by Lesley Davis
Ashley chuckled at Rafe’s reasoning. “What else is left for you to know about me? You’ve already uncovered the biggest secret I carry around.”
“What’s your favorite film?” Rafe asked out of the blue, and Ashley answered without hesitation.
“Titanic.”
Rafe frowned. “What a heartbreaking story. Where were the angels in that situation, Ashley?”
“Probably getting the survivors into what few lifeboats they did have,” she replied.
“Was Eli there, or should I save that question for him too?”
“Geez, you’re remarkably goofy on just three beers.”
“I don’t usually drink a lot, but tonight seemed to call for it.” Rafe tried to step over the cat twisting around her legs and threatening to topple her to the ground. “Trinity!”
Ashley picked the cat up and cuddled her. “I’ll see to the cat. Why don’t you go and sit down?” She carried the cat into the kitchen and began preparing her food as if she’d always done so. She called through the doorway to Rafe. “What’s your favorite film?”
“The Matrix Reloaded.”
“You like the second one over the first?” Ashley scooped out some dry food for the cat and refilled her water bowl, then left her to it. Ashley found Rafe sprawled on the couch, still in her coat.
“The second one had more action and it had a love scene.”
“Forgive me for sounding so surprised, but you really are a closet romantic, aren’t you?”
“I can cheer for the straight couple to get it on. Especially when one is as amazing-looking as Carrie Anne Moss is in that.” Rafe shifted a little on the couch as Ashley joined her. “Can God really see everything?”
Ashley tried not to be surprised by Rafe’s question. “So I’m told. I’ve never actually met him myself.”
“I don’t think I can ever take you to bed knowing that.”
Rafe sounded so mournful that Ashley couldn’t help her reaction. She burst out laughing and got a dirty look for her amusement. “Contrary to what most fanatical God-fearing folk would have you believe, God rarely could give a damn about what anyone does in their bedroom, gay or straight. He’s got a small matter of the universe to run. We’re really just a small fraction of what he can devote his time to.”
“Does he speak to Eli?”
“Eli gets his messages from all sorts of carriers. He then sends me out to investigate.”
“But one of the carriers might know who the killer is, right? I mean, we may only be a fraction of God’s attention, but he could focus in on the killer and tell us who it is, right?”
“Did you ever read your Bible, Rafe?”
“I got lost somewhere in the endless begats early on.”
“God gave humans free will. Free will to follow a righteous path or free will to kill and cause havoc. He won’t step in, not yet.”
“But why send you to investigate? Why are you necessary?”
“I’m a demon hunter, a human one, even given my glamour gene. Demons aren’t supposed to have free rein on earth, Rafe. I’m one of those who have to stop them from being here.”
“Someone obviously forgot to send the demons the memo,” Rafe said a touch too seriously.
Ashley smiled as Rafe closed her eyes. “You’re a cheap drunk, Detective. Three beers and you’re out of it.”
“Probably shouldn’t have taken the pain pills either. I think I took them, not so sure now. Not too sure how many I took either. My side hurt like a mother earlier.”
“Oh great,” Ashley grumbled. She pulled Rafe upright and steadied her with her arms about her waist. “Let me get you to bed before you fall down.”
“I can sleep on the couch,” Rafe said, heel-toeing her shoes off as she reached the bottom of the stairs. Ashley helped her out of her jacket then carefully guided her upstairs.
“Booze and pills don’t mix, Rafe.”
“I forgot to take them earlier and then the day got so busy and I was in so much pain I just took them first chance I got. I never thought to consider that a beer would react with them.”
“You needed to take the recommended dosage, not pop them like candy, either. God, you need someone watching over you twenty-four seven.” Ashley huffed as she waited for Rafe to point out which was her room.
“I’m sorry,” Rafe said quietly.
“Why are you sorry?”
“That you’re having to take care of me again. You shouldn’t have to keep doing that.” Rafe laid her head on top of Ashley’s and hugged her. “Call a cab and take the money from my wallet. I won’t be a bother. I think I’ll just flake out.”
Ashley was worried for a whole other set of reasons if Rafe did indeed pass out. She guided her toward the bed. She began to undo Rafe’s shirt and their fingers clashed over the buttons.
“I can take my own shirt off, thank you. I’m not that far gone.” With a slow, methodical seriousness, Rafe fumbled with each button until she could tug the shirt free from her pants. With Rafe clad in just her bra, Ashley got to see her scar from the knife injury for the first time. Her gasp caused Rafe’s head to jerk up and she wobbled a little as her balance shifted. “Whoa, head rush,” she moaned and sat on the side of the bed.
Ashley couldn’t help herself. She touched the vicious looking wound that was healing but still stood out painfully vivid against Rafe’s pale skin. “Shouldn’t this still be bandaged?”
“It itched, so I pulled it off.”
Ashley tried not to shake her head at Rafe’s obstinate reply. She ran her finger over the length of the scar.
“You can’t heal that. He used his knife for it.” Rafe looked down at her side dispassionately. “No demon poison in there, just a fucking huge knife wound.” She began pulling at her socks. “I hope he rots in hell.”
Ashley knelt to assist Rafe. “He will.”
“Did you know he was here?”
“No, he wasn’t showing up on our radar yet. It looks like you found him first.”
“Lucky me.” Rafe fell back on the bed, then scrambled up the sheets while Ashley tugged off her pants. “I can’t have beer again for a while,” she said as she burrowed under the covers.
“You might want to take your bra off,” Ashley said. Rafe fumbled under the covers, then threw the offending item over onto a chair. Ashley was charmed by Rafe’s obvious modesty. “I’m going to sit with you for a while to make sure you’re okay.”
“Okay,” Rafe mumbled, already sinking. “Thank you.” She turned her head to gaze at Ashley. “Don’t let Trinity smother you on the couch. If she sees you lying down, she believes you’re fair game to be laid on.”
“I’ll consider myself warned.”
“Blythe gave her to me.”
“Did she now?” Ashley wondered if she should be jealous over the brilliant profiler who obviously had a personal connection with Rafe.
“She said she didn’t want me coming home to an empty house every night.”
“That was very sweet of her.”
“She’s a good girl. She needs a good woman to look after her. Take her mind off all the bad things she sees.”
“And what about you, Rafe?”
“I’ve seen worse things. Things that I don’t think will ever be erased from my mind. I’ve seen demons, Sparky, out in the world, living among us.”
Ashley ran her hand over the stubble of Rafe’s hair; it was soft under her palm. “Get some sleep now. I’ll be right here if you need me.”
“What if Eli needs you?”
“He knows where I am if he does. Don’t worry about anything. Just sleep.” Rafe turned over and was pretty much asleep within seconds. Ashley held up the bottle of painkillers she’d slipped from Rafe’s jacket. She grimaced as she realized how lucky Rafe was that she hadn’t been out on a job alone carelessly taking medication of that strength. You really are the most stubborn woman I have ever met, she thought, laying the pills down on the small bedside table and watching Rafe sleep. You need so
meone to look after you too, whether you think you need it or not. She bent forward to check that Rafe was still breathing. She slipped her shoes off and placed her jacket over a chair. Slowly, so as not to disturb her, Ashley snuggled down on the bed to listen to the steady breathing coming from Rafe under the sheets. She felt the bed shift as Trinity jumped up and strode purposely up Ashley’s body to settle in between them. Ashley rubbed at the cat’s ears affectionately, enjoying the contented purr that rumbled through her furry chest.
“You’re easy to please,” Ashley whispered, settling back against a pillow and basking in the luxury of being on a comfortable bed with two warm bodies keeping her company. “Ahh, Rafe. You don’t know what you’re missing out on tonight.” She pulled up the sheet over a shoulder that had escaped from under the covers. Ashley moved a little closer, breathing in Rafe’s unique scent from her naked skin and relishing the intimacy of snuggling on her sheets. She peered at the cat asleep between them, half of her furry body draped over Ashley’s stomach. “Guess I’m not using that couch any time soon.” She wasn’t exactly disappointed as she settled in to watch over Rafe.
Chapter Thirteen
Rafe opened an eye cautiously when she realized there was someone other than the usual feline sharing her bed. She squinted at the clock beside her bed. It read 6:05 a.m. She cautiously ran her tongue over her teeth, tasting the remnants of the previous night’s beer. She turned her head on the pillow and came face-to-face with Ashley, who was leaning up on an elbow watching her.
“You do realize how creepy that is, right?” Rafe’s voice was scratchy. Ashley just smiled at her.
“I’ve been keeping watch over you to make sure you didn’t suffer any ill effects from mixing medication with alcohol.”
Rafe groaned softly as her stupidity came back to her. “I still can’t believe I did that. I’m sorry you got stuck baby-sitting someone who should know better.”
“That’s okay. It’s had its perks.” She lowered her gaze and Rafe looked down too. The sheets had slipped sometime during the morning and her naked breasts were now exposed. Rafe figured it was way too late to cover up and instead tried to brazen it out.
“You can’t begin to know how much I’d like to kiss you senseless right now, but you have beer breath, and at the moment, that ranks right up there with the tuna kibble breath your cat shared with me all night.”
Rafe laughed and surreptitiously slid a hand under the sheets to make sure she still had her boxers on. Relieved they were in place, she eased herself out of bed. The floor held steady beneath her feet. With her back to Ashley, Rafe stared at the carpet, searching desperately for the right thing to say. She’d been surprised by the desire that lit up Ashley’s eyes. She was even more astounded to realize it was directed at her.
“Then I am really sorry that I imbibed too much last night,” was all she could honestly say. Rafe gathered up clean clothing out of her dresser, holding it to her modestly. “I need a shower, then maybe I can try to redeem myself in your eyes.”
Ashley slid off the bed and walked toward her, her gait deliberately sensuous. Rafe was captivated by the sight. Ashley moved nearer, stilling Rafe’s nervous hands.
“You have nothing to redeem. You do have to promise me you’ll start taking better care of yourself.”
“The doctors warned me to be careful with the meds, but I was only listening with one ear. I just wanted to leave the hospital so bad. I slipped up. I won’t again.” Rafe pulled a pair of socks from a drawer. “Am I right in remembering us talking about the presence of angels last night?”
“That’s pretty much when you started knocking the beer back,” Ashley said.
“Damn, I’d so hoped that was part of the alcohol talking.”
“I’m sorry. I just keep piling on the unbelievable for you to carry, don’t I?”
“Are there any more secrets left? If there are, I really don’t think I can cope with them before a cup of coffee.”
Ashley shook her head. “I think you’ve reached your allotted quota of ‘angels and demons news flashes’ for now.” She plucked at her shirt. “I need a shower too. Do you think I can borrow something of yours to wear? I believe your cat drooled on me sometime during the night.”
“I’ve got plenty if you don’t mind tucking it in or rolling up the sleeves. I’ll get you a clean towel and then I’ll make you breakfast to hopefully make up for my appalling lack of manners last night.”
“You have nothing to apologize for. You’re incredibly sweet when under the influence, be it devil’s poison, alcohol, or medication.” Ashley appeared to think this over. “Actually, you’re a lot easier to handle then too. I might have to remember that.”
“I’ll try to be nicer without the assistance of mind-altering substances, if that’s all right with you. I need to keep all my wits about me around you as it is.”
“Do I make you nervous, Rafe?” Ashley ran a finger along Rafe’s naked forearm.
“You make me crazy to start off with, but then crazy in other ways too.”
“What kind of other ways?”
“The kind that make me wish I had sweeter breath and that I wasn’t the only one half-naked.” She deliberately took a step back. “And that we aren’t due in the DDU in just over an hour.”
“I like that kind of crazy you speak of. I’ve felt it too since the moment I saw you and you saw right through to me.” She shook her head. “Damn work,” she grumbled. “Go shower and use plenty of mouthwash. I at least want my kiss when you’re done if we can’t call in late.”
“You do realize that fraternization is frowned upon at the department?”
“I’m not on your payroll, Detective, so you can fraternize with me any way you want to.”
Rafe groaned at the heat that stirred at Ashley’s seductive tone. “Damn it, now I need a cold shower.” She pushed past Ashley in haste, feeling their bodies touch as Ashley refused to budge.
“Tell me about it,” Ashley said loud enough for Rafe to hear before she shut the door behind her.
*
Rafe shook the cereal box experimentally and was relieved to hear a remarkable quantity of flakes rattle around inside. She looked down at Trinity, who was winding herself around her legs in a bid for attention. “I’ve fed you already. Quit fussing.” Rafe checked on the state of the last carton of milk in her fridge. It was still fresh, so she placed it on the table too. She stared for a moment at the two bowls, two spoons, milk, and cereal laid out on the kitchen table. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had someone who’d stayed long enough for breakfast after. Usually she was steering them out the door once they were clothed. She moved the cereal box a little to the right, wondering if it would be enough.
“You’re muttering to yourself.” Ashley entered the kitchen with her hair still damp and curling at the edges. She ran a hand down her front, smoothing the borrowed shirt. “Thank you for this.”
Rafe couldn’t take her eyes off Ashley’s cleanly scrubbed face. Though she was aware Ashley wore the minimum of makeup, seeing her without it made her look even younger. Rafe gestured to the table. “I prepared breakfast.”
Ashley snorted. “You laid out cereal. That’s not the same as preparing it, Detective.”
Undeterred, Rafe pulled back a chair for her. “Semantics, Sparky. Hope you like your flakes frosted.” She was surprised when a small hand reached for her neck and pulled her head down.
“I want that morning kiss you promised,” Ashley whispered against Rafe’s lips.
Rafe complied without hesitation. Ashley’s lips were soft beneath hers, full and moist. Rafe explored every inch before teasing her tongue inside to taste, then retreat, then push inside again. She pulled Ashley to her, startled by how well they fit together. Ashley’s full breasts nestled against her own, hip fit to hip for all the difference in their heights. Ashley pulled Rafe’s shirt out from her pants and Rafe jerked at the heat from her hands as she touched her. Reluctantly having to draw breath,
Rafe pulled back and rested her forehead against Ashley’s.
“About last night—” she began, but Ashley cut her off with a finger placed upon her lips.
“Enough already.”
“No, I need to know what happened. I remember figuring out Eli’s angelic status, and I think I ate dessert, but after that all I remember are snatches of stuff, and I really need you to fill in the blanks for me.”
“We shared a large piece of chocolate gateau, but by then you’d started to get very sleepy. I noticed your speech going first and then your eyes just started to droop. So I paid the bill and helped you walk home.”
Rafe groaned. “You paid? It was supposed to be my treat.”
“I didn’t know how to charge it to your card, otherwise I would have.” Ashley grinned up at her.
“Fuck, I can’t even do a date without messing it up.” Rafe tried to pull back, but Ashley held on to her.
“Our next date won’t have you scarfing down multiple painkillers with a Budweiser chaser. And the conversation won’t be about work, angels, demons, or anything else inflammatory.”
Rafe sighed and lowered her chin to rest it on top of Ashley’s head. “Did I say or do anything stupid?”
“No more than usual,” Ashley said. “You asked me my favorite film. That’s a first date question, so you aced that.”
Rafe racked her brain for the answer, then relaxed a little. “Kate Winslet.”
“You remembered.” Ashley hugged her in delight.
“I remember asking why Eli didn’t save the passengers.” Rafe grimaced as bits and pieces of the night filtered through her brain. “And you gave me the free will speech.”
“It’s what makes us human, Rafe. Free will, the choice to screw up should we wish to.”
“I sure screwed up last night.” Rafe was acutely embarrassed and disgusted with herself. Her behavior was not how she wanted Ashley to see her.
“You were exhausted. You’re barely back behind your desk, and you’re still getting used to your medication. Will you stop beating yourself up about it and get back to kissing me!”