by Judi McCoy
“It’s six months away. I’m sure you’ll find an assistant by then.” Viv returned her ice cream to the fridge, then began loading the dishwasher. “I’ll call Arlene tomorrow and tell her we’ll be there.”
“I can’t think that far ahead. Right now, the only thing on my mind is Mother’s party.”
Viv dried her hands on a dish towel. “I forgot about that big event. Did Detective Darling agree to be your escort?”
“I haven’t the faintest idea. I asked him, but he never—” Ellie heaved a sigh. “Let’s face it—I’m not on Sam Ryder’s good list at the moment.”
“So you think he’ll blow you off?”
“Um, well—”
A loud knock interrupted her. “Who could that be?”
Chapter 15
Ellie opened the door and Sam breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing her made his trek through the blizzard worth every second of the slipping, sliding, and misery he’d endured for the past hour and a half.
“What in the world . . .” She stepped aside to let him in.
He held out a brown paper bag. “You mind taking this? I’m kind of strapped here.”
When she did as he asked, he marched into the front hall and down to the kitchen, where he dropped his gym bag on the floor, hung a plastic garment bag on the refrigerator door, and set a six-pack of Bud Light on the table. Then he tugged off his snow-covered leather jacket and took it to the sink. After wiping it down with a handful of paper towels, he draped it across the back of a chair.
“Hello to you, too,” said Vivian, who had propped herself against the counter to watch the show.
Surprised that he hadn’t noticed her, he said, “Oh, hey, Viv. I didn’t see you there. Sorry.”
“Looks like you’ve been busy.”
He spotted the Mama Bella sack on the counter and bit back a curse. He was cold, wet, and thoroughly pissed. Once he’d found parking, he’d carried the tux, beer, food, and enough baggage to weigh down a camel at least four blocks in a near-blinding snowstorm. “I wanted to surprise Ellie with dinner, but I see you’ve already eaten.” He sat and ran his fingers through his wet hair. “What I brought is probably cold by now anyway.”
“That was so nice of you.” Ellie laid a hand on his shoulder. “Why didn’t you call?”
“Then it wouldn’t have been a surprise.” He entwined his frozen fingers with her warm ones. “The hard part was the snow. It made traveling hell. After I circled the block for an hour, I decided to use a parking garage on Lex, which will probably cost me a fortune. I had to walk through the storm lugging all this crap and—”
She nodded at the hanging bag. “What’s in there?”
“A monkey suit. For tomorrow night.”
“Oh, Sam.” Ellie’s eyes welled with tears. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Viv grinned. “Come on, T. Looks like we’ve just become a third wheel. I think it’s time for a quick slosh outside, then bed.” She walked to Ellie and gave her a hug. “I’m sure you two have things to discuss.” Mr. T trotted to her side. “See you later?”
“Sunday maybe?” said Ellie, sniffing.
“In the afternoon,” Sam added.
Vivian waggled a good-bye wave. “Have a great night.”
Sam read Ellie’s weepy expression and opened his arms. When she sat on his lap, he hugged her tight, too embarrassed to admit she felt good, damn good. So good, in fact, it was worth the trudge through the snow. “What are you crying about?”
“I’m—It’s—I—That party is going to be sheer misery for me, so I can imagine how you’ll feel. Why didn’t you tell me you were willing to be my escort?”
He ran a palm down her damp cheek. “I just decided this afternoon, and since I wanted to surprise you with dinner . . . Well, I guess I thought to surprise you with that, too.”
“You must be starving.” She swiped a tear and stood. “I can nuke a plate for you. What did you bring, anyway?”
“Italian. But it looks like I wasn’t the only one with that bright idea.”
She took his carryout bag and six-pack to the counter. “Trust me, all Italian food is a bright idea.” Digging in the sack, she opened the foil-wrapped package first. “Mmm. Garlic bread. Smells great.” She pulled out a container. “Chicken piccata. Yum.” Then she took out the last carton. “And penne. Very nice, Detective.”
She took a plate from the cupboard, and Sam got a good look at her long legs, encased in some kind of stretchy black fabric. Checking her out from bottom to top, he enjoyed every generous curve, including the fact that she wasn’t wearing a bra. No doubt about it, he was one lucky guy.
She put the food-filled plate in the microwave and set the timer. “It’ll just take a minute. Vivian and I drank all the champagne, but I see you brought your own brand of high-class booze.”
“Champagne? What was the occasion?”
“Viv got a big promotion. I’ll tell you about it later. You ready for a drink?”
“If you don’t mind.”
“Of course not. And it’s still cold, too.”
He continued to watch her as she removed a Bud from the carton, then put the rest of the beer in the fridge. After opening the bottle, she brought it to the table and sat across from him.
“Did something happen today that I should know about?” Ellie asked. “Something professional?”
The microwave dinged and he raised a hand. “Stay put. I’ll get it.” He retrieved his dinner and found a knife and fork in the drawer, using the time to think of an answer to her question. She was probably asking about the Carmella Sunday case, but he had no right to tell her it was stalled, especially since he had yet to talk to the DA about the options.
He’d called and left a message while the rental shop tailor was hemming his suit pants, but the attorney had been in court. He had an idea where they should go from here, but until he heard from the records department . . .
Back at the table, he took a long pull on his beer, then dug into his dinner. “Sure you don’t want some? It’s pretty good.”
“I’m fine. Thanks.” She fiddled with a napkin. “Sam, what are you really doing here?”
Hoping he could get her to relax, he continued to eat. “Isn’t that obvious? You said you needed an escort for tomorrow night, and the weather sucks. Since everyone was leaving the station before the storm screwed up the streets, I figured I might as well get that tux, find dinner, and keep you company for the night.” He took another swig of beer. “No big deal.”
“But you’ve been involved in this case—uh—several cases—for a couple of weeks now. I can’t believe you’d suddenly put on the brakes because of a little snow.”
“A little snow? Have you looked outside lately?”
She glanced at her frosted kitchen window. “Okay, I get the message, but still, why are you on downtime?”
“I’m not, really. I’m waiting to hear from the records department.” As soon as he said the words, Sam knew he’d made a mistake. “Besides, my shift is over at midnight.”
She rubbed her nose. “The records department?”
“And I’ll be off duty in about three hours.”
“Is the records department even open this late?”
“It’s supposed to be, but who knows?” He leaned back in his chair, thinking of a way to veer off track. “Did I tell you Vince and Natalie were driving to south Jersey for the weekend?”
“Stop changing the subject and tell me exactly what’s going on.”
“Let’s just say I’ve decided to take a break for the next twenty-four hours.”
Ellie rolled her eyes. “That is such a crock of crap.”
Instead of commenting, he tucked into the chicken. He wasn’t looking forward to taking her to Georgette’s over-the-top party, but it seemed important to her. If he couldn’t reach the DA, and he had no idea when records would come up with his requested information, he might as well keep an eye on Ellie, make sure she didn’t snoop and make her happy—hell, make
them both happy—at the same time.
He swallowed the last of his food. “Why does the reason I’m here matter?”
She folded her arms, her face set in “wait for it” mode. Seconds passed while he drained the beer bottle and wiped his mouth with his napkin. Finally, he pushed away from the table and took his plate to the sink.
“By the way, did I say I was here for the night?”
“You know you’re welcome to crash anytime.”
He walked to her chair and took her hands, drawing her to a stand. “Yeah. So, now that I’m here, you got any idea how we can make the most of the evening?” He leaned forward and kissed the tip of her nose, trailing his fingers along her ribs until they cupped her breast. “I’m open to suggestions.”
Ellie melted at his touch. It had been a while since they’d been intimate. She couldn’t even remember the last time she’d had him all to herself for an entire night.
He ground his pelvis against her and she grinned. “Feels to me like you already have a few ideas of your own.”
“Hey. I’m still here, and I need an out before you two go at it like humpin’ hamsters.”
Guilt-ridden, she pulled back. She hadn’t thought about her boy once since Sam walked through the door. “I forgot. Rudy needs his nightly walk. Just let me get my boots and coat. It’ll only take a couple of minutes.”
“That’s what you think.” Rudy trotted to her side and put his paws on her calf. “It might take me a while to pick the right spot and do big business. It could take so long that Detective Demento will get smart and go to his own home—where he belongs.”
Glancing down, Sam stepped back. “Want me to take him?”
Not sure that she’d heard right, Ellie thunked the heel of her hand against the side of her head. “Hang on—I’m having an out-of-body experience. I thought someone just said they were willing to take Rudy out all by themselves.”
Sam shrugged. “I could, if he’d let me. Besides, you look all nice and warm, and I still have my shoes on. How bad can it be?”
“Pretty bad, if I have anything to say about it.”
“Okay, but he might take a while,” she warned.
“Not a problem. I’m tough.” Sam took his jacket off the chair and put it on. “I’ll do it.”
Ellie went to the hall closet with both boys trailing behind. After pulling Rudy’s sweater off the top shelf, she squatted and slipped it over his head and front paws. Then she attached the leash to his collar. “You be good. It’s freezing out, and I don’t want either of you to get sick.”
“A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do,” Rudy said with a smug grin.
“Is he ready?” asked Sam, tugging on his gloves.
“I think so, but are you?” She poked around the closet until she found a long woolen scarf. After wrapping it around Sam’s neck, she said, “There. That should help you keep warm. And I’m sure you’ll only have to take him to the corner and back. Isn’t that right, Rudy?”
“Maybe yes, maybe no. We’ll find out.”
She passed Sam the leash. “You sure you’ll be all right?”
“It’s one pint-sized pooch. How bad can it be?”
Ellie bit back a laugh. “Okay, be safe.”
He opened the door, cupped her chin in his hand, and gave her a lingering kiss. “While I’m gone, why don’t you get comfortable?”
Smiling, she closed the door, but left it unlocked. Sam still had the keys she’d given him a couple of months back, but this wasn’t an emergency situation. She finished loading the dishwasher and turned it on, shut off the kitchen light, and picked up his gym bag. After clicking the hall overhead on, she took the bag to her bedroom, tucked it in a corner, and changed into one of the silk sleep shirts Sam had given her for Christmas. This one was teal blue—according to Sam, the same color as her eyes—with a row of easy-to-open buttons running down the front.
She brushed her teeth, turned on the night-light in the guest room, and pulled down the covers on the double bed. Rudy spent the night here whenever Sam stayed over, and she wanted him to be cozy. She even exchanged pillows, giving him the one he slept on from her bed so he’d be happy.
By the time she’d finished, Sam stood in the bedroom doorway, his shoes and jacket already off and his own shirt unbuttoned.
“Hey,” he said, gazing at her through the dim light.
“Hey, yourself.” She sat on the mattress and leaned back. “Time for sleep.”
She felt the touch of his hands from across the room. “Give me a minute. I’ll be right back.”
“I bet he’s in the bathroom, using that toothbrush you bought him, and doin’ all that man stuff,” came Rudy’s voice from the side of the bed.
“What are you doing in here?”
“Me? Just reportin’ my business. I did—”
Scrunching her nose, Ellie raised a hand. “Believe me, I don’t want a blow-by-blow report.”
“Okay, okay.” He licked her fingers. “Guess I’ll see you in the morning.”
She ruffled his ears. “But not too early.” Bending down, she kissed the top of his head. “Good night.”
Rudy ambled out and Sam walked in, gazing at the dog as he passed. “I’m glad he knows his place.”
“Ha!” she said, snuggling next to him when he settled on the mattress. “You’re only in his spot right now because he’s nice enough to allow you there.”
Sam curled her in his arms. “That’s what he thinks. This spot is mine, sweetheart.”
On a normal night, that comment would have started a good fifteen minutes of teasing banter on the pluses of owning a dog. Tonight, all Ellie wanted was the man beside her. “Let’s not discuss Rudy, or the records room, or even the snow. You’re here for the first time in a couple of weeks and I’m looking forward to a night full of—”
He blocked the rest of the sentence with a long kiss that warmed her to her core. In seconds, he snaked one hand around her from underneath while he began undoing buttons with the other. Then he palmed a nipple and bit at her lower lip. “Shh. This is all we need.”
A moment later, Ellie was so lost in sensation she couldn’t even tell him he was right.
“Psst. Hey, you awake yet?”
The familiar voice rolled around Ellie’s brain like dried peas in a can. Groaning, she opened one eye. “There is no need to shout,” she whispered. “My hearing is fine.”
Rudy inched his paws onto the mattress and licked her nose. “Just checkin’. Detective Doofus is sleepin’ like a rock, so I thought you might be, too.”
As if proving her boy’s point, Sam took that moment to give a gentle snore.
“See what I mean? He sounds like the garbage truck when it roars up to the building at five in the morning.”
“He does not.” She yawned. “What do you want?”
“Now there’s a genius question. What do I usually want when I get you up in the a.m.?”
He wanted his morning nibble and a trip outside, but she refused to play his baiting game. “What time is it?”
“Beats me.” He gave a doggie shrug. “But the sun’s been up for a while. I think it stopped snowing, but I couldn’t see out the window, so it’s hard to tell.”
She opened both eyes and glanced at her bedside clock. Rudy had given her about an hour and a half of extra sleep time—not bad for a Saturday morning. “It’s eight, so you did good. Can you hang on while I get dressed?”
“Sure. I’ll wait in the kitchen, in case you and the dopey dick want to do the humpin’ hamster thing again.”
Ellie tsked. “Sometimes you are so gross.”
Sam turned and wrapped an arm around her from behind. “Who are you talking to?” He moved close and spooned himself against her back, then kissed his way from her nape to her ear. “If it’s me, and you’re looking for an instant replay of last night, the answer is hell, yes.”
“Oh, brother. See what I mean?” Rudy snorted as he trotted out of the bedroom.
Ell
ie waited until her boy left, then wriggled her bottom.
Sam gathered her in his arms. “You okay with this?”
“I’m always okay with this.” She turned and he tucked a leg between her knees. “And that too,” she said when his morning erection pressed against her pelvis.
He rolled over on top of her and she struggled to reach her nightstand drawer. “Condom time,” she said, finding the box and ripping open a foil packet.
“You do the honors,” said Sam as his mouth slid to her breast. “I’m busy.”
She did as he asked, and he entered her in one sure thrust. Her fingers clutched his muscled arms and traveled down his back to hold him as he moved inside her. She nestled her nose in his shoulder as he rocked her to a fast and tender orgasm, then collapsed on top of her with a sigh of satisfaction.
“Good morning,” he muttered, a smile in his voice.
She threaded her fingers through his thick blond hair. “Same to you.”
“I suppose your dog has to go out?”
“You know he does.”
He glanced at the frosted windowpane. “I’m happy to come along, provided we can find a place that’s open for breakfast.”
“The Bagel Bin is usually open no matter the weather. Lox and a schmeer would be perfect.”
He stretched. “Do we have time for a quick shower first?”
“I have time, but only if there’s no nonsense, like there was a few weeks ago.”
“Has it been that long?” He kissed her ear. “I forget. What happened last time?”
“You know exactly what happened.” She swung her legs over the side of the bed. Rudy could wait, but he’d been good so she didn’t want it to be for long. “Now promise to keep your hands to yourself. Just soap and rinse, okay?”
“You take all the fun out of everything.” Sam situated himself next to her, grinning. His face was creased from sleep, his hair stuck up at all angles, and his eyes sparkled from the great morning wake-up call. “I’ll go in first and get the shower started.”
Ellie watched him leave, admiring his sculpted backside, the breadth of his shoulders, his trim waist and taut butt. He was different from her ex in every way imaginable, a point for which she would be forever grateful. The D had shown little care for her feelings, while Sam never had a climax until she reached one first. And he always seemed in tune with what she needed to make the act special.
