Out of the Storm

by Jillian Elizabeth

  I sit down on the bed and pull her to me. She happily climbs on my lap and straddles me as she brings her forehead to mine. Grabbing my face on either side, she just holds herself there and then opens her eyes to stare into mine.

  Feeling her nipples pebble against my chest, I know my sweet girl is going to pounce. She begins a sweet kiss that I quickly turn ravenous as I slide my tongue between her lips and hold the back of her head to mine. She grinds down on me and I'm fully hard and ready for her ride into the sunset.

  She sits up higher so she can take me into her body and I capture her left nipple with my mouth and suck it hard into my mouth as I rock her backward. Her eyes roll back as she grabs my cock, bringing it to her opening to slide down on it. Her hips continue their rocking as she lines herself up. I switch to her right nipple, and nip and bite as I suck. She seats herself fully over me and slides all the way home. We both moan in unison at the feeling of pure heaven that envelops us.

  “Happy New Year, Carter,” she moans into my mouth as she rides me like a champion bull rider.

  “Happy New Year, Starfish, mio amore,” I tell her bringing her mouth back to mine.

  It's the start of something new and I would rather be nowhere else ever, than here with my girl, my fiancée ….my Starfish.

  **********

  Awakening to the ringing sound coming from next to me on the nightstand, I try to sit up to grab it. Andrea is wrapped across me, lying on my chest. I love when she uses me for her own personal pillow, but….fuck the ringing, I'll get it in a second.

  Kissing her forehead, I gently roll her over to her side of the bed. Swinging my legs over the side of the bed, I sit up and scrub my hands down my face. I look over to the clock on the nightstand, 6:45 a.m., fuck...it better be something important.

  The phone starts up again, it's my ringtone for Nick, The Knight Rider Theme Song. Grabbing it off the nightstand, I quickly get up and go across the room so I don't wake Andrea.

  “Hey man,” I answer groggily.

  “Morning Princess, I hope you slept well,” Nick’s overly chipper morning ass says down the line.

  “Long fucking night, but a great fucking night,” I tell him while going to the coffeepot on the counter across the room and grabbing the decanter to put water in.

  “She say yes? You aren't gonna like this call man, sorry. We gotta roll. Homicide called in...Happy Fucking New Year, huh.”

  “Shit, okay. And yes, she's mine. Of course she would say yes fuckface,” I tell him just to bust his balls. He knew how nervous I was to ask her, making myself vulnerable to rejection. My heart told me she would always say yes, my stupid fucking head wanted to go mano a mano.

  “Gonna need a bit, dollface?” He loves busting my chops.

  “Yes please, sugar lips. Let me get her up and home. I'll grab coffee and meet you. Where is this one?”

  “Greenfield and West Chicago,” he answers solemnly.

  This shit never gets easier, but it's our job. It's what we do.

  “The 302 record for homicides in Detroit in 2016 just couldn't be left. Fucker’s gotta go adding to it on New Years,” I say while punching the phone off.

  Rolling to Andrea I gather her in my arms and kiss her neck. I don't want to go in for an investigation. I want to stay right here and snuggle up with my girl. My fiancée. Damn that sounds amazing to say. Finally.

  She stirs as I whisper in her ear. “Good morning my beautiful Starfish. Happy New Year sweetheart,” I say with a smile plastered across my face as she rolls slightly, blinking her tired eyes up at me. My poor tired woman is worn out.

  “Hmmmmmmm.” She stretches, letting the blanket slide down, baring a naked breast.

  My mouth waters for a taste of her again, but I have to get to work. I'll get her later. Never enough of her…ever.

  “I hate waking you. I hate my job at this moment but I got called in and we gotta go. I'm getting you home before I go in. I want you warm and cozy and waiting for me when I get home. You and that sparkler on your finger,” I tell her as I get up off the bed. I need to remove myself or I won't get anywhere.

  Pulling my running pants and T-shirt out of the drawers, I pull them on. I'll change when I get her home and head in. Turning, I see her crawling off the end of the bed to do the same. Sauntering her sweet body over to me, she wraps her hands around my waist and buries her face in my chest.

  “Tell Detroit they can't have you today,” she says on a pouty sigh.

  “I'll do my best to get them to listen, Starfish,” I say on a slight laugh. It's laughable….I mean it's Detroit and when a homicide is uncovered, it's me and my partner they want.

  Smacking her ass playfully, she jumps on a giggle. She goes into the drawers and pulls out her Lululemon sexy as fuck pants, a T-shirt and a hoodie. I watch her get dressed as I start to gather our stuff from last night around the room. Don't want to forget anything.

  This woman will be the death of me one day. Looking at her this way when I have to go. Wanting her. Adjusting myself in my pants, I throw everything in the bag and see she's ready. Pulling up her boots, she looks at me and grabs her stuff off the bed.

  “Thanks handsome,” she says, sliding her nails across my chest as she passes to the door.

  Turning around to see if I'm coming, I catch her small teasing smirk. She knows exactly what she's doing.

  The self-confidence she's shown in the last year is amazing. She would have never been this brazen. I love it. “You're a minx, you know that?” I lean down and nip her earlobe as I pull the handle down to release the door of our hotel.

  Slinging my arm around her shoulders, we walk down the hall and to the doors outside. Winter blasts us full force as the automatic doors open to the front of the Renaissance Drive.

  Motherfuck, it's about to be a long ass day.

  **********

  After dropping my girl off at our home about thirty minutes away, I grab a coffee for Nick and myself and head to the scene. Pulling up, I see the tape stretched across the bus stop enclosure. Jesus, another attack at a stop. Nick sees me as he's talking to forensics marking the scene and doing what they need to do.

  “You look perky today, princess.” Nick grins and smirks as he walks over to me.

  Shaking my head and laughing at him, I hand him his coffee. “Here's your espresso, sweetcakes,” I tell him as I shove it in his hand and walk to fully look at the scene. Nick walks up with his notepad in hand.

  “Looks like our John Doe here was waiting early this morning to catch a ride. Another one of these damn muggings gone wrong, bro.” He looks down to the victim and back up to me with a solemn, grim face.

  “This shit is out of hand,” I say as I crouch down to take a look at the body.

  Someone from forensics looks up to me, nodding in acknowledgment and hands me a pair of gloves.

  Handing my coffee to Nick as he stands over my shoulder, I slip them on and examine the victim more closely.

  “Multiple stab wounds to the chest, abdomen, and neck. Jesus, this is not a good way to start a new year,” I say to no one in particular.

  Nick crouches down on the other side of the body eye level to me. Looking at me, he nods. Being partners as long as we have now, we communicate with simple looks, and know each other well enough to read each other. He knows this is fucked up, and just like with so many of these cases, we won't find the culprit. Just another victim of street violence.

  I stand up angrily and kick the outside post of the metal bus stop enclosure. “We need a better way to take these fucks down,” I say pacing. I'm tired of seeing the faces of the nameless John and Jane Does, the violence, the weakness of the city. So many are homeless and at poverty level. They turn to this shit to feed themselves and their family.

  “Looks like another homeless with no I.D. and definitely no money to be robbed of. Poor guy just wanted to stay warm in the enclosure here out of the elements,” Nick says slapping my shoulder and handing me back my coffee.

  Nodding
, I stand back and watch forensics and the medical examiner do their thing. “Carl, call my cell when you have a report,” I say to the medical examiner as he stands back up nodding while writing on his notepad.

  “Will do. Not the party we expected to all be at today, huh,” he says shaking his head.

  “Nah man, that's for sure,” I say solemnly with one more look to our victim.

  “Go home to that pretty fiancée you got to hang on to your ugly ass.” Nick laughs, trying to lighten the mood.

  “Oh I plan to, Stronzo.”

  “Did you just really call me a turd?” Nick asks while laughing hysterically.

  “Shut the fuck up, it was on the fly. I'm a little tired today,” I remark on a laugh while grabbing my keys from my pocket and turning back toward the side street I parked on.

  “Did I just hear fiancée?” Carl yells, asking while I'm retreating.

  I turn back with that shit eating grin on my face. My girl said yes, she'll make it official with me forever. My Starfish. “Sure did, man. Sure did.”

  “Wow, congratulations,” he yells.

  A round of congratulations comes from around the team at the scene. We've worked many of these together. We're all a team in justice. “Thanks, got the answer late last night after the party. Private showing, sorry you missed it.” I grin while tossing my keys in the air.

  Becca, one of the girls from Carl’s team looks up and meets my eyes. Tossing her blonde hair behind her, she nods. I'm met with the hurt. I hope she didn't really think I was going to give my Starfish up now that I finally had her back. It's been years since I messed around with Becca, but no less hurtful I guess. Those long legs are going to have to find someone else to wrap around. I give her a small smile and leave. Time for some downtime with my girl.

  My cell chimes as I head to my car. Retrieving it from my pocket, I see a text from Becca.

  Becca- Congratulations Carter...seriously. Glad the Stallion finally got a permanent rider.

  Me- Thanks Beccs, she's always been the rider I wanted permanently.

  Not entertaining the hurt feelings of the panties I got in around the county in the past, I stow my phone and go.

  Happy Fucking New Year.

  Chapter 7

  Andrea

  After Carter dropped me off, I jumped in our large and cozy four poster king size bed. Snuggling up under the ocean blue down comforter, I let the cool sheets and fan soothe me back to sleep. I was hoping for a day of sleeping in together and snuggling all day at the hotel, but I am glad to be back in our bed though. There’s no bed like your own.

  Laying here, I lift my left hand and admire the brilliance and sparkle of my new piece of jewelry. The engagement ring from Carter. I feel like this has been a lifetime in the making for us. It feels right. He is home to me and always has been.

  Smiling brightly as I'm assaulted with the memories of my nervous man from last night, a small giggle escapes me. He’s my big bad detective, but he’s also my own teddy bear with the biggest heart I've ever known.

  He really thought I could say no? Pulling his pillow to my face, I snuggle it under my arm as I fall asleep.

  “You think I'm stupid, Andrea,” Trent growls, practically spitting in my face.

  “N...no Trent. But I know something is going on and everything is not adding up. You're changing. You aren't the man I once loved,” I tell him while trying to hold my ground. Running my hand over my slightly rounded baby bump, I feel the need to protect him.

  He turns around to pace the room as I watch him, eyeing him cautiously. He's become more and more angry and irritable lately and he’s drinking so much more. So much more. I'm afraid for my child, for myself. Confiding in Carter has never been hard for me. He's been there my whole life. I need out and away from this.

  “So your little boyfriend tells you something and you just believe him? Is that what our relationship has become Andrea?” With a little bit of a crazy laugh, he turns to brace the counter. “You think I'm fucking Marissa still? Is that what you think of me Andrea?” he screams at me as each word grows in anger.

  “Nothing makes sense Trent, and yes. I do think you haven't entirely let her go. She's even told me as much on numerous occasions.”

  The hatred I'm met with in his eyes frightens me. Who is this man? Coming at me quickly, he grabs my arm and starts to drag me out the door.

  “Well, why don't we go ask her?” He opens the passenger door of his truck, all but shoving me in. I quickly put on my seatbelt and hold my hands protectively over my stomach. I need to guard Jacob from this man, from his father. Jumping in the truck, he brings the engine quickly to life, and flies out of the parking space of his apartment way too fast.

  Looking to me with a look of disdain I don't understand, he weaves in and out of traffic. I don't even know where he's heading, but I'm holding the door and Jacob as we go too fast down the winding back roads of Hines Drive. Pulling my phone out, I quickly send a text to Carter to let him know I need him. I'm scared and don't know what's going to happen. It's clear Trent has been drinking and is a whole lot off.

  Me- I don't know what's going on but I'm on Hines Drive with Trent. He's driving crazy and been drinking. I'm scared. Please track and find us, he needs to be stopped before someone gets hurt.

  Just as I hit send Trent looks over and snatches my phone out of my hand. Weaving out of the lane and almost clear to the other lane, he reads my text to Carter. Laughing, he opens the window and throws my phone out.

  Shit!

  “How's your precious Carter supposed to save you Andrea? Huh? Little Starfish is scared? Poor fucking you,” he yells while grabbing my face hard. “You're mine, Andrea Jensen, you're carrying my baby and you're going to quit being stupid,” he says, spitting in my face.

  I can't do this, I can't live like this. I think fast. I hope to get out of this alive but I need to end this right now.

  “Carter is his dad,” I yell before I can think too much on it.

  “What the fuck did you just say?” he shouts at me.

  “I...I lied to you. This baby isn't yours, Trent. I was with Carter again just before we got together,” I lied.

  The backhand comes out of nowhere and I hit my head against the window. My vision is spotty and he yanks my hair so my face is across the console between us and to his. He kisses me hard on the mouth and laughs. It's a laugh that will forever haunt me.

  “He can't have you. You're mine and I will crash this fucking truck right now before I ever let him touch or see you again,” he says as he shoves his foot further down on the accelerator.

  Grabbing for his arm, I beg, “Trent, please slow down and let's talk about this baby.”

  He just shoves me back across the console away from him. The look of pure determination on his face and the speed of the trees going past me in the passenger window have me cold sweating with fear.

  Please, someone see us and save me and my baby from this man. A man I thought loved me.

  “I won't lose you to that fancy detective. Stupid fuck thinks he walks on water around here, and you look at him the same. You know Marissa tagged him too, right? She's been with both of the men you've ever given your body to.” He laughs hysterically while smacking the steering wheel.

  While the thoughts hurt my heart at Carter touching anyone else or Trent using me all this time, I have bigger problems, like staying alive.

  His laughing gets more hysterical as we turn the winding bends of the road. It's getting a little darker, the sunset just stretching its orange arms across the sky. I keep my eyes on that and focus on breathing. Rubbing my belly with Jacob tucked deep inside, I begin to pray. I beg God to let my baby and me come out of this alive.

  “Prayers won't help you now, you little cunt. You should have just kept up the stupidity and stayed away from him like I asked. You were supposed to be the doting wife of a prominent attorney. The one they can look at and think well of me for. I never would have given that sweet pussy of Marissa’s up. Th
at bitch likes it kinky,” he says while looking at me all red face and giggling. Giggling.

  I don't know where the strength suddenly comes from but I slap him. Hard. Right across the face.

  His laughter suddenly stops. He yanks me to him again by my hair over the console and kisses me so hard I think he cut my lip. The final goodbye.

  Turning back to look out the windshield as I feel the truck take a hard left, he's swerved across the lane and headed toward the trees.

  As the truck leaves the road and gets bumpy, I try and brace myself with my knees to my chest as tight as I can. I need to protect Jacob. I hold my left hand to the dashboard and hang on to the door with my right as we plummet down. As we hit the tree, the windshield shatters and my face hits my knees.