Cyra wondered if she should intercede.
Finally, Chris stared at her and mouthed one word. ‘Help.’
It took everything to not laugh uproariously over it. Here was a saint being driven to madness by a man who had the same likes in life. It was like dead body talk overload.
“Christopher, I hate to interrupt, but we really have to get on the road,” Cyra offered, heading towards the door. “The Blackhawks need the bodies back there soon.”
He was going to kiss her for saving him. “You're right, sweetheart.” He turned towards the ME. “Patrick, it was great talking to you. We’ll have to carry on another time.”
The man smiled warmly at his associate. “Absolutely! It’s rare that I get to speak to anyone that understands why we do what we do! Thank you, Doctor Leonard and have a safe trip. I’ll hold down the fort here if anything comes up.”
Chris ran for his life. Outside, the bodies were being loaded into a tech van, and he found that he really wanted to reward his heroine. Pulling her against his frame, he ignored everyone around them and kissed her. His hands slid into her hair and his mouth showed his appreciation.
Yeah, it was all about thanking her for rescuing him.
He would keep telling himself that.
Cyra fell into the kiss and instantly melted against his body. It was warm and heated her blood. God, the man could kiss her any time he wanted. This was definitely the highlight of her day.
At the whistles and cat calls, they slowly broke apart to find the entire tech team clapping and snapping pictures of the two.
Christina stood there laughing at her boss and friend. She’d never seen him making out at work. It was entertaining, and she couldn’t wait to tell Doctor Magnus. They were going to bust his ass for a long time to come over this. When she fanned herself, Chris crossed his arms.
“Really? Do you all have time for this? Someone lost DNA evidence and should be looking for it, not staring at me kissing my girlfriend.” When they all began to scramble away, he grinned.
“You have an amazing set of lips,” Cyra whispered, patting him on the ass before hopping up in the tech van, “And other very sexy things too.”
The blush crept up his face, and he was incredibly thankful to whatever power that brought them together. In fact, he’d build his own altar and thank them personally.
When he joined her in the van, Cyra was giggling.
“You look all flustered.”
Yeah, he certainly was. “That kiss, the ass pat, and being called sexy can throw a person off,” he answered as he took his sidearm from her. Obviously, she didn't forget what the bosses had said, and she too wanted him carrying protection.
Cyra watched him clip his gun to his belt. It looked very out of place next to his ME badge. It made her wonder what he’d be like at the firing range. “I see that it’s time for a little fact check,” she began. “One, you kiss like no one I’ve ever locked lips with before, and that’s amazing. Plus, you’re the sexiest man I’ve ever been with in my life.”
As he pulled out of the parking lot, he glanced over at her like she’d lost her mind. “I’m a nerd. You’re telling me you’ve only dated men that were brainiacs before?” Somehow, Chris doubted that. She had probably been the popular girl in school and would have walked past him in the hall without even giving him the time of day.
She took his hand in hers. “You’re not a nerd, Christopher. You’re a very smart man with so many amazing qualities that I appreciate in a partner. To answer your question, you’re the only ‘brainiac’ I’ve ever dated. Everyone has their standard of sexy, and you’re mine. I can’t explain it or rationalize it, but when I first saw you, I just knew.” What she didn't tell him was that she was hopelessly lost and madly in love. For that, she’d have to let her skittish doctor catch up.
“Okay, so let’s talk about the other men that you’ve dated,” he said grinning.
She shrugged before continuing, “I’ll talk about mine, if you tell me about all the women.”
“Want me to go first?” he offered. It wouldn’t be a long list at all, since his medical career always came first.
Until now…
“Okay, let me hear them.” She loved the way his hand felt in hers. It was strong and yet able to handle the most delicate of details while he worked.
“There was one girl in college, but she didn't last long. I was heading into medical school and that takes complete focus and your attention. Then there was another medical student. She was lots of fun, but she was also dedicated to her profession, so that failed fast. I had a crush on a woman after I started working for the FBI, and I even asked her out once, but she turned me down.”
“She was stupid to pass up the chance to be with you.”
He laughed, because he was suddenly glad that she had done it. She had had the foresight to not let it ruin a friendship, and he appreciated that now. “No, she just knew that we shouldn’t mix business and pleasure. Now that I look back on it, she was definitely right.”
Cyra was curious. “Who was it?”
He wasn’t sure he should say, because he was fairly certain Elizabeth hadn’t told either Callen or Ethan.
“I won’t tell anyone.”
“At one time, I had a huge big crush on Elizabeth. She was my first agent in the field and the minute I met her I was crazy about her.”
Cyra wasn’t sure she liked this little game of discussing people in their past anymore.
Chris continued, “In fact, Elizabeth was always watching out for me. I was green, naïve, and didn't see things coming. There were a few times that she had saved my life. Sometimes, killers return to the scene, and she would take care of me.”
She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. “You don’t feel anything for her now, right?”
He glanced over at the tone of her voice. “Oh, I love her to death, but she’s like the sister I never had. If you really want to know the truth, the only reason I was able to kick the crap out of Rickard was thanks to her.”
Cyra didn't understand.
“I’m not big and intuitive like Ethan or Callen. What I lack in muscle, I make up for in brains. I think that I was with the FBI for maybe six weeks when we were called out to a scene. We had a killer that was taking out cops. I nearly got myself flayed with a knife and Elizabeth didn't want to see that happen again. So, when the assignment was over, she taught me how to fight. For weeks, she took me to the gym before and after work to teach me how to defend myself. When I tell you that if you are ever getting into a fight, you want Elizabeth at your side, I’m not joking. She’s tough and willing to fight dirty.”
Cyra’s heart lightened at the knowledge that Chris had someone who kept him safe. Yes, there was admiration in his voice, but she believed every word that he had said.
“When she turned me down, Elizabeth took me for coffee and explained that what she felt for me was bigger than some meaningless fling that we might have had. She told me that I mattered to her more than that. In the end, I got the far better deal. She was absolutely right about us not working. I’m grateful she had the strength to stand up to me and make me see it. Now she’s so happy, and I’m thrilled for her.” Chris didn't add the part about how he was very happy too. He’d found something so amazing by just taking Elizabeth’s advice. Love would come, and here it was.
“Were there many more after her?”
He laughed at that. “There were a few, but most women are creeped out when they find out that I spend all day in a body. They hear doctor, and they get excited until they ask what kind. As soon as I say ‘Forensic Medical Examiner’ the deal is pretty much over. In my opinion, the study of pathology is underappreciated.”
The way he said it, broke her heart.
Chris continued, “And the few that weren’t creeped out, took off when they encountered Belladonna Leonard.” Wasn’t that the truth? His mother had really made it difficult for a woman to even get close.
“I guess that had to
be very hard on you.”
Here’s where it was going to get tricky. “She’s my mother, so what can I say? I can’t erase her from my life, no matter how much she makes it difficult,” he added, and then tried to change the topic, “How about your past relationships?”
Cyra knew he was uncomfortable with talking about his mother any more, and she let it go. “I’ve dated a lot of cops through the years, and I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s not the best idea in the world. We’re a special breed of paranoid control freaks. None of the situations ended well, and most of them caused a great deal of heartbreak. I’ve been cop free for about four years,” she said grinning, like it was some sort of addiction that she had to overcome. “I’ve dated a few lawyers that my brother set me up with, and then there was that football player. He wasn’t right for me either.”
Chris listened to her talk about the different men, and he didn't understand why him. “I still don’t get why you think I’m the sexiest man you’ve been with,” he stated.
“You just are. Something about you fits with me. I think you’re letting the scientist muddy the waters with unnecessary doubt.”
“Is that your polite way of telling me I’m overthinking it?”
Cyra smiled at him warmly. “Yes, Christopher. I am. If you need specifics, I can give you them to clarify.”
“Okay.”
She thought about it. “I love your eyes. They are this intense blue, and when you put on your glasses, they make me get all giddy. Then there’s something about you in a lab coat. When you put it on, you’re all proper and doctor like, but I know what lies beneath it and that makes me all feverish.”
He swallowed and tried to concentrate on driving. “I like that you can throw out little details about so many things. It’s like being with an encyclopedia. I think your brain is very sexy.”
His heart skipped in his chest, as he was washed in warmth from just her smile. No one ever made him feel this way before. Yeah, there’d been lust and need, but with her there was something more. “I don’t know what to say.”
She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “Then just sit there and look sexy,” she teased.
Chris began laughing.
He absolutely could get used to this.
It was an amazing trip. They talked, laughed and even found they had a great deal in common. It was the fastest two hours that he’d ever spent with anyone. When Cyra laughed, it was genuine and filled with such peace, that it made him feel at ease.
“What are you thinking about?” she asked as she climbed into his car. They were leaving the van at FBI West to be emptied of evidence and bodies.
Chris buckled his seatbelt. “I was wondering what you wanted to do. It’s still pretty early.”
Leaning back in the Mercedes, she thought about it. “Can we swing over to my house, so I can swap out my clothes?”
He didn't mind at all. “You direct, and I’ll chauffer.”
The entire ride there, Chris held her hand with his thumb gently running across her pulse. It made her heart skip in her chest, and Cyra was sure that he knew it.
“Here we are,” she stated, sliding out of the sleek black vehicle. “Are you coming?” she asked, waiting for him.
He excitedly jumped out and was curious to see inside her house. It definitely fit her persona. It was sweet and looked like a home. It screamed ‘family lives here’, and he longed to just see what that felt like, even if it was only for a few minutes.
It wasn’t like he didn't have a family. It was just never enough for him, because Chris wanted so much more.
Cyra opened the door and invited him inside. “You can make yourself comfortable. There are drinks in the refrigerator and cookies in the canister. I know how you and Doctor Magnus like your junk food. I won’t be long,” she added, kissing him softly.
Chris finally released her and watched her walk away. Once she was gone, he immediately wanted to explore. Going from wall to wall, he found family portraits where everyone was smiling. That too was very unfamiliar to him. He and his mother never bothered with anything like that. He ran his fingers over her diploma sitting on a shelf beside some books that he had in his collection too. It appeared that they did have a lot in common.
At the crunch of tires in the driveway, Chris paused. Maybe, she had texted family that she was coming home. When the door opened, he stood very still, wondering who it could be.
“Cyra baby, are you here?” called the voice.
Chris didn't speak, but his stomach dropped at the man’s use of that word. It rubbed him the wrong way.
“We were driving by and saw your light on and decided to stop by. I missed you!”
His nausea was getting worse by the moment. Finally, he decided to step out and make his presence known. “She’s getting some clothes,” he said evenly.
Immediately, he was met with growls and barks.
“Rex, get!” the man said, releasing the leash.
Shit, the large Shepherd slammed into him knocking him to the floor and overturning a coffee table and a lamp. Well, Chris was never bit by a large dog before, and this was certainly going to suck.
He stared at the large sharp teeth and couldn’t help but wonder how the day went so bad.
Cyra was in her bathroom when she heard Rex’s barks. They were followed by a crash, and a startled yelp. Racing out, she drew her gun.
Lying on the floor was Chris, with her dog pinning him to the ground.
“Rex, heel!”
Immediately, the dog backed away.
Cyra rushed to Chris and dropped to her knees beside him. Immediately, she began running her fingers over his face. “Oh Christopher, are you alright?” she asked, softly.
“Yeah, he didn't bite me.” Thank God for that one.
She left little kisses across cheek. “I’m so sorry!” Glancing over, she gave her brother a look. “Are you criminally insane? You sicked my dog on my boyfriend, and in my own damn house!”
Her brother was laughing until the last part. “What? Since when are you seeing someone? You generally tell me things like that!”
Cyra and Chris got up off the floor.
“I’m sorry about the mess,” he offered.
Protectively, she wrapped her arms around his waist. “Chris, don’t worry about it. Since my brother is being an asshole, he can clean it up.”
“What?”
“You heard me Cannon. You sicked my dog on a guest in my house. Chris is carrying a gun. You’re lucky he didn't shoot Rex to protect himself. As usual, you never think first about your actions! This could have had a very different outcome.”
Cyra was absolutely right. Had the dog bit him, he would have drawn his weapon and taken his life. Oh brother, that would have been awkward for the start of their relationship.
“I was driving by and there was a strange car in your driveway. When I came in, he stepped out and startled me. I wasn’t aware he existed, and Rex was keeping me safe.
Yeah, Chris could tell the man was used to trying to talk himself out of situations. He was definitely a lawyer and spinning it to fit the argument.
“Shut it, Cannon. Christ almighty!”
“Well, are you going to introduce us?” Cannon asked, checking the man out. He was over six feet and decently built. His chaotic sandy brown hair was disheveled from Rex jumping on him.
Chris stepped in and took care of it for her. “I’m Doctor Christopher Leonard,” he stated, holding out his hand. “You must be Cannon Austin. I’ve heard a great deal about you.”
The man shook his hand. “Are you sleeping with my baby sister?” he stated out of the blue.
If he was trying to intimidate him, it wasn’t working. “Yes, I am. In fact, Cyra is moving in with me.”
That caught the big man off guard. “Like hell she is!” he roared and glared angrily at his sister. “She’s not shacking up with some man that she’s only known a matter of days!”
Chris didn't flinch. He’d dealt wi
th two angry Blackhawks enough to know not to show any fear.
“Zip it, Cannon. I am moving in with him as soon as this assignment is over. You’ll have to find someone else to cook your dinner. Oh, and get your own damn dog! I’m taking back custody of mine.”
Rex whimpered at all the yelling.
Cannon pointed. “See? He doesn’t think that’s a good idea either. Our sainted mother would be rolling over in her grave if she knew you were sleeping around and moving in with some man.”
Chris stepped forward. “I really wish you wouldn’t cheapen it by assuming this was some tawdry sex romp. I happen to care a great deal about Cyra.”
He glared at the doctor and then focused his anger on Cyra. “If you’re doing this, I’m not dog sitting until you come to your senses.”
“Cannon! You know I have to travel again for work!”
The man stood his ground. “Then tell the crazy man that you’re not shacking up with him, and I’ll do it. I guess you need to choose.”
Her face flushed red.
There was no way he was letting his baby sister do this. Just the idea of her rolling around with some man made him want to retch. He promised his mother that he’d take care of his sisters and this wasn’t happening. If he had to blackmail or strong arm her, so be it.
She was just about to tell him where to go when Chris stepped in to come to her rescue.
“Cyra sweetheart,” Chris reassured as he stroked her bright red cheek. “Rex is moving in anyway. We can just bring him to my place, and then take him to Circle Rock when we leave. While you’re in the field, he can stay in the morgue with me. I don’t mind the company.”
“In the morgue?” Cannon practically shouted. “What the hell kind of doctor are you?” he stated.
Cyra could feel Chris tense beneath her arms. She was well aware of how people always made his job seem less important and demean it.
“I’m a Forensic Medical Examiner,” he stated trying to remain nonplussed by the man’s reaction.
“That’s not a real doctor!” her brother objected.
“Get out!” Cyra demanded. “You’re pushing it, Cannon. If you refuse to watch Rex, fine. I trust Chris with him now far more anyway, after seeing your behavior!”
Devil Hath Come (an FBI/Romance Thriller ~book 7) Page 31