Still Waters [A Kyra Moray Mystery]

by Deanna Lee

  "Yeah.” He met her gaze. “You look tired, Inspector."

  "Long day.” Kyra looked down at the bar and frowned. “Crap. I should have made him stay seated."

  Alex laughed as one of his regulars strolled down the length of the bar and slipped up onto the stool next her. “Need a refill, Ken?"

  "Nope, thought I'd buy the lady a drink."

  "The lady doesn't drink.” Kyra cast a glance in his direction and then pushed aside her water. With a small smile for Alex, she shrugged out of her jacket and let it fall on the backrest of the stool. The light gleamed on the steel of the weapon she had strapped on.

  Ken raised an eyebrow. “Got restraints?"

  "Get lost, before you make her mad.” Alex motioned him away and looked around the bar. “Where did my brother go?"

  "Off to seduce some unsuspecting woman.” She slid off the stool. “You got an office?"

  "Yeah.” He signaled to one of the bartenders at the other end of the bar and then motioned her around. “Meet me on the end."

  * * * *

  Kyra followed Alex Waters into his office, wondering what she thought she was doing in the middle of a crowded bar on a Wednesday night. She leaned against the door as she shut it, and sucked in a breath as he reached past her to flick the lock. It had been easier to ignore how attracted she was to him when other people had surrounded them.

  Sucking her bottom lip into her mouth, Kyra took the time to consider what she was doing and what it would accomplish. Did she really have time to get involved with a man? The answer was no, of course; she barely had time to pay the rent on her apartment, much less get involved with a man like Alexander Waters. He was a complication, and he was already there, in her mind, teasing her with images of the incredible sex they were certainly going to have.

  "Inspector, are you still on duty?"

  "Umm ... no.” She met his gaze as he rested one hand above her head. “I got your note."

  "I'm glad.” He ran his finger along the line of her jaw, then rubbed her mouth gently with his thumb. “Did you want those references?"

  "Only if you want assorted lovers from your past brought in on trumped-up criminal charges.” Kyra sucked in a deep breath as he moved closer.

  "Jealous already, Kyra?"

  "Territorial. It's my nature.” She made no apologies for it; she had a feeling he was the same way. Kyra tossed the light jacket in a small chair to her left and let her hands run along his sides. “How did you find out where I lived?"

  "I'm a business owner in this neighborhood. It's advantageous to know where the cops live. Had I known you looked like this, I would have sought your assistance a long time ago. You are much nicer on the eyes than Sergeant Calhoun.” He took in a deep, audible breath as her fingers ran along his belt.

  Kyra slipped her fingers into the front of his jeans and pulled a little. “My friend Glory thinks you're sexy."

  "Oh, yeah?"

  "Yeah.” Kyra wet her bottom lip.

  "What do you think?"

  "I think,” she whispered with a smile, “that you look good enough to eat."

  She grinned, and showed him her teeth in the process.

  Alex met her gaze. “I tend to be demanding, Kyra. A woman in my bed doesn't keep secrets, doesn't play games, and isn't afraid to tell me exactly what she needs."

  "The only secrets I have are professional."

  His hands smoothed over the straps of her shoulder holster. “Those kinds of secrets are acceptable."

  "I'm fairly demanding myself."

  "Yeah?"

  "Yeah. If I'm in a man's bed, no other woman is. This wouldn't be negotiable, and failure to adhere to this rule would terminate all relations, with no discussions.” Her gaze drifted over his mouth before she met his eyes. “It's my dick until I'm done with it."

  "That's a pretty hefty stipulation for this situation. You barely know me."

  "Those are my rules, if I decide to have a sexual relationship with you."

  "Really, Inspector, I think you've already made that choice."

  She shrugged. “It may have to be re-evaluated. You look amazing, but there are lots of pretty things around that prove to be useless."

  He laughed. “Any other conditions or rules?"

  "My job is dangerous, and I'm not giving it up for any man. I don't need a man to keep me, protect me, or manage me."

  "What do you need a man for?"

  She pulled him closer, curling her fingers deeper into the front his jeans at the same time. “To fuck me, respect me, and occasionally I might need a shoulder to cry on."

  "I think we understand each other's terms."

  Kyra nodded and sighed when his body was flush against hers. She slipped one leg around his and ran both hands up his chest. Their mouths met in a furious crush. She shuddered and groaned against the swift invasion of his tongue. He lifted her, and she wrapped her legs around his waist with no hesitation. He pressed his cock against the heat of her and groaned when she held him tighter.

  Alex pulled his mouth from hers, moving his lips along her jaw and placing a very soft kiss on her neck. “You are such a temptation."

  "I'm trying.” Frustration made her voice a little more breathless than she would have preferred. She couldn't remember ever being this hot and willing for a man.

  He laughed. “Yeah.” Lowering his head to her shoulder, he gently set her on her feet and took a deep breath. “I don't get personal like this, not in my place."

  Kyra sighed, disappointed but understanding. She appreciated personal codes of behavior better than most. “I get that.” She turned her face and kissed his jaw. “Let's have lunch tomorrow."

  "A real lunch, or a flat surface for an hour?"

  Laughing, she ran one hand down his chest to his belt buckle. “A real lunch, maybe."

  "Food is always good.” He pulled her closer to him, away from the door, and ran his fingers through her hair. “You have a great voice, Inspector—soft and deep like really good sex."

  Kyra closed her eyes briefly as he brushed his lips over hers before releasing her. “I'll swing by tomorrow when I have an hour free."

  "Sounds good."

  * * * *

  Kyra exited Still Waters with a smile on her face and soaking wet panties. It was, she thought, a shame that Alex hadn't been tempted enough. She looked around the entrance of the bar and wondered where the doorman was. He was something of an institution himself on St. Anne Street. He worked Wednesday through Saturday nights and was just the sort of formidable presence a woman could appreciate standing on her street.

  Turning around, she walked back into the building and looked toward the bar. Alex was there, looking grim, with a bartender, the doorman, and a man she was sure had no business being behind the bar. Disgruntled, she went back to the bar and slipped up onto the stool.

  Looking toward Alex, she smiled. “The usual."

  He nodded abruptly and went down the bar to pour her a drink. When he came back with red wine, she knew there was trouble. Taking the wine, she slid off the barstool and moved into the crowd. She found his brother on the dance floor. Setting down the wine, she walked to him and cut into his dance.

  The young woman he was dancing with gave her a practiced glare and flounced off. Kyra gave him an apologetic smile as he offered his hand. “Sorry about that."

  He shook his head as he pulled her close and slid his hand down to press against the small of her back. “It was a timely rescue. You look tense."

  "Yeah.” She cleared her throat; there was something about the Waters men that made her stupid. “Look toward the bar. Who's the man behind it with Alex and the bartender?"

  Marcus stiffened immediately and started to move. Kyra held on to him tight. “No. Don't make a snap decision. Is he a stranger, or something worse?"

  "Worse. He's an old friend of Alex's. His name is John Deets; they were in the military together. Alex is always so trusting."

  "Is he dangerous?"

  "I've
always thought so."

  "I ordered ‘my usual,’ and he gave me a glass of wine.” Kyra looked back to the bar and nodded. “I think it's time I order again.” Reaching under her jacket, she unbuckled the strap that kept her gun in the holster, and left Marcus on the dance floor, knowing he'd follow along behind her.

  She stopped at the bar, but didn't sit down. “So, gentlemen, are we playing a game? None of you have moved in the three minutes since I left the bar.” John Deets angled her way, and she saw the gun. It was, she thought, just the way she wanted to end the evening. Nodding, she smiled. “Nice. That's a late-edition EPG Ranger?"

  "Yeah.” Deets glared at her. “I'm collecting on a debt. Mind your own business, bitch."

  She pulled her own weapon and aimed at the middle of his forehead. “That's ‘bitch cop’ to you.” Everyone at the bar scrambled away, and Kyra smiled. “I prefer the EPG8000. It's an elegant weapon, don't you think? Nice, sleek lines, and it has enough power that I could put a bullet in your head from a mile away. Granted, we aren't a mile apart. So, I can imagine the damage might be significant.

  "Right now, John, this is business between you and Alex. You can leave and never come back. We'll all pretend like this didn't happen, if that's what he wants. If you turn and point that gun at me, I'm going to put a bullet in your head, and then it won't be between just you and Alex."

  He seemed to consider his options, his gaze darting between Alex and Kyra. “I'll go.” He looked toward Alex as the music onstage came to a halt. “But we aren't done."

  "That wasn't what I said.” Kyra thumbed the laser sight on her gun, and a bright blue dot appeared in the middle of John's forehead. “You should learn to pay attention."

  Marcus Waters whistled. “I'd take her seriously if I were you, John."

  "Put the gun on the bar and leave."

  "I'm not leaving my gun...” He paused and considered. Her eyes were hard and serious. “You sure are a bitch cop."

  "Talking sweet to me like that isn't going to help you."

  He put the gun down on the bar with a shaking hand and took a couple steps back from the bar. Reaching out, she grabbed the gun and lowered hers. She cast one glance at him and then flipped open the ammunition chamber. He was fortunate that it held the standard personal defense gel pellets and not bullets. “Now, since you two are on equal footing, I'll be leaving."

  She didn't look back when glass broke. Out in the street, she strolled toward her apartment and wondered what John Deets thought Alex owed him.

  * * * *

  Alex dropped a gel pack on John's face and sat down. The bar had emptied quickly; most of the crew was working on cleaning up his mess. He sighed and shared a knowing look with Marcus.

  "You know, John, you picked the wrong night to come in here and mess with me."

  John laughed roughly. “Fuck you. Who was she, anyway?"

  "His cop,” Marcus murmured. “You are lucky she isn't a trigger-happy bitch cop."

  John winced. “Man, I'm going to get hassled for sure."

  "Kyra isn't that kind of cop.” Alex crossed his arms across his chest. “This settled between us?"

  "Bastard.” John muttered. “A man has a right to want to fuck with you for what you did."

  "You and I both know that Frank made the mistake. I can't believe you're still dragging this stuff around. We've been out for three years."

  "Fuck that. My best friend is dead."

  Alex raised an eyebrow. He knew that Frank and John had been lovers. It was something the unit had simply chosen to ignore. “The mistake was his, and he paid for it, unfortunately with his life. You carry that guilt around too long, it'll mess you up.” Alex thought it probably had already. “You need to stop drinking. You could have killed someone tonight."

  "Didn't have real bullets,” John muttered. “Think you can get my gun back from your cop?"

  Alex had to laugh. “No."

  Marcus stood. “Your cab is here.” He helped John stand. “Don't come back here, John. Else, I just might tell his cop I consider you a public menace. Maybe she'll find a reason to lock you up."

  Alex watched silently as Marcus got rid of a man who used to be a friend, and wondered if he'd ever get past the night that had changed them all. John Deets had been forced out of military service. Alex had gotten out clean and without malice, but he harbored guilt for the night that had seen one of the men under his command die. He just had to remind himself that he'd done all he could.

  He sat up straighter as Marcus came back. “Every time I see him, he looks a little less here."

  Marcus nodded and sat down. “Your cop...” He laughed. “You'll have your hands full with that one. I almost envy you."

  Alex stood. “Can you close up?"

  Marcus had to grin. “Only because I like her."

  * * * *

  Alex leaned against the wall while he listened to Kyra approach her door.

  She opened it swiftly and looked him over. “You look none the worse for wear."

  "Yeah. I'll live."

  Kyra stepped back and motioned him inside. “Come in."

  Alex paused in her foyer as she locked the door. John's gun was lying on the table near the entrance, along with the jacket she'd been wearing. “I wanted to thank you. He's a good man; there are just a few issues between us."

  "He looked shell-shocked,” Kyra murmured.

  "Close. His discharge was for mental reasons.” Alex watched her moving around and wondered what she had on underneath the blue silk robe. “That's the first time he's ever brought a gun into the bar. He really isn't dangerous."

  "Are you sure?"

  "Yeah."

  "What sort of debt do you owe him?"

  "He thinks I'm responsible for the death of a friend."

  "Are you?"

  "I feel responsible, but I was cleared along with a couple other guys. I don't want to talk about it, Kyra."

  She nodded. She saw the guilt, and wondered how she'd missed the small details that marked him as ex-military. His posture, the way he moved, and the way his eyes scanned his surroundings screamed training of some kind. Sitting down on the couch, she watched him sit in a chair across from her and almost smiled.

  "At least I got to use my new laser sight."

  Alex laughed and then shook his head. “I thought for sure he was going to faint. God, you know, I tried to stay angry with him. He brought a gun into my place. He had it pointed at Jake, the bartender, and all I could think was that I'd trusted him with my life once."

  "Are you going to make sure he gets the help he needs?"

  "Yeah, I'll make a few calls tomorrow. They should have kept him, made sure he was ready for a life on the outside before cutting him loose. Unfortunately, a lot of times it's just easier to cut a guy loose than deal with him."

  "You aren't pissy that I interfered?” Kyra raised an eyebrow and watched him move around in the chair.

  "I'm a grown man, not some seventeen-year-old kid who isn't sure his dick's big enough for the real world.” He focused on her legs briefly and then met her gaze. “If you hadn't interfered, I might have had to seriously hurt him. Despite his actions, I still consider him a friend. I would have regretted hurting him."

  She crossed her legs at the knee and her robe slid open. “So, you came over to apologize for your friend?"

  "No, I came over to find a hot, wet place for my cock. I thought you might have one."

  Kyra wet her bottom lip and uncrossed her legs. “I might."

  He stood and walked to her, but before she could stand, he lowered himself to his knees in front of her. Running dark, work-roughened hands over her thighs, he spread her legs.

  "Come here."

  She scooted forward, breathless, as he untied her robe and pushed it out of his way. “I have a bed."

  "We'll get there,” Alex promised as his hands clamped onto her hips to hold her.

  Lowering his head, he kissed the inside of her left thigh and glanced up at her soft int
ake of breath. Her head fell back, and her hands twisted in the silk fabric of her robe. Impatient for the taste of her, he moved in and slipped his tongue between the folds of her sex. She jerked in his hands, a soft moan slipping from her mouth.

  "Alex."

  "I know.” He stood. There wasn't going to be enough patience for a lot of play.

  Kyra took the hand he offered and let him pull her up from the couch. Knowing what was laying on her bed, she wondered what he'd have to say about it. Since she much preferred what he was offering to the clit stimulator she'd chosen from her toy box, she hoped he wouldn't be put off.

  Light from the street lit the bedroom just enough for the bed to be visible. The silver bullet vibrator was a shiny little beacon in the bedding. She saw him shake his head before pulling off his shirt.

  Reaching for his belt, he met her gaze. “I see you started without me."

  She smiled, then pushed her robe off her shoulders and onto the floor. “A woman has to be prepared to take care of her own needs."

  "Oh, I agree.” He looked her over in the dim light and sat down on the edge of the bed. Barely letting his gaze leave her, he quickly unlaced his boots and tossed them aside. “I can appreciate a woman who's prepared."

  Kyra moved toward him as he stood, and unbuttoned his jeans for him. Her pale fingers slipped over the dark skin of his belly, loving the firm muscles she found there. “Speaking of prepared, I have a tester."

  "Tell me it'll be quick."

  She laughed and went to her nightstand. Pulling out a small computerized device, she slipped two fingers into the testing chamber and didn't even wince when it took blood. The machine hummed and the light on top of it glowed a bright green. She handed it to him silently and watched as he did the same.

  "You don't find it insulting?"

  He laughed and handed it to her when it flashed green. “No. It's smart. My contraceptive shots are current."

  "Mine, too."

  He shucked his jeans and boxers.

  Kyra sucked in a breath as she allowed her gaze to drop down to his cock. He hadn't been lying. She watched him as he sat down on the bed, and took his hand when he held it out for her. He pulled her gently astride his thighs and ran his hands down her back as she settled.