"I don't feel like you are doing enough to aid the conflict in our relationship," Ludlow licked his lips staring at the wrap of her dress, and she wanted nothing more than to knee him in the crotch.
"We can always have a sit-down..." Amelia started, and he placed a hand on her shoulder. She looked at his sausage fingers, feeling heavy on her shoulder before continuing.
"With your Wife and Gwen since you are so invested in working out our disagreement." Ludlow dropped his hand, and Amelia looked around to see they were alone on the darkened street.
Ludlow leaned in closer and Amelia could smell his foul breath. This was the real Ludlow, not the character he had portrayed to Asher.
"If you want to make life easier for Gwen and yourself one on one would be better," Ludlow's hand rose to her cheek, and Amelia saw red. She shoved him away before he could lay an unwanted finger on her. His wife was less than fifty feet away, and he was making a pass at someone half his age.
Amelia could see the rage in his eyes as she shoved him back into the buckets. Ludlow regained his balance before he fell over and Amelia took a step towards the shop keeping plenty of distance between them.
As she went to lock the door, Amelia heard a rush behind her and turned to see Ludlow coming for her. His arms extended, she pulled out one the empty buckets and pushed it over. Hitting his shins, Ludlow hit the ground hard while Amelia watched the squad car pull up in front of the shop.
Mr. Ludlow kicked over the bucket of roses and Amelia lost it, she charged for him, and Asher got in between them just in time, his arms around her waist. "Amelia, calm down."
"Arrest her; she tried to assault me."
"Bullshit, that's damage to private property," Amelia spat back staring at the flowers broken and trampled in front of the shop. Ludlow smirked, and Amelia saw red pulling away from Asher. "See this, my wife is getting this all on camera."
"Amelia, stop!" Her back pressed against Asher as he gripped her, but all she wanted was to show Ludlow where he could shove the recording. 'I'm sorry," she heard Asher faintly through her rage, and she felt the cold handcuffs against her skin. "Are you serious?" Amelia directed her anger at Asher, but he held her firm, guiding her into the squad car.
"Back inside,' he orders Ludlow, and the authority in his voice frightens me as he orders his partner to take their statements.
Within a matter of seconds, Asher pushed Amelia roughly into the back of the squad car and climbed in the front seat. The radio on his shoulder muffled but Amelia watched in confusion as he turned it off. She could see his fierce expression in the rearview mirror his eyes focused on the road ahead.
"Are you arresting me?" Amelia asked as he turned away from the station and to a part of town, she didn't recognize. Asher said nothing as they went through a series of turns before he pulled into an underground garage.
Opening her car door, Amelia's hands still cuffed as he led her to the elevator. "I thought we were going to the station," she asked as the elevator doors opened and he pushed her inside. "I told you to stay clear of him," Asher huffed, and Amelia couldn't believe he was mad at her.
"Technically you told me not to approach him, and it was the opposite. Ludlow was outside the shop, moving the buckets."
"Why do you care so much about those damn flower buckets, they can be replaced you can't."
“It’s not just the damn buckets. How would you feel if someone was always waiting and watching? You saw…I can handle myself."
"Oh yes, you looked like you had it completely under control," Asher mocked as the door opened and he pushed her through to a corridor. An apartment building?
"You can't stay next door to that man," Asher said, taking keys from his pocket as he stopped them outside a door at the end of the long corridor.
"I can't be 100 per cent sure, but you aren't supposed to bring victims back your place," Amelia scolded but she cursed as he pulled her inside and she stumbled on the rug in the narrow hallway, "Victim? I thought you had it under control."
Amelia spun around, and Asher removed the cuffs, she rubbed her wrists, looking around the small living space that opened out into the kitchen.
"I did have it under control," she lied, thinking of Ludlow's hand on her shoulder, making her skin boil. Asher walked into the kitchen, and she followed behind wondering what he was up to. The thought of their kiss flooded her mind as he placed a glass of water on the marble countertop beside her.
"Drink this, you'll feel better," Asher said, resting his hands on the counter. "I want you to be safe. Until we can find some evidence, I don't want you anywhere near him."
Amelia was lost for words as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "You barely know me," she said, looking at her feet. "Why risk getting in trouble for this?" Her eyes fell to his uniform, and she reached out, placing her hands on his chest.
Asher looked at her hands, "because I want to get to know you. I can't stand the thought of anything happening to you," the concern in his voice made her stomach drop, and she felt him tense as she wrapped her arms around his waist. He broke away, and Amelia wondered why he was rejecting her. Disappearing down the hallway, she wondered if she should leave.
"I don't expect anything, I just want you here," he said, returning with a pair of comfy bottoms and a t-shirt she figured would swamp her whole body. For a moment, Asher stared at the couch, and she could sense how unsure he was. His eyes moved away from her face and down her body as she clutched his clothes to her. The tension in her chest building as he stood there with his shirt unbuttoned, exposing his bare chest and defined stomach muscles.
"We should get some sleep," he said, and Amelia dropped the clothes to the floor, catching his eyes as she rushed toward him. She placed her hands on either side of his face and just as her lips found him, his hands went to her thighs, lifting her onto the kitchen counter. Amelia wrapped her legs around his waist as her tongue explored his mouth.
"We can't do this," Asher said, drawing back her hands against his firm chest she pushed his shirt from his shoulders.
"You shouldn't have slept at my apartment," she started kissing his neck, hearing the sigh from his lips.
"You shouldn't have taken me here," she smiled, and Asher growled as her hands went to his belt. "I think we are pretty good at doing things we shouldn't," she finished as his utility belt hit the tiled floor with a crash. His finger gripped her thighs. Amelia had no idea where this confidence was coming from, but as she felt his hands tighten on her body, the strength of him only heighten her arousal.
Amelia could see the struggle in his beautiful features, and she placed her forehead against his. Amelia's hands snaked up his bare body, but his hands were quick, and Asher pinned them to the counter behind her. The wrap of her top widened exposing her bra, a gasp escaping her as he nipped at her bare shoulder. Asher's dark eyes fell from her face to her concealed breasts filled with need and desire. Before she could assure him that she didn't want him to stop, his mouth covered hers. Asher's lips hard and delicious against her own.
Asher released her wrists and gripped her hips, pulling her closer; she wrapped her arms around his neck. Feeling his hardness pressing against her heat, only further her desire for him.
Amelia's finger fisted his hair as he carried her through the apartment and into his bedroom, his lips never leaving her. "Fuck I love when you do that," he groaned as she tugged at his hair. "This?" Amelia asked playfully tugging harder, and he tossed her onto the bed, and she let out a laugh.
Asher roughly unbuttoned her jeans and pulled them off in one swift motion, her heart hammered as he removed his shirt and she stared in awe of him. Licking her lips as she stared at his defined abs and broad chest, Amelia tried to sit up, but he climbed between her legs, the only thing separating them was her thin panties and his trousers.
He smiled down at her as his hand glided up her calf, her thigh. Moaning as he trailed her inner her thigh before cupping her sex, her eyes meeting his as he felt how wet and ready
she was. Amelia reached between them wanting to touch him. "In time," his wicked grin nearly undid her as she unbuckled his belt. The throb at her core too much.
Asher thrust her hands above her head, and she chuckled as the bed creaked. His control of her stirred the darkest parts of her desire.
"No moving," he threatened as his hand went to the knot of her top. He pulled it up slowly his fingers grazing her abdomen, and her muscles clenched deliciously. He released her arms, and she pulled off her top throwing to the other side of the room. Amelia surprised him by rolling him onto his back, pinning him to the bed with her legs on either side of his hips. Rocking her hips, she could feel him against her, and she needed him all of him before she combusted.
A wicked grin appeared on Asher's lips as he sat up, wrapping his arm around her waist. His lips brushed the sensitive skin at her throat, and she tried to struggle, but he kept her still his grasp on her hips as she tried to move, to relieve herself.
"Stay," she said, and he stilled as she jumped off the bed. Her eyes never leaving his as she removed her panties. Dropping them on the floor, he was about to stand when she climbed on top of him once again. His eyes wide with desire as she pinned his shoulder to the bed with her hands. "We need to get these off," she panted, pulling off his trousers.
"Condom?" Amelia panted, pushing her red hair aside. Asher pointed breathless to the bedside table. She bent over to the side and opened the drawer. With one in hand, Amelia saw his abs clench as her fingers grazed his hard, smooth length. Licking her lips, Amelia wanted to taste him, but she needed to feel him, all of him more than anything.
"We can go slowly," Asher said, and Amelia shook her head. "I can't wait," she panted his fingers, gripping her hips as she slid the condom over him. A groan escaped him only furthering her desire. Before he could recover, she slowly guided him inside. His eyes sprung open as he reaches her hilt. He saw the flames of desire blaze in her eyes as Amelia started to move her hips. She fit him like a glove, and as her head bent back, he knew she was close.
While she was distracted, he sat up, pushing himself deeper. Amelia cried out as she stretched around him until his lips found hers. Devouring each other as they rocked as one. Asher could feel her tightening around him and moved faster as her nails gripped his shoulders, and she cried out as she came. Clenching around him, draining him as he came loudly, calling her name as he rested his head against her shoulder.
Amelia rolled off him, landing softly on the bed, satisfied and exhausted. Asher removed the condom and tossed it in the bin beside them while Amelia tried to stop her body from shaking. "I don't know why…" she started, but Asher wrapped his body around hers. His arms pulling her close, his body cradling hers. She felt her breathing even out, and the shaking soon stopped as they both drifted to sleep.
FOUR
As Amelia's eyes flickered open the shock of not being in her bed caused her to jump. The events of the night rushed through her mind, she felt the blush creep to her cheeks, and she threw her face into her hands. However, as Amelia looked to the bed beside her, Asher was gone. She placed her hand on the mattress, and it was cold. Asher hadn't been here in a while, and her blood ran cold. Did he regret what they had done and leave? Did Asher want her to go? Questions flooded her, and she decided to leave before he came back.
Amelia found her top and jeans, and after quickly washing her face in the bathroom, she grabbed the rest of her things and closed the bedroom door behind her. If he could leave her without a word or a note, then she could do the same. Maybe he got called to work? She tried to rationalise as she walked through to the kitchen, but as she thought about the note he had left after staying at her apartment, maybe it was a hint.
Running her hand through her damp fringe, the door opened just as she reached for the handle.
"Asher," was the only thing she could say as he looked at her dressed body. "You left..." She stuttered, and before she could continue, he grabbed the back of her neck and kissed her. Shocked, Amelia pulled away, and Asher smiled warmly. "I left to get this," he said gesturing to the laptop tucked under his arm.
"You didn't leave a note? I assumed..."
Asher put down the laptop on the table beside the door and placed his hands on her hips. "I didn't think you would wake before I came back; it's only 5 am."
"I got a call from my partner, there was nothing on the tape from the shop, but the station received an anonymous email with footage of Ludlow grabbing you in the street.” He took the laptop and guided her to couch. “It also revealed Ludlow was the one who threw the rock. I went to the station to get the disc to show you that we have evidence of harassment."
"If you don't want to use it, it's enough to threaten him with action. Ludlow will leave you, Gwen and the shop alone or else his wife will get a front row seat to him putting hands on you." Amelia could see his clenched fist as he mentioned Ludlow's name, and she rested her hand on his leg, trying to ease him.
"I still have to live beside him. I don't want to take him to court." Amelia felt trapped; such lousy publicity would no doubt kill the business she had just rebuilt.
"We can take this slowly," Asher assured her closing the laptop. Amelia checked her watch, and she didn't have long before she had to open the shop.
"Give me some time to think about it," she rose from the couch her mind heavy and she didn't know what to do.
"I'm here for whatever you need," Asher stood wrapping his arms around her waist from behind and Amelia loved the weight of him on her. She felt safe, protected when he was close, and the thought of leaving him for the shop made her anxious.
"I better get going," Amelia said, brushing her lips to his.
"I'll drive you," he said, and Amelia knew it wasn't a question.
******
They drove in silence, and Amelia hated how vulnerable she felt. Hated that Ludlow had made her not want to go home. However, as they pulled up in front of the shop, it was already open. "Maybe Gwen decided to open early?" Asher shrugged, and Amelia climbed out of the car.
With everything that happened last night, maybe Gwen thought I would take the day off.
"You should get to work," Amelia said through the open car window, and she could see his eyes narrow.
"I'll be fine, and work will take my mind off everything.” Asher grunted, and she blew him a dramatic kiss breaking the tension as he smiled at her cringe display.
"Get out of here," she ordered, and he saluted. "Yes, Sir," Amelia moved back from the car as he sped off.
The lights were on, but as she tried the door handle, it was locked. She opened up, and she had barely stepped inside when Gwen called out.
"Through here Amelia," she said, and as Amelia walked through to the kitchen, she stood frozen as she saw Ludlow's wife sitting at the table. Was she here to accuse me? Threaten us on his behalf? Amelia was about to tell her to leave, but as she noticed the red in the whites of Ludlow's wife’s eyes, she knew she had been crying.
"I wanted to apologize on my husband's behalf. I knew what he was doing." Ludlow's wife hung her head low as Amelia handed her a cup of tea.
"He would watch you sometimes, and I couldn't stand it. I was jealous of the way he looked at you. I didn't know he would go so far as to attack you."
"You saw the tape?
"I was the one who handed it over to the police. I heard the commotion and watched from upstairs. I'm so sorry he put hands on you," Ludlow's wife set down the cup and placed her head in her hands.
"It's not your fault," Amelia tried to calm her.
"I knew he was harassing you, but I thought it was to do with the business. When he lost the deposit on the property, I just thought his ego was wounded and that he would return to normal."
Amelia felt nothing but sadness for the woman; she could see from the lines on her face how distressed she was. "I just came to tell you he is gone. I kicked him out, and since the shop is in my name, he has no right to come back, and I won't let him come back."
Amelia took the woman's hand and saw the relief in her eyes.
"If you need anything, we are right next door, I would love it if we could start again."
The woman wiped away her tears and smiled warmly. "I would like that," Gwen wrapped her arms around the woman.
"That's enough tears now, we have work to get too," Gwen said, and they all laughed lightening the mood.
"You're right, thank you for hearing me out," she said, rising from her chair.
"You're welcome anytime, I mean it," Amelia and Gwen assured her as Gwen opened the side door for her. "Bye," she said and went back to her bookshop.
"I wasn't expecting that," Amelia let out a deep breath and Gwen nudged her.
"Someone is waiting for you," Gwen said, and Amelia wondered whom she could mean. She didn't have any client meetings today. She walked through to the shop front to see Asher waiting with lilies in his hand and a great big dimpled grin on his face.
Protecting Amelia- Alpha Officer Page 3
