by Izzy Gomez
"I'm almost there." She tilted her head to the side and laid it against Greg's shoulder. Just one more minute. Then she would deal with real life.
"We have court in ten minutes. Or did you forget?" Al’s voice softened to almost conversational.
Shit. "Don't wait for me. I'll meet you there." She completely forgot she had to testify today. She usually wore nicer clothes for court but her khakis would have to do.
"Want me to bring your jacket?" Al asked, voice now amused.
"Thanks." She always forgot to bring the blazer she kept in a desk drawer. Thank goodness for wrinkle-free fabric.
"Your boyfriend with you?"
"He's not my—" Her gaze dropped to where Greg's thumb brushed the underside of her breast. "Yeah, he's right here." She pulled his hand away from her and pushed her phone into it. "Al."
She pushed open the door and half fell out of the car. Greg helped steady her, then climbed out after her. They started for the exit, Greg listening to whatever Al was saying.
"OK. I'll meet you there." As they stepped out of the structure into the sunlight, he handed Amanda her phone.
They paused at the corner to wait for the light. "Someone matching Todd's description had breakfast at a restaurant called El Greco."
Hope and fear swirled through her stomach. "Did he order meat? Todd hasn't eaten meat since he was twelve. He has two creamers with his coffee. And I'll bet he ordered a chocolate milk, too. It's gotta be him. He loves Greek diners. We go to them all the time."
Greg looked at her like she was a little nuts.
"What? We observe details for a living. Why wouldn't I know what my brother has for breakfast? Especially since he's a creature of habit who hasn't changed since puberty." Except the whole killing people thing. That was new.
"I'll ask about the creamers and chocolate milk. And meat." Greg quirked one side of his mouth. "Anything else I should know?"
They reached the other side of the street and Amanda grabbed his hand. "Yeah. You should know I appreciate you taking care of me last night." She stood on tiptoe to kiss him. "I have to go to court."
"OK." Greg kissed her back. "You should know it was my pleasure. And I fully intend to take a raincheck on what you wanted back there." He nodded toward the parking structure.
"I expect nothing less."
"How about I fix you a gourmet dinner? Which, given my cooking skills, especially in comparison to yours, means takeout from somewhere nice." He leaned into her so his lips brushed hers with every word. His voice was low and husky. "And then we'll spend the whole night doing nothing but each other."
Amanda laughed. She couldn't help it. "That sounds wonderful. But you really can't pull off the talking dirty thing."
He grinned. "No? You don't think so?"
She shook her head, some of the heaviness lifting from her heart. He was amazing. And smiling with the sun shining in his eyes, he was downright mouth watering.
He traced his finger along her lower lip. "I think I did OK."
Well, wasn’t that sneaky. Her pulse shuddered. Before she could get too emotional, she squeezed his hand. "I gotta go."
"Tonight." Heat flashed in his eyes. "No dirty talking. Just dirty doing."
"Ma'am, please look at the pictures and tell me if any of them look familiar." Greg tried to mask his frustration, not letting the waitress see how much he wanted to scream at her. Diane had to be his mother's age but that didn't stop her from blatantly propositioning him. Four times.
He just wanted her to look at the photo line-up. Was that so much to ask?
"It'll cost you." She smiled at him across the booth, her teeth crooked and nicotine-stained. "One date."
He forced a regretful expression. "Sorry, Diane. I told you, I'm spoken for." Which would have been his response even if he hadn't spent an amazing night with Amanda in his arms.
Diane shook her head. "All the good ones." She held out her hand. "Fine. I'll help. But only because I'm such a dutiful citizen."
He pushed the binder toward her. "Take your time. Tell me if you recognize any of these men."
He waited while Diane squinted at the pictures, leaning in close.
"Do you wear glasses?"
Diane squinted up at him. She had heavy bags around them, but they were nice eyes. Warm brown and gentle. Like she'd been pretty, once upon a time.
"I should. My idiot son stepped on 'em and I ain't had the money to fix 'em yet. Why, you men in blue gonna buy me a new pair if I help you catch this guy?"
He chuckled. "Sorry. No reward on him."
"Should be. What he done to his family. That's not right."
He shouldn't be surprised she knew details. The Chief was livid the case was getting national attention. But Greg didn't read the paper or watch local news. Too often they portrayed the IMPD in a negative light. They called it investigative journalism but it was sensationalism. Designed to get ratings, not inform the public.
He understood those not-so-subtle differences. After all, he was the one who’d planned to be the next Bob Woodward.
He watched Diane flipping back and forth between two pictures. So much for muckraking. If he could find Todd and give Amanda closure, that would count for a lot.
Diane continued flipping between the pages. One picture was Todd, the other a guy arrested on a DUI. Both had similar hairstyles and glasses but the other guy's eyes were blue where Todd's were brown. Todd’s face was more angular.
Even though an eyewitness ID, especially a visually impaired one, wouldn't get them much they could take to the ADA, Greg couldn't stop himself from saying again, "Take your time. Look at them carefully." He wanted her to get it right.
Voegler stalked over, phone to his ear. "I need his order." He held his hand out to Diane.
Diane turned her squinty attention to the other man. "I already gave his receipt to that man." She pointed to a crime scene tech named Koepke.
"That had how much he paid." Voegler pulsed with impatience. Greg half expected him to start tapping his foot.
"I need to know what he ordered."
Diane's eyebrows rose as she nodded. "You want his ticket."
Voegler cocked an eyebrow and glared as she dug through her apron pocket. "Right. His ticket."
Greg barely managed not to laugh. Voegler seriously needed to lighten up. He had a reputation for taking every case too personally and this case went beyond personal. For all of them. But damn, the man was going to burst an artery.
Diane flipped backward through an order pad. "Here." She ripped off a sheet and handed it to Voegler.
Voegler turned his back and spoke into his phone. "OK, give it your best shot."
Who was he talking to? And what did it have to do with Todd’s order?
Why wouldn't I know what my brother has for breakfast?
Amanda was on the phone.
"Uh huh." Voegler nodded, staring toward the front of the restaurant. "OK."
Greg wanted to jump out of the booth and grab the phone from Voegler. Why was he involving her again? She didn't need another thing upsetting her.
"Yep," Voegler said.
"Anything?" Greg asked Diane.
"I think it's him." Diane pointed to the picture of Todd.
"Yeah, OK. Thanks." Voegler took the phone away from his ear. Amanda said something loud enough Greg could hear, then Voegler put the phone back to his ear. "What?"
"But it could be him." Diane flipped the book to the picture of the DUI.
Focus. Diane had given him a positive ID. He had to ignore Voegler's conversation. But he kinda wanted to deck the guy for pulling Amanda in.
Voegler shoved the phone at Greg. "Your girlfriend wants to talk to you."
"You do have a girlfriend. Here I thought you were being coy." Under the table, Diane ran her foot up Greg's calf.
A reflex, Greg swung his legs to the side as he took the phone. "Hey. What was that about?"
"I looked up their menu online and told Al what Todd would have ordered." Amanda sounded
tired. She’d still been testifying when Voegler left court at 1:00. Last time Greg checked a clock, it was after 4:00. They'd all had long days that weren’t ending anytime soon.
It would feel damn good to go home to her tonight.
"Did you get it right?" he asked.
"Al didn't say. But I'm sure I did."
"How do you feel about dinner being a little late and of the Greek diner variety?" They still had people to talk to. And he had at least one other thing to take care of back at work before quitting time. "And possibly needing reheating."
"You don't have to get dinner. We can do it another night. I know you guys still have things to wrap up. That's more important."
"It's not that it's more imp—"
"Greg. I get it. I'm a cop too. It is more important." Her tone said she did. Which was a nice change from other women he'd dated. "It's more important to me too."
"Promise you'll go to my house, not yours?" He wanted to ask her to promise to stay at work until he was done so she wouldn't be alone. But who knew how late he'd be?
"I promise."
He hated the idea of her being alone.
"I might stop by Gabby's for a bit first."
His shoulders relaxed. From the way Amanda described Gabby's fitness-fanatic dad, no one would touch Amanda when she was at their house.
"Sounds good." He tried not to sound too eager. But he hated the idea of her being alone. If Todd was bold enough to attack her in her own house in broad daylight, who knew what he'd do to her next time. It was a miracle she’d escaped relatively unharmed.
A chill ran over his skin. No point engaging in what-ifs. "I'll call you when I'm heading home. I can pick something up if you're still hungry."
"It's OK. Gabby's mom will feed me."
"I'll still call."
"Checking up on me?" A smile tinged her words.
He couldn't help smiling in return. "Yeah. Is that a problem?"
"I suppose not."
He wanted to say more, but not on the phone with Diane watching, as absorbed as if he were the latest reality TV star. He could feel Amanda's matching tension through the phone, hear what she left unsaid. But she was probably at her desk, and O'Donnell, Long and Southall weren't any better an audience than Diane.
So all Greg said was, "I'll see you tonight."
"It was him. Right?" The smile left her voice.
"You know we can't say for sure. But yeah, it was him."
"He was right there. Eating breakfast like nothing is wrong. And we—" She mumbled an impressive string of curses.
Greg's chest ached. His arms itched to hold her, offer her comfort, no matter how small or inadequate.
"We'll get him next time. We're canvassing the neighborhood. He's probably staying nearby." All of which she could guess.
"No. He's paid way more attention than I realized to what I've told him over the years. He’s staying nowhere near the diner. Which is exactly why he picked it." She sounded certain.
It was good insight. But was it accurate, or was she inventing theories because she was so emotionally invested?
"That's worth considering. But we'll still canvas."
Silence arced between them.
"Yeah," she finally said.
He couldn't tell if she was annoyed or resigned. Damn phones.
"Anyway. I'll call you when I leave Gabby's."
"OK." He should say something else. But what?
"You can say it, Detective." Diane poked his foot with hers. "Don't be shy on my account." She gave an exaggerated wink.
People actually winked like that?
"Bye," Amanda said at the same time Diane said, "Tell her you love her."
The phone beeped as the call disconnected. Greg just looked at Diane and Diane looked back.
"You can say I love you to your girlfriend in front of me. I won't be hurt." She grinned. "A little sad, maybe, but I'll get over it."
Not sure how to respond, he sat for a minute and stared at the blank screen. He wouldn't have considered following Diane's instructions. But that didn't mean she didn't have a point.
"Cole!"
Voegler stood at the front register with the store manager. He motioned for Greg to join them.
No time to think about Diane's insinuations right now. They had to catch a killer.
Chapter 27
Amanda asleep in his bed may have been the only thing capable of jerking Greg out of his mental funk. Fortunately, that exact scene greeted him when he walked into his bedroom. She’d left his bedside lamp on, allowing him to drink in the reassuring sight.
How the hell had it gotten to be after 11:00?
He quickly undressed, pausing to pet the fat cat–he couldn’t keep their names straight–who twined around his ankles. After Todd's appearance at her house, Greg insisted the cats stay with him too. He didn't want her going to take care of them again.
Even as exhausted as he was, his body tightened at the flash of Amanda's skin when he lifted the covers. She was naked from the waist up. Given their mutual exhaustion, he'd kept his boxer briefs on. But that didn't stop his mouth from watering thinking about what they could do if they weren't so tired.
He settled for curling himself around her, his chest to her back. She was warm and soft and fit perfectly against his body. His arm draped her waist, fingers brushing the smooth skin of her belly. Like him, she'd kept on her underpants.
Even through the two layers of cloth, her heat warmed his growing hard on. Damn, she felt good. It was going to be hard to fall asleep.
Hard. Haha.
On their own, his hips pressed forward, rubbing him against the curves of her ass. Hot damn, she had a nice ass. Pleasure flooded him.
Two plus two was four. Four plus four was eight. a² + b² = c²
The Colts were having a great season; they'd probably make the playoffs if—
Amanda shifted in her sleep, her ass grinding into his groin.
He swallowed a moan. So much for mental distraction.
Her hips moved in another circle, then another. Her hand covered his and moved it to cover her bare breast.
Well hello. She wasn't sleeping.
Given permission, his cock surged to full-blooded life. He moaned aloud this time.
"What time is it?" she murmured, voice sleepy.
"Too late to do this when we're both as tired as we are." He nuzzled the spot where her neck met her shoulder.
She arched into his hand. "And we have to work tomorrow."
Her breasts were fantastic. He rolled her nipple on his palm and she made the sexiest little noise, something like a purr. He did it again and so did she.
"But you promised." Her voice was breathy, barely audible in the quiet room.
"You think I'm backing out?" He slid his hand down her stomach and into the front of her panties. Oh yeah. His whole body was tense from the effort of holding back.
Her legs fell apart so he could cup her. He didn't do more, just held his palm against her as she rocked. He continued nipping at her neck until she purred.
Purrs turned to cries. Cries turned to sobs. Still he rocked his hand against her and nibbled her neck. He might break his back teeth, but he would take his time and savor this if it killed him.
Her legs scrambled on the bed, tugging away the blanket. The sight of his hand disappearing into her underpants nearly undid him. He set his jaw and forced himself not to push through to what he really wanted. Another minute and she'd be there.
He cupped her breast with his free hand and pinched her nipple, slid a finger inside her and tugged her earlobe with his teeth. At the same time.
"Greg!" Her body tensed. She shook in his arms, crying out, until the orgasm passed. Sweat dotted his brow and upper lip; his mouth watered. He needed her now.
Rather than go limp, she wriggled out of her underpants while reaching into his nightstand for a condom.
No wonder he was wild about this woman. He made quick work of his shorts and donned the condom
.
He expected her to roll to her back, or maybe climb on top of him for a ride. Instead, she backed into him again and lifted her leg, hooking it over his hip. She reached between them and guided him to her from behind.
He covered her hand with his and, fingers entwined, they felt as he slid inside her. His vision blurred. Their moans lingered in the silence.
"Greg," she whispered.
He answered with a kiss to her temple.
With one hand between their legs, his finger touching where they joined, he set up a lazy rhythm. With his other hand, he stroked over her hip, down her thigh. Her skin was soft, slightly damp. She felt amazing. Under his hands, against his chest, around his cock.
Amazing enough to make him damn glad they were taking it slow tonight. Not only did he not have the energy for a wild pounding, he didn't have the self-control. It would already be over if they'd taken that route. There was definite appeal in taking the time to enjoy each other.
The damp hair at her nape smelled musky. It sent fresh blood surging to his cock. He forced himself to hold back. Wasn't he just thinking how nice it was to go slow? He couldn't ruin that because she smelled like sex.
She dug her fingernails into his ass and pleasure shot down his legs. "Damn," he huffed into her hair.
She chuckled, then soothed her hand over the spot. "You like that?" Her hand trailed down the back of his thigh.
"Not sure there's anything you could do to me that I wouldn't like." Was the light getting dimmer? And brighter?
Her fingers found the back of his knee. Pleasure seared a line to his crotch and he made a noise embarrassingly close to a whimper.
Damn.
Knees. Who knew?
She did it again and he grunted. The third time, he grabbed her hand and pulled it to his face. He pressed a kiss to her palm, then laced their fingers and held them safely against her hip. Her touch was incredible, but when she touched him like that, he had no hope of lasting.
She tried to tug her hand free. She was strong, but he was stronger; he held her firm. To distract her, he maneuvered their hands so he could slide his fingers to either side of her clit.
Her back arched so sharply, he almost pulled out of her. They shifted so he remained deep inside and resumed their rhythm of long, slow glides. But slow wasn't nearly as slow as it had been.
