by J. L. Drake
“Sorry, I—”
“I’m not looking for an apology.”
I cleared my head. Truth or lie? “I guess Dr. Evans just pointed out a few things that might make this hard for me…or us.”
“Such as?”
“You leaving with no word for months.”
He unscrewed his bottle of water and took a long sip. Now I wish I could read his mind.
“I won’t disappear for months on end, but maybe a week here and there. I am sorry for being so quiet last time. There are some things going on that need my attention. I won’t lie, Mia, being with me wouldn’t be easy. I haven’t figured it all out yet either, but I know I like being with you. Can’t we at least try?”
Try? I analyzed my feelings to see if that was something I could do.
“I think—” A knock sounded at my door, and I held up a finger.
“Sorry, Mia.” My neighbor Ed had his security uniform on. “I wouldn’t have come by, but I heard you come in. I got called to cover a shift.”
Butters shoved past his legs, and his huge, furry paws landed on my chest. I had to take a step back to absorb his weight. “Hey, boy.”
“He’s been clawing at my door since you got home.”
“No problem. I don’t work tomorrow, so we can hang out. Oh, and thanks for the groceries. Let me know what I owe you.”
“Okay.” He looked over my shoulder. “Hey, I’m sorry.” He gave Mark a wave. “I’ll call you later.”
“Sure thing.” I took the leash from him. “Come on in.”
The leash was yanked out of my hand as Butters ran to Mark, who opened his arms to greet him.
“Hey, Butters.” He scratched his ears.
“You two know each other?” I picked up his bottle cap and fiddled with it between my fingers.
“Yes,” Mark bent down and kissed his head, “I woke to hot breath in my face and a rather long lick last time I was here. It almost made me decide to stay!” He raised his eyebrows at me.
“Oh, really.” I laughed as I leaned over the counter. “He’s the building’s dog. We all take turns looking after him. Though I seem to get him the most.”
“That’s because he’s sweet on you. I can see I will have competition.”
His comment made me smile. He could be so sweet without even trying. After another ear scratch, he glanced over at me, then reached for my hand to pull me around the counter and in front of him.
“You were saying something.”
I slid my hands over his strong shoulders as he closed his eyes. My fingers dipped and rose over his muscles.
“I’d like to try,” I whispered, and his eyes popped open, but instead of a smile, his eyes almost darkened.
He stood, and his gaze held mine as his hands slid around my neck. He dipped down and gave me a closed lip kiss. It was soft but had a lot behind it, almost as if he was sealing my decision to his.
My chest heaved against his, and the friction gave me temporary relief. His fingers inched around before my straps to my halter fell forward. I stepped back and removed my shirt and tossed it on the floor.
“Wow.” His gaze roamed over me, but in a way that made me feel cherished. Mark had an incredible way of making me feel that I belonged to him, and I was all right with this.
He deliberately removed his shirt and dropped it on top of mine. With a step forward, I raised my hand and hovered it over one of his scars. I flicked my eyes up to see if it was all right. He gave a quick nod then flinched at my cold fingertip, but he soon relaxed. The raised skin was mostly smooth, but a few bumps were visible.
“Did they hurt?” I whispered, studying his body further. It was like a human canvas of his life; every mark carried a story.
“Some did, yes.”
My fingers slid around his side and stopped at a deep groove. His hand slapped on top of mine, and I caught his expression before he gave me a grin.
“Ticklish,” he muttered, but I could see it was more than that. He raised my fingers and kissed them gently. “Come on.” He nodded toward my bed.
Once at the foot of my bed, he brushed my hair up off my bare chest so it was exposed. He ran his fingers along the curve of my breasts, stopping to feel the weight of one. His pace was intoxicating. His slow movements nearly drove me mad, but I managed to remain still. I couldn’t recall ever being touched like this. He tenderly rolled my nipple between his thumb and knuckle.
His free hand slid down the front of my belly and freed the button on my jeans. With a light tug they pooled around my feet and were kicked off to the side as I stepped away from them.
I felt his chest heave, but I was too excited to see what was waiting for me under his jeans. With quick work, I did the same to him.
Then there we were, both naked, standing in the darkness with only a little light peeking through from the city below.
Normally I’d be covering myself up, wanting to crawl under the covers to hide from my insecurities, but not with him. Mark made me feel…sexy and confident.
He stepped into me, wrapped his hands around my face, and kissed me so hard I forgot who I was.
One hand slipped under my legs as he lifted me and carefully placed me on the bed. He slipped a condom on all the while he kept his eyes on me. His body hovered over me, and he smiled. His eyes sparkled in the little light we had.
“How?” His words were barely a whisper.
My eyebrows knit together.
He brushed my hair off my neck, then continued to travel along my collarbone.
“How have I gone this long without knowing you?” He kissed the corner of my eye. “Without knowing your touch?” He threaded his fingers through mine. “Without knowing your heartbeat?” His lips skimmed my chest. He positioned his hips before he pushed forward. “Without knowing what you feel like inside?” My back arched as he eased his way inside me, and he let out a puff of air once he was fully in.
With his jaw strained, he forced his eyes open. “Are you all right?”
I nodded but had to bite my bottom lip in fear I’d burst. His words still looped in my head. How could someone make you so warm inside?
He leaned his weight on one arm before he started to move. He watched himself slip in and out. I was lost in his body; the way his muscles moved was mesmerizing. I closed my eyes and let the euphoria spread right down to my toes. The coil inside started to tighten, and instead of overthinking the way I normally did, I gave myself over to him.
Mark nuzzled right behind my ear. “You make me forget when I’m with you.” I wanted to ask what he meant, but he held me still and kissed me as he picked up the pace. He had taken over all of me, mind, body, and heart. I pushed all fear away, opened my arms, and let the rush take me over.
Colors—all I saw was a spectacular sea of colors floating by me.
His body flopped down next to me, and we both fought to catch our breath. His arm curled around my middle and pulled me to his chest. He kissed my hair with a deep sigh.
“Mia.” He kissed down my shoulder.
I kissed his arm and felt my eyes grow heavy. I vaguely remembered him going into the washroom before I drifted off to a very pleasant sleep.
CHAPTER FIVE
Sunlight burst through my windows, and I rolled over to an empty bed. My eyes fluttered open as last night came racing back to me. I swiftly changed into a pair of panties and a shirt before stepping around the partition and stopping with a grin.
Mark and Butters were on the couch watching the news. Mark was talking to him about something while he ate a bowl of cereal.
I grabbed my camera and snapped a quick picture. The two of them turned around at the sound of the shutter.
Mark’s expression was enough to send me running back to bed for round two.
“Morning.” His voice had a slight rasp to it. “Hope you don’t mind. We were hungry.” He held up the bowl.
“Not at all.” I was pleased he felt comfortable enough to help himself. “Come on, Butters, let’s go ou
tside.”
Butters didn’t move.
“We already went out.” Mark rubbed the big dog’s head.
“Oh,” I grinned, “thank you.”
“Sure.” He watched me pour some coffee, then his warm arms were around me. “You know, you’re quite responsive when you’re sleeping.”
“Am I?” I leaned back and kissed him.
“Yes, it was almost torture.”
I turned in his hold. “Well, you have my permission to wake me if that feeling comes back.”
He bent down, lifted me over his shoulder, and headed back to the bed.
“Mark!” I shrieked, but all it gained me was a slap to the butt.
His phone rang, bringing us back to reality with news that he needed to leave around four.
He showered and changed while I watched from the bed. I didn’t want to show I was disappointed he had to go. I knew this was how it was going to be.
I crawled to the edge of the mattress when he slipped his shoes on. I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. My hair fell around me and in his face.
“Call me when you can.”
He twisted, took hold of me, and brought me onto his lap so I straddled him. His hand cupped my butt and gave it a squeeze.
“I can honestly say this is the hardest time I’ve ever had leaving someone.” He rubbed the back of his fingers across my cheek. “I want to take you with me.”
I smiled. “Do you have any idea when you’ll be back?”
That’s when I saw it, the flinch in his face. Why didn’t I keep my mouth shut? Before he could answer, I moved off his lap and tried to think of something else to say. I opened a small silver box on my dresser.
“Well, whenever it is,” I held up two keys before I tossed them at him, “you know where to find me.”
“Keys?” He smiled as he examined them. “Lucky me.”
I got dressed since Butters started to whine by the door. Mark held my hand while we were in the elevator and outside.
“Well.” I sighed inwardly. “See ya later.”
He studied my face briefly before he pulled me in for a kiss.
“I’ll call when I get there. Try to keep warm without me.” Then he reconsidered his words and smiled an evil smile. “Cancel that, you’ll just have to be chilly!” He kissed me one last time before he got in his car and left.
I was a left with an empty feeling, but I pushed it aside. I did agree to this.
Butters pulled on the lead. I opened the gate to the private yard for our building and let him run.
“Hi.” A man waved from a bench behind me. “Beautiful afternoon, isn’t it?” His heavy knit sweater stretched over his chest when he leaned back, and his well-worn boots were stuck way out as he straightened his knees.
I smiled back and looked up at the sky and saw the dark grey clouds that threatened to roll in. “It is now, but it looks like we might get a storm.”
“Then I guess you could say it’s the calm before the storm.” He smiled, but somehow it made me uneasy. Plus he stared too long for my liking.
“Perhaps.” I glanced at Butters, who had found a puddle to drink from.
“I’m Chris.” The man offered a hand, and I noticed an upside down cross tattoo that bled into his fingers. “I just moved in.”
“Nice to meet you,” I said over my shoulder, pretending I didn’t notice his gesture for a handshake.
“I’m taking over Larry’s job for a bit.”
What? I turned to him. “Larry, as in the manger?”
“Yup, some family thing.” He scratched above his ear quickly. “What’s your name?”
With a sigh, I turned to face my new neighbor. “Mia.”
“Nice to meet you, Mia. 3D, right?”
I gave a short nod before I called Butters over. This man had a strange way of looking at someone, like he was searching for something. Butters was at my side in a flash.
“Pretty dog.” Chris dropped his hand for Butters to come smell him, but he didn’t go. I didn’t blame him.
A raindrop hit my cheek with a splat, then another, and another.
“I should go. Come on, Butters.”
“See you around.” Chris stayed put as I ran inside.
***
Mark
I’d been home four days, and I kept missing Mia’s calls. Between our hectic schedules, it had been hard to stay in touch.
When I actually did stop, my body hummed to be with her. When I closed my eyes at night, I could see her under me. The look on her face right before she gave herself over to me made my stomach tighten.
“Hey, man.” Cole came into my room and jumped up on my desk. “You ready?”
“Yeah.” I folded a pair of camo pants into my bag and zipped it closed.
“How’s Mia?”
“Good.” Her name made my insides twitch.
“Is your head in this?”
I turned around to find him with an odd expression. “Of course.”
“All right.” He hopped down and left. I stopped and thought if Cole was sensing something, I must not be right.
Get your shit together.
The trip to New York gave me time to clear my head and focus on what I had ahead.
The minute we landed, I texted Mia.
Mark: Be out of reach for a bit, call you later.
I waited a moment, then went with what was really on my mind.
Mark: I need to see you.
It was just after six where she was. She was probably in the middle of her rounds.
“Ready?” Keith unclipped his seatbelt and reached for his duffle bag.
Keith and Cole decided to come along to New York to help Frank and me deal with this situation. Manuel wanted to meet up, and we needed to handle it carefully.
We took a cab to the hotel where we met up with Frank and used his room as an office.
Frank greeted us at the door. “Men.” He was always a man of few words. “Come in.”
We sat at a table, and to my surprise, he offered us a beer. Even Cole shot me a confused look. This was not Frank behavior.
“So, tell me what you found.” He looked around at us.
I stopped Cole from talking; this was my issue. “After Manuel joined the police force, he started gambling here in New York at the Dark Horse Casino until he was banned for counting cards.” I opened a file with all his information. Others might have found this strange, but not me. I was used to it. “Two years later, he started playing at an underground group. That’s when he started skimming money out of the evidence locker.”
“How much?” Frank turned his pen to extend the tip.
“At first it was small amounts, five hundred to a thousand. Then he got in deeper, and it changed to fifty to a hundred thousand a couple of times a month.” I scanned the paper and flipped the page. “Guess his partner suspected something, mentioned it to their sergeant, and they set up some cameras. Sure enough, there he was, stuffing it into the waistband of his pants.”
Frank sighed then glanced out at the window while he thought about something.
“Okay,” he cleared his throat, “Lopez, have you ever spoken to anyone about what happened back then?”
My stomach churned. “No.”
“What about during the investigation?”
“No.” I snapped my neck to relieve some tension. This wasn’t a topic I spoke about often. “Not much evidence was found.”
“Right.” Frank scribbled on his yellow pad, and I appreciated that he didn’t question my answers. “Good.”
Keith’s phone rang, and when he pulled it free, his face dropped. “Shit. I gotta take this.” He glanced at Cole then left the room.
I squinted at Cole, wondering what was up, but he just gave a quick shake of the head to stay on task. Keith and I had become closer now that he was with Blackstone, but there seemed to be another side of him that he kept from us…well, maybe just from me. Cole knew everything. My throat contracted at that thought. C
ole did know everything—even my secret—and he never judged. Ever.
“All right,” Frank looked at me, “you’re meeting Manuel in thirty in Central Park. Will you wear a wire?”
“No, he’ll check.”
Frank gave me a curt nod. “Leave your phone on, then.”
“I’d really prefer to go in clean,” I admitted. Wires and bugs were not something I wanted on me when I hadn’t seen him in almost five years. He was a loose cannon, and I didn’t trust what could come out of his month.
Cole spoke up. “I’m fine with that.” He always had my back. “We’ll maintain a visual. I agree with Lopez. Manuel will suspect it. I know him well enough to say he’ll be waiting for this.”
“Fine,” Frank assented, but I could tell he’d rather listen in. “Ask the questions we prompted you on, and if you need help, pull out your cell and bring it to your right ear.”
“Mark.” Cole pulled me out onto the balcony where he produced a shiny black box. “Ah, I got these for the team for Christmas, but I want you to wear yours now.” He held the box up like he was about to propose.
“I’m kinda into chicks, man.” I laughed as he shoved the box in my hand.
“You’re not my type.”
“That hurts real deep.”
He rolled his eyes. “You’ll get over it.”
I popped open the lid with my thumb, my curiosity piqued.
“Damn, dude.” I pulled the black watch free to study it better.
“It’s made by a couple I met a few years back in L.A. It’s the first watch line they’ve ever designed. I thought it would work well for Blackstone.”
I read the name of the watch. “Joogii.” The black leather strap flowed right into the black face. The hands reminded me of a tuxedo with its black arms and white tips, but the long, skinny second hand was what drew my eye. It was a bright yellow. Everything about this watch was crisp, clean, and attractive.
