White Roses Calling

by Hudson, Dakota

  “You’ll call me tonight?” Alex asked.

  “Yes. I’ll call you after I’m home and getting ready for bed.”

  “And you’ll be sure to set the alarm?”

  “Yes, I promise to set the alarm.”

  “And you’ll call if you need anything? Or if you just want to talk? If I’m tied up on something I may not be able to answer right away, but I promise I’ll get back to you soon as I can.”

  “Alex, don’t worry. I’ll call if I need anything.” Alex could hear the smile in her voice. “Thank you,” Sydney said in a quiet and sincere voice.

  “You’re welcome,” she replied. “I’ll talk to you later tonight.”

  LATER THAT EVENING Sydney followed through on the promise.

  “All right, Sergeant Chambers, I’m home safe. The doors are locked and the alarm is set.”

  “You sure you feel okay? You don’t need anything?” Alex asked Sydney for probably the third time that day.

  “Yes, I’m sure.” Sydney knew deep down inside she would love nothing more than to have Alex in her home again. She knew it would bring her an added sense of safety and security. Not to mention she just enjoyed being around Alex and having her close. But she refused to be that needy.

  “I’m sure I could slide out of here if necessary,” Alex added.

  “Alex, as much as I’d love to see you, I can’t have you leaving work every time I feel the slightest bit insecure,” she said. “I have to work through this.”

  “But you will call me if you need anything? And you know I’m going to be checking on you.”

  “I look forward to that,” Sydney said with a genuine smile. The two talked of random things for several minutes before wishing each other a pleasant night.

  Sydney couldn’t help but smile at the gentle watchdogging Alex had engaged in since the flower delivery. Her frequent phone calls and texts were endearing and comforting for Sydney. By mid-week she found the fear ebbing as she once again began to believe the flowers had been nothing more than a sick joke.

  Chapter Ten

  THE MIDAFTERNOON HOURS on Wednesday found Alex carrying a cardboard tray with two cups of still steaming coffee. She was smiling as she made her way to Sydney’s office. Cathy, the gatekeeper at the lobby door, hadn’t even bothered to call back to Sydney’s office before buzzing Alex through.

  “Good morning, Sergeant,” she said with a smile as she reached for the toggle button just under the edge of her desk, behind the large bank teller style window. A loud click was heard as the door lock released.

  As Alex pulled the door open she wondered if her presence was becoming that routine around the eighteenth floor of the criminal courts building.

  She turned and paused in the open doorway to Sydney’s office, initially unnoticed. Sydney sat with both elbows on the desk and her head in her hands as she leaned over, studying the contents of the case file lying open on her desk. Alex stood silently for more than a minute watching Sydney. The woman’s facial expression and body language displayed a sense of frustration, but it occurred to Alex she looked quite stunning, in a slightly frazzled yet intense way.

  Sydney lifted her head and reached down to turn the page and noticed Alex in her doorway. A smile transformed her face. She was on her feet in an instant, moving toward Alex. Without a word, she grasped the front of Alex’s duty belt and pulled her from the doorway into the office, reaching past her with her other hand to push the office door closed. The latch caught with a resounding click. Sydney took the beverage tray out of Alex’s hands and placed it on her desk. She turned back to Alex. Still without speaking a word, she put her arms around Alex’s neck, pulling her head down and into a kiss. Although initially caught off guard by Sydney’s aggressiveness, Alex recovered and wrapped her arms around Sydney’s waist. The kiss became deep and passionate. Lips parted and tongues probed.

  The kiss ended and both stood slightly glassy eyed in each other’s arms, catching their collective breaths. Alex realized that in the course of the kiss one of her hands had drifted south and now rested gently on Sydney’s ass. She slowly repositioned that hand as a roguish smile formed on her lips.

  “Wow,” Alex said with a husky voice that trembled ever so slightly. “Uh, can I take from that you’re at least a little happy to see me?”

  Sydney laughed in response. “You have no idea,” she said, the sexual tension evident in her voice.

  “How are you doing?” Alex asked.

  “I’m good,” Sydney rested a hand on Alex’s chest. “Really. I’m good.” She leaned up and kissed Alex again.

  Alex shrugged helplessly, smiling as Sydney gazed up into her hazel eyes. She finally leaned down to kiss the top of Sydney’s head, then turned her toward the desk. She removed one of the coffees from the tray and handed it to Sydney. “Tell me if I got it right.”

  Sydney took a sip and her eyes grew wide. “My café con leche. How did you know?”

  “Two sugars, right?”

  “Yes, it’s perfect.” Sydney circled her desk to sit down at the high backed executive chair, taking another sip and leaning back as she gave an appreciative sigh. “How did you know?” she asked again.

  “I remembered when you had someone pick one up on a particularly challenging day during the trial,” Alex said, referring to the White Rose trial. “You sent them to the Cuban coffee place down on Olympic Boulevard. I remember you mentioned then it was your favorite coffee.” Sydney looked at Alex in wonder.

  “You remembered from that one occasion? That was months ago. And you even remembered I take two sugars?”

  “You said it was your favorite, and I am a trained observer, and, uh...”

  “And you were already stalking me?”

  Alex cringed inside with Sydney’s use of the term, but then she noted Sydney seemed okay with it.

  “Well, I was at least thinking about stalking you, I guess.”

  They continued to gaze at one another in companionable silence for several more moments as they sipped from their cups.

  “I should be going,” Alex finally said, breaking the silence. She motioned toward the still open file on Sydney’s desk. “You looked like you were intensely engaged in your work when I arrived. I should let you continue.”

  “Yeah,” Sydney said. “I guess I should get back to reviewing these case files.” Yet neither of them moved for several seconds.

  Sydney finally stood and walked around the desk. Alex came to her feet as Sydney stopped before her, only inches away. Again, the sexual tension existed almost as a physical presence sparking between them. Alex reached up to Sydney’s cheek and guided their lips together in a sensuous kiss.

  “Come to me tonight,” Sydney said when their lips parted. “To my house...after...” Sydney didn’t even open her eyes as the words came out almost in a gasp.

  Alex nodded. “Okay,” she whispered, before crushing their lips together once again. She let the hand on Sydney’s cheek drift down her shoulder then her arm, grasping Sydney’s fingers just as the kiss ended. Alex took half a step back. She drew Sydney’s hand up to her lips. “Until tonight,” she said, still whispering, then kissed the back of Sydney’s knuckles before opening the door and stepping through it.

  SYDNEY HAD BEEN home for only about fifteen minutes when the knock came at the door. She could tell from the tempo it was Alex. She had that distinct “cop knock,” short and powerful. Sydney almost ran to the door in her excitement, throwing it open to reveal the woman who had been captivating her mind almost non-stop for the past twenty-four hours.

  The two stood there staring into each other’s eyes, Sydney feeling as if the rest of the world just fell away around them. Alex stepped through the doorway and pulled Sydney into an embrace. Sydney had decided she would have to make her intentions very clear to Alex. She leaned her smaller frame into the woman, pushing her against the now closed door, bringing their hips together. The forceful move obviously surprised Alex and she exhaled sharply. Sydney watched as
Alex’s eyes grew darker with desire.

  Alex leaned down, kissing Sydney’s neck then pausing, resting her head briefly on Sydney’s shoulder. Sydney now recognized her body language. Alex was clearly attempting to rein in her desire. Her shaky voice soon made that admission.

  “God, Syd,” she said in a ragged breath. “You’re making this really difficult to keep my hands off you. You keep this up and I’m liable to completely lose control here.”

  “Good. I’m hoping that’s exactly what you do.” Without hesitation Sydney grabbed Alex by the hand and led her up the staircase toward her bedroom. She felt Alex stiffen as they made their way up the stairs.

  Alex stopped them mid-stride at the top of the stairs and pulled Sydney’s hand, bringing Sydney into her arms once again. Hesitation was written plainly on her face as she looked into Sydney’s eyes.

  “Syd, I want you so bad it hurts. But more than anything I respect you and want to make sure this is okay and right for you. I don’t want this to be because you feel...” Alex took a deep breath. “Because of what happened, the roses, everything. I want it to be because this is what you want. What you would want even if none of that had happened.”

  Sydney leaned forward and kissed Alex in a tender but firm kiss.

  “Yes,” Sydney whispered. “This is what I want. I’ve wanted you, us, for a long time. This has nothing to do with anything except the two of us.” She turned and led Alex by the hand, finding Alex no longer offered any resistance. Sydney let go of Alex for a brief moment to light a single candle near the bed and pull the covers back. Alex was immediately beside her, cupping her face with both hands and guiding their lips together. As the kiss grew stronger Alex guided Sydney to a seated position at the edge of the bed then knelt between Sydney’s thighs, leaning into her.

  Sydney ran her hands up Alex’s shirt and felt the woman tremble as her nails ran across Alex’s muscular back. Alex leaned into her, working kisses down her jaw to her neck. Alex lifted Sydney and climbed onto the bed. Without breaking contact she lowered them both to the soft surface, covering Sydney’s body with her own. Alex continued to gently touch and kiss Sydney, seducing her body and making her acutely aware of the clothes that were getting in the way.

  Alex pulled Sydney up into a sitting position, as she knelt before her, kissing Sydney deeply. Sydney’s world narrowed to just the two of them and how Alex made her feel. She kissed Alex back and both refused to break the intense contact for several moments.

  Sydney felt the heat rising within her. There was no hesitation, no confusion. She knew exactly where this moment was going and she embraced it without pause. She pulled away from the kiss and reached down, grasping the hem of her shirt and lifting it over her head.

  Alex leaned back and watched Sydney, saying nothing. Sydney reached behind her toward her own bra clasp, but Alex leaned forward and caught her hand, stopping her.

  “Let me, please,” she said as she worked her hands around to the clasp at Sydney’s back, unhooking it then pulling the garment slowly away. “Beautiful,” she whispered. Alex lowered Sydney to the bed, her kisses working down Sydney’s neck to her collarbone, then nuzzling the tops of Alex’s breasts. Sydney’s arms went around Alex’s shoulders as her breasts were caressed.

  Alex was still fully clothed and Sydney pulled at Alex’s shirt, sending a silent message. Alex quickly moved to help, pulling first her shirt up and over her head and then taking off her bra, throwing them to the floor beside the bed.

  Sydney’s breath caught when their bare skin made contact. She closed her eyes and threw her head back, lost in the sensations that were overwhelming her senses. She sucked in a sudden breath when Alex ran the tip of her tongue in a tiny circle around the nipple of her breast and massaged it with her tongue as her fingers applied light pressure to its twin. Alex sucked, gradually increasing the pressure on her nipple. Just as Sydney felt she couldn’t take the barrage any longer, Alex gave a gentle kiss to her breast then looked up at her, one last question in her eyes. Her hand came to rest at Sydney’s waist, one finger running along the inside of her waistband. Sydney reached up to Alex’s cheek and guided their lips together in a kiss.

  When they pulled away she looked into Alex’s eyes and whispered one word. “Yes.”

  Alex brought their lips together again and moved her hand down between them, unfastening Sydney’s jeans. Alex pulled away slightly, then dragged kisses down Sydney’s chest and across her stomach as she worked fingers under the waistband of the pants, slowly lowering them. Sydney lifted her hips just barely, allowing the pants to slide off. Sydney was amazed as this strong woman used the gentlest of hands as she touched her.

  Alex shed the rest of her own clothes then lay down once again. The sight of Alex’s naked body was magnificent. She gazed at the toned and muscular form and again wondered how this powerful woman could be so tender and gentle. Sydney’s attention was diverted as Alex looked into her eyes. Her hand rested on Sydney’s stomach, then moved slowly downward to Sydney’s black thong. As she paused momentarily with her hand at the edge of the lace, Sydney gave a small smile and a nod.

  Alex slipped her finger in the waistband and pulled it down slightly. She leaned in and kissed Sydney’s flat stomach, starting from her belly button and working her way to the spot she gradually exposed below the edge of the silk. She ran her tongue the length of the thong’s waistline and Sydney gasped. Her heart pounded as the last of her clothing dropped to the floor.

  Alex kissed her way back up Sydney’s body. Soon Sydney was aware of nothing but Alex’s hand and lips, which felt as if they were everywhere on her skin. The sensations traveling through her body gradually drove her to a breathless ecstasy.

  THEY LAY FOR several moments with their foreheads together and eyes closed. Sydney’s body shuddered as Alex seemed to move away, but then pulled her almost limp body on top of Alex, Sydney’s head resting on Alex’s chest. They remained unmoving like that for quite a while, just feeling the closeness between them as their bodies relaxed.

  “That was wonderful. It was amazing,” Sydney said quietly when she was able to speak. Then she paused, unsure of her next words. “I don’t really know how to say this. I want to touch you. To make you feel as good as you made me feel. But I don’t know what to do. Alex, I’ve never, well, I mean, I’ve never been with a woman before.”

  “Syd, just touching you, it’s everything I dreamt of. Just being here with you is incredible.” Alex gave a shy smile. “I practically, you know, just touching you, watching you. God, you are so incredibly sexy. Just being close to you pretty much puts me over the edge.”

  Sydney leaned up and kissed Alex, gently at first, then with building passion. When the kiss ended she looked deeply into Alex’s eyes.

  “I want to touch you,” she whispered. “I want—”

  Alex leaned up and kissed her. “Relax,” she whispered. She took Sydney’s hand and laced their fingers together, moving their joined hands across her own breast. Alex’s eyes fluttered closed momentarily and she audibly moaned.

  Watching the effect the touching was having on Alex sent Sydney’s blood surging once again, and she knew what Alex meant—she could feel her own body responding just from this contact.

  Alex continued to guide Sydney’s hand across her body, all the while looking into her eyes, letting her know how good it felt. Sydney leaned down and kissed Alex as their hands moved together. She found all her fears and nervousness gradually replaced with pure desire. Alex moved their hands lower and the contact felt so good, Sydney was finding it difficult to breathe. She moved her lips to one of Alex’s breasts, sucking gently on the hardened nipple. Alex arched beneath her, resting her hand on the back of Sydney’s head.

  Alex guided their joined hands lower then let go.

  Sydney heard Alex’s sharp intake of breath as her fingers worked their way freely over Alex’s body.

  “Oh, God, Syd,” Alex gasped, her eyes drooping closed. This was all the reassurance Sydn
ey needed as instinct and desire took over.

  Their bodies found a natural rhythm as though they had been lovers for years, moving together until they collapsed into each other’s arms once again.

  They spent the next several hours exploring each other’s bodies, and it was well after midnight when physical exhaustion finally brought the passionate adventure to an end. Sydney lay sprawled across Alex’s body as their hearts slowed and their breathing returned to normal. They shared a final kiss, then fell asleep with their naked bodies intertwined. The candle eventually burned out and plunged them into darkness and a deep satisfying slumber.

  SYDNEY’S EYES OPENED as the early morning sunrise started to creep into the room. Her gaze fell upon the woman sleeping beside her and she smiled with the realization that the previous night had not been just a wonderful and erotic dream.

  She moved closer to Alex, snuggling into her side and placing her head on Alex’s chest. Alex stirred and Sydney felt an arm go around her shoulders.

  A bashful smile took over Alex’s lips as she opened her eyes and returned the gaze. “Hi,” she said.

  “Good morning,” Sydney replied, returning the smile.

  “Is everything—I mean, are you okay with...”

  “Yes,” Sydney said without hesitation, tipping her head up to meet Alex’s lips in a brief and tender kiss. “I’m wonderful. When can we do it again?” Sydney’s laugh was muffled as Alex pulled her into a strong embrace and a passionate kiss.

  When the kiss ended Sydney reached up and brushed a lock of hair from Alex’s forehead, an intimate gesture quickly becoming habitual for her.

  “I wish I could stay here all day with you, just like this,” Sydney whispered.

  “So do I.” Alex bent down and kissed Sydney’s forehead then looked over at the clock beside the bed. Sydney’s gaze followed hers to the clock, then her head dropped to Alex’s chest and she sighed in exasperation.