by Celya Bowers
“I was just waiting for you to get here today. I’ll drop Lord Meow by the house too.”
“Forward the phones before you go.”
He heard the very audible groan. “You just hate answering the phone.”
He chuckled as he sat behind his desk and started opening the mail. “Why do you think I hired you?” He heard her mumble something and Lord Meow uttered his discontent of being moved and then the office door closed. Finally, he could sit back and relax. The checks didn’t really need to be deposited today, he just wanted quiet and solitude in the office. He had some serious thinking to do. He wanted things clear in his mind before he spoke the judge. He opened his laptop computer and brought up the Homeland Security website. He needed to know the parameters for obtaining a passport. While he sure one didn’t need a job to secure one, DJ’s lifestyle should have sent up so many red flags, he would have been detained at the customs when he tried to enter any country.
He checked his email, hoping he received an answer to a query. If this case was as big as his instincts told him it was, it was going to take interactions cross the intelligence communities to bring down this terrorist cell.
“DJ, what have you gotten yourself involved in?” He asked the room. The seems so easy from the beginning, dissuade a head strong woman not to file a missing person report. Easy peasy, he laughed at his naivety. That was the least of his problems now. He had his growing attraction for Maddie. Now that they have had relations, what was next?
His cell phone picked this very awkward time to ring. Glancing at the display and instantly relaxing, he pushed the green button. “Hey, sweetie,” he said into the phone.
“Sweetie?” Maddie giggled. “What am I, ten, eleven, what?”
“It’s a term of affection,” he explained unnecessarily. “I thought women liked using pet names.” At least his ex did.
“Sure, I could see that, but we’re not there yet. I called you because the DEA was in my office when I got there this morning.”
Oh, that did not sound good. “What was the agent’s name?”
She gasped. “Don’t you want to know what he said to me? How I feel about what he said? Is my brother safe?” Her voice rose with each question. This usually calm woman was bordering on hysteria.
“Maddie, first, calm down. You said yourself that the DEA came to your office.”
“So?”
“Where are you now?”
“In my office. I just got back from lunch with my sister.”
“That means, you’re not being held in custody. He asked about DJ I presume?”
She mumbled in the affirmative. “Yes. Did you know he had a passport?”
“My brother told me that over lunch. Maddie, like I told you earlier, this case is turning into something I was not expecting. With the scope this case is taking, I wouldn’t be surprised that more agents will be coming to visit you. It comes with the territory.”
She calmed down. “I’m sorry for going off like that. Maggie told me some things about DJ I wasn’t ready to hear and I guess the dam just broke.”
He heard her voice cracking. She was minutes away from breaking down. More than anything he wanted to be there with her, but he had just sent Shay out of the office. What a time for all his agents to be out on cases? “Maddie, I know this is hard for you, and you’re going to find out more than you ever wanted to know about your brother and his lifestyle.”
“I know,” she sniffed. “I just think about all the lies he’s told us over the years.” She took a deep breath. “How about dinner tonight? You know for information gathering,” she added quickly.
“I would love nothing better,”—
“But?”
“I’m having dinner with my parents tonight.” There was no way in hell, he could blow off his parents. “How about I drop by after?”
“Sounds good.”
She ended the call.
Sean pushed the end button on his cell phone. What happened to his well-ordered predictable life? He’d been divorced for five years, lonely for more years than that. Work used to be his only comfort. Tonight, he was having dinner at his parents and ending the night at Maddie’s. Yep, he knew he didn’t want to go back to that life.
Later that evening, Sean arrived at his childhood home. Something about being back in the place where he felt safe, always did something to his soul. He had to admit, his childhood was a little different, but he knew he was loved and supported, no matter what. Not everyone had that. He instantly thought of Maddie and her complicated family dynamic.
He knew the judge loved his daughter in his way, but was that the right way? DJ seemed to be the loser in that family. No doubt there had been much stress placed on him as a youth and he rebelled. The family was paying for that rebellion. When DJ decided to make his presence known, there was going to be a price to pay.
He walked to the front door and walked inside. His mother always left the door unlocked for him. His mother met him as he locked the door. Annabella Johnson Conway looked like a mature cover model for one of those food magazines, he thought. She didn’t look anywhere near her sixty-five years of age. Her caramel skin was pull tight over a full face. She was sporting her favorite apron over beige slacks and a shirt, showcasing how much time she spent at the gym.
“It’s about time you got here,” his mother scolded him. “Your father has drunk two beers already.” His father had been known to go through the better part of a six pack by the end of dinner.
He kissed his mother on cheek. “Sorry, Mom, got a business call as I was leaving.”
“How’s the case going?”
“Pretty good. Hope to have it wrapped up soon,” he lied. No use worrying his mother. He walked to the living room where he found his father sitting on the couch watching TV. His father looked at him as he popped the top on a bottle of beer.
“Wow, Dad slow down. I’m only ten minutes late.” Sean sat next to his father.
“Your mother exaggerates,” his father said in his fading Irish accent. “She didn’t mention she drank most of the first one.” He blew a kiss to his bride.
“I know. You both do. How’s retirement going?” His father hated being idle since he retired from his medical practice. “Did you give any more thought to volunteering? My youth group can always use some help.”
“You know these young kids won’t listen to an old man like me. I’m considering taking some art classes. I’m going to an orientation class on Saturday and hoped you could go with me.”
“I’d be honored, Dad. What time?”
“Starts at nine. I know your business is busy right now. I wasn’t sure if you’d have the time.”
“What about Mom?” Usually, his parents went everywhere together.
“She doesn’t appreciate art like I do. She just likes the finished product. It’s down at the college. Want to meet there?”
“Sure, Dad.” He thought about Rachel’s apartment. He knew she’d still be in the hospital. It would be a good time to do some snooping. “I have a few errands in that area. How about lunch afterwards?” He needed to pick his father’s brain and didn’t want his mother within ear shot or it will be all over Arlington in two hours.
“Sounds grand.” His father rose, set down the beer bottle, and headed for the dining room.
Sean followed his father and took a seat at the table. He watched his parents who had been married for 45 years and they were still in love. They fell in love when it wasn’t socially acceptable to marry out of one’s race. They met in college and married soon after. He admired his parents. He wanted that kind of love.
***
Maddie had just put on her pajamas when she heard the doorbell ring. She’d given up on Sean and figured he was detained. She had taken a shower and dressed for bed. She slipped on her bathrobe and headed downstairs.
The doorbell rang a second time before she could answer it. Sean stood in the doorway illuminated by the porch light. He was six feet two inches of sexy m
an and he was in front of her. She cinched her bathrobe tighter as if it were armor against him. “Hi, you look nice.”
He glanced down at his jeans and baseball shirt. He leaned down and kissed her. “You look like a vision.” He stepped inside the house and closed the door. “Dinner ran long,” he explained as he double checked her locks.
She grabbed his hand and led him to the living room. They sat on the couch close together. Maddie shook her head. She was just like those women on those talk shows. This madness must stop!
Sean reached for her hand and those thoughts flew right out of her brain. He pulled her on his lap and smothered her in kisses as his hands caressed her, waking up her whole body. She was such a lost cause.
“I missed you so much today,” he said against her lips. He released her from the bathrobe. “Very nice.” He ran a finger under one of her spaghetti straps of her night gown and pulled of her shoulder. He planted a kiss on her collar bone, and her neck. Slowly his wondering tongue moved toward the valley of her breasts. Before she could recover from the sensations running through her body, he’d stripped her out of the nightshirt and panties. “Sean!”
“What?” He had the nerve to look innocent with her ripped undies in his hand.
“You said we could compare information. This is not comparing information. This is.... well you know what this is.”
He kissed her with intent of a horny teenager. “You look sexy when you’re flustered.”
“I thought we were trading info?” She kissed him and unbuttoned his jeans. “Really, commando?” She was glad he didn’t have anything else blocking her access to him.
“We better get to your bed fast or we’re going to be on the floor,” he said against her ear.
Maddie didn’t have to be told twice. She rose from his lap and led him upstairs. Once inside her bedroom, she watched his struggled out of his jeans. He snatched his t-shirt over his head and slid in bed beside her. He moved on top of her. “Now, where were we?” Without giving her much of an opportunity to answer, he moved between her legs and entered her with one sure stroke.
Maddie thought she’d went straight to heaven. What that man could make her body feel was criminal. She was worse than an addict. She knew it would never be enough.
14
“What are you doing to me, Maddie?” Sean rubbed his sweaty body against her as he snuggled next to her in bed. “I came over to talk about the case, not to make love to a beautiful woman.” His hot hand landed on her stomach bringing her even closer to his body.
“You’re doing the same thing to me,” she whispered, placing her hand on top of his. “There once was a time when all I thought of was work, now not so much.” They were lying in darkness, letting their tired bodies rest.
“What are you thinking about?” He kissed her ear and then random places on her back. “Are you thinking about your session with the DEA?”
She thought she going to explode every time his lips touched her skin. She loved the feeling and could now understand what Renay was always bragging about. So, this was pillow talk, she sighed at the thought. “No, like you said, I’m not in jail. He asked me about DJ. I told you about his passport business. He doesn’t have a job, and never has any money. The more answer I get, the more puzzled I am.”
“I’m trying to find out who actually paid for the passport. Maybe that will lead me to the top man. DEA wants the person DJ works for or did. Sounds like he went out on his own,” Sean said.
“Maggie told me that DJ had sent the drug dealers to her house, and my brother as well. They sent them packing. I can’t believe he’d sell out his own family to save his own behind.” It sounded more like something she’d have seen on TV rather than in her personal life.
Sean eased her on her back. “Well, we don’t know all the circumstances yet, maybe he had a valid reason.”
“Doubtful. I can’t believe Maggie and Kaelyn never said a thing about him doing something so underhanded.” The more she thought about it, the more it bothered her. “It was like they thought I couldn’t handle the truth.”
“Oh baby,” he said as he leaned down and kissed her. “There’s probably a million reasons why they didn’t tell you the truth. Remember, you told me at the beginning you said he didn’t talk to your other siblings. That’s probably why. They know what he was like and didn’t want to spoil it for you. They were just trying to protect you.”
“So, I shouldn’t be upset with them?” She caressed his lips with her fingers. They were so soft and moist. He kissed her fingers.
“No, you shouldn’t. They were just trying to help in their way,” he said. “I think you’re the only one in the family whom he did talk to.”
She gazed up at him. “And just how would you know such a thing?”
“Your dad told me. He said he hadn’t talked to your brother in years. He seldom attended any family functions,” he said.
“DJ said he felt uncomfortable,” Maddie said. “I tried to get him to come to Mom’s birthday party a few months back, but he wouldn’t. He said Rachel didn’t want to come, either.” She took a breath. “Which looking back, it was probably another one of his smokescreens. The last thing he needed was Rachel and us in the same room.”
“Exactly, he wouldn’t want you guys comparing stories,” Sean said. He moved to snuggle next to her.
“Well, he’s really going to hate me now.” She smiled turned on her side facing him.
“What?”
“When I was visiting Rachel, the doctor came in and told Rachel that she would be released in a few days, but she was going to need to recuperate from her injuries. She doesn’t want to go back to that apartment, which I don’t blame her one bit. In the spirit of starting over, I told her that she could recuperate at my place. I have a guest room downstairs and she can use my car service to get to class when she is better.”
“What about us?”
“What do you mean?”
He leaned forward and kissed her. “I mean, what happens to moments like these.”
“Like what?” She kissed him and leaned against his chest. “I hope you weren’t banking on a threesome. I can tell you the answer now. No and hell no.”
He laughed. “No, that’s not what I meant. What if I want to walk around in the all-together?”
“What are we on a 70’s British TV show? Just say naked, nude, birthday suit, any of those will do. I guess you’d better keep your walking around naked confined to my bedroom.”
“Only if you join me.” He kissed her and pulled her on top of him, her body straddling his. “For the record, that means completely nude and it’s used in the US as well.” He pulled her down for a heart-stopping kiss. “Just so you know.” He wrapped his arms around her body, securing her.
Maddie couldn’t believe she was on top of this man again. Girl, this must stop! She looked into green eyes and lost the very kernel of that thought as she leaned down for another kiss. Her arms wrapped around him, securing her body to his.
She felt him ease inside her with the experience of knowing what she liked and what she wanted. She gasped as he slid further inside her, filling her completely. He pushed her to sitting position, and his hands went to her hips, guiding her movements. Back and forward, forward, and back, Maddie thought she was going to lose her mind. Each movement driving her closer to the mother of all orgasms. She gripped his strong muscled arms to stay upright, but soon lost the battle as Sean increase his stride.
He held on to her sweaty body as his orgasm barreled through him, touching off her own trip to Glory. Taking deep breaths, Maddie slid off his body and moved next to him. “I can’t believe it!” She panted between breaths. “I just can’t believe it.” She couldn’t keep the wonder out of her voice.
He pulled her in his arms. “Me either. I don’t know what you’ve done to me, but I like it.” He kissed her softly on the lips.
Maddie wanted to agree, but her eyes refused to stay open one minute longer and she went to sleep.
***
Sean was dreaming. Someone had his favorite song on repeat. Slowly, realization hit him. It was his cell phone. Maddie was nestled next to him, sound asleep. The song continued to play as he reached for the ringing wonder. He glanced at the display. Damn. There went his day. “Hello?” He slid out of bed, slipped on his boxers, and headed out of the bedroom.
“Good morning, Sean,” Judge Bradford said. “I hate to bother you so early in the morning, but I wanted to see if you had made any progress on locating DJ?”
“Yeah,” he said walking downstairs and into the kitchen. “There’s been progress, and there’s been brick walls.”
The judge wasn’t surprised. “Sounds about right. That boy will turn on anyone just to save himself. I don’t want Maddie getting caught up in his mess. Especially with her business doing so well and her dealing with a lot of high-end clients.”
Sean had already figured that out and could understand the judge’s less than concerned behavior toward his son. “He has a tie to a local news anchor. I hadn’t figured out her role in his life yet, but the pieces are coming together.”
“Thanks Sean. How is Rachel doing in the hospital? Is she getting out any time soon?”
“She will be in at least a few more days. Depending on what the CT scan shows, and if she has brain damage or not.” Sean elected to hold off telling the Judge about Maddie’s decision to help Rachel.
“Is she still wanting to file a report?”
Funny, that has been the last thing on his mind the last few days. “I don’t believe so, sir. We traded information the other night and she hadn’t mentioned it. This might be a good time to be honest about what you know, sir. It could save her life.”
“True, but she’d hate me for the rest of my days for telling her.” The judge ended the call.
Sean shook his head and placed the phone on the counter. He decided he’d make Maddie breakfast this time. He opened the refrigerator and looked over the contents and decided on omelets. He grabbed what he needed and started to prepare his creation. His phone rang again. This time he smiled. “Hello, Shay, why are you calling me so early? Is Lord Meow okay?”
