Jamie Hill Triple Threat (A Cop In The Family)

by Jamie Hill

  "Dean," he repeated.

  "Dean." She nodded. "What were the names of your—?"

  "Rita and Carol."

  "Rita and Carol," Mel mouthed the names after him. She didn't know any women by those names, and for some reason she was glad.

  "So what happened after Dean?"

  "After Dean came Harold. Harold and I didn't have the same problem because he was also a cop. Harold was the best damn traffic cop on the beat. Trouble was, he was content to be the best damn traffic cop on the beat. When I made detective and moved to homicide, it irritated the hell out of him. He thought I should have been content along with him. He couldn't understand that I wanted more. He asked for a transfer, and now he's probably the best damn traffic cop walking some beat in Kansas City."

  Nate smiled sadly. "I'm sorry, Mel." He covered her hand with his and squeezed. "Well, really I'm not. Because if Harold had stayed, you might have worked things out. You'd be Mrs. Harold Traffic Cop and we wouldn't be sitting here eating Antipasto and Veal Parmesan."

  "You're right." She nibbled at her salad but couldn't eat much, and eventually pushed it away. "Too much food. It's wonderful, just too much."

  "I know. I always have the same problem. Fortunately for me, I can eat my veal leftovers in the hotel."

  Mel decided to go for it. Her hand found his kneecap again. "I've been thinking about the hotel. Really doesn't make much sense, what with my having the extra room and all. If you're comfortable there, you might as well stay at my place."

  His eyes lit up. "Are you serious? Because I have to tell you, even though I promised not to go wandering last night, I'm not positive I could make the same promise tonight."

  She smiled. "I was going to suggest that you might be even more comfortable in my room. The bed is firmer, and the pillows are softer."

  Nate leaned in and nuzzled her earlobe. "Just two of the room's many fine features, I'm sure."

  The waiter approached to remove their salad plates. "Your meals will be out in a few minutes."

  Nate didn't move his face, just replied, "Better hurry them up, Skippy. We don't have all day here."

  Mel pushed him away and smiled at the waiter apologetically. "That will be fine, thank you."

  He left and she slapped Nate's chest lightly. "You're going to owe him a really good tip."

  "I always leave good tips," he assured her. "Maybe not as good as you. Christ, how much did you pay the waitress last night? My wallet is nearly empty."

  "That wasn't because of the tip!" Mel laughed. "It was the never-ending rounds of beer!"

  "Oh, yeah." He smiled sheepishly. "Anyway, seeing as how my prospects for the weekend just took a turn for the better, I'm ready to get this show on the road. Shall we ask for our meals to go?" His grin turned devilish.

  "We will not," she insisted. "We're going to sit here and eat like civilized folks. When we're through, I might even order dessert."

  His foot nudged her leg and wrapped around it. "Okay, if that's what you want. I like dessert."

  She worked one knee over the top of his leg and rubbed their legs together. "You're gonna like it."

  Nate groaned. He found the waistband of her jeans and unfastened the snap.

  Mel stared straight ahead. "You wouldn't dare!"

  His fingers pried her zipper down as he glanced around the room. "Is that a challenge?"

  "Stop that!" she whispered out of the side of her mouth.

  "Nope, I've been double-dog dared. I can't stop now."

  The waiter chose that moment to return with their plates, and the pair of them froze. He set the steaming dinners in front of them and asked, "Would you like extra cheese on those?"

  "Yes, please." Nate smiled pleasantly, and feigned interest as the boy shredded fresh cheese on top of the veal.

  "For you ma'am?"

  Mel could barely speak. Nate's hand had made it inside her jeans and one finger was rimming the edge of her panties. "No thank you," she squeaked.

  The waiter left, and she looked at Nate. "You are evil!"

  "And you are gorgeous! All I can think about is making love to you. I can't wait to get you home so I can count the ways I'm going to cherish you." One finger dipped through her folds.

  It was her turn to groan. "Can we ask for doggie bags now?"

  "Nope." He grinned. "We're going to sit here and eat like civilized folks." He removed his hand and began to eat with a self-satisfied smirk on his face.

  "What if I've changed my mind?" She couldn't face the huge plate of food in front of her. At that moment, the only thing she wanted to do—the only place she wanted to be—was in Nate's arms.

  He leaned over and planted a small kiss on the nape of her neck. "Never change your mind. Stick to your guns. I like a woman with the courage of her convictions."

  She turned slightly so her lips were mere inches from his. "Right now I have very little courage and even fewer convictions. I just know I want to get you home so you can start counting."

  He chuckled, kissed her ever so gently, and pulled away. Motioning for their waiter he asked the boy, "Can we get boxes to go, please? And how about a bottle of that wine you served us? What the heck, add two pieces of chocolate cake."

  As the waiter nodded and hurried off, Mel grinned and zipped her jeans. "You really know the way to my heart."

  His gaze traveled down her body and back up to her eyes. "And you know the way to mine."

  She watched the waiter box up their food and Nate signed the check. He left a sizable tip which warmed her heart even more. They grabbed their food and headed out the door. "Ugh, two cars." She unlocked hers and they stored the food and wine in the rear.

  The automatic hatch lowered and Nate pressed her up against the car, his hips against hers. "That's okay. We might get home safer this way. I'm not sure I'd be able to keep my hands off you."

  She thrust her hips against his, relishing the firmness she felt. "I'm not sure I'd want you to." Mel sighed. "Just think, we have all weekend."

  Nate nibbled a spot behind her ear and murmured, "In the words of some great country singer, 'this ain't no thinkin' thing'."

  She chuckled. "Why do men get all their best lines from country singers?"

  He continued his assault on her neck. "Oh, you haven't heard my best lines yet. But I figure, those guys get paid to write love songs. I get paid to solve crimes. So hey, go with your strengths."

  "We never did get around to talking about your virtues. Now I want know about your strengths. I want to know all about them."

  "We best get going then." He pulled away and rubbed their noses together. "I'll follow you."

  "Will you?" She grinned.

  "Anywhere," he assured her.

  The look on his face spoke volumes. At that moment, she truly believed he would. "Let's go."

  It took just minutes to get to her house from the restaurant. Mel grabbed the food and wine, keeping one eye on Nate who'd pulled into the driveway behind her. He carried his suitcase through the garage and followed her into the house.

  "Punch that button, will you?" She asked as they left the garage.

  He did, lowering the big door. "I plan on punching a lot of buttons here real soon."

  She shoved everything in the refrigerator, wherever she could find room. The last casserole she'd been making the other night was still in there, she'd never gotten around to freezing it. They wouldn't go hungry.

  She closed the door and straightened up, turning to find Nate standing right behind her. "Hungry?" she asked.

  "Oh yeah." He pressed her against the cool white door, and several magnets and notes went flying. "Sorry." He grinned.

  "Don't be." Her arms slid around his neck and she pulled his face to hers for a kiss. "I'm hungry, too. But not for food."

  He thrust one of his knees between her legs and pressed upwards. His lips left her mouth and trailed down her neck. "Why don't we take this party into the other room?"

  "Someplace with a firm mattress and soft pillo
ws?"

  "Oh yeah." Without releasing her, Nate walked them down the hall to the master bedroom. At the edge of the bed, his fingers worked on unbuttoning her vest then blouse.

  She shoved his jacket off and paused when she encountered his gun.

  He stopped, and took a moment to remove and secure it properly.

  While he did, she threw back the covers and fluffed the pillows on her bed. She turned around to see Nate unbuttoning his shirt. He tossed it aside, and stepped closer to her.

  Mel reached for the waistband of his slacks and released that button.

  "A woman who knows what she wants."

  She grinned at him. "Oh yeah."

  They quickly finished undressing each other and stood, breathing heavily, for a long moment while they admired one another. He tossed a foil packet on the nightstand.

  "Damn, you're gorgeous." He released her ponytail and her hair fell down around her shoulders.

  Mel ran a hand over the soft curly hair on his chest. "Right back atcha, babe." She longed to move her hands lower, but apparently Nate had other plans.

  He pressed her onto the bed and climbed over her, drawing one of her nipples into his mouth. "Gorgeous," he mumbled with his mouth full.

  Mel squirmed beneath him. When he switched sides she shifted one leg between his so she could feel his rigid shaft. She pressed upwards, enjoying the groans it elicited.

  "You're gonna kill me."

  "I'm gonna try. Look, I know you're into slow and luxurious and all that, but I'm ready now." She grabbed the condom from the nightstand and unwrapped it.

  Nate grinned. "I can do fast and furious." He rose above her, putting some space between them.

  "That's what I want." Mel rubbed her hands over his silky smooth shaft before rolling the condom into place. "All dressed up with no place to go."

  "I've got someplace to go." His knee nudged her legs apart. He felt his way forward with on hand first, and when he was sure she was ready, pressed home.

  "Oh yes you do." Mel arched her back as he drove into her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and held on tight. It's going to be a bumpy ride.

  Nate alternated between fast and slow, working her into a frenzy that she hadn't felt in a long time, if ever. Just when she thought she was close, he grabbed her ass and rolled them over so she was on top.

  "Oh!" She gazed down at him, surprised.

  He grinned. "Your turn to do the work."

  She smiled at him. "Men. A woman's work is never done."

  He reached for her breasts and held on. "I really just wanted to see these bouncing above me. And that hair cascading down around me. I love your hair." He leaned forward and flicked a nipple with his tongue. "I love these, too."

  Mel tossed her head back and closed her eyes. The intensity was overwhelming, and now she was very close. "Aw, damn…."

  "Come on," he encouraged her. "I'm right there with you. Come on, baby."

  Mel gasped and let go. Waves of pleasure washed over her and it was all she could do to remain upright. Time suspended for precious long moments. When the fog lifted, she could tell by the look on Nate's face that he had indeed been right there with her.

  "Lord almighty," he muttered breathlessly.

  She grinned. "I know, right?" She leaned forward and rested her head on his chest.

  "That was freaking amazing." He kissed her forehead.

  Mel glanced up at him. "Five days isn't going to be enough."

  The pained expression that crossed his face confirmed he felt the same way.

  * * * *

  Mel opened her eyes and looked around. Sunset indicated it was evening, other than that she had no idea of the time. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and winced as she stood. Damn long time since I hurt this good. She padded out to the living room where Nate sat wearing nothing but jeans as he poured over crime scene photos.

  "Hey." She ruffled his hair and planted a kiss on his cheek.

  "Hello there, gorgeous." He set his work aside, reached up and pulled her onto his lap. "Have a nice nap?"

  She fought a yawn. "Did I nap? I have no idea what time it is."

  He chuckled. "It's nearly seven. You slept a few hours, which is good, considering we got very little sleep last night."

  She snuggled into his chest. It's all coming back to me now. They'd stayed in bed all Saturday afternoon and most of the evening. Warmed over veal parmesan hit the spot at eight p.m., with another break for wine and chocolate cake somewhere around midnight. Other than that, it'd been pretty much nonstop hanky-panky until the sun came up and they both caught a couple hours sleep.

  "What are you doing?" A rhetorical question. She knew very well what he was doing, but she loved to hear the sound of his voice.

  "Well, for a while I laid there and watched you sleep. That was incredible. But it made me want you again, so for your well-being, I decided I should get up and look at something that didn't make me horny."

  She gazed at the photos of the dead bodies and turned away quickly. "Glad to hear that. Anything new come to you?"

  "Not yet. Something's niggling at my subconscious, though. So close that I should be able to reach out and grab it."

  "It'll get there. Maybe you need to take your mind off it for a while."

  He chuckled. "My mind's been off it for a long while. Decided I better spend some time on it before we go in tomorrow."

  "Don't remind me." She cupped his chin and turned his face to hers for a kiss. His rough beard scraped her skin but she didn't care. She couldn't get enough of him.

  Tongues batted back and forth for dominance before happily meeting somewhere in the middle. Mel ground her bottom into his crotch, hoping to get him worked up again.

  He pulled away, an apologetic look in his eyes. "Hey there, baby girl. I need to focus my attention on this for a bit. Then I promise, I'm yours for the rest of the night."

  "I can help you go over this stuff."

  Nate grinned. "Yeah … no. When you're near me all I want to think about is you. I just need some time to myself her for a bit."

  She kissed him once more and sighed as she stood. "The bloom is off the rose. Guess I'll head into the kitchen and make us something to eat."

  He chuckled, but his attention was already on the photos.

  She stood in the doorway and watched him for several minutes. His intensity amazed her, and not just in bed. In everything he did. Her heart felt so full, yet in some ways she'd never been more terrified. Five days. He'd arrived on Friday. This is Sunday. Three more days. The sudden thought chilled and her heart skipped a beat.

  She heated a chicken casserole and fixed two plates so they could eat on the sofa. She suspected he wouldn't stop working to eat, and she was right. He thanked her for fixing the dish, and seemed to enjoy it, but he never stopped pouring over the reports and photos.

  As Mel cleaned up she envisioned a weekend far in the future. Nate immersed in the latest FBI case files, while she puttered around the house looking for something to do. What kind of a life would that be? Once again watching him from the doorway, she answered her own question. A wonderful life.

  * * * *

  The alarm woke her early in the morning, but as she slapped at it she realized it wasn't ceasing. Phone. She rolled up and grabbed her cell phone, pushing the talk button. "Curtis."

  Nate's cell likewise sounded on the other nightstand. Fumbling for it, he mumbled, "Willis."

  Mel focused on her caller. "Curtis, it's Reeder. We've got another body. This one's roommate found her, so we already have a positive I.D. You need to meet Stone at the scene. I'll send the coordinates to your cell GPS."

  "Sure thing Captain. Be right there." She punched her off button at the same time as Nate did his.

  Their eyes caught. "We've got another one," they said in unison. She scrambled from her side of the bed and he rolled out of his. With a quick nod to each other, they started sorting clothes.

  Chapter Five

  Mel drove
to the Oldtown location Reeder sent to her phone, while keeping an eye on her rearview mirror to make sure Nate followed. She parked between Stone's Volt and a black and white cop car which cordoned off the alley. The FBI loaner pulled in just behind her.

  She passed the two officers standing guard and raised a thumb toward Nate. "Morning guys. He's with me."

  "Morning Detective," one of them replied.

  She stepped over the crime scene tape and headed to the body. About halfway there, Nate caught up.

  "You're a real go-getter this morning. About lost you a couple times."

  She glanced at him sideways but kept walking. "I'd never let that happen. Had my eyes on you all the way."

  "I know the feeling," Nate muttered. "So now it's time to set that aside and focus."

  "You don't have to tell me that."

  He started to reply but they arrived at the body, a bleached blonde woman approximately fifty, posed in the same manner as before.

  "What do we have, Stone?" Mel asked.

  "Sissy Warsaw, lived in this building right here." He motioned to the run-down high-rise behind them. "Her roommate was leaving for work when she discovered the body. Both women work as waitresses at Daily Joe, three blocks over. Sissy worked the late shift, and never came home."

  "Was that unusual?" Nate asked.

  Stone shrugged. "Roommate didn't know. She fell asleep watching TV in her room around nine. Got all defensive when I asked if she realized Sissy hadn't come home. Said it wasn't her job to keep track of her. Then she broke down in tears, and said maybe it should have been."

  Nate glanced at the dark-haired woman in a waitress uniform standing off to the side with another uniformed officer. "I'm going to talk to her. Name?"

  Stone glanced at his notes. "Juanita Richards."

  Nate nodded and walked over.