***
I hadn’t grown out my facial hair in years, but luckily in the week I had to prepare my look for the undercover work, I’d grown out a nice, even, short-trimmed beard. My hair was already a bit long on top, so I left it a little messier than usual, brushing it back away from my face with a little product to make it look a bit grungy. I didn’t want to look like a slob, but far from the buttoned-up man in uniform that I was for work. I stood back and brushed down my plaid shirt that I hadn’t bothered to iron.
I could get used to this.
I heard the shuffling of little feet on the hardwood, getting louder as she approached and a moment later Livvy leaned against the door jamb, her hand on her chin like she was forming a critical opinion of her old man’s new look.
“You’re messy, Daddy, and your shirt’s wrinkled.” Her ponytail flopped to the side as she turned her head and looked down at my boots. “At least your boots are still shiny.”
I glanced down and realized my boots were a bit newer looking than they should be, but they’d have to do.
“Are you going to work, today?” She pushed past me and climbed up on the little stool I kept for her and then she held onto my arm as she turned and sat next to the sink. She grabbed her toothbrush and the tube of paste and smeared her brush as I thought of how many mornings I’d miss out on her routine. I’d gotten used to enjoying our time together each day after the custody battle. I couldn’t wait for the day when we could finally live a normal life together.
“I told you I’ve got to go to work for a while. I won’t be able to come home, but Nana is going to take good care of you, and when I get back, I’ll have a lot more time for the two of us to hang out. While I’m away, we will have plenty of phone calls and face time sessions. I promise.”
She spit in the sink and then rinsed her mouth. Then she climbed down as if she didn’t have anything to say. Just when I thought she was going to leave without saying goodbye, she took my hand and led me to the kitchen where mom waited cleaning up the breakfast dishes.
“Will you take me to school?” My heart turned to stone as I looked into her big blue eyes. I hated to tell her no.
I glanced up at my mother for help, and she walked over and grabbed her keys. “I’ve got to take you this morning, sweet pea. Daddy’s got to head out when we do, or he’s going to be late.”
Livvy’s shoulders sagged as if the wind had been knocked out of her. “Fine.” She turned her feet in and swayed back and forth. “Give me my mooches, please. I want extra ones.” Her tone told me she was less than enthused.
I knelt down and took her hands. “I need a big smile if you want your mooches.” We’d always called our kisses mooches instead of smooches, and I always planted them right on her dimples. She flashed a big, toothy grin as I assaulted her with sloppy kisses. She tried not to giggle, but I always got her on the last one, when I’d blow against her cheek and make a tooting noise.
Her laughter was the best and it made it even harder to say goodbye, but I promised I’d call her and check on her and I already had my cover story in place for that.
I headed out minutes after she’d gone and then I drove out to the motel room where I’d be staying. While driving, I thanked my lucky stars for my mother. She was the only person in the world I’d felt 150% comfortable with watching after my little girl.
The room I had was clean and in a good location from the bar, not too close, and not too far away. If anyone found out where I was staying, it wouldn’t be a problem. I had a cover story in place for anything that came my way.
I dropped my things by the room and checked the time. Assuming I found the place without any issues, I’d be there when expected.
I found The Starlight Bar, a larger than expected, quaint bar that looked like it was long overdue for a makeover. The large crescent moon sign that spelled out its name was surrounded by bright shining stars. I pulled up and parked next to an HVAC company van, noticing there was an old house next door to the right. I’d deducted that it was Lu’s home, which the chief informed me was next-door to the bar.
As expected, I was on time with only three minutes to spare, so I hurried in and found an elderly woman waiting. She was about five three with a round face and white hair that she’d piled high on her head. She turned around when I walked in with a squeaking door.
“You must be Cash. Come on in and take a seat.” She fanned her face and kicked out a chair as I approached. The air was thicker in the place, accentuating the smell of stale beer and cigarettes.
“You must be Mrs. Jones.” I held out a hand, but she frowned.
“Mrs. Jones was my mother, hon. I’m Lu.” She took my hand as I lowered myself down to the chair beside her and gave it a squeeze.
“Good to meet you, Lu.”
“What’s a pretty man like you doin’ wanting to work as a barkeep?” She looked down her nose, but she wasn’t being rude. She seemed to be sizing me up, or rather, checking me out. Her smile widened, and her brows wagged a little.
This little lady sure is a firecracker.
The heat flared in my cheeks, and I was a bit taken aback. I’d never been hit on by an old lady before, but she seemed like she was full of surprises. “I’m looking to get back on my feet after a failed relationship, so now I’m looking for a change of pace, a fresh start.” She nodded, so I kept talking. “I’ve been a bartender in the past, and actually worked as a bouncer too, so I’m used to the atmosphere and can diffuse any situation and mix any drink.”
“You sound too good to be true. Let me show you around and introduce you to my granddaughter. She’s in the back. We’ve got a little test we’d like you to take to make sure you know your stuff.”
Lu then stood up but only took one step when she suddenly grabbed for the table and hit the floor.
I immediately transitioned to alert mood, without any hesitation. Years of training on the force made it easy for me to take action when needed. I rushed around and knelt by her side, checking her for any injuries she might have gotten on the way down. She was only out a moment, but as she came to, I had already checked her vitals and was feeling for her pulse. “Hey, a little help out here!” I yelled across the room remembering she’d said her granddaughter was in the back.
I turned my attention back to Lu who was blinking slowly and trying to sit up. “Just lie back,” I said, keeping a hand on her shoulder. I heard footsteps and looked up, and my breath hitched, my words sticking in my throat as time stood still. That very moment, I saw the hottest girl I’d laid my eyes on as she rushed toward us.
Have MERCY…
Was Lu’s idea of a test to see if I could manage a second around her granddaughter? It was a wonder how a girl like her even survived working in a bar filled with drunken lonely men.
Her hair was the darkest chestnut, rich and thick, long enough to accentuate the perfect curves of her body as she dropped down beside us. Her wide, incredible blue eyes met mine with so much concern, they sparkled with tears. They were so icy blue they didn’t seem real.
“Lu! What happened?” She took the woman’s hand, and Lu waved her back, her voice slurring as she tried to calm the girl.
“It’s probably just my blood sugar again.”
“It’s most likely your blood pressure dropping from standing too quickly. It can make you a little light headed,” I told her.
I tried to stay focused on Lu, but I couldn’t keep my eyes off of the girl.
“This is my granddaughter, Starla. Starla, this is Cash, our new bartender.” Lu closed her eyes and took deep, deliberate breaths and tried to sit up.
“Take it easy, Lu. Should I call an ambulance?” Starla then focused her eyes on mine, as if I knew what to do next.
“I don’t know if she needs an ambulance, but I’d still take her into the doctor and have her checked out,” I said.
“Do you think you can get her to the truck?”
Quite honestly sweetheart, I’d do anything you damn well ask me.
“I don’t need to go to the hospital. I need to go home and lie down, and I need this damned air conditioner fixed by opening tomorrow.” Lu was finally able to sit up. Both Starla and I helped her to her feet.
We carried her out, and I helped her into an old truck that had to have been a mean machine in its day. She lifted her hand and placed it on my cheek. “Be here tonight when we open.”
I glanced around to see Starla explaining to the AC repairman what was going on as Lu settled back against the seat. “So that’s it? I’ve got the job? Do you still need me to take that bartending test?” I waited until she pulled her feet in and shut the door to the beat up old truck.
“No need. You’re strong and quick on your feet, and that’s good enough for me at the moment.”
Starla had caught the end of our conversation as she climbed in the driver’s seat. “We open at five. I hope that’s not too early for you to be back.”
Her voice was as sexy as she was, if that was even possible. I nodded, totally lost in thoughts of how I’d like to taste her.
“I’ll be here,” I said as she threw the car in reverse.
With bells on.
End of Sneak Peak. Would you like to know how this continues?
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I went in to lay down the law - but all I can think about is handcuffing her to my bed and serving her my own kind of justice.
A dangerous job like mine isn't ideal for a single dad.
That's why I took on an undercover gig to keep me off the streets.
There's just one problem: my cover is working for the sexiest woman in the city of Chicago - and I can't tell her my true identity.
I wonder how she will react after she finds outs her brother is one of the guys I'm busting.
Those sexy bedroom eyes, full luscious lips and delicious curves have me wanting to abort mission, and pursue an entirely new end game.
She's yearning for the punishment I have in store for her - and I'm more than willing to oblige.
I'm trying desperately to stay focused on the matter at hand, but all I can think about is taking her out back and ordering her to 'spread 'em' for Officer Daddy.
As much as I'd like to show her the big baton stick I'm packing, I need to stay focused on the mission- or I could lose everything.