by Becca Siller
“Scott, I hope you don’t really kiss like that. If you do, then I’m so sorry, Darius,” Skylar says, patting Darius on the back sympathetically. Scott leaps after him, and they chase each other for a while leaving Darius, Charlie, me, and the dogs on the bed in peace.
“I love you guys,” Charlie sighs.
“Charlie, I wanted to ask you something,” Darius interjects, looking unsure for once. She tilts her head to look at him. “My ex has agreed to let me have Natalie for the weekend. I was hoping I could bring her here.”
“Of course you can,” Charlie and I both exclaim together.
He looks so relieved. “Thank you so much. I miss her terribly. I haven’t seen her since I took the trip to Vegas. I talk to her almost every day but it’s just not the same.”
“Tell me about it. Hey, we can have another water play day. She would love that!” I clap my hands with excitement.
“I’m tired. Who’s sleeping with me tonight?” Charlie asks, cuddling around Deputy. Scott comes in and snaps a picture of all of us, then Charlie with Deputy and me with Sebella.
“That would be me,” Scott says.
We all say our goodnights, then head off to bed. I sign on to Skype quickly to see if my baby is on and for once he is. I immediately send the call and he answers, looking very happy. “Hello, my love. You look like a very happy man.”
“I was showing off my baby’s pictures and listening to his little heartbeat. What are you doing?” he asks, smiling.
“Charlie just got home from her date so we were all pestering her for the details. She’s really doing a lot better.” Miles looks over his shoulder.
“Ok man, see ya.” He turns back to face the camera. “Wyatt was in here. I think he wasn’t too happy to hear that Charlie went on a date.”
“She deserves to be happy too, ya know. Besides, he already has someone else. I’m happy for her, she truly needed this, and Ian is a really nice guy. You should see the flowers he brought her,” I explain.
“I know, baby. Wyatt is dealing in his own way too, just try to remember that. Damn, I miss your face. I wish I could kiss your lips right about now. It’s cold as hell here and I want my woman to curl up with.” Miles reaches out to touch the screen. He does that often during our conversations. It’s the closest he can get to actually touching me.
“I talked to my boss and I can have a week off the week after next. I spoke with a travel agent and I think I can swing it if I can get Skylar and hopefully Charlie to come, too,” I tell him but I already know he won’t agree to it. He’s already told me how much he doesn’t want me traveling in this condition.
“That would be the best thing ever.” My eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “I thought I could do it but I can’t. I need to see you and touch you, but…do you really think bringing Charlie is a good idea?” he asks, raising an eyebrow at me.
“I’m not sure. I’ll keep you posted. One way or another I’m coming,” I state firmly.
Miles smiles at me, then gets up to lock his door. He starts to strip for me. I love this part of my night, video sex with my man. “Um, what are you waiting for – this isn’t a one man show here, missy,” Miles admonishes. Smiling, I pull my shirt off.
Wyatt
I punch my fist into the wall of the trailer over and over, making a good-sized hole. I can’t believe Charlie is dating. What the fuck is going on? A few days ago Miles told me she was barely getting out of bed and now she’s dating. Not unlike yourself, my conscience sneers. “Shut the fuck up!” I shout, feeling stupid for talking to myself. I guess I’m just surprised she’d go out with a stranger after everything she’s been through. Unless it isn’t a stranger. Skylar? No, they’re more like siblings. quickly giving in, I call Miles.
“What?” Miles barks into the phone.
“Damn, hello to you, too,” I say, shocked at his crankiness. I was just there thirty minutes ago.
“I was trying to sleep. Now what do you want, so I can continue my sweet dreams,” he asks, yawning.
“Who did Charlie go on a date with?” I ask, wincing at my vehemence.
Miles sighs. “Does it really matter?”
“No. Well yes…damn it, Miles, just tell me.”
“She went on a date with Ian McShane,” he says, exasperated.
“As in, Detective McShane?” I ask, stunned.
“One and the same. Look, man, Riley said she’s really trying to move on and get better. She knows you’re dating. Ian seems to really like her and is nice to her.” Miles sounds slightly morose.
“I bet he is. I remember how he looked at her that first time. Wait…how does she know I’m dating?” I switch quickly.
“Are you hiding it?”
“You told Riley?” I accuse.
“Even if I hadn’t there are pictures of you with Gillian on the internet, man. My advice is to let it go, you both deserve to be happy. For the time being, that isn’t with each other.” Miles seems to want what’s best for both of us.
“Thanks, man, oh and congrats on the little one again. I want to see all of the pictures she sends you of the little guy.”
I can hear Miles smile through the phone. “Thanks, man, I’m one lucky son of a bitch.” After I hang up I decide that it is time to finally give Gillian what she’s been waiting for.
A half hour later I’m at Gillian’s trailer. She answers the door wearing a silk robe and I would bet my right hand that’s all she is wearing. She’s been trying to seduce me since our first date. I’ve resisted on principle. I still love Charlie and feel wrong when I even kiss Gillian. Now I’m trying to do what I know, have a sexual relationship with a woman without any emotional attachment. She gestures me in but barely moves so I have to rub against her to get in the door.
“You look nice,” I say huskily. I have to pull deep for my seductive charm.
“So do you, but I have to say you seem a little overdressed.” She slides around me, pulling my jacket off and tossing it on a chair. I take a quick look around. Gillian’s trailer is nice but a lot smaller than mine. The bed is only a queen. Maybe I should’ve had her come to my trailer but that felt too personal.
“Are you in a hurry?” I ask when she tugs at my shirt.
“Is it bad that I know what I want?” She licks her bottom lip seductively, which should have brought my body to attention but little Wyatt is still asleep.
“Not at all. I agree, let’s not talk. Take off your robe,” I direct her sternly. She takes a step back and drops the robe. Gillian is beautiful, with soft white skin and a shadow of freckles on her shoulders. Her surgically enhanced breasts bounce when she shifts her weight. I try to imagine her wrapped around me but the image leaves me cold.
“What are you waiting for?” she asks. She walks into the room and crawls onto the bed. She stretches lazily into a seductive pose. This girl is seriously putting a lot of work into being sexy, unlike Charlie.
The thought makes my mind wander to Charlie, how she looks sleeping naked in our bed, her long blonde hair in a tangled mess on the pillow. I love when I would run my fingers along her spine, her nipples would tighten to perfect little beads. The image makes me painfully aroused. Shrugging, I decide to go with it. I stride to the bed and shuck my pants. I grab Gillian and flip her onto her stomach, pulling her ass up into the air. I pull a condom off her nightstand and slip it on. Clearly she was prepared for tonight. She moans when I slide my hand down her back and tangle my fingers in her hair.
The reddish-brown locks look wrong against my tanned hand. I close my eyes remembering Charlie’s silky blonde hair tickling my inner thigh while she sucks my cock deep. “Fuck!” I curse, thrusting into Gillian. She gasps then moans. I fuck her with a savagery I would have never used with Charlie. My pace is hard and ruthless. It’s like I’ve transformed into this angrier person. Fucking Gillian is like I’m punishing Charlie for leaving me. She screams and writhes underneath me, clawing at the sheets. I reach around to pinch her clit hard, making her scream louder an
d come hard. I growl, thrusting harder, reaching for my release. Charlie’s face in the throes of passion is a clear picture in my mind. The memory makes me come hard.
“Oh my God…” Gillian murmurs against the sheets. I realize that I’m still pressing her into the mattress.
“Sorry if I was too rough,” I force out through a queasy stomach. I feel like I’m going to be sick. I thought I wouldn’t ever touch another woman again. Charlie was going to be it for me.
“You were perfect. I like it rough. I came so hard, Wyatt.” She rolls and starts to kiss me. I kiss her back but it’s like a secondary motion. I’m not really feeling it. Slowly I slide off the bed to collect my clothes. “Where are you going?” Gillian asks harshly.
“I have to work early in the morning. And I don’t do sleepovers.” She gapes at me. It always amazes me that every woman thinks they should be special to me. But they never were, until Charlie. “I’ll call you,” I say over my shoulder as I step out of her trailer. My heart hurting and my stomach turning, I head back to my trailer.
Charlie
My day is about to start with something I should have done a while ago. I’m going to my office to resign. A few other vets work there who have managed just fine without me all of these weeks so I know I’m not leaving them hanging. Besides, I think it’s time to do something else, something for myself. I dress casually in jean shorts, a tight ribbed tank top and a plaid shirt. Not only am I going to resign but I have a few other things planned this afternoon. I have decided to house hunt – I can’t stay in the rental forever – and am also meeting Ian for lunch. I smile at the thought. I’m actually excited to see him. The others are right, it’s not like I need to fall in love with him, but there’s no reason not to enjoy each other’s company.
“You look cute,” Scott calls from the couch.
“Thanks, I’m heading out,” I respond, grabbing my purse.
“You don’t want me or Darius to drive you?” Scott asks, looking confused.
“You guys don’t have to babysit me anymore. Tony is gone and Allison is in jail. I’m safe and ready to get on living,” I explain, trying to remain cheerful. Scott frowns and looks away. “What’s that look for?”
“Nothing, I guess then I should make plans to move back to Seattle,” he states somberly.
“What?” I shout, appalled at the thought and slightly annoyed at his overly dramatic reaction.
“You don’t need us here anymore. It’s hard for me to find work. I need to make money, Charlie. Darius and I feel like we aren’t pulling our weight if we aren’t helping either protect you or pitch in financially at the very least,” Scott explains. I feel terrible that he or Darius ever thought I found them to be a burden.
I walk around to sit next to Scott, making him look at me. “Listen to me, you and Darius are part of my family. I need you with me. Just because I can drive myself doesn’t mean I don’t need you and it definitely doesn’t mean I don’t want you. I can handle the financial obligations of this place for a very long time even without working, trust me.” I try to give him a reassuring smile. “Besides, I may need you in the near feature. Please, Scott, I can’t lose you two right now. Riley is moving out and I’ve already lost…Wyatt.” His name comes out broken.
“I’m sorry, Charlie. We don’t want to leave you. I’ll stay with you forever if you want. We can make a compound where we all live happily together,” he laughs and gives me a big hug. How strange that he thought about property where we can all live together since that is exactly what I’m going to go look into.
“So we’re good? I really need to get going – I have a few things I need to do. I’ve put them off for a while now.” Standing, I drop a kiss on Scott’s head and walk to the garage. The car I picked out to replace the one Tony destroyed was finally delivered the day after Wyatt left but I haven’t driven it yet. Wyatt helped me pick out all of the options and at the time it was going to be our car. I couldn’t bring myself to even look at it until recently.
When the sunlight streams in through the garage windows bathing the car in its bright glow, I smile widely. My brand new Range Rover Evoque with its Orkney Grey paint and its beautiful light cream leather interior including custom mood lighting is amazing. It was a huge splurge and I felt guilty but I wanted a car I could keep for a very long time. It has all of the bells and whistles. Still smiling, I slide behind the wheel and press the button with my preprogrammed seat and mirror settings. I ease out of the garage, roll down the windows, crank the stereo and head for my office.
Julian was so sad that I wasn’t coming back to work but I told him we were more than co-workers. He’s always been a good friend to me and was devastated by the events with Allison. After a warm hug and friendly kiss I collected a few knickknacks from my office and left all the rest behind. Other than a few staff members there isn’t a lot about the place that I’ll miss. On to newer and better things I say as I quicken my steps out the front door and into my car.
It’s one o’clock when I finally find myself standing outside the police bureau offices, waiting for Ian. I was supposed to go in but I can’t seem to make my feet move in that direction. Something about the place makes me nervous but I’m not entirely sure why. Sighing I pull my phone out of my purse to call him. He answers on the second ring. “Hey Charlie, are you running late?” he asks and I can hear the smile in his voice.
“Nope, I’m here but…I can’t go in…” I say hesitantly.
“Shit, I’m sorry I didn’t think. I’ll be right down. Wait, my car is in the garage…”
“We can take my new car,” I interrupt excitedly. “I’ll even consider letting you drive it,” I tease.
“Ok, I’ll be right there,” he replies laughingly.
Ian exits the front a few minutes later, impossibly handsome in his suit and Oakley sunglasses. Looking down at my clothes I frown. “Shit,” I curse under my breath.
“What’s wrong,” he asks with a bright smile.
“You look great and I’m wearing this…” Annoyed, I gesture to my outfit.
“I think you look hot. I love those shoes,” he points to my gray Converse low quarters.
“Thanks, they’re my favorite. I think I have just about every color they make. Well, there isn’t anything I can do about my clothes now. Where are we going?” I ask and look up to see him watching me with a crooked smile.
“You’re cute. I thought we could grab something at the park. It’s a pretty nice day,” he shrugs.
“Ha, now you’ll be overdressed. I like that, so do you want to drive my new car?” I ask saucily.
“Which one is it?” he queries, following closely behind me with his hand at the small of my back. A couple of people call a hello to him as we walk by and he gives them a nod.
“That one,” I point, beaming with pride.
His mouth falls open. “That’s your new car?” He gives a low whistle in appreciation. “Hell ya, I want to drive.”
I toss him the keys as he beams at me. Ian flips his jacket into the back seat. I notice he is wearing a shoulder holster and gun but doesn’t take them off. My face heats slightly at the memory of him firing the round into Tony’s chest. I quickly shove the memory away. He gets in and adjusts everything to fit his much larger, taller body. He runs his hand over the butter-soft leather, then leans over to kiss me swiftly on the lips. I blush and buckle my seat belt.
“I still can’t believe you let me drive your new car,” Ian says in amazement as we sit on a bench in the park eating hot dogs and sharing lemonade. I notice lemonade is his drink of choice and chuckle softly to myself. Quite the adorable quirk if I do say so.
“Well, I figure since you’re a cop you must be a decent driver. And I secretly like being driven around. I only like driving when I’m alone.” Ian smiles at me.
“Well, I like driving so that’s good. But I hate to tell you that cops are terrible drivers,” he says flatly, then grins.
“People watching is also one of my fav
orite things,” I tell him absently as I longingly watch a young woman walk by with her three kids. “How are you after the…” I pause, shocked at the topic that fell out of my mouth all of a sudden. “After shooting him?” I look down at my feet. I don’t really want to talk about this but I feel like I have to know what happened to him.
Ian leans forward, placing his elbows on his knees. He looks out across the park for a moment before answering me. “I was on leave for almost two weeks after the shooting. Internal Affairs deemed it a righteous kill but I still see a psychologist for right now. Even though he was a bastard, I still killed someone…that’s not easy.”
“I’m so sorry, Ian. I can’t imagine what that must be like for you. I can’t say I would’ve had the fortitude to do what you did. But I guess when it’s either him or you, the choice is pretty easy.”
“Not as easy as you’d think. But it was you, Charlie…seeing you…”
“Can I speak bluntly with you and you not get offended?” I ask, quickly cutting him off. This conversation was about to go somewhere I didn’t want it to.
Ian lays his palm tenderly on my lower back, his finger grazing the skin slightly. “Ok, but I can’t guarantee that I won’t get offended.” He winks at me, not missing a beat. I stare at his brilliant blue eyes in the sunlight, his tousled flaxen hair sticking out every which way from his sunglasses shoved to the top of his head. He looks so relaxed and confident, it’s a strong combination.
“I like being around you. But I don’t know how much of myself I have to give to someone else. I’m kind of broken right now.” He studies me without speaking. “I know it’s selfish but I still want to see you. I want to give this a try.”
“A chance is all I can ask for. You don’t need to make me any promises,” he says, leaning in to kiss me tenderly. I kiss him back but this time I deepen the kiss, sliding my tongue into his mouth. I want to feel something with him. My fingers skim up the back of his neck and into his hair. He pulls back, dragging in a ragged breath. “Charlie, stop. I can’t kiss you like that here,” he says, his eyes burning with desire.