Sin (The Waite Family) by Kathi S. Barton Page A

Though I will tell you, having you touch me that way has made me decide to give you a reward.” He helped her stand then rubbed her arm until he could tell it no longer hurt. “First bathroom, then shower. You wash my back, I’ll wash yours.”
    “I’m not taking a shower with you. You have to let me go…I can’t, you can’t mean to bathe with me.” Panic was something he didn’t think to see on her face or hear in her voice. “This is stupid, Mr… Payton , let me go now. ”
    He didn’t answer , but took her to the bathroom and turned on the water. “I’ll have my back to you while you use the toilet then you can step in the stall while I use it. But please don’t flush or we’ll be taking a cold shower.”
    He knew the moment she decided that he wasn’t giving up. He felt her tug on his arm twice , but he was sure it was from normal use and not trying to get away. When he felt her stand he moved so she could enter the stall then he stood and used the commode as well. Closing the lid, he hoped that he’d be able to do this or he was going to take her hard against the wall. Moving the curtain back, he got in behind her.
    Her back was to him and he stepped up behind her and wrapped his arm around her waist. He could tell she was crying , but he couldn’t let her go. He needed her , and in some twisted way he thought she needed him as well.
    Reaching up over her head he pulled the shampoo down and poured some into his hand. He felt he also needed to clear the air between them, no more lies. It was trust her or not.
    “I have to tell you something. Something that could get me killed. I know I’m taking a big chance telling you at this moment because I’m sure you’d just as soon do the job yourself as to turn me over to the ba d guys , but I don’t want any lies between us when we make love.”
    “We aren’t going to make love. You hate me as much as I hate you. And I don’t want your life history. As soon as this is over I’m having you arrested.” He nipped at her shoulder as he began to wash her hair. “And I don’t want you to dominate me. I don’t want sex with you either.”
    “You said that,” he said with a smile. “But you have to hear my story. I’m a cop. A detective , actually. I was shot on the job about two months ago. I was on a buy ; drugs were being distributed at the local middle school and I was set up by my boss to purchase then arrest this low end guy hoping he’d talk. My captain set it up, the buy , the meeting place, everything.”
    “Let me guess , he wasn’t a trustworthy sort of guy. Been there, done that. Someone sent me and my guys out without any backup and I got hurt too. No one is to be trusted anymore.” S he rattled the cuffs between them. “Not even some guy who steals your gun.”
    He swatted her ass. “Behave and listen. And you were ready to come last night when I had you tied to the bed. Where was I…oh yeah. He told me not to take my phone too. So being the by the book bastard I am, I took my cell phone. The buyer didn’t show. But someone did. I was shot and while I’m lying there ready to die Wickett comes over the radio and tells me that he’s in the back pocket of — ”
    “Did you say Wickett? Carl Wickett?” She had turned so quickly that his arm was now wrapped around her waist and hers was behind her. But it was her quiet question that startled him.
    “Yes. He’s my captain . You…how did you know?” Her eyes closed as she leaned against the stall wall. “Sydney? What is it ?”
    “He was married to Quinn if it’s the same guy.” She looked up at him. “Sort of average height, blond hair, green eyes, maybe has a scar just over his left eye.”
    Coop nodded. He couldn’t say much just yet. Quinn, he’d met her at the hospital . S he was married to the attorney. “Was he a cop here?”
    “Yes. He beat her . Quinn, he beat her all the time. I was on leave when he…I trained her how to defend herself with him. We went to