff made Audra uncomfortable. "So we're set. Are you sure you can handle everything alone?"

Audra considered her performance over the last week since graduating the textile and design academy.

She'd lost an order, told a customer the fishnets made her cellulite look like a bag full of marbles and almost got the delivery guy fired for flirting on company time.

Hardly management material.

But if she wanted to be trusted with something as major as bringing her vision to the spring line, she'd have to prove she could handle running the boutique.

Rarely felt nerves made their way through her stomach with a nasty flutter.

"I can handle it," she vowed. She'd make sure of it. "As long as I don't have to remember to bring a condom," she muttered under her breath.

"Um, no, I doubt you'll need to worry about that. At least, not for the boutique-unless you're planning another party," Natasha said with a wink and laugh.

Maybe she'd overreacted and Natasha wasn't worried about leaving her in charge. Audra frowned.

Dammit, she should worry. Two years ago, heck, two months ago, she'd have worried. Now, though, Audra was, what? Such a goody-goody she could be trusted to be well-behaved? She sank into her chair with a morose sigh. All these yo-yoing emotions were exhausting. Just because she wasn't a loser didn't mean she was a goody-goody. There was an in-between there. Somewhere.

"But, you know it's better to be safe than sorry. I'd strongly suggest keeping a few condoms on hand, since you never know what will come up." Laughing at her own joke, Natasha headed out to the showroom to open the boutique for the day.

Audra made a face at her sister-in-law's retreating back and mocked, "Ha ha."

But inside, she groaned. How freaking pitiful was she? Even Natasha knew to be prepared.

After Natasha left, Audra contemplated the ugly tie pinned to the wall. The green was an insult to the eyes, and the c.r.a.ppy construction mocked her devotion to design details.

She should throw it away. It was stupid to hold on to some geek's tie. A geek who'd run out on her, making her a loser in her friends' eyes. Sure, they'd tossed her a second dare. But look how that had turned out.

But no, here she was, a sappy sentimental wuss who should have her Wicked Chick members.h.i.+p revoked. Courting silly thoughts about what a guy was like out of bed and wondering if he'd really call her for a date. Holding on to some b.u.t.t-ugly memento as a reminder of the night she'd met the hottest guy to ever keep her awake without even being there.

Talk about an ident.i.ty crisis.

A JUMBO COFFEE JUMBO COFFEE at his elbow, heavily laced with cream to disguise the bitter taste, Jesse's fingers cruised with loving familiarity over the computer keyboard. He ignored the usual Tuesday morning noise in the cop shop as he patiently hacked through Dave Larson's personal life. at his elbow, heavily laced with cream to disguise the bitter taste, Jesse's fingers cruised with loving familiarity over the computer keyboard. He ignored the usual Tuesday morning noise in the cop shop as he patiently hacked through Dave Larson's personal life.

Two steps forward, five steps back.

A dance Jesse loved. Larson was dirtier than a meth fiend on a street corner. The last two years he'd been up to his a.s.s in debt, conning Peter to rob Paul. Now, suddenly, he was rolling in the green. Enough cash flying through his secondary account to rent a BMW, pay for a Nordstrom shopping spree and buy one h.e.l.l of a lot of p.o.r.n on the Internet. Davey Larson was definitely being paid well.

Jesse hit Print to add the financials to his file and continued digging. An hour later, the phone on the corner of his desk jangled. He ignored it until someone yelled his name.

"Hey, Martinez. Phone. Dude wants to talk to you."

Jesse waved his thanks and grabbed the phone, still working the keyboard with one hand.

"Martinez here."

Five minutes later, he stared at his scribbled notes. It wasn't the chicken-scratch mess that had the coffee churning in his stomach. His informant had confirmed the rumors. Dave Larson wasn't just dabbling in organized crime. He was playing with the big boys. Chinatown-based mafia Du Bing Li Du Bing Li big. It seemed Dave had finally scored the underworld connections he'd sought through the most unlikely source. His p.o.r.n addiction. big. It seemed Dave had finally scored the underworld connections he'd sought through the most unlikely source. His p.o.r.n addiction.

And the woman who'd lured him in was said to be one hot babe who favored The Wild Thing as her club of choice.

Audra's image flashed through his brain. Jesse tried to wash out the dirty taste in his mouth with a swig of tepid coffee. Pulling a face, he shoved the cup away. He couldn't stand the flavor of the stuff, but it was the best caffeine bang for the buck, and his energy level was nil in the morning.

Dammit. Jesse slapped the notepad aside. He hated that she was dirty. Sure, she came across as a man-eater who knew the score, but there was an underlying sweetness that had tugged at his heart. Jesse slapped the notepad aside. He hated that she was dirty. Sure, she came across as a man-eater who knew the score, but there was an underlying sweetness that had tugged at his heart.

"What's up?"

Jesse glanced over at Rob Dutton, the cop whose desk faced his. A tall, lanky redhead with a penchant for practical jokes, he was the reason Jesse found himself in this moral mess. After all, it'd been Rob who'd dared him to get out of his comfort zone and try a little undercover for a change.

The b.a.s.t.a.r.d.

"The evidence against Larson is building," Jesse told him.

"Good thing you tailed him, huh? Did you get the goods Sat.u.r.day night?"

Not for lack of willingness on his body's part. With a s.h.i.+ver, Jesse remembered the cold shower he'd taken Sat.u.r.day night after leaving Audra.

"I trailed him, identified his connection and made contact." The memory of that contact sent a wave of heat over Jesse, making him s.h.i.+ft in his chair.

"Dude, you crack this case, you might snag a promotion. Your work here in Cyber Crimes is noteworthy, sure. But the extra steps you're taking, going undercover? The bra.s.s will love that. Hero stuff must run in the family," Rob teased.

Jesse responded with a shrug as Rob took a phone call, but his mind raced.

The bra.s.s. Always close to the surface, the memory of his late father rose in Jesse's head. Even though he'd been gone five years now, Jesse still imagined his father was watching over his shoulder-always judging his job performance, his life choices-and shaking his head with a frown of disapproval.

A man's man, Diego Martinez had been one h.e.l.l of a cop. The bra.s.s said he'd died a hero's death. Jesse knew the reality was Diego had trusted the wrong woman. While Jesse might feel compelled to constantly prove he was as good a cop as his father, he wasn't about to repeat the man's mistakes.

So he would run an in-depth check on Audra Walker. As soon as he'd built enough evidence against her, he'd lose this fascination. Maybe then he could lay off the cold showers. His body would thank him. h.e.l.l, just the thought of Audra got him h.o.r.n.y as h.e.l.l. For another chance to see her, touch her, his body would weep in grat.i.tude.

Ten minutes later, Jesse was wis.h.i.+ng he'd started his day with something stronger than coffee.

"d.a.m.n," he breathed. He hadn't even had to dig. It was all right there. c.o.c.ky and in-your-face, just like Audra herself. It hadn't taken Jesse more than a couple of keystrokes to find the proof he needed.

He stared at the monitor with a sinking feeling in his gut. A part of him had secretly hoped he'd discover her innocence. The evidence pointed to the contrary.

"Martinez? Report."

This day was going downhill fast. Jesse grimaced. Then, clearing his face, he spun in his chair to face his captain.

"There's a break in the Larson case. I've solidly tied him to the Du Bing Li Du Bing Li triad." triad."

Captain Shale's bushy blond brows rose, and he tugged at his chin, signaling he was cautiously impressed.

"We've been trying to infiltrate Du Bing Li Du Bing Li for months now. We've got a guy from San Francisco PD working Chinatown, but n.o.body's been able to tie them to the Cantonese for months now. We've got a guy from San Francisco PD working Chinatown, but n.o.body's been able to tie them to the Cantonese Wo s.h.i.+ng Wo Wo s.h.i.+ng Wo triad. Do you have anything solid?" triad. Do you have anything solid?"

"I know he's pa.s.sing information, sir. It could be fraud, ID theft or, given Larson's history, credit card theft. I haven't narrowed down the specifics yet. But I'm close. Give me a few more days." Jesse pulled out a file on the triad and handed it, along with the Larson file, to the captain.

Shale flipped through the report, humming a couple times, but otherwise silent. When he got to the most recent pages Jesse had added, the captain's brows rose again and his hum turned into an aha. aha. He'd obviously reached the part pertaining to Audra Walker. He'd obviously reached the part pertaining to Audra Walker.

Jesse felt like hurling those large quant.i.ties of coffee he'd used to pry his eyes open that morning.

"Walker? You run her sheet?"

"Yes, sir. Her adult record is clean, but she's got a sealed juvie."

"You verified this deposit?"

"Yeah, the money was deposited in the account last night. It's not her account, but the business she works for." As if that minute detail mattered. "I haven't been able to track the source yet." The sick feeling spread from his stomach to his head. It just felt wrong planning to arrest a woman after he'd had his hands in her panties. Unlike his father, he didn't prescribe to the any-method-to-crack-the-case code. Jesse stretched his neck from side to side with a loud crack of tension.

"Two plane tickets to Beijing?"

"Yes, sir. They're booked in her boss's name, though."

As if that were any big defense. It only meant both women were involved. Jesse hadn't had time yet to check further into Natasha Walker, other than to discover she was related to Audra by marriage. A family that plays together stays together.

"Your cover is solid? You've made contact with her?"

With all parts of her. Jesse's fingers tingled at the memory of the sweet heat of her juices.

"Yeah, it's solid" was all he said. He knew there were officers who had no problem going into deep cover, could justify any action in the name of getting the job done. His father had been one of them.

Jesse, though, didn't. Couldn't.

"I don't have a case against her, yet," he reminded his boss. "So far, what I have is all circ.u.mstantial. It's possible it's all a coincidence."

"I don't believe in simple coincidence, Martinez, you know that. Keep digging on Larson, see if you can follow him, strike up a friends.h.i.+p. Maybe use your computer connection or check into infiltrating one of his online p.o.r.n chats. But focus on Audra Walker. She's tied in somehow. I want you to find out how. Stay undercover, use whatever means necessary to get close to the woman. Break this case," he ordered.

His head pounding like a sledgehammer, Jesse thought of the condom he'd taken to carrying in his pocket. That probably wasn't the kind of means the captain had in mind. Then again, given the potential of this case, maybe it was. Knowing he had his captain's blessings didn't help Jesse's resolve to keep his d.i.c.k in his pants and his hands off the luscious suspect.

"I JUST DON'T THINK JUST DON'T THINK naughty undies are in good taste," t.i.ttered a thirtysomething woman who looked as if she could use a good dose of naughty. Her mousy hair was pulled back so tight it made Audra's own face hurt, and her high-necked blouse did a d.a.m.ned good job of disguising her femininity. naughty undies are in good taste," t.i.ttered a thirtysomething woman who looked as if she could use a good dose of naughty. Her mousy hair was pulled back so tight it made Audra's own face hurt, and her high-necked blouse did a d.a.m.ned good job of disguising her femininity.

"That's the great thing about lingerie. It can suit any mood from naughty to sweet," Audra a.s.sured her. "First and foremost, lingerie is about feeling good with yourself. It's like an affirmation of a woman's s.e.xuality, her sensual self-worth."

"I just don't think I could wear some of this stuff," the woman murmured as she fingered a pink satin merry widow with rosebud detailing. She wrinkled her nose at the cord that comprised the G-string. "Wouldn't this chafe?"

"It's an acquired preference." Audra managed to keep a straight face and resisted adjusting the strap of the red leather bustier she wore with jeans and her cropped denim jacket. If the lady thought satin chafed, she'd definitely not be into leather. "If you're just beginning to explore lingerie, you might start by examining your own s.e.xual fantasies. The merry widow is a popular choice. Sometimes you want to work up to that, though."

"Maybe I should start with something less intimidating?"

"Great idea." Audra gestured to a different display, this reminiscent of vintage Victorian. She held up a semisheer cotton sheath, and the woman's eyes lit up. "Something like this looks innocent and offers body coverage. Feel the fabric."

Hesitantly at first, the woman rubbed the cotton between her fingers.

"Oooh, so soft."

Audra quelled her triumphant grin at the look of delight on the woman's face.

"If you like that, wait until you see this corset set. It's the most comfortable thing you'll ever wear." Audra let her voice drop to a whisper as she leaned closer. "And the things it does for the cleavage. Very impressive."

The woman grinned and nodded enthusiastically.

Oh, yeah, baby, haul out the plastic.

Audra kept her smile in place as she rang up the sale, but as soon as the door closed behind yet another lingerie convert, she let it fall away. G.o.d, what a week. Natasha had only been gone three days and Audra was ready to scream.

Only a half hour until closing. Then she'd be able to relax a little, shake off this stressed-out feeling. Maybe she should call the girls, see if they wanted to get together? She could loosen up and relax. And best of all, there was a good chance she'd meet a guy, get lucky and take the edge off.

Didn't it freaking suck that the only guy she wanted was Jesse? At least half her distraction this week could be firmly placed at his feet. After all, s.e.xual frustration was not something Audra was used to feeling. Until now.

The soft chime of bells indicated a new customer. She wiped the p.i.s.sy expression off her face and looked at the entrance.

Like a dream conjured from her naughtiest wishes, Jesse walked through the door. She gave an unconscious sigh of appreciation. He really was as hot as she remembered. Well-worn jeans cupped a promising package, while a plain black works.h.i.+rt covered his drool-inspiring chest. l.u.s.t rushed through her at the delicious sight.

"Hey, gorgeous," she said leaning forward on the counter in a way she knew gave a generous view of her cleavage. "What a very very nice surprise." nice surprise."

With a s.e.xy grin, he held up a condom. The sunlight coming through the large plate gla.s.s windows glinted off the foil wrapper. "Didn't you say something about modeling lingerie for me?"

5.

DAVE L LARSON stood in the entrance to The Wild Thing and swiped the back of his hand over his forehead to keep the sweat from trickling into his eyes. He'd gone through two sticks of antiperspirant in the last week. Ever since he'd found out he'd handed off the computer chip to the wrong woman, he'd been sweating like a pig. For a fastidious man, it was pure h.e.l.l. stood in the entrance to The Wild Thing and swiped the back of his hand over his forehead to keep the sweat from trickling into his eyes. He'd gone through two sticks of antiperspirant in the last week. Ever since he'd found out he'd handed off the computer chip to the wrong woman, he'd been sweating like a pig. For a fastidious man, it was pure h.e.l.l.

That triad pinhead had woken him Sunday morning from a dead sleep, beating down his door and spouting a whole litany of threats. It had taken Dave a few minutes to figure out what the problem was. After all, not that he'd admit it to the pinhead, but it wasn't like women came on to him all that often. How the h.e.l.l was he to know the hot chickie wasn't their connection? h.e.l.l, she'd fit the look, she'd complimented his tie, not quite the code word, but close enough. What more was he supposed to have waited for? Her friggin' ID?