Mutual attraction takes over.
Chapter 10
Two hours later they were in the heart of New York City again. It was nighttime so they found accommodations at a plush hotel near Rikers Island. They would be visiting Rikers tomorrow.
It felt strange to be back to the bustle of urban life.
Mike and Connie decided to stay at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in New York City. The hotel suite was in direct contrast to the simple Dargerville farmhouse. The suite was richly embellished. Louis XV style of French décor had inspired the delicate grace and refined elegance of the room. French curved lines emphasized luxurious furnishings. Elaborate silken materials covered French Provencial Chairs and French style beds. The entire room spoke of exquisite indulgence.
It would be nice to relax in extravagant accommodations after what they had been through.
Personally Connie preferred the simplistic decor of the country farmhouse, however, she did look forward to a bubble bath in the grand Roman- style stepped-in marble tub.
Bathed and dressed, she later knocked on the door of Mike's suite next door. They would be having room service in his suite, thus allowing them to privately discuss their situation.
His room was identical to hers except a room service cart had been wheeled in the middle of the suite. Connie could smell the delicious food wafting underneath the dome-topped room service plates. Mike had ordered for Connie the grilled snapper fillet topped with crab butter and served with mushroom risotto and vegetables; Mike had the shrimp and crab capellini with salad. He had also ordered wine.
At first they could not determine how the SUV had been able to track them to Dargerville. Connie swore she never mentioned the town's name in the office. She had been careful not to leave any evidence behind of where she would be headed, either.
On their drive to the hotel, however, Mike was able to find a tracking device in the gym bag and had disposed of it before they had reached the city.
"At least we now know how he was able to locate us," said Mike, taking a bite, "I just wonder how he was able to get the device in among your things."
"It has to be someone working on the inside of the DA's office," Connie commented, taking a sip of the wine.
"Anyone with any unusual behavior at the DA's office?" Mike asked.
"No…no," Connie thought out loud. She ran through all the workers at the DA's office. Then she thought about the last few days before they had to go on the run.
After awhile, "…Wait…Tim." She explained how the new intern always seemed to be around her at the most inopportune times. She recalled times when she had gone to get some coffee or copy some papers only to arrive back and note him already situated near her desk, to ask a question or drop off a document. And then there was that day when he was directly behind her when she received the call from Mike.
They both agreed they would talk to the detectives tomorrow about Tim Vilsky.
.
They were both exhausted.
Mike grimaced a little as he stood up.
"Are you still in pain?" Connie asked.
"Usually gun shots don't bother me much," deadpanned Mike, "but my shoulder has taken a beating with that car chase. I've already cleaned it, but now I'll need to rewrap my wound again."
He walked over to the credenza to retrieve a paper bag. Inside was a large roll of sterile wrapped gauze.
Dinner and discussion was over. Connie stood up to leave. She seemed to be deliberating something in her head.
Finally she made the decision.
"I'll help you rewrap your shoulder." Connie hesitantly volunteered when he had returned. She apprehensively reached one hand forward for the gauzed tape.
Indecision registered on Mike's face. Connie looked just as uncertain. They gazed at one another, wondering what the other was thinking. He opened his mouth to say something, but as an afterthought, he instead handed the rolled gauze to her.
As she held onto the roll, she watched as Mike slowly began unbuttoning his shirt.
He started from the top, working his way down. She watched him slowly release each button from its buttonhole. Next he jerked one side of his shirt loose from his belt. Then the other. He removed his shirt guardedly, self consciously. She had watched his every more, unable to look away. Finally the shirt was tossed on the bed.
Her mouth felt dry.
His chest was entirely exposed to her. Though not bulging muscular, Mike's chest was strong, firm, and fit. Not an inch of fat.
She reached out and carefully started unwrapping the old gauze.
Despite the barrier of the wrap, Mike felt the heat of her touch bursting through.
Wordlessly, she let the old worn gauze fall carelessly to the ground as she looked at his wound, admired his bare chest. Her finger reached out instinctively and gingerly outlined his healing punctured wound.
Mike closed his eyes at her tender, velvety touch.
"Does it hurt much?" Her voice sounded different.
He opened his eyes, blue fervent eyes gazing at compassionate brown ones.
"Not as much. Especially now." He could barely form his words. He took a deep breath to calm himself. He tried to resume normal conversation.
"But there are times," he tried to state in a regular tone, " it felt as if someone was pouring Tabasco in the wound."
Connie smiled at his description. She took the new roll of long gauze tape and proceeded wrapping the bandage on the outside of his arm, just below the point of the injury. She wrapped it in a full circle around the back of the arm to secure it in place.
Everywhere she touched, Mike felt a fieriness radiating in that area. He watched the intensity of her face, felt the intensity of the touch. Then she brought the bandage around and back under the other arm and across his chest and over the shoulder at the point of injury.
Each unroll of the gauze made her more aware of him, too.
Although it had been hard for Connie to keep her hands steady, she skillfully continued wrapping, finally fastening it securely at the chest.
Every single movement had been cautiously and painstakingly slow, yet both of their pulses were racing.
When she was done, Connie put her arms to her side and slightly stepped back to signal the task was complete. She continued to stare into Mike's eyes. Sheer willpower kept her from reaching out and touching his chest again. They stood less than an arms-length apart.
Watchful of her reaction, Mike reached towards her and intimately placed his hands around her waist. He ran his palms from her waist, up her side and then back down again, as his eyes followed the touch of her curves. Then it came to rest at her waist.
Her body tingled at his touch. He gauged her reaction. Her eyes pleaded with him to continue.
Their breathing became shallow. His arms drew her even closer to his body. He hesitated slightly, but Connie did not resist.
His gaze fell to her mouth. Suddenly Connie couldn't breathe.
He drew her closer against his exposed chest.
She tipped her head slightly.
His warm breath mingled with hers. She expected his kiss to be demanding, but when his lips touched hers, it was so light, so incredibly gentle. There was no rush, only an incredible sweetness that made her lips part, wanting and expecting more.
As the kiss deepened, his hand sensually slid from her waist to the small of her back. She melted in his arms.
She was lost in a world of sensations.
Connie sighed.
Hearing the sigh, Mike was brought back to the realization that this was Connie in his arms. ADA Connie Rubirosa.
The kiss was interrupted as Mike pulled back.
He stepped back, bewildered. He looked down and tried to calm his nerves.
Confronted back into reality, Connie abruptly opened her eyes and took a deep breath. It took her some time to regain her composure.
Both waited until their breathing was even again.
Mike looked at her astonished face.
"I'm sorry, Connie," he tried to look contrite, "—I didn't mean…"
Connie didn't understand what had just happened.
Flustered and embarrassed, she turned and fled the room.
(This was challenging to write and I hope I did right by them. Please let me know)
Sorry to say, I am putting this story on hiatus for now…but there's a reason…
I am in a holiday mood! It's Christmastime! Yay! I've completed writing a Christmas story about Mike and Connie. It'll be a quick read. I hope it will put you in the Christmas spirit. I will post it in a couple of days. Please review that one too, and I will post the story faster!
…Then this story will continue!