Opposing Forces (14 page)

“I’m surprised by my mother.  She always seemed so stoic, nothing ever bothered her.  It’s like she’s woken up from a long sleep and suddenly wants to go off and experience life.” He sounded totally confused by the idea.

“It happens more often than you think in politics.  The wife stands by the husband dutifully for so long and one day wakes up to realise she had given up everything for him and he has given her nothing in return.”

“But I just can’t understand what she hopes to get from this new life,” Steffen sighed.

Maisie squeezed his hand sympathetically.  “I have a pretty good idea but I’m not about to discuss your parents with you as I have never met them.”  His mother obviously wanted some warmth in her life, a passionate relationship perhaps, to maybe feel like a woman again instead of an iceberg.  But that was not a conversation she was prepared to have with Steffen.  He would need to discover that for himself.

“Tell me about your sister?” she steered the conversation down a slightly different avenue.

“Sabina is talkative, impetuous and highly irritating,” he grunted.  Maisie could not miss the affection in his eyes as he talked about her.

“Three highly commendable qualities,” Maisie grinned.  “She sounds just like me.  Is she dark like you or blonde?”

“Dark brown hair and eyes. And decidedly prettier than me,” the corners of his mouth twitched. 

“How long is she staying?”

“It’s a semi-permanent move. She’s enrolled at the University.”

“I’m sure the novelty will wear off.  She’s probably got a vision of lots of handsome officers traipsing through your house, without realizing that none of them would ever be crazy enough to ask out the Chief’s sister.  She’ll soon realise it’s a bit like being a diabetic in a sweet shop; you can look but you can’t touch.”

“I hadn’t thought of that.  Poor girl.”

She cleared away the plates and stuck them in the dishwasher.   “On a more serious note, I know you don’t do the whole emotion thing, but she might need someone to talk to.   She still lives at home so the break up will probably hit her hardest.”

Steffen’s grey eyes rested on her.  She was so kind hearted. And so very desirable. He slipped his arms around her and pulled her to him.

“Thank you for dinner, Maisie. It was delicious.”  He kissed her softly.  “Now I do believe you were going to use and abuse my body further.”

She felt her knees starting to go weak again.  “Only if you’re up to it,” she taunted playfully.

He swept her up, just the thought had made him hard as a rock already. “Grab the wine, I think I’m going to need it.”  He carried her back to her bedroom and deposited her on the bed.  Maisie took a good slug of wine before losing herself totally in sheer pleasure.  Steffen was gentle and so very intense, making sure they got the maximum out of each and every movement.  It was nothing short of heaven.

A few hours later she heard him moving softly around the bedroom, retrieving various articles of clothing that had been strewn about the place.  She pretended to be asleep, she did not want any awkwardness between them, any false promises to be made.  She wanted to keep the evening as perfect as it had been.

He leant over the bed and dropped a feather-light kiss on her cheek.  “I have to go, Maisie.”

She gave a sleepy smile, “Goodbye, Steffen.” She stretched and fell back to sleep.

He took one look back at her from the door.  How he wanted to rush back into bed with her, kiss those soft exposed shoulders, brush that golden mane from her face. But he knew that could not happen. 

He did not have to wait long outside for Sam to appear with the car.  Sam was very discreet and never asked questions.  He would have preferred to walk home, but in full uniform, in the middle of the night, would only be asking for trouble.

Heading straight to the kitchen, Steffen make himself a strong cup of coffee and sat at the kitchen table with his head in his hands, trying to comprehend what had happened.  He had spent the evening with an amazing woman having the most incredible sex. A woman who was not only in his protective care, but also had one hell of a law suit pending against the department.  He rubbed the sides of his temples.  History was littered with high ranking political figures who had thrown their careers away because of a woman; he always thought them weak-minded fools until tonight.  Had he not just potentially done that?  And worse, if he could replay events, he would do it again. 

She was like an addiction, he wanted more.  She was soft and sweet, so lovely.  He gave his head a shake.  It all started out of jealousy; jealousy that if he did not stay with her, another man would.  And not just any man, one of his fellow officers. That was not something he could allow.

He knew that what had happened would remain between just them.  Maisie was not the kind of woman who would talk about it to anyone.  But he was just so angry at himself for letting her get under his skin, for letting emotion rule him.  Emotion which he was apparently not so devoid of.

“You’re late home,” Sabina yawned, sliding into the kitchen.  She pretended not to notice the rather dishevelled state of her brother.  “Working late?” she slurped his coffee.

“Something like that,” was his stony response.  He was not in the mood to talk.  He was far too worried he might let something slip until his icy facade was restored. Draining what was left of his coffee, he looked across at his sister’s cute face and something struck him. Something Maisie had said.  “How about we go out for dinner tomorrow night, just you and I?”

Sabina’s face lit up.  “Really?”

Steffen nodded in response.

“And I can choose where we go?”

“Within reason.”

She flung her arms around her brother, kissing his cheek fondly.  “You are the nicest brother a girl could have.”

He smiled and headed off to bed.  Sabina was also grinning.  She had picked up the distinct waft of rose from her brother.  That could only have come from one person. Mum was definitely on the right track.

Maisie was doing her best to examine the contracts for an event she was hosting in Paris, but her mind kept wandering.  She had had little sleep.  Steffen had left her feeling very mixed up.  He seemed to exert a power that made her act even more rashly than usual.  For Christ’s sake, she has seduced the Chief of Police.  She gave up trying to read the small print and tossed the contracts to one side. 

She needed coffee so wandered over to the staff room and poured herself a large cup.  When she got back to her office, a stunning bouquet was sitting on her desk.  It was a mix of peonies, roses and alyssum.  It looked like it had come from an English garden.  She pulled the card out, which was simply signed
Steffen
.  How bloody like him, she shook her head.  Not ‘last night was fabulous’ or ‘thanks for a great night’.  Just one word.  He was so damn irritating.

She knew she could not call him; until her law suit was settled there could be no further relationship between them.  It could cost him his career if anyone found out. She could not do that to him, she had too much respect. 

Every now and then she got a blast of the heady scent from the flowers, it reminded her of just how amazing that night had been.  She smacked her head against the desk a couple of time.  She had finally had met someone she wanted to be with, but like star-crossed lovers, that could never happen.  Life was so cruel.

Maisie sauntered out onto the balcony to watch the square slowly come to life on Saturday morning.  It was late autumn and there was a distinct nip in the air.  She heard her name being called and looked over to the neighbouring building.

“Hi, Sabina.  I guess you took the apartment.”

“Yes, it’s lovely. But nothing the size of yours.”

“You settling in OK?”

“Yes.  Do you have time for a coffee and some interrogation on sculpture?”

“Sure, why don’t you come over?”

Sabina was over there in a flash. She really did need some help with her studies, but she was also eager to see the apartment that her brother’s goons had trashed. 

“Wow, it is stunning,” Sabina gushed as she looked around. 

“Yeah, I’m rather fond of it.” Maisie headed into the kitchen.  “How do you take your coffee?”

“Just with milk, please.” Sabina continued to cast her eyes around the apartment to see if she could find any sign of her brother.  It wasn’t difficult to see that Maisie had specialised in fine art. Although there were no Monets hanging on the wall, Sabina could tell from the décor that Maisie had exquisite taste.

“I never asked where you’re from, Sabina?”

“Zurich.”

“Are your parents missing you?”

Sabina shrugged. “I very much doubt it. They’re divorcing.  My mother is too wrapped up in starting a new life and my father, well he never really acknowledged my presence anyway.”

“If it’s any consolation, I think it took my mother a year to realise I had actually left home.”

Sabina giggled.  “Is your mother Swiss by any chance?”

“Yes, she is. Is your brother keeping an eye on you?”

“From a distance, I think.  He can be rather an icy character.”

“Sounds very much like someone I know,” Maisie winced.  A thought crossed her mind; same name, same city, divorcing parents, and ice cold brother.  Could she be Steffen’s sister?  “Now, what were you stuck on?”

“Sculpture.  I just can’t seem to get my head around it.”

“Sculptures should not just be seen, they need to be touched.  When you look at, for example, a Michelangelo sculpture, think how it would feel to touch. Shut your eyes and imagine running your hands over it.  Almost as though you were running your hands over a really fit man.  You will soon start to appreciate it more than just a lump of marble.”

“And what about bronzes?”

Maisie grinned.  “I think I’d better dust off some of my books from Uni.”

The next few hours seemed to disappear in a haze of books and discussion.  Maisie had not talked about fine art in such detail since she had left Laverge’s auction house.  She was really enjoying herself. 

The front door buzzer made her jump, it was Philippe.  She let him in and was pleased to see the look on his face when he saw Sabina. 

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you.” Philippe could not take his eyes off Sabina.

Sabina looked really flustered.  “I’ve taken too much of your time already, Maisie. I should go.”

“Nonsense, stay.  Philippe, this is Sabina...sorry, I don’t actually know your surname.”

“It’s Laroque,” Philippe answered for her.  “We’ve quite literally run into each other a few times.”

Definitely not Steffen’s sister, Maisie sighed to herself. “Have you got time for a drink, Philippe?”

“I’m on my way into work.  I actually stopped by to see if you wanted to join a group of us heading out for a final ride tomorrow, before the snow sets in. It’s sort of a ride mixed in with party picnic.”

“I would love to,” Maisie groaned, “but my body is still rather sore after the accident.  I worry that if I came off, I could really do some damage. Do you ride, Sabina?”

“Yes.”

“Well then, Philippe, why don’t you invite Sabina? She’s new in town and could do with getting to know some locals.”

Sabina turned bright red.  “I really couldn’t impose…”

“Would you come?” Philippe asked her.

“Only if you’re really sure you want me to?” Colour continued to flood into her cheeks.

“I’d like that,” he smiled bashfully.  “I’ll pick you up tomorrow at 10am. Where do you live?”

“The building next door, top floor.”  Maisie was feeling good. It looked like her match-making might actually work.

“Maisie, you shouldn’t have done that,” Sabina was mortified. “The poor guy felt he had no choice but to invite me when he clearly wanted you to go.”

“On the contrary, I saw the way you two looked at each other at Le Lapin Vert the other week. And when Philippe walked in here, he could barely take his eyes off you. I could have been standing here naked and he wouldn’t have noticed.”

“But don’t you like him?”

“He’s very cute and we did have a couple of dates, but that is as far as it went.”

“Why, is something wrong with him?”

“He does have a fondness for ladies clothes at the weekend,” she teased.

Sabina’s jaw dropped open.  “Really?”

“No,” Maisie laughed. “I met someone else who, let’s just say, surprised me.”

Sabina saw the faint tinge to Maisie’s cheeks.  She had a fair idea she was talking about Steffen.  She gathered up her books and papers.  “It seems then I have to thank you for both your advice and a date.”

“Let me know how it goes.” 

Sabina went back to her apartment in a bit of a daze.  She had a date with Philippe. Now she needed to rush out and buy some jodhpurs and riding boots.  All hers were back in Zurich.

Sabina waited very nervously for Philippe.  She wasn’t sure what to wear.  If she were back home riding with her friends, it would be jodhpurs, boots and helmet. But she’d feel stupid getting dressed up if Philippe showed up in just jeans.

She decided to go for the jeans option, and if she needed to change before they left, she would. She checked her reflection in the mirror several times.  Hair neatly controlled in a French plait, minimal make-up and just a hint of lip gloss.  The buzzer for the front door rang.  “Come on up,” she instructed Philippe. “Top floor.”

She ran around the apartment making sure there was nothing to link her to a Grundberg else Philippe would run a mile.  No police officer in their right mind would think about dating the Chief’s sister.  She let Philippe into her apartment, her heart was beating way too quickly. He was dressed in jeans so she had made the right choice.

“Look, I got the feeling Maisie coerced you into this.  I really won’t be offended if you would rather go on your own.” She had to at least give him the option to back out if he wanted to.

He gave her a smile that almost made her knees buckle.  “Nothing would give me more pleasure than to go with you, Sabina.  I was hoping to run into you again.  Had I not received that call at Le Lapin Vert, I would have got you to agree to at least a drink. Now are you ready to go?”

“It might sound stupid, but do you guys ride with or without a helmet?”

“Without. But on my bike, it’s definitely with.”

“Do I need to bring anything?  You said it was like a picnic party?”

He shook his head.  “All taken care of.  You might want a warm coat as it can get quite cold on the bike.”

Sabina had never ridden on a motorbike before and really enjoyed it.  As she suspected he would, Philippe did keep to the speed limit.  They met his friends at the De Grasse stables in ValChamp, a beautiful little village up in the mountains.  Sabina’s nerves were put at ease right away; his friends were as laid back and relaxed as Philippe.

The horses were all saddled and waiting for them.  Philippe gave her a lift up into the saddle.  “Have you ridden much?” he asked.

Sabina gave him an apologetic smile.  “Since I was four.”

“I’m impressed.  Do you jump too?”

“Only when wearing a riding helmet and body protector.”

Philippe hauled himself up into the saddle.  “Are we all set?” he called to the group.  There were loud cheers and they were off.  They walked for a few minutes down a country lane until they came to a path leading towards the woods. The gentle trot turned into an easy canter.  Sabina had forgotten how liberating it felt.

“Where are we headed?” she asked as she pulled alongside Philippe. 

“At the top of the hill there is a clearing with a barbecue pit and tables.  It’s the perfect location to kick back for a few hours.”

“What about the horses?”

“We just let them roam free.”

“You’re kidding?” she sounded horrified. “What if they get spooked and run off.”

Philippe laughed. “Yes I am.  There is a small enclosure up there where they can run free.”

It took them the best part of an hour to reach the top.  The picnic area was stunning, surrounded by pine trees and even had its own small lake.  Sabina imagined in summer time this spot would be idyllic. Even in late October it was still lovely. They all dismounted and removed the saddles and bridles from the horses, before letting them loose in the enclosure. 

A few minutes later a car pulled into the clearing.  “Supplies are here,” Philippe’s friend Ryan shouted and everyone scrambled to unload the food.

The barbecue was started, drinks handed around and a warming fire lit. 

“So how do you know Philippe?” his friend James asked.

“I’ve ran into him a few times, but it was a mutual friend of ours, Maisie Carrington who introduced us.”

“I know Maisie. I treated her after a car crash the other week. She’s a lot of fun.”

“Yeah, she’s really nice.  I live in the building next to her.  She said she was still a bit sore from the accident.”

“Poor woman, I had to release her into the capable hands of the Police Chief.  She did not look too happy and neither did he.  Now there are two people who are two poles apart.”

Sabina laughed.  “He can be a little frosty, from what I’ve heard.”  That was the night Steffen had come home in the early hours, very dishevelled.  Seems her whiter than white brother had been a little unethical and slept with the woman in his care. But it appeared since that night, neither party was willing to make a move.

Philippe sat down beside her.  “So what made you move down from Zurich?”

“I wanted to escape Zurich and as you have a first class university here, it seemed like the logical move. My mother’s divorcing my father as well and moving back to Lucerne, so the timing was perfect.”

“And you’re studying fine art like Maisie did?”

“Yes.  Having an expert on my doorstep certainly helps.  I never did ask how you know Maisie?” 

Philippe cast his eyes down and grinned a little sheepishly.  “Did you hear about a bust earlier this year that went rather wrong, and ended up with half the Raiders team in custody?”

“Yes, I vaguely remember something about it.  It was a costume party.  Yes, of course, it was Maisie’s place that got wrecked.  Were you one of the officers?”

“I was the officer that got mistaken for a party guest by Maisie.”

Sabina beamed.  “You’re quite notorious then.”  And no doubt not in favour with her dear brother.