Guarding Red Riding Hood

by Rita Hestand

  Gabby saw the confusion in Tony's eyes and wanted to reassure him somehow. "We don't have to talk about this right now, Tony. Give you some time to think it over."

  "How bad a trouble is he in now?" Tony asked Dan.

  "A lot Tony. I won't lie to you. He's a drug supplier, not just a dealer. He'll go to prison for some years."

  "It means I'll go into a foster home, don't it?" Tony looked from one to the other. "No matter what happens, I'll go into a foster home. I already know that. You're busting him on drugs. Maybe more…"

  Daniel looked away, "Maybe, maybe not. Don't worry about the foster home thing yet. Tony."

  Now Gabby was staring as though Daniel said the wrong thing.

  "I ain't worried. I know how it works."

  He hesitated only a minute. "I'm going to see about getting custody of you myself. How does that sound?"

  Tony looked at Daniel now, puzzled, confused, and with just the slightest bit of hope in his eyes. "Could you do that?"

  "I don't know. I'll have to find out." Daniel admitted. "I've never gone through the process. But I'm willing to, if you are."

  "But you aren't married."

  "That's true. I'll just have to ask and find out." Daniel told him. "That is, if you are interested. I know on some occasions they've granted custody to single parents."

  "Wow! You do that? You'd really do that?"

  "Yeah, I would, Tony. I really mean it. But don't get your hopes up. I haven't spoken to anyone about this yet." Daniel told him. "I'm not at all sure how this kind of thing works yet."

  "Okay, but if there's a chance, I am in." Tony smiled.

  Gabby was flabbergasted, but thank goodness she didn't let on to Tony.

  Daniel had blurted all this out because he felt for the kid and knew he was worried about him going into a foster home. Daniel didn't blame him for that. He'd heard some pretty bad stories about some of them. He didn't want Tony having to face something like that. But then, he didn't know if he had any right to file for custody either. There was a lot of didn't knows in there. He'd have to find out. Maybe at this point he shouldn’t have said anything, but he wanted to give Tony some hope.

  He knew what Gabby was thinking, and he knew he'd get an earful when they were alone. Still, he wanted to help Tony.

  Sometimes encouragement went a long way.

  Chapter Nine

  When Tony went to bed early that night, Gabby came back into the living room where Daniel was drinking a beer and relaxing. She had changed into a pair of safe cotton pajamas that he had picked out for her at the store before they came here. It had cute little teddy bears on it.

  He glanced at her. He knew she came in here wanting him to get an earful of her opinions. He knew it was only a matter of time before she blasted him with reprimands.

  At least now she felt comfortable with him, and the awkwardness of how she dressed didn't bother her now. There was a trust growing between them.

  Just by looking at him, she could tell he was trying to assimilate all he'd just learned from Tony.

  There was a quietness in the room, but it wasn't a calm quiet. The tension rocked, and bounced off the walls, the minute she entered the room. It wasn't just the tongue lashing he knew he'd get from either. It was her.

  "You shouldn't have told him that, Dan." Gabby scolded lightly. Her brows knitted and she couldn't seem to find anything to do with her hands. "I know it's none of my business, but I can't help but tell you that your making a big mistake. I know I encouraged it, but I was wrong too. You don't have any idea if you can do this."

  Her reference to shortening his name meant she was feeling comfortable and trusted him to some degree. He also knew he was in for an argurement.

  "I've been thinking about it for a few days." He told her, not daring to look straight at her. He didn't want to see the censure in her eyes. "I could help that kid."

  "Seriously?" She frowned.

  "Something wrong with that," he cast her a quick look. She looked so cuddly in the cotton outfit with teddy bears all over it. And he knew instantly he had bought the wrong thing for her to wear to bed. Because he loved teddy bears. He couldn't look at her like that, she just looked way too cuddly.

  "Wrong? Think about it a minute. You haven't committed to a woman because of your job, but now you are seriously thinking of committing to Tony, and your job doesn't even enter into that consideration? Don't you see how ridiculous it is? You can't change what you are, you aren't a family man. You can't just instantly become a father. Are you willing to give up your time for him? Because he needs full attention right now. I know how you feel, I feel the same, but you can't save the world, and neither can I."

  "Oh and you know me so well, all of a sudden?" He flashed her an immediate frown.

  "Well, your lack of commitment proves me right." She suggested. She'd analyzed the situation well. Too well. "Why I'll bet you haven't even been engaged, much less married."

  Dan turned a tight lip to her. Deep down something told him she was right. But all he wanted was to help the kid.

  He stared at the television and sipped his beer. "I see a kid who needs stability in his life and isn't getting it. That's what I see. I see I could help him. That's all. I got a nice family home, with a lot of nice people living there, it would be good for him. There's always someone at my home."

  "Yes, but you're putting that responsibility on your family, without even consulting them. You also got that kid's hopes up. What are you going to do about that when they tell you that your job would interfere with you being his father. When you aren't married and aren't at home most of the time."

  "You think because I'm a cop I can't have a relationship. You said it yourself, lots of cops marry, have families. Why can't I?" He asked staring into those eyes that had no definite color, they changed from green too blue. Blue when her emotions were upside down, like now.

  "Well, I wondered about that myself, but you've made your own rules. I'd say you are the one who decided you couldn't have a relationship or family, not me." She spouted. "I know how you feel, why do you think I got myself into this? I felt the same. I saw the bruises every day, I saw the days he didn't even show up at school. I knew he needed something. And I wanted to help too. That's why I got involved in the first place. Has it helped, no! Not one bit. In fact, in the long run, my interference has probably caused more problems for him."

  He set his beer down and looked at her. He wanted to lash out at her for being so practical, for pointing out his flaws. How did she get off judging him?

  "I don't want to discuss this. I said was considering it, not that it was fact." he got up, intending to get another beer, when suddenly her hand caught his and he turned to look at her, all of her.

  "It's very noble…it really is…but…" she began but was quickly muffled as he pulled her up and into his arms in one fluid motion, and laid a kiss on her that made her swoon.

  Everything normal flew out the door that moment. He wanted to shut her up, but more than anything he wanted to kiss those pink lips of hers and rid himself of the curiosity of how they tasted. He wanted to alleviate all the pent up frustrations, emotions, and confusions he had been facing lately. He wanted her in no uncertain terms.

  She offered no resistance, no fight. It shocked him and pleased him, and it made him want her all the more.

  He wanted Gabby, in his arms, in his bed.

  His mind wasn't working any longer, his body was, she felt warm, soft, and so inviting and she smelled so good. And the more he kissed her the more she melted into him. She put up no resistance. He didn't understand it, but he wasn't going to argue the point.

  Talk about an invitation!

  "I wish you didn't taste so damned good," he murmured between kisses.

  The kiss took on a life of its own, building a slow burning fire of need in them both, as his arms wrapped around her, cocooning her.

  He heard her panting between kisses, felt her heart beat quicken through the cotton material
.

  "This is madness," she gasped, but her lips didn't deny him entry as their tongues waltzed to the same tune. The more he kissed her, the more she returned his kisses. Her hands even slid to his hair, he could feel the gentle tug of fingernails there. It heated him. The pressure of her nails told him she wasn't far from wanting the same things he wanted.

  His hands were wrapped around her now, sliding up and down against her pert little breasts that agonized him as he wanted to rip that pajama top off of her.

  He stopped for a second to look into her desire ridden face, "Those pink lips have been driving me crazy."

  He felt the smile on her lips as he continued his exploration of her face.

  She could have pulled away, slapped his face, but she didn't. Instead she took an active part in the kiss, as though her needs were as great as his.

  His lips devoured her, and his tongue teased until she let him in again and then it waltzed with hers, tasting, tempting, seducing her. Her arms went around his neck and she hung on for dizzying seconds as he made love to her beautiful pink lips. Her fingers splayed into his hair at his neck, he felt the sweet tingle of fingernails sliding against him there. It was mind boggling how she could turn him on with something so innocent as her fingers in his hair.

  His hands went beneath the pajama top and suddenly his hands felt warm soft skin that tempted and teased him. He followed her slim waist up to her pert nipples and hardened into nubs the moment his fingers caressed her there.

  He heard her audible moan. He heard her sudden intake of breath, but she didn't fight him, instead she seemed to melt into him. He knew at that moment she was as willing as he.

  "You must have the most beautiful breasts in the world," he murmured as his head bent and he ran his mouth under the pajama top and caressed one pert nipple with his hot lips. It was heaven, it was hell. He wanted so much more.

  The room seemed to steam up around them and his other hand ran around her bottom, caressing her there. He brought her up against him hard, so she would feel his arousal. He heard her moan.

  "You're like a wild animal, eager for his pray," she murmured as her lips found his, and she was kissing him for all he was worth.

  "God, I want you…" He cried out.

  She didn't say anything, but returned his kiss and let her hands slide through his hair again.

  But as soon as he thought that, he pushed her away, "I can't do this." He said in a raspy voice, his breathing heavy, his heart drumming. "It's all so wrong, and I'm sorry." He straightened her clothes and backed away.

  It was dark and he couldn't see her face, or anything else.

  "I'm sorry too, goodnight." She cried out and ran for her bedroom.

  What the hell did he just let happen! Wrong move, buddy.

  Then a slow burning smile lit his face. Might have been wrong, but it was sure worth it. The little teacher was some package. And it might be a while before he was able to even move. The only satisfaction was knowing she wanted it too!

  He went to the refrigerator and got another beer. Taking it to his bedroom, he tried to blank out what he'd done. But that was impossible. He'd never got that heated in just kissing a woman. Never wanted a woman so bad either. And after all the times he'd told himself he'd never do it.

  Well, he'd done it! And now he couldn't get her out of his mind. Those pink luscious lips of hers tasted better than he imagined they would. They practically melted into him. And he knew her body was as taut as his. He'd turned her on, hell, he'd turned himself on. He'd give anything to have a look under those pajama's.

  Woe, he had to slow down. He was losing it! Totally!

  She'd set him on fire so quick, and so hot, it'd take the rest of the night to cool him off.

  Alright, he laid there on his bed, thinking. He tasted her and liked it. But that didn't mean it had to go anywhere. It didn't mean he had to act on it either. Even if she was willing. He was an adult and he could handle his sex drive, couldn't he? That is until he tasted that sweet hard nub of a nipple in his mouth. He wondered if they were as pink as her mouth.

  Woe! That thought sure sent a signal through him!

  Who was he kidding. From the moment he met her he thought her beautiful. But tonight, she had been so cute and cuddly looking. She'd let her defenses down in those cute and cuddly pajamas. It gave him a warm and fuzzy feeling. He never could resist teddy bears, he smiled to himself.

  He had to get a grip. Sure, he wanted to rip her clothes off, find the nearest bed and take her to heaven all night, but what would happen in the morning? Yeah! He had to ignore the fact that she was adorable, and get on with his job.

  He was way too involved with both of them!

  His job was not seducing witnesses.

  He'd been around plenty of beautiful women, but none quite like her. She had principles and morals and a sweetness about her that was tempting as hell. She had the pinkest lips, and most gorgeous head of red hair he'd ever seen. And right now, he'd give anything he had to take a look at those perky breasts of hers. She was hot and didn't even know it. The fact that was hard to put away was her willing participation in those heated kisses they shared. And to top it off, a body that was even more tempting to explore, but why couldn't he apply the brakes? Why was she different? What set her apart from all others? He wasn't sure, but he wanted to find out.

  He could have had her, right there in the living room. So what stopped him from the obvious?

  And what did she think of him now? What had she said, a wild animal eager for his prey? Yeah, that about summed it up.

  This wasn't good. Work wise it was a disaster.

  This was a job, not a chance to put a make on a woman. Usually he could remember that. Thank goodness good sense prevailed.

  Could they still get along? Could they keep their hands to themselves? This all started when she reached for his hand. Just as he had on the couch.

  For all their sakes, he couldn't let this go any further.

  Your supposed to be protecting her, not groping her! His job was to protect, and somehow he was going to do just that.

  Chapter Ten

  The next morning, she came out of her room and didn't look directly at him. She made breakfast and tried to sound normal, but he knew, she was far from it. He'd rattled her. Hell, he'd rattled himself.

  He decided to try acting normal and not too friendly, but cordial. He only hoped Tony didn't see the difference in them.

  "Good morning," He called to her. "I made the coffee this morning."

  "I-I didn't mean to sleep so late. Did you eat?" She asked.

  "No, thought I'd wait for the two of you. Tony's not up either." He informed her, trying to put her at ease.

  "Great, well, I'll start us some and I'm sure when he smells the bacon he'll be up and around." She managed a weak smile.

  "Look," he saw her ill ease and stood up, but didn't come close. "I'm sorry about last night. I was way out of line. It certainly won't happen again."

  Now she looked at him, "Really, I was hoping it would." She finally let out a chuckle.

  He stared at her, trying to measure how serious she might be then he smiled. He gave her a quick once over, noting the short t-shirt she wore and the tight jeans. "I'll remember that when I'm off duty."

  She stared at him, her eyes going over him thoroughly and then ever so slowly her pink tongue shot out to lick her lips, then turned back to her cooking.

  Dear God, either she was enjoying his misery or wanted more of it. Either way, he was going to find out one day. Whatever was she up to?

  They wouldn't be going back to any kind of normal if she kept up that kind of flirting.

  Still, it sobered him enough to make him act right. He looked out the back patio door. It was cold and rainy today and he decided to build a fire.

  Tony came trudging through the kitchen talking to Gabby, then coming to sit on the sofa. He flipped through the channels until he found a game he wanted to watch.

  "Morning sleeping bea
uty." Dan laughed.

  "Been awake a while, but since it's raining decided to just lay there and enjoy it." Tony said not taking his eyes from the game.

  "I think I should have stayed in bed longer too." Dan told him.

  "Why didn't you?" Tony asked casting him a quick glance.

  "Force of habit I guess. We've been here nearly two weeks now, and no word. I sort of get restless as time goes on, don't you?" He looked at Tony who was wearing pajama bottoms and a t-shirt.

  "It don't bother me. I feel pretty safe here, myself. I'm kind of enjoying it." Tony remarked.

  Dan studied Tony a bit. "You don't want to go home, do you?"

  Tony gave him an incredulous glance, "Why would I?"

  Dan nodded, "Yeah, why would you."

  "What happens when you do hear from someone?" Gabby butted into the conversation with interest as she offered them both a piece of bacon.

  They both eagerly grabbed a piece.

  "They'll notify me they are going in. Then, we'll have to wait until it's safe, which might mean another week or so. Then eventually you'll either go into witness protection or home. But not until it's safe."

  "Good grief, I do have a job you know." She protested.

  "I know. But it can't be helped. When you took it upon yourself to check on the boy, you stepped into another world. A world you knew nothing about. And no matter what we do, there are consequences for our actions. I'm sure the department will explain what is going on and you'll be able to keep your teaching job." He told her, glancing at her.

  She shot him a withering glance

  He watched her closely, taking in the sweet curves of her body, the way her mouth pouted.

  Now that they felt safe and secure it was time for the temper tantrums he was so used to. He knew the routine, and was seldom surprised.

  But Gabby didn't say another word. She just took the rest of the bacon back to the kitchen, made a gravy and waited for the biscuits to get done. Then she called them to the table and they ate.