Her Protector

by Tomi Dean Lynch

  “Holy shit! You’re sure it was him?” I asked, feeling ridiculous for implying that anyone else could have done it.

  “She was beaten, raped and tied to the bed just like your girl in there. I got the chills when I entered the crime scene. It was like walking in to that woman’s bedroom all over again. Only this time he finished the job. Her bruise patterns even matched your actresses to a tee,” MacManus said.

  “What the hell is he thinking? He knows the heat is on. Shouldn’t he be laying low? He could’ve been deep in Mexico by now,” I asked.

  “He’s off the rails. We’ve found at least six unsolved murders that could be linked to him. He’s a serial killer’ a card carrying psychopath and he can’t hide it anymore,” MacManus replied.

  “So what do we do now?” I asked him.

  “We try to figure out his next move. You keep babysitting,” he grinned.

  I rolled my eyes and sighed.

  “Come on, Riley, you gotta admit that you’ve got the best view in the house! I’d have a boner twenty-four seven if it was me,” he nudged me.

  “Maybe she’s not my type,” I replied.

  “Or maybe she is,” he eyed me accusingly.

  “She was just violated by someone that she loved. Show a little respect,” I said, pushing his chest.

  “You’re right, sorry,” he replied, “But, hey, you can still look, right?”

  Dara was sitting on the edge of her seat when I returned.

  “Did something happen? Did they catch him?” she asked.

  “They didn’t catch him,” I replied. I picked up my coffee and leaned against the counter.

  “But something happened. What is it?” she asked.

  “They believe they may have found another victim,” I replied.

  “What? Who?” she cried.

  “He didn’t give me a name. I’m sorry. I’m sure it will be all over the news at some point so you’ll get you answer,” I told her.

  I watched as the tears streamed down her face and it felt like someone wrapped their hand around my heart and squeezed. I wanted to run to her and hold her and knowing that I couldn’t was killing me inside.

  “I’m sorry. I know this is hard for you,” I said.

  “Hard? This is hard for me? Do you have any idea what it’s like to learn that you’ve been sharing your life with a monster? Maybe if I wasn’t so blind I could have seen it before he killed those people. If I wasn’t so stupid those people would still be alive!” She sobbed.

  “That’s survivors’ guilt talking. You have nothing to feel guilty about. You’re a victim, too,” I told her.

  I looked in to her eyes and I knew that she wanted me to console her. She wanted to feel someone’s arms around her. It didn’t matter who. So, I walked to her and dropped to my knees. I wrapped my arms around her and allowed her to place her head on my chest. I held her there until the sobbing stopped and she lifted her face to me.

  “Thank you,” she said, “I know that I make you uncomfortable.”

  In that moment I felt exposed. Had she figured out my secret? Was it so obvious that I wanted her?

  “Uncomfortable?” I asked. I felt her breath on my face and gazed at her soft lips longing to taste them.

  “Yes, you’re strong. You’re not the nurturing type. I’m sure you don’t care about my problems. You’re just doing your job,” she told me.

  I felt the anger crawling up from the pit of my stomach. Just doing my job? No, I was going above and beyond catering to her whims. That wasn’t my job! I got to my feet and turned away. I didn’t want her to see my thoughts on my face.

  “You’re welcome,” I said.

  “I didn’t mean to upset you!” she said, “Did I say something wrong?”

  “No, it’s fine. Just finish your breakfast so I can take out the trash,” I told her.

  I spent the afternoon walking on eggshells. I shouldn’t have been hurt by her words. They served to confirm that I was doing a good job of hiding my feelings. That should be a good thing but, still, I didn’t like being accused of not caring. I was at a loss for what to do when I remembered the movie! I moved into the bedroom where Dara was eagerly scanning news reports so that she could learn the name of the latest victim.

  “Hey, I have a surprise for you tonight. It might cheer you up and, if not, we’ll get drunk on the wine and get your mind off things for a while,” I told her, referring to the four other bottles that I convinced MacManus to bring her.

  “Okay, but, can you call someone and ask for the name of the victim? There’s nothing on the news yet and I can’t think about anything else,” she replied.

  I disapproved, but I nodded and left to call MacManus.

  “What the hell? Did she drink all that wine already?” MacManus asked as he answered my call.

  “No, I just need the name of the last victim,” I replied.

  “Why? What are you up to?” he asked me.

  “Don’t break my balls. Just tell me,” I demanded.

  “April Lordes,” he answered, “You gonna tell her?”

  “She asked,” I replied.

  “You’re not one to give people what they ask for. She’s got you tied in a knot doesn’t she?” he asked.

  “I have to sit here alone with her. She won’t stop obsessing about it until she knows. I’m trying to save my own sanity,” I lied.

  “Alright, anything else?” he asked.

  “No, thanks,” I disconnected the call.

  I walked back inside and found Dara lurking just inside the door.

  “April Lordes,” I told her.

  Her flesh turned grey and she took a step back.

  “Did you know her?” I asked.

  “Yes. I hated her. I was so jealous of the way Donovan looked at her. I was always afraid that he would leave me and go back to her,” she replied.

  Well, he did and you were lucky; I thought to myself.

  “You have your answer and there’s nothing that you can do to change things so sit down on the sofa. I’ll get the wine. We’re going to watch a movie,” I said.

  She sat and took a glass from my hand. I hadn’t landed in my seat yet and her glass was already empty. I ignored the fact that she was refilling it already and opened my laptop and started the movie.

  She gasped when she saw the title, “Till My Dying Breath” appear on the screen.

  “You found it! I didn’t expect to watch it with you,” she said.

  “Have you seen it?” I asked her.

  “Honestly? No. There was no premiere party. Those parties are the only place that I ever see my own work,” she replied.

  “Makes sense I suppose. I guess writers don’t sit around reading their own books. Do they?” I smiled, “But you’re going to watch this one; and no spoilers!”

  The beginning of the film was fairly boring filled with backstory on the drunkard town sheriff who I assumed was going to be our hero. We were about eight minutes in when Dara showed up on my screen. She looked great and I found myself comparing her to herself on screen. She definitely looked better in person.

  She covered her face and said, “This is too weird!”

  “Hush now, I’m watching!” I teased.

  It started out as a very typical “who dun nit” with foggy roads lit by dim street lights and a killer in a trench coat looking like a London Fog commercial and I was zooming out but feigning an interest for the sake of the actress who was burning a hole in my head as I stared at the screen.

  “Oh God!” she gasped, pulling her knees to her chest and hugging them.

  “What? Is something scary coming?” I asked, hoping this thing was finally going to take an exciting turn.

  “No. It’s a sex scene,” she whispered.

  I turned back to the screen but I wasn’t looking forward to watching some guy gyrate under the covers on top of her. I waited for the hero to make his appearance and was shocked when Dara wrapped her arms around the other woman in the scene and pulled her in to
a passionate kiss. The two entered a bedroom and the other woman undressed her. There were those breasts that I’d been stealing glances at all week. The two climbed on the bed and made out until the scene blacked out.

  I wouldn’t make eye contact or speak to Dara though I could still feel her staring at the side of my face. Instead I watched the end of the movie in silence. So, that was the twist in the end. The grieving widow had a mistress and the two laughed about how easily they’d fooled the police in to believing that someone other than them had killed her husband. Pure cinematic trash!

  When it was over I closed my laptop and finally met her eyes with mine.

  “What did you think?” she asked.

  “I think you’re a very good actress,” I replied, smiling.

  “But what did you think of the movie?” she pressed me.

  “I’m a cop. I dissect every crime drama that I see so I’m too critical to give an unbiased opinion. Besides, don’t you know that cops hate movies where the bad guy gets away?” I tried to make light of things with a joke.

  “You hated it,” she said. She was smiling but I could sense her disappointment.

  “I didn’t hate you. You were the best part of the movie. You saved the damn thing,” I insisted.

  “It was strange kissing a woman,” she blurted.

  That wasn’t what I wanted to hear but sure, I was willing to play out this conversation.

  “Why is that?” I asked her.

  She looked stunned as if she expected me to just relate to her statement.

  “Well, I never kissed a woman before that. I didn’t know…” she hesitated.

  “What? Were you going to say that you didn’t know how? I’m sure you kiss men all the time on screen. Did you think that there was some other technique required to kiss a woman?” I asked.

  “No, I was going to say that I didn’t know that I was going to enjoy it,” she replied.

  “Oh, so, what? It aroused you?” I asked. Something about the movie had finally peaked my interest.

  “Kind of. I didn’t even like the actress. She was a bitch but there was something exciting about kissing her,” she explained.

  “Well, she is an attractive woman. I can see how that could happen,” I was doing my best to normalize the situation. I didn’t like that she was calling it strange to be aroused by someone of the same sex.

  “Have you ever kissed a woman?” she asked.

  “Yes,” I answered, offering no further detail.

  “Have you slept with another woman?” she asked, and then pulled back, “I’m sorry! It’s none of my business!”

  “I only sleep with women,” I replied.

  I heard the breath leave her as she turned her face away from mine. She had to have known or at least suspected. I may not be butch but I’m not feminine either. I looked at the empty wine bottle and started to lift myself up off the couch to fetch another but she caught my hand and held me in place. I could feel her breath on my cheek as she leaned in close to me. I froze in place knowing that if I turned my head she was going to kiss me. I had no more than a second or two to decide if I was going to give her the opportunity. I caved to my craving for her and turned my head.

  Her lips were slightly parted and landed gently on mine. I reached up and cupped her face in my hands. She opened her lips to let out a sigh and I slipped my tongue inside. She reciprocated. I wanted to rip her off the sofa and drag her to bed. I wanted to show her how well a woman could please her but she was still the victim of a sex crime and I didn’t want to do anything to add to that trauma. I would not be the pursuer. She would have to seduce me. I didn’t think she could. I was wrong.

  She took my hand and slid them down to her breasts offering me two hardy hands full as she kissed me deeper. My hands shook as I fondled her breasts. I never thought I’d have the chance and I was taking full advantage of the opportunity.

  I was stunned when she removed my hands and took off her shirt inviting me to touch her bare skin. I pinched her taught nipples until I couldn’t take it any longer. Then, I dropped my head and flicked the pink flesh with my tongue. Her body was trembling as she tugged at my shirt demanding that I remove it. I obeyed. I was still in my bra when she lunged forward and began licking the flesh that spilled over the cups. She was hungry for me so I opened my bra and let it fall off my arms. She took my left breast in her mouth and sucked on my nipple as I pinched hers with both of my hands.

  I pushed her down on the couch and climbed on top of her grinding my pelvis against hers as we made out like teenagers. I didn’t expect that things would go any further but she slipped her hands between us slid her shorts down her silky legs. I reached down and slid my hand inside her. She moaned and wrapped her arms around me. Before I knew it, I found myself kneeling between her legs. I looked at her face. Her eyes were wide. Her chest rose and fell as though she was frightened.

  I asked, “Can I taste you?”

  She put her hands on her thighs and used them to part her legs further inviting me in. I dropped my head and slipped my tongue inside her elated when she put her hand on the back on my head and pushed me in deeper. She rocked and purred as I slipped two fingers inside her while I curled my tongue around her throbbing clit. She came too quickly. I wasn’t ready to stop but I slithered back up her body and kissed her again.

  She reached between my legs and rubbed her fingers against my aching crotch. I wanted to drop my pants and let her inside but I didn’t. I couldn’t. Not yet.

  I lifted her back to a seated position and smiled at her.

  “We’ve had a lot to drink. Maybe you should go to bed now,” I told her.

  “But, why?” she asked.

  “I’m still working. I can’t,” I began but she interrupted me.

  “You’ve already started! You can’t get me off and then tell me that I can’t do the same for you!” she said.

  “I can, and I am. I’m glad that I could make you feel good but I can’t ask you to do the same for me,” I told her.

  “You didn’t ask. I want to make love to you,” she said lunging toward me in an attempt to force me on to my back.

  I hugged her tightly and kissed her neck.

  “You don’t have to,” I whispered in her ear.

  “Come to bed with me,” she demanded.

  “Are you sure?” I asked her.

  “Yes,” she said. She stood up and held her hand out to me.

  I took it and followed her to her bed.

  She removed my pants and pressed her curvy body against mine. I grabbed her ass and squeezed it. It was divine.

  “Lay down. I want to taste you,” she told me and I obeyed.

  Her tongue explored the pink folds of skin inside me and I wondered how far she would go. Part of me believed that she would pull back and apologize; telling me that she’d made a mistake. She didn’t. She licked and sucked me like an experienced lover and I closed my eyes and savored the growing need for release that she was creating in me. I came hard thrusting my hips in the air as she held her grip on my clit with her lips. When I stopped writhing she climbed up beside me and nestled her head on my chest. I stroked her dark hair and breathed her in. We fell asleep wrap in each other’s arms.

  Sprung

  I lifted Daras’ arm off my chest and went to the bathroom. When the steam wafted over the shower curtain, I opened it and stepped under the warm water. The fog of the wine was fading and the reality of our night together was slowly creeping up on me. I was terrified. I had affairs with ‘straight’ women before and experienced the regret filled first moments of the morning after as they awkwardly collected their things while struggling to find something to say. The door closed and I knew that I would never see them again. It was alright. I had no intentions of having relationships with these women. This time, I feared seeing remorse on Daras’ face and the dread of realizing that she would have no choice but to spend more time alone with me. I was deep in thought when the rush of cold air hit my backside. She climbe
d in to shower behind me and pressed her naked flesh against me. I reached down and clasped the tiny hands that she had slipped over my hips and on to my stomach. I closed my eyes and smiled as the water struck my face.

  We were laughing like kids when the knock came on the door. I threw on my tee shirt and shorts and she closed the bathroom door behind me. I stumbled into the public room and yelled “Clear!”.

  MacManus turned his key in the lock and stepped inside followed by a young female officer.

  “Morning kid! You’ve been sprung for the day,” he said.

  “What do you mean?” I asked him.

  “The Chief decided to show you some mercy. You get to return to the outside for a while. Officer Clifton will be taking your post for the day. Just be back by ten in the morning to relieve her,” he told me.

  I didn’t know what to say or do. This time yesterday I would have been doing cartwheels but now? I didn’t want to go! Things just got started.

  “Hurry up kid!” MacManus said. I wasn’t allowed to park my car at the hotel so he had to drive me.

  “Give me a minute. I just got out of the shower!” I scolded him.

  Just then, Dara came out of the bathroom. MacManus looked at her wet hair and cleared his throat flashing me a disapproving glare.

  “She got in the shower before I got my stuff out of the bathroom. I’ll be right back,” I feebly explained.

  I walked in to the bedroom careful not to make eye contact with Dara until the door was closed.

  “They’re relieving me of my watch for the day. That officer out there will be staying with you. I’ll be back in the morning, though. I promise!” I told her.

  I could see her disappointment. I inched closer and caught her chin in my hand raising her head. I pressed my lips against hers and felt the aching in my chest when she exhaled.

  “I promise we’ll pick up where we left off tomorrow,” I told her.

  Her eyes were closed and she nodded.

  I collected my discarded clothes from the night before and left her there to dress. When I returned to the public room MacManus was on the phone and the officer was seated on the sofa looking down at my shirt and bra. I kneeled in front of her and scooped them up.