SACRIFICES (26 page)

              Brad tilts his head. “Excuse me?”

              Jenny clears her throat. “Your body is extremely fit, I didn’t realize you had such
big
muscles
, your suits hide just how well you’re built. Are you sure your forty-two-years old because you have the body of a twenty year old.”

              Brad starts to blush. He grins and looks away shyly. “I’m actually forty-two and a half.”

              Jenny shakes her head side to side and moves closer.

“You might be but your body looks incredible, I mean you must work out right?”

              “You know…I do my best to hit the gym…every now and then.” Brad once again looks away a brighter shade of red.

              They exchange some small talk while they enjoy the atmosphere and the casual flirting on both of their parts. Jenny can sense Brad has something on his mind as she watches him drift off every so often.

              “Are you ok Brad? You act as if something has you bothered.” Jenny sits her drink down and looks at him.

              “Why do you say that?” Brad takes another long awaited drink of his vodka and orange juice.

              “I don’t know. Is it the case you’re working on?” Jenny smiles and says. “Is that what’s bothering you? You can tell me. I’m a good listener, remember.” He smiles remembering her saying the same thing to him the first time they met. He also remembers how easy it was to open up to this beautiful woman.

              Brad grins and touches her hand. “You’re sweet to ask but there’s not much to tell. I’ve just been totally engulfed in this case. It sometimes feels like the harder I work the less I accomplish...” He takes another drink. “...I don’t know. Sometimes it gets frustrating. Besides that it’s nothing to worry you about. It’s just the nature of my line of work.” Brad sits his drink down. “Enough about me I want to know about you. I mean everything.”

              Jenny smiles and looks away. “There’s not much to tell.” As she lifts her tall glass to her lips and takes a sip.

              Brad smiles and flags down Devon for another drink.

Brad and Jenny order their dinner. He smiles while he nurses another vodka and orange juice. “So what do you do with your spare time throughout the year? I know you lost your husband five years ago, and you don’t have any children. So what does a pretty lady like yourself do to keep busy when you’re not helping save peoples lives?” Brad grins and sits his empty glass down.

              Jenny looks away and tells him as she takes another sip of her drink. “It’s hard to say. I mean basically I live a boring life. I work and that’s about it. There’s not much else to say.”

              “What about other family? Do you see your folks much or do you have any brothers and sisters.” Brad smiles again as he takes his new drink from Devon’s hand.

              Jenny looks away and tells the sweet inspector. “My mother and father have both passed and I’m an only child. I have a couple of aunts that I see once in a while and an uncle. But that’s about it. I’m basically a woman on her own and my life is pretty bland. I work and go home, and twice a year I take vacations. Sorry it’s not an exciting life like yours but that’s all there is.” She smiles and takes a sip of her drink.

              “I’m sorry to hear about your folks. I hope I wasn’t out of line asking so many questions?” Brad sighs feeling horrible.

              “That’s ok; you weren’t out of line at all. I think it’s sweet that you want to know.” Jenny smiles and touches the top of his hand.

              Brad grins as he watches her take a drink with the flickering of the candle shinning a soft glow on her face and tells her as he looks away. “Not to be nosey, and don’t take this the wrong way,” He hesitates trying to find the right way to say what he’s thinking. “But I have got to know. You say you only work and go home and a couple times a year you take vacations. But, if that’s all you do, I mean, I guess what I‘m trying to ask,” He smiles and looks at her. “You must have some kind of hobbies. It seems impossible for someone to look as great as you do and not at least work out or something.”

              Jenny starts to blush. She’s flattered and slightly embarrassed. Not knowing how to answer the question she says. “What exactly do you mean Mr. Jostler?” She notices that he’s acting a little embarrassed as well.

              “Well...you look fantastic. And, and I can only imagine that, that, I mean, ah, ah...I was just wondering how you do it,” Brad tilts his head from side to side and says. “It’s just that you’re very pretty.”

              Jenny smiles and moves a little closer to him in the rounded booth. She whispers as she gets close to his ear.

“You don’t have to work out to stay pretty, I mean if you think I’m pretty, then working out wouldn’t change that. What exactly were you referring too?” Jenny bats her eyes with a smile and awaits his response.

              Brad looks away and tries to get a little more liquid confidence from his vodka so he takes a big swig. “I mean you look like you’re in great shape,” He looks away and clears his throat. “That’s all I meant.”

              Jenny grins. “Is it? So you are saying that you like the way I look? Are you just trying to be nice cuz I told you how great your body looked?” She nods her head as she smiles even wider at his shyness.

              Brad finishes his drink. “No I’m not saying that because you said what you said.” He signals for another drink. “To answer your question from before…yeah, I do…I mean
yes
I do like the way you look, very much so.” He shyly turns his head as Devon brings their dinner.

              “Mr. Jostler, are you flirting with me?” Jenny bats her eyes at Brad as he smiles and turns away not answering the question. “Are you?” Jenny smiles again.

              “I haven’t tried to flirt in a very long time, but if I made you feel good…” He stares her directly in the eyes. “That
was
my intention.” Jenny starts to blush.

              They only exchange small talk during the meal. Most of the conversation comes before and after. Brad has been hitting the screwdrivers pretty steady since they arrived. He’s been having a tough time with everything since the meetings with Stein and Howard. He’s hoping to drown out the visions he has from the story that they were told by Steve Howard involving the rape and torture of that poor innocent girl and the execution of them both.

              The vivid images have not left his mind for a minute. Brad’s hoping that his casual dinner date with Jenny mixed with a few screwdrivers takes the images away, at least for a while. He knows they’ll never be gone completely.

              Jenny notices that he’s drinking quite a bit and a couple of times ask him if he was ok. Brad just smiles and continues to drink and relax. He doesn’t tell her what’s bothering him because he keeps his job and problems to himself; he‘s always been like that even with his wife. Brad’s wife never knew if he was working a murder case, rape investigation or a robbery. He’s never wanted the people he cares about to hear or think about the horrible things he lives with.

              Brad chews on the ice cube as he looks at the bottom of his empty glass as the dinner dishes are moved from the table. “I think you’re going to have to drive.”

              Jenny smiles as she sips her ice tea. She only had a couple glasses of wine after she seen the way Brad was drinking so she stopped just in case this might happen. “That’s fine. I’ll drive.”

              “You are such a beautiful lady.” Brad sighs. “I…just wanted you to know that…I wasn’t sure if I told you…I don’t remember if I told you…but you really are absolutely gorgeous.” Brad smiles and shyly looks away.

              Jenny reaches over and takes a hold of his hand. “Thank you very much, that is a sweet thing to say.”

              Brad places his hand on top of her hand as she holds his other hand. “Your welcome…but…I didn’t say it to be sweet, you are just so
stunning
. I can’t take my eyes off of you.”

              “What am I gonna do with you? You are so charming and sweet. It’s easy to see why so many women want to meet you.”

              “I’m not trying to be…” He hick-ups and reaches over and takes a drink of her tea. “I’m not being nice I’m just being honest. You truly are an extremely gorgeous lady, I’ve seen a lot of gorgeous women and you are just…so gorgeous.” Brad softly squeezes her hand.

              She leans over and whispers in his ear. “Let’s go back to your place.” She kisses him on the cheek.

              Brad shyly grins and stands up and pays for the meal and the drinks. The waiter brings back the receipt for Brad and Jenny holds his hand as they walk to the exit.

              The nighttime air feels great this evening. Jenny makes the comment. “I think this is the nicest it’s been in a long time.” It’s almost 10 o’clock and the humidity has dropped dramatically it appears that maybe the heat wave may be coming to an end.             

Brad nods his head and tells her. “Yes it is, and being here with you makes it that much nicer.” He takes a deep breath as he feels the repercussions of the vodka.

              “That is such a sweet thing for you to say. Now I can see why so many women flirt with you. You are so charming; you really know how to make a girl feel good about herself.” She smiles and winks as she clutches his hand tighter.

              They reach the car. Brad opens the passenger side door and hands her the keys. She walks around while Brad gets into the Jeep. He’s not acting too intoxicated at this moment. Jenny thinks that maybe it was just because they were seated for such a long time. Maybe the walk to the Jeep helped sober him up a little bit.

              Brad closes his door when Jenny sits down and starts the Jeep. He looks at her and makes the comment. “I’m really not drunk, it’s just after what happened to my wife I refuse to drive if I have more than two drinks...” He smiles. “I just thought you should know I’m not some
alcoholic
.” He chuckles out loud as he looks out the side window.

              Jenny starts to back up his Jeep. “I know your not. I would have never thought something like that. It’s just, you needed to unwind a little bit and I’m glad you chose to do that with me.” Jenny winks as he looks at her as she checks her mirrors.

              Brad tells her as she comes to a stop sign after pulling out of the parking lot. “Make a left here; then go about two miles on Sheridan and then you turn left on Maywood. I live at 1234 Glen Hill.” Brad leans back his seat and smiles as he enjoys the cool night breeze in his face.

              Jenny continues to drive glancing at him every so often. “Ok.”

              They make the short drive to his house and she pulls the Jeep into the driveway. “Is your son home tonight?” She asks as she notices a sports car that has ‘BRAD JR’ on the Illinois plates.

              Brad shakes his head. “No, he’s on a little vacation with my brother.”

              Jenny turns off the Jeep and says. “That’s a nice car he has there.” She takes out the key and opens her door.

              Brad grins and tells her. “I got if for him after he made the National Honors Society as a gift for all of his hard work.” Brad explains as he lies back in his seat.

              “So where’s he at on vacation?” Jenny asks as she closes the driver’s door and walks over to the passenger side.

              “He’s in Nevada at my brother’s place. He’s probably having the time of his life.” Brad explains as he slowly gets out of the Jeep and takes a hold of Jenny’s hand.

              “Why didn’t you go with?” Jenny places her arm around Brad as it becomes a little more obvious that he’s feeling a little intoxicated from his many, many screwdrivers.

              “I had way too much work at the time. So I just thought why have him here by himself all the time when he could go spend time with his uncle. A few of his friends went, they can all ride horses and motorcycles, my brother has a nice ranch. Bradley and his friends will have a blast.” Brad tells her as they slowly walk up his stairs to the front door.

              She hands him his keys and he fumbles to find the right one. After a few brief moments of struggling he finally finds the right one. He turns the doorknob and smiles. “Here we are.” Then he pushes open the door slowly.

              Jenny follows him in and sits her purse on the stand next to the front door. Walking into the living room she makes the comment. “This is a beautiful home you have.” Jenny walks toward the kitchen and notices some pictures on the wall. She smiles at the picture of his son and makes the comment. “That’s obviously your son; he’s handsome like his daddy.”

              Brad steps out of his shoes holding himself up with the wall. “Thank you.”

              She continues to follow him as he makes his way to the kitchen and opens the refrigerator. She takes a seat by the door that leads to the back yard and looks out. “You have a pool.” Brad nods his head. Jenny stands up and walks over to the radio that’s next to the microwave. “Do you mind if I turn on some music?”

              “Sure go ahead. 107.9 plays good music.” He smiles as he reaches into the fridge looking for something to drink. Jenny finds the
ON
button and starts to move the dial until it’s on 107.9. She smiles and looks toward Brad as she hears a song she really likes
‘Into the night’
. She walks toward the refrigerator and shakes her head. “I love this song.”
              Brad smiles and pulls out a beer. He twists the top and turns to her as she walks toward him. “Yeah I do too...“ He smiles. “...Would you like something to drink?”

              Jenny smiles and continues to walks over to him. “What do you have?” She stands close to the refrigerator and glances past him.

              Brad pulls the door open a little further and bends down to look. He looks up and turns noticing she’s standing next to him. “All I have is some Light Beer. Downstairs in my bar I have some stuff if you want me to mix you a drink.” Brad smiles as he sways slightly.

              “What kind of mixed drink?” Jenny asks as she moves closer as she continues looking past him into the fridge casually.

              Brad takes a sip of his beer and looks away as she has him almost backed into the refrigerator. “I don’t know. I guess anything you want.” He looks away smiling as she moves just a little closer.

              At this point his backside is up against the egg container in the door of fridge and her leg has moved in between his legs as he starts to act nervous about her being this close.

              Brad looks away and then at her. “So what’ll it be?” Brad looks her in the eyes as she places her right hand on his waist and then her left. She looks up at him and leans her body up against his and stares him directly in the eyes not saying a word.

              Brad smiles and leans back a little further. “With energy cost so high I better close the refrigerator door. I can’t afford high bills on my salary.” He chuckles and takes another sip nervously. He’s staring her directly in the eyes and they are both smiling. It’s awkward but sort of cozy at the same time. He can’t help but think just how gorgeous she really is.

              Jenny smiles and places her arms around him and stands on her tiptoes and kisses him on the chin. Brad takes a quick breath and swallows hard. He looks away as his breathing accelerates.

              She starts to kiss him on the neck and slowly goes up and down breathing heavily as she holds him tight. His right hand is still holding the beer and his left hand is on top of the refrigerator door. There’s no moving back now, he has nowhere left to go.

              Jenny begins to gently kiss his neck some more and she moves her hands to his chest. Brad feels paralyzed. He wants to say something but he can’t. He wants to move but he doesn‘t want to move, it’s awkward, but it feels good. Brad’s body starts to quiver. Brad hasn’t felt the touch of a woman in this manner since his wife. He’s nervous and feels out of place being in this predicament. Jenny continues to kiss his neck and she knows what he’s feeling. He wants her to stop. But he doesn’t want her to stop.

              Brad’s trembling and breathing hard. Jenny remains silent and begins to rub him between his legs. His heart pounds through his chest and his hearts telling him he doesn’t want this but his bodies not hearing it. Jenny looks up at him as she notices his erection. She starts to remove his belt and Brad says. “
Please
...let’s not do this. It doesn’t feel right,
I‘m so sorry
.” He looks away and closes his eyes, as the sensation his body has is wonderful.

              Jenny sits his belt onto the floor and slowly unbuttons his jeans and slowly lowers his zipper as his swollen unit forces its way out. She reaches for his erection with both hands gently caresses it and whispers. “This feels right. This feels like it couldn’t be more right.” She leans up and starts to kiss him on the lips at the same time gently and slowly caressing his swollen manhood and pushes her body against his. 

              Brad closes his eyes as he feels her gradually working her way from his lips to his neck. It feels so good he can’t take it any more. He sits the beer down on top of the refrigerator and tells her as he places both of his hands on her shoulders and softly moves her backwards.

              “Jenny,” He takes a deep breath and says in a slight gasp as she forces her body against him again and starts to kiss his neck while she holds him close rubbing her body against his. “I’m not sure if this is a good idea. I don‘t know if I‘m ready for this. I‘m sorry but I don‘t think I can do this. I’m sorry if I misled you.” Brad sighs as his body shivers from the closeness and her soft sensual touch.

              Jenny continues to press her body against his harder each time softly kissing. She doesn’t acknowledge his request to stop. She makes the comment as he stands there breathing hard. “Brad, I think you want this as much as I do,” She leans up and gently nibbles his bottom lip. “Don’t fight it. Your attracted to me aren’t you?” Brad slowly nods his head as he stares into her eyes. “I was attracted to you from the first time I saw you, I can’t stop thinking about you…you are all I think about Brad. Don’t fight it baby. Why don’t we take this into your bedroom and do what couldn‘t be more right. We are two people who feel something for each other…I want to make love to you Brad, and I think you want to make love to me.”

              Brad looks her in the eyes and leans down and kisses her on the mouth softly as the romantic music plays softly in the background. Jenny starts to use her tongue and he closes his eyes and reaches down with both hands and picks her up off of her feet. He carries her in his arms as she softly kisses his neck as she wraps her arms around him. Neither one says a word they just hold each other kissing while he carries her to his bedroom.