Blood Ties

by Josephine Barly

  I’ve got no idea of how much time went by.

  Jared moved his mouth slowly to my forehead and planted a short sweet kiss there. I opened my eyes and smiled. For whatever length of time the kiss had been, my mind had managed to avert all thoughts that could mess me, and I was awed that something as simple as a kiss had eased me of my troubles.

  “Where are we?” I whispered, smiling, feeling shy.

  “Overton Park; it’s always been a favorite of mine,” Jared answered, his voice hoarse. “Let’s walk,” he added as he held my hand in his and at a slow pace pulled me forward.

  We made our way, our bodies close to each other, without speaking. The sun shone brightly in our faces, casting a warm feeling that contrasted with the winter chill.

  We had hotdogs, enjoyed the peace that was almost palpable at Overton Park, finally deciding to return to our lives when the sun started to retreat.

  Jared received a phone call from Aidan as he drove, so we swapped places and he rode on the passenger seat. I could tell Jared was being informed about Kelly and Noel’s situation because they were named a few times. I was surprised to hear my name mentioned, but I decided I’d wait until we got home to ask what was going on.

  “What did Aidan tell you?” I asked once we were sitting in the living-room; Jared’s conversation had lasted almost an hour.

  “Violet is going to offer both of them twenty years in jail, with no parole until the fifteenth year, though she’s considering making his deal a bit stricter. Bearing in mind there were three victims, plus Noel’s drug uses, plus Kelly’s attempt against you, it’s a very generous offer.”

  “Do you think they’ll take it? Steven said it would probably be best, even before knowing what the offer would be. I guess my fame-seeking sister and alcoholic jobless brother won’t gain the court’s sympathy, and Steven knows it.”

  “I guess so, Sam.”

  “Was that all?”

  “No. Aidan was finally able to pull security videos from Sandra’s hit and run. The car was the same that tried to run you over. Unfortunately, there are no clear images of the driver, but considering the fact that Kelly has no solid alibi, it could have been her.”

  “Can’t the person who rented the car confirm this suspicion?”

  “The person is being called in, but the woman in question wore a wig and glasses, a perfect recognition is not that probable.”

  “Shit. Jared, this is awful. My mom will have a heart attack or will completely freak out. This sucks.”

  “I know Sam, and I’m sorry, but the evidence is pretty consistent. Noel was interrogated by Aidan and Violet, with Steven by his side, and he’s confessed to the drug charges and has made it perfectly clear he has no alibi for the night of Susan’s murder and has no way of confirming he didn’t kill Olivia. He was asked about Kelly, and he stated she’s been the organizer in his schemes. Noel basically confessed and tied Kelly to all the crimes.”

  “That I didn’t expect. Is that all or is there more stuff going on?”

  “Not really, just that the cases will be closed now. The guilty criminals have been found and now they’re going to talk things over with Violet, but that’s it. No more investigations, no more searches, no more protection.”

  “Oh,” was all I could say, understanding what Jared implied.

  Many mixed feelings and thoughts crossed my mind. I was glad the investigations were solved, but I wasn’t pleased with the outcome. I was relieved my life wasn’t in jeopardy any more, but I didn’t like the prospect of not having Jared around. I’d grown used to his presence over the past weeks.

  “Yes, I’ll be moving out tonight,” Jared said, interrupting my thoughts and answering an unspoken question.

  I nodded and faked a smile. I was supposed to be happy, or at least mildly comforted by the knowledge that the nightmare was over.

  “I’ve got some work I need to do, I’ll just leave you to get your things ready and I’ll come back later, okay?” I said as I left the living-room and went straight to my study.

  Of course I didn’t work. I didn’t even pretend to take Mark’s manuscript out of my bag. I sat behind the desk, letting my mind wander aimlessly. Even though everything was explained, it simply felt fucked up. I couldn’t wrap my head around the situation. Yes, there was evidence. Yes, Noel had confessed. Yes, Jared would be gone and I’d be safe.

  I was unsure as to how I’d move on. I mean, if I dated again and I talked about my family, I’d sound like a cursed human being. But I didn’t want to date. Actually, I didn’t want to date anyone who wasn’t Jared Davies. But the timing was simply awful. I sincerely doubted he’d go ahead with his promise of dating me once the investigations had ended. Knowing my family could be a serious turn-off. I wasn’t even sure I wanted to go out with him immediately, but I certainly wanted to do it sometime in the future. In the near future.

  The mere fact that I was so focused on my love life / lack of a love life / fake love life made me feel guilty due to the realization that I was giving so little thought to my familiar situation. My priorities weren’t that good. Maybe I’d become so disappointed by my siblings, I just couldn’t make myself care.

  Thoughtful as I was, I didn’t hear Jared’s knock on the door; only when he was standing under the doorframe I noticed him. He looked at me expectantly and I raised my eyebrows in a silent question.

  “I’m done,” Jared said and I nodded.

  He looked around and smirked as he noticed there was no manuscript on the desk or anywhere, for that matter. He saw straight through my façade.

  I stood up and walked to the living-room. The blanket, duvet and pillow were piled up, there were no clothes lying around, no bags…It looked empty. It had never looked empty before. It also felt void. Damned Jared and his presence.

  “Do you want to stay for dinner? I can order some sushi or cook something,” I offered, attempting cheerfulness.

  “I’d love to Sam, but Aidan has a lot of work to do and I want to help him out. I’d feel guilty if he was working and I’d be enjoying not only your company, but your cooking skills as well, or delivery abilities.”

  “Oh, okay,” I said trying to hide the disappointment, doing my best to look upbeat.

  I followed Jared as he made his way to the front door; slouched, I could hear a somber tune in my head; I felt like I was marching to my death or something like it.

  Jared unlocked the door and opened it; he crossed the threshold, turned around and smiled sadly.

  “I’ll miss you, Sam.”

  “Me too, Jared,” I replied as he bent down and hugged me; I returned the embrace. “Thanks for everything.”

  “Don’t mention it. I’m glad you’re okay and that everything’s fine, or on the road to fine.”

  “Definitely. Will you stay in touch?”

  “Of course I will. Will you be careful when you go out running?”

  “I’ll certainly try,” I replied with a sad smile.

  Jared moved backwards, pressed the elevator button and stared at me. As he got into the lift, I shook my head and smiled.

  “What?” Jared asked, pressing the button that kept the doors open.

  “I knew you’d fail.”

  “Fail?”

  “Your promise. But it’s okay, I was only your cook,” I shrugged as I spoke.

  “I was only giving you time Sam, but if you think you’re up for it now,” Jared explained as he walked out of the elevator, dropped his bag on the floor, gave me a kiss that made me think I was on fire, lifted me so that I wrapped my legs around his waist and led me into my place.

  He kicked the door shut and, with our limbs tangled and our mouths merged together, we made our way to my bedroom.

  Jared dropped me on the bed and stood on the edge, looking at me, as he removed his clothes and I did the same. Naked, me, lying on the bed, Jared standing with my feet dangling by the sides of his legs, I diverted my gaze slowly through his ripped body until it focused on his, which burned wi
th need and hunger. Hunger for me. I grew moist just from his stare.

  Jared lay on the bed besides me, and even if I could tell he had the urge to plunge into me, he decided to tantalize me and drive me mad.

  He trailed my cheek with his long finger, an invisible line that ended on my lips. I wanted to move, but Jared’s intent gaze left me petrified. I felt myself get wetter with every second that went by, and my knees were weak and my whole body belonged to him.

  Jared followed the shape of my lips with his finger, and I kissed it, licked it, and he placed it in my mouth. I toyed with it, never taking my eyes off of him.

  With his other hand, he traced circles on my breast that became smaller and smaller, until he pinched my nipple and rubbed it; after hearing a short gasp from me, he moved to the other breast and repeated his actions. I closed my knees and started moving my hand towards my mound, needing some release, but he stopped me with the hand that had been playing with my breasts.

  Jared removed his finger from my mouth and followed an invisible line down my jaw, neck, between my perky breasts, down my stomach and to my core, and he slid his finger over it, finally exploring me, slowly. My eyes closed and I moved towards him, needy for more.

  His own needs growing too much, Jared plunged two more fingers into me and a small yelp exited my lips.

  “Please,” I begged, my eyes still closed, my hands grasping the bed cover.

  Grinning, Jared followed the same invisible path his finger had made with his tongue, until he kissed my mound and removed his fingers. With the other hand he played with my breasts, until he felt me getting very close to the abyss.

  Still licking me wild and adding his fingers, which ventured into me in a rapid rhythm, I was brought off the brink, and though I felt immediate satisfaction, there was still a craving within me, to feel him.

  Jared got a condom and placed it on himself, all the while still kissing my core. When he was set, he pumped me again with two fingers and played with my breasts with his other hand, and when he knew I was very close again, he pulled back, knelt between my legs and plunged into me, his moist lips sucking my breasts, my neck, my ear.

  I pulled him towards me with my legs and my hands felt every inch of his back as I felt his bulk slamming into me. He was big, but he’d prepared me well enough to be able to take him in. It was raw passion. His kisses showed his care but we were both wild with lust and a physical need of each other.

  It was a matter of seconds until I came again, screaming, and he kissed me and drowned my yell. As I convulsed I felt him shuddering on me and my orgasm prolonged because of feeling him. I blacked out for about a second and when I opened my eyes again he was grinning, holding me, and I gave him a soft kiss on the lips, which was all I could muster due to my being exhausted.

  We slept wrapped in each other’s arms.

  16

  “Is this how you wrap up all your cases?” I asked Jared as I covered myself with a blanket, smiling.

  “Of course, the more people I save, the better,” he replied seriously.

  I rolled my eyes and we laughed.

  “Why are you covering yourself Sam? Are you shy?”

  “Not at all. I just don’t want you to be tempted or think that it’s going to happen again, because it won’t.”

  “Of course it won’t, do you think I’m a gigolo or something? You only got to enjoy me once; if you want to have me again, you’ll have to do it yourself.”

  “Fine, I’ll do that.”

  “Great. Anyway, I was thinking…”

  “Yes?”

  And then Jared kissed me again and got rid of the blanket, and we got lost in each other again.

  We lurched into the kitchen when we couldn’t ignore our stomachs’ growl. Considering we were both naked, I made some sandwiches. We didn’t want to risk injuries by frying something or chopping stuff.

  “Aren’t you feeling guilty Aidan is working and you’re here, not working?” I asked, smug.

  “Not in the least. Screw Aidan. Actually, ignore that. Screw you, in five minutes.”

  “That pun was terrible,” I said through giggles, throwing a napkin at Jared’s face, which he caught.

  “I know, I’m sorry, I’m an awful poet. Will you kick me out?”

  “No; at least, not before dessert.”

  “What’s for dessert?” Jared asked, unsure if I meant anything by it.

  “Strawberries and whipped cream.”

  “Served where?”

  “Anywhere you want.”

  “Okay, we’re done with this meal then,” Jared said as he placed what little was left of his sandwich on the plate, opened the fridge, got a bowl of strawberries, the whipped cream, grabbed my hand and led me, as I laughed, to the living-room.

  “What’s going to happen now?” I asked as I tangled my fingers with Jared’s.

  We were sitting on the rug against the couch. I snuggled and Jared kissed my neck softly.

  “I’m pretty drained, lady.”

  I snorted and my body shook slightly as I giggled.

  “Don’t worry, I won’t ask for anything else tonight Jared. I’m pretty beat, too. I mean in a vaguely longer timeline.”

  “In what specific way do you mean?”

  “I don’t know…” I said in a low voice, blushing.

  “Tomorrow night I’ll take you out on our official first date. Your siblings will be offered a deal tomorrow before noon by Violet, and whether they accept it or not, their situations will evolve from there. You’ll go back to work, and life will go on. Your mom probably needs you a lot, so you’ll have to spend more time with her. Rod will be amazing for her, I can tell, but you’re Sara’s only free daughter right now. Does that answer your question?”

  “Perfectly so. And tonight…”

  “Well, it’s pointless for me to join Aidan now. Plus, it’s dark and dangerous for me to go back to his place. And I think you’ll be cold if I don’t sleep by your side.”

  I smiled sheepishly and nodded.

  “It’s exactly what I had in mind,” I admitted.

  “Great, it’s agreed then, Sam.”

  “Shall we go watch TV? In my bedroom?”

  “Let’s go,” Jared said.

  We stood up in unison and while Jared carried the empty dishes to the kitchen, I put the cushions in their place, went to my bedroom and put on underwear. I got into my bed and waited for Jared. I heard the front door open and close, and Jared entered the room carrying his bag. He put on long-johns and got into bed with me. We snuggled as we decided what to watch, but after ten minutes, we were both asleep.

  Jared’s cell phone woke us up at eight sharp. I grunted and shifted around, covering my head with my pillow. I was bound to wake up at quarter past eight, but as I hadn’t slept much, fifteen minutes could make a huge difference.

  “Hi?” Jared’s muffled voice asked.

  I tried to make out the person at the other end of the line, but I couldn’t; still, I assumed it was Aidan due to the time.

  After hanging up, Jared rolled over and threw his arms over me.

  “I hate my brother,” he growled.

  I smiled and removed the pillow from my face. Staring at Jared lying on my bed with untidy hair, so close to me, I felt great.

  “Why?” I asked smiling but guessing he’d been called to meet Aidan.

  “I need to go to the station. Aidan said something about loose ends or something. Can we just stay here, like this, for the rest of the day? I promise I’ll be good,” Jared suggested, a teasing shimmer in his eyes.

  “No matter how enticing it may sound, I’ve got to get to Mark’s book. But we can do what you’re proposing over the weekend.”

  “That sounds like fun, Sam. I’d much rather do it now than having to wait, but I guess you’re one of those responsible people, right?”

  “I try to be,” I replied as Jared pulled down the covers and gently ran his fingers down my neck, between my breasts, into my belly button, finally re
sting them on my panties. “What are you going to do with that?” I asked, my voice a whisper as heat consumed my body.

  “I was merely considering the possibility of being the smallest bit late. Is that okay by you, or will you kick me out of bed?”

  I hesitated and faked having to think about it for a few seconds; I shrugged pretending not to care what would happen and Jared took it as a hint to proceed as he wanted to.

  At ten I arrived at my office. Maggie informed me that Mark was expecting news from me, so as soon as I sat behind my desk, I called him. It took me a full fifteen minutes to ease him regarding the manuscript correction. I reassured him it would be on his desk on the following morning, so Mark let me get back to my work.

  I spent the rest of the morning focusing on the text, being careful not to overlook any mistakes.

  At noon I received a very pleasant surprise: Jared phoned me. He said he was going over the cases with Aidan, and added he doubted he’d see me that evening. My voice showed how upset I was and before my mind could go into overdrive and assume that I was being dumped, Jared made his intentions of spending the weekend with me crystal clear. I grinned like an idiot as I nodded, unaware that he couldn’t see me. We chatted for a little bit longer and then the conversation ended.

  At quarter to twelve Andrea came in, and I saw her look slightly disappointed when, after asking in a subtle manner about Jared’s whereabouts, I told her he wouldn’t be dropping by that day.

  We talked about the corrections and I showed her the final designs for the book cover the designer had sent me; we went over her sample pictures for the back cover and administrative details. Andrea was pleased, flattered and humbled by being published, so she made no dumb questions or stupid remarks. Andrea left, thrilled; I told her I’d have Maggie set up a meeting once we went to the printer’s and had an example for her approval.

  I had Maggie order me a salad; when it was delivered, I took a lunch break and relaxed for a while. At around one, I resumed Mark’s text. I managed to finish it by four, and then spent the next couple of hours making the corrections on the digital version. Once I was done, I printed it and left it on Maggie’s desk; she’d already left, but I’d told her she’d have to read it after I’d finished it.