Roll Away Your Stone 13/18
Series: Secret
Story: Roll Away Your Stone
Chapter: These Here
Rating: R
Pairing: Nikki/Nora
Disclaimer/Details of Participation/Terms & Conditions: Not mine, no monies are being made and if I were to bill the owners my hourly rate...well...you get the idea.
A/N: It’s a little early to be putting thoughts together here, but I’m gonna take a stab at it and say that we’re moving into Part III, the final part, of this story, which is Nikki’s POV only. Generally, I enjoy switching off POV’s, but then I went and shot Nikki and had her unconscious….There’s things to do with that, but this wasn’t this kind of story. This story was supposed to be about something else - hopefully you’ve liked what it’s said or at least…at some point along the way made you remember or think…*shrugs* or maybe it’s all about the fun…
See too early for me to be writing these….so uh, I’m gonna cut out…ready, enjoy!
Ch. 13 - These Here
“Nik, baby, it’s time to wake up,” Nora coos, wrestling me from my slumber. At least she tries.
I roll away from her hands gently shaking me. I don’t feel up to getting up, moving or doing anything remotely productive today. I had my fill of obligatory torture last night at Nora’s mothers.
“Nope, nuh-huh, Nikki, come on,” Nora whines.
Burying my face in her pillow, I smile.
“Nik, come on, I don’t wanna be late. Who knew Benny was a stickler for punctuality?” I feel Nora crawl over the bed and snuggle into my waist. I sigh, loving the feel of her pressed against me. I do so love when she’s the big spoon. Her nose buries itself in my hair as she finds my hand and laces our fingers together.
“Hmm,” I hum, “this makes me less than cooperative, detective.” I wiggle my hips for emphasis.
Truthfully, since Nora and I got split up, work hasn’t been nearly as appealing. We’re a little slow, cold case reviews, some reporting, we had court a few days last week and Dominic’s a good partner. The guy’s reliable, not the dullest tool in the shed and he does pull his own weight.
He’s just…
He’s not Nora.
I didn’t think when we started this that not being around her as much would bother me. I should have known considering what with our last and only break-up, but we weren’t nearly as stable as we are now. We didn’t communicate like we do now and we weren’t as settled.
Yet, given the strength and stability of our personal life, I miss her too much during the day.
It’s rather pathetic and more than a scooch maddening.
I’ve come to rely on Nora’s ability to make looking at what we do daily bearable. She makes me better for it instead of in spite of all the death, violence and blood.
Dom also doesn’t think like Nora. He thinks of things in microscopic ways instead of seeing the big picture. Nora sees the big picture and works backwards. She uses this quirky form of deductive logic that, from all the cops I’ve worked with, is counterintuitive. We’re trained and taught to use inductive reasoning.
But like most things Nora does, she does it differently. And it really works.
Sighing, I mumble against the pillow, “We can call off.” I bring our hands up and kiss her knuckles.
“Nope, we can’t,” she offers against my neck. “Now come on, go get in the shower. We have forty minutes to get to the station.”
My mouth turns down, but she’s right.
As I’m about to untangle myself from her arms, my phone lights up and starts vibrating. Nora reaches behind her and says, “It’s Dom.”
I reach for the phone she’s handing me and answer, “Beaumont.”
“It’s Dom. Dan called me and wanted to relay a message,” he says with little enthusiasm.
“Okay?” I ask sitting up and swinging my legs off the mattress and on to the floor. I feel Nora roll away and off the bed. Looking over my shoulder, I see that she’s already dressed and ready, but she’s gathering clothes.
“Just said to let you know that everything’s set.” I can almost hear the shrug of his shoulders. “Do I really want to ask what that’s all about?”
I shake my head and smile. “Nope, but thanks. I’ll see you at the station.”
“Oh, also Dickson from traffic called said that he found the file we’ve been looking for. We can start up on that cold case that looks promising.”
Wait, what…
Oh, right. The carjacking gone bad from last spring.
“He needs us to pick it up this morning and I need to take Junior to school this morning. You think you can swing by on your way in?” he asks.
Screwing my mouth to the side I look at the clock and realize that there’s not time for the shower that I was looking forward to. I stand throwing on the slacks Nora set on the bed next to me. “Yep. I’ll see you in about forty minutes.”
“Sounds good.” He disconnects and I toss the phone on the bed to strip off my tank top and put my bra on. I grab the pale green blouse Nora set out for me and slip that on, sit back down reaching for a pair of socks and the shoes Nora also placed by the bed. Pulling up the zipper on my boot, I see my phone light up again.
Oh for Pete’s sake.
“Beaumont,” I answer.
“Nikki?” Lee’s voice rings in my ear.
“Oh,” I purr, “you I actually want to hear from.” I smile.
“Yes, well, considering…but I was just calling to let you know that everything is green. My guy said that it’ll be there this evening. Six p.m. sharp as requested with everything you requested,” Lee informs causing my smile to grow a bit wider.
“Next time I see you, Mr. Sherman, you won’t have to buy a single drink for yourself.” His laugh has a sinister quality to it and I think I may be in trouble next time we get together.
Standing, I go to the dresser to attach my gun and badge to my hips. “I’m gonna hold you to that, but really Nikki, it was a lot of fun and something I was more than happy to do.” I hear some papers shuffle around and a school bell ring. “I should be thanking you for letting me help. Look, the kids are about to start pouring in. I need to go, but call me and tell me how it goes?”
“Roger that,” I chirp and end the call. I attach the phone to my belt and call out for Nora.
She rounds the corner with the phone pressed to her ear. “Yeah, I was wondering about you. Everything okay?”
I cock my head to the side and point to the phone. She pulls it away from her mouth and says quietly, “Casey.”
Ah.
“Right, no, I was just worried and then I didn’t hear…yeah. When?” She tucks her right hand under her left arm and nods. “Yeah, yeah probably. I’ll check with Nik and let you know a little later? Good. All right Casey, talk to you in a bit.”
She ends the call and slips the phone into its holster on her belt.
“Everything okay?” I ask, moving towards the bathroom to comb my hair and brush my teeth.
“For the most part. She had to go to Chicago. A friend of hers passed away. What’s going on?” Nora asks as she follows me to the bathroom.
I take a good hard look in the mirror and regret not having time to take a shower. My hair looks like rats nested in it last night. I grab the brush next to the sink and run it through a few times, then my fingers. I sigh and realize that’s as good as it’s going to look today and move on. “Oh, that’s too bad. She okay?”
“Yeah,” Nora answers leaning against her side of the sink. “Now answer my question.”
I hold my finger up as I begin brushing my teeth. I spit and rinse my mouth. She gives an exaggerated cough as I right myself and wipe my mouth with a hand towel. The truth isn’t even close to an option. “We need to swing by the Second’s station house and pick up some files from a detective,” I go for another truth instead.
“All right. We should get a move on. Traffic’s gonna be a bear,” she says pushing off the sink and heading towards the stairs.
I follow her down and into the kitchen. Chris and Patrick are sitting at the island looking over paperwork. I’m excited for them. They have some really nice listings in front of them. Maybe one day, sooner rather than later, I can convince Nora to purchase a home over that way. Maybe something close to daddy.
“Morning gentleman,” I offer and grab Bruce’s keys and toss them to Nora.
“Busy day?” Chris asks.
“Errand and then the station for the day,” Nora answers and asks me, “You ready?”
I nod and give the boys a wave before heading out the door hoping that everything goes as planned on this fine Monday morning.
“Hey,” Benny says standing over Dom’s and mine’s work station, “Didja two hear the news?” I arc an eyebrow in question and Dom shakes his head. A full, thousand watt grin breaks out on Benny’s face at our reply. “Nor’s got herself an admirer.” He hooks a finger behind him to their own work station and says, “She’s been goin’ ape shit. Finding little things here and there. Some wrapped, some not.” His eyebrows dance up and down as he gives a deep throated laugh.
I feel my brow furrow and can’t stop myself from asking, “What?”
“I know that’s what I said, but whoever it is, left her a set of new cuffs, new coffee mug, some doggie treats for her mutt, edible panties - Tuti Fruit flavored and some massage oil.” He shakes his head and then lowers down so that he can speak a little quieter, “Then to top it all off, he left her a mini Kama Sutra and some body butter with a note that made her blush from neck to forehead. I really want to know what that note said, but the look was priceless!”
“Any idea who?” Dom asks leaning towards his part…his old partner.
Benny shakes his head. “Nora’s not happy about it, that much is for sure. You know who it could be Nik?”
I shake my head searching for Nora.
Benny must pick up on it because he tells me, “She went to the bathroom. Told me to come over here and see if you two wanted to grab some lunch. You two game?”
“Sure,” Dom and I say at the same time while I follow up with, “Where we going?”
Benny shrugs, “I’m not picky. Dom here has the stomach of a damn princess though. He looks at hot sauce and gets the runs.”
“Ha, ha, jack ass. Let’s let Nora pick today. It seems like someone wanted to treat her right, may as well continue,” Dom shrugs and looks at me.
“Yeah,” I say and push back from my desk as I see Nora come back through the bull pen doors. I quirk an eyebrow at her and she scowls. My eyes track her across the floor; she swings by her desk, grabs something from the top drawer and then stalks this way.
Dom digs in as soon as she’s in earshot, “So who’s the lucky fella, Delaney?”
Her left eyebrow twitches at the inquiry as her frown deepens. I watch the subtle play of muscles in arms as her fingers drum across her upper thigh. Her eyes narrow at me and she snips, “You know anything about this?”
I shake my head. “Edible underwear?” I ask and she rolls her eyes.
“You had to say something?” she barks at Benny and smacks his upper arm.
Shying away from the assault, Benny laughs and gets behind Dom. “Look, don’t get all bent outta shape ‘cause some guy wants to wine and dine you. Personally, if it were me, I’d go put on the edible underwear and wait for Mr. Right to reveal himself.” He wiggles his eyebrows at Nora.
I bite my lip. I have to. The words, “No one will be revealing anything to Nora Delaney but me,” are swallowed up and in their place I shoot a glare in his direction. Coming off jealous right now would show fantastic taste in poor judgment.
Nora levels a glare at the two men and reaches for her hip.
Dom holds up his hands in surrender. Benny just stands behind his old partner and stammers, “Now, now Nora, l…l…look I’m just sayin’, before you get all trigger happy, that you’re easy on the eyes…”
Nora growls as I wrap my arms around my waist to prevent me from reaching out to her.
“Well,” Benny tries to assuage, “It’s true you’re really easy on the eyes, and it’s no wonder…uh, a guy would be lucky to, uh,” he licks his lips. His eyes skirt to me and he asks, “Am I helping at all? Can you help me at all?”
I shake my head. Like I’m going to help him dig himself out of the hole he’s in.
“What I’m saying Nora…is don’t shoot me and sure, sure the sex gifts are funny and razzing you for it is all well and good, but…” He holds a finger up and mumbles, “You’d probably make a guy’s day, hell his year, if you uh, actually used it with him.”
You know if that wasn’t directed at my girlfriend, I’d think it was kind of sweet.
Right now, I’m not feeling too kind.
But Nora seems to soften just a little, “I don’t wanna hear another word.”
Dom just nods; he’s got that look I’ve seen Ron get from time to time when Brandy’s ready to kill. Kind of like a gazelle and a lion standing off and the gazelle knows it’s going to die, but looks hopeful regardless. Dom looks like he’s gonna be lunch.
“Just, uh one last question?” Benny asks bravely.
“One,” I say trying to help both of them out and move this along. I’d rather end this conversation sooner rather than later.
Nora swivels a glare in my direction before going back to shooting daggers at Benny.
“Well, I was just wondering, if, uh, well, if I had a sexy butt chin like you, would you put that body butter on me and lick it off?”
I barely have time to stop Nora from launching herself across the desk and wrapping her hands around Benny’s neck. Dominic is no help trying to contain my lover; he just fell back into his seat laughing his ass off.
I may just kill Benny myself, but I have to agree, Nora’s chin is quite scrumptious.
“Sugga,” I gently remind her, “if you don’t wipe that scowl off your face, it’s going to freeze that way.”
She takes her eyes off the road and looks in the rearview mirror. No doubt glaring at the box she put her presents in that rests on the back seat. The rest of today was full of her finding small gifts, trinkets or the occasional racy gift left behind or tucked away the rest of the day.
The midnight calla lilies that were delivered, sit on the floor between my feet.
“You’re not upset?” she asks and signals for a right turn two blocks from home.
I shrug. “I didn’t like Benny readily agreeing that you are quite nice to gaze upon, but he’s right…” I reach for her hand and lace our fingers together. Much like I did this morning, I kiss the knuckles on her free hand. Mumbling against her hand, I say honestly, “Anyone should consider themselves the luckiest person alive to get to know you in such an intimate way.”
I look at her out of the corner of my eye and smile at the flush her cheeks take.
“Then why aren’t you getting left stuff. I’m not sure if you’ve looked in the mirror properly if you think I compare to you,” she says sweetly.
I shake my head. Getting into an argument on who’s more attractive is a waste of my time. I’m right. She’s wrong. That’s the end of it. Instead, I shrug. “You’re biased, but sweet for saying it, Nora. I mean it though. I’m lucky. We’ve been through…you know sometimes I find it hard to believe we’re together still.”
“You didn’t think…” she trails off, worrying her lower lip.
“I hoped, dreamed even, but it’s turned out better than I expected,” I answer her as we turn down our street. “What you’ve done, for me, for us…” I stop talking as we pull up behind her. Lee said that it would be here. I owe that man.
“Thank you,” I say as I untangle our hands and lay a long box in her upturned palm. The car goes into park and she pulls her hand away to shut the engine off staring straight ahead of what sits in front of Bruce. “Now open this first,” I direct her.
She pulls the lid off the Tiffany & Co. box to stare at the necklace, a Paloma Piccaso infinity heart pendant. Not necessarily like the diamond Today, Tomorrow & Forever pendant she got me in the hospital, but something just as pretty. Hopefully she’ll love it like I love mine. The necklace hasn’t come off since she put it on me.
Her second present sits in front of us. The bow on the car is the exact shade of her eyes.
I fish in my pants pocket for the key and raise it up to offer it to her.
“Nikki?” she questions, blinking between me and the car while taking the key and laying it in her lap. Gently, I take the pendant and slip it around her neck, tossing the empty box on the dashboard.
I take the key in her lap and scramble out of the passenger side, around the front end of Bruce and open her door for her. Taking her hand, I pull her from the Porsche after she grabs Bruce’s keys from the ignition.
Her eyes haven’t left the new car so I take my finger and tug at her chin so that she’s facing me. “We skipped the whole Valentine’s Day thing, with me being in the hospital and all, but…I had to do something.”
I kiss her lips gently and then pull away to tug her towards the car.
“Mine?” she asks numbly.
“All yours,” I answer her.
I watch as she reaches out and runs a hand over the shiny black hood. Lee and his friends did an amazing job.
“How?” she asks, letting her hands trail over the automobile.
“Well, I knew June Lee wasn’t…so, I called the only other person I know who has a thing for muscle cars. Lee helped me pick her out and sent her to the right people to get her customized the way I wanted for you. I know it’s not an El Camino, but Lee assured me this was more than a suitable vehicle for you.”
“Nikki,” she spins to me with a smile pulling at her lips, “It’s a nineteen-seventy-one Plymouth GTX…”
“It’s a Hemi,” I say, not entirely sure what it means, but Lee was adamant that it was crucial for the car.
“Okay,” she says a little dazed, “it’s a nineteen-seventy-one Plymouth GTX Hemi. It’s too much.”
I shake my head and pull her to me, crushing our hips together and wrapping my arms behind her neck. I break away and force her green eyes to meet my brown. “Never. If you’d let me, I’d probably spoil you rotten, but until you let me, I needed to do this. You deserve it, Nora Marie.” I close the small gap between our lips and relish the feel of hers against mine. I don’t need to deepen it for her to get what I’m trying to say. I pull back, peck her nose and whisper, “Now are you gonna get in and take her for a drive?”
She nods and grins. I unlock the driver’s door and usher inside. Making sure that she’s completely situated, I shut the door, snatch the bow off the top of the roof and slip into the passenger’s door. I slide across the bench leather seat and straddle the middle console to explain before she turns the engine over, “There are some serious after market modifications. Call Lee for the mechanics on it, but I had them install a nice sound system. The interior is all leather and the dashboard is had been reconditioned and practically new…or so I’ve been assured. I guess Lee made them do something with serial numbers…original something or other…” I run my left hand down her thigh and let it rest on top of her knee. “Also, check under the seat.”
She eyes me as she bends down and feels around. Her eyes grow a little large as she pulls up the wrapped package.
I grin, trying not to look too smug or pleased with myself. “Go on,” I urge her and help remove the bow and wrapping. She runs her hand over the plain white box before lifting the lid.
The black leather harness gleams in the light of the setting sun. Leaning in a bit more, I nip her ear lobe and whisper, “Just be thankful I didn’t leave that in your desk drawer as well.”
Next>>>
Story: Roll Away Your Stone
Chapter: These Here
Rating: R
Pairing: Nikki/Nora
Disclaimer/Details of Participation/Terms & Conditions: Not mine, no monies are being made and if I were to bill the owners my hourly rate...well...you get the idea.
A/N: It’s a little early to be putting thoughts together here, but I’m gonna take a stab at it and say that we’re moving into Part III, the final part, of this story, which is Nikki’s POV only. Generally, I enjoy switching off POV’s, but then I went and shot Nikki and had her unconscious….There’s things to do with that, but this wasn’t this kind of story. This story was supposed to be about something else - hopefully you’ve liked what it’s said or at least…at some point along the way made you remember or think…*shrugs* or maybe it’s all about the fun…
See too early for me to be writing these….so uh, I’m gonna cut out…ready, enjoy!
Ch. 13 - These Here
“Nik, baby, it’s time to wake up,” Nora coos, wrestling me from my slumber. At least she tries.
I roll away from her hands gently shaking me. I don’t feel up to getting up, moving or doing anything remotely productive today. I had my fill of obligatory torture last night at Nora’s mothers.
“Nope, nuh-huh, Nikki, come on,” Nora whines.
Burying my face in her pillow, I smile.
“Nik, come on, I don’t wanna be late. Who knew Benny was a stickler for punctuality?” I feel Nora crawl over the bed and snuggle into my waist. I sigh, loving the feel of her pressed against me. I do so love when she’s the big spoon. Her nose buries itself in my hair as she finds my hand and laces our fingers together.
“Hmm,” I hum, “this makes me less than cooperative, detective.” I wiggle my hips for emphasis.
Truthfully, since Nora and I got split up, work hasn’t been nearly as appealing. We’re a little slow, cold case reviews, some reporting, we had court a few days last week and Dominic’s a good partner. The guy’s reliable, not the dullest tool in the shed and he does pull his own weight.
He’s just…
He’s not Nora.
I didn’t think when we started this that not being around her as much would bother me. I should have known considering what with our last and only break-up, but we weren’t nearly as stable as we are now. We didn’t communicate like we do now and we weren’t as settled.
Yet, given the strength and stability of our personal life, I miss her too much during the day.
It’s rather pathetic and more than a scooch maddening.
I’ve come to rely on Nora’s ability to make looking at what we do daily bearable. She makes me better for it instead of in spite of all the death, violence and blood.
Dom also doesn’t think like Nora. He thinks of things in microscopic ways instead of seeing the big picture. Nora sees the big picture and works backwards. She uses this quirky form of deductive logic that, from all the cops I’ve worked with, is counterintuitive. We’re trained and taught to use inductive reasoning.
But like most things Nora does, she does it differently. And it really works.
Sighing, I mumble against the pillow, “We can call off.” I bring our hands up and kiss her knuckles.
“Nope, we can’t,” she offers against my neck. “Now come on, go get in the shower. We have forty minutes to get to the station.”
My mouth turns down, but she’s right.
As I’m about to untangle myself from her arms, my phone lights up and starts vibrating. Nora reaches behind her and says, “It’s Dom.”
I reach for the phone she’s handing me and answer, “Beaumont.”
“It’s Dom. Dan called me and wanted to relay a message,” he says with little enthusiasm.
“Okay?” I ask sitting up and swinging my legs off the mattress and on to the floor. I feel Nora roll away and off the bed. Looking over my shoulder, I see that she’s already dressed and ready, but she’s gathering clothes.
“Just said to let you know that everything’s set.” I can almost hear the shrug of his shoulders. “Do I really want to ask what that’s all about?”
I shake my head and smile. “Nope, but thanks. I’ll see you at the station.”
“Oh, also Dickson from traffic called said that he found the file we’ve been looking for. We can start up on that cold case that looks promising.”
Wait, what…
Oh, right. The carjacking gone bad from last spring.
“He needs us to pick it up this morning and I need to take Junior to school this morning. You think you can swing by on your way in?” he asks.
Screwing my mouth to the side I look at the clock and realize that there’s not time for the shower that I was looking forward to. I stand throwing on the slacks Nora set on the bed next to me. “Yep. I’ll see you in about forty minutes.”
“Sounds good.” He disconnects and I toss the phone on the bed to strip off my tank top and put my bra on. I grab the pale green blouse Nora set out for me and slip that on, sit back down reaching for a pair of socks and the shoes Nora also placed by the bed. Pulling up the zipper on my boot, I see my phone light up again.
Oh for Pete’s sake.
“Beaumont,” I answer.
“Nikki?” Lee’s voice rings in my ear.
“Oh,” I purr, “you I actually want to hear from.” I smile.
“Yes, well, considering…but I was just calling to let you know that everything is green. My guy said that it’ll be there this evening. Six p.m. sharp as requested with everything you requested,” Lee informs causing my smile to grow a bit wider.
“Next time I see you, Mr. Sherman, you won’t have to buy a single drink for yourself.” His laugh has a sinister quality to it and I think I may be in trouble next time we get together.
Standing, I go to the dresser to attach my gun and badge to my hips. “I’m gonna hold you to that, but really Nikki, it was a lot of fun and something I was more than happy to do.” I hear some papers shuffle around and a school bell ring. “I should be thanking you for letting me help. Look, the kids are about to start pouring in. I need to go, but call me and tell me how it goes?”
“Roger that,” I chirp and end the call. I attach the phone to my belt and call out for Nora.
She rounds the corner with the phone pressed to her ear. “Yeah, I was wondering about you. Everything okay?”
I cock my head to the side and point to the phone. She pulls it away from her mouth and says quietly, “Casey.”
Ah.
“Right, no, I was just worried and then I didn’t hear…yeah. When?” She tucks her right hand under her left arm and nods. “Yeah, yeah probably. I’ll check with Nik and let you know a little later? Good. All right Casey, talk to you in a bit.”
She ends the call and slips the phone into its holster on her belt.
“Everything okay?” I ask, moving towards the bathroom to comb my hair and brush my teeth.
“For the most part. She had to go to Chicago. A friend of hers passed away. What’s going on?” Nora asks as she follows me to the bathroom.
I take a good hard look in the mirror and regret not having time to take a shower. My hair looks like rats nested in it last night. I grab the brush next to the sink and run it through a few times, then my fingers. I sigh and realize that’s as good as it’s going to look today and move on. “Oh, that’s too bad. She okay?”
“Yeah,” Nora answers leaning against her side of the sink. “Now answer my question.”
I hold my finger up as I begin brushing my teeth. I spit and rinse my mouth. She gives an exaggerated cough as I right myself and wipe my mouth with a hand towel. The truth isn’t even close to an option. “We need to swing by the Second’s station house and pick up some files from a detective,” I go for another truth instead.
“All right. We should get a move on. Traffic’s gonna be a bear,” she says pushing off the sink and heading towards the stairs.
I follow her down and into the kitchen. Chris and Patrick are sitting at the island looking over paperwork. I’m excited for them. They have some really nice listings in front of them. Maybe one day, sooner rather than later, I can convince Nora to purchase a home over that way. Maybe something close to daddy.
“Morning gentleman,” I offer and grab Bruce’s keys and toss them to Nora.
“Busy day?” Chris asks.
“Errand and then the station for the day,” Nora answers and asks me, “You ready?”
I nod and give the boys a wave before heading out the door hoping that everything goes as planned on this fine Monday morning.
“Hey,” Benny says standing over Dom’s and mine’s work station, “Didja two hear the news?” I arc an eyebrow in question and Dom shakes his head. A full, thousand watt grin breaks out on Benny’s face at our reply. “Nor’s got herself an admirer.” He hooks a finger behind him to their own work station and says, “She’s been goin’ ape shit. Finding little things here and there. Some wrapped, some not.” His eyebrows dance up and down as he gives a deep throated laugh.
I feel my brow furrow and can’t stop myself from asking, “What?”
“I know that’s what I said, but whoever it is, left her a set of new cuffs, new coffee mug, some doggie treats for her mutt, edible panties - Tuti Fruit flavored and some massage oil.” He shakes his head and then lowers down so that he can speak a little quieter, “Then to top it all off, he left her a mini Kama Sutra and some body butter with a note that made her blush from neck to forehead. I really want to know what that note said, but the look was priceless!”
“Any idea who?” Dom asks leaning towards his part…his old partner.
Benny shakes his head. “Nora’s not happy about it, that much is for sure. You know who it could be Nik?”
I shake my head searching for Nora.
Benny must pick up on it because he tells me, “She went to the bathroom. Told me to come over here and see if you two wanted to grab some lunch. You two game?”
“Sure,” Dom and I say at the same time while I follow up with, “Where we going?”
Benny shrugs, “I’m not picky. Dom here has the stomach of a damn princess though. He looks at hot sauce and gets the runs.”
“Ha, ha, jack ass. Let’s let Nora pick today. It seems like someone wanted to treat her right, may as well continue,” Dom shrugs and looks at me.
“Yeah,” I say and push back from my desk as I see Nora come back through the bull pen doors. I quirk an eyebrow at her and she scowls. My eyes track her across the floor; she swings by her desk, grabs something from the top drawer and then stalks this way.
Dom digs in as soon as she’s in earshot, “So who’s the lucky fella, Delaney?”
Her left eyebrow twitches at the inquiry as her frown deepens. I watch the subtle play of muscles in arms as her fingers drum across her upper thigh. Her eyes narrow at me and she snips, “You know anything about this?”
I shake my head. “Edible underwear?” I ask and she rolls her eyes.
“You had to say something?” she barks at Benny and smacks his upper arm.
Shying away from the assault, Benny laughs and gets behind Dom. “Look, don’t get all bent outta shape ‘cause some guy wants to wine and dine you. Personally, if it were me, I’d go put on the edible underwear and wait for Mr. Right to reveal himself.” He wiggles his eyebrows at Nora.
I bite my lip. I have to. The words, “No one will be revealing anything to Nora Delaney but me,” are swallowed up and in their place I shoot a glare in his direction. Coming off jealous right now would show fantastic taste in poor judgment.
Nora levels a glare at the two men and reaches for her hip.
Dom holds up his hands in surrender. Benny just stands behind his old partner and stammers, “Now, now Nora, l…l…look I’m just sayin’, before you get all trigger happy, that you’re easy on the eyes…”
Nora growls as I wrap my arms around my waist to prevent me from reaching out to her.
“Well,” Benny tries to assuage, “It’s true you’re really easy on the eyes, and it’s no wonder…uh, a guy would be lucky to, uh,” he licks his lips. His eyes skirt to me and he asks, “Am I helping at all? Can you help me at all?”
I shake my head. Like I’m going to help him dig himself out of the hole he’s in.
“What I’m saying Nora…is don’t shoot me and sure, sure the sex gifts are funny and razzing you for it is all well and good, but…” He holds a finger up and mumbles, “You’d probably make a guy’s day, hell his year, if you uh, actually used it with him.”
You know if that wasn’t directed at my girlfriend, I’d think it was kind of sweet.
Right now, I’m not feeling too kind.
But Nora seems to soften just a little, “I don’t wanna hear another word.”
Dom just nods; he’s got that look I’ve seen Ron get from time to time when Brandy’s ready to kill. Kind of like a gazelle and a lion standing off and the gazelle knows it’s going to die, but looks hopeful regardless. Dom looks like he’s gonna be lunch.
“Just, uh one last question?” Benny asks bravely.
“One,” I say trying to help both of them out and move this along. I’d rather end this conversation sooner rather than later.
Nora swivels a glare in my direction before going back to shooting daggers at Benny.
“Well, I was just wondering, if, uh, well, if I had a sexy butt chin like you, would you put that body butter on me and lick it off?”
I barely have time to stop Nora from launching herself across the desk and wrapping her hands around Benny’s neck. Dominic is no help trying to contain my lover; he just fell back into his seat laughing his ass off.
I may just kill Benny myself, but I have to agree, Nora’s chin is quite scrumptious.
“Sugga,” I gently remind her, “if you don’t wipe that scowl off your face, it’s going to freeze that way.”
She takes her eyes off the road and looks in the rearview mirror. No doubt glaring at the box she put her presents in that rests on the back seat. The rest of today was full of her finding small gifts, trinkets or the occasional racy gift left behind or tucked away the rest of the day.
The midnight calla lilies that were delivered, sit on the floor between my feet.
“You’re not upset?” she asks and signals for a right turn two blocks from home.
I shrug. “I didn’t like Benny readily agreeing that you are quite nice to gaze upon, but he’s right…” I reach for her hand and lace our fingers together. Much like I did this morning, I kiss the knuckles on her free hand. Mumbling against her hand, I say honestly, “Anyone should consider themselves the luckiest person alive to get to know you in such an intimate way.”
I look at her out of the corner of my eye and smile at the flush her cheeks take.
“Then why aren’t you getting left stuff. I’m not sure if you’ve looked in the mirror properly if you think I compare to you,” she says sweetly.
I shake my head. Getting into an argument on who’s more attractive is a waste of my time. I’m right. She’s wrong. That’s the end of it. Instead, I shrug. “You’re biased, but sweet for saying it, Nora. I mean it though. I’m lucky. We’ve been through…you know sometimes I find it hard to believe we’re together still.”
“You didn’t think…” she trails off, worrying her lower lip.
“I hoped, dreamed even, but it’s turned out better than I expected,” I answer her as we turn down our street. “What you’ve done, for me, for us…” I stop talking as we pull up behind her. Lee said that it would be here. I owe that man.
“Thank you,” I say as I untangle our hands and lay a long box in her upturned palm. The car goes into park and she pulls her hand away to shut the engine off staring straight ahead of what sits in front of Bruce. “Now open this first,” I direct her.
She pulls the lid off the Tiffany & Co. box to stare at the necklace, a Paloma Piccaso infinity heart pendant. Not necessarily like the diamond Today, Tomorrow & Forever pendant she got me in the hospital, but something just as pretty. Hopefully she’ll love it like I love mine. The necklace hasn’t come off since she put it on me.
Her second present sits in front of us. The bow on the car is the exact shade of her eyes.
I fish in my pants pocket for the key and raise it up to offer it to her.
“Nikki?” she questions, blinking between me and the car while taking the key and laying it in her lap. Gently, I take the pendant and slip it around her neck, tossing the empty box on the dashboard.
I take the key in her lap and scramble out of the passenger side, around the front end of Bruce and open her door for her. Taking her hand, I pull her from the Porsche after she grabs Bruce’s keys from the ignition.
Her eyes haven’t left the new car so I take my finger and tug at her chin so that she’s facing me. “We skipped the whole Valentine’s Day thing, with me being in the hospital and all, but…I had to do something.”
I kiss her lips gently and then pull away to tug her towards the car.
“Mine?” she asks numbly.
“All yours,” I answer her.
I watch as she reaches out and runs a hand over the shiny black hood. Lee and his friends did an amazing job.
“How?” she asks, letting her hands trail over the automobile.
“Well, I knew June Lee wasn’t…so, I called the only other person I know who has a thing for muscle cars. Lee helped me pick her out and sent her to the right people to get her customized the way I wanted for you. I know it’s not an El Camino, but Lee assured me this was more than a suitable vehicle for you.”
“Nikki,” she spins to me with a smile pulling at her lips, “It’s a nineteen-seventy-one Plymouth GTX…”
“It’s a Hemi,” I say, not entirely sure what it means, but Lee was adamant that it was crucial for the car.
“Okay,” she says a little dazed, “it’s a nineteen-seventy-one Plymouth GTX Hemi. It’s too much.”
I shake my head and pull her to me, crushing our hips together and wrapping my arms behind her neck. I break away and force her green eyes to meet my brown. “Never. If you’d let me, I’d probably spoil you rotten, but until you let me, I needed to do this. You deserve it, Nora Marie.” I close the small gap between our lips and relish the feel of hers against mine. I don’t need to deepen it for her to get what I’m trying to say. I pull back, peck her nose and whisper, “Now are you gonna get in and take her for a drive?”
She nods and grins. I unlock the driver’s door and usher inside. Making sure that she’s completely situated, I shut the door, snatch the bow off the top of the roof and slip into the passenger’s door. I slide across the bench leather seat and straddle the middle console to explain before she turns the engine over, “There are some serious after market modifications. Call Lee for the mechanics on it, but I had them install a nice sound system. The interior is all leather and the dashboard is had been reconditioned and practically new…or so I’ve been assured. I guess Lee made them do something with serial numbers…original something or other…” I run my left hand down her thigh and let it rest on top of her knee. “Also, check under the seat.”
She eyes me as she bends down and feels around. Her eyes grow a little large as she pulls up the wrapped package.
I grin, trying not to look too smug or pleased with myself. “Go on,” I urge her and help remove the bow and wrapping. She runs her hand over the plain white box before lifting the lid.
The black leather harness gleams in the light of the setting sun. Leaning in a bit more, I nip her ear lobe and whisper, “Just be thankful I didn’t leave that in your desk drawer as well.”
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