Melanie Rose Darling glanced in the rearview mirror at the red and blue flickering in the distant darkness. Her eyes darted to her speedometer.
Eighty-three. Crap!
She slowed down and steered her Volvo to the side of the interstate, coming to an abrupt halt on the shoulder.
"Don't stop, don't stop, don't stop..." she chanted, crossing her fingers.
Unfortunately, the flashing strobes got brighter, then blinding, as they pulled up behind her. With a trembling hand, Melanie put her car in park and turned off the ignition. She'd never been pulled over before. What was she supposed to do now?
Okay, just think.
Taking a deep breath, she fisted her hands and willed herself to remain calm. She could handle this. She just needed to approach the situation rationally and not let her nerves get the best of her.
She fetched her purse from the passenger seat. After popping a piece of gum in her mouth, she sprayed perfume on her wrists before removing her wallet. Hopefully, it would be a male cop. She was a woman. She was capable of flirting her way out of a ticket.
Wasn't she?
Melanie removed her license from the leather holder, then reached over and opened the glove compartment. As she gathered her registration and insurance card, a beam of white light pierced through the driver's window.
She squinted, trying to see through the glare, but couldn't make out the person behind the source of illumination.
Warning bells went off in her brain. She recalled stories about women being pulled over on lonely highways late at night, only to discover that they were marks for serial killers or rapists.
Tap-tap-tap.
Startled, Melanie sucked in her breath. A single finger pointed for her to roll down the window.
She didn't want to fall prey to some psychopath, but didn't want to get arrested either. Wasn't there some number she could call on her cell phone that would connect her to a dispatcher? Then they could tell her that she'd been pulled over by a real law enforcement official. Damn, she remembered the e-mail, but couldn't remember the number.
What to do, what do to...
Melanie reached for the workbag lying next to her purse. Pulling out a notebook and a Sharpie, she scribbled a hasty message.
May I see your badge and ID please?
She tore out the piece of paper and held it up, wondering if her handwriting was legible.
The light moved away. A few seconds later, it shined on a small wallet and a badge. She leaned close to the window to read the identification card.
"Michael Johnson," she whispered, then stared at the picture.
The beam of light moved again, this time to the badge on his crisp blue shirt, then to his face.
Deciding he was the real-deal, she rolled down the window.
Officer Johnson lowered his flashlight. Her eyes adjusted, and she found herself staring at the most gorgeous man she'd ever seen.
"Good evening, miss."
Her heart rate sped up. His voice was professional, yet smooth, sexy.
"Sorry about that," she offered. "I was just trying to be safe. I mean, you know, a woman alone on an empty highway, and the world filled with crazy people who want to do weird things to your body before--"
He held up his hand. "I get the picture."
She stared at his fingers. No ring.
Melanie giggled in embarrassment. "Oh, yeah, of course."
When he gave her a quizzical glance, she bit her tongue. What the hell was wrong with her? The man probably thought she had lost her mind.
Officer Johnson pulled out his pen and pad. "Miss, you haven't been drinking, have you?"
"No, sir. I just left work. I'm giggling because I'm nervous. It's something I do when I'm nervous. You make me nervous. Well, not you, I mean, your position. No. I mean your authority. Your authority makes me nervous. The power you have over me."
He raised his eyebrows.
"But not in a bad way," she rushed.
Get a grip, Meli.
She took a deep breath and tried to gather her thoughts. "Sorry. I've never been pulled over before. I'm a good girl--usually. I swear."
Oh, God. She hadn't just told him she was a good girl, had she? She wanted to smack some sense back into herself.
He smiled. "I'm glad to hear you're a good girl ... most of the time."
She nodded vigorously. "When I'm really nervous, I tend to ramble. Not too much, just a bit. And sometimes, I say things I shouldn't. Even now, I'm talking too much. See?" A giggle escaped her lips and she covered her mouth with her hand. "But hopefully not too much, just a little much."
Heat spread across her cheeks and she remembered why she chose to avoid people at all costs, especially handsome men. She was always a mess in their presence. Before he could ask for license, registration, and proof of insurance, she stuck it all out the window.
"Thanks." Officer Johnson took the documents from her hands and started writing down her information. "Do you know why I pulled you over?"
Melanie lifted her shoulders and smiled. "Speeding?"
He raised his head. "The speed limit is sixty-five. I clocked you at eighty."
Instinct prompted her make up some crappy excuse as to why she was going that fast, but she suppressed the urge. She wanted to be honest, even if meant he would punish her for it.
"I know," she replied. "Actually, I was doing eighty-three."
He laughed. "Wow. You are making this very easy for me, miss."
The deep sound of his chuckle went straight to her heart and melted it. "Is that a good thing?"
"Yep. Because I'm going to let you off with a warning."
And she didn't even have to flirt. "I really appreciate your kindness, officer."
"Just slow down." He handed back her driving papers and shut his pad. "Have a good night."
He started to walk away.
"Wait."
The officer turned and came back to the window. "Yes?"
She didn't want him to leave, but she couldn't tell him that. "Why are you here?" she blurted out.
He looked confused. "I'm sorry?"
"I mean, why are you on patrol here? I've never seen a cop on this road so late at night before."
Officer Johnson placed his large hand on the roof of her Volvo. "What you mean to say is that you have always sped down this highway and have never been pulled over before, right?"
"I guess so."
"Okay. I'll tell you what." He thinned his lips and leaned a little closer. "Here's a tip. I'm probably going to be here every night for the next month. So, when you get into this area, slow down, or I'll have to ticket you. Understand, Miss Darling?"
The way he said her name sent tingles through her body. And, wow, he smelled so good. She didn't mind the reprimand. She'd take another if he'd just stay a little longer. "I understand."
He gave a curt nod and left.
She watched him in the side view mirror as he strolled back to his patrol car. A man in uniform always turned her on.
Especially this one.
Melanie squeezed her thighs and started the ignition. Even though she had initially dreaded the thought of getting into trouble, she was glad she'd been caught. The event added a little excitement to her very boring life.
She pulled onto the highway and started for home, relishing the intense feelings that surged through her body. On a normal day, she went to work, made bouquets for other women lucky enough to find love, left work, and went home to an empty house. That was it. Not even a goldfish awaited her there.
But tonight was different. Now, she understood why people did naughty things. The rush was liberating.
She'd never been drunk, she didn't smoke, she'd never tried drugs, she didn't party, and she'd never had casual sex. Hell, she'd never even had sex, well, not in the traditional sense. She couldn't really count her toys, could she?
One thing was for sure, she was done being the good girl. She wanted to be wild. She wanted to be bad. She wanted sex that didn't require batteries!
Melanie parked her car and trudged into her house. Undressing on her way to the bathroom, she stared into the mirror and imagined Officer Johnson behind her, his lips roaming down her neck and caressing her breasts.
She stopped fantasizing. How could she get the sexy police officer to want her? Actually, why wouldn't he want her? She might be shy, but she was pretty enough. Perhaps she needed to be more confident, sexier.
Melanie strode into her office, no longer concerned that her window shades were open and half the neighborhood could see her naked.
She logged onto her computer, trying to find some information that'd be of help. She went to the internet search engine and typed in 'A book on how to get a man'. When she hit the enter button, a list popped up on the screen.
One page description caught her eye immediately. "How To Get The Man YOU Want and Deserve In Ten Easy Steps" by Aleka Leki.
Clicking on the link, she checked out the author's website. After reading a short excerpt from chapter one 'Choosing Your Target: Is He the Right Man for You?', Meli ordered the book from her local bookstore, happy to find that it was in stock. She could have it by early tomorrow morning.
A wicked thought came into her mind. Her insurance rates might skyrocket, but hell, who cared anymore? She needed a drastic change in her life, and this night was the catalyst.
Melanie strolled into the kitchen, relishing in the freedom of nakedness and excited by the prospect that someone might see her through the window. It felt awesome to be naughty.
She grabbed a glass and opened a bottle of Blackberry Merlot. Sipping the fragrant wine, she debated on whether or not she'd wear panties tomorrow night when she sped her way back into Officer Johnson's life.
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