Read Some Like It in Handcuffs for Free Online Page B

about her.
    “Damn right I’m a woman, and don’t you forget it.” She pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose. “How about you heed my words and then you can relay a message to my Neanderthal brothers for me?”
    “Do I look like Western Union?” He rested his hands behind his head and regarded her with raised eyebrows.
    She bit off a laugh, not willing to let him know she liked his quick humor. “It’s now the twenty-first century; women can choose whatever profession they want.”
    “Well, what’s wrong with being a secretary or a teacher? That’s something your family would be proud of too.” His eyes closed as if he were bored with their conversation. “Or if you couldn’t stop the urge to work in law, work in forensics, the lab, research. There are lots of areas you could become involved in without taking such a risk.”
    Sunny hiked up her oversized sweatpants and tossed her glasses onto the table, hoping to disturb his peace. Judson’s eyes flew open when they hit the wooden surface with a solid thud.
    “There is nothing wrong with being a secretary or a teacher, if that’s what you want to do, but I don’t. As for your other suggestions, they don’t hold my interest.” With her hands on her hips she leaned toward him. “I’ve wanted to be an investigator since I was twelve.”
    “That long, huh?”
    She could see his chest shake as he held his laughter in check. She plopped down on the couch, grabbed a small sofa pillow, and tossed it at his head with all her strength. Without any effort, he caught the pillow and nestled it behind his head.
    Sunny shook her head. “Are all men the same?”
    “Admit it, all you girls—I mean women—love it.”
    He laughed from deep within his throat. Sunny aimed another pillow at his head, but it hit the arm of the chair and bounced to the floor.
    They sat in a comfortable silence for several minutes before Judson kicked his long legs out to rest on the coffee table.
    “So, is it a deal that we’ll work together, or do I have to work solo on my own investigation?”
    He’d more than convinced her of his intentions, but could she keep her mind on the case and not the man? Having him in the room, or anywhere near her already proved to be a distraction. Sunny chewed on her bottom lip. “Okay, here’s how this’ll work. First, this is my case.” Holding up her hand she ticked off her rules on her fingers. “Second, we’ll work it my way and only my way. Third, I have final say on any decision.”
    Their gazes locked.
    With a lift of her brow, she crossed one leg over the other and bobbed her foot. “Can you live with that?”
    The edges of his mouth tilted upward.
    “Don’t make me regret my offer.” Sunny huffed. “Just because I’m a woman doesn’t mean I’m a pushover.”
    “Oh, I’m sure of that.” His eyes brightened, her throat contracted.
    “You won’t be able to plow over my decisions like Derek and my other brothers. You got that?”
    “I got it. Now my terms.” He didn’t blink. He mimicked her and started counting off his own rules. “First, you’ll be up front with me. Second, I’ll need all your information. Any clippings or photos you have, and anything else you think is pertinent to the case.” He leaned forward. “And finally, we are a team with no secrets. I won’t have you playing me like you play your brothers.” He arched his eyebrows. “Can you live with that?”
    She nodded.
    “Good. It’s a done deal then.” He checked the brushed silver watch on his wrist. “I’ll call you in the next few days. Answer your phone.”
    Her cheeks warmed and she smiled. For some reason she’d gone mute, unable to speak as she listened to him dole out orders.
    After Judson left, Sunny stood in her small office and fingered the anonymous handwritten note left on her car seat two weeks ago. The picture attached to it tacked upon the wall in front of her. The photograph showed a young Benny with his arm around a