Stuck On You Read Free

prove that house arrest would be good for Rose Lake in many ways.
    She would only need to have minimal contact with Mack, and if he violated the terms of his release–bang–she'd surrender him. That's all.
    Kate tried not to imagine what would happen to him if he were returned to jail. There would be more attempts on his life. Then an inner voice reminded her that it was his responsibility to abide by the terms of her program. If he failed, it would be his fault, not hers.
    They both waited for her answer.
    Mack stared down at her. "How about it, Kate?"
    Her skin prickled under his scrutiny, and her heart pounded so loudly Kate was sure they could hear it over in the next courtroom.
    "Won't the District Attorney object?" she asked.
    "I'll handle the DA," said the judge.
    She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She remembered how kind Mack was to her in high school when he’d found her sobbing by Rose Lake.
    In her distressed frame of mind, she'd told Mack that she was so tired of moving from place-to-place that she prayed she could stay in Rose Lake forever.
    "I got my wish after my father died," she had blurted to him, wracked with guilt.
    But Mack comforted her and tried to show her that it wasn't her fault. Then he paved the way for her to be accepted by her classmates. Thanks to him, she’d had a wonderful senior year.
    She also remembered when she was first hired as a probation officer and Mack was her firearms instructor. It was only because of his extra efforts that she qualified to carry a gun. If she hadn’t qualified on the range, she would have been let go.
    She owed him.
    "Kate?" Mack pressed.
    She tried to put herself in his place. Mack was genuinely concerned and definitely worried about his partner. She would be, too, if the situation were reversed.
    "Okay. I'll drive you to the hospital." She gave herself a mental kick. He was on house arrest, not on a motor tour of the city. Why was she suddenly caving in despite all her positive affirmations?
    "Thanks, Kate, but one more thing."
    She shook her head in disbelief. “You sure have nerve."
    "Nerves of steel," he said. "That's why I'm a great undercover cop." He smiled the same disarming smile that had thawed out many a high school virgin. Or so she'd heard.
    He met her gaze. "I want to take a shower before you put that ankle thing on me."
    She stood. "No way. It's going on you before we walk out that door, and that's non-negotiable."
    "Have a heart. I need to clean up and shave."
    "The ankle monitor is waterproof. It'll survive your shower."
    Another look at Judge Nash confirmed that she was all alone on this one, too.
    "Look," she said, "this isn't some kind of deal where you can do what you want. Your home is your jail, hence the name of my business. Clever, huh? I already agreed to drive you to the hospital to see your partner, but I want you wearing the ankle bracelet."
    "I thought you said it works off the phone."
    "The voice verification does. However, with the ankle monitor, I can track you with another device."
    "A shower. Just one quick, hot, soapy shower. And a shave. Then I'm all yours."
    Her heart fluttered as the image of Mack lathering his hard body played in her mind. Correction, his hard naked body.
    Then I'm all yours.
    Her mouth suddenly went dry. Why did he still do this to her–make her still feel like a teenager with a crush? Casually, she walked over to the desk of the amused Pete Nash and poured herself a paper cupful of water from a pitcher on the corner of his desk.
    "Well?" Mack asked.
    His smile was giving her the start of an ulcer, but she was in charge here, and she was starting a program that she believed in.
    "I agreed to take you to the hospital, but before we leave this room the ankle bracelet is going on. That's my offer, take it or leave it."
    Mack shifted in the chair and his chains clinked together. "I'll take it, since I don't have a choice."
     "Are you ready to sign the conditions of your release now?" asked