by Geri Glenn
Tommy’s mother is an alcoholic who has never had much use for her son. At least at our house, I was able to make sure he was fed, and when he was younger, I even bathed him. Our own mother may not have had a lot of time for us, but in her own flighty way I always knew she loved us. Tommy couldn’t say the same. I cared for Tommy like a little brother and had quickly accepted responsibility for him when I was basically just a kid myself.
That’s what made his words even worse today. It was like a slap to the face after all those years I spent caring for him when he needed someone to do just that. Sitting here, stewing in my anger, I think over all the things I should’ve said or done differently. I should have slapped his mouth and kicked his ass. I should have chased him down and told him off. Funny how these ideas always seem to come to you long after the situation that pissed you off in the first place is over.
The doorbell chimes and I jump up from my spot on the couch, running down the narrow hallway to answer it. When I open the door, Daniel enters with a delicious looking iced cappuccino and a bag from Tim Horton’s. Holding it up, he grins, his eyes crinkling a little in the corners. “Your dinner, m’lady.”
For the first time, I notice just how blue his eyes really are. It catches me off guard. I'm unable to look away. “Thanks,” I say, suddenly feeling a little breathless. His head tilts to the side a little and suddenly my breathing becomes harder to control as I take in the heat in his eyes. I feel like I’m under his spell.
He breaks that spell with a soft chuckle and a smirk before turning me away from him and guiding me to my couch with his hand pressed against the small of my back. “Eat.”
I ignore my red cheeks and do as I’m told. I sit on the couch and pull two delicious looking sandwiches from the bag. Daniel reaches over and takes one, neatly unwrapping the paper from the sandwich. Side by side we sit on the couch, enjoying our food in a comfortable silence. I don’t know about him, but after all that happened last night and today, the only thing I’m concerned about right now is how quickly I can get this sandwich into my belly.
I finish my meal and am just draining the last of my cappuccino when Daniel wads up his napkin and tosses it on the table. Leaning back on the couch, I watch as his large hand comes up and pats his stomach. I watch every move that hand makes, the fact that his stomach looks like a washboard under that shirt is not escaping me either.
“So, tell me what happened.”
“Huh?” My shoulders jerk in surprise and my eyes slide from their place on his abs, up his well-defined chest, past his chiselled jawline and full lips, and lock onto his. He smirks a little then, totally not missing the fact that I was just staring at his muscles.
“At the coffee shop. What happened?”
Instantly, I’m pissed all over again. I run through the scene with him, telling him everything that was said. “What did he even mean? He got what was coming to him?”
“I don’t know, Gabby. But it doesn’t sound good.” My heart squeezes. Deep down, I know that’s the case, but hearing Daniel say it scares me even more. “So, you said Tommy seemed angry. Angry at you?”
I think back, trying to remember every detail. “Yeah. For the most part he seemed annoyed that I was even talking to him. He sounded pissed off and his body language was like he was ready to snap … ” The memory of Tommy’s face when I reminded him of who I was to him flashes through my mind. “But for just a second there, he seemed almost sad.” I look at Daniel, my eyes searching his, as though I would find my answers there. “Like he didn’t want to be fighting with me like that. Do you think it’s possible that he was just putting on a show?”
Daniel reaches out, his thumb skimming along my cheekbone. “I don’t know Gabby. But I’m going to find out. As soon as I leave here, I’m gonna hunt down this Tommy kid myself and get some answers.”
Instantly I feel foolish. Avoiding his eyes, I look down at my lap and pick at a few pieces of imaginary lint. “Daniel, I’m so sorry for making you feel like you had to come here and check on me. I know you have a job to do, and I was acting like a total basket case. I feel silly.”
“You don’t get it, do you?” I stop my picking and look up at him, my brow furrowed in confusion. “Do you think all cops do this stuff for the family of a missing person?”
I don’t take my eyes off his as I bite my lip and shake my head. I know they don’t.
“Gabby, I’m here because you needed me here, whether you want to admit it or not. I like you, and when the opportunity presents itself to save the damsel in distress with a fast food sandwich and a coffee, I’m gonna take it. I get the feeling you don’t let that happen very often.”
God. My eyes move from his intense stare to his lips, my face heats up as he moves his face even closer to mine. I look up and meet his eyes, my heart racing in my chest. Deciding to just go for it before I lose my nerve, I reach up and grab the sides of his face and press my lips against his.
For just a fraction of a second he doesn’t move, and my heart sinks. Beating back the fear of rejection I’m already battling, I lean into him even more and slide my lips across his, praying that he’ll kiss me back — and then he does. Daniel’s hands come up and press against the sides of my face, holding me right where I am. His tongue slides out and glides along the seam of my lips. My entire body shivers as I slide my own tongue along his, tasting him.
Deepening the kiss, I move even closer until my chest is pressed tight against his. My heart pounds an unsteady rhythm and my head swims as I struggle to catch my breath. Daniel’s lips dance with mine, returning my kiss with as much passion as I feel. His hot breath collides with my own in soft pants and gasps.
I feel his fingers working in my hair and suddenly my bandana is gone and my hair tumbles down around my shoulders. Daniel’s fingers tangle themselves deep into it, guiding me down as he leans his long body back on the couch. Swinging a leg over him, I never break my lips from his as I straddle him.
Wearing only a dress and a pair of silky panties, I find that in this position I can feel every hard and wanting inch of him pressed exactly where I want it. Rotating my hips, I nip and suck and bite at his lips, swallowing down his deep groan. His hands slide down my body and grasp my hips, guiding me into a gentle rocking rhythm. My panties are soaked as his length glides back and forth over my clit.
Daniel lifts his head from the arm of the couch and takes over the kiss. I kiss him back, desperately moaning and gasping above him as he sucks and nips at me, rocking me back and forth against him, knowing exactly what he is doing to me. Heat builds in my clit as my orgasm draws closer.
Daniel groans again and pulls his lips from mine, pushing me back so I’m sitting up on his lap. His eyes burn into mine as he pulls his hand from my hip and slides my dress up, exposing my panties. “I want to fuck you so bad right now, Gabby.”
I respond by rolling my hips, hitting my clit once more on the enormous bulge in his pants. My teeth sink deep into my lip and his eyes flare. Placing both hands on my inner thighs, he spreads my legs wide. “You wanna cum baby, you cum my way.” His words come out more like a growl.
I can’t contain my gasp when he yanks aside my panties, the cool air hitting my hot and needy pussy. “Fuck, baby,” he grinds out, his voice thick and husky. “Look at you.”
He reaches out with one finger and slowly slides it through my wetness. I roll my hips, gasping when his finger grazes my clit. Then, finally, his finger is pushing deep inside of me, his thumb pressing against the swollen bundle of nerves. “Ride my finger, Gabby.”
Staring down at him, I do as I’m told, riding his finger, my pussy gripping it tight. I watch as his eyes slide back and forth between my eyes and where his hand is working me. His cheeks are flushed and his chest rises and falls rapidly. The heat in my clit builds hotter and hotter until my body starts to tremble. His thumb works harder and his eyes lock on mine. And then I’m falling.
Pressing my hands to his chest, I let my head fall back and I cum harder t
han I’ve ever cum before, slowing my hips as my body shakes and jerks on top of him. As the wave passes and my body slows, I tip my head down and see Daniel staring up at me.
“You’re beautiful, Gabby,” he says.
I feel the heat hit my cheeks. “Thank you,” I whisper, suddenly very shy.
He pulls his hand away and smiles up at me. “Kiss me.” I blink at him, still in a bit of a daze. He chuckles softly and swings his legs off the couch, taking my body with him as he sits up, our faces now inches apart. “Never mind.”
His mouth claims mine in a hard and fast kiss, clouding what little sense I have left. Just when I’m about to lean into him again, his lips are gone and he quickly replaces it with his thumb, pressing it against my swollen lips. His eyes bore into mine and a small smile ghosts across his face.
“I hate to do this Gabby, but I gotta go.” I try to open my mouth to protest, but he keeps his thumb in place and shakes his head. “No, I do. If I had my way, I’d lay you down and take you right now, baby. But I’m a good guy. And the fact is, your brother is still missing.” My confusion fades and it feels as if he’s just thrown a bucket of cold water on me. “Taking advantage of you when you’re vulnerable isn’t my style. And I need to get the fuck out of here before I forget that.” He lands one last swift kiss on my lips, then moves me to the side and stands. I watch with wide eyes as he adjusts himself inside his pants and turns back to me.
I say nothing, just staring up at him. All over again, I feel like the worst sister ever. My brother is missing and here I am, riding the cop that’s supposed to be out there looking for him. What am I doing? “I’m gonna find him, baby. And when he’s back, and you’re happy, we are going to finish what we just started.”
Daniel
It takes the entire drive to Tommy Lewis’s house for my dick to calm the fuck down. Watching Gabby ride my fingers is a sight I will never forget for as long as I live. Fuck. She is so different from any girl I’ve ever been attracted to. Even though it’s only been a couple of days since I met her, I just can’t picture myself ever wanting anyone else.
I’ve always been into girls that are beautiful in a more subtle, quiet way. Girls that rarely argue and tend to have their noses stuck in books. Gabby is different. She’s beautiful and vibrant, her hair and makeup done up a way that makes her stand out. She’s far from quiet and is easily the most impulsive person I’ve ever met. It’s refreshing.
I double check the detailed text, complete with mug shots, that Nancy in dispatch sent me. Walking up the steps to the Lewis residence, I note the unkempt grass and the garbage piled high on the front step. The sound of a TV blaring inside filters through the door. I ring the doorbell and wait. Still I hear just the sound of the TV. I ring it again. Still nothing. On the third ring, I finally hear someone curse from inside followed by footsteps.
The door swings open, and I’m greeted by a paper thin woman with wild, greasy brown hair, and a lit cigarette in her hand. Her face is wrinkled and her mouth in sunken in from her lack of teeth. “Yeah?” she says, her voice showing her years of heavy smoking.
I show her my badge and watch as her eyes widen. “I’m Sergeant Lawson, ma’am. I’m looking for a Tommy Lewis. I know he lives here. Is he home?”
Her eyes slide from my badge, back to me. I can tell by her glazed look that she’s wasted, but she answers me clearly. “Yeah, he lives here, but the little fucker’s out. Took my last pack of smokes too. Bastard.”
“You don’t happen to know where I might find him, do you?”
She purses her lips and her eyes drift off to the side as she thinks. “He’s probably out with that Derrick kid somewhere. Maybe at the pool hall. Those boys spend a lot of time down there.”
“You don’t happen to know the name of that pool hall, do you?” I watch as her body sways, standing getting to be too difficult in her drunken state.
“No idea. But it’s the one on the corner of Williams Street.”
I nod, knowing exactly where she’s talking about. “I know just where it is. Thank you Ms. Lew —” I don’t even get to finish my thanks before the door slams shut in my face. Shaking my head, I turn and hurry down the steps to my car. Poor Tommy. Any kid would be fucked up with a Mom like that.
It takes me about ten minutes to drive to the pool hall Ms. Lewis had mentioned. I’m not surprised that this is where Tommy likes to spend his time. The Corner Pocket is a popular hangout for the local Crips. At any given time, there are always several of them hanging around. I’ve spent many nights outside, waiting for one member or another. Tonight I won’t be waiting. I’ll be going inside.
Since I’ve dealt with a lot of these guys before it will be no secret exactly who I am, so I decide to work with that. I walk right inside and feel the eyes of several people land on me the second I do. The conversations dull to a quiet hum and I hear the words “pig” and “fuckin’ cop” coming from all directions.
Spotting Tommy off in the corner, jaw clenched and eyes boring a hole into me, I head in his direction. “Tommy Lewis?”
He stands up taller, his body practically vibrating with agitation. “Who the fuck wants to know, pig?”
This kid isn’t going to talk to me here. I knew that already. Taking another step forward, I flash my badge at him. “My name is Sergeant Lawson. I’m here about your Mom.”
I watch the blood drain from his face, and suddenly he loses all appearance of a thug and looks like just a scared little boy. I almost feel bad for lying to him — but not really.
“Is she okay?” he asks, his voice sounding a whole lot less tough than it did just a second ago.
“I’m afraid not, Mr. Lewis. I’m going to need you to come with me.”
He doesn’t argue. Turning, he leans his pool cue up against the wall and mumbles something to the guys he was playing with. All eyes are on us as I walk out of the pool hall, Tommy close on my heels.
We get to my unmarked cruiser and I open the back door for him to climb inside. I can see the tears now forming in his eyes as he ducks his head to get in. Rounding the vehicle, I jump into the driver’s seat but don’t start the car. Placing my hands on the steering wheel, I stare straight ahead.
“What’s going on? What happened to my Mom?”
I don’t move. Glancing up into the rear view mirror, I see Tommy sitting back there, behind the glass partition. “Your mother’s fine, Tommy.”
He sits forward, his face confused and angry. “What? You said something happened to my Mom! What the fuck is going on? You stupid fuckin’ pig. Let me the fuck out of this fuckin’ pig wagon.” His hands scrabble at the door handle, desperately trying to open it, but the door is locked and can’t be unlocked from back there. I sit silently while he bangs on the door in frustration and turns his hate filled eyes to me. “You can’t hold me here. I know my fuckin’ rights.”
“Where’s Derrick Monroe?”
He freezes, his eyes locked on mine through the mirror. “What?”
“I said where is Derrick Monroe.”
His eyes narrow and he glares at me with immeasurable hatred. “Fuck you.”
I sigh and decide to try a different tactic. “You know… you really hurt Gabby today. She was in tears when I talked to her.” He stops glaring and his face turns sad. “She loves you, ya know.”
Tommy says nothing but I can almost see the war he has raging inside his head. I stay silent, letting it play out. Finally he looks up at me, his eyes meeting mine in the mirror once more. “They’ll kill me.”
I shake my head. “They’ll never know it was you, Tommy.”
He shakes his head. “They’ll know. They always know.”
I turn my body and face him through the barrier. “Is Derrick alive, Tommy?”
His jaw hardens and slowly he nods his head. “Barely.”
Hope fills me. There’s still time. “Will you take me to him?” Tommy nods once more and I face forward again, starting up my cruiser. “Where am I going, Tommy?”
Tommy sits up tall in his seat and rattles off the address. I put the car in drive and pull away from the curb, anxious to get to Derrick before it’s too late.
Gabby
After Daniel leaves my house, I sit on my couch and stew. I’m pissed at myself, not only for allowing myself to be distracted from my search for Derrick by a sexy cop, but also for allowing Daniel to touch me the way he did only to blow me off afterwards and just walk out the door.
I’m not an idiot. I know why he did what he did. I respect him for having more self-control than I do and for doing what was best for me and my brother. Even knowing all that, the rejection still stings a little.
Forcing my thoughts back to my brother, I think back to Tommy’s behaviour at the coffee shop. In hindsight and knowing Tommy for as long as I have, I realize that he really was just putting on a show. Hurting me had hurt him. And if hurting me hurt him, I know that hurting Derrick would just about kill him. He might not know where Derrick is, but he knows more than I do, which at this point is absolutely nothing.
Daniel had said that he was going to Tommy’s house. My mind had been a little distracted at the time but I have no doubt that Tommy will not be home. He hates his house, only going there to shower and sometimes to sleep if there is nowhere else to go. If this is just a regular night for him, he’ll be at The Corner Pocket.
Nodding my head, I jump up from the couch and grab my seldom-used car keys. Mom had left her car here when she moved out west for me to use whenever I wanted. I rarely use it though, opting instead to walk or take a taxi. Parking in this city is ridiculous.
Heading for the garage, I hit the button on the wall and open the car door as the garage door rattles open. Sticking the key into the ignition, I give it a twist and listen to the car come to life. The little Kia Rio hasn’t been started since I took it out to visit a friend in the suburbs three weeks ago.