To Protect & Serve (31 page)

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As she drove to Malone’s Steakhouse, Keri’s mind reeled from earlier thoughts and conjured up more. She wondered what it would be like to make love to Alex without worrying that it could be their last time. What would a life with this complex woman be like? She imagined every aspect of their lives together: where they’d live, where they’d work, their friends and family. All the things other couples took for granted, Keri prayed for with Alex. And she knew in her heart that someday it would happen. As soon as Alex accepted the fact that she loved her.

After she parked, Keri sat in front of the restaurant and watched some of the team members go inside. She was so nervous. Everybody would be talking about the case, their case. She could handle this, no problem. She knew what the problem was, though—seeing Alex again and not knowing if her feelings, the feelings they never discussed, were the same. Her insides quivered.

“Well, are you coming in or what?” Beth’s tap on the car window startled Keri. “Someone told me you were sitting out here. What’s up?”

“Just thinking…and feeling a little sad that it’s all over.” Keri mustered all her courage and exited the Jeep.

“God, you look hot, I just might keep you all to myself,” Beth teased. “You’re asking for it in that getup. Black and red is so sexy. Is it for anyone special?” An immediate rush of adrenaline made Keri’s pulse leap. She couldn’t be sure if it was from Beth’s obvious appreciation of her outfit or wondering how Alex would respond.

When they entered the restaurant, all the team members were present except Alex. Three vacant seats awaited them at one end of a long table in the private dining room. Beth deviated from her norm and took the seat at the head. She motioned Keri to sit on her left. The table decorations were a cowboy motif, the team’s idea of paying homage to Keri.

As she joined the group they immediately wanted details about the case. This was the first time they’d all been together since the arrests, and they were anxious to hear her account of the incident. Each time she recounted the story her whole career was validated again. Even Internal Affairs had rubber-stamped her shooting of Cappy and cleared her for active duty in record time.

After a while, the discussion turned to the absence of Lieutenant Troy, an unusual development, everyone agreed. The dinner had been her idea and she was footing the bill. Surely she wouldn’t stand them up.

The hovering waitresses had already refilled everyone’s drinks twice when the door opened and Alex walked in. She wore tapered black pants that caressed her firm buttocks and thighs and a crisp white cotton shirt. The slight trace of gray highlights, mixed with the basic amber of her neatly trimmed hair, made Keri draw a long, shaky breath. She loved that distinguished look. What a striking woman and how comfortably she entered the space, even an hour late. She possessed a powerful sexuality that was palpable from across the room, and Keri was drawn to it. Without realizing it, she stood, staring, and their eyes locked. Neither of them looked away. It was almost as if an arc of electrical current sparked between them.

Alex was not prepared for Keri’s breathtaking appearance. She had seen her half-naked in a bikini and completely nude in bed, but nothing had equipped her for this sight. Keri’s tailored black silk pants clung to places Alex longed to explore. A red Lycra shell cupped her small, firm breasts, revealing the absence of—or necessity for—other support. Brown wavy hair hung loosely around her shoulders, highlighting her olive complexion and startlingly blue eyes. What made her even more seductive was the fact that she had no idea about her natural appeal. Such understated beauty demanded attention.

Eyes followed Keri’s movements wherever she went, but she was oblivious to it. Alex’s desire rose as she headed to the vacant seat opposite Keri.
I have to hold it together through dinner…at least.
“Good evening, folks. I’m so sorry for being late. I had to make a stop at the lab on my way.” Alex waved several papers in the air as she took her seat.

The team waited with practiced patience, except Beth. “Let’s have it, Lieu. What’s in there, a nice fat, juicy bonus for everybody?” Cheers sounded as the officers expressed their agreement.

“You wish.” Alex unfolded the papers as she spoke. “These are the lab results from the homicide investigations of Tiffany Brown and the other college students. I haven’t even seen them myself.”

The room grew suddenly quiet as Alex relayed the information to her team. “The weapon used by Freddy Capanelli to shoot his girlfriend two years ago is the same weapon used to kill Tiffany.” Applause, fist pumping, and high fives accompanied the announcement. “There’s more. The blood found on the sofa in Davis’s warehouse, the same warehouse where we made our drug buy, matches the victim’s.”

Steve Alston stood and held his drink in the air. “I propose a toast. Now that is what I’d call a kick-ass investigation. We went after a doper and came up with a murderer.” Glasses clanked together in celebration.

Alex added the final details. “When the homicide guys picked up Fletch and threatened him with murder charges, he sang like the proverbial bird. He admitted that he told Cappy and Hunk to take Tiffany to the warehouse. The three of them went back later and worked her over to see if she’d told us anything. She didn’t tell them about her statement, guys. Then Cappy went back later to finish the job. The ‘brains’ of the outfit, Dolph, was the one who paid a street dealer to poison Tiffany at the community watch meeting where Stacey Chambers died, and the dope we recovered has the same characteristics as the drugs the college students overdosed on. The DA’s office has agreed to bring multiple murder charges against all of them. Our boy Sonny and his whole gang are goners. Big-time.”

Alex had one last comment before she could relax and enjoy the evening. She stood and tapped a fork against her water glass. “Guys, just one more thing, if I may.” The room once again quieted. “I want to thank each of you for the outstanding job you did on this case. You have proven that officers from different agencies can work together. It took all of you to make this investigation so successful. If the opportunity presented itself, I’d choose each of you again. I’m proud of you and wish you all the best as you go to your next assignments.” Alex felt pride start to swell in her throat and finished quickly. “That’s all I have. Thank you.”

The officers applauded and cheered as Alex sat down. Then Beth rose at the head of the table. “Wait just a minute. That’s not all.” She held her glass in the air. “I propose a toast to the next captain of the Granville Police Department, Alex Troy.”

Each officer toasted her promotion and filed by to shake Alex’s hand. Keri was the last in line. When their hands came together, Alex held firmly and lowered her voice. “This would not have been possible without you. What you did, all of it from day one. Bringing Chad into play, your creativity and fast thinking. You made it happen. I’m very proud of you, Officer Morgan.”

Keri blushed and joked, “And what about my dancing skills? Admit it. I made you look good.”

Alex was grateful for the levity. “That you did, Officer Morgan. That you did.”

When she took her seat, she did so with a huge sigh of relief. The assignment was finally over. At least for now, Keri no longer worked for her.

Keri’s pulse quickened as Alex smiled across the table at her. It was that same magnetic smile with something extra. Alex’s eyes were soft and hungry and swept over Keri like a lover’s touch. She felt it in her depths. When the tip of Alex’s tongue slowly rimmed her lips, Keri gripped the napkin in her lap and pressed it into her tightening pelvis. She was oblivious to the other officers eating and talking around her.

Alex’s meal sat before her untouched. The hunger clawing inside her could not be satisfied with food. She slipped her foot out of her right shoe and raised her bare foot to the seat across from her.
I can’t believe I’m doing this—in public, no less.
Keri’s eyes widened as Alex’s toes teased their way up. She felt the heat between Keri’s legs and pressed the sole of her foot into her crotch. A bullet of raw sensation shot up Alex’s thigh and into her already pounding clit. The blue of Keri’s eyes grew hazy with need.
God, I want to
see those eyes when you come for me again
.

“You haven’t touched your food. Is something wrong?” Alex asked.

“I guess I’m too excited,” Keri answered truthfully. Alex’s foot against her already swollen clitoris was more than she could bear. Food was definitely the last thing on her mind.
How does she so completely unravel me with just one touch?

“I know the feeling.” Mischief played across Alex’s face. She looked up as Beth tapped her shoulder.

“Get a room,” came a soft suggestion meant for Alex’s ears only, but Keri heard as well.

“That’s an excellent idea.” Alex glanced around, hoping no one was paying attention. To her relief, the other officers seemed oblivious to the conversation at her end of the table.

While the officers finished their dessert and talked among themselves, she went to each and thanked them for their work and dedication during the investigation. She vowed to send letters of commendation to their agencies, along with a summary of the operation. When she got to Keri, she knelt on one knee, as she’d done with the other officers, and leaned into her body space. Her arm slid along the back of Keri’s chair and she could feel her lover’s heat rising.

“You, my lead detective, were amazing. Have no doubt that you will receive the highest commendation I can substantiate. You have every reason to be proud of yourself.”

Keri’s generous mouth blossomed into a wide smile. “Thank you.” Her thoughts weren’t on the case. Alex was too close, her fragrance too strong, her presence too compelling. The hard pain between her legs grew with every breath. She thought her insides would explode from want.

Alex leaned in closer and whispered, “Follow me home.”

Keri’s eyes sparkled as she struggled to swallow. When words would not come, she simply nodded.

Alex felt her body might betray her right there, on one knee in front of Keri. She wanted so desperately to claim her mouth, to announce her feelings. Instead she said, “Good. Give me a few minutes to wrap up and I’ll meet you outside.”

She talked with Beth a few more minutes, then addressed the group for the final time. “Folks, I hate to leave, but I’ve got lots of paperwork to finish if you’re all to get your commendations. Please stay as long as you like. You have an open tab at the bar.” With that, she headed toward the exit.

Keri watched Alex go and wanted to run after her. How long would she wait?
Trying to appear nonchalant, she walked around the table talking and joking with the officers for what seemed an eternity.
I can’t bear this any longer.
“Guys, I’m afraid I have to go.”

It took every ounce of her patience not to bolt for the door as she accepted handshakes and pats on the back. The ache between her legs grew with each step toward the parking lot until a full-blown hunger gripped her.

Alex stood near their vehicles. She started toward Keri, then stopped just out of reach.

“I want you so much.” Keri reached for her.

“Don’t.” Alex held up her hand. “If you touch me right now, I’ll take you where you stand. Let’s get out of here.”

They practically ran to their respective vehicles and began what seemed an interminable drive to Alex’s house, only two miles away.

Alex unlocked her front door, pushed it open with her foot, and pulled Keri into her arms, surrounding her in a full-body hug. “I thought we’d never get here.”

“Is this really happening?” Keri pressed her tender pelvis against Alex’s and felt her respond in kind. The contact created such excruciating pleasure it forced a long, gushing breath from Keri’s body. “Please make love to me. I can’t wait anymore.”

Alex cupped Keri’s chin and brought their lips together in a delicate kiss. As the softness turned demanding and grew like a fever between them, she led Keri into the bedroom and lowered her onto the down comforter.

Moonlight filtered through the trees outside and cast a flickering, candlelike glow across Keri’s body. Alex stood over her and admired the devastating natural beauty of this woman, who lay ready to give herself over to desire. She prayed for the ability to give Keri what she needed. This time Alex wanted to show her how she felt, not just feast like a hungry animal.

Stretching her body along Keri’s side, she stroked her face as she looked into her lust-hooded eyes. She understood that look, the consuming passion to move beyond the anticipation of love to its physical consummation. “You are so beautiful.” Her lips met Keri’s with the hunger of a woman starved. As her hands slid under the thin red top and teased a puckered nipple, her own breasts and pelvis throbbed.

Keri arched her body. “Please touch me. I ache for you.”

Alex peeled Keri’s top over her head and slowly unzipped the form-fitting silk pants, pushing them aside to allow her trembling fingers to enter. Her mouth captured a breast and tongued it as her hand slid down Keri’s taut stomach into the slick moisture between her legs.

“Oh, my God,” Keri breathed. Alex’s fingers felt laced with fire as they separated the wet folds of flesh and massaged her engorged clit. “Oh, yes…that’s it…” Her entire body shook with sensations beyond all she’d experienced before.

Her appreciative moans inflamed Alex even more. They were the sounds of uncensored vulnerability, totally raw and primal. Alex absorbed them like the elixir of life itself.
You are so perfect.
She draped her leg over Keri’s and allowed her painful, soaked crotch only the lightest contact. Sparks released another flood and she tilted her pelvis backward. She was so hot. One easy stroke would send her over the edge and she didn’t want to come that way, not this time.