by Roxie Odell
“Well, don’t let her say I never gave her anything!” she shouted. “She can fucking have you, if you both want each other that badly!” she screamed, stomping her foot for emphasis.
“Cheri, please!” shouted Thomas.
“Guys, can you keep it down? We’ve got an investigation to focus on here,” said Tony, perfectly playing the role of the prying lawman. He then lowered his voice to a whisper and said, “One of you should leave and one of you stay, with a car in the driveway.”
“But it’s not safe to stay,” Cheri said out of the corner of her mouth, not giving anything away.
“Not really stay, just say you are,” Tony clarified. “The one left behind can sneak out the back, cut through the yard, and reunite with the other there.”
“Got it,” said Thomas. “I’ll say I’m staying, since I’m the one the crazy bitch is fixated on. I know exactly where we’re going after that.”
Thomas winked again, very subtly, so only those very close to him could tell.
Cheri jerked her body, as if she was trying with all her might to get away from him, but their fingers glided across one another in a secret touch. “I need my keys,” she snapped at the cop. “Are you done with them?”
“We’re just trying to do our job,” protested Tony. “Don’t you have a spare set?”
“Yes,” she said, “hanging in the kitchen.”
“I’ll get them,” Tony said, then ran inside and back out to her. “They’re not there. You must’ve put them somewhere else.”
Cheri snatched the keys from the officer’s hand, then practically ran toward her car.
“Where are you going?” Thomas yelled.
“It’s none of your fucking business!” she screamed back, continuing the drama.
“Cheri, wait! I—”
Ignoring him, and maintaining the angry scowl on her face, she slammed herself into the driver’s seat of her car, exaggerating her movements with feigned fury. She froze when she realized the seat didn’t quite feel right, that it had been adjusted for someone else. “Thomas!” she called out the window. She didn’t want to spoil the ruse, as she knew the believability of their little performance was key in catching Patty, but she was terrified that someone had actually trespassed inside her vehicle.
Thomas walked over to the car. “What is it?” he asked, still in the playacted angry tone.
“Is she taller than me?” Cheri asked, unable to hide the panic from her voice. “I-I can’t remember.”
“Quite a bit actually,” he said.
“Something wrong?” Tony asked quietly as he hurried over to check on them.
“I think she’s been in the car,” said Cheri.
“Don’t move,” Tony ordered. He quickly stormed away and returned with a few techs who immediately started processing Cheri’s car, dusting the door handle and steering wheel with powder that flew up her nose.
“Thanks,” Cheri said after a slight sneeze.
“Just doing our job,” Tony said. “Your spare keys are gone. Are you sure you didn’t take them out of the kitchen?”
“No,” Cheri said, “I always leave them there.”
“All right. At this point, we’ll consider them stolen. Just sit tight for a minute. I’m gonna have you removed.”
Cheri was motionless as the police lifted her out. She was sure she’d already smeared some of the evidence, but she felt better about that when Tony reminded her that the stalker, Patricia Moore, might have left behind other telling things, like hair or DNA samples. What if that crazy woman cut her brakes? Or something like that?
“What do we do now?” mumbled Thomas, hoping Moore couldn’t hear them.
“I’m calling a cab,” said Cheri, and since she had the taxi service on speed-dial, one pulled up within a few minutes. Cheri clutched her purse and stomped off, as if she was still enraged, but once she was in the back seat of the cab, she instructed the driver to just pull around to the block behind her property, as planned.
Once she was safely away, Thomas and Tony walked into her house. The cops confirmed that all was clear and that no one was lurking in the bushes or spying.
From where she instructed the cab to park, Cheri had a clear vantage point through her neighbor’s yard and to her own. She watched silently as Thomas checked to make sure it was safe to proceed, then quickly traversed the lawn and hopped the fence. She stared at him as he jogged to the waiting cab, and she took his big, handsome, out-of-breath face in her hands as soon as he crawled into the seat beside her.
“Get us outta the neighborhood now,” he said to the driver. “Hurry!”
“Which direction?”
“Take us to 95,” said Thomas. “We’ll head to Virginia, about an hour away. Don’t worry about the fare and tip. I’ll make well it worth your while if you’ve got the time.”
“Fine by me,” answered the cabbie, practically salivating at the offer.
Thomas put his powerful arm around Cheri and drew her close to him. “This is long overdue,” he said, as if very pleased with himself. “‘S’cuse us if you will, Driver.”
Cheri assumed he was referring to the trip, but he was really talking about the kiss he was about to initiate. He looked dreamily into her eyes, and that was all it ever took to entirely rev her body up. The effect of his gaze gathered in the warmest spot in her belly, and she wanted to wrap her legs around him and grind against him right that minute. She parted her lips for him, and liquid heat instantly flowed from her as their tongues clashed. Cheri didn’t care if the cab driver saw them or not. That kiss, perhaps more than any they’d ever shared, sent her flying high, altering her reality. She could hear herself moaning rhythmically as his tongue mastered her.
The heat from his powerful hand covering her breast branded her. He copped a feel beneath her blouse and found her naked skin. A pinch of her nipple caused her to clench at the core. Then he wickedly, boldly plunged his tongue into the well of her ear. Cheri squealed, but Thomas covered her mouth once more to capture her cries. He ended the kissed with several small, soft kisses on her lips, leaving her as speechless as she was breathless.
After he pulled away, he abruptly took out his cell phone and pressed one button to make a call. “Steve,” he said, “Thomas Graham. I know it’s short notice, but is your place booked? No? Can I book it? I’d say forty-five minutes or so.”
Cheri listened as what sounded like a celebration erupted on the other end of the call.
Thomas laughed. “Chill, man! It’s just me and my girlfriend. I’ll pay whatever you want, but don’t go to any trouble. We’ll just be crashing at your place and grabbing food in town.” He paused for a moment, then continued, “Beautiful.”
“What was that all about?” Cheri asked as he hung up and smiled at her.
“We’re going to Occoquan,” he said to her triumphantly. “You ever been?”
“No,” she said, and even though she was clueless about his plans, she appreciated the fact that he seemed very happy about them.
“It’s a shame I can’t take you on the bike,” he said. “We’ll definitely pencil that in for later. It’s this charming, historic little town, right on a bay off the Potomac. Steve’s house is 300 years old, on top of this hill that overlooks everything. The whole place is like a postcard.”
“Wow,” she said, suddenly just as excited as he was.
“He’s had it since he was 20. He renovated it into a bed-and-breakfast, but I’m renting the whole place so we’ll have it all to ourselves.”
It was so easy to get lost in the comfort of his body and forget about the fact that they were running away from their homes because of a story he’d tried to hide, but his idea was the perfect medicine.
The cab flew down the highway as night fell. Soon enough, they were crossing the bridge across the little bay, and even in the dark the place looked delightful, like an idyllic movie set.
“Go all the way to the end of the street,” said Thomas to the driver.
The cabbie nodded and drove till he couldn’t drive another inch. “This good?” he asked.
“Yep,” said Thomas. “Look” he instructed, pointing upward.
Cheri followed his gaze and saw a large stone home sitting on the hill that overlooked the glassy river. It was a simple rectangular structure, and even with the two rows of windows and the bright red door it still looked majestic, like something mystical, out of a fairy tale. “It’s so beautiful,” Cheri stammered, gawking at it in awe.
Thomas paid the driver and took Cheri’s hand. “It’s even better up close. Come on.”
They climbed the steep brick driveway to the front door of the house that was lit with flickering gas lamps.
The sound of their shoes gave them away, and a man was quick to welcome them at the door. “My friends!” he yelled, as if he’d been waiting for them for ages. “Come in! Come in!”
“Steve, this is Cheri Holt, my girlfriend. I hate to sort of rush in on you like this, but I can explain it later. However, we’re starving, and I’m about to pass out,” Thomas said.
Steve asked, “Where are your bags?”
“Don’t have any. I expect we’ll be heading back first thing in the morning,” he answered, “but you know I’m happy to pay you for your trouble.”
“You’re never any trouble,” Steve said.
Cheri and Thomas walked farther into the house, and Thomas reminded her how old it was as they stepped across the wide pine planks that formed the floor. “The original floorboards,” he said, sounding like a tour guide. “Imagine all the feet that have walked on these before us. Kinda cool, huh?”
“Very,” she said with a smile, admiring the place and its décor.
Steve showed them to their room and smiled again. “Here’s the house key,” he said, handing it to Thomas. “If you don’t wanna go out, there’s plenty of food in the kitchen. Help yourselves. Or, if you just take a walk down the hill, you’ll find just about anything.”
“Are you taking off?” Thomas asked, sounding almost hopeful that he would.
“Yes, I’ve got someplace I need to be. I’m sure you’ll fill me in on this little adventure later. For now, the house is all yours. Make yourselves at home, as they say!”
“Thanks, Steve,” Thomas said.
“Yes, thank you,” Cheri parroted before the cheerful man took his leave.
Looking around, she thought it kind of a bummer to have access such a beautiful venue without taking advantage of the romance of it. Even in the sweetness and safety of that setting, finally away from the crime scene going on back at her house, Cheri’s anger found a way to swell. She was even a bit angry at herself for letting him kiss her in the cab. He kept referring to her as his girlfriend, and he said he wanted to love her forever, but she had to wonder if things were always going to be so sketchy with him.
They stayed in their room just long enough to explore it a little, and it was truly spectacular. The bed was topped with a luscious feather mattress covered with a tulip quilt. It almost looked a bit small for the two of them though, considering their no-sex rule. That stupid rule was complicating things, and Cheri really couldn’t wait to be back in her own bed in her own home.
“You hungry?” he asked casually, as if everything was normal and they were simply on a weekend getaway.
“Very,” she said flatly. “Can we go out?”
“Sure,” he said, and they made their way down to the strip of quaint little restaurants.
“This looks like a seafood town,” she complained.
“It is, right on the riverbank,” he said, nodding.
“Well, I’m kinda in the mood for a burger.”
“If the lady wants a burger, a burger she shall have,” he said gallantly, then offered his arm.
She took it, and they carefully stepped down the steep drive from what Thomas referred to as “the mansion,” down to street level. The town wasn’t more than 100 yards away. The cobblestone and brick pavement was uneven, but the street was lit with spotlights, so bright and brilliant that Cheri first thought it was moonlight spilling onto the street.
They crossed the narrow street to a place that overlooked the bay. Their footsteps made hollow noises as they stepped onto the planks of the big deck that extended far into the water.
To eat, they opted for a tavern as old as the mansion. It was full of diners and drinkers, and the food smelled amazing.
“Our waitress is out,” the bartender said apologetically as he rushed over to their table.
“So she’s off the menu, huh?” Thomas kidded, then turned beet red. “Sorry. Been one hell of a day.”
Cheri stiffened noticeably in her seat.
“Sorry,” he apologized again, hiding behind his menu.
“What can I get ya?” the bartender asked impatiently, darting his eyes around at the other customers, who seemed to be getting a bit rowdy.
“The lady will have the all-American,” Thomas answered. “How do you want that, babe?”
“Well done,” said Cheri, and her stomach growled, right on cue. For someone who didn’t eat a lot of red meat, she was getting her fill the past week. She blamed it on Thomas, and the stress.
“You want fries with that?” the bartender asked, the most cliché restaurant question of all time.
“Yes, please.”
Thomas glanced at the menu. “I’ll have the New York, medium but a little on the rare side. Two iced teas, too, please.”
“No beer?” asked the bartender.
“Na, we’re walking home,” said Thomas with a grin.
“Um, okay,” the bartender said. “Sweet or unsweet tea?”
“I got all the sugar I need right here,” Thomas said cheesily, looking at Cheri.
“Unsweet then,” the bartender said, then walked away.
“I’ll say it a million times if I have to, Cheri. I’m so sorry. Not telling you about Patty was a prick move. I didn’t hear from her for a long while, and I just wanted to spare you the misery.”
“Yes, I’m sure you wish none of this was happening,” said Cheri. “I do.” She swallowed, trying to hold back the tears.
“I want to be with you for the rest of my life. Like I told you, I’ll be your guy for as long as you’ll have me,” he said. “I can’t stop you from being pissed at me, and I can’t blame you for it either, but we’re here, in this great place, and this could be an amazing night. I’m going to try my best not to waste it.”
The feather-touch of his fingertips on the back of her neck sent wires of arousal that spiked and gathered in her core. Her body drew up tightly in a shiver. She hated that she was so weak for him and hated that it was so obvious, but she agreed that it could be an unforgettable evening for them, if they would only let it.
“We deserve this,” he whispered.
She agreed with him on that, too, even if she didn’t voice that agreement.
A guitar duet set up on the bandstand and serenaded the diners with soft tunes while they ate. It was so nice to feel safe and to be sober. The meal was delicious but too filling, so they took the leftovers back to the mansion for later.
As they walked, Cheri was overcome with the feeling that they were a couple walking back to a home they shared. Oddly, even though she’d never been there before, there was something familiar about the town. She easily envisioned the two of them living in a place like that. The autumn air was cool and soft, and a breeze bathed them as they strolled through the historical town, carrying a scent of the bay.
The moment was timeless, and the beautiful, romantic ambiance of the place left them feeling as if they were the only two people in the world. All that mattered to her then was how much she loved that man, and he must have felt the same way because they simultaneously turned to steal a kiss.
Cheri felt the rush of deep need; the feel of his lips on hers awakened a desire in her, one so fierce and animal that she was crazed and wild-eyed as she looked back at him, her face speaking words she was not ready to say.
“I know, I know,” he murmured.
They stepped over to a tree-covered wall that overlooked the water. The draft lifted and whirled past them, sending the remaining leaves into a chorus of whisper on the branches above. It was so magical and surreal, like something out of a dream. Cheri imagined they were lovers, back when the estate was new. She couldn’t help picturing Thomas as a sexy pirate or love-starved sea captain, home to see his lady. Their dance was as old as time, and his tongue was so sweet and warm as it explored her like it was the very first time. She longingly pushed her lush, petite body into his hard, solid one as their hands skimmed each other in their frenzied passion.
There was a stone bench built into the wall, and Cheri grazed its chilly surface a few times as they hungrily kissed. She stepped up on the bench to even their heights, since Thomas was so tall that he usually had to crane down to kiss her. He moaned with pleasure, grateful for her good idea, then encased her slight waist with his steely arms, securing her. From there, it was a natural progression, something instinctual that they couldn’t seem to stop. She hitched her knees up around his torso, one after the other, then gripped his body with all her strength, until he was practically wearing her like a tight garment.
Thomas turned, and the two locked onto one another, kissing, tasting, and flicking the tips of their tongues, searching for new and creative ways to express their desire for one another. With her still in his arms, he walked up the hill that comprised the driveway to the bed-and-breakfast. The climb was somewhat steep, as it was installed as a bit of an afterthought many decades after the house was built. The brick pavement was uneven, but Thomas managed even under the burden of her body.
Cheri sensed when the driveway leveled out and they were at the door. They paused, and she felt around in his pocket for the keys, taking an extra-long time to play around.
“Be careful, little girl,” he said with a playful growl. “You’re about to get laid on the driveway.”
“I wouldn’t mind tearing up this place,” she returned.
“It’s a big place,” he reminded.
“I think we can handle it,” she replied wickedly.
