Damn. I wanted to find the coat closet and show him how real I was. His words and the way he spoke them were like Kryptonite to me, making me weak. This man had turned me from a streetwise city woman into a hussy on the street corner.

“You have to stop talking to me like that in public, or…”

“Or what?”

“Or I’ll drag you off somewhere in private. A girl can only take so much.” I teased with a wink. I didn’t want him to know I wasn’t kidding.

“Hold that thought. I need to help out the other Peckers. I am the master Pecker after all.”

“I bet you are.” I spit out a laugh and let my eyes travel downward to Pecker land.

He bent down and kissed me on the forehead. “Get a drink and have fun.”

“I want to try the Peckers Passion drink Mel told me about.” I waggled my brows.

“That can be arranged.”

He walked away to join the other Peckers and I looked over at Mel who smiled at me and shook her head. She knew I was a goner too.

I’ve had three strong Peckers Passion drinks since I sat down. One after the other and I was very buzzed. The kind of buzz that was dangerous around a hot guy like Thomas.

He hasn’t spoken a word out loud to me since our encounter by the pub table. Instead he has talked to me with his eyes, finding me no matter where I was in the room. I wasn’t used to this kind of attention and I had a hard time processing it. I felt like a tightly wound-up spring that would come undone with the slightest touch, his touch to be specific.

I was sitting with a few girls that I knew from high school, and they couldn’t stop gushing over the changes in me and how “big city” I now looked. I had to laugh, because my turquoise dress, teased-to-within-an-inch-of-its-life hair, and heavy make-up were the furthest thing imaginable from my normal New York City attire. I’d strayed far from basic black, but my teased hair was the topper. No one wore hair like this in the city.

“Can I have your attention please?” Mel stood up before the crowd with a cordless microphone in her hand. “I’d like to thank you all for coming out tonight to support the hooters this Halloween. Can we have a big round of applause for all the helpful Peckers with us tonight?”

Everyone clapped while I laughed at the whole scenario. I worried I’d fallen into a bad romantic comedy movie. Peckers. Hooters. It was all Looney Tunes.

“So far this evening we have raised twenty thousand dollars. One of our own Peckers, Dr. Jared Talbot, has pledged to match every dollar we raise tonight. Please come up front Dr. Pecker, I mean, Dr. Talbot.” The room broke into applause and laughter.

Dr. Talbot scooted up next to Mel. “Thank you Dr. Talbot for your generous donation. How can we ever repay you?”

Mel’s face blushed as Dr. Talbot whispered something into her ear. As he pulled away a corner of her lip curled into a smile. I would wager Aunt Marge’s house on what I thought he said. I’m pretty sure it involved her hooters and his pecker.

“It was my pleasure to help raise more money for Breast Cancer Awareness. I’ve seen it claim way too many women’s lives. I only wish I could do more.”

Mel took back the microphone and had a look in her eyes like she wanted to jump Dr. Pecker. I had to admit he seemed like a great guy by donating to the cause.

Mel cleared her throat before continuing. “We have one more treat for you all tonight. My brother, Officer Thomas Brooks, has agreed to sing. He’s been an in-the-shower singer most of his life, but I’m encouraging him to do something with the great voice he’s been given. Give it up for Thomas.”

Thankfully, I chose a seat that faced the front of the bar. I clapped with everything I had as Thomas approached Mel. The women at the other tables were a little too enthusiastic to see Thomas sing. But in reality I didn’t have a claim on him…yet.

“Thank you, ladies. I want to hand it to my sister for putting this evening together. I’ve watched her prepare for months. Great job sis.” The entire place sounded in applause once again. “I’ve decided to sing ‘Every Breath You Take’ by the Police. Hit it Mac.”

Thomas began to sing, and he never once took his eyes off me. The room and the people around us faded away. I became caught up in the words and their meaning. He had been acting just like the song since I walked inside the bar, watching every step or move I made. Was he telling me I belonged to him?

I had chills as he walked to me with the microphone in his hand. He started the last part of the song standing right in front of me.

Embarrassed I sunk down into my chair, but it only made him come closer. When he started singing the chorus, he reached for my hand. As the last word of the song left his lips, he pulled my hand to his mouth and kissed it.

“For fuck’s sake, give the woman a real kiss.” Someone yelled from behind us.

“All right with you?” Thomas asked. I nodded and gave him the okay with my eyes.

He placed the microphone on the table and took my other hand. He lifted me from my seat and pulled me into his arms. I wrapped mine around his neck as he wrapped his around my waist, bringing me into him. I smelled the scent of his skin as my cheek made contact with his chest. All musky male and divine.

I raised my head and met his eyes. He looked down at my lips before he descended. When our lips touched, I melted into him. He pulled me tight against his body and we kissed like no one else was in the room.

My fingers weaved through his hair and traced the strong lines of his neck. I could feel the flexing of his muscles under my fingertips.

“All right, all ready.” I heard from the right.

“Get a room you two.” A voice said to the left of us. But I wasn’t going to pull away from his kiss. I wanted it to never end.

Thomas broke the kiss slowly and gave me one last, quick scorcher. “I didn’t want to stop.”

“Me either,” I whispered with my arms now embracing him at the waist.

“Really you all. I think every woman in this place needs to change her panties after watching that kiss.” Mel said under her breath as she grabbed the microphone off the table.

“Thanks again for coming out tonight ladies. Check the silent auction items before you leave to see if you’re a winner. Until next year.” Mel said into the microphone.

“I promised Mel I would help her with cleaning up.” I was sad to have to break out of our little bubble. The feeling inside it was beautiful.

“Funny thing. She asked me to help with clean up too.” Thomas shook his head. “That sister of mine is a schemer.”

“True, but she means well and this time I think she might be right.” He smiled after I exposed my true feelings, and I sighed in relief. I wasn’t used to placing everything out on the line with men. But with Thomas I felt safe.

“Let’s get this place cleaned up. Whatta ya say?” Thomas asked.

“Lead the way.” I motioned with my hand.

We started in the kitchen area, mingling with the hired wait staff. I think we were more a hindrance than a help, because they told us to go stand by the freezer.

“I think we just got kicked out of KP duty.” Thomas said with a chuckle.

“We are sad,” I laughed.

Thomas reached his arms around me and I saw a glint of silver in his pocket.

“Are those handcuffs?” I pointed to the metal.

“Yes, a cop can never be too prepared.” He reached in, took out the cuffs, and let them dangle from a finger. “I think I might have to make an arrest tonight. I heard there was some lewd kissing going.”

“Yes, very lewd. Filthy as a matter of fact. My mother would’ve been shocked.” I giggled and held out my wrists in surrender. “Are you going to take me back to your jail?”

“I’m off duty and would rather take you back to my bed.” The silver metal was cool against my skin and I knew I was in trouble when I heard the cuffs click together. “But I’ll settle for a date first. Tomorrow night I’m taking you out for dinner. Then maybe later, we can put these cuffs to good use.”