Hart & Stocker

by Max Ellendale

  "Does it bother you?"

  "Does what bother me?" I held my arms to her and she moved into them, surprisingly. I rested my hands on her waist.

  "That we haven't had sex." Without her gun, clothes, and sunglasses to hide behind, Dax's timidity burst to the surface. I imagined feeling vulnerable as the cause.

  "I think you giving me multiple orgasms counts as sex, honey. But no, it doesn't bother me. We're still getting to know each other. Learning to trust each other and ourselves. Does it bother you?"

  "A little." She placed her hands on my shoulders. "Like sometimes I just want to tear you to pieces."

  I laughed at that, though her smirk made me want to know more. "Oh yeah? Tear me how?"

  "Like rip off your clothes and devour you." Her fingers stroked my hair as she began to uncurl from her shyness. "Sometimes I really want to do that."

  "As much as I would love for you to do that, I'm equally excited to share it with you, Dax. Because let me tell you, it takes all of my willpower sometimes to not do the same to you. Like right now. I'd love to tear that towel off you and kiss every inch of your naked body. But I want you to be ready for that. So we can share our connection. I'm going to wait for you. Until you're ready," I told her, and watched as her smirk turned into a full smile. Gone was the fear from her eyes and slowly, very slowly, the steadiness of trust began to appear.

  She didn't say anything to that. Instead, she leaned down and kissed me, firm and strong, with confidence that suited the gesture. I tucked her damp hair behind her ears, and cupped her face when she ended our connection.

  "C'mon. Let's get dressed and head to Sage's. I can hear your stomach rumbling from here."

  She laughed, bumping my forehead with hers before breaking away to get ready.

  ***

  "Dax! Come see my swing set." Macie grabbed Dax's hand about five minutes after we arrived and tugged her away. I expected her to freak out, but she humored the kid after greeting my family in the backyard.

  "Macie, mind your manners," scolded Jake. "Maybe Dax doesn't want to see your swing set right now."

  "Is that true?" Macie pouted at Dax, though still pulled at her while holding on to her index finger.

  "It's okay," Dax said, smiling softly at my niece. "I'll see it for a minute, okay?"

  "Okay! C'mon." Macie bolted and I grinned at Dax while she followed her, slipping her hands in the pockets of her bomber jacket on the way.

  Jake chuckled and joined them after tossing Macie over his shoulder.

  "Cute that she's humoring her," said Sage as she stood with me beside the back door where the fragrance of Mom's cooking wafted outside. My mouth watered at just the thought of it.

  "It is." I nodded, and Mom reappeared a second later.

  "What does Dax drink?" she asked, holding out a bottle of red wine and white.

  "Um...normally whiskey. Beer."

  "The lot of you." Mom clucked her tongue at us and disappeared back inside.

  "She disapproves of our alcohol choices now? This is new." I laughed as Sage ushered me to sit at the table on the porch. I watched Dax with Macie and Jake. She smiled, and spoke to Macie whenever addressed, though I noticed she kept her distance from Jake.

  "She wants to impress your girlfriend it seems." Sage smiled, glancing over at the others. "She's a good sport."

  "Better than I expected."

  "You seem happier, Will…"

  "Dax makes me happier," I said, running my fingers along the slate tiles on the table. "She's unexpected."

  "I can tell." Sage knocked on the table in front of me so that I'd look at her. "How's the sex?"

  "Shh." I swatted her hand. "I'm not telling you that."

  "You always tell me about that." She huffed, her bottom lip poking out. "Tell me."

  "No, because you'll go back and blab to Marjie or whoever about what I say."

  "I won't. I swear."

  "You will." I squinted at her, in a mock-threatening glare. "I know you."

  She laughed, her brows lifting with her hands. "I promise!"

  "Nope."

  Dax's boots on the pavers drew my attention, and I smiled at her when she approached. I pulled out the chair beside me and she sat, her hands still tucked in her pockets.

  "All done swing set viewing?" I grinned and she nudged me with her elbow.

  "For now."

  "Good." I leaned my knee against her leg and she seemed to settle after that. "Mom wants to know what you drink. Apparently our choices are red or white wine."

  "How about both?" She smirked, her gaze flickering from me to Sage.

  "Works for me. I did, however, tell her whiskey or beer. Yeah?"

  "Always." She nodded, though her eyes lingered on me. Discomfort tightened her posture and I noted that she avoided looking directly at my sister.

  "How's the farm, Dax?" asked Sage, drawing her out the way I found myself doing.

  "Good. Quiet."

  "Your dad had a lot of popular crops for a while. The lavender, pumpkins, cherries. Are you thinking of doing that?" Sage asked, her expression soft while she made small talk with Dax.

  "Maybe pumpkins." Dax's gaze fell to the table between us before she looked off into the distance where Macie played with her dad on the swings.

  Crickets chirped. Sage floundered and she met my gaze, her eyes screaming for help.

  "Honey," I called, placing my hand on Dax's thigh. "Let's go get a drink. C'mon, Sage."

  "Okay." Dax rose with me and when we made to head inside, she stood extra close, a step behind me as we headed into the kitchen.

  "Hello, little girls." Mom chirped as she fussed over something on the stove. "Dinner will be ready in fifteen."

  "Thanks, Ma," I said, stealing an asparagus from the plate of roasted veggies that she placed on the counter. She swatted my hand and Dax chuckled.

  "Have we decided on drinks?" Mom grinned and swept beside Dax. "What can I get you, love? Wine? Beer? Whiskey?"

  "Beer is good. Thank you." Dax settled with Mom's prodding, and I wondered why she was more at ease with her than Sage.

  "I'll take wine, Ma. Thanks." Sage poured herself a glass of Pinot Grigio while grumbling.

  "Aw, quit pouting." I nudged Sage then accepted the beers Mom handed me and Dax after opening them. "Thanks."

  "Well, you're getting fawned over and I'm getting ignored. I deserve a good pout." Sage stuck her tongue out at me and I smacked her arm.

  "You see what I deal with, Dax? Little girls." Mom placed her hand on Dax's back without an ounce of caution. "Let's sit. I've got some snacks on the table."

  "Okay." Dax laughed, and followed her to the table.

  I stared at her as the two of them broke into conversation.

  "So how's Willa's arm today? I haven't hounded her yet to inspect it." Mom gestured for Dax to sit and she did.

  "Bruised, but the punctures are minor for the most part," answered Dax.

  I watched them while leaning on the counter with Sage beside me. They faded into quieter conversation and I noted Dax's posture relaxing into it.

  "When should we save her?" whispered Sage.

  "She's comfortable with Mom for some reason."

  "She's so anxious, Will. It makes me nervous."

  "I know. Just be yourself around her. When she gets quiet, just let her be or leave it to me to encourage her forward. Okay?" I kept my voice soft while we chatted.

  "She's changed a lot. We weren't great friends or anything in school, but she wasn't shy or withdrawn by any means."

  "Life changes people, Sagey." I patted her arm then broke away from her when I saw Dax glance to me. I approached her and she smiled as I leaned over the back of the chair to hug her from behind. "Is Mom behaving or asking you probing questions about your political leanings?"

  Dax laughed and hugged my arms right away. "She's being just fine."

  "Dax and I were getting to know each other as adults." Mom hopped up and swatted my rear. "Get settled. Dinner's abo
ut done."

  "Hooray." I nuzzled Dax's cheek and she leaned into me when we had a moment alone. "Doing okay?"

  "Yeah. Your mom is very kind to me," she said, her voice soft as she leaned into my embrace fully. "Like she always was."

  "She treats you the same as always, yeah?"

  She nodded, stroking my wrist where my sweater gathered. "Yeah. You're important to me, Willa," she said, seemingly out of nowhere.

  "You're important to me, too, Dax." I brushed my lips over her cheek. "Can I kiss you here?"

  She nodded and turned her head slightly so my lips could meet hers. She cracked a small smile, and allowed me to hug her fully before taking a seat beside her. Her sudden emotionality brought me both joy and worry. With Dax, it was difficult to tell what she was thinking. I could only hope that the experience brought the two of us closer, despite my fear that it would push her away.

  Mom called everyone to the table where she set out the rib roast, mashed potatoes, various veggies, warm bread with butter, and gravy. Jake took up his usual post of slicing the meat, and serving a cut to everyone. He firmly believed that the people he cared about should eat first. In his family, he witnessed his mother placate his father's every whim. For himself, he made a promise to Sage to live his life differently. So far, he lived up to that promise without fail.

  Sage filled Macie's plate while the rest of us passed around each item. Dax's tentative nature returned, though she filled her plate just as the rest of us. Macie focused the conversation as she always did and we broke into chatter about school and puppies.

  "But why can't I have a puppy, Daddy?" she asked while chomping on a piece of meat. "I'll take care of it."

  "Mommy and Daddy both work full-time, sweetie, and puppies are a lot of work right now," answered Jake.

  "No fair." Macie pouted, though it didn't stop her from eating.

  Dax smirked while she listened to her and I tried really hard not to laugh at the conversation I'd heard ninety times this month.

  "But Gramma can watch him," Macie announced suddenly. "Like she watches me!"

  Mom chuckled, grinning at Sage as if entertained by the notion of how she would handle it.

  "Macie, there's a new rule. No more talking about puppies or pets at the dinner table. Let's talk about summer camp," said Sage, her expression daunted.

  "Fine." Macie huffed, her brow narrowed. "We'll talk about puppies at breakfast." She tore a piece of bread from the loaf beside her. "And lunch."

  Dax laughed at that and I covered my mouth as the kid won the battle in an epic close. I tried really hard not to crack up, but Dax's snickering pushed me over the edge. I burst out laughing, which set off Mom, and the three of us earned the death glare from Sage. Jake chuckled, and patted Macie on the head.

  "Eat your dinner, kiddo," he said, rolling with it like it was nothing.

  Mom settled to chuckling, then cleared her throat. "So, Dax, you're a marshal?"

  "I am," Dax answered after swallowing a bite of potatoes. "For now."

  "What's that like?" Mom cut into a chunk of broccoli, while I focused on the tender meat.

  "Now, it's fairly tame. I was in judicial security for awhile. Like Secret Service for federal judges."

  "That sounds moderately unpleasant," said Mom, her brows lifted.

  "It was. Serving warrants is easy. Assignment and done. Then I can spend time at the farm." Dax glanced to me, a small smile curving her lips. I reached under the table and squeezed her thigh.

  "So how'd you two meet again?" asked Jake as he devoured a huge hunk of beef. "I forget."

  "I went out to a call for her horse that was having a dental issue, but I met her baby goats first. They won me over from the start." I snickered and Dax scowled, albeit playfully.

  "You have baby goats?" Macie squealed, climbing to her knees on her chair.

  "I do." Dax nodded to her. "Three of them."

  "Can I see them?" Macie clapped her hands and nearly bounced in her seat.

  Dax chuckled, nodding as she met Macie's gaze. "Sure, kid."

  "Awesome." Macie giggled and looked to Sage. "Dax said yes, Momma."

  "Well, that's good. Auntie Will can take you to visit the goats." Sage grinned at me and I laughed.

  "I'll take you one day, Macie. Dax has a horse, too."

  "Can we ride it?" Macie looked to Dax again.

  "If you'd like to, sure." Dax's cheeks reddened with the attention and it made me smile.

  Dinner carried on with Macie as the center of attention until around eight when Jake took her up to bed. Dax seemed to have the least amount of trouble talking to her, and by the time Mom shooed us out of the kitchen, her anxiety presented significantly less. Although she was still generally quiet, she didn't seem as uncomfortable.

  We settled together on Sage's sofa, with cups of coffee and pastries, while Sage and Mom cleaned up.

  "Why won't they let us help?" asked Dax, her voice soft.

  "Mom's a control freak. So is Sage. We reap the benefits." I draped my leg over Dax's while I leaned back into the pillows. "Doing okay?"

  She nodded, her hand falling to my knee. "Your family is nice."

  "Most of the time."

  "Why don't they treat me weird?"

  "What do you mean?"

  "Do they not know what happened to me and what I did? Usually everyone does because it was in the papers…" Her gaze wandered to the fire burning in Sage's huge hearth. The white stone and marble focal point made the living room feel lush and elegant.

  "They know, Dax. I was the one who didn't know. They only know what the papers said. I never told them anything you've said to me."

  "Yeah. But everyone usually treats me strange anyway," she said, stroking my knee while she sipped her coffee.

  "Well, maybe you've met your match with this family." I poked her cheek and her lips curved into a small smile. "Macie is enamored with you."

  "I know." She chuckled. "Kids usually annoy me. But she's cute. She looks like you."

  I grinned at that. "Everyone thinks she's my kid when we're in public."

  "I can see why. Does it annoy Sage?"

  "Nope. She says if it makes me so happy then I can do all the parental things that make her tired. That's when I run away."

  "I'm not surprised." Dax laughed fully that time and returned her gaze to mine. "Do you want kids?"

  "I mean, I'm not driven to have them or not have them. I've always been a little self-interested in that arena. Do you?"

  "Not anymore, no. I used to, but having no attachments worked for me after everything…"

  "What about now?" I asked, biting my lip after.

  "What do you mean?" She set her coffee cup down on the end table.

  "Am I an attachment?" I asked, with care as I feared her response.

  She hesitated, her gaze flickering over my face as her lips pursed. "I didn't expect you to be."

  "I know. But am I?"

  "Yeah, Willa. You are." In a bold, unusual move, she slid both of her hands up my thighs in a firm grip. The gesture set off a shudder in my stomach so deep that it radiated both up and down my body, settling with the burn of desire in my belly.

  "Do you like it?" I gulped, trying not to melt too far under her sudden affection.

  She nodded, her gaze locked on mine, and her lips pursed with determination. "Yeah."

  Dax's phone buzzed and it broke our tense moment. She pulled it out of her jacket and flicked the screen while I watched her. Her expression melted away from the relaxed and shy one she held most of the night, and returned to tense and annoyed.

  "Work?" I asked and she nodded.

  "Warrant tomorrow."

  "Yuck. Work on a Monday." I scrunched my nose. "Feel my pain, babe."

  Dax smirked and gave my leg a squeeze. "Come back to the farm tonight?"

  "What if we stayed at mine tonight? That way, I won't have to leave early and I can see you off to work instead of you seeing me off. Then, I can meet you at the farm after
work." I smiled at the way her expression shifted from grumpy to less grumpy under the reflection.

  "Deal."

  Mom and Sage returned after a while, each toting a coffee of their own.

  "Did we lose the only boy in the house?" asked Sage. "He runs from too much estrogen."

  "Yup. He's been putting Macie to bed for about six months," I said, and the two of them chuckled. Dax leaned back on the sofa instead of arching over me as she had before.

  "Thanks for accepting our dinner invitation, Dax," chirped Mom. "We've been happy to include you. Willa hasn't brought someone home in—"

  "Ever, Ma. She's never." Sage smiled at me when she said it.

  "Well, then this is even more special." Mom grinned before sipping her coffee.

  "Quit staring at us and being all pressure-filled." I flailed and the three of them laughed at me. "Not funny!"

  "It's a little funny," said Dax, her eyes brighter again.

  "I think it's time for embarrassing baby pictures." Mom set her cup down and clapped her hands once. "What do you think, Dax?"

  "I'm in." She shrugged and I watched as her mouth twitched as if threatening a grin.

  "Ugh." I covered my face and pretended to die right there.

  Mom pulled out the photo albums, and the last half hour of our visit turned into a Willa show. Despite my discomfort, Dax seemed to enjoy it while Mom sat beside her and pointed out pictures with memories. Mom made to flip one of the pages, but Dax stopped her. A silly smile tugged the corners of her mouth and she pointed to something on the page.

  "Like that one?" asked Mom while chuckling.

  "It's my favorite," she said.

  "What is it?" I asked, leaning over to look.

  "You and your tiny pig." Sage laughed, shaking her head. "That pig."

  "You leave Willie alone." I wagged a finger at her.

  "His name was Willie?" Dax grinned at me, her eyes twinkling with playfulness. "Willa and Willie?"

  "I was thirteen and not very creative!" I protested as they laughed at me.

  Dax's smile continued as she gazed at the photo, her index finger at rest on it. Mom watched her, her expression bright as if she didn't quite expect Dax's joy in response to the photo.

  "Willa was always a good girl," said Mom, as the two of them mulled over the photo. "She earned Willie for her good grades in her first semester of high school."