In the Shadow of Love

by Annie Bruce

  Placing the containers in the middle of the table she picked up a pair of chopsticks and began serving, impressing him with her prowess with the skinny pieces of wood. Then she handed him a pair and panic set in.

  “I never could get the hang of these things.” He waved them in the air as if surrendering.

  “It’s easy, really.” Picking up her pair she demonstrated, making it look easy, but he was skeptical. None before her could teach him how to use two simple sticks that millions of peasants all over the world had mastered for centuries.

  She opened and closed the sticks as if they were an extension of her fingers. He dropped his at every turn.

  “No, not like that.” She gathered herself from under the table and was by his side before he knew it. “Here, let me show you,” demonstrating more slowly this time. He tried to mimic her motions.

  “That’s better, but you need to relax more.” Kneeling beside him she stretched her right arm along side his while holding his larger hand in hers.

  “Like this.” Her breath caressed the side of his face and neck. It sent shivers of ecstasy through him. Suddenly, food was the last thing on his mind. His body tensed wanting her more than ever.

  “That’s it!” Her voice excited. “You got it.” She promptly rose to her feet leaving his body aching for her touch.

  Sitting across from him she began to eat.

  “Aren’t you hungry?” She looked at him in confusion.

  “Yes.” It was the truth, but not for food.

  “Dig in then,” she said with a full mouth. “It’s good.”

  Regaining his composure he did just that. Her smell and touch lingered in his brain and on his skin. It was good food and soon his body settled down, letting his other sense of hunger take over.

  They ate in quiet companionship for the first few minutes before Maggie broke the spell.

  “You know what I don’t get?” He looked at her, silently urging her to continue. “Why would someone in Owen’s corporation try to hide a fictitious company in the name of a lower level, blue-collar employee. I mean it doesn’t make sense.” She furrowed her brow. He noticed that she did that whenever she was concentrating.

  “At some point an audit would have uncovered it.” She furrowed her brow even more. “Unless–“ she waved a chopstick in front of her as if it were a pointer.

  “Go on.”

  “–unless the auditor was in on it as well.” She dug into her food some more. “I’ll have to see if I have anything on the auditor. I think I do.”

  She ate heartily, and it was obvious that she enjoyed life. He liked that. The last woman he dated never finished a meal and was so thin that he thought she’d blow away. A blind date set up by his sister and it was his last date until now.

  “A penny for your thoughts.”

  “They’re not worth it,” looking up from his food.

  She lifted her wine glass and held it up to make a toast. “Then here’s to getting a lot accomplished today.” He raised his in kind.

  The wine trailed smoothly down his throat. It was perfect. A perfect wine for a perfect dinner with a perfect woman. The only thing that would make this evening more perfect was Maggie naked in his arms after a night of passionate love making. The thought sent a trail of reignited passion burning through his body, rekindling sensations he had fought so hard to quell.

  He ate more food and drank more wine.

  “Tell me about yourself.” He wanted to know more about the woman who was stealing his heart.

  She looked up, startled, her eyes fully engaging him.

  “Do you want to know as a cop or as a person?” She teased.

  “As a person.” He longed to touch her but remained where he was, a sea of Koa wood between them.

  She put down her chopsticks and took another sip of wine. Holding the delicate vessel in her hand she proceeded to tell him all about herself.

  Time passed quickly as Maggie talked. She became acutely aware that she had revealed more than intended. Maybe it was because of the wine, but maybe because she was falling in love for the first time. It sounded strange having been married and being the mother of two young boys, but this was different. She was different.

  She topped off both wine glasses even though she knew she shouldn’t. She was getting carried away but it felt right. She lifted the glass to her lips and let the dark red nectar flow down her throat, emboldening her to go on.

  “–and then we got divorced. So, here I am with two young sons, but that part you know.” She glanced at her watch. “Wow, I’ve been babbling for the past half hour.” She looked up and cast him an impish glance. “Now, it’s your turn.”

  She saw him flinch.

  “There’s not much to tell.”

  “Oh no you don’t. You don’t get off that easy. You now know more about me than I do about you.”

  “That’s right, I do.” He smiled a smile that made her heart race with anticipation.

  “Turn-about is fair play.” Maggie was determined to even things up. “So are there younger versions of you around?” Maggie didn’t know why she asked that but wished she hadn’t when his heart-racing smile was quickly replaced by a look of forlorn. A painful silence passed before she found the courage to speak.

  “I’m sorry.” She wanted to break the awkward silence, anything to get the mood back where it was. “If it’s too painful, I–”

  “Let’s just talk about something else, okay?”

  “Sure.”

  He quickly gulped the fiery liquid in his glass, placing the fragile wine glass a little too hard on the table. The sound broke the silence that threatened an otherwise perfect evening.

  “Maybe another time.” Maggie put both hands on the table to lift herself off the floor. “Time to clear up the mess.” She started to grab empty take-out containers when he took hold of her hand.

  “I’m not trying to shut you out. I just haven’t talked to anybody about this,” he paused, pain etched across his face, “and I’m not sure I’m ready to do it now.”

  “It’s okay, really.” She laid her hand atop his. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause you to relive so much hurt.” Her eyes fixed on his.

  Then suddenly he was standing, pulling her towards him. Caught off guard, she didn’t resist, feeling his warmth cover her body as he held her tighter and tighter and she lost herself in his arms.

  Morris couldn’t stop himself - he didn’t want to. This was where he needed to be right now. Just a few minutes with her in his arms he told himself and he’d let her go. She didn’t resist. In fact, she seemed to welcome it.

  Her hands caressed his back sending a shiver of desire up his spine. Before he knew it his hands were under her shirt. He hadn’t meant to let things go this far but the soft skin of her lower back ignited a fire in him that had been threatening to burn wild all evening. He heard her moan – it was a sound of unchecked pleasure. He knew he should stop but he couldn’t. He was in a dream and he didn’t want to wake up.

  “We shouldn’t be doing this.” The words were dragged from his throat as his lips trailed across the side of her neck. He was playing good cop/bad cop with himself.

  “I know.” Her breath was hot against his neck, her lips moist against his skin. She arched her head back enough to softly move her lips against the outer edge of his jaw and his need exploded beyond his control.

  His hands retraced her smooth back and found the clasp holding her bra against her. It fell away easily and he explored the silky smooth territory now unencumbered by man’s invention. The roughness of his hands against her soft skin didn’t seem to bother her as he worked his way to the front of her body. He felt a shiver run through her and she pressed herself harder against him.

  That did it. His excitement sprang to life and he knew he was at a point of no return. Throwing caution to the wind he pulled her down onto the plush carpet beneath them. The fire burning in the background didn’t compare with the one smoldering inside of him.

/>   He pulled her top away and reveled in the beauty of her body. Hungrily, he worked his mouth across the sensual shape of her stomach, finding his way slowly to the soft curves of her breast. She melted beneath his mouth, holding his head tightly to her as he explored every inch of her rounded softness with his tongue. He worked her into a sexual frenzy, and then suddenly stopped.

  “I don’t have any protection.” The good cop in him wouldn’t let go.

  She reached up and pulled his head down towards her, giving him a kiss he’d never forget. Her tongue finished exploring the inside of his mouth then trailed towards his ear. “I do.” Her breath was hot against his skin, “–in the bedroom.”

  Pulling away, he leaned on one arm and stroked her face with his free hand. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

  She answered him with her eyes and a sudden move that put her on top. “Yes. Now shut up.” Her eyes danced with pleasure

  Maggie had never felt so sexually unrestrained. She pulled at his shirt to find bare skin beneath and felt him grow hard against her. His chest felt strong and firm beneath her exploring hands, evidence he worked out. The thought of him all hot and sweaty made her hunger for his naked body next to hers.

  Her hands explored more of his previously clothed physique, leaving a trail of fire wherever she touched him. She loosened his belt and slid her hand where she could do the most damage to his resistance. It worked. He lay back and let her work her magic. When she’d taken him to a point where she thought he’d give in she found herself gathered up off the floor and carried up the stairs and to the comfort of her bed.

  As she lay on her back he removed all final barriers to her body. He trailed his one hand along her inner thigh while his other loosened his own constraints. She arched herself towards him and finished unzipping his now loosened pants. Leaning against him, she lightly traced the length of his stomach with her tongue and felt him growing even harder against her breasts.

  Pushing her gently back down on the bed he touched her skin provoking loud moans of pleasure.

  “You’re very beautiful.” He caressed her inner thigh until he found the center of her desire. “Very beautiful.” He leaned down to tease her ear with his tongue working his way towards her heart. “And I want you more than you can know.”

  He explored the side of her neck and trailed fire across the outline of her face. He licked her lips and began kissing her long and hard while he brought her to a frenzied brink of ecstasy.

  “Where’s that protection?” She moaned at the interruption, pulling his hand back towards her.

  “Soon,” he whispered into her ear. “Soon.”

  She rolled over towards the night stand, her knees too wobbly to stand. Feeling him watch her, she opened a drawer and pulled out a familiar looking package. He reached to take the item from her hand and she quickly averted his grasp.

  “Oh no you don’t,” she felt impish, “–my turn to torment you.”

  And she did.

  He pushed her down on the bed, throwing caution to the wind and melded with her body trying not to explode too soon. She arched against him, the contact electrifying as she moaned her pleasure in the release he had denied her earlier.

  Then it was his turn – his release was so intense they both melted in each others arms unable to move for quite sometime. He lay on top of her, kissing her lovingly, sated from the passion they had just shared. “Are you okay?”

  She nuzzled into the side of his neck, stroking his head and shoulders. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “Am I too heavy for you?”

  “No, you’re just right.”

  They stayed that way for awhile until he rolled over and onto his back. He pulled her into his arms, her head resting on his chest.

  “That was amazing.”

  “Amazing indeed.” She stroked his chest and played with the hair that covered it, his torso pulsing up and down as he tried to catch his breath.

  He kissed her forehead and pulled her even closer to him, settling in for the night.

  “That’s nice,” she responded with drowsy satisfaction.

  The warmth of his body soothed her like a comfortable blanket.

  “Very nice.” Her voice trailed off as she fell into a deep and satisfying sleep.

  Chapter 11

  Waking the next morning to sunshine streaming through the gap in her drapes, Maggie felt a sense of contentment that had eluded her for too long. With her eyes closed she relived the sensual moments from the night before. A fire worked its way up her body, a smile spreading across her face as she stretched her arms above her head sinking into the softness of her oversized pillows.

  She rolled over, eyes still closed and reached for the man who had brought such intense and primitive pleasure to her during the night. A pile of pillows lay where his body should have been.

  Bolting up she looked around for any sign of the man who had shared her bed. Garments were draped neatly across the chair in the corner of the room, but only hers. Morris had obviously gotten dressed and left. Images came flooding back of shoes, socks, pants and shirts scattered across the floor the night before as the two of them quickly disposed of any barriers between their bodies.

  Rubbing her eyes she looked harder for any evidence he was still there. Her heart sank at the thought that he had gone before saying goodbye. Tears gathered in her eyes and threatened to spill but she quickly choked them back. She was a big girl now. She didn’t need to act this way.

  Her feet landed on the soft carpet as she climbed out of bed and headed towards the bathroom. The days were finally getting longer in Chicago and the nights shorter, a much welcomed sight after a long, bitterly cold winter. Stepping into the glass-enclosed shower she let the water stream down her body, soothing her tired muscles and washing away some of the stress from the past few days.

  As she toweled off she thought she detected the aroma of food – bacon to be exact. She felt her stomach growl in response. Her heart raced. Either Morris was still here or someone had broken into her home to cook breakfast.

  Throwing on a bathrobe, she hurriedly followed the tantalizing smell of food. To her surprise a tray of breakfast sat on the dresser, the suspect bacon sitting proudly atop a pile of scrambled eggs, hash browns and wheat toast. All of her favorite breakfast foods and ones that went straight to her thighs!

  She nibbled on a piece of bacon while she pondered his whereabouts. The man in question returned with eating utensils and two steaming cups of coffee in hand.

  Suddenly shy, her skin tingled with the memory of what they had done last night. She felt the touch of his hands, his tongue, his powerful manhood all over her body as a stream of blushing energy surged up her body and into her face.

  He walked over to her and smiled. “Last night was wonderful.” He leaned forward and kissed her solidly on the mouth. “Um, bacon.” Stepping back he took a sip of coffee. “Are you ready for breakfast?”

  “Sure.”

  She followed him as he carried their breakfast over to a sitting area in the corner of the bedroom. Munching on another piece of bacon and then a buttery piece of wheat toast, she wasn’t normally this hungry but this wasn’t a normal morning, and last night was anything but usual for her.

  The sound of chirping pulled her attention away from her thoughts. Most mornings she would sit here with her coffee and watch the birds eat from the many feeders adorning the shade trees in her backyard. Now Morris sat here with her. Her eyes left the safety of the backyard to find him staring at her. Once again, that telling blush moved up her entire body and she shuddered.

  “Cold?”

  “Maybe a little.” The robe she donned after her shower had slipped off one shoulder. She pulled it closer to her body, trying to cocoon herself in its pink terrycloth comfort.

  Maybe things were moving too fast. Suddenly she wasn’t sure how she felt about tomorrow and the day after that, let alone last night.

  “What’s wrong?” His voice compelled her to a
nswer.

  “I’m just worried about Owen.” It wasn’t a lie. Not really. She was worried about Owen, but that wasn’t the cause of her concern at this particular moment.

  “Maggie.” His deep voice broke through her emotionally muddled thoughts. He was staring at her in a way that made her heart melt. “I didn’t mean for last night to happen.”

  Then her heart sank. One minute she was feeling trapped from things moving too fast and the next hurt because he seemed to feel the same.

  “I didn’t mean for it to happen as fast as it did.” He reached over and took her hand. “Still, I’m glad that it did happen.” His eyes danced with laughter. “Maybe now we can concentrate on the case.”

  Her mood lightened.

  “I want to take things slower now.” He squeezed her hand. She raised an eyebrow as if to say it was a little late for that. “I know we got a little ahead of ourselves last night but that’s not all I’m interested in.”

  Maggie felt herself suffocating – just a little. She’d been on her own, albeit with two young boys, for just a few years and she was comfortable now though she did miss having someone to wake up with in the morning, to kiss goodbye, to fuss over and someone who would do the same for her.

  “I don’t really know how I’m feeling about this–, she looked down at her hands twisting in her lap “–about us.” “I mean, I don’t usually hop into bed with someone so soon after I’ve met him.” She wouldn’t look up.

  “I know you don’t and I’m glad – and honored.” Her head shot up at his sincerity.

  “You have the most beautiful smile.” He reached across and stroked her face with the inside of his hand. She melted under his touch. Then he pulled away as quickly as he had touched her leaving a streak of heat across her cheek that was soon replaced by cool air.