EXCERPT FROM "Broken Star"

Before her stood a petite woman with light blonde hair tied into a sleek ponytail. Lynn stiffened when she saw the police uniform. She stepped backwards, and an unexpected rush of excitement energized her exhausted body. It was the uniform -- a woman in uniform had always been her weakness. She entertained the idea of being arrested with amusement. Submission was not usually Lynn’s style, although she would make an exception with an officer of the law. The thought alone was enough to make her weary body tingle with anticipation.

She stared at the smaller woman and cautiously stepped closer. The aroma of play dough and lavender lingered around the officer. She nearly laughed when the thought of play dough occurred to her. What an association to make from the woman’s scent. It took her a moment to realize she was being spoken to. “Excuse me?”

“I said,” the officer emphasized, “are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” Lynn replied and she wrapped her arms around her body when a chilly wind blew across the empty beach. Her scanty dress did little to shield her bare legs and arms. Goosebumps danced along her flesh.

“Fine? Well, there’s no doubt you’re fine,” the officer said, giving her the once-over. “However, you don’t look fine.”

Lynn backed away, tilting her head as she stared at the officer. Lynn was accustomed to gorgeous women flirting with her on a daily basis, but not police officers, and certainly not a police officer on a deserted beach in the middle of the night.

“It’s not against the law to be out here at night. What are you going to do, arrest me?” Lynn’s lips curved into a seductive grin as she stood up straight, making sure her cleavage was noticeable and in the direct line of view to the officer.

“No, but it’s also not safe out here.” The officer narrowed her eyes, glancing over Lynn’s barely-there red dress. “Especially not when you’re dressed like a jezebel,” she stated.

Lynn’s mouth flew open and she backed away, appalled that she had been flirting with this atrocious woman. Her eyes narrowed with annoyance as her hands went to her hips and a loud huff escaped her lips. “You should mind your own damn business. Do you have any idea who I am, Blondie?”

“Yeah,” the petite officer replied angrily. Her icy blue eyes flickered with irritation in the glow from the moon. “You’re Lynn Feoras, celebrity diva extraordinaire, so I’ve heard. And no, I am not impressed.”

Lynn rolled her eyes and frowned at the blonde as a slew of curse words flooded her mind. “That beach house behind you happens to be mine and I can come outside anytime I please.” Stepping closer, Lynn pursed her lips. Her five foot nine frame towered over the smaller built officer. “Now why don’t you get lost, Officer?”

“So, let me get this straight.” The officer tapped her finger against her lips with a coy expression. “You don’t care that there’s been a rash of rapes the past several weeks? So what, you’re going to willingly spread your legs and put out for the man if he shows up?”

“I --” Lynn gaped. “Rapes! Here?” she managed to croak out. Her voice faded and her shoulders slumped.

“Yes,” the officer replied with a nod. “Rapes and murders to be exact,” she added.

“I had no idea,” Lynn said in a diminutive voice.

“I figured that much. Why do you think the beach is empty? We’ve issued curfews and warnings. I was doing patrol and I saw you standing here. I recognized you and I knew since you were not from here, you probably had no idea. Now, would you like for me to escort you back to your home, or do you want to stay out here all by yourself?” Crossing her arms, the officer’s brows furrowed with impatience.

“No,” Lynn replied quickly. “I mean yes. Yes, I would very much like it if you escorted me back home.” She and the officer walked in silence as they closed the distance between the water and her beach house. Even though it was a short distance, the walk seemed endless to Lynn. She had behaved like a complete idiot with her abrupt actions and hateful tone. Lynn didn’t usually act so rashly, but lately it was almost like she was not even herself. Once they had finally reached the front porch, Lynn turned to face the straight-faced officer. “Thanks.”

“No need. I was just doing my job,” the officer said. “Lock your doors, Ms. Feoras.”

Lynn shivered when a warm rush spread to her thighs as the officer walked away. Dark blue jeans revealed a curvaceous bottom that spread out nicely in the back of Officer Hotness’s jeans. For the first time, she noticed how far down her back the beautiful hair hung. The flowing blonde ponytail hung to the center of the officer’s back and twisted into a tiny twirl at the tip. Not only did Lynn have a weakness for cops, she also had a weakness for blondes. She nearly laughed out loud when she realized what a walking cliché she truly was.

“Wait, I didn’t catch your name.”

“Alexis,” the officer replied as she continued to walk towards the darkness, never once looking back.