Unexpected Love

by Melissa Price

  Barrett stared at him for a minute. “She is not cooperating with any instructions she has been given. I’m going to have to search her. She might even be on something.”

  “On what, jerk? You are not going to run your hands over my body.”

  Sean looked at Barrett, “Hey, give me a minute with her. She’ll cooperate.” They had a brief stare down before Barrett backed off. Yeah, Sean thought, he knows I can kick his ass. He turned to Taylor.

  Miller was staring down John, or trying to, but John didn’t flinch. “What is the problem?”

  John said in a deadly calm, “That’s my wife and I’m making sure she is treated with respect.”

  They continued to stare at each other. Miller finally backed down, “She was speeding. You know the rules, no exceptions for family or friends, everyone is treated the same.”

  “I know that. So give her the ticket and let her go.”

  Sean walked up to Taylor when Barrett backed off. He didn’t touch her, but he said in a low voice, “Taylor, stop it.” He could see she was trembling and he knew she didn’t like being touched by other men, but she was going to get into trouble if he didn’t get her to calm down and cooperate. “Pull yourself together.”

  “Pull myself together? Are you…”

  He held up a finger and the look on his face was very serious. She stopped talking. “He is going to search you. Just stand there and get it over with or he’s going to put you in handcuffs and do it. Don’t make this any harder.”

  She whispered so low he almost didn’t hear her, “Can’t you do it?”

  “No. I’m sorry, but I can’t. It’s his call.”

  She turned away and refused to look at him, but he did hear her mumble as he turned to leave, “This is the last time today anyone is going to touch me.”

  He stopped and gave Barrett a hard look. “I can search her.” It was worth a shot.

  “No. I can do it Officer Reed. Please step aside.” He stepped around Sean but not before Sean gave him an angry look.

  He walked away. It was one of the hardest things he had ever had to do. He knew she was upset and he would have stopped Barrett if he could. When he got back to the car, John was still waiting for Miller to give his wife a ticket. He glanced over at Taylor. The thought of Barrett putting his hands on her made him want to throw up.

  Sara took the moment Miller left to write the ticket to say, “John, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”

  John stared at her and she understood. Right now he was a cop, but he was also the man she loved. “John, Taylor went with me to the clinic.”

  John gave her a concerned look, “Are you okay?”

  She shook her head yes, “I’m hoping you will be.”

  He gave her a confused look. “I’m pregnant, John.” She smiled, “Great, huh? Your wife gets a speeding ticket because she is too busy trying to figure out how to tell her husband and if he is going to be happy about it.”

  John had no time to react or say anything because Miller came back and handed her the ticket. John took it out of her hand, “Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of it.”

  Miller eyed him and John glared back, “You gave it to her, Miller, now leave her alone.”

  Sara got back into the car and they drove home. “I took the most awful moment to tell him Taylor.”

  She told her what she had said.

  “Well, at least you don’t have to worry about breaking the news now. Did he seem happy?”

  She snickered, “Not sure. He was too busy having a male testosterone battle with the cop. Which is pretty cool because it was over me. What happened between you and the other cop?”

  “Sean came up and gave me an earful. I let him search me even though I was totally humiliated and disgusted.”

  “I saw the testosterone battle over there too.”

  Taylor gave her a frown, not understanding. She felt like Sean had deserted her.

  Sara laughed, “Sean was ready to wring that cop’s neck but he did stop him from handcuffing you. You should have seen the look between the two of them. Sean was angry and he let the other cop know.”

  Taylor thought about it the rest of the way home. Sean hadn’t deserted her but had made sure she got through it. Hm. Maybe she had been wrong. He loved her, she knew that beyond a shadow of a doubt.

  Later, she got a call from Sara. “Guess what? John and Sean have been suspended for two days without pay.”

  Taylor gasped, “What?”

  “John just called and said they were writing out their reports and those cops that stopped us today walked by and made a snide remark to John about how much he had enjoyed giving me a ticket and the other cop said he had enjoyed frisking you and Sean lost it. He pushed the cop and apparently he said what the f- is wrong with you? And it escalated from there. He and John ended up in a fight with them. The other two cops were also suspended. Luckily, it’s not going to go on John or Sean’s record. They are being given leave without pay. Neither of our guys have ever lost their cool so I know John didn’t tell me everything that was said.”

  Taylor was speechless during the conversation. Sara spoke up, “Well, a ticket for his wife, he’s going to be a father again, and he essentially gets suspended. All in a few hours. I say we all go for lunch and a movie tomorrow. We can do girl’s treat. Let’s meet at the diner at 11:30. How does that sound?”

  “Super. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Sean got home twenty minutes later. He greeted Tango and then looked at her. He said nothing so she jumped into his arms.

  He carried her over to the couch and sat down with her in his lap. She gazed at him, “I’m sorry I said no one was going to touch me again. I was so humiliated when he put his hands all over me.”

  “What do you mean? He’s just supposed to pat you down.”

  “He ran his hands all over me and then ran one hand up my thigh almost to my crotch, slide it down the other thigh. I almost punched him but I didn’t want to cause you anymore trouble. Maybe I should have thrown up on him.”

  “He what?” Sean was shocked. And very angry. With Barrett but also himself. He should have stayed and watched him.

  “I thought you had deserted me and left me in the hands of that jerk.”” She put a finger to his mouth to stop him from speaking. “I know that’s not true. And Sara called me and told me about the forced two days off without pay.”

  “Yeah, he was luckily I didn’t hurt him. You can file a complaint. He can’t treat you like that.”

  She shook her head vigorously no. “No, it’s over. It can’t be taken back and I want to forget about it.”

  “Well, I’m not.”

  “Please Sean. Promise me you won’t get into trouble. Stay away from him. Don’t even talk to him. I don’t want you to get into any more trouble. Promise me.”

  He stared at her for a few moments. He finally said, reluctantly, “Okay.”

  “That wasn’t very convincing.”

  He sighed, “I won’t. I’ve never lost my cool before and I won’t do it again.”

  She kissed him, “Thank you. What happened?”

  “He said some things that pissed me off and I said some not so nice words back and it went downhill from there.”

  “Was it about me?”

  “Maybe. Let’s forget it.”

  “Did John tell you about Sara?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Was he upset?”

  “No. He loves being a father.”

  “Oh good. Sara was worried.”

  “Yeah, he told me.”

  “Well, Sara and I are going to take you guys out to lunch and a movie tomorrow. We’re supposed to meet them at the diner at 11:30.”

  “Oh, okay.”

  She said sarcastically, “Don’t get too excited.”

  “Sorry, I’m still pissed.”

  They watched TV and when he carried her upstairs, he held her tightly. “I really wish you’d file a complaint, baby.”

  “Please do
n’t ask me.”

  “Okay. I’m so sorry I let you down.”

  “You didn’t.”

  “Yes I did. I was so angry he was going to put his hands on you and I couldn’t stop it that I went back to the car when I should have stayed. It was hard to do but I thought I would lose it if I saw him touching you, so I left. Lot of good that did me, I’m still on suspension.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Hey it’s not your fault.”

  Sixty-seven

  They arrived at the diner at 11:25 the next morning. John and Sara got out of their car and walked over. Sara was smiling. Sean held her hand into the diner as they followed Sara and John. When they picked a booth, Sara asked Taylor, “Will you go with me to the restroom?”

  “Sure.”

  As they left Sean told John about what Barrett had done. John frowned, “He can’t do that. Is she going to file a complaint?”

  Sean shook his head no. “She wants to let it go and forget about it. I tried.”

  In the bathroom, Sara told her that John was happy. When they came out John and Sean stopped talking. Taylor looked at both of them, “What were you two talking about?”

  John looked at her and grinned, “How lucky we are. Having two beautiful women taking us out to lunch.”

  Taylor looked at Sara who shrugged. It was obvious to them both that they were not going to say. Sean still looked uptight. After they ordered, she put her hand on his thigh. He glanced over and smiled.

  John spoke. “So, I guess I’m going to have to buy a freezer full of vanilla swirl ice cream.”

  Taylor gave him a curious look, “Why?”

  Sara giggled as John replied, “First two kids all she wanted was vanilla swirl ice cream. And it could not be anything but the swirl, not plain vanilla, not chocolate. When she was pregnant with Brenda, she made me get up at midnight to go to the store and get some.”

  “Maybe it will be a different flavor this time, John.”

  He laughed, “I would be surprised if it was. I’m still going to stock up.”

  When their food arrived, Sean was not eating much. Taylor was worried. He was still too tense and she knew he was feeling some guilt. As the conversation continued, she decided to try something to get him out of his funk. She took a breath, this was so not like her, but she had to do it. She reached over and raked her fingers up his thigh and across his crotch.

  Sean jumped and then stared at her. She smiled sweetly back, “Something wrong?”

  “Yeah, Sean, why are you so jumpy?” John asked.

  He mumbled, “Nothing.” He gave her an intent stare and she shrugged at him with a little smile.

  Sara looked confused. “Is everything okay?”

  Taylor shook her head, “Great. Good food too. Don’t you think so?” She looked at Sean who was still staring at her.

  The waitress came back. “Any dessert? We have a special strawberry shortcake that is really good and comes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.”

  John looked over at Sara. She smiled at him, “I’m fine. It’s later you’ll be packing the ice cream in me. What about you two?”

  Sean and Taylor shook their heads no.

  Sean was starting to look uptight again. Taylor spoke up. “You know Sean is really good at making a cannoli. You know what a cannoli is, right? It’s an Italian dessert of fried dough rolled into a cylinder shape and then filled with yummy cream.” What was wrong with her? Everyone was staring at her. She plunged ahead. “You know, you put the bag filled with cream in it and then pipe it in.” She looked down at her plate. She did talk too much sometimes and said the strangest things. They made sense to her, but she had better quit now.

  There was silence until Sara spoke, “Sean’s cannoli sounds good.” She watched Taylor’s face turn red and was confused.

  Taylor looked over at Sean. He gave her the boyish grin she loved, “Yes. It’s really good.”

  She had just embarrassed herself, but it had worked. He was no longer as tense.

  Sean leaned over and whispered in her ear, “You are very unpredictable sometimes.”

  She whispered back, “Keeps you on your toes, Officer Reed.”

  When they went to the movies, John let Sara pick the seats and sat next to her. Sara tugged on John’s shirt. “I didn’t know Sean could cook, let alone make a dessert, but why was she so embarrassed after?”

  John gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, “She wasn’t talking about a real dessert that you eat, honey.” He grinned when she gave him a confused look. He whispered, “Sex.” He saw Sara’s eyes widen, “Oh.”

  Taylor sat between John and Sean. She had some popcorn and offered it to Sara and John. Sara took a handful, but John just handed it back.

  “John, you can’t go to the movies without popcorn. It’s just not done.”

  He took a few kernels, “I’ll be sure to remember that.”

  He glanced over at a woman entering the theater. She was in her mid-thirties, jeans, and wearing a fanny pack around her waist. She was with another woman around her age. John leaned over to Taylor, “See that?”

  Taylor looked towards the women. She shrugged in confusion. “What is that first woman wearing?”

  Sean rolled his eyes, he knew where this was going.

  Taylor looked back at John, “Are you talking about her fanny pack? It’s definitely noticeable.” It was a bright neon purple.

  “Ask Sean why Australians say belt pack or something.”

  Taylor looked at Sean who was shaking his head. “What?”

  John leaned forward, “Tell her Sean.”

  “Tell me,” Taylor echoed.

  Sean leaned over and whispered in her ear, “Fanny does not mean bum.”

  She gave him a curious look. He leaned over and whispered, “Fanny refers to the other side.”

  Now she was confused. “Other side?”

  “The opposite side of the bum. On a woman.”

  She still looked confused. “What’s in the front? A woman’s sex parts.” He didn’t want to say any more than that.

  The light dawned and she blushed, which made him chuckle. “You asked.”

  He put his arm around her while they watched the movie. When it was over, they waited until most of the people had left. Taylor and Sara hugged. Then Taylor kissed John on the cheek and whispered in his ear, “Thank you for watching out for Sean.”

  John smiled at her and looked at Sean. Sean raised an eyebrow, “Don’t look at me. I’m not going to kiss you.”

  Sixty-eight

  On the way home, they stopped at the grocery store. They were standing at the tomato sauce on sale on the bottom shelf and she pointed, “Can I get four cans?” She still had a little trouble with balance and the shelf was low.

  “Oh, you want the dead horse.”

  Taylor giggled. She stiffened, “Don’t turn around.”

  Sean frowned, “Am I about to be eaten by a giant python?”

  “No, worse. Don’t look. Amanda is heading this way with a big smile plastered on her face.”

  “Damn.” He stood very close to Taylor, “Where is she?”

  “Half way down the aisle and walking faster.”

  Sean pulled Taylor to him and kissed her thoroughly. When they came up for air, he smiled at her. “That was fun.”

  “She’s gone.”

  “Not surprising since I would never have kissed her in public.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, I don’t kiss women in public.”

  She tilted her head, “Uhm. What about the museum, the movie theater, the restaurant, the hospital, and now the grocery store?”

  He grinned, “That’s because it’s you. I’ll kiss you anywhere, anytime. By the way, we need to talk about lunch and your wandering hand.”

  She grinned at him, “It worked, didn’t it?”

  “We also need to talk about the cannolis.”

  “There’s no talking about them, there’s just making them.” She gave him a kiss of
the cheek, “Take me home and I’ll prove it. Or should I say you’ll prove it?”

  Sean got them home as fast as possible.

  Sixty-nine

  Sean stretched and looked at her early the next morning. “Day two.”

  “It bothers you doesn’t it?”

  “All of it bothers me. So how are you going to keep me entertained today?” He ran his hand over her face.

  “Hm, how about we do some yard work, and house cleaning and…”

  He shut her up with a kiss.

  Later, they took Tango for a walk and raked up the yard. Sean had piled the leaves and Tango jumped into it barking and the leaves scattered. Sean raked them up again and Taylor jumped in. Sean laughed, “How are you going to get out of those leaves now?”

  She gave him a cheeky grin, “Why don’t you come down here and I’ll tell you.”

  Sean jumped into the leaves and pulled her close. They kissed and she laughed, “You.”

  The next morning Sean went back to work. He left early and as soon as he got in, he looked for Mayfield and asked to talk to him. They went into a conference room and Sean told him about what happened to Taylor.

  ”Does she want to press charges?”

  “No. She’d be upset if she knew I told you, but I wanted you to be aware that Barrett needs to stay out of my face and I’ll avoid him as much as possible. He’s lucky I’m going to be civil to him.”

  “Sean, even if he says something, ignore him. Don’t stoop to his level. He’s not worth getting in trouble over. Taylor wants to put it behind her and you should too.”

  Sean nodded and left for roll call.

  Taylor went to the gym and did her exercises. The doctor had said she should keep doing it twice a week and then rest.

  When she was done, the attendant who was usually there for her, Derrick, said, “Congratulations.”

  She looked at him curiously. He explained, “All the cops coming in are talking about you and Sean getting engaged.”

  She grinned, “Oh. Thanks.”

  “Sean’s a great guy, I’m glad for both of you.”