Passion and Pearls (The pearl series)

by Marie, Dani

  Who was that vamp? She had a short black leather skirt with sheer black stockings a deep purple silk tank and purple high heels on. Her hair was now flowing down her back in a ruffled manner with darker more dramatic makeup finishing out the look. Wanda stepped back to admire her work. “That’ll get him going, you’ll be fighting the men off and it’s going to make that man of yours crazy.”

  Aqua was still in shock at how she looked when they met up with Amanda and walked in to the Acorn together. They snagged a table in the back and told the waiter to keep their glasses full and the music loud. A comment about the waiter’s backside brought laughs from all three women and caught the attention of several men in the place. Blu and his brother-in-law were among those that were now watching the three women.

  “What are they doing here?” Blu asked Amanda’s husband Will.

  “Not a damn clue, but it can’t be good,” was his replied. The men drank a little more and watched the women with wary eyes.

  Amanda snuck another peek at the men and turned to the other women. “Oh boy are they keeping an eye on us. I think it’s time we danced.” She and Wanda each took one of Aqua’s hands and drug her onto the dance floor. With much laughing and ribbing the three women danced through several songs. They refused the men that came to join them. Even Will was turned away by Amanda. “Girls only,” she told him with a wicked laugh.

  Will walked back to his table and downed his beer in one slug. “This is not good and I blame you Blu.”

  Blu frowned at him, “What the hell did I do?”

  Will watched his wife and her friends for another minute and muttered, “don’t know but we are toast brother, toast.”

  Watching the women, especially Aqua, Blu was having trouble hiding his reaction to her. He wanted to be dancing with her and feel her against him, touch him. She looked different tonight, sexier and he wasn’t the only one noticing. He heard other men making comments and watched as the three women shooed away man after man as they danced and laughed amongst themselves.

  Aqua was having fun, dancing with her friends and watching Blu frown. She drank more than she normally would, knowing the girls had her back. She knew he watched her, could feel his eyes following her. It made the evening even more fun for her. She wanted him to want her, to realize what he was missing. She chuckled as another man was brave enough to approach the women and asked Aqua to dance. She could literally feel Blu tense up. Aqua wasn’t interested in making him jealous with another man. She just wanted him to accept her and besides, because she loved him, she didn’t want to dance with anyone else.

  The music was winding down and the band announced the last dance, a nice slow ballad perfect for snuggle dancing. “Well girls, I think we should put our guys out of their misery,” Aqua said. The three women got up from the table, finished their drinks and headed for the guy’s table. They were wary as each woman took their guy’s hand and lead them to the dance floor. Blu was surprised that Aqua had taken his hand, but he’d been wanting to dance with her and wasn’t going to argue.

  “I thought you were mad at me,” he whispered in her ear as he pulled her close and started to slowly sway. “Shhh, I’m still not talking to you,” she replied as she leaned in closer to his big warm body. They were quiet as they continued to dance.

  When the dance was over, the girls headed out together in the car provided by the Acorn to drive patrons home. They laughed as they pushed the men away and giggled all the way home. Aqua was a little more than tipsy when she got home and stripping down figured a nice long shower would clear her head. It didn’t have the desired effect as she toweled off and slid between the sheets naked. Her fuzzy mind kept thinking of Blu and the one weekend they’d had together. She wanted him here in her bed. He had her heart and she hoped that they could be together again soon.

  Blu sat in his apartment nursing another beer wishing he was with Aqua. That woman was making him crazy. He walked around in a daze half the time and hard the rest. How could she think she was psychic and yet be so perfect for him? The more he thought of her the more painful his need of her became. Just as he was about to go take a shower and relieve the need burning in him, his phone rang. It was very early in the morning and he wasn’t on call so he was instantly on alert worried about his Mom or other members of his family. He hurried and answered with a husky hello.

  He heard her soft voice and closed his eyes savoring it before what she said registered in his brain.

  “Don‘t you dare, if I don‘t get any release neither do you,” she told him.

  “What?!” Blu couldn‘t believe she‘d said that.

  “You heard me mister and believe me I will know if you do and that’s all I‘m going to say because I‘m still not talking to you. Goodnight lover boy,” then she hung up the phone.

  Blu sat there astonished. That had to be the strangest phone call he‘d ever had. He‘d never understand women, especially that one. He took a long cold shower and headed to bed. Maybe things would make more sense in the morning.

  Chapter 7

  Tuesday morning Blu was running late but decided to stop at the bakery and get coffee and a cinnamon roll. He walked in and Wanda handed him a bag and steaming cup. He gave her a questioning look. “Aqua called it in a few minutes ago, said you were running late. She also said to check your coat pocket,” Wanda told him. He wasn‘t sure what was going on again but got his wallet out only to discover he‘d used the last of his cash at the Acorn the other night. Wanda grinned at him and with a resigned sigh he slid his hands into his coat pocket and pulled out a five dollar bill. Wanda smiled and took the cash as Blu turned and left the bakery with a very confused look on his face.

  Wanda called Aqua laughing. Their plan was working, she just had to slowly keep edging him toward being a believer. Aqua spent the morning handling the normal morning office supply rush. She loved dealing with the people and was pleased with the morning‘s sales. She was becoming a member of the community. This was exactly what she‘d been missing where she‘d lived before. Aqua sent up a quick wish that she would always be accepted this way in her new home town.

  That evening Aqua tuned into Blu’s thoughts again but he was thinking about work. Blu was worried about a young boy that he thought might be having trouble at home. It was looking like his father might be abusing the boy, but Blu hadn’t been able to find out anything positive. Aqua quickly tuned back out, she was trying to be respectful of his work and thoughts that were more on the private side. This knowing someone’s every thought if she wanted business was harder than she expected it to be. She knew that it would be hard for her if Blu could read all her thoughts. Especially some of them, like when she was alone in her bed last night. Aqua blushed, even though she was by herself then laughed at how silly that seemed.

  Blu decided he’d go to the convenience store for coffee the next morning. He was still a little freaked about by Wanda yesterday morning. When he walked in he was surprised to see Aqua there visiting with the clerk. She smiled at Blu but didn’t say anything to him. While Blu was wandering the isles one of the store’s suppliers pulled up. Aqua offered to man the till while the clerk helped haul the boxes to the back. When Blu walked up to the counter, Aqua didn’t try to visit but she did tell him how much he owed without looking at what he put on the counter. Blu frowned at the woman and handed her some money. She gave the man his change and looked him right in the eyes, hoping he’d say something.

  “How are you?” he asked her. She continued to look right at him. That was it? ‘How are you?’ Aqua was getting angrier by the second and it must have shown in her expression because Blu took a step back.

  “Fine!” Then she turned and looked out the window, no longer looking at the man she loved. How was she? How was she? The man was exasperating. That’s how she was. She heard him gather his items and head toward the door. “Aqua, I’m…” was all he got out, she still wouldn’t look at him and he really didn’t know what to say. With a shake of his head he walked out
the door and headed to work. Aqua wiped the few tears that were trickling from her eyes and tried to smile as the clerk thanked her and she headed to her store to open for the day.

  Blu sat at his desk wondering what was going on with him and Aqua. He wanted her. He missed her and whether he wanted to admit it or not he respected her as well. But, the whole psychic thing was making him nuts. Blu tried to think of other women but that did no good as Aqua’s face kept replacing whoever he thought of. He groaned in frustration, what the hell was wrong with him?

  Blu pulled out the file on Bobby and went over what he had on the ten year old boy. Unfortunately the file was pretty thin. Blu knew the boy’s father was a mean SOB but he wasn’t sure what he could do about it. So far, there had been hints to illegal activity but nothing he could prove. Blu knew the kid was scared of his dad but the one time he’d gotten him alone Bobby wouldn’t say a word. It was damn frustrating not being able to help the kid. Bobby’s Mom had left the area when the kid was just a baby. Blu couldn’t imagine how a Mom could leave a baby with a man like Bobby’s father. Blu did some further research and spoke with the boy’s neighbors but still found nothing that could help.

  Heading back out of the police station, Blu decided to take a walk down Main Street since he still had some time left and sitting in the office wasn’t doing him any good. As he wandered down the sidewalk talking to folks, Blu was reminded how much he loved living here. There might be a few rough characters but in general the people were open and friendly. He knew most everyone and felt much better once he’d made the rounds on Main Street, climbing into his Bronco to head to the ranch.

  He was about 5 miles out when his cell phone rang. He pulled over to answer the call and was surprised to hear Aqua’s voice sounding a little frantic.

  “Blu are you ok?”

  “Yeah, just headed out to the ranch, why?”

  “Something is wrong, very wrong. I’m not sure but I think it’s bad, I feel like there is something scary wrong going on.”

  Blu wasn’t sure what to say to her. He was so drawn to this woman, when he was being honest with himself he knew he was well on the way to being completely in love with her. But this psychic business was something he didn’t know how to handle.

  “Aqua, everything is fine. Nothing bad is going to happen, don’t worry. Maybe we can get together tomorrow and talk?” He sighed when she didn’t say anything. “I miss you darl’n and really want to see you. Please.”

  Aqua couldn’t stop the feelings of dread that were washing over her. She knew he still didn’t believe in her gift. Right now though, she just wanted him to be safe. “Ok, how about I cook for you. Lunch at about noon sound good?”

  Blu told her he’d be there then got back on the road. He had been driving another 5 minutes when a call came through for him on the police radio. “Dispatch to unit 19, Blu you there?”

  Picking up the radio mic, Blu answered “19 go ahead.”

  “Blu, you better get over to your place in town, it’s on fire.” The dispatcher was so upset she didn’t even follow radio protocol.

  “10-4 on my way.” Blu turned on his lights and headed back to town, Aqua’s warning rolling around in his head. How could she have known? For one second he wondered if she’d started the fire, but immediately he knew she wouldn’t do something like that. She was just too good a person, maybe a little crazy with the whole psychic thing but that was different.

  Blu pulled up near his apartment and saw flames through the roof and thick black smoke billowing out the windows. There were people milling around staying back as the fire crews worked to put the fire out. So far the fire hadn’t spread to other apartments but it could at any time. Blu looked around and wasn’t surprised at how many people had gathered to watch the fire, small towns were like that.

  Blu was just standing there watching the activity of the firemen trying to get control of the fire. The empty apartment next to his was damaged and his was pretty much going to be a loss but, at least there were no people or pets getting hurt. Suddenly, Blu knew that Aqua was near so when she pressed against his back and wrapped her arms around him he didn’t startle. He slid his arms over hers and absorbed her comfort. Eventually he unclasped her arms and pulled her to his side. He didn’t let her go, just rearranged them so that he could hold her his own way. Aqua didn’t say anything, just let him know she was there and let him deal with his emotions.

  When the last fireman was finished and there was barely any smoke left, Blu finally turned to Aqua and asked if they could go to her place. Aqua took his hand and they walked the few blocks to the store, around back and up to her apartment. When they stepped into the kitchen Blu just stood there. Aqua knew he was basically in shock. She took his hand again and walked him to her bedroom. When she shut the door behind them Blu blinked and looked around as if he didn’t even know how he’d gotten there.

  Aqua began undressing once he looked at her again. Making love to him was the only way she could think of to comfort him and counteract the shock she knew he was feeling. Once she was naked she smiled at him. He hadn’t moved but his eyes were devouring her. She stepped to him and placed her hand on his cheek then slid it down to his shirt and enjoyed the sound of each snap undoing. Once his shirt was open she slid her hands over his chest then pushed the shirt off and onto the floor. She leaned closer and lightly licked then nipped at his nipples. She heard his indrawn breath and kissed her way lower.

  Aqua sunk to her knees and scored her nails over Blu’s erection through the denim of his jeans before undoing the top button then sliding the zipper down. She pushed her hands inside the material and then snagged both his boxers and jeans sliding them down his legs until she tapped his feet to get him to step out of them.

  Stroking his calves, then thighs, she kept her eyes open and watched his face. He was watching her every move until he glanced to her face. Their eyes connected and held. Aqua licked the tip of his shaft and watched his eyes darken. Without breaking eye contact she used her hands to guide her tongue and mouth taking him slowly into her mouth by closing her lips around him and sucking deeply. His breathing became rapid and she could feel the tremors as she licked and sucked him. When he closed his eyes and threw his head back she knew he was close. With one more lick from base to tip she stood and taking his hands she turned them until she was bumping the bed.

  She sat and scooted back, opening her legs and lifting her arms to him in an age old invitation. He climbed between her soft thighs and leaned over her keeping his weight on his arms and knees. He had to lean to one side to take himself in one hand and guide the tip of his shaft to her wet entrance. He teased her nub once, twice then positioned himself and as they once again connected with their eyes. Blu slowly pushed into her as she lifted her knees taking him deeper. Once he was fully engulfed by her heat Aqua wrapped her legs around him and with her hands on his flanks urged him on. He lasted through only a few slow strokes before they were both in a frenzy. Blu reared up and began slamming hard and fast into her. Her moans of pleasure egging him on. Her body tightened and he felt the rush of her release which triggered his and with one last thrust emptied himself into her.

  Once he could move he shifted to his side and slid out of her, pulling her close. They lay tightly intertwined as both struggled to catch their breath.

  “I’m so sorry, Blu. I wish I could have known the fire was going to happen and could have warned you ahead of time. It’s not fair.”

  Blu wasn’t sure what to say to that, so he just pulled her close. The whole psychic thing was really making him unsure of how he felt. Sometimes it seemed possible she really was, there were definitely things he couldn’t explain. But he was a cop and he dealt in logic and things he could see, explain and define. All he knew for sure was that he wanted to be with her, needed her in a way that he’d never needed a woman before.

  Blu woke up and smiled when he realized he still had Aqua in his arms. He laid there feeling content until he remembered the fire.
With a resigned sigh he gently got up, dressed and headed out. He wanted to see if there was any indication of how that fire started.

  The fire Chief wasn’t very happy. “I’m no expert, but this has all the earmarks of a deliberate blaze. Blu, someone wanted to hurt you, maybe worse. You need to be careful my friend.”

  Blu drove to the station and began going through the files of all the cases he was currently or had just finished working on. Nothing seemed of the nature to cause someone to be that upset at him. This was a small town and generally there wasn’t too much of the darker side of things. Blu continued going through files and handling phone calls.

  Chapter 8

  Blu was almost glad when the school called and asked if an officer could stop by to talk with one of the teachers about a concern she had. Blu closed up and headed over to the school.

  Sally Green was the 4th grade teacher and Blu knew her to be one that the kids generally liked. She was strict but fair and fun. She sat down with a folder in the teacher’s lounge with Blu and showed him what she was concerned about.

  “I’m worried about Bobby. These are his homework assignments and drawings from art class.” She handed Blu the file.

  Blu read what the boy had written and felt a shiver of dread. This was the work of a very abused and scared little boy. The pictures were even worse. Family drawings with the Mother covered in red, the father huge and mean looking and the child tiny and hiding. Blu thought about his attempts to talk to the boy and felt guilty that he hadn’t tried harder. He was going to have to do something now. He called social services and got them involved. They all met with the judge and a warrant for the removal of the boy from the home was signed by the end of the day.

  Because of the nature of the father’s criminal and violent nature it was determined that two officers would go pick the boy up, keeping the social worker safe. Blu called in for back up and he and a second officer met up to go get Bobby.