Reunited By The Badge (To Serve & Seduce Book 3)

by Deborah Fletcher Mello

  Paul burst out laughing. “Really, Simone?”

  She laughed with him. “Too much?”

  “It’s a bit over the top!” He nodded as he leaned to kiss her cheek. “Let’s get ready and I’ll talk dirty to you later.”

  Simone reached for him, pulling him to her as she captured his lips with her own. She kissed him passionately, her tongue darting past the line of his teeth. “Why don’t we get ready together?” she said, her voice dropping seductively.

  Paul kissed her again. “I like that idea! Last one in the shower gets to be on top.”

  Simone giggled. “I like being on top.”

  “I know,” he said as he winked his eye at her, turned, then was heading for the bathroom and leaving a trail of clothes down the length of the hallway.

  * * *

  Simone watched Paul walk away, his self-assured swagger moving her to laugh heartily. He was a beautiful specimen of manhood, with perfectly sculpted butt cheeks that his briefs clung to like a second skin. He’d been immensely blessed, packing in the front and the back. As he turned once to face her, beckoning her to join him, his bulge strained against the fabric and then he pulled them off, and twirled the garment around his index finger as he did a little jig through the door of the master bedroom. He was such a tease, Simone thought as she giggled softly.

  Taking a quick minute to save the file she’d been working on, Simone shut the laptop down, closed her notebook and silenced her phone. She moved swiftly to the master bath, entering just as Paul turned on the water and stepped inside. The room had begun to heat nicely, a gentle mist rising to fill the air. Paul leaned into the spray of water, tilting his face toward the showerhead as it rained over his back and down his chest. Simone marveled at the perfection, thinking she could stare at him all day. Everything about him took her breath away.

  As he began to lather soap across his bare skin, she did a slow strip tease out of her own clothes. She discarded her sweater, then unbuttoned her white blouse, pausing after each button until it blew open. Pushing the garment off one shoulder and then the other, she exposed inch after inch of bare skin to his hungry gaze, until she was standing in nothing but her bra and panties.

  Simone pressed a palm to her abdomen, her breathing heavy as she continued to watch him, and he continued to eye her. Her other hand skated over her breasts, her fingertips grazing one nipple and then the other. He held himself in the palm of his hand, stroking the length of male flesh that had taken on a life of its own. It twitched and pulsed beneath his touch, seeming to beg for her attention.

  She stepped out of her lace garments and into the glass enclosure, before reaching both hands out and pressing them against his broad chest. She felt his body quiver in appreciation and a surge of heat coursed up and down her spine.

  “What took you so long?” he whispered, his breath catching in his chest.

  “Better late than never,” Simone answered, her own voice husky with desire.

  Paul dropped his hands against the round of her shoulders and caressed her gently. His touch was iron strong and when he applied the barest amount of pressure she sank slowly to her knees in understanding. Simone worshipped his chiseled body slowly, damp kisses trailing against his skin as she made her way down to suck the very essence out of him.

  * * *

  No woman ever moved Paul the way Simone did. No one knew his idiosyncrasies or could manipulate him like her. And she was the only female who could leave him quaking with such pleasure that it brought tears to his eyes. After their shower, he lay sprawled atop the mattress, his hips pressing upward as Simone sat straddled over his lap.

  She leaned over him for a kiss, the connection deep and hard and making him moan. When the contact broke, she nuzzled her cheek with his, then trailed her tongue along his jawline to his ear and nibbled at the lobe. That gesture always made him crazy and he felt his muscles spasm in response. He tightened the grip he had on her hips, pulling her body back to his. He muttered her name over and over again, each breathless utterance like a divine chant.

  As she slid up and down his member, warm and very familiar sensations flooded his body. She worked herself into a frenzy and it had the effect on him that he needed. The pleasure was unbelievable as she slammed her pelvis hard against his, alternatingly hard and fast and slow and easy. He felt himself go deeper and deeper with each of her strokes, knowing that he wouldn’t last much longer.

  “Oh, sweet baby, I’ve missed you so much...” he groaned as he met her stroke for stroke.

  “...so clo...close...” Simone murmured, and then her whole body exploded.

  The moist, satin lining of her inner walls tightened around him like a vise, sending him skyrocketing over the edge. Paul spewed like a volcano, his orgasm blending beautifully with hers as they both dropped into a state of sheer bliss.

  Simone collapsed on top of him. She laid her head down on his chest and shoulder, as he wrapped his arms around her. Completely satiated, he drifted off to sleep as she held tightly to him. They both woke up about an hour later.

  “I’m starved,” Simone said as she rolled down beside him. “And you promised me Italian.”

  Paul laughed. “You were the one who suggested dessert first.”

  “I like my goodies,” she said as she lifted herself from the bed and headed back to the shower.

  Paul propped himself up on his elbow to stare after her. “I like your goodies, too,” he said, as she disappeared into the other room. He heard the shower running and Simone singing to herself, completely off-key. Lying back against the mattress, he took a couple of deep breaths and allowed himself the joy of feeling completely relaxed and happy.

  * * *

  Spago Trattoria E Pizzeria quickly became one of Simone’s top-five favorite dinner spots. It was everything she loved about Italy, reminding her of the holiday excursion her father had taken her on for her twenty-first birthday.

  They were greeted with bruschetta, a basket of warm focaccia bread, a bulb of roasted garlic and a bowl of fresh tomatoes tossed with garlic and olive oil. As she studied the menu, Paul ordered a bottle of Chianti and a traditional antipasto of mild capicola, salami, provolone cheese, roasted red peppers and eggplant for them to share.

  For their entrées, Simone ordered the Italian risotto tossed with calamari and clams. Paul enjoyed the homemade manicotti filled with ricotta cheese and spinach, served with a meat sauce. They shared a slice of tiramisu for dessert. It was beyond decadent and by the time they finished both were stuffed.

  “I just knew you’d need a take-home box,” Paul said teasingly.

  “No, you didn’t.”

  He laughed. “I forgot just how much you love to eat.”

  She rolled her eyes, a slight smirk pulling at her lips. “It really was good,” she said. “Better than good! Thank you.”

  He leaned forward in his seat. “So, are you interested in a field trip?” he asked.

  Simone leaned forward to meet him, the gesture feeling conspiratorial. “What did you have in mind?”

  “I need to get my hands on samples of Halphedrone-B. Ideally from a different production lot than what we’ve already tested.”

  “How do you propose to do that?”

  “I have a friend at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. I’m going to call him. I think he’ll be willing to help if I ask.”

  “So, you want to go back over the border? And just hope your friend is just going to give you samples from their facility?”

  Paul nodded. “Baby, I have a plan.”

  Chapter 9

  It had been well over one month since they’d arrived in Canada. Most of their time was spent in their respective corners focused on their individual tasks. And when they weren’t knee-deep in research, they were focused solidly on each other, reinvigorating their connection and rekindling the passion that had always been a cornerstone of thei
r relationship. On this particular day, Paul had been on the phone most of the morning. International calls had occupied most of his time. He’d been hoping against all odds to convince the medical teams on the ground in the African countries to change the medication regime for patients he had treated who were still doing poorly. A few found his reasoning questionable and others wanted proof that he didn’t have to give. Considering costs and availability, the alternative treatments he offered were met with trepidation and he felt as if he were banging his head against a brick wall. His frustration was palpable.

  Simone had begun to outline the legal brief she intended to file. She’d been acting as her own law clerk, coordinating the data they knew with what they didn’t as well as researching the legal precedents she would need to help make her case. Her frustration was equal to his, both challenged by the limitations and resources they had to work with.

  Simone paced the floor, her mind racing. Every few moments she would pause to jot something down in the lengthy list of notes she’d been taking. With nothing else that he could do in the lab, Paul was cooking popcorn as he chatted on the phone with his brother. His tone was hushed, and she imagined whatever they were whispering about probably had more to do with her and him than their problem with the pharmaceutical company.

  When her cell phone rang, she jumped, startled that anyone would be calling her. Her mother’s face appeared on the screen, and Simone took a deep breath before answering. “Hi, Mom!” she said, sounding as cheery as she could manage.

  “Where are you, Simone?” Judith Harmon Black asked, not bothering with hello.

  Simone took another breath. “With Paul. Out of town.”

  “Out of town where, Simone?”

  “What’s wrong, Mom? Why are you interrogating me?”

  “They’ve issued a warrant for Paul’s arrest.”

  “For Paul’s arrest?” she said, knowing she sounded like a parrot. “For what?”

  “They want him to come in for questioning. Something about the three patients at the hospital and his involvement in their deaths.”

  “That’s ridiculous! Paul would never hurt a soul. He’s dedicated his entire life to helping others.” A knot tightened through her abdomen and she suddenly felt sick to her stomach. She hadn’t believed things could go from bad to worse, but clearly she’d underestimated karma.

  “What’s going on, Simone? Your father and I are worried sick about you.”

  “I’m fine. I’m safe,” Simone said and then she explained to her mother what they were dealing with. “Now, with what you’re telling me, we also need to prove Paul didn’t murder anyone.”

  “You need to come home. Let Paul turn himself in and trust the judicial system to work.”

  “I can’t, Mom. I’m sorry.”

  There was a thick pause that billowed heavily through the telephone lines. Simone imagined the look on her mother’s face, the matriarch not at all happy with her, or with him. Paul had moved to her side, trailing a warm hand down the length of her back. His touch stalled the rise of anxiety that had threatened to consume her, and his presence was instantly calming. He’d been listening to her conversation after disconnecting his own.

  Judith blew a gust of air into the phone line. “Let me speak to Paul,” she commanded.

  “Mom, don’t...”

  “Now,” the older woman snapped.

  Simone blew her own heavy sigh as she passed Paul the phone. “It’s my mother,” she said as she moved to the sofa and dropped down against the cushions.

  Paul pulled the phone to his ear. “Yes, ma’am... No... I understand... Yes... Yes... I will... I promise.”

  There was another lengthy pause and Simone bristled at the lecture she imagined her mother was giving. Judge Black was a force to be reckoned with and she didn’t take kindly to anyone messing with her kids or to her children disobeying a direct order. Simone and her siblings had been raised to be obedient and respectful and even as adults walked a fine line where their parents were concerned. Simone knew telling her mother no would not be taken lightly.

  But if anyone understood why it was so important to Simone to be there for Paul, she knew her mother would. Her parents had the most solid relationship of any duo she’d ever known, and no one could ever say that Judith Harmon Black didn’t always have her husband’s back. Most especially when it came to the law and seeking justice for those being exploited. As a power couple, they were undefeated and Simone wanted that for herself, no matter what it took.

  “Would you like to speak to Simone again?” Paul was asking.

  Simone shifted forward to the edge of the seat, expecting to hear her own lecture, but he disconnected the call instead, laying her phone onto the table.

  “So, she told you about the arrest warrant?”

  Simone nodded. “Yeah, but it doesn’t make sense. Why would they blame you?”

  “I had three patients at Northwestern Memorial that I personally treated with Halphedrone-B who’ve died. I stole their medical files from the hospital. Now they’re saying they think someone purposely caused their deaths. I don’t have all the details, so I don’t know how they’ve come to that conclusion. Clearly, someone is trying to hem me up because they can’t get to me. Oliver says they served a search warrant on my apartment this morning.”

  “Is that what you two were whispering about?”

  He nodded. “I didn’t want to upset you.”

  “Well, I’m not upset. I’m pissed! So, now we’ve got criminals trying to shoot at us, and the law looking to arrest us.”

  “They just want to arrest me.”

  “Trust and believe they’ll handcuff and take me in too for aiding and abetting your criminal activity if they get the opportunity. And that’s just the short list of the crimes I’ve committed.” Simone tossed up her hands.

  Paul shrugged. “My list is probably a little longer.”

  “I wouldn’t brag about that if I were you.”

  “So, what do you want to do?” he asked, his eyes wide as he studied her intently.

  “What did my mother say to you?” she said, answering his question with a question of her own.

  “She told me to keep you safe.”

  “That’s all?”

  “Basically. She said she didn’t think it was a good idea for us to try and deal with this on our own but that she would trust our judgment.”

  “She wasn’t mad?” Simone asked, looking shocked.

  “Oh, she was mad! She was fuming!”

  Simone dropped her face into the palms of her hands, swiping at her eyes. She pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs. She suddenly felt like they had the weight of the world bearing down on their shoulders. She thought they’d been steadily digging their way out and now it felt as if the sides of the hole had caved in, burying them back under. She couldn’t help but wonder if they were ever going to catch a break.

  Paul dropped down onto the seat beside her. He slid an arm around her torso and pulled her against him, kissing the top of her head.

  “Do you want the good news?” he asked.

  “There’s good news?”

  He nodded. “Tomorrow morning the sales rep for Lender will be meeting with my doctor friend. He’ll get the samples we need.”

  “I’d like to ask her a few questions.”

  “I’d rather we stay as inconspicuous as possible.”

  “You realize if we don’t get stopped at the border going back into the United States, depending on how far that arrest warrant has already extended, that we probably won’t be able to cross back into Canada, right?”

  “That is very possible,” he answered. “But it’s a risk we’re going to have to take.”

  “Okay,” Simone said, reaching for the bowl of freshly popped popcorn that he’d drizzled with truffle butter, and sprinkled
with cracked pepper and Parmesan cheese. “As long as we’re on the same page.”

  * * *

  The customs agent who welcomed them back into the United States barely gave them a second look. Once the car was inspected and their documents verified, he waved them on through. They arrived at Henry Ford Hospital some thirty minutes before the scheduled appointment with Paul’s friend, Dr. Stephen Alexander, a pediatric resident who’d gone to medical school with him. For ten of those thirty minutes they strategized where to park in case they needed to make a quick run for it.

  “Are you sure about this?” Simone questioned, her nerves beginning to get to her.

  Paul shot her a quick look. “Right now, no one knows I’m a wanted man. At least I don’t think so. So as far as anyone is concerned, I’m just meeting my friend the doctor who’s helping me with a problem. I’ll go in, make nice and come right back out. But you do not have to do this with me, Simone. I don’t want you to be uneasy.”

  “I don’t want you to get arrested. I just want to make sure you’re sure about this! So just say you’re sure!”

  He gave her smile and nodded. “I have to do this, Simone.”

  “Then I have to do it with you. We’re in this together.”

  The light in his eyes dimmed ever so slightly. He turned in his seat to face her. “Before we go in, there’s something I need to tell you.”

  Simone’s nerves suddenly shifted into another gear. Her palms began to sweat and she swiped them against the leg of her black pants. “Why are you giving me anxiety?”

  “I don’t mean to, baby, but it’s important I’m totally honest with you.”

  “About what?”

  “The sales rep for Lender is a woman named Vivian Lincoln.”

  Simone bristled, crossing her arms over her chest, her jaw tightening. “And?”