by Lesley Davis
“I don’t want you grumpy. I’m just taking you to your home to eat, seeing as you have decided my perfectly functional apartment is beneath you.”
“Your apartment is in the middle of a demon-infested hellhole. It’s not somewhere that helps me relax when there’s so much activity going on.” Rafe wrapped an arm around Ashley’s shoulder, wishing she could just whisk both of them away from anywhere connected to demons.
“And you’ve got undercover narcotic cops watching the street corner for the guys we saw last night, haven’t you?”
Rafe stiffened at the accusation. “Shit,” she ground out. “Does nothing escape you?”
“I’m getting to know you too well, Detective Douglas, for whom duty comes first and foremost,” Ashley said with a smile. “And I got a message from Eli saying we had lots of new faces in the area trying to blend in. Humans do tend to stick out there.”
“So much for them being inconspicuous.” Rafe tugged on a piece of hair at the nape of Ashley’s neck. “Are you angry?”
Ashley shook her head. “No, it means I get to meet Trinity again, and I’m not so stupid that I don’t appreciate a nice home over the place I sleep in.”
As they walked down her street, Rafe looked at her house with fresh eyes. She’d taken it for granted for many years. It was a place to come back to after work to sleep in, feed her cat in, to just exist in before she went back out to work. Now, with Ashley beside her, it felt so much better to go back to.
“It feels like a home when you’re in it,” Rafe said, surprising herself when the words came tumbling out. Ashley looked up at her silently. “Well, it does. It’s the darndest thing. I can’t explain it.”
“Life just keeps surprising you at every turn, doesn’t it, Rafe?”
Rafe could hear the amusement in Ashley’s voice but just handed her the house keys and had Ashley let them inside. “Here kitty kitty,” she crooned down the hallway. Trinity came running, her answering meows loud and obviously joyous. Rafe picked her up, petting her fur and rubbing behind her ears.
“Now that’s a welcome home.” Ashley stroked the cat’s head. “I wonder if I could get Eli to try it?”
“He’s more winged than furred. Trinity would think he was a bird to be chased.” Rafe grinned at the thought. “Wouldn’t that be something to find left as a gift for me?” She let the cat down and helped Ashley out of her leather jacket. She hung it up along with her own. Rafe scratched her head blissfully after removing her hat. “The sooner this starts growing out, the better.”
“It’s going to be interesting seeing what your hair really looks like.” Ashley ran her palm over Rafe’s head. “Not that you don’t look gorgeous like this.”
“I look like someone I’d arrest.”
“Your bruises are fading.” Ashley touched at Rafe’s face gently. “You’re going to totally break my heart with how handsome you are when you are all healed.”
Rafe captured Ashley’s wandering hand and pressed the palm to her cheek. “Don’t say that. I don’t ever want to hurt you.”
“I just meant you’re going to be even more beautiful.”
“You’re the beautiful one.” Pressing her lips to Ashley’s palm, Rafe fell into the fathomless blue of her eyes. She was only brought out of her spell by Trinity head-butting her leg. She looked down to where the cat was weaving her way through their legs, grumbling in a plaintive voice.
“Guess someone is feeling left out.” Ashley chuckled. “Maybe we should get the food ready and leave this conversation for later.” She stepped back from Rafe. “Besides, you need something other than the standard cop diet of doughnuts.”
“You got me a sandwich for lunch,” Rafe said, recalling the amusement of her colleagues when Ashley had taken their orders and told them, “If you eat, she’ll eat.”
“And now I’m fixing you pasta.” Ashley held up the bag of groceries she’d refused to let Rafe carry from the little corner shop a block away from Rafe’s home. “You sit,” she ordered and pushed Rafe in the direction of the couch, then handed her the TV remote. “Channel surf and stay away from the news channel or else.”
Instead, Rafe craned her neck to try to watch Ashley start puttering around the kitchen. “There’ll come a time where you won’t be waiting on me,” Rafe said.
“Good, then you can show me how good you are at fixing stuff other than cereal.”
“I hope you’re partial to cat food.” She warmed to the sound of Ashley’s laughter. She slipped her shoes off and pushed them under the coffee table, then rested her sock-covered feet on top. Clicking between the channels, Rafe listened to the running commentary going on in the kitchen between Ashley and the cat.
“You know, I think you’ve fed that cat more than I have the past few days.”
“I like it. She doesn’t complain about the menu.”
Rafe finally stayed on one channel. She settled in against the seat cushions and tried to relax.
“Dr. Alan was particularly cooperative today,” she said.
“No shop talk,” was shouted back.
“I’m just thinking. It was funny when he called you a witch.” Rafe grinned. That comment had tickled her though she’d tried not to show it in the morgue.
“Good thing he doesn’t know the half of it.”
“I wonder how many demon bodies he’s had on his slab and just never had a clue.”
“Rafe, I’m going to feed your pasta to Trinity if you don’t find something else to talk about.”
Rafe stayed silent for a moment. She wasn’t used to having someone she could talk to about work, or anything. Actually, now that she thought about it, she wasn’t used to having someone to talk to period. She tried to watch the TV, but it was just a blur of motion before her eyes.
“Good grief, don’t tell me you can’t hold a civilized conversation?” Ashley said from the kitchen.
“I’ve already found out what your favorite film is. That’s about as far as my repertoire goes.” She could hear Ashley laughing at her but took it in good part. She was more aware than anyone of her own shortcomings.
“You’re a hopeless case.” Ashley walked into the room carrying a glass and handed it over to Rafe. “No booze for you. I still don’t trust you with it.”
“One mess-up,” Rafe grumbled, accepting the soda and drinking from it thirstily. Had she drunk anything today other than coffee? She guzzled nearly half the glass away.
Ashley was watching what was playing on the TV. “You’re watching V?”
Rafe had to look at the screen to check. “It would appear so.”
“You can watch a show that portrays aliens living amongst us, but you quibble at there being demons actually walking the Earth?”
“I’m trying to be more open-minded, but there isn’t exactly a support group for demonophobics.”
Laughing, Ashley grabbed Rafe’s head in her hands and kissed her soundly. “I love your sense of humor. You’re so freaking funny!”
Rafe watched her disappear back into the kitchen. “But I wasn’t joking,” she said. She turned her attention back toward the show and watched as the alien leader furthered her plot against the human race. Us against them, she mused, but cheered up when a familiar blond character came onscreen brandishing her gun. And the heroic female cop rides in to save us all. She tipped her glass to the screen in a toast. Here’s to those who carry the badge and fight to protect and serve against all evildoers. She only hoped she could be strong enough to face what lay ahead in her own future.
*
Sprawled out on the couch, snuggled up against Rafe’s side, Ashley savored how perfect the moment was. For one so hell-bent on rushing headfirst into everything, she brings a calm to my life like I’ve never experienced before. She slipped her fingers over Rafe’s stomach and pushed past the soft cotton shirt to find warm skin beneath. She caressed it, thrilling to the strength of muscle twitching beneath her touch.
“You keep that up and I’ll be purring almost as
loud as Trinity,” Rafe said lazily, running her fingers through Ashley’s hair. They both looked over at the cat curled up in front of the fire, her purrs vibrating through the air.
“That’s one happy cat,” Ashley said. “Of course, it might have been the pasta sauce I added to her kibble.”
“I hope she doesn’t expect that every day now.” Rafe tugged at Ashley’s hair gently in reprimand.
Ashley reached up to nuzzle Rafe’s neck. Rafe tilted her head to give her easier access, apparently more than willing to let Ashley do whatever she wished. Ashley took full advantage of that, spreading kisses from Rafe’s chin up to the soft spot behind her ear. Rafe jumped a little as Ashley teased her by nipping at her earlobe and then sucking it between her lips.
“Ashley,” Rafe rumbled as Ashley kissed a path across her cheek.
“Have we waited long enough for me to have my wicked way with you?” She breathed the words into Rafe’s ear and felt a shudder vibrate through Rafe’s body. She let out a squeal of surprise when Rafe suddenly moved from under her and was on her feet as swiftly as her body would allow. She reached for Ashley’s hand and pulled her up from the couch. Rafe led her up the stairs, switching off lights as she went. The lamp beside the bed was switched on and Rafe turned to pin Ashley with serious eyes.
“Last chance to bail.”
Ashley shook her head. “I’m not going anywhere without you right beside me.”
Rafe pushed Ashley down on the bed and climbed over her. Ashley gasped as the weight of Rafe’s body pinned her to the mattress. She barely had a chance to delight in it before Rafe’s mouth covered hers and kissed any comment from her lips. She clung to Rafe’s back and dug her nails in at the pleasure Rafe wrought from her. Ashley tugged at Rafe’s shirt, trying to pull it free from her pants until Rafe stopped her kisses and reared up. Rafe straddled Ashley’s hips and slowly, deliberately, began to unfasten each button. Ashley had to force herself not to reach up and rip the shirt off with her bare hands. Unable to help herself, she groaned as flesh was revealed inch by tantalizing inch.
“I knew you’d be passionate,” Ashley said, hooking a finger through Rafe’s belt and pulling it free.
“Thought about it much, have you?” Rafe tossed her shirt aside.
“All the time since that day you barged into my apartment and told me to stay out of your investigation. Seeing you so fired up like that made me incredibly wet.”
Rafe halted in removing her bra. “You were pissing me off,” she said before undoing the last catch and baring her chest. Ashley let out an appreciative moan at the sight.
“And you were turning me on,” she replied, her hands instantly on the exposed flesh, gliding up from Rafe’s stomach to rest between her breasts. Her fingers itched to capture the hard nipples that crowned Rafe’s chest, to see how long it would take to break Rafe’s composure.
Rafe pulled Ashley up and unfastened her shirt and bra with quick, efficient hands. She pushed her back down and Ashley let her, intrigued by the serious look of determination written on Rafe’s handsome face. She found it decidedly sexy. Rafe divested herself of her pants and underwear. She then stripped Ashley naked and was back in her arms.
They both released moans at the first feel of nothing but naked skin between them. Ashley’s hands were captured and put above her head, held in place by Rafe’s left hand. With her free hand, Rafe brushed down Ashley’s body and cupped her breast to bring the hard nipple up to her lips. Arching her back, Ashley tried to press more of herself into Rafe’s hot mouth. Her hips bucked as Rafe sucked her in deep, then licked hard across the thickened tip. Rafe alternated between sucking and licking first one breast, then the other to afford it the same pleasure.
Sharp electricity jolts flooded from Ashley’s nipples straight to her sex. Desperate for relief, she shifted her leg and Rafe’s thigh pressed in between, adding pressure to her already swollen mound. Ashley’s hips undulated as she began to smear her wetness on Rafe’s thigh. Rafe pulled back, making Ashley moan in desperation.
“You are not getting yourself off, Sparky.” Rafe nipped at a breast, tearing a gasp from Ashley’s throat. She let go of Ashley’s hands, levering herself upright to capture both of Ashley’s breasts in her palms. Caressing them, chafing her thumbs over reddened tips, Rafe rubbed herself on Ashley’s stomach. Ashley could feel her wetness coating her skin.
“Oh God, you’ve got to let me have you,” Ashley moaned, grabbing onto Rafe’s hips and urging her on as Rafe rode her in a lazy rhythm. Ashley couldn’t take her eyes off Rafe’s face as her desire was so blatant there, so unabashed and so beautiful. Ashley didn’t know which was more distracting, Rafe’s hands molding her breasts or the feel of Rafe’s swollen sex smearing wetness all over her skin. She shifted her hand between Rafe’s legs but was only afforded a brief stroke through hot silk before Rafe slipped from her grasp.
A bruising kiss silenced Ashley’s complaint, then Rafe’s tongue flicked its way down her body in a maddening trail. She teased over Ashley’s breasts, down her stomach, and dipped into Ashley’s belly button to tease before going lower. Mindful of Rafe’s injuries, Ashley had to stop herself from grabbing Rafe’s head and forcing her to where she needed her the most. She cursed the fact Rafe’s hair wasn’t even long enough for her to pull on to direct her to where she wanted that teasing tongue to rest. Without preamble, Rafe slid a finger deep inside Ashley’s wetness. Ashley’s back came off the bed as she bowed to Rafe’s strength.
“Oh my God,” she groaned, her breath catching as Rafe eased out again, then pressed in deeper. “Yes, like that, exactly like that.” She knew she was soaked inside. Rafe had no problem sliding in. Two fingers pressed for entry and Ashley sensed Rafe’s hesitation. “Do it,” she said, grabbing Rafe’s arm and urging her on. Her insides clenched around the intrusion, welcoming Rafe home as she built up a delicious friction that threatened to make Ashley scream. Firm lips closed around Ashley’s clitoris and Ashley gasped. “Oh do it, suck me in,” she begged, all but mindless as the sensations Rafe brought to her body threatened to overwhelm her.
Rafe speeded up her thrusts, timing them to each roll of Ashley’s hips. Ashley’s hand pressed on top of Rafe’s head, pinning her in place, all the time scraping her palm over the short, stubbly hair for comfort. Rafe licked Ashley’s sensitive bundle of nerves, then blew on it. Ashley’s moans began to escape as keening wails.
“You’re driving me insane. Fuck me,” she pleaded, pulling roughly at her own nipple and blindly letting her body follow every move Rafe desired from it. The rough friction of Rafe’s fingers buried deep inside her and the constant worrying of her clitoris by a talented tongue caused an explosion to cascade through Ashley’s body like no other had ever brought her. She let out a scream and came in a series of violent waves that burst through her like a volcanic eruption. Her body shook and pulsed and she spilled her pleasure all over Rafe’s hand. Ashley lay stunned and shaken, her body twitching with shock waves. “My God, Rafe, what did you just do to me?” she managed to whisper, tears stinging her eyes, then rolling unchecked down her cheek.
Rafe looked decidedly pleased with herself. She gently removed her fingers from within Ashley and studied the thick moisture on them. “I’d say I fucked you senseless,” she said smugly.
“And how do you come to that conclusion, Detective?” Ashley watched Rafe lick at her fingers. A groan rumbled from her chest at the erotic sight and her insides clenched at how sexy Rafe looked, flushed and sweaty from her exertion and self-satisfied as only a good lover should be.
“I have examined the evidence. It never lies.” Rafe gently kissed Ashley’s clitoris. The soft pressure made Ashley twitch again as a series of tingles shot through her from Rafe’s intimate kiss.
“Come up here and hold me.” Ashley pulled weakly at Rafe’s shoulder. Rafe gathered Ashley in her arms and cradled her while Ashley tried to recover her senses. “You are amazing.” She snuggled into Rafe’s breast and breathed in deeply of
her unique scent. I’ve found my home at last in her arms, she thought, burrowing in and rubbing her face against Rafe’s warm skin. I’ve found my One. Her face pressed against Rafe’s skin, Ashley could feel the soft tremors that made Rafe’s body quiver beneath her. Recognizing unreleased passion, Ashley smiled to herself and shifted her head just enough to be able to rub her cheek over Rafe’s right nipple. The answering catch in Rafe’s breath told Ashley all she needed to know. She lifted her head to meet the dark eyes staring right back at her. Her strong features, austere in desire, took Ashley’s breath away.
“You are so damn beautiful.” Ashley breathed her words across Rafe’s breast, flicking her tongue out to taste and tease.
“That should be my line.” Rafe’s voice was strained as Ashley’s tongue ran over her nipple roughly.
Ashley took Rafe’s reddened tip into her mouth. She sucked at the hard nub, then flicked at it with her tongue, loving the sound that was forced from Rafe’s throat. Rafe’s hands ran agitatedly through Ashley’s hair, then clenched at her shoulders, urging her on. “Lie back, sweetheart,” Ashley whispered and followed Rafe down. Once settled onto her side, Ashley continued her play across Rafe’s breasts. They were smaller than hers, firm yet soft, with nipples thickening at every touch of Ashley’s lips. She ran her fingernails across Rafe’s chest, down the flat stomach, watching fine tremors erupt in their wake.
She made sure to brush carefully around the wound that stood out starkly on Rafe’s otherwise perfect body. Ashley laid a kiss beside it. She moved again and settled herself between Rafe’s legs, and both of them groaned as their mounds met. Rafe bumped against her, seeking further pressure. Ashley held back enough to drive Rafe crazy. She saw the light dawn in Rafe’s eyes when she realized Ashley’s intent was to tantalize.
“Don’t you fucking tease me now,” Rafe pleaded desperately.
Ashley just grinned as Rafe bucked her hips, aching to be touched. “I’m going to have you slowly but surely. I’ve been waiting forever to be in this position. I am not rushing it.”