Whiskey Rebellion (Romantic Mystery/Comedy) Book 1 (Addison Holmes Mysteries)

biggest social event of the year in front of my boss and all my co-workers.”
    He was trembling behind me, and I was almost afraid to turn around and face his anger. He did kind of have a point. But when I turned around it wasn’t anger he was trembling from. His mouth was curved in a tight smile and he leaned against me trying to control the laughter.
    “One thing you are definitely not is boring,” he said, kissing me on the cheek and heading back to his cereal. “I like that in a woman.”
    I had a momentary lapse of why I was mad at him, but quickly got myself back together again.
    “That doesn’t change the fact that I still want you to leave.”
    “Why? We have work to do, and besides, I kind of like taking care of you.”
    “Yeah, you seemed to be taking pretty good care of your sexy dancing partner last night too.”
    He just smiled at the show of jealousy and continued to read the paper.
    “Did you not hear anything that Veronica said to me last night?”
    “I heard several choice phrases uttered last night, some of which were even said by you. Which one are you referring to?”
    “All of them. Every word that she said to me was true, except the part where she accused me of seducing my principal and stealing her job. I don’t know where she got those ideas,” I said shaking my head in disbelief. “But she was right about one thing. I can’t seem to keep a man’s attention. I don’t need another man like Greg in my life, even if you are just for rebound sex. I think my ego and self esteem have taken enough hits for the next sixty or seventy years. You’re not worth it.”
    Tears stung the back of my eyes and I turned around to busy myself with breakfast.
    “Of course I’m worth it,” he said. “ I’m one of the good guys. The woman I was dancing with was my partner for two years when I was on patrol. She’s married with four kids and would be flattered to think you thought she was sexy.”
    “Oh. ” Great, Addison. Real spiffy comeback. “Well, Veronica was right about everything else.” I wasn’t about to let logic and truth interfere with my mood.
    “Are you done with the pity party yet?” Nick asked. “You know what you look like. You’re anything but average. Someone who could try moonlighting as a stripper doesn’t really strike me as a person who’s got problems with their ego or low self esteem.”
    I groaned. “I guess my secret’s out?”
    “Maybe not. You denied it, so it’s your word against hers. I wouldn’t worry about it. Besides, we’ll find out soon enough who did murder Mr. Butler and none of what she said will matter.”
    “I don’t suppose you want to enlighten me on why I woke up without clothes on.”
    “You were covered in chocolate cake.” Nick grinned wickedly. “Though I had no idea what the hell you were wearing under that dress. I almost gave myself a bloody nose trying to get it off of you. I finally had to cut the damned thing off.”
    “Jesus, why me?”
    “Don’t worry. You redeemed yourself rather well.” He folded the paper in his lap and his gaze skimmed down my body, making things tingle that had no business tingling at the moment. “I’ve got to be honest with you. I watched the tape of you squeezed into that sexy costume at The Foxy Lady, and I thought I’d gotten a good look at every curve of your body. But when I finally got that thing off you last night it was everything I could do not to wake you up and take advantage of you. There is most definitely nothing boring or plain about your body.”
    “Thank you for the creepy compliment. But I still want you to leave.”
    “Well, I happen to think you’re lying.”
    He tossed the paper aside and stalked me until my back was to the wall. Blood rushed in my ears and my lungs burned with the effort to breathe.
    “Where did yo u sleep last night?” I asked softly.
    “I slept with you.” He traced his finger down the side of my neck and then farther down to the knot that held my robe together, working it loose until it slipped free. My robe parted and I moaned as his finger circled my breast and then skimmed across my nipple. He leaned toward me until his lips were just a fraction away from my own. I watched with eyes wide open as he took my bottom lip between his teeth and bit gently.
    My eyes rolled back in my head when his tongue soothed the sharp sting from his teeth.
    “I want you,” he whispered.
    Yeah, the part that wanted me was pressed against my belly