Temptation's Playground

CHAPTER 1

Fuck!

I never realized criminals could be this… hot. I thought criminals are meant to be ugly, less attractive and disgusting but Jax… he’s different. Every move, every glance, every word drags me in without even trying. When last did I see a handsome guy that got my pants wet with just a glare. Get a grip Esmeralda!

They brought him in on a rainy Tuesday handcuffed. He was silent, too calm for someone with three charges of assault. He was the most dangerous criminal in Italy if I’m not mistaken. The bullpen buzzed like static, but he walked through it as if he owned the room. I’d seen criminals with bravado before, but this was different.

His file said “dangerous,” yet the moment he lifted his head, I noticed the sharp lines of his face. A handsome criminal? Well,you don't see that everyday. When his gaze found mine, it didn’t flinch. It lingered. It measured me. As though I were the one under interrogation. I reminded myself to breathe… and not to melt. Despite the bruises,he was still drop-dead gorgeous!.

I’d just finished a twelve-hour shift, my body aching, skin still humming from the heat of the night, ready to go home, strip bare, shower slowly and let the water run down every tired curve until I could finally sleep.

Then Captain Harris barked my name across the hall, voice rough like gravel.

“Reed. Interrogation Room Three. Now.”

Every head turned. I felt their eyes slide over me with my uniform clinging just a little too tight after the long shift, the top button straining. I straightened my jacket, pushed damp strands of hair behind my ear, and walked toward him, hips rolling without meaning to.

“What happened?” I asked, already tasting the adrenaline on my tongue.

I stood before Captain Harris when Detective David stormed out of the cell, frustrated. “Sir—he’s a tough one. Didn’t answer a single question.”

My boss glanced at me, a slow smile forming. “Then it’s your turn,” he said. “Let’s see if you can crack him with your tricks.”

Tricks? Seriously Captain Harris? His gaze dropped for half a second, then flicked away. “He won’t talk to anyone but a woman.”

My jaw clenched. “So you’re throwing me in because he’s got a kink for skirts?”

“I’m throwing you in because you’re the best we’ve got,” Harris growled, leaning closer, voice low. “And because every man who’s gone in there came out… rattled. You’ll handle him.”

Fantastic, suddenly I'm their only hope.

I pushed open the door to Interrogation Three. The room was dim, cold, the air thick enough to taste.

He sat there like a king on a throne made of steel legs spread wide, thick thighs straining against dark denim, cuffs glinting on wrists that looked strong enough to snap them if he wanted. His head was bowed, black hair falling in messy strands over his forehead, shadowing eyes I hadn’t seen yet.

Then he looked up.

And the air left my lungs in a rush.

His stare was molten, predatory dark pupils blown wide, dragging slow and filthy over my badge, my throat, the swell of my breasts under the Kevlar vest, down to where my belt cinched my waist too tight. A smirk curled one corner of his mouth, lazy and obscene, like he was already inside me and knew exactly how wet that made me.

“You’re late,” he said, voice low, velvet dragged over broken glass.

I didn’t sit. My thighs pressed together under the table’s edge. “I wasn’t aware I was on your schedule.”

“You walked past that door twice,” he murmured, tongue touching his lower lip for a second. “I could smell you through the glass nerves and want, sweet thing. You were getting yourself ready for me.”

Heat flooded my cheeks, my chest, lower pooling slick between my legs. Impossible. The window was one-way. But the way he said it, lazy and certain, made my clit throb like he’d already put his mouth there.

“Mr. Crest,” I started, voice huskier than I wanted, “I’m Officer Reed—”

He cut me off with a soft, dark chuckle that licked straight down my spine.

“I was hoping they’d send you,” he said, eyes dropping to my mouth, lingering like a bite. “Been thinking about that pretty mouth since they dragged me in here.”

My nipples tightened hard against my bra, traitorous and obvious. I slammed the file down harder than I meant to.

“You were caught trespassing. Armed. Surrounded by stolen goods. Start talking.”

He didn’t. Just tilted his head, studying me like he was deciding where to bite first.

“Your voice is so controlled,” he said, almost tender. “But your pulse is racing right here—” His gaze dropped to the hollow of my throat, then lower, to the frantic beat under my vest. “And you’re soaked, aren’t you? I can smell it from here.”

I swallowed hard, the click loud in the silence.

“I’m not here to play games.”

“Oh, baby,” he breathed, leaning forward just enough that the chains pulled taut, muscles flexing under his black shirt, “this isn’t a game. This is me deciding how hard I’m going to make you come while you’re still pretending you’re in charge.”

My breath stuttered. The pen slipped in my grip.

“Tell me who you were working with,” I managed.

“No.”

“Jax—”

His name came out like a moan. His eyes flared, dark and hungry.

“Say it again,” he ordered, voice rough now, raw. “Say my name while you’re thinking about my tongue between your thighs.”

I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t move.

He leaned closer, chains singing softly, and when he spoke again it was barely a whisper, dripping sin.

“You’re not scared of me, Reed. You’re scared of how much you want to climb over this table, unzip me with your teeth, and ride me until those pretty lips scream my name.”

My knees nearly buckled.

“You’re still under arrest,” I whispered, but it sounded like please.

“And you’re still lying to yourself,” he said, smiling slow, wicked. “But that’s okay, baby. I’ve got all night to make you beg.”

His gaze dropped to my trembling hand, then dragged back up, lingering on my mouth like a promise.

“You’re shaking,” he said softly.

I was.

And when I turned to leave, thighs slick, heart hammering, his voice followed me like fingers down my spine.

“This isn’t finished, Reed,” he said, low and lethal. “Not until you’re naked, dripping, and coming all over my cock while you still try to read me my rights.”

The door hadn’t even shut before I felt him everywhere.

And God help me, I wanted more.