Lauren (20 page)

She glanced over at him. He knelt on the floor, with a pile of her shirts, bras, and undergarments. Raising her eyebrow, she waited for his reasoning in making such a statement.

"I always wondered what bra size you were, and the type of panties you like to wear."

She threw one of her shoes at him. Tom attempted to dodge it, but his shoulder took the brunt of the hit. Laughing, he filtered through the pile of torn undergarments in front of him, on the floor.

"I bet I could make a lot of money selling these to the highest bidder."

"Tom!” she yelled at him.

He laughed, then she placed her hand on her firearm, by her hip, in warning. He released his hold on the garments, and raised his hands in the air, palm forward, giving up. She shook her head, while he continued to laugh, and made little comments to lighten her mood. He was a great friend.

She gathered what she could and packed a bag. He followed her in his car, until she was at the bridge. Then, she was on her own, to Eddie's. Eddie insisted that she keep the phone on, and he called her every ten minutes. She followed his directions, and met him at his house, outside of Ridgeburgh.

It was a warm, clear summer night. The stars shone brightly above, as Lauren drove through the town and the neighborhoods. She saw people outside, enjoying the weather. Parents sat on their front porches, watching their children play, or catch fireflies, as the night moved in. Teenagers and young college kids hung out in town, by the local theatre and mall.

Some yards had aboveground pools, and she noticed people night swimming. It was the perfect evening for such a pleasure.

The scene brought happy thoughts of childhood memories, and innocence lost from living life, with its ups and downs, its gains and losses.

Somewhere out there, on this breathtaking summer night, a killer stayed free, perhaps searching for his next prey. She felt him in the shadows, sensed his strength, his feeling of power.

Lauren wanted nothing more than to take that power away from him. Remove one more evildoer from the streets, allowing the community of people, young women particularly, to live in less fear.

She pulled into the private cul-de-sac, just outside of town. There was Eddie, leaning against his black Ford Explorer. He looked fantastic, in his dark blue jeans and a navy blue t-shirt. He told her to pull alongside his car in the driveway.

She stepped out of the car, wearing a designer pair of hip-hugger blue jeans and a champagne-colored, beaded camisole. Eddie gave her the once over and licked his lips, pulling her into his arms. He embraced her tightly, then his hands roamed possessively across her backside.

"Are you okay? I was worried,” he spoke softly, with obvious concern.

She kept her arms wrapped around his neck, then she hugged him again, surprised at how much she needed to be held by him.

Eddie slid his fingers through her long brown hair. He knew Lauren was tough. He didn't want to come across overly macho or possessive, but he couldn't help it. He was so concerned, so worried about her safety. He wanted to keep her right by his side, until this case was solved. With a woman like Lauren, that would never happen.

He possessively glided his hand across her backside, then stopped to let his hand linger, as if he had every right to, and it was the most natural thing to do.

"The jeans are nice, and you fill them in nicely, too."

She smiled. He let go of her to retrieve her bag from the car, then wrapped his arm around her waist and led her inside.

As soon as they were in the house, he pulled her close again, kissing her deeply.

"Damn it, Lauren, I don't like this. I don't like the game Silver is playing. Thank God he wasn't there waiting for you."

She placed her fingertips over his lips. “Please, let's not talk about it. I'm fine, and I'm here. Tomorrow, early, I'm headed back to the city. We're close. I can feel it. Now, show me around your home."

He kissed her one more time, and kept his hands on her hips. Her stomach was flat, and her arms defined, sexy, and glistening with some wonderfully scented perfume.

She grabbed his hand and started walking. His heart beat rapidly at the sight of her. All he wanted to do was hold her, protect her, but she was so independent. She had every right to be, and she had a role to play, and a job where the weak made mistakes. A mistake could mean the difference between life and death.

He tried his hardest to respect that side of Lauren, but he didn't want anything to happen to her. Maybe, if he had been just a bit more protective of Sarah, things would have turned out differently. He didn't want to make a mistake like that again, but how could Lauren understand his protectiveness, and need to keep her safe, if she had no idea about his past?

She turned back to smile at him, as they held hands and toured his home.

Eddie's home was a typical one level ranch, with lots of windows, and a large deck with a hot tub, in an enclosed area on the porch.

The kitchen was country style, with plaids, and Tuscan colors, and décor. He had a wine refrigerator, and all stainless steel appliances. The tile floor looked like natural stone, in beige and brown colors. It went wonderfully with the dark brown, marble counter tops.

Copper pots and pans covered the large pot rack that decorated the ceiling, above the rectangular island.

The living room had a stone fireplace, along with dark brown leather couches.

There was a great room Eddie used as an office and a workout area. It was loaded with free weights, workbenches, and various other machines.

Then, it hit her. She had to blink and take another look. Was it a wedding picture?

Eddie noticed her facial expression.

Lauren swallowed hard, moved closer, and took in the outdoor scene in the picture. Eddie was in a black tux, standing next to his bride, his wife.

She felt the pressure in her chest, as she placed her hand against her heart. She wasn't sure how to feel about it. He'd never mentioned a wife, or that he was married. Was he still married? Her shock turned to fear.

The woman in the picture was the complete opposite of Lauren. She had short blond hair, blue eyes, and was very thin. An attractive woman who looked amazingly happy, and so did Eddie.

"That's Sarah,” he said, interrupting her thoughts, and she turned to him. He took her hand in his. “I wanted to tell you. I wanted to tell you a lot, but, I was ... scared."

He touched her chin, and looked down into her eyes. “We were married for a year, had dated for two before that. She was a wonderful woman. Kind, caring, gentle, and a nurse at the local hospital."

"What happened to her?"

"One night after work, she was coming home from the hospital, and I was working on a case. Someone broke into the townhouse we were living in, about three miles from here. She was raped and murdered."

"Oh my God, Eddie. That's terrible. When did this happen?” She still held his hand.

"Over four years ago. You have no idea how hard it was for me to come to your hotel room that night. Not to mention, when I showed up at your home."

"I could tell something was stopping you. It was as if you were afraid."

"I was afraid, and I felt guilty. These are feelings I've had for too long. You've taken all that away. You made me open up my heart. You've taught me to love again."

Lauren hugged him, held him close. “I'm glad you told me. Now I understand, and I'm sorry I got so mad at you that night."

"No, please. I'm sorry, and I hope it doesn't bother you too much that I was married before. I know there's a big age difference between us."

"I don't mind, and I don't think the age difference really matters. Do you?"

"No, come here.” He pulled her body against his.

As he held her against his chest, she felt their connection, their bond. After his revelation of the truth, and telling her how his wife was murdered, she had a better understanding of his personality. She couldn't even imagine being married and having her spouse murdered. The tears stung her eyes, threatening to escape, but she couldn't do that.

The sensation of Eddie's hands caressing her shoulders, her back, then waist had her sighing against his chest. Allowing her hands to roam across his backside, she heard, and felt, his heartbeat increase. He gently kissed her forehead, her cheek, and along the base of her neck.

Rolling her head back to give him better access, she closed her eyes, and allowed him to ease her mind, after the evening's events.

His lips covered hers, while his arms picked her up off the floor.

A small gasp of surprise escaped her. Widening her eyes, she caught Eddie's gaze, and it burned with need. The same she was certain hers reflected. He smiled.

She held onto his neck, kissed his chin, his clean-shaven jaw, then back to his lips, as he carried her down the long hallway and into the master bedroom. Scanning the room, she found there was a king-size bed, framed by four solid, wide, wooden posts. The detail around the frame was classy and masculine, done in a checkered pattern. The rest of the furniture was coordinated perfectly. The window treatments were navy blue and burgundy plaid, with dark wooden blinds.

Eddie put Lauren down, and stood in front of her. Caressing her arms, gliding the palms of his hands over the silk camisole, he inhaled.

"Sexy as damn hell” he whispered, before kissing her again, across her lips, then to her jaw, and neck. Slowly, he made his way, precisely finding every curve of her shoulder, then her chest.

He moved the straps to her champagne camisole off her shoulder, nibbling the small protruding bone, then lowered it, until the voluptuous mound of flesh emerged, free and unrestrained.

"No bra. Very sexy,” he whispered, in a sultry voice that did a number to her thighs.

Meticulously, he sucked and nibbled, as he wrapped his arms around her waist. He closed the distance between their bodies, and molding his mouth against her breast. He moved over to her left side, equally feasting on her other breast, before making his way up her shoulders, back to her neck.

The tiny chills ran over her entire body, as Eddie pulled the camisole completely off her. His hands reached for her jeans. He unbuttoned, then unzipped them quickly, appearing delighted at the raspberry material underneath.

Lauren pulled Eddie's shirt from his jeans, and ran her hands through the tiny brown curls peppered across his muscular chest. She didn't bother to kiss and nibble his neck first, as he had done to her. Instead, she went right for his chest, taking the small pink flesh between her teeth, nibbling lightly, then harder.

He lifted her up, and covered her mouth with his, as he ran his finger across the waistband of the raspberry string bikini she wore. His large, solid hands caressed each cheek as he removed the panties. They fell sideways, in an embrace, to the bed.

She sat on top of him, straddling his hips. He pulled her closer. They were chest-to-chest, flesh-to-flesh, breathing steady and controlled.

Their kissing intensified, their bodies in need of more, but Lauren continued to tease him, to test his tolerance. She kissed his neck, his torso, then lower, finally taking him into her mouth.

Eddie moaned with delight, glided his fingertips through her hair, smelling her shampoo, and the essence of their shared desire. He wanted to be inside her, claiming her as his own, making her only ever want him.

The feelings, emotions, and need to possess all of her were immense. She looked up at him, as if sensing his feelings. Her eyes were wild with lust. He took this moment, this opportunity, to take control, grabbing her hips, and rolling her to her back.

Long brown curls scattered across his pillow. He held her hands a moment, then tested her tolerance as well, scooting down, while his tongue and lips made their way to what he craved the taste of.

She closed her eyes and grabbed Eddie's hair. She was so responsive.

"Now, Eddie, please.” She panted.

He glanced up, smiled, then glided his way over her skin with his tongue and lips. Getting in position, he moved his hips against hers, instantly entering her. They both sighed in relief and pleasure.

Their hands instinctively entwined, their gazes locked, and their bodies swayed in their rhythm, fulfilling their every need and desire to be one. The motion increased in speed, their mouths dried, their hearts pounded, as the ultimate, simultaneous climax overcame them both, in an explosion.

Then Eddie fell against her, breathless, with his mouth pressed against her silky skin.

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It was 5:00 a.m. Lauren got out of Eddie's bed. She started to get dressed, when she heard him behind her.

"You sure you got to go?” He sounded tired. His voice was husky.

She turned toward him, as she pulled up her jeans and clasped the button. The sheets barely covered his waist, and she fought the urge to jump back into bed with him.

"I have to, Eddie. We should be careful about this, for now, I mean.” She picked the camisole up off the floor.

He got out of bed, pulled on a pair of boxer shorts, and came toward her. She stood there, holding the camisole against her bare chest, while he stood in front of her.

He wasn't afraid to speak his mind, or make known his intentions to her. “You mean you don't want anyone to know about
us
?"

"It's bad enough Tom knows, and Jack has his suspicions. We should wait until the case is over."

Eddie pulled Lauren closer. He ran his fingers under her hair, holding the base of her head and neck, while his other hand and arm wrapped around her waist.

"I know you're right. I just love the way you make me feel, and I'm worried about you. I don't want you to leave."

Eddie began kissing her again, pulling her body against his, and taking the camisole away from her chest. He squeezed her tighter, her naked breasts against his flesh. The palm of his hand lay against her ribcage, as his other hand massaged and stimulated her breast, in preparation for his mouth.