With Me: A Rivers Edge Christmas Novella Read online

  With Me

  Rivers Edge - Book 6

  By Lacey Black

  With You

  A Rivers Edge Christmas Novella

  Copyright © 2019 Lacey Black

  Cover Photo: Adobe Photo Stock #239327661

  Cover Design by Melissa Gill Designs

  Editing by Kara Hildebrand

  Proofreading by Joanne Thompson

  Format by Brenda Wright, Formatting Done Wright

  This book is a work of fiction. Any reference to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without the prior written permission of the author.

  All rights reserved.

  Index

  Also by Lacey Black

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Also by Lacey Black

  Rivers Edge series

  Trust Me, Rivers Edge book 1 (Maddox and Avery) – FREE at all retailers

  ~ #1 Bestseller in Contemporary Romance

  Fight Me, Rivers Edge book 2 (Jake and Erin)

  Expect Me, Rivers Edge book 3 (Travis and Josselyn)

  Promise Me: A Novella, Rivers Edge book 3.5 (Jase and Holly)

  Protect Me, Rivers Edge book 4 (Nate and Lia)

  Boss Me, Rivers Edge book 5 (Will and Carmen)

  Trust Us: A Rivers Edge Christmas Novella (Maddox and Avery)

  ~ This novella was originally part of the Christmas Miracles Anthology

  BOX SET – contains all 5 novels, 2 novellas, and a BONUS short story

  Bound Together series

  Submerged, Bound Together book 1 (Blake and Carly)

  ~ An International Bestseller

  Profited, Bound Together book 2 (Reid and Dani)

  ~A Bestseller, reaching Top 100 on 2 e-retailers

  Entwined, Bound Together book 3 (Luke and Sidney)

  Summer Sisters series

  My Kinda Kisses, Summer Sisters book 1 (Jaime and Ryan)

  ~A Bestseller, reaching Top 100 on 2 e-retailers

  My Kinda Night, Summer Sisters book 2 (Payton and Dean)

  My Kinda Song, Summer Sisters book 3 (Abby and Levi)

  My Kinda Mess, Summer Sisters book 4 (Lexi and Linkin)

  My Kinda Player, Summer Sisters book 5 (AJ and Sawyer)

  My Kinda Player, Summer Sisters book 6 (Meghan and Nick)

  My Kinda Wedding, A Summer Sisters Novella book 7 (Meghan and Nick)

  Rockland Falls series

  Love and Pancakes, Rockland Falls book 1

  Love and Lingerie, Rockland Falls book 2

  Love and Landscape, Rockland Falls book 3

  Standalone

  Music Notes, a sexy contemporary romance standalone

  A Place To Call Home, a Memorial Day novella

  Exes and Ho Ho Ho’s, a sexy contemporary romance standalone novella

  Co-Written with NYT Bestselling Author, Kaylee Ryan

  It’s Not Over

  *Coming Soon from Lacey Black

  Love and Neckties, Book 4 in the Rockland Falls series

  Just Getting Started, Book 2 with Kaylee Ryan

  Chapter One

  Brooklyn

  “Jackson!” My name is bellowed by my superior officer from the small office just off to the side of the pit. Glancing at the clock, I see I have less than fifteen minutes left in my shift, and everyone here is getting ready for shift change. Adjusting my belt, I make my way to where I’m being summoned, trying to hide the yawn.

  I’m on my second month of nights and clearly not used to it yet. In fact, working through the night is hard. When everyone else is sleeping, I’m chugging coffee to stay awake and alert. Two years ago, as a rookie with the Rivers Edge Police Department, I was hired on swing shift. It worked out fine for me, the hours allowing me to sleep in a little bit to make up for working later in the evening. But this? Six at night to six in the morning? It’s a difficult transition.

  When I round the corner and step into the captain’s office, I find my lieutenant behind the desk. Our small police department really only has one office besides the chief’s, so it’s used by both captains and lieutenants alike if privacy is needed.

  “You hollered?” I ask, stepping inside, but waiting for him to invite me to sit.

  “Have a seat, Jackson,” he says, the sternness and discipline evident in his order as he motions for one of the beat-up chairs in front of the desk. He doesn’t even glance up, just keeps his eyes on whatever he’s reading in front of him.

  Wordlessly, I take a seat, but can’t help the smile that slips on my lips. Christmas is less than two weeks away, and “Jingle Bells” is coming from the small, dusty radio in the corner of the room. When he glances up and makes eye contact, I’m unable to mask my smile in enough time.

  “Something funny?” he asks, his intense eyes glued to my face.

  Clearing my throat, I dig for the professionalism that’s expected when working in this department. “No, sir.”

  He holds my gaze. I’m starting to get a little uncomfortable, since he doesn’t say anything about why I’m here. Even a reprimand for smiling would be something, right?

  Finally, Lieutenant glances over at the wall, to the small radio in the corner. “They’re playing all sorts of Christmas music today. I was listening for the news reports,” he states, sitting back in the chair.

  “Of course, sir,” I reply, wondering if deep down he was actually waiting for the news or if he was just trying to get into the Christmas spirit and rockin’ out to fourteen different renditions of “Jingle Bells” and “Here Comes Santa Claus.”

  “Anyway,” he starts, sitting forward and resting his elbows on the worn desk, “The reason I called you in here was to tell you we’ve finally hired a new officer. Kollman will be moving to cover the swing shift now that we’ve filled the night shift void.”

  My heart drops. I really wanted the swing shift back, but I understand the hours fit with his wife’s schedule better than overnights. Plus, he has more seniority. I know I’m still one of the low men (or women) on the totem pole, so overnights is where I’ll be until another regular shift spot opens up. Fortunately, that might be sooner rather than later with the rumor mill speculating that the chief would be retiring early next year, potentially shuffling around a few of the older officers.

  “I know you were hoping to return to the swing shift, but that’s not where you’re needed right now, Jackson. I have a new officer starting tomorrow night, and I need you to train him,” my lieutenant states, drawing my attention back to the reason I was called into the office.

  “Me?” I ask, surprised, considering I’m still viewed as one of the newer officers. Even after two years on the force, we have men and women who have served the citizens of Rivers Edge, Missouri a lot longer than I have.

  “Yes, you. He’s going to be your partner, in a sense, so who better to train him than you?” he asks, though I know he’s not really looking for a response. “Plus, you’ve proven your dedication and efficiency. Your paperwork is always on time and in order, your stops and call responses are by the book, and your commitment to keeping the streets safe doesn’t go unno
ticed.”

  Before I can even stop the words from falling from my lips, I say, “And this has nothing to do with my…family?”

  Ahhh, yes, the elephant in the room.

  My lieutenant just stares at me from across the desk. I swear you would hear a pin drop, if it weren’t for Kelly Clarkson singing about having a silent night. It’s no secret that my family has deep ties to the force. My own father is a captain, but also serves as deputy chief. You’ll even find one of my uncles on the force too. In fact, back in the day, they were partners. That’s before budgets were crunched tight and they always had two officers in each car. Now, you still have a partner that you back up, but you’re in separate cars, patrolling town.

  Finally, he speaks. “This has nothing to do with your family, Jackson. This has everything to do with your abilities, and we feel you’re more than capable to train our new officer. Yes, you may be only twenty-five, but you have more experience around this force than half the officers. More brains too, but if you repeat that, I’ll deny it and demote you,” he says, his eyes conveying the seriousness of the matter.

  “Yes, sir,” I reply, automatically, though silently preening from the compliment.

  “Anyway, Ramsey starts tomorrow at six. He’ll be your shadow for the next two weeks. Do you have any questions?” he asks, reaching for his pen as if ready to dismiss me.

  “No, sir,” I reply, getting ready to exit.

  Before I do, however, there’s a knock on the door. When I turn around, I come face-to-face with the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen. Dark hair, just long enough to run your fingers through, and the most intoxicating pair of hazel eyes I’ve ever seen. His tanned face is covered in a well-trimmed, short beard, and his lips are full and totally kissable. He stands several inches taller than me, probably about six foot, if I had to guess. His shoulders are broad, but not in that bulky bodybuilder way, and his navy blue REPD long-sleeved T-shirt fits perfectly in all the right places.

  And I’m just now realizing that I’m staring…

  “Jackson, meet Ramsey, your new partner.”

  My totally hot new partner steps forward, a smile on his face. Perfectly straight, white teeth too. He extends his hand toward me, his eyes never wavering from mine. “Nice to meet you,” he says in a deep, southern drawl that makes my comfortable white cotton panties (the only thing to wear with a uniform like this) completely useless.

  “Likewise,” I mumble, my tongue suddenly heavy and dry.

  “Anyway, Ramsey is about to meet with the clerk to finalize the rest of his paperwork. He’ll join you in the pit tomorrow at six,” our Lieutenant states, signing the rest of the papers in front of him and closing the folder.

  “Thank you,” I say before turning my attention toward my new (really, really hot) partner. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “I look forward to it,” he replies before tossing a quick goodbye to the man behind the desk and turning to exit the small office.

  My eyes watch him go until they no longer see him. His ass? Oh, it’s just as amazing as his front.

  “Is there a problem?” I hear over my shoulder, startling me from my voyeurism.

  “No, sir, of course not. I look forward to working with Ramsey,” I reply without even turning around because I know my face is flushed and there’s no way it would go unnoticed.

  My lieutenant sighs as I reach the door, finally pulling my attention back his way. He looks a little tired as he rubs the back of his neck. “This is going to be a problem,” he mumbles, leaning back and tossing his booted feet on top of the desk.

  “Problem? It won’t,” I start, but am cut off with the raise of his hand.

  “I know you’re professional, I’m not saying that.”

  “Then what are you saying?”

  Again, he sighs and closes his eyes. I can tell he has something to say, and I stand there, my shoulders back, as I wait for his reply. “Never mind. Forget I said anything.”

  I nod once and wait. Even at a younger age, I’m more than capable to train a new officer. I know it. My lieutenant is right, I’ve grown up in this force. It’s in my blood. Between my father and my uncle, and the fact that I’ve wanted to be a police officer since I was about ten years old, I know that I can do this job, and do it well.

  I guess I just wasn’t expecting the new guy to melt the panties right off my body. Merry Christmas to me, huh? Apparently I was a very good girl this year.

  “Thank you for the vote of confidence. I won’t let you down,” I state before turning and heading back to the doorway.

  “Bean.” The nickname from my childhood stops me in my tracks and brings a smile to my face. “You could never let me down.” His words are quiet and dripping with love.

  Glancing back over my shoulder, I grin at the man I’ve known my entire life, one who’s been by my side and supported me through my career choice. “Thanks, Uncle Jake.”

  Chapter Two

  Becker

  Well, that was a pleasant surprise.

  As I make my way from the small office where Lieutenant Stevens was, I can’t stop the smile on my face as I picture my new training partner. She’s a huge change from the forty-five-year-old male I had been stuck with in Durant, Oklahoma.

  Officer Jackson.

  Yes, a welcomed change indeed.

  A looker with long, blonde hair and big blue eyes, Jackson stands several inches shorter than me and wears a take-no-shit attitude like a faithful, worn T-shirt. But I also saw the way she looked at me. Her mask slipped, if even for just a few seconds.

  Jackson. My new captain’s last name is Jackson, and I can’t help but wonder if they’re related. It’s not uncommon to work with family on small-town forces. I’ve seen it before, heard all the stories. It’s one of the things that attracted me to Rivers Edge—that small town, Mayberry vibe. Well, that and the fact that my sister is here. After the shit that went down in Durant, a slower, easier pace in Small Town U.S.A. is a welcome reprieve.

  Especially if I get to ride alongside Officer Jackson.

  This move is definitely looking up already.

  After filling out the final packet of paperwork and verifying everything with the State of Missouri certifying board, I meet with the Chief to get my new badge, keys, and ID and head toward the exit. It feels good to carry the shield again, even though it’s only been a handful of months. When I quit the force in Durant, I wasn’t sure if I’d want to be an officer again. But when I got to Rivers Edge a little over a month ago, after my sister and I talked about what it meant to me and why I left, it made me realize that being a cop is a part of me. It’s who I am. I’ve wanted it since I was a young boy, trying to arrest my sister and all her dolls in the backyard.

  As I make my way down the front stairs, the December chill seeping through my jacket, my attention is drawn to an approaching man. “Becker Ramsey.”

  I glance up and face the man who interviewed me a few weeks ago. “Good to see you again, Captain Jackson,” I reply, reaching my hand forward and taking his. His grip is firm and strong, just as it was the first time I met him.

  “I take it everything is in order?” my superior asks, nodding toward the badge I’ve already secured to my belt. Old habits and all that shit…

  “All set, sir. All of my previous training records are complete, showing I’ve finished the same amount of training and education in Oklahoma as is required in Missouri. The Board sent their approval letter, and I’ve completed the online course. I’ll be here by six tomorrow evening,” I tell him, my mind conjuring up another image of my sexy new partner. The way her shapeless uniform molded to her curves, well, it’s something I won’t forget any time soon. His dark brown eyes narrow just a bit, as if he’s reading my mind. I clear my throat and push aside the mental picture of Officer Jackson. “I’m looking forward to starting this new phase.”

  He watches me for a flash of a second before nodding his head once. “Good. We’re happy to have you as part of the team. The overni
ght group is a good bunch of officers,” he offers. “You should get along with them just fine.”

  “I’m anxious to get started, sir.”

  “And you’re being trained by Officer Jackson,” he starts, but leaves the door wide open. I take the opportunity to kick it open the rest of the way.

  “So… Jackson. Any relation?” I ask casually, trying to figure out what to do with my hands. Why does this man make me so nervous?

  “Yes.” That’s all he gives me. His dark eyes bore into me in a way that brings on a sudden wave of discomfort. I’m usually a pretty calm, levelheaded man, but the way my captain looks at me makes me feel exposed and slightly out of my element.

  I nod once, realizing he’s not going to tell me any more than that one word. “Well, I will let you get to work. It’s an honor to join the department, sir.”

  “Your record speaks volumes for the type of officer you are. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that your superior in Durant gave you a raving recommendation. We’re happy you chose Rivers Edge,” he adds before turning and heading toward the front door, not waiting for my reply.

  With a smile on my face, I head toward my 1969 Chevy Camaro SS. This baby puts out six-hundred-thirty horsepower of raw power. Despite being fifty years old, I’ve put all of my time and money into restoring her from the old barn I found her in to the sweet purring tiger she is today. This car is pure sex on wheels, and I love nothing more than stretching her legs on the open road. Even the prospect of icy, snowy roads won’t keep me from driving my girl every day.

  Firing up the engine, I back out of the parking spot and head toward my sister’s place. She’s in a small apartment complex at the edge of town. Brittany was ecstatic when I called her up a month ago and asked to sleep on her couch. I had no clue where I was going, but I knew I couldn’t stay in Oklahoma. The shit with my old partner took more than just my love for the job. It took my home too.