"So, you're Juliet's partner?" I ask the striking man who just walked in. He clears his throat and looks away.
"Yeah, like, we work together, partner, not like, life partner, or anything." He laughs nervously. He's obviously very out of place.
"Well, it was nice of you to stop by and meet her family. Can I get you anything to drink? We've got some killer eggnog."
"Uhh, sure. Why not." I do a quick double check on his hands. Long, elegant. Strong. And, best of all, no ring. I thought that's what I saw before, but I couldn't be sure from the angle which hand I saw. No tan, either, so it's not recent.
"It's right over here." I lead him over to the kitchen, where only a few family members are chatting and snacking.
"So, how do you know O'Hara?" He asks stiffly. I raise my eye brows at the formal address. "Err. Juliet."
"I don't, not really." Now it's his turn to raise an eyebrow.
"So, what? You're crashing this party?" The tone is instantly more aggressive. Typical cop.
"Relax, Detective. Take the night off," I tease while ladling him a cup of the eggnog. He stands with his arms crossed. I roll my eyes. "I am kind of new here, myself. My father and her mother recently eloped...so, on his insistence, I am here meeting my new 'family.'" I add air quotes. "So, you don't know anyone but one person, I don't really know anyone but one person...I figured we could keep each other company."
"If we just talk to each other, that won't really accomplish your goal of meeting your dad's wife's family." I hide a grin at the long title, which shows our distant relationship, by taking a sip of the eggnog.
"Yeah, well, we all got introduced already. And talking with a bunch of strangers about things I couldn't care less about isn't my idea of a good time. But, I showed up, so now my dad can't nag me about it."
"You're talking to me. I'm a stranger," he points out.
"Mm, but see, I'm having infinitely more fun talking to you than I would anyone else."
"Why's that?" he asks, defensively. I openly look him up and down. I could tell him about how his lean build, long fingers, bright blue eyes, salt and pepper hair, and copious chest hair turn me on. But that might be a little too forward.
"Take a wild guess," I whisper, leaning in. His mouth opens and closes a couple times. I walk out of the kitchen and head back to the entry hall. And I pray he follows. A few seconds later, he calls out from a few feet behind me.
"Are you even old enough to drink this?" I laugh.
"Why, thank you, Detective. I'll take that as a compliment. Considering that I'm 25, yeah, I am."
"My name is Carlton, if you were wondering," he says a little clumsily.
"Nice to meet you, Carlton. I'm Jasmine." We shake hands.
"So, what do you do for a living, Jasmine? You obviously already know what I do."
"I'm a graphic designer by day, painter by night. But the graphic design is what pays the bills. Do you have any hobbies?" He ignores the question.
"And do you live in the area? I assume you must, since your father and O'Hara's mother got together." He's talking quickly, which alone would show his nervousness. But his jittering helps too.
"I'm about an hour north, but I grew up in the suburbs of Santa Barbara. What about yourself?" I very slowly start walking towards the study, where I know no one will be. Once again, he ignores my question, but he does follow my slow retreat through the rooms.
"And how long exactly have your father and O'Hara's mother been together?"
"Detective Carlton, this is supposed to be a conversation, not an interrogation." He holds his hands up in mock surrender.
"You're right, I'm sorry. Care to give me another chance?"
"Of course. Tell me, how long has it been since your divorce?" I ask softly. He stutters some.
"I-how did you-what-I." He takes a breath and regains his composure. "Two things - how did you know I'm divorced, and why do you care?"
"No ring, but you're old enough and handsome enough that you likely would have been married by now, but, no ring. Doesn't mean you're not seeing anyone, but Juliet mentioned to everyone before you arrived that you are going through a rough time and to be especially nice. You're obviously very uncomfortable in this situation, so you didn't come since you love parties. I think you're lonely. Probably because you are recently divorced. Sorry if that was a little insensitive," I add as an after-thought as he looks at me with a mix of shock and hurt.
"The divorce isn't quite finalized, but we've been separated for over two years now. The paperwork just needs to be processed," he says softly.
"I'm sorry. That must be rough." I lay a hand on his arm. Mmm. Muscular. God, do I want that shirt off. He shrugs, and I take my hand away.
"It's no matter. Doesn't matter," he says decidedly. "You didn't answer why you care," he points out. I shrug.
"Making conversation, mostly." If he's as good as Juliet mentioned, he'll know I'm lying. "Separated for two years, huh? That must have been rough." We're alone now, in the narrow and poorly lit hallway that leads to the study. "How long as it been?" I ask, leaning closer. He stiffens.
"I don't know what you mean."
"Have you not gotten any in that time?" I ask, eyes bulging.
"Not that it is any of your business, but for the first year, I was hoping we would get back together, so I didn't want to mess that up by fooling around with someone else. The first half of the second year, I was too busy with work and trying to patch the last shreds of my marriage back together to even think about it. And now...well, I'm so out of practice with dating, and talking to women, as I'm sure you noticed," he tensely, "that I wouldn't know where to start if I wanted to." I bite my lip and lead him farther back to the hallway.
"That's rough. I'm very glad that Juliet invited you to this little party. And I'm even gladder that you came. Otherwise I would have to make small talk with uncle one and aunt two." He raises his eyebrows. "I don't remember their names, but I do remember their faces. So I have made up my own names for them. Which I will fill in with their actual names should the knowledge or need ever arise. Between you and me, I don't think I'll need that information for too long. Since you told me a bunch of personal information about you, I'll exchange the favor. More of less. My dad has maybe 20 years or so on you. And he's had three divorces already. So, you could be doing worse." He gives me a small smile.
"I think that actually did make me feel better," he says incredulously.
"I'm glad I could help. So, tell me, do you carry a gun?"
"Obviously, yes. But not right now, what with the kids around."
"What about handcuffs? I get the feeling that you're very dedicated to your job. You wouldn't go anywhere without them, right?" I purr.
"Well, I mean, yeah, I have them on me. Why?" I can't help but grin.
"How about I show you instead of telling?" I put my cup down on the table in the hallway and grab his free hand, leading him into the study. He comes freely, if a little confused. But I think he's bright enough to know what I have in mind. I shut the door and turn to face him, instantly putting my body within inches of his. He lays his cup on the desk, and one of his hands rests on my lower back.
"I don't know if we should do this. I don't know if O'Hara would be okay with me fooling around with her sister..."
"One: I'm her step sister of like...a month. Two: no one has to know. And, three: doesn't the secrecy just make it more fun?" I ask with a sultry whisper. In the moonlight that comes through the blinds, I see him shrug.
"Sneaking off in the middle of a family party helps too."
"Tell me about it." Since he's made it clear he's down, no more stalling. I stand on my tiptoes and press my lips to his, running one of my hands through his hair while the other presses against his chest. He warps his arms firmly around my back, pressing my body against his. Just as domineering as I hoped. Damn, his well-built. I love that lean but strong build. I moan softly and break away from the kiss.
"Detective, I thought you said you weren't packing?"
"Oh, I did lie about that; I'm always packing. But...that's not my gun." My eyes bulge with joy and I latch my lips back on to his.