by Gina Kincade
As she cried out, goose pimples covering her body, I entered her. My entrance smooth and full. Her juices running over me as I began a slow dance into her, allowing her a moment to catch her breath before I increased my intensity and pummeled her with the skill of a jackhammer, drilling her until she her dangling legs were swinging wildly on either side of me.
My engine roared until the release was not only necessary, but unavoidable. Her body quaked under me as I drilled into her, striking again and again, my heart threatening to expunge from my chest. It was time. I let go. My hands reached for the back of her head. My fingers raced through her sweet-scented hair. I yanked as my body exploded, spilling ounces of pleasure into her welcoming folds.
When my words were no longer stunted by gasps for air, I asked, “Are you okay?”
Her hair covering her face, Delilah spoke in between deep breaths, “Strangely, I feel safer now.”
Yes, she was. She was safe and I was going to do everything in my power to make sure she stayed that way.
Chapter Seven – Delilah
“Did you also happen to climb a mountain or travel around the world on your days off?” Amber joked. “I’m proud of you, and glad you’re okay. Really glad you’re okay.” She hugged me.
I couldn’t believe it myself. “No, no mountain climbing for me. I think I’ve had enough excitement to last a lifetime. But, I’ll tell you what, I did manage to learn quite a bit about myself. I now know I don’t do well under pressure -- outside of the hospital -- and I like manicotti a lot more than I thought I did. I also learned I am capable of having a physical relationship with a man without being self-conscious. I call that a win.”
She held the door to the break room open for me. “Is that what he made for you? Was it from scratch or frozen?” Out of all that, she chose to focus on what I ate? Figures!
Amber’s wink made me feel better. I knew she was kidding with me. She wasn’t interested in how he prepared the meal. She was more concerned with what happened after we ate a delicious meal.
“He’s really not a bad guy after all. Not like I thought he’d be. He’s actually kind of funny. And, so smart. Did you know he graduated at the top of his class in law school?” I was a little embarrassed by how excited I sounded about what I’d learned about Reese.
“Ugh! This coffee is awful. Don’t drink it.” She poured the stale coffee down the sink drain and started a fresh pot for us. “I knew you liked him.”
“No, I don’t. Who said that? All I said was that he was a nice guy. I never said anything about liking or not liking him, did I?”
“You didn’t have to,” she said, grinning at me. “Sleeping with him kind of sealed that door shut for you or open in your case.”
We locked eyes, each daring the other to laugh first.
I finally broke the silence between us. “Okay, I’ll admit, I think he’s interesting. That’s it. Done deal. Anyway, I was just glad he had time to sit with me. I was a mess. Sometimes, living alone can be difficult, especially when some creep in a suit invades your space. I don’t know how I would have gotten through without Reese there with me.”
Her eyes turned to tiny slits when she scrunched up her nose in the way only she could. “You’re full of crap, darling. Try that nonsense with someone else.”
I took a deep, cleansing breath to clear my head before I said something I wouldn’t be able to explain away with a joke or slight at her expense. “Unlike some people, I don’t need a man in my life to feel fulfilled. I’m my own woman. I might not be the best woman, but I think I do all right.”
“Ha!” she snorted. “You’re rolled up tighter than a wad of bills in my selfish ex-husband’s back pocket. Why can’t you admit that part of you -- the lower part -- is at least partially human? Why is that so hard for you?”
We’d had this exact conversation too many times over the years. I knew how it ended, and if she’d stop squinting her eyes at me, she’d do well to remember too. She wasn’t going to win this one with me. I wasn’t one to give up and admit defeat so quickly. “I’m all human. You can’t hold that against me. I don’t need to be involved with anyone. Relationships are too complicated. Trust me, I know. Been there. Done that. Never want to go back.”
She shook her head. “Not even your near death experience helped you change your mind? You’re impossible. It’s probably for the best, though. That sexy hunk of a man doesn’t need your kind of crazy in his life either. Besides, he looks like the kind of man who enjoys the other F word you won’t be enjoying anytime soon.”
I rolled my eyes. “The other F word?”
“Yep, fun. F - u - n. You don’t know anything about that, do you?” She stuck her tongue out at me. “Anyway, I need to go see what’s on tap for me tonight. Who knows; maybe, a handsome attorney will land in my lap before the night is over.”
I ignored the jab. There was no winning with her. “I’ll be out there in a minute. I want to call the police station and see how my case is going.”
“Good luck.” She walked out, leaving me alone in the room.
As the door closed, I exhaled a gush of air. The truth was, my nerves were still on edge. I was fine when Reese was with me at my place, but the moment he left, my world became hollow. I don’t know if that was because I missed him or because I missed my old life -- the life I had before Dr. Isaac Brook showed up in my E.R.
“Are you okay?” Amber poked her head back in the room. “Did you fall asleep in here?”
I startled, unaware how much time had passed. “I’m awake. I was working,” I said, pretending to read something on my phone.
“No, you’re not. I’ve walked past here three times and each time you were in some sort of trance. You don’t have to do this. Just say the word and I’ll do whatever you need me to do. Seriously,” she said.
“I’m fine,” I lied. “I can do this. Let me drink another cup of coffee before I head out there.” I forced myself to my feet and walked over to the coffee pot to pour myself another cup.
Amber watched me with sympathy in her eyes.
“Don’t do that. I’m fine.” I took a sip of the coffee. “Get to work before the nurses flip out because they can’t find you.”
She turned to leave again.
“Thank you, by the way,” I whispered.
“Don’t thank me. Thank him.” She opened the door wider. “Your boyfriend is here.”
My heart stopped.
“Hi, beautiful,” Reese said.
“What are you doing here?” I couldn’t believe my eyes. When we’d parted, he said he had several business matters to attend to and wasn’t sure he’d be available for a couple of days.
He looked at Amber with a polite smile. “I hoped I’d be able to chat with you for a second. Are you busy, Delilah… I mean, Dr. Moreno?”
Still afraid of seeming too eager, I asked, “Why didn’t you just call me?”
His smile faded. “I think we should speak face-to-face. It’s about what happened to Dr. Brooks. There’s something I think you should know.”
Chapter Eight – Reese
I had orders. I followed the rules. That’s what I was trained to do. It’s what I thrived on. But, this -- this was something altogether different. Wrong on so many levels. I couldn’t continue to be a part of it knowing someone’s life had been taken. And, I couldn’t in good faith sit and watch them try to destroy Delilah and her reputation in the process.
“Do you have something for me yet?” Stephen almost never knocked before entering a room. He walked around with an air of entitlement and a long-standing love affair with rage and greed.
I lifted my head out of my hands. “I’m working on it, but what is it you think I’m going to be able to accomplish? The damage has already been done. We can’t undo it now.” I was too annoyed with him and the entire situation to even begin to fathom how to save him or any of us.
“Did you forget who is in charge here? We pay you to do a job. You don’t ask questions. You do as
you’re told like the slime ball attorney you are. Now, I’m going to ask you again; do you have anything for me? Has that doctor friend of yours told you anything?” Stephen crossed his arms over his paunch belly, beads of sweat dripping from his forehead as if he’d just run a marathon.
I pushed my chair back to rise. “Why do we need her? She’s innocent in this. She barely had any time to treat Isaac, so I doubt she knows anything.” I had to find a way to remove Delilah from this sick, twisted equation.
Stephen leaned forward on my desk, his sweaty palms, leaving marks on the solid wood surface. “That bitch is too nosy. We had this thing figured out. You told me everyone was on board and that you’d keep the doctor in line. Do you consider ordering a battery of post-mortem tests keeping her in line? I don’t. You fucked up. Now, it’s your job to tighten the reins on her before I find someone else to do the job for me.”
I loathed few people in life, but over time, this man had risen to the top of the short list of people I’d like to see expunged from the earth. Sneering, I reminded my employer, “No, I didn’t. You screwed this up. This was your operation. You wanted to have complete control. You’re the one who took shortcuts and look where they landed you. Isaac is dead. He’s not coming back. You did that. You own that. Don’t put any of it on me. Remember, I work for you, not with you.”
Backing away, his eyebrows furrowed, Stephen retreated to the door, never breaking eye contact with me. “You have until the end of today to fix it or I’ll send someone else do it for you.” With that, he slammed the door behind him.
“Asshole,” I muttered under my breath.
When he was a safe distance away, I reached into my back pocket and pulled out my burner phone and dialed.
“It’s time to move in,” I said to the person on the other end of the line.
“Are you sure?” he asked.
“It has to be today. Move fast. I think he plans to kill the doctor.” I hung up, my heart heavy in my chest. A quick glance at my watch told me I only had a few hours left before night would fall and Delilah would become Stephen’s next victim.
Chapter Nine – Delilah
“What? I don’t understand. I can’t just leave. What about my job? I have patients to see.”
Reese ignored my protests, pulling me behind him down the stairs to the lobby. “Why don’t you have security in this building?” He scowled at the empty desk where my building’s security guards used to sit.
“They were laid off. Nothing ever happens here,” I answered, fighting to keep up with his long strides.
“That’s stupid! Your place was broken into. Isn’t that reason enough to have armed security guards here?” Reese asked as he kicked the front entrance door open nearly hitting a man walking his dog. “Sorry, guy. We’re in a hurry.”
“Where are we going?” I asked, fighting to keep my voice even so as to not upset him any further. Psychotic breakdown, I wondered. I figured he couldn’t have been as perfect as he let on. Everyone had a scarlet letter. This must have been his. Mark this down as another reason I need to make sure I have medications on me at all times. This man could really use a dose of Haldol IM right now.
“I’m trying to save your life, Delilah. Stop resisting. This is serious,” Reese explained.
My heart lodged in my throat. “My life? What are you talking about?”
He paused. “Someone is going to come after you. I don’t have time to explain it right now, but please just trust me.”
I had no idea how to do that. How could I trust someone I knew almost nothing about?
Reese noticed I wasn’t following him and turned around to walk back to me. “Give me your hand, please.” His eyes moistened with tears. “I won’t let them hurt you.”
I don’t remember traversing through town. I can’t recall the drive. I don’t know if there were any more words exchanged between us. The next clear memory I have is of the two of us, standing in a hotel room in a town not far from where I lived. We stared at the window, seeming to need a few moments to gather our thoughts.
Reese broke the ominous silence. “I have to tell you something.”
I swallowed hard, knowing all too well what that phrase insinuated -- bad news. “Okay,” I offered, trepidation fueling my hesitation. “What is it?”
“I’m not who you think I am,” he said.
Somewhere in the back of my mind a voice told me to stand still and listen, but my heart was begging me to walk away. Walk away now and never look back. I didn’t need this. I hadn’t signed up for drama.
“Delilah, listen to me. I know this is going to sound insane, but I promise, I’m not a maniac. I’m not a monster.”
My hands flew up in a defensive manner as if they could stave off the disappointment I was about to endure. “No, you don’t get to do this to me. I don’t know what this is but whatever it is I don’t want any part of it. I’m leaving. Don’t follow me. Don’t beg me. I have to get out of here. I don’t care what your secret is. It’s not my problem.”
“No!” He raised his voice. “Hear me out.” He changed his tone. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to scare you…”
“But you are.”
He shook his head. “No. I’m a cop. I work for the FBI. I’m an agent. I’ve been working undercover for Levy Corporation.” He ran his hand through his hair. “I shouldn’t be telling you this. I could lose my job.”
I shook my head. “What are you talking about? You don’t have to make up an elaborate story. I’m not some gullible fool. Just tell me what this is so I can make a clean break.”
There was more desperation in his voice. “Please! I’m telling you the truth. I’ve been working undercover for almost a year. I can’t get into the particulars, but Levy… well, their management team has been experimenting with questionable…”
My cell phone interrupted his ludicrous explanation. “Hello?” I answered, thankful for the interruption.
“Where the hell are you? Amber said you were scheduled to work today, but you never showed up. Is everything okay?” Dr. Jordan’s voice was the last one I needed to hear.
“I’m fine. I had an emergency.”
“The lab work on your dead doctor is back. You’re not going to believe this!”
I rolled my eyes so far back I thought I’d go blind. “What did you find?” I didn’t mean to sound stern but I didn’t want to hear another far-fetched story from a man. I’d met my quota for the day.
“He was poisoned. He had high doses of liquid nicotine in his system.”
I dropped the phone.
“What is it?” Reese grabbed me before I fell to the ground.
“You’re not lying. Dr. Brooks was murdered,” I answered.
Chapter Ten – Reese
“This is ridiculous. We can’t solve problems this way,” Delilah groaned.
Reese propped himself up on his elbows. “Why not? What’s wrong with sex in the afternoon?”
I appreciated the light moment, but I think we both knew we weren’t solving our immediate problem. If someone from Levy was really gunning for me, our horizontal romp wasn’t doing us any favors. “Nothing, on the surface. What are we going to do now? Is someone really after me? Why?”
“Because you asked too many questions. They blame you,” he said. “We have to get you to safety. This is fine for now, but eventually they’ll find you and…”
“They’ll hurt me?” I shuddered.
He nodded. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”
My skin went cold. Was he serious? “Why? I was just doing my job? My god, a man died in my E.R. It’s my job to find out what caused his death. I had no idea it was going to be murder.”
Reese cringed like he felt a sudden pain. “Murder? This is unbelievable. This wasn’t supposed to happen.”
I stood up, pulling my blouse back over my head. “Well, what was supposed to happen then? What happened to him? How did he get liquid nicotine in his system? No one ingests that on their own.”
>
He swallowed a lump in his throat. “I honestly don’t know what happened. They were conducting experiments, but no one was supposed to get hurt.”
“Why were you investigating them? What kind of experiments?” I wasn’t sure if I really wanted to know the answers. I feared knowing too much would increase the chance of danger.
Before he had time to reply, his cell phone rang. Jumping off the bed, he nearly tripped over his discarded clothing. “Yeah, Reese here.” His eyebrows furrowed, deep lines forming on his forehead.
I couldn’t believe my bad luck. In front of me stood a beautiful creature of a man, yet there was something so incredibly flawed about him. He said he wasn’t who he said he was, but hadn’t yet told me much of anything about who he really was. An FBI agent? How was I supposed to know if that was true? How did I let things go this far? I knew better than that.
Distracted by my thoughts, I hadn’t noticed he’d gotten dressed. “We need to leave. They’re here.” He grabbed my shoes and tossed them my way. “Quick we have to go.”
I panicked. My heart leaped into my throat. “What? Why?”
“Stephen Levy is here. He wants you,” Reese answered.
“What does that mean? Who is he?” I wracked my brain to conjure up a memory, but had none to draw from.
“He killed Isaac. We have to get out of here. Now!”
I moved as fast as I could, but Reese was way ahead of me. “Wait! The elevator is this way,” I urged him to slow down and follow me.
“No, not the elevator. We have to take the stairs. They’re waiting for us there,” he said, reaching back to pull me with him.