“You ready?” Jude called out from the knot of men standing near the cars.

“Yeah, hold your horses,” she said teasingly as she walked over. While he was looking at her boobs, she took a quick moment to check her reflection in one of the side mirrors. She was glad she’d changed from her traveling clothes into some jeans and a pretty red shirt that she knew showcased her breasts well.

For years she’d hidden in clothes two sizes too big because she hated her body. She never felt comfortable or even pretty. It had taken her a long time, but she’d finally realized her body was sexy and felt confident enough to love herself and show it off a little. Too bad it had taken her nearly thirty years to figure that out.

Jude grinned at her as she approached. He waved to Kelly and the boys and turned to Rori again, touching her back to guide her to the car. He unlocked it with his free hand.

“A Challenger, huh? I would have thought you’d be riding a motorcycle,” Rori joked as he opened the door for her. “Though, this is a very sexy car.”

Looking pleased, he gave her a sexy wink. “I do. A Harley, as a matter of fact. I just didn’t ride it today.” He slid into the driver’s seat and she settled back, loving the way the interior smelled of his cologne.

“Really? You’ll have to take me for a ride sometime.” She paused a moment. “On your motorcycle I mean.” Rori was not acquainted with the woman who’d taken over her body and mind, but she liked her.

“Why, Rori Simon, are you flirting with me?” he asked, pleased surprise in his voice.

“Why, Jude Callahan, what makes you think so?” she shot back, fluttering her lashes.

“You’ve really grown up.”

For some reason, that rankled her. “Mmmm. Well, it happens. Look at you, a cop.”

“Yeah, strange isn’t it? I find though, that I really love my job. I’m good at it.”

“You should be an expert. You broke all the laws you’re sworn to uphold.” She laughed and he joined her. “But I’m glad you love your job. It’s really special when you’re able to have passion for what you do.”

He pulled into a smallish apartment complex and into a covered spot. As they got out of the car, she saw the big motorcycle in the next spot and raised a brow. Sleek and powerful. The chrome gleamed and the black leather seat was smooth. She nearly purred—the damned thing was nearly as sexy as he was.

“Wow.” She drew her fingertips over the seat.

“Yeah, I think so.” He took her elbow, guiding her. “Let me drop off my stuff in my apartment and we’ll go to the manager’s office.” He pointed off to their right as they walked up to his place.

Rori trailed behind him. The man had a world-class ass—rock hard and muscled. She wanted to take a bite. Was it hot? She was flushed just watching his powerful thigh muscles flex and move with that rear end. Man oh man, could she ever make plans for that ass.

At the top of the stairs she tore her eyes from his posterior and found herself on a front patio lush with plants. Hmm, well, that was a surprise—she hadn’t taken him for the green thumb type.

Forcing herself out of the filthy fantasy she’d been building with him bending her over the balcony there, the scent of gardenias in the air as he fucked her, his hands all over her body, she followed him inside, doing her best to act nonchalant. Once inside, still acting casual, she stealthily glanced around as he put his uniform in the hall closet and laid down a binder and a messenger-type canvas bag on the table.

The apartment was neat and masculine. Dark colors, a giant television and stereo system. His CDs and DVDs were carefully arranged on large shelves lining the walls near the entertainment center. A nice, big couch and two club chairs rounded out the room.

“Nice place you have here. Bet the chicks dig it.”

He grinned at her. “I’m all about what the chicks dig.” He snorted. “I don’t bring chicks here most of the time.”

“Ah, don’t want them to be able to track you down, huh?”

He swatted her ass playfully. “What an opinion you have of me. Come on. Let’s go find the landlord.”

She followed him out, still feeling the warmth of his touch on her bottom. Lord, she was such a geek for being turned on by a playful swat on the butt. Okay, really turned on. She took a deep breath and tried to get the image of him doing it again, only naked, out of her head.

She made herself stop looking at Jude and imagining riding him like a pony before she embarrassed herself any further. And instead focused on not tripping or generally looking like an idiot as they walked along.

The landlord was in and he happily showed her the apartment, a two bedroom located directly across a grassy strip from Jude’s place. The master bedroom faced the small lawn, but the living room faced a copse of trees. It was an upstairs end unit so it would be quiet and she had a cop next door and underneath her. A woman living alone couldn’t ask for much more safety than that.

“What do you think, Ms. Simon?” The landlord put his keys back in his pocket. “I haven’t put an ad in the paper yet. I just replaced the carpet and did some painting. If Jude here is willing to vouch for you, I’d love to have you as a tenant.”

“Well, yeah. I’ll take it,” she said to him impulsively, surprising herself. Normally she was meticulous and precise, making lists. She reasoned out each and every point, pro and con. But today she felt like tossing all that caution and reason to the wind and, with a mental shrug, she did.

And just like that, she had a home of her own. They went to the manager’s apartment to fill out the necessary paperwork and pay the deposit and the first month’s rent. He gave her the keys and a parking space and she told him she’d start moving in that week.

As she and Jude walked back toward his apartment, Rori looked up, smiling. “Thanks. I appreciate the tip and the in with the landlord. I hope you don’t mind my being here.”

“Nah, it’s nice to have you back in town.” He grew silent for a moment, stopping to stare down into her face. “You know, it is Friday night. You wanna hit the town? Get some drinks, dance a bit?”

Oh. My. God. Jude Callahan just asked her out on a date. In a calm voice that surprised and impressed her she tossed, “Sounds like fun but I need to get changed,” over her shoulder.

“Why? You look great now.”

“For a baseball game, sure. I’m wearing jeans and sandals, hardly what you’d wear to dance in.” As if she’d actually go out in public for a date with him without some more sprucing up.

He opened his door and motioned her inside with a tip of his chin. Pretending to look at his shelves, she watched the sensual movement of his body as he walked across the apartment and toward a closet at the other end.

“All right, although I still say you look great.” Opening the closet door he turned back around to her and called out, “How about we take the bike? I have an extra helmet.”

“I’d like that.”

“Ah ha!” He dragged a helmet from the closet, bringing it back her way.

Grabbing a dark brown leather jacket from where it’d been hanging over the back of a chair, he held it out to her. “Wear my jacket until we get you back to Kelly and Max’s,” he murmured, his lips against her temple as he helped her slip into the sleeves.

The leather smelled masculine and spicy, like him, and felt good around her body.

Back in the parking lot, he got on the bike first and turned, helping her up behind him. She clutched his body with her thighs and wrapped her arms around his waist as he started the motor and the power roared through the seat, up into her body. Inside the privacy of the helmet, she wore a goofy grin. What a day.

On one hand, it was a ride through town. She’d done it a thousand times. It was uneventful and yet…here she was, Rori Simon, on the back of Jude Callahan’s motorcycle. She didn’t have to put her arms around him so tight, but she did anyway. Why not? A girl didn’t get ahead in life by being passive.