The Badge and the Bad Boy (Redemption Ranch, #1)

by Lena Hendrix

I’d learned in the academy that to be a female police officer, you had to develop a thick skin and handle a certain amount of ballbusting to have a chance of surviving.

“It’s nothing. This town’s just a little weird about strangers. Doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be polite.”

Something about her had made me want to take care of her, though the vibe she’d put out was that she was more than capable without me.

That was the thing with her—even something everyone else saw as trash had value.

“I know you’re an ass-kiss, but damn you if it isn’t charming.”

Just a few months and nothing more.

why the hell a police officer, let alone the one I’d taken a bullet for, was standing in front of me at the ranch.

“Evan is also from Chicago. He is the man who stepped in front of a bullet for you.”

I refused to think about the reasons I’d stepped in front of Val that night or how her showing up in my life knotted my insides.

“Evan is exacting. I’m certain he had his reasons. None of which he has ever shared with me.”

“Why? Why did you step in front of the gun?” His hands squeezed my arms gently. I could feel my body sway toward him as though an invisible tether pulled me closer. “You saved my sister’s life when I couldn’t.”

I inched closer, just to piss her off and get a whiff of her shampoo.

“You heard the lady. Dead body.” After a beat, I added, “It’s all right. You’re safe with me.”

Desire coursed through my body, but I also felt a strange connection to her—like something in my chest was tethered to hers. I’d never felt anything like it, and an aching twinge passed through me.

“When you’re with me, you don’t have to worry. I’ll take care of you.”

What was more unnerving was that his stare held more than appreciation. It was protective. His body stiffened if anyone moved too quickly in my direction or when I tensed at the clattering of a fork.

“All right, big guy. Let’s do this.” I swept past him and out the door, but paused when a low rumble escaped him. “Are you okay?” When I met his eyes, they darkened and my pulse skittered. “You smell nice.”

Everything about that man drew me in.

In a heartbeat, Evan was in the man’s face. “Disrespect her again. I fucking dare you.”

I wanted to rip that guy’s head from his shoulders. The fact he thought he could disrespect Val like that burned acid through my veins.

I’d nearly hiked her ass up on the pool table and driven into her.

Despite my better judgment, I wanted him. More than I had ever wanted a man, I wanted to feel what it was like to be Evan’s woman.

“There’s darkness in me, Val.” “Maybe some. But I can see the light.”

I was soaked through, and he had only kissed me. But damn. That man could kiss. His lips moved down the column of my neck, sucking and nipping with his teeth. Desire swept through me.

“A man like me always wants what he can’t have. But you, baby girl, are the most dangerous thing on this ranch.”

Tonight I had learned Evan Walker was a criminal who didn’t want to break the rules.

wanted her, more than I cared to admit––rather my rational brain overrode my dick for once, and it was the right move.

“You could have at least bought her a drink first. Jesus.” Val laughed and flipped her hand through the dark strands of her silken hair. She moved closer to the cow and gently stroked one side. “You all right, girl? Do you need a cigarette?”

I looked at her, willing her to see the affection I held there. “I think it’s perfect.”

She was testing me, and I knew it. Something about that sly little smile made me unable to help myself. “Hardly. It has nothing to do with you being a girl. You fight like someone who’s trained. I fight dirty.”

She wanted it just as badly as I did.

My restraint and sense of self-preservation were unraveling fast.

I wanted to do the right thing, but my willpower was threadbare.

The dull ache in my chest pinched and grew when he looked at me in a way that said he, too, wished there could be more between us.

“Playing games, baby girl?” Evan’s voice was pure velvet over gravel. A breathy groan was all that I could muster. “If you don’t stop making noises like that, I’m going to lose my fucking mind.”

“We can’t get caught.” “I know.” His head moved back to look me in the eyes. His blue eyes were fierce. Desire raging war against common sense. I moved my hips against his erection. “But I want this. I need this.” He gripped my hip as I rubbed against him, and he groaned in pleasured agreement. “I don’t know how I can be here with you without this.”

“Nights are mine.” Evan paused as his eyes drank me in. His wide palm delicately wrapped around the column of my throat. My pulse hammered beneath it. “You,” he whispered as his head bent forward to nip my ear, “are mine.”

“Fuck, you’re soaked.” His voice was laced with barely contained lust. I tipped my hips forward. “Feel it. Feel how wet you make me.”

“Holy shit, you’re huge.” My eyes met his, and a cocky smile teased the corner of his full lips. “It’ll fit.”

His voice was rough. “You’re perfect. You feel so fucking perfect.”

He moved away slowly, dragging his thick cock out of me, and I couldn’t stop a whimper. “That sound is so fucking hot.”

I’d moved to hop down from the dryer when his hand steadied me. “Let me.”

was single-handedly the most erotic thing a man had ever done for me.

“You’re amazing.” I felt a blush bloom under my cheeks. Keep it light. Fun. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

That was one of the things I’d grown to appreciate about that complicated and brooding man. If he was quick to temper, he was just as quick to apologize and try to make it right. It didn’t matter if it was Gemma he snapped at or a ranch hand—he treated everyone with the same respect.

“Green, you tease.”

“You want to be punished for breaking the rules, baby girl?”

“You are so fucking gorgeous. Just look at you.”

“No, baby. You can do better than that. Tell me you want me to eat your pussy.”

Val spoke softly. “Is it supposed to feel this . . .” “Destined?”