He put a piece of broccoli to her lips and she made a face.
“Fail,” he said. “Epic fail.”
She pouted. He mushed it into her lips.
She was shocked but she smiled, picking up a piece of shrimp and chucking it at him. He responded with a piece of chicken. She held up her hand to stop him and shook her head.
“We are not having a food fight.”
He shrugged. “Your loss.”
She waited a beat and then picked up her bowl and threw it at him. It hit him in the chest and clung to the hairs there, sliding down toward his waist. Grinning, he grabbed his food and she screamed, laughing and trying to get away. He poured it over her head as he held her down.
“Not the hair! Not the hair!” She was laughing so hard, she could hardly breathe.
She was pinned beneath him and he kissed her. She writhed underneath him squealing like a little girl and then she slowly stopped. Still giggling, she picked a piece of shrimp from his neck and put it on his head.
“We’re going to have to shower now,” she said.
“I’m game.”
“Who’s first?”
“Oh no. We do this together or not at all.”
She laughed. “We’re not going to save anything for another night? Showering together is usually like date number ten or so.”
“We just ate Chinese food, naked.”
“We did,” she said, plucking a noodle from his chest and sticking it in her mouth.
“Besides, we agreed to move fast.”
She stared into his eyes, a little funny look on her lips.
“We did, didn’t we?”
He nodded.
She kissed him, her lips still new to him yet he felt so comfortable with her in his arms. He could feel himself getting aroused and she could too.
“Should we wait?” She said.
He shook his head.
She motioned with her eyes lower, a mischievous smile on her lips.
“I think he has other plans.”
He smiled. “He always has a mind of his own.”
“Let’s go get wet,” she said.
He helped her up, his arousal clearly visible now and she moved close to him, one hand on his chest and the other down there.
She turned, grabbed his hand, and pulled him into the bathroom.
“We’re remaining naked after this,” he said. “Don’t think you’re getting off that easy.”
She smiled. “Naked it is.”
They stepped into the shower, the water hot and steamy, and he pushed her under the spray. He worked the food out of her hair and then used shampoo to lather it up. He’d never washed a woman’s hair before and it was a pretty amazing thing. She grinned the whole time, getting into it.
“You’re good,” she said. “I love your hands in my hair.”
“Can I shave you?”
“My head?”
He grinned.
“I’m going to have to draw the line somewhere,” she said. “I don’t trust you enough yet for that.”
“Can I watch you do it?”
“You’re serious?”
He nodded.
“I just shaved yesterday.”
“Bare.”
He put his fingers to her there and touched her. Exquisite.
She took in a breath, her eyes betraying her desire. He was amazed how quickly she could become aroused. She moved closer.
“You want to watch?”
He nodded.
“Maybe I’ll let you help…a bit ”
He grinned and nodded more vigorously. She grabbed his razor and handed him the shaving cream.
“Not too much.”
He sprayed out a small amount on his fingertips and touched it to her, spreading the white foam over the strip of hair she had there. She grabbed his hand and moved it for him, spreading it over her completely, the slickness of the foam letting him feel every curve, every fold. It was a huge turn on.
She locked her eyes with his as she worked his hand over her, a sexy smile on her lips. When she moved his fingers to her sensitive spot, her lips parted and she gasped. She pulled his hand away and stepped back, raising her leg and putting her foot on his knee.
“Hold still,” she whispered.
She started low and slid the razor upward, the white foam coming away clean, the fine hair gone and her skin glistening. She did the same for the next pass, her hand pulling the skin taut to let the razor do its job. He reached a hand out toward her but waited. She paused and gave him permission with her eyes.
He touched the newly shaved area and wondered at the smoothness. He cupped her completely with his hand and felt her quiver in his palm. Her bent leg trembled oh so slightly. She moved the razor toward the small spot that was left and let him take it from her.
“Don’t hurt me,” she whispered.
“Never.”
He felt the blade slide against her skin, the stubble that remained wiped clean as he moved it upward. She closed her eyes as she panted through her mouth, her lips moist from the spray. He kissed her and she moved to him.
“I’m so turned on right now,” she whispered. “If you don’t touch me, I’m going to explode.”
He did oh so much more.
They finished showering, her washing his hair and body, and then clung to each other as the water cascaded across their skin.
The rest of the afternoon, they spent holding each other, naked, as they watched old movies in his bed. They eventually fell asleep wrapped around each other, the day a memory.
Definitely his best.
Chapter 13
Jaxon awoke Monday morning to the sound of vomiting.
He stepped to the bathroom to make sure Vick was all right and found her kneeling over the porcelain. She said she’d be all right, that it must be some stomach bug or something.
“Do you want anything?” He asked.
“A cold washrag for my head,” she said and he obliged.
“Do you need me to stay home and keep an eye on you?”
“No. I’ll be fine. Feeling better already.”
“Call me if you need me and I’ll rush right home.”
She tried to smile, but it turned into a weak grimace. He hoped she felt better soon.
He called Ray’s cell but got no answer. Maybe he was reverting to his old grumpy self. He decided to go to his apartment and wake his ass up.
He pounded on the door but got no response and was about to leave when he heard the lock turn and the door was opened. Ray stood there in a sheet.
“Forget what day it is?” Jaxon asked.
“It’s Monday, isn’t it? Dammit.”
Jaxon chuckled. “Do you want me to get you some coffee while you shower?”
“Yeah. Coffee is good.” He considered for a second and said, “Make it two.”
“Rough night?”
He grinned. “Actually, probably the best day and night of my sorry little life.”
Jaxon peered around him into the apartment, but saw nothing. He looked Ray in the eye. He could see that he was not alone.
“You two are getting to be an item. Should I be glad?”
“We’re hanging out. We like hanging out with each other.”
Laurelyn appeared behind his shoulder, her hand slipping around his waist, a sheet covering her as well.
“Hi, Jaxon. I’ve ruined him for the morning. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.” She smiled a sleepy smile. “What time is it?”
Jaxon didn’t need to look at his watch. “Ten o’clock.”
“Oh shit!” She said, her face registering surprise. “I’m late!”
A slip of the sheet as she turned revealed a very pleasant ass. He couldn’t help but marvel at her. She felt the cool air, and wrapped the sheet closer.
“Oops.” She turned red.
Jaxon raised his hand. “I didn’t see anything.”
She disappeared into the apartment.
“Worth it?” Jaxon asked when she was gone.
<
br /> Ray nodded. “You have no idea.”
“I’ll get the coffee. How long should I take?”
“Four hours.”
Jaxon paused. “You’ve got twenty minutes.”
Ray didn’t waste any time and shut the door in his face. Jaxon shook his head and went to the store.
He gave them thirty as he sat in his car reading the paper and sipping the hot coffee. News was depressing, but he needed to stay in touch. He hated the local broadcast, preferring the printed word over the spoken. The suits and hairdos of the media world did not fit well with the blood and guts of the newscast.
As he was banging on the door to Ray’s apartment, he saw a little old lady step from her door three apartments down and bend to her newspaper. She saw him and waved. He waved back. She looked lonely.
Ray opened the door and let him in. He set the coffees down on the kitchen counter as Laurelyn emerged from the bedroom in shorts and a bikini top. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail.
She saw his look. “We went to the beach yesterday. Actually, we never made it there.”
“Too much information,” Jaxon said, raising his hand to stop her.
“No. I mean we got sidetracked.”
“Still too much information.”
“The Chevelle showed up again,” Ray said. “While we were driving to the beach. It fucked up my Mustang pretty good.”
“Same guys?”
“As far as we could tell,” she said.
“What happened?”
“They got away.”
Ray and Laurelyn told him the story and he was surprised that no one was hurt.
“We got his plate,” she said. “I ran it and found out the address is here. In this apartment complex.”
“No shit.”
Ray nodded. “We came back here and waited, but it never showed.” He cleared his throat. “Then we got sidetracked again.”
Jaxon raised his hand.
“I know. Too much information,” Ray said.
“Did you knock on the door?” Jaxon asked.
“We were going to do that this morning, since the Chevelle never showed.”
“Let’s do it.”
They left Ray’s apartment and took a right. Three doors down, Ray stopped.
“This is it.”
“They’re not there,” Jaxon said.
“How do you know?” Laurelyn asked.
“A little old lady lives here. I saw her this morning come out and get the paper.”
“Let’s see anyway,” Laurelyn said and knocked on the door.
After a moment, the door opened and a little gray-haired lady stood in front of them.
“May I help you?” She asked.
Laurelyn showed her badge.
“Detective Laurelyn Hawks ma’am. We were told this address might house a known felon. We were following up on a lead. Are you alone?”
“You’re a detective?”
The shorts and bikini top were apparently not producing a professional air.
“Yes, ma’am,” Laurelyn said. “I was off duty when some information became available. Are you alone?”
“Yes. I live here by myself.” Her eyes quickly looked over all three and she moved behind her door a bit.
Laurelyn looked at Ray and Jaxon.
“Have you lived here long, ma’am?” Laurelyn asked.
“Yes. I’ve been here for ten years. My Harold died and I couldn’t keep the house. It’s nice here, but I don’t like the noise.”
“Do you have a vehicle, ma’am?” Jaxon asked.
“Why, yes. It’s right there.”
She pointed to a brown, late model Ford that looked as if it hadn’t moved since her husband died.
“When did you drive it last?” He asked.
“Oh, I don’t drive. It just sits there.”
Jaxon moved to the car and went around to the back. The tag was gone. He shook his head.
Laurelyn looked at Ray, disappointment clearly on her face, and turned to the gray-haired lady.
“We’re sorry to have bothered you. Thank you for your time.”
“Oh, not at all,” she said, moving out from behind the door. “Would you like to come in and have some coffee? I just made a fresh pot. I only drink one cup, but I make a whole pot because the brewer is broken.”
“No. Thank you though. Maybe another time.”
She looked sad, but nodded her head. “Ok. Good day.” She closed the door and Jaxon heard the lock slide into place.
“Shit.” Laurelyn said. “In my excitement I didn’t ask the make and model of the car registered to the tag. Marty only gave me the address, like I told him.”
“You guys wasted a lot of time,” Jaxon said.
He watched them look at each other.
“I wouldn’t call it wasted…” Ray said.
She looked away but Jaxon could see a smile touch the corners of her mouth. He shook his head. He felt like a parent in front of two teenagers who had gotten in over their heads.
“Now what?” Laurelyn asked.
“Can I drop you somewhere?” Jaxon asked. “Ray and I have appointments.”
“I want to go with you.”
He looked her up and down. She remembered she was only wearing a bikini with shorts and cursed.
“Can you drop me at my apartment so I can change?”
“Sure.” Jaxon said.
“Can you wait? I still want to go with you.”
Jaxon considered for a moment and then shrugged.
“We’re not on a serious time-crunch. We’ll wait.”
She sighed. “Thanks.”
At her apartment, she slipped into jeans and a Clay County Sheriff’s polo shirt, grabbed her gun holster and strapped it on. It only took five minutes. Jaxon could appreciate a woman who could be presentable in such a short time.
“Where are we going?” She asked.
“To collect a DVD.”
“The O’Neils’?”
Jaxon nodded. “You’ll like them.”
* * *
As they drove, Jaxon told Laurelyn more about the lab in the warehouse and the shipment of real crayons he had smelled at the shipping store. Tate had apparently neglected to inform her of the crayons.
At the O’Neils’ the door was answered by the husband. Maybe he didn’t have a job. He was always there.
“Jaxon. Right?”
“Yes. May we come in?”
“You want the DVD, don’t you?”
“That would be great.”
The man looked at Ray and Laurelyn, and Jaxon introduced them. He invited them in.
“Candy’s in the shower. Do you want something to drink?”
“She didn’t have to work today?” Jaxon asked.
Mr. O’Neil’s face changed. “The prick fired her.”
Jaxon was surprised. Then again, maybe he wasn’t. Ben would be cutting ties with anything he felt was negative in his life.
“I’m sorry to hear that. I’m sure she’ll find something else. Secretaries are in high demand.”
“She was upset. Felt like he used her.”
“He did,” Jaxon said.
O’Neil looked at him and nodded. He kept his voice low.
“I know. Still, it pisses me off. She gave him the best evening of his life and the asshole does this. She was hot with him.”
Ray’s mouth hung open, and Laurelyn looked uncomfortable. Jaxon wanted to get the DVD and get the hell out of there.
“He gave her a good severance package though. I guess that’s a bonus.”
Candy walked out of the bedroom in a towel, her hair wet and shiny, glistening drops of water on her shoulders.
“I thought I heard voices. Hi, Jaxon.”
“Sorry to hear about the job.”
“Oh—it’s all right. I’ll find another. I have an interview tomorrow at a law firm downtown. The guy I spoke to is cute.” She looked her husband’s way. “I think he liked me.”
Her husband
was grinning and Jaxon knew somebody’s life would be ruined in the future. Not his job to judge.
“The DVD?” Jaxon said.
“Oh. It’s right here,” Candy said and went to the entertainment center.
She bent to the cupboard and her towel rode up, leaving nothing to the imagination. Laurelyn looked away, grinning, as Ray stood staring. Jaxon nudged him. He cleared his throat and turned away. Laurelyn gave Ray a dirty look and then smiled big. At least she could be cool about it.
“Here it is.”
She walked over and handed it to Jaxon.
“Enjoy it.” She smiled at him. She looked Ray’s way and said, “Who’s he?”
“I’m Ray,” he said, extending his hand.
She took it in hers and looked him up and down.
“You’re cute.”
“He is, isn’t he?” The husband said, and Ray looked flustered.
“Come on,” Laurelyn said, nudging Ray’s arm. “We have places to be.”
Candy seemed to notice Laurelyn for the first time.
“Wow. You’re a beauty. I love brunettes. I’m bi in case you were wondering.”
“We weren’t, but that’s nice,” Laurelyn said. She pushed Ray toward the door.
“You two can watch the DVD too. Come back whenever you like.”
Jaxon followed Ray and Laurelyn out the door and glanced back. Candy was leaning against her husband, her arm wrapped around his waist. She wiggled her fingers at them and Jaxon shut the door.
“No wonder you let me come,” Laurelyn said. “They were a trip.”
“Just wanted to share the love.”
Laurelyn smiled and glanced at Ray.
“She was creepy,” Ray said.
“She was pretty,” Laurelyn said and Ray and Jaxon both stopped.
She turned to them. “Ok. She was creepy.”
Ray laughed and put his arm around her. “Don’t worry. I didn’t think anything of her.”
“I’m not worried. Though, you did stare at her when she bent over.”
“You couldn’t help staring. I mean, it was right there.”
She grinned. “Not attractive.”
“She knew she was flashing us,” Ray said. “She must get off on that kind of thing.”
“I’m sure she does.”
“Let’s watch the DVD,” Ray said.
She punched him in the arm.
“You can watch it alone.”
Father Figure (A Jaxon Jennings' Detective Mystery Thriller Series, Book 3) Page 14