Chapter 9: Sweetheart.
The sun streamed through a gap in the curtains to announce that morning had arrived, Lexi opened her eyes, blinking in the light. She realised that Max had his arms around her, remembering what had happened she grimaced, gently lifting his arms so that she could escape from the room. It was still early on the Saturday, wrapping her dressing gown tightly around herself she began making coffee. Lexi sat at the breakfast bar staring at the mug of coffee in front of her, hundreds of thoughts racing through her head. Was last night a mistake? Would Max think it was? Would they be able to carry on with the case if it had just been a one off in his mind? Could she stand that? What if anyone back at the station found out? What would Max think of her? What did she think of her? Lexi was so deep in thought she hadn't even heard Max wonder into the kitchen looking for her, having woken up to find she had disappeared.
It was clear to Max that something was wrong, Lexi was sat in a world of her own, oblivious to his presence; he wondered if she was regretting the night before – he hoped not. She jumped as he put his hands on her shoulders, standing behind her, he placed a kiss on the side of her temple.
"Morning!" He breezed, she gave a grumble in reply, "What's wrong?"
"I was just thinking that's all" Lexi tried to smile, everything had seemed so simple at the time
"Right, I'm not sure what you are 'just thinking' this morning, but I know that I don't regret what happened between us, and I for one do not want it to just be a one off. Lexi " He paused being completely open and honest "I really like you – well more than that!" Max blushed slightly, which Lexi found simultaneously adorable and entertaining. She grabbed one of his hands.
"Me too – I was just worried you would have second thoughts and then I didn't know how things would work with the operation. Or that you'd think I was, oh I don't know...a bit of a slut!" Lexi laughed in spite of herself, Max laughed with her.
"As if!" Max admonished her as he retrieved a mug for himself "Have you got any plans for today? I have a few ideas of how we can occupy ourselves..." He said in mock innocence.
"I'm sure you have!" Lexi giggled, "But I have a hair appointment at four – thought I would make an effort for this evening.
Max sat waiting on the sofa playing on his phone, while he waited for Lexi to finish getting ready. He was dressed in a grey suit, with a crisp light pink shirt, that Lexi had picked out for him on their shopping trip two weekends before. He looked up as the bedroom door opened and she made her way to the living room. Max was speechless, she looked astonishing. Lexi had chosen a dark purple dress, with no sleeves, that fitted her figure tightly and brushed just above her knees. The sash that was embellished with beads and jewels and tied at her back accentuated her slim waist. Her blonde hair hung in loose curls, finishing just below her shoulders, and she was carrying her black stilettos and matching clutch bag.
"Will I do?" She pointed to the dress, Max nodded slowly
"You look amazing, I'm nearly speechless!"
"There's a first!" Lexi grinned as she perched on the arm chair to put her shoes on, as the car Tremaine had ordered to take them to the best restaurant in the area was due to arrive.
"Last night you said something about a golden rule, what did you mean?" Max questioned as they headed to the front door, having received a message to announce the cars arrival.
"Oh yeah – my golden rule – no coppers. Less complicated"
"Rules are made to be broken though" Max winked at her as he locked the front door and handed her the keys to put in her bag.
"Isn't that what keeps us in a job? Put it this way, I never met a copper I liked enough to break it in the past. You're something special!" Lexi assured him as they got into the lift.
The restaurant was busy when they arrived, and the rest of their group was already seated at the best table in the house. Lexi didn't even notice DI Manson and DC Grace Dasari seated at a table in the corner diagonally opposite their own, offering a perfect viewing point for them. Several strings had had to be pulled in order for the DI to obtain the table at short notice and he was not looking forward to submitting the expenses claim; but at least it allowed him to spend some time alone with Grace on what could constitute a date. Max and Lexi walked in with their hands clasped together, as they were shown to the table, Max's hand moved to the small of her back and Lexi flashed him a stunning smile.
They greeted their host and were introduced to the other members of the party, two Max knew as they shadowed Tremaine everywhere, the other two he had never met; but turned out to be the men who were procuring the large amounts of drugs Tremaine was shipping into the country in the near future.
"Ahhh Lexi, lovely to see you again sweetheart! You look absolutely gorgeous – Max here is a very lucky man." Tremaine boomed, greeting Lexi with a kiss on both cheeks, his arm lingered around her waist, she resisted the urge to pull away staying in character.
" So I keep telling him!" Lexi gave an overly girly giggle. During the meal she was sat in between Robert Tremaine and Max, which became quite uncomfortable. Tremaine constantly felt the need to place a hand on her arm or knee, and when he wasn't actually touching her there was something about the way he looked at her that made Lexi's skin crawl. After the desert she excused herself to go to the bathroom and when she returned to the table she was able to discreetly move her chair slightly so she was closer to Max, who instantly placed a hand on her leg, as they exchanged a knowing smile.
Grace watched the interaction throughout the meal, she looked at Neil over her glass,
"You know they are playing their parts to perfection – they could actually be married" She mused referring more to the small interactions between the two officers. Neil agreed, they weren't over the top or forced, the exchanges were natural and almost innate.
As the coffee and liqueurs were served to the party, Tremaine studied Lexi, who was listening to her husband whispering something into her ear.
"Lexi, sweetheart you haven't drunk all of your champagne, was there something wrong with it?" Tremaine questioned her. She had already had two glasses and left the third mostly untouched not wanting to risk getting tipsy and revealing something she shouldn't.
"No, no, erm I'm just trying not to drink too much at the moment" Lexi tried to explain, hoping that he wouldn't question her further.
"But this is a celebration – your husband's birthday and a sealed business deal – drinking is compulsory sweetheart!" He insisted pushing the glass towards her, hoping to encourage her to get drunk. Lexi's mind raced trying to think of something to say, Max came to her rescue – in a fashion.
"Lexi's cut down on the alcohol because we are trying for a baby" Max said, making the sentence sound like a secret confession between him and his boss. Lexi's face showed a mixture of horror and shock as she swivelled around in her seat to face Max; she had not been expecting him to say anything like that, Max smiled apologetically "Sorry I know we weren't going to say anything, but I'm so excited and Robert is my mate as well as my boss". Lexi recovered quickly, turning back to smile at Tremaine
"Sorry it's just we haven't really told anyone yet, we agreed to keep it between ourselves." Lexi explained charmingly. The party transferred to Tremaine's large town house, where the men continued to drink, while Lexi was satisfied with fruit juice. It was the early hours when everyone dispersed and the taxi returned the couple to Crosby Wharf. Lexi was clearly slightly agitated by the time they got up to the apartment, Max was also less than pleased.
"God he makes me sick, the way he touches you, even the way he looks at you; he makes it obvious what he's thinking. And I'm just supposed to pretend not to notice!" Max groaned, as he watched Lexi put the kettle on.
"You think it's bad for you, try being on the receiving end Max. At least he is unlikely to proposition you!" Lexi spat, Max's eyes widened furiously.
"He did what?"
"What did you expect; he's used to having his own way. While you were out looking at his stupid classic car, he suggested that I spend some time with him without you – the implication was pretty obvious."
"What did you say?"
"I didn't really know what to say, I was disgusted and I wasn't sure what Lexi Barton would do and say – we've never discussed it as a scenario, I didn't want to say yes and then spend weeks making excuses not to follow through until the shipment arrives. But I couldn't say no in case he sacks you. I suggested I'd think about it." Lexi shook her head, face twisting in disgust "I made it sound like it was an appealing prospect"
"While you were in the loo at the restaurant he told me the shipment is arriving next Friday – so you just have to avoid him until then."
"It was one thing cosying up to you when we weren't together, but we knew it was a cover and that there was no danger in it – apart from getting found out – but Tremaine" Lexi sighed, she was tired and irritated by the criminals behaviour "And I swear if he calls me sweetheart one more time I'll rip his vocal cords out!"
"I thought you were going to rip mine out when I made the excuse about you not drinking!"
