“Fine. I’ll talk to him,” Dee said. “Now, what’s going on?”
Rina rolled her eyes at the way she caved in so quickly just to divert the attention back to her. “We’ve been trying for a while and…and nothing. It happened so quickly for you, Zoe.”
Zoe wrapped her arm around Rina’s shoulder and gently squeezed. “Everybody’s different. Have you seen a doctor?”
Rina nodded. “They aren’t worried. Not yet. I can’t help but worry.”
Pushing her hair back again, scrunching it a little, Dee smirked. “With all the tears, I’d say it’s finally happened. Hope you’re not a yacker like Zoe was.”
Laughter filled the room again.
“I haven’t felt nauseous yet.” Rina breathed deeply. “I’ll be back.” She pointed an accusing finger at her. “You’ll talk to Sauer.”
“Where are you going?” Dee didn’t want to acknowledge the Sauer part. How many more times could she screw up and he’d forgive her? He had to be sick of her by now.
“The pharmacy.” Then Rina gave her the look. Soft smile. Relaxed posture. A hard glint in her eyes that said she meant business. Rina’s look scared her more than Zoe’s.
“I said I’d talk to him.”
“Good.” Rina got a giddy look on her face as she walked away.
“Can I stay with you guys? I’m not saying I’m scared or anything, but to make you all not worry, I’d rather stay with someone until this guy is caught.” That was the truth. She didn’t get scared. Maybe a bit apprehensive because this guy was persistent, but scared? No way. “If she is pregnant, they’ll probably wanna celebrate.” Dee lifted her eyebrows up and down mischievously.
“You just told Rina you’d talk to Sauer. You can stay with him.”
A heavy sigh should’ve told Zoe everything she needed to know. “With the way I acted, he’s not going to want me around, even if we do talk. Trust me. I’ve used up my apologies with him.”
Zoe smiled softly. “You might not be afraid of this guy attacking you, but you’re scared of Sauer. Of letting someone get close to you. Just let go. Let him in.
“And when I let him in and he leaves, because they always do, what then?”
“You pick yourself back up like you always do. You’re Deena O’Malley. Nothing scares you or brings you down.” Zoe hugged her. “Sauer loves you. He won’t give up. This can be fixed. It’s just a misunderstanding.”
As Zoe walked away, Dee wasn’t so sure she agreed. He said he loved her, but in her experience, everyone always got sick of her. What made him any different?
Would he really not give up on her? She wasn’t sure about that answer. She wasn’t feeling confident in the answer she wanted.
Chapter 14
He looked at all the papers swamping his desk and groaned. Nothing. Still no evidence to point to the killer. Of all the cases littering his desk, he didn’t want this one to go cold. For Dee’s sake.
How was she doing? How upset was she?
“He torched the car good. There must’ve been some kind of evidence we would’ve found.” Newman leaned back in his chair.
“Overly cautious, I say,” Ben chimed in, standing near their desks. “We already know he has balls, trying to attack Dee in broad daylight. He doesn’t want to leave anything to chance.”
“The only saving grace from this is Mrs. Stenson can contact her insurance company, which I’m sure she did the minute Sauer and I left. That Barry dude is a great guy letting her borrow his vehicle until she gets a new one. I’m glad, actually. If not, I would’ve felt compelled to help her somehow.”
“You’re such a sucker. Aren’t you married?”
Zeke straightened as Ben placed a calm hand on him. “Still got a problem, uh, Newman?”
Sauer cleared his throat, not wanting a fight. He’d be on Zeke’s side. Newman was out of line—again. Obviously breaking up with Chrissy was messing with him more than any other breakup. “Let’s not do this, guys.”
Newman looked away from Zeke and nodded at him. “I’m ready to call it a day. Did you talk to Susan again about those prints?”
“She said she’d get to them as soon as she can, but I haven’t heard back from her. She processed the DNA first. Nothing in the system popped up. Something needs to pop up with the prints, otherwise we have nothing.”
Newman stood up, grabbing his jacket from the back of his chair. “I’ll stop in to see her on my way out. Maybe she has something by now. See ya tomorrow.” He walked away.
“What’s his problem?” Zeke asked as soon as Newman disappeared through the door.
Sauer shrugged. It wasn’t his business to share what happened with Newman. “I guess I should…uh…pick up Dee.”
Shuffling his feet, Zeke glanced away, clearly uncomfortable about something.
“Or not.”
Zeke groaned, then said, “Zoe picked her up. She’s going to stay with us. At least that’s what Zoe told me.” He rubbed his jaw. “I think you should come pick her up. Don’t take no for an answer.”
Sauer stood up, portraying more strength than his legs carried. He wanted to keel over in pain from the thought of Dee leaving him. Because that’s exactly what she was doing. Leaving him. Running away. He knew he upset her, but apparently, she didn’t even want to talk to him anymore. She didn’t even have the nerve to tell him herself that she wouldn’t be staying with him. After the weekend they had. The intimacy they shared. The closeness. She broke his heart. He had no one to blame but himself.
“It’s okay. Perhaps a breather between us would be good.” He fiddled with his papers, trying to organize them a little more. “I don’t know what to say to her.”
“Yeah, you do.”
Sauer jerked his gaze to Zeke. He was referring to the talk they had in the car earlier. “Just make sure she stays safe. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”
He left before they could change his mind. Simple conversation was hard enough for him. Explaining to Dee his reaction sounded like the biggest challenge he ever faced. What would she think of him? A loser. A geek. Just a few things kids called him when he was younger.
He didn’t want to see it in her eyes that she agreed.
Thirty minutes later, he pulled into the garage. He took the long way home, delaying the inevitable silence and loneliness that would punch him in the gut the minute he opened the door. In a short time, Dee had invaded his home and heart. He honestly wasn’t sure how he’d survive the loss.
He stepped inside, disarming the alarm, and tossed his keys to the kitchen counter. Silence echoed. The loneliness slapped him in the face.
Damn, he missed her.
Grabbing a beer from the fridge, he walked to the living room and slumped down on the couch. Instead of turning on the television, he took a swig of beer and listened to the quiet. Dee loved to talk. About anything and everything. She always filled the silence with her beautiful voice. On the rare occasion they were silent, it was comfortable. Normal. He had easily gone from awkward and shy to comfortable and natural in her presence. That never happened with any of the women he dated. He could never quite lose that shyness with them. With Dee…she just made it seem possible. She accepted him for him. Shyness and all.
“It’s about damn time you got home.”
His eyes jerked to the threshold of the living room. Dee stood with her hands on her hips, her lips pressed tightly together, and her hair fanning out in the beautiful curly way it always did. So damn beautiful. Every inch of her.
Before he could respond, the words stuck in his throat, Dee walked to him, straddling his lap as if nothing happened between them today. She grabbed his face, pressing her sweet lips to his. The kiss was slow and lazy, and as delicious as a kiss could be. With her, it always took his breath away.
She pulled away, dropping her hands to his chest.
“Zeke said…you were staying with them.”
“Yeah, and why in the hell didn’t you come get me?”
So she was mad at hi
m.
“How did you get in?” The thought suddenly jolted him. He never gave her a key, or the code to the alarm. The garage door was down. He didn’t hear the front door open, which would’ve been impossible since it was locked.
Giving him a cocky look, the one that had mischievous intents written all over, she laughed. “I swiped your spare key from the drawer in the kitchen before we left today.” She kissed the side of his lips, swiping her tongue across, teasing him. “I memorized your code, looking over your shoulder every time you set it or disarmed it. I’m a resourceful girl. Never underestimate me, Sauer.” She tapped his nose. “I forgive you for not picking me up.”
Confused didn’t begin to describe the swirling emotions plaguing him. “Why would you swipe my spare key?”
“In case you had to work late and I needed to get in.” She gave him a look that said she wanted to add the word ‘duh’ to the end of that statement.
“Do you also forgive me for my outburst earlier? I…I shouldn’t have gotten so upset. I’d like to take dance lessons with you.”
The laughter and happiness died in her eyes. “I obviously touched a sore spot. Forgive me?”
Chuckling, as a shiver of pleasure rushed through him as her hands explored his chest, he held her gaze, hoping the light would shine once again in them. “Are we about to argue who was wrong? Because I hate arguing with you.”
“You don’t have to take dance lessons. You can dance.”
He almost averted his eyes, but he wouldn’t look away as he explained why he got so sour about it. She wouldn’t judge. The knowledge and trust in that came swiftly. Shortening his embarrassing story, he explained his uneasiness about dancing, but he couldn’t resist adding, “I’ve wanted to dance with you since Ben and Rina’s wedding. I ached so badly to ask you.”
“Then why didn’t you?”
The laugh came so easily, he was shocked she asked such a question. “Uh…you do recall the first time I asked you out and how well that came out?”
“Those girls were idiots. You know that, right?”
He nodded, unable to speak. He liked hearing Dee say that.
“So, are you going to go with me or what?” She scooted back just a little on his lap, then grabbed the beer bottle from his hand and set it on the coffee table. Turning back to him, she brushed her fingers to the edge of his pants, grasping his belt buckle. “Actually, I’m not giving you a choice. You’re taking the lessons with me, then escorting me to this ball. Got it?”
Nodding again, words suddenly foreign to him, she undid his buckle, slipping his zipper down. Her hand snaked inside, wrapping around him.
“Uh, oh, is shy Sauer making an appearance?” She stroked him once as she leaned in, nibbling on his ear. “Or have words just escaped you?”
He slid his hands over her legs, cupping her ass. “You know what you do to me. I have no words right now.”
Another delicious stroke. Up, then down. “Dance, ball, you and me. Got it?”
“I look forward to it. Every part.” He trailed kisses down her neck as her hand started to pump faster. “You in my arms is the best feeling in the world. Dancing with you…it’s been a dream of mine.”
She pulled away and stood up.
He missed her touch instantly. Her sweet, soft body against his. “What did I say wrong?”
Her shirt rose slowly as she winked at him. The shirt went flying behind her. “You never say anything wrong. Ever.” Her bra joined the shirt. Soon after, her pants and underwear were added to the pile across the room. “In fact, your words always get me horny.”
Heart pounding, the gorgeous picture in front of him took his breath away. He watched silently as she tugged his jeans down and off, his boxers just as quickly. Straddling his lap once again, she started to loosen his tie.
“Have you ever been tied up?”
Wrapping his arms around her, his hands squeezing her ass, he raised a brow. “What do you think?”
The tie dangled in her hands. “Wanna try it?”
“Uh…” He really wasn’t sure if he wanted to do that. Kinky sex wasn’t his thing.
She laid the tie across her legs, then started to unbutton his shirt, her fingers grazing his chest as she went along. Trembles coated his body as the fireworks of desire attacked him. “Can I tie you up, too?”
Shit. Did he just say that?
She looked surprised as well.
“I was kidding. You really wanna try?” She dropped his shirt to the floor, leaning into him, lightly brushing his lips. “I’m not sure I could stand not to feel your hands on me.”
Breathing a sigh of relief, his tongue swooped in, increasing the kiss from light and teasing to strong and urgent. She tasted so sweet.
“Good. I really didn’t want to.”
Tossing the tie to the floor, she laughed, then reached behind her to the coffee table and tore open a condom.
“Where did that come from?”
Offering a tsking sound, she slowly covered him. “You’re supposed to be observant, Detective Sauer.”
His hands splayed across her thighs as she sank down on top of him. “I lose all train of thought when you walk into a room. I lose my mind.”
She hugged him close, pressing a kiss to his neck. “Why do you have to say the sweetest things?”
Was that bad? She didn’t like that? He could clearly hear the pain in those words. What did that mean?
He pulled her closer, lifting his hips, pushing even further inside her. “Because you deserve sweet words.”
She moaned, as they started to move together. He met her each time she sank down. Up and down. Every time they joined as one, they moved differently. Fast and rough. Slow and sweet. Eager and energetic. Tender and carefully. He wasn’t sure how to classify this. Perhaps a mixture of slow and sweet with fast and rough. Her kisses went up and down his shoulder to his neck, where she nibbled on his ear. No matter the position, they could always create beautiful magic together.
“I love you, Dee. I’m probably going to screw up again, but know that I’ll always love you.”
“Shut up, Sauer.”
Right. She didn’t want sweet words.
The pleasure started to rise within. He knew she was just as close as her moans of bliss echoed in the room.
Tough. She’d get his sweet words, whether she wanted to hear them or not.
“So beautiful.” Up and down. Thrust for thrust. “So sweet.” A kiss attacked his lips. “So mine.”
She bit his bottom lip as the strongest orgasm she ever experienced hit her. He knew it, too, by the way she clutched his head, her nails digging in, her lips bruising his. He couldn’t hold back, didn’t want to either. He came with her, holding her tenderly in his arms as contentment flowed through.
She rested her head on his shoulder. Her words slipped out in a whisper, with a quiver attached to each one. “You promise to love me always?”
Did she doubt his love? Well, he wasn’t smooth with the ladies. Perhaps he wasn’t showing her well enough.
“My love is something you should never worry about.” He squeezed her tighter into his embrace. “I promise.”
♡
Taking a sip of Pepsi, Dee tried not to let Rina and Zoe’s stare break her. She had already told them Sauer and her would attend the dance classes and the ball with a smile on both of their faces. She didn’t want to go into detail of their make-up session. Those moments, those special times, were for her and Sauer only. Normally she had no problem talking about her sexual encounters. But Sauer was different. He was hers. She didn’t want to share anything.
Call her possessive.
Yeah, definitely call her possessive.
“Why are you scowling?” Zoe shoved her fork into the salad sitting in front of her. “Are you sure you and Sauer made up?”
Primping her hair, she nodded. “We’re good.” Turning to Rina, she decided to deflect the attention from herself. Plus, she was curious as hell. “Well?”
“You left work early yesterday to do something…and you never returned.”
“It was negative.” Rina’s eyes turned to the sandwich in front of her.
“Sor—”
“Shut up, Zoe.” Dee couldn’t help but butt in and stop her from saying that dreadful word. Sauer hated to hear it and now she did, too. Of course, it made her look like and sound like a bitch. “I didn’t mean to say shut up. I just meant…that’s what the guy left on the note. Those words…”
Zoe’s face went from hurt to sympathy just like that. “I’m… Wow, it’s hard not to say those words.” She chuckled. “It’s okay. I get it.”
Dee sighed in relief, even though she still felt bad for that tiny outburst. She could’ve said it in a nicer way than the words shut up.
“You okay, Rina?” Zoe asked.
She nodded, fiddling with the edge of her sandwich. “I guess I’m just impatient.” She looked up and smiled. “Ben made me feel better when he got home. This helps, too. Thanks for having lunch with us, Zoe.”
“Hey, I miss seeing you girls every day. I love being home with Zabrina, but I miss this.”
“Are we about to hold hands and sing “Kumbaya”?” Dee asked with a laugh.
“Geesh,” Zoe said as she shook her head with a grin. “You made up with Sauer, yet you’re still prickly today. What’s up?”
“Don’t brush us off anymore,” Rina added.
They weren’t going to leave her alone. At all. It didn’t surprise her in the least. She knew this was coming.
“Dee…” Zoe took a bite of her salad, chomping vigorously, her annoyance plain as day.
“How long will it last?”
“What, the dance classes?” Rina asked. “It’s a four week class.”
She sighed. “No. Sauer and I. How long will it last? I can’t believe he forgave me so easily for everything I’ve done already. I haven’t made anything easy on him.” She traced a pattern on the table, unable to look them in the eyes. “He’ll leave me eventually.”
“Why do you believe that?” Zoe asked softly.
“They always leave.”
“No, they don’t. You always drop the guy first,” Rina pointed out, making Dee cringe at the truth in those words.
One Taste of Crazy (A One Taste Novel Book 3) Page 15
