Kisses and Revenge

by Riser, Cherron

  Chapter Twenty-One

  "What do you mean you aren't going to work with me? Look, I know you let Adam rule your life, but shouldn't you be standing up for yourself? Don't let Warren tell you what to do, too." Sharron was not happy about Leslie's decision to stay home. After spending a day at Sharron's firm, Leslie had given her the news that she would rather stay home and be there for Warren. It had always been a sensitive subject to Sharron who had never believed Leslie should be waiting around on some man.

  "Look, I know it isn't the life you would choose, but this is my life. Warren is making me happy, and I want to make him happy. Shouldn't I get to do that? Shouldn't I have the opportunity to make my own choices? You telling me what to do isn't any different if you think about it," Leslie answered, not really wanting to fight with her best friend. It seemed ever since she married Adam, she and Sharron had grown further and further apart.

  "No, it isn't. I'm not trying to tell you what to do. I am trying to keep you from being someone's slave. You bend over backwards for these guys, and they don't do anything for you. You are a smart woman and deserve to live your own life," Sharron argued back as she shoved papers and files into her briefcase.

  "Yes, they do. Warren came over every night to check on me. He has been there for me from the very start and does nothing but try to make me feel better. I love him and want to make him happy. That is what I want. I'm sorry you don't see it that way, but it's the truth." Grabbing her purse, Leslie headed for the door. She refused to fight over making her own choices in life.

  "Fine, do what you want, be someone's 1950s house bitch, throw away everything you worked for in school. I don't care anymore. I'm done! Your men are no saints, but you keep giving them what they want anyway. Fuck it, I give up!" Sharron screamed after her.

  Tears filled Leslie's eyes as she left the office building and got into her car. She and Sharron had never fought like that before. It made her body shake just thinking about it all. Pulling away, she took a couple of deep breaths to calm herself so she wouldn't get in a wreck and headed home. Warren had been right. Sharron wanted things from her that she wasn't ready to give. It shouldn't matter if she wanted to stay home or work, Sharron should support her in her decisions. Leslie was starting to think that maybe their friendship was not what it had once been.

  By the time she got home, she had managed to calm down. Walking in the door, she was greeted with the scent of dinner cooking. Setting down her things, she went into the kitchen to see Warren working on some sort of meal. He smiled up at her with that wicked grin, and the rest of her pain was gone. "What are you doing?"

  "I figured I would surprise you since you were out for the day. So, how was it?" He threw the towel down on the counter and walked around to give her a hug and a kiss.

  "It was awful. She got so angry over me not wanting to work there. She said I was turning myself into a slave. I don't know, it just wasn't fair. I'm so glad to be home." She snuggled into his arms and breathed him in, glad to just have him and not have to deal with being so stressed out with her friend.

  "I'm sorry, love, it isn't right for her to say that stuff to you. Look, why don't you get changed, and I will finish up dinner. I love you, and I will do what I can to make your night better." He gave her a wicked look before patting her ass and sending her down the hall to change. A smile broke out on her face before she left the kitchen.

  ***

  It was time for her weekly visit with Dr. Halbert. Leslie had grown fond of her doctor over the last several months, and between his advice and Warren's love and affection, she was starting to feel like a person again. There had been a time she was sure she would never feel good again, but Dr. Halbert had helped her through it in ways she could never thank him for. After her fight with Sharron, she was more than grateful to have time with him again. Walking into his warm, cozy office, she took a seat in one of the chairs and smiled up at him.

  "So, how are things going this week? I have seen so much improvement with you, I was starting to think you may not need me much longer," Dr. Halbert said as he grabbed his notepad and made himself comfortable.

  "I'm not sure I will ever not need you. I think I have grown fond of having someone to talk to," Leslie answered, crossing her legs and getting comfortable.

  "Well, I will always be here for you. You should know that by now. So tell me, anything exciting happen this week?" Dr. Halbert clicked open his pen and waited to see what Leslie would have to say.

  With a deep sigh, Leslie went into the details of coming back from her trip with Warren and the decision not to work. She talked about how she enjoyed getting out of the house but wasn't ready for the responsibility of having to do that kind of work. Instead, she much preferred being there for Warren and working on their relationship. It was how things had been for her when she had been with Adam, and it had made her happy. Leslie even went into how she and Warren had confessed their love for one another and how much she desired to be a good woman to him.

  All the while, Dr. Halbert took notes as he listened. He wasn't the type to interrupt her once she got going, and so she talked and talked until she had gotten the whole tale explained. Once she finished, Dr. Halbert leaned forward and screwed up his face in thought as he tried to put together his thoughts. "Leslie, I know that Warren has been a big part of your healing. That is very important, but do you not wonder that he might be gaining too much control over your life. You are young and should be experiencing life."

  Leslie was surprised to hear that. Warren had been the one to bring her to Dr. Halbert the first time. Why would he think Warren was doing anything wrong? "I don't see it that way. I enjoy being that person for him. I enjoy being there and making him happy. Isn't that what is important?"

  "Yes, yes, it is, but it is also important to make yourself happy. Are you sure you just aren't so used to being this person that it is more a comfort thing than a happy thing?" Dr. Halbert was always good at questioning her and making her think.

  Taking a few moments, she let the idea roll around in her mind. It certainly was the first time she had really thought about it. Just because something was how it had always been didn't always mean it was right. She did put a lot of stock into what Warren wanted, and until he had shown displeasure with her going to work, she had been excited about it. Maybe there was some truth in what Dr. Halbert was saying. She had never noticed how quickly her mind changed when Warren questioned her.

  "Dr. Halbert, I love making Warren happy. I don't think I would know what to do without having him in my life like that," Leslie whispered, trying to come to terms with what she was being told.

  "That is wonderful, Leslie. It is great that you want to make someone happy, but you really need to think about what makes you happy. Sometimes, we as people get stuck in roles we place on ourselves simply because it is easier. That doesn't mean it is the right thing for us to do," the doctor calmly explained, letting each of his statements sink in.

  It reminded her a lot of the things Sharron would say, only less aggressive. Leslie had never thought of herself as settling, but she was starting to question it with everyone pointing it out. Her face growing solemn, thoughts started to roll around in her mind. Shaking her head, Leslie stood to leave. "Thank you, Dr. Halbert. I will keep all of this in mind. I think I'm going to head home now. It has been a rather strange week for me as it is."

  Without another word, she headed for the door and left the office. It was the first time in months she left without feeling better, but something was starting to not sit right with Leslie, and she couldn't seem to put her finger on it. It would take her some time to work it all out.

  ***

  Leslie was still distracted by her thoughts by the time Warren got home from work. His meal was cooked and the table was set, but her eyes held a distance to them. When he walked over to kiss her, she startled back into herself. Giving him a smile, she kissed him back and patted his chest. "I'm not really hungry right now. You go on and eat. I think I'm going
to take a shower."

  Walking past him, she headed for the bedroom and began to strip off her clothes. Everything still felt distant and strange. Could Dr. Halbert and Sharron have been right? Was she letting the men in her life tug her around like some sort of lost puppy?

  Water started to flow over her body, relaxing her tense muscles and making her feel better. She closed her eyes and leaned against the wall, enjoying the tranquility and warmth. Slowly she breathed in and out, and all the stress began to leave her body.

  "Baby, is there something wrong?" She jumped hearing Warren's voice from the other side of the shower door.

  "Yeah, I'm all right. Just have a lot on my mind," Leslie answered, turning and reaching for her shampoo.

  "You haven't been right ever since you went to work with Sharron. I knew it was a bad idea," Warren sighed, shaking his head.

  "Was it? Was it really that bad of a decision? I spend so much time in this house. We could have found a way to make it work. I just, I feel like I spend all my time in this house, doing things for you and everyone else. Maybe they are right. Maybe I have stopped caring about my own happiness for the happiness of everyone else." She worked the shampoo through her hair then began to rinse it out.

  "What kind of bullshit is that? Is Dr. Halbert trying to screw with your mind too? Leslie, you are a wonderful woman and have always enjoyed taking care of your family. There is nothing wrong with that. People trying to convince you to be something you aren't isn't okay," Warren answered, pulling the shower door open and stepping inside. Leslie hadn't even noticed that he had taken his clothes off.

  His arms wrapped around her, pulling her in close to him. She loved how strong and secure his arms felt around her. It was a security she had grown used to far more quickly than she had expected. He ran those firm hands up and down her arms, the slickness from the soap making them glide over her skin. As he caressed her, she could feel his hardness growing against.

  As if on instinct, she began to rock her ass back against him, her body tightening and growing hot with desire for him. He was right. Everyone was trying to influence her judgment because they saw their relationship as rash or wrong. Yes, Warren may have been Adam's brother, but that didn't make her being with him a bad thing. Moaning softly, she reached her hand back letting her fingers sink into his wet hair. His grip tightened on her as he joined in her movement. A growl rose in his throat and he began to kiss and suck along her neck, sending chills down her spine. This was what she wanted ... needed. Everyone kept trying to change her, but this was the life that made her happy.

  Warren leaned her forward, her hands bracing against the wall, as they continued to rock their hips together. Nothing had to be said. The feelings between them said it all. He reached between them to guide his hard cock to her opening, and with one firm thrust, he was inside of her. She cried out as he slammed to the hilt, holding himself inside of her for several seconds before taking a firm hold of her hips and begging to move harder and faster. Her breasts bounced and water flowed over her so much she had to bend her head to keep from drowning in it. Warren took charge of her body, as he often did, fucking her with force and passion.

  Reaching out to her, he took hold of her by the neck and arched her back against him. He licked and sucked the water from her neck as he continued his forceful lovemaking. His free hand moved up her body, cupping her breast and squeezing at her nipple, making her body tighten even more with the pleasure he built inside of her.

  "You are mine, Leslie. I'm never letting you go. I'm never going to let anyone hurt you." His words were a deep groan in her ear as they wildly bucked against each other. "Finger yourself for me, baby. I want to feel you make yourself come before I explode inside of you."

  She could already feel his cock growing thicker within her tight walls and knew he was close. Reaching down, she used her fingers to quickly rub and stroke her clit, building her orgasm higher and higher in her body. She panted and moaned, nearing a panicked stage of need. Warren held her closer as his hips pounded into her. Water splashed everywhere, and once again she found herself gripping to the wall for support. When that final flick of her finger sent her over the edge, she screamed out with all she had, bucking and writhing in his arms. Stars burst behind her eyes as ecstasy consumed every nerve and vein in her body.

  Warren wasn't done with her though, and as her orgasm peeked, he slammed himself as hard and deep inside of her as he possibly could and roared out his own release. He held her tight, but the intensity of it all had them both losing their footing. They fell to the floor of the shower as they continued to spasm in each other's arms.

  It took several moments before either of them had calmed down enough to speak. Leslie turned to face him, brushing the wet hair from his face as he stared at her with his piercing blue eyes. "I love you so much. I would never leave you. I never want to hurt you either."

  It was the truth, and she could feel it with every fiber of her being. Sharron and Dr. Halbert had no idea of the enormity of her emotions for Warren. His arms wrapped tight around her, and he kissed her again, pulling her to straddle him. "I love you too. You are mine, now and forever. I swear it. I won't let you go."

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  It had been some time since she had heard anything on Adam's murder, and even though she was feeling calmer since his death, it didn't mean she didn't want justice. Getting tired of waiting to find out what was happening, she decided to go down to the police station and ask about it herself. She found it hard to believe they would just give up on the whole thing. Marching straight up to the front desk, she hit the bell and waited for the officer behind it to acknowledge her.

  "May I help you, Miss?" the scruffy older officer asked. He looked like he had been working for the force his entire life with the amount of lines and wrinkles on his face, and his eyes had the dead, uncaring gaze of someone who had given up on humanity. It was a look that seemed to come to public officials and social workers.

  "Yes, I am looking for an Officer Marker. He was working on the case of my husband's murder, and I haven't heard from him in a while," Leslie explained in a firm voice. Something had gotten into her, and she had awakened in a very determined mood

  "Sure, go have a seat over there, and I will have him come get you," the officer answered, pointing to a group of plastic chairs off to the side.

  The police station was grim and dark. Some of the lights were flickering in and out in desperate need of being replaced, and the floors were dingy and stained. It was a rather pathetic excuse for a building, making Leslie wonder where her tax dollars went. It certainly wasn't here. Taking a deep breath, she crossed her legs, tapping her foot in impatience.

  It seemed she waited nearly twenty minutes before Officer Marker came out to see her. His dark eyes were tired and frustrated. Leslie wondered if he had been working too much and not getting enough sleep. "Hello, Ms. Finn. I was wondering if I would see you eventually. I wish I had better news for you, but it seems everything leads to a dead end. Would you like to come to my office so we can talk more about it?"

  Officer Marker motioned for her to follow him, and she stood and wove her way through the cubicle Hell he seemed to work in. After a few minutes, he opened the door to an office and waited for her to go inside. The room was more like a conference room with a large wooden table with several chairs surrounding it. Leslie took a seat in one of the chairs and waited to see what Office Marker had to say. By his opening words, she was fairly certain the conversation wasn't going to go very well.

  "Ms. Finn, I understand you have been through a lot this year, and Adam's death was very hard on you. I could not imagine what you have been through, and I am very sorry, but the department is overrun with cases right now. We aren't getting anywhere with Adam's case. Everything turns up as nothing, and we have lots of cases we need to focus on. I wish I had better news for you. I wish I could find the person who did this, but there simply isn't enough evidence to point us in the right direction." Th
e defeated sound in Officer Marker's voice was numbing to Leslie. Before, she would have broken down in tears, but instead she just stared at him.

  "You guys really are giving up on him. What is the point of the police and the justice system if you do nothing? Why does anyone even bother to care?" Leslie slammed her hand against the table and stood, too much energy in her blood to keep her seated.

  "No, it isn't that. We just don't have anything to go on. Your husband was well liked. There is no one we can find with a motive to kill him, and there was no evidence at the scene to give us a clue. Leslie, we are humans. It isn't like we have superpowers and can just go out there and get the bad guys without help. If you could remember anything at all, think of anyone that might not have liked him, it would give us somewhere to start. The problem is, neither you nor his brother seems to know of anything that would point to this. No one at his work does either. Your husband was loved and revered. Men like that don't usually get killed in cold blood," Office Marker protested, trying to keep Leslie from just walking out of the room.

  "You are supposed to be the ones we can depend on. You are supposed to be the ones people go to in order to get justice. If you can't help, then what is the point. At this rate, I am going to end up able to find his killer before any of you. It disgusts me. I'm trying to move on with my life, and here I am, stuck, waiting to find some peace for my late husband." Leslie's anger came out in full force. She was not usually the type to blow up like that, but the police had shown nothing but a lack of caring for Adam's case from the very start.