“Eli…we have to talk,” she said quietly as he was reading through her list, the car warming up around them. “I was wrong to…to drag you into a family you don’t want and aren’t interested in,” she began when he simply looked over the cup of coffee at her. “It’s okay to just be friends with benefits…that don’t include you having to endure family things with me.”
“Friends with benefits?” He repeated slowly, setting the cup in the holder and guiding the car along the road to the highway and the stores she wanted to visit. “And you’re okay with this?”
“Sure,” she shrugged absently. “I’m thirty-four, Eli. I’ve spent most of my life in go mode, either in school or the hospital ship. There’s never been time in my life for much of anything else, and I think it’s why the family things…it’s why it’s important to me now. I need it. But it’s alright if you don’t. Like this…shopping thing…you didn’t have to come along or chauffeur me. Eloise gave me the keys to her car and I have addresses. I don’t want you to feel…obliged…just because of sex.”
“And you think that’s all there is between us, Mariah? Sex?” Eli chose his words carefully, maneuvering around the idiots hell bent to make it to the stores before closing on Christmas Eve.
“Well…I think we’re friends…we talk about a lot of things…and you make me laugh,” she said softly.
“I think of us as a couple,” he said slowly. “Which is more than friends and doesn’t include that guy in the ER making nice with you,” he remarked, glancing at the surprise on her face.
“Gavin? He’s a very good resident,” she said with a puzzled frown. “Making nice with me?”
Eli laughed out loud, his head shaking. “You didn’t even notice him in a guy capacity, did you?”
“You mean like…you and me…” Dark eyes went wide. “Of course not. He’s a resident. I’ll probably write up his reviews.”
“Then you admit we’re a couple. You and me. Exclusive,” he spelled out, quickly snatching a parking space and turning the car off. “Let’s get this madness over with, Mariah, before I forget I’m a cop.”
“A couple…yes, I guess that’s what it’s called…and it’s nice,” she said, taking up his palm and leading him from store to store, the things on her list slowly being ticked off the paper and filling Eli’s hands with bags. It was after five when they pulled behind the safety and sanity of the Paddington gates.
Mariah had paper and tape and tags spread out across the table, singing to Christmas music and carefully stacking gifts by the door to be taken to the main tree. She walked with Eli along the corridors, following the directions Eloise had given her, sighing in relief when they entered the large family area. The tree stood a regal ten feet, beautifully dressed in foils and tiny lights.
Eli watched her arranged the gifts they’d carried down, shaking his head. He never really had a chance, he thought, stepping behind her when she stood up and took a step back. His hands went around her, holding her close.
“I don’t share, Mariah…and this isn’t such a bad family to be invited into,” he whispered against her throat, savoring the soft sigh that came from her lips as she relaxed in his arms. “I’m not sure if nerves are something that ever goes away with age…but I’m not ready to be written out of your life. The good feelings…the…right…feelings…are too strong to pretend I can live without them…and you make it all fit together.”
“The family breakfast thing made you nervous?” She asked as they wandered back to her quarters. “What did you believe was going to happen, Eli?” A small laugh broke free. “Someone would demand you make an honest woman of me?”
“I don’t know…maybe…hell, it’s like a bygone age in this house sometimes.”
“Morgan and Eloise aren’t married, Eli,” she pointed out easily. “They aren’t even engaged. It’s okay…relax…I promise I won’t let them railroad you,” she spun on him inside the door. “Let’s go for a ride.”
“A…Mariah, we just escaped that madhouse,” he groaned aloud.
“On the bike. Let me take you for a ride,” she said excitedly. “We’ll cruise around and look at the lights. It’s barely six…I don’t have to be at work until eight,” she lifted his heavy jacket with a hopeful gleam in her eyes. “I want to share this with you, Eli, please…”
He wasn’t sure he remembered the conversation or that he’d actually agreed to her request.
He felt himself groaning as he pulled his jacket on, buttoning it up to his neck. He was pulling gloves on when she straddled the bike, looking over her shoulder at him before putting her helmet on.
“Helmet inside the hard case,” she said, kicking back at the bar for him to use to mount behind her. “Right foot on the stand, swing the other over the seat. You can hold onto me or the chrome bars behind you,” She held the bike steady and slipped her helmet over her head, listening to him mumbling and wondering if she should mention the microphone right away. It was getting more and more difficult not to giggle.
“Damn…Baker, you have lost it…you’re willing to ride a motorcycle because you’re crazy about a girl…” He drew in a long, slow breath and used her shoulder to anchor himself before stepping on the peg, his other leg over and the cushions beneath him. “Okay…hmmm…hold onto what?”
“Me…or the bar behind you, Eli,” She said quietly in his ear, biting her lip when he realized she heard everything he said. “If it helps…I’m crazy about you, too.”
“That’s just wrong,” he answered with a growl. “You could have told me…”
“I was enjoying the commentary,” Mariah chuckled, turning the key. The quiet engine responded immediately and she felt his hands at her waist. “It’s okay, Eli…I won’t break and I’m a very good rider.”
Eli wasn’t aware just how tense he was until she began moving. Why not just tell her that you’ve seen too many bike accidents to find the sport appealing? Because that would be admitting to your girl something scared you, his brain countered with a male scoff.
Mariah figured at the end of a ride, her waist would be at least five inches smaller. For the first time in a long time she was glad she practiced yoga and knew how to breathe without using her stomach. Each time she shifted, his hands tensed a little more.
“Eli? Talk to me…seriously…if this bothers you, I can take you back. I don't want you to do something that just doesn’t appeal to you,” Mariah slowed for the light, her palm leaving the grip and touching his hand lightly. “It’s okay…honest.”
“No…no, I’m good…” He lied, trying to relax and peer around him. He could feel the outline of her body as he slid closer, breathing deeply and trying to focus on things around them. He felt the muscles of his thighs tighten around her hips when she started them moving again.
“It’s really beautiful on this road…there’s enough of a gap between street lights that all the Christmas lights and stars just seem to pop out at you,” she chatted softly.
“The coast roads are nice…you’ll love the summer with bright sunshine and brilliant blue water,” Eli commented, glancing to the side at the Sound stretching below them. “Do you swim?”
“I spent 5 years on the water, Eli…” she laughed lightly. “I think I’ve learned everything from SCUBA to jet skis. The water and sand in that area were one of the few nice things there,” she recalled with a sigh. “I’ll need to get a good wetsuit to dive here, I think. Not used to wearing much but a swimsuit.”
“Mariah…” Eli looked around them, realizing where she had taken them along the coast road, into the warehouse district of Tacoma.
“Just out cruising, Eli,” she answered the warning sound in his voice.
He couldn’t stop his attention to the quiet around them. His gaze swept the construction site as they cruised quietly around the empty streets. It was Christmas Eve, he thought, and this wasn’t the shopping district. He actually forgot he was on the back of a motorcycle, his gaze darting around and holding when he saw a collection of
small lights moving in one area.
“Damn it to hell,” he cursed, his hands tightening a little when she cut the lights on the bike. “Mariah…”
“Shhhh…” She eased them onto the hard, frozen ground, guiding the bike skillfully closer before shutting the engine off. “Don’t take off the helmet. Your face will shine too much out here.”
“Gee…thanks for the advice,” he said sourly, stepping to the ground and staring. “Christmas Eve…you’d think they’d at least take a break…” He reached inside his jacket and pulled his phone out, turning from the construction site and lifting the visor. “Baker…I want a team scrambled now…I want Pacific Rim blocked on both ends and I want it silent, got all that? The thieves are at the construction site loading a black cargo van. I’ll see if I can…” he turned back in time to see Mariah slide off the bike and weave her way down the slight grade. “Shit…make it quick!” He growled into the phone, putting it away and dropping the visor down before following her down, growling into the headset. “Mariah! Damn it…”
“Shhhh…” she returned, her movement cautious as she eased closer to the fencing.
Eli knew he was tense, his hand clenched the butt of his weapon, the safety thumbed off as he pulled it free. She blended into the night better than anyone he’d ever seen. He wasn’t sure if it was her movements or the black leather. He was sure each and every second was taking a year off his lifeline, five minutes and then ten passed before she was back at his side, dropping to her heels.
“What’d you do?” He asked carefully.
“Just released some air from their tires,” she answered with a casual shrug. “Nothing radical…there are six of them, Eli…”
“Back up should be here…” He opened the phone and tapped it again, holding it to his ear. “Do I have back up in place yet? Yeah…I’ll come around the front of the van…” Eli took the helmet off and handed it to Mariah. “I don’t want you down there, Mariah.”
“I know, Eli,” She kissed him softly. “Be careful, please?”
“Always,” he replied, winking and taking off down the slight grade, bent and blending into the night.
Mariah mounted the bike and rode quietly to the front where the van was parked. She stared off down the left side, barest hints of movement catching her attention in the darkness. She could make out Eli and saw him meet up with the incoming police, her head swiveling to the right, her eyes squinting to see the movement against the black drop of night.
She saw the incoming police take two of the thieves in silence, dragging them off to the sides before the others moved in quickly. A long held breath broke free when she heard the sound of weapons being taken, people being cuffed and a lot of doors slamming. Mariah rode the bike down the grade and along side the lean police car, lifting the visor on her helmet and peering at her watch with a wince.
“Eli?” She called out carefully, looking around at the uniforms looking her up and down and trying to be casual about it. A smile touched her lips as she watched him striding from the center of the men being loaded into various police cars. “I have to go…I’m due on at eight.”
“I can catch a ride with one of the patrols, Mariah. I’ll see you in the morning,” he promised, leaning in and kissing her softly. “Be careful, will you?”
Mariah tipped her hand off her helmet before dropping the visor and tapping the lights on, the bike cruising off with a lot of police watching her go.
Chapter Ten
“It’s true…you got a biker babe?” One of the patrol guys asked from his side.
Eli laughed. “Yeah…I guess I do…she’s also a doctor…go figure…”
It didn’t surprise him that someone answered immediately when he tapped the bell, the gate opening for him once he told them who he was. He opened his car before going into the house, a large collection of packages taking two trips until he had some beneath the tree and some ready for the family breakfast.
Eli knew he was staring when she stepped from the closet at nine-forty five the next morning. The dress stopped just past her knees, a bit of lace showing at the hem that swished as she walked. It was deep green with black trim, tiny buttons down the front and sleeves that stopped at her elbow. She allowed her long hair to be free, dark chestnut waves and curls blended from the center part, brushing the bare skin betrayed by the slender sleeve caps and low front of the dress.
Mariah carried the small boots down the stairs, smiling to herself when he followed. She glanced at the packages beneath the tree as she put her boots on, a little frown on her lips.
“You look lovely, Mariah,” Eli held his hand out to her, meeting the dark eyes that sparkled brightly. “Let’s go share our first Christmas with the family.”
Mariah swiped at the tear that ran down her cheeks at the toast made by Albert Paddington. Welcoming the new members of the family who joined their beautiful daughters, his gaze including her. Gifts were distributed slowly and with laughter and plenty of oohs and ahhhhs around the room. She watched Eli interacting with all of the family through breakfast, telling the twins about the thieves they caught the night before, since curiosity wanted an explanation on why he returned home alone and in a patrol car.
“You were crying,” Eli commented softly as they walked hand in hand back to their quarters.
“Yeah,” Mariah sighed. “I get mushy sometimes…you didn’t exactly seem to be having a bad time this morning.”
“No…I didn’t,” he answered, his grin crooked. “It was actually more than a little fun.”
“You know the twins have a crush on you,” she peeked over to see his surprise. “I think it was the presents you gave them…which, I am personally quite impressed by…you’re good at the gift stuff…”
“I’m a detective,” he told her with a wink. “Being part of each other is very important to them both, probably made more so from being born in the conflict area. Jack and Chet do great custom work in jewelry….so it was an easy find,” he said, thinking of the twin hearts he’d gotten for each of them.
Mariah sighed thickly, tapping the switch pad for the Christmas tree lights and striding to pull the drapes closed over the patio doors. Eli tossed his jacket to the chair and pulled her onto the sofa with him, leaning to the side and just sitting quietly, holding her.
“You really are a sentimental little thing,” he whispered against her head, the sweet sent of roses in her hair.
“Yeah…don’t spread it around, okay?” Mariah turned to face him, her mouth seeking his in a long, soft kiss that began a heating throughout her body. “So…” She said with a long sigh. “You’ve gotten over this family phobia thing? We’re good?”
“Hmm…inside, and it might sound a little mushy…” He teased with a crooked grin. “I think we’re better than good, Mariah. Being with you, is a thousand times better then being without you. I think the family is falling into that same category for me. They aren’t intrusive. There are set guidelines and that’s a good thing. There is…humor and civility and chatter and fun,” he tried finding all the words to describe his position. “Being part of the resort…or part of the Paddington’s…a mindset of the value of all is necessary. I think I’ve been too long in the mindset of one…and I don’t want to be there any longer.”
She wrapped her arms around his waist and cuddled down with a sigh.
“I’m glad, Eli…”
“I did notice Eloise sporting a rock this morning,” he commented quietly.
“Yeah…they exchanged one gift each last night at midnight…she told us about it while you were off talking guy stuff with Albert and the others. She didn’t expect it and was very surprised,” Mariah chuckled at the stars in her new friend’s eyes. “She thought they’d spend a year getting to know one another…she said he never even talked about it…”
“Speaking about midnight…and work…”
“Were we? I don’t have to work until…seven-thirty…seven fifteen if I’m missing clothing,” Mariah remarked contentedly. �
�I’ve been fed and I’m quite happy right here.”
“I’ll drive you in, Mariah,” Eli moved his head quickly when she popped up to stare at him with a crooked frown.
“Eli…that’s sweet, but there’s no point in you being awake at four in the morning.”
“There is if I’m taking that shift.” He laughed at the dark lashes blinking in mild confusion. “I know why you started working early….so I can do the same thing. I have seven more days and why not fit our schedules better? Besides, the two guys I’m helping out have little kids at home and their wives work. We adjusted the schedule to fit yours and I’ll be by to retrieve you a little after four. Then we can sleep until noon…have a little time for other stuff…”
“Other stuff? Like…”
“Well…there are still gifts under our tree…” He mentioned with a glance toward it.
“I know…Santa was really nice to us this year,” she teased.
Thank you for reading Mariah Peyton. I hope it brought you laughter, romance and a little holiday fun. Please remember that this is part of a series and will continue with Danielle Greystone and a holiday concert, a case of mistaken identity and the discovery of a relative she didn’t know she had. But it is the season for miracles. Enjoy!
WindSwept Narrows: #11 Mariah Peyton Page 8
