Cold Summer Heat Chapter one
I don't own Rizzoli and Isles or the characters.
"Maura, what is your problem today?" Jane's voice was laced with frustration as she had finally had enough of her friend's distant demeanor.
Maura only glanced at her before returning her attention to her computer. She wasn't in the mood to discuss the disturbing nightmares that had been keeping her from sleeping for over a week now. She knew Jane would call her crazy or paranoid, tell her that spending so much time with the dead was beginning to take it's toll.
"Come on, talk to me." Jane sat on the desk, effectively blocking the computer screen. Maura had no choice but to meet the gaze of the intense detective as she commanded her attention.
"Not now, I'm tired and am calling it a day." Maura didn't like the way her voice snapped at Jane, but she was tired and she hoped tonight would be the night. The night where she managed to string at least a few hours of uninterrupted sleep together so that she could get back to feeling herself again.
Jane wasn't one to give up easily. There was something going on with her friend that was causing her to change her entire personality and she didn't like it. "Maura, you've been biting my head off all day, when you actually talked to me that is. What is going on, I want to help."
"Why can't you just let it alone, Jane? I'm just tired, okay? I need to sleep, that's it." Maura pushed by her now standing friend as she made her way towards the door of her office.
Jane was quick and was immediately blocking Maura's exit. "It's more than that, I can tell. Tell me, I can help you."
Maura looked directly into Jane's concerned eyes before speaking. "You can't fix everything, Detective Rizzoli. You cannot fix me, nor do I want you to. What I would like is for you to leave me the hell alone."
Jane was floored by the tone of Maura's voice. Something was definitely troubling her friend and she was determined to find out. "Maura, what is wrong with you?" Jane hated how harsh her voice sounded as she watched her friend startle.
"Leave me alone. Leave me alone!" Maura pushed past the detective's strong arms as she blocked the door.
Jane watched as Maura left the precinct. She collapsed down at her desk and rubbed her temples. She had a killer headache and it only worsened with concern over her friend. Maura was never rude; never treated her the way she had earlier today.
"What's wrong?" Korsak had just returned from the cafeteria to find his former partner staring at nothing.
"Don't know." Jane didn't bother prying her eyes from the invisible object she was so focused on. "Something's going on with Maura."
"Yeah, I noticed Dr. Isles wasn't herself today. I actually understood what she was saying for once."
Jane now focused on Korsak as he pulled himself in closer to his desk. "Okay, that's part of it. She doesn't sound the same, doesn't act the same. I'm worried about her."
"Maybe she's got man troubles. You women don't tell each other every thing, do you?" Korsak was willing to blow off Maura's bad day as a mood swing; Jane not so much.
She was almost relieved to see Frost as he returned to his desk as well. "What do you think is wrong with Maura?"
"Dr. Isles? Didn't notice anything."
Jane decided to try again in the morning. Maybe she was being overly concerned. Maura usually did talk to her when she was upset about something, so maybe she would just leave it alone. Jane signed off her computer and told her partner goodnight before heading out. The guys didn't seem to worried, so she would wait and see how Maura was in the morning.
The early evening air was full of humidity, this summer was the worst on record in the Boston area. Jane found herself hoping winter would come early this year as she already had had enough of the heat. She hated the Boston winters, but found it at least a bit more tolerable than the stifling heat that plagued the city.
She made her way to her car and sent a silent prayer upwards that the air conditioner wouldn't crap out on her like it has done so many times. She had a dinner date that she was now wishing she would've cancelled. Bradley was a nice guy, somebody she could see herself with down the line. He didn't deserve the 'I caught a case' line she was thinking about using on him to cancel at the last minute. No, she couldn't do that to him. She had dismissed men for the most part, preferring her career over the stresses they often brought with them. Bradley was different. He didn't push, he didn't whine. He simply talked sports, cars, and cops. She could handle that. As long as he didn't mention love, marriage or kids, they had good dates.
Jane found herself smiling as she pulled up to her apartment building. Bradley seemed to get her and respect just how low maintenance she really was. She knew he was letting her decide how far and fast their relationship would progress. She loved the control, but couldn't help but resist the responsibility. Some days she just needed a friend to take her, take her mind off her job, her stresses, her fears. She just wanted to give up her need for control just a little. She had been dating Bradley for a couple of months by this time and she knew she wanted him to take her. Maybe tonight would be as good a night as any to move their relationship along.
Jane allowed Bradley to unlock her door for her as they returned from dinner a little later than Jane would've liked. Conversation was easy and the cold beer she wasn't ashamed to down seemed to alleviate at least some of the discomfort the warm night was causing. She probably drank more than she needed to fully relax, but it was the slight buzz that gave her the courage to move things forward with Bradley.
Bradley was immediately receptive when Jane closed the distance between them as soon as they were locked inside her apartment. She could taste the slight hint of sweat on his upper lip as he accepted her kiss. She had kissed him many times before tonight, but never with the hunger that Bradley was so accepting of. He wrapped his arms around Jane's slim waist as he allowed her to press up against him.
"Are you sure you want this?" Bradley reluctantly pulled his mouth from hers, but left his eyes on her lips.
"Sounds like you're unsure." Jane's voice was husky and deep as she quickly worked the buttons of his dress shirt.
Bradley's hands had quickly made their way up the back of her shirt so that he could feel the cool sweat that had formed. His mouth had found it's way back to hers as he gently guided her toward her bedroom. Jane allowed Bradley to control her with his hands, his mouth and his tongue. She was definitely sure as his hands made their way across her toned abdomen.
Jane closed her eyes and simply lost herself to his touch. Her mind was completely on Bradley as she felt his body fuse with hers. She had forgotten how much she missed the casual sex that so often resulted from her infrequent dating. This somehow was different, he was definitely different.
She let her hands feel the muscles in his back as he flexed with each thrust into her. His mouth worked hers so that he swallowed her sounds of pleasure instantly. He quickly had both of her hands in his and pinned them down on either side of her head. He immediately picked up the pace when she opened her eyes surprised in his sudden shift in position.
"How's it feel with no control?" Bradley teased as he lowered his lips to skim her breast.
"This is so perfect." She huffed out between short breaths. Bradley loved her voice and often wondered how much more it would affect him to hear it like this.
They fell into a rhythm that Jane didn't control, yet was able to respond to. Bradley expertly kept her pinned while he encouraged her to let go and feel all of him. She couldn't take much more as he continued his assault with his tongue on her breasts. Jane tried to pull from his grasp as she fought the inevitable orgasm that threatened to blow her mind.
"Brad, please." Her voice only encouraged him. "I want to touch you."
"No control. Just let go, Jane. I won't hurt you." Bradley returned his lips to hers as he could feel her tightening around him.
The sudden ringing of her cell phone made her cry out. "No! Damn!"
"Ignore it." Bradley ordered as he pushed harder knowing she was close.
"I can't." Jane couldn't resist Bradley as she ignored the ringing and focused on how he was making her feel.
She cried out as she shattered around him. She then felt his full weight on her as he too had collapsed as he reached his release as well. The phone began to ring again and Jane realized she had forgotten about the fact that it had rang earlier.
"I have to get it." Jane whispered as she crawled out from under Bradley. She pulled the phone from her pants pocket and prayed she would be able to sound professional.
"Rizzoli."
"Jane!" Jane immediately pulled the phone away from her ear to look at the caller I.D. It wasn't Maura's number, but it was definitely Maura on the phone.
"Maura? Talk to me, Maura." Jane couldn't stop the tightening in her chest.
"Jane, I'm sorry. He said he would kill you if I…"
"Maura!" Jane looked at Bradley who had moved in close in hopes of hearing the other caller.
"Good evening, Detective Rizzoli. It's been a long time." Jane tried frantically to place the voice, but was drawing a blank.
"Who is this?" Jane had pulled the sheet up to her chest as the man's voice caused her to feel instantly vulnerable.
"You'll know soon enough. We go way back, Jane." The voice was deep and caused Jane's breathing to waver.
"Okay, okay." Jane tried to think straight. "You have a beef with me apparently. Why Dr. Isles?"
"Come on, Jane. You're smarter than that. As long as I have your best friend, you'll do whatever I ask."
"Just tell me what you want from me, I'll do it. Just leave Maura out of this, please." Jane flinched at Bradley's strong arm as it draped around her shoulders.
"See what I mean." The voice laughed causing Jane to force herself not to go off.
"Please let her go." Jane's voice sounded like someone else's when she begged.
"I will, eventually. It will be up to you as far as what shape she'll be in." Jane struggled to place the voice, growing increasingly frustrated that she still couldn't.
"Okay, tell me what you want." Jane closed her eyes as she waited.
"In time, Detective. Patience. In the meantime, Dr. Isles is a bit of a looker, don't you think."
"Please, don't hurt her. Can I at least talk to her?" Jane hated begging, but she would do whatever it took to protect her friend from whoever had a vendetta against her.
"No, I don't think that's a good idea. I'll be in touch." The line went dead and Jane covered her face with her hands.
"Oh my God." Jane's voice broke realizing this must have something to do with why Maura was so upset earlier.
Bradley turned Jane to face him. "What can I do?" He wasn't surprised at the tears that were forming in her eyes.
"I have to go to the precinct. We have to find her. I'm sorry." Jane pulled from his grasp and headed for the bathroom. She cursed herself as she looked in the mirror. Maura was the call she ignored so she could enjoy her time with Bradley.
She entered her living room to see a fully dressed Bradley ready to leave. He approached her and kissed her gently on the forehead. "I hope Maura is okay. Be careful." He wasn't sure how he felt about Jane being a cop, but he knew it was who she was.
Jane watched as he walked out of her home. She wanted to dwell in the aftermath of how great Bradley was to her, but instead was consumed with finding this maniac that was threatening her best friend.
