AN: I was so happy to see so many of you back! I guess you haven't forgotten about this story after all. It helps divert my mind, which is exactly what I need right now.
To the guest who had the question about Kaplan and Meyer's, yes you are correct that is the lawfirm, Jack is working. Really impressed you made the link as it has been a while since I updated this story and you all read the previous parts.
Amy thank you so much for your kind words, I really appreciate them. I was also so excited to read your insight on the part and the way I wrote Sharon. I love to hear those kind of things! Could not reply to you in a different way, so I mention it here :)
Stefanie, thank you for being such a faithful reader, your wonderful words and your ongoing support! Just never mentioned that before.
Disclaimer: not my characters just playing with them.
Rated M to be on the safe side.
Chapter twelve
His question had been 'the station or home?', she had loved the way his eyes twinkled when she had said 'home'. He had practically send her into the shower, so he could prepare 'things'. He'd been so impatient that it was adorable. Rolling his eyes, as he ushered her towards the bathroom, only allowing her to grab her morning gown. She wished he would have let her in on the special evening, he had apparently planned for some time now. She would have brought some nice lingerie over, wore something different this morning. Sharon looked in the mirror, her black satin and laced slip dress would have to do.
All of a sudden she felt a weird flutter in her stomach. Anxiety, insecurity, both hitting her hard at the same time. What if this wouldn't work? They loved each other more than anything or anyone else, but what if they somehow wouldn't match? Or what if it would be really awkward? She remembered her first time with Jack. She had been nervous, but believed it would be romantic. All it had been, was awkward. Afterwards she had been so unsure and insecure about herself. Jack had seemed satisfied, but he hadn't told her he loved her, or what he liked. He hadn't asked her what she liked either. It got better in time, but it had put a distance between them. She didn't want that to happen between Andy and her. She couldn't even imagine it. They were so incredibly close. She didn't want anything to change. Her hands gripped the sink, while she bit her lower lip, standing nailed to the floor, fighting a panic that succumbed her, as she heard Andy's voice at the other end of the door.
"Sharon everything okay in there?"
Somehow Andy managed to pick up on her anxiety, without even seeing her.
Andy paused. It was awfully quiet in the bathroom. The water had stopped running, some time ago now. "Hon?.."
Sharon stared at her pale face, in the mirror. She better pull herself together, last thing she'd want was for Andy to come in and see her like this. She didn't want him to believe she wasn't sure about them, as she was. She shouldn't listen to her own anxiety. It would be alright.
"Can I come out already? Or are you still 'preparing'?" A smile curved on her lips, just the thought of Andy trying to do something romantic. She knew him. He'd be nervous trying to make it all perfect for her, while she only needed him. Maybe they should just stop being so nervous.
Andy quick glanced over the room. The light was dimmed, the candles lit, the classic music she loved so much, playing soft in the background. He had turned up the heating a bit, making the temperature more comfortable. His eyes shifted back and forth, unable to shake the feeling that he forgot something. Was this good enough? Would she like it? He didn't want to ruin things.
Before he had a chance to answer, he realized she stood leaning in the doorway, as he turned around. Sharon looked absolutely stunning. The smile on her lips, the dreamy and loving look in her eyes. So open, so inviting, calming even. A hint of amusement in her eyes, the small laugh at the end of her sentence. Real sassy. Sometimes he could not imagine the shy part in her, as she would stand before him like this. He smiled himself, taking his time to take her in. He wanted this image to be burned on his retina until the day he died. He wanted to remember her like she was now, so gorgeous, so real, so his. It was utterly amazing, but she was actually his. What had he done to deserve this?
He looked at here without a word spoken, but she knew by the glimmer in his eyes that he liked what he saw. She just would like to know what was exactly going on in that mind of his. The edge of her lip curved, as she closed the distance between them. Lazily wrapping her arms around his neck, while she cocked her head a bit to the right and stared deep into his eyes. The sigh escaped her lips first, closely followed by the hum.
"What's on your mind, hm?"
The 'hm' at the end, made his blood rush. "Just thinking that I'm one lucky bastard."
A full smile spread on her lips. She felt his hands on her hips like a perfect fit. Arching her back while he bend in to kiss her. His lips lightly touched hers. The first touch, even after all this time still tentative, seeking approval in a way. Sometimes when her eyes were closed, she even wondered whether she imagined the feel of his lips on hers. She'd capture his lower lip between hers. Pressing him harder to invite him. His response always passionate, but gentle, careful not to crush her lips with his.
Everything about Andy was gentle. The way he kissed, the way he touched. Always giving her those few seconds to change her mind, to stay in control of the situation. She didn't know many men who willingly gave their control to the other. Jack certainly never had and she still had to get used to Andy doing so. They were so different. That still was an adjustment. Maybe it was time to stop comparing Andy to Jack, but she had no other reference.
Andy's hands slowly pulled her closer, until they were chest to chest. She could feel his rapid heartbeat, thundering underneath the sturdy muscles of his chest. Sharon allowed her fingers to weave through the short hair on the back of his head. Pulling him closer to deepen their kiss. Parting her lips, she could feel his tongue intertwine with his. Warm and wet, as they danced their own private dance.
The ends of her nerves tingled, while one of his hands slowly trailed over her hip, up her back, his fingers following her spine. Ever so slowly like he was mapping out every single part of her vertebrae. Brushing the edge of her shoulder blade with his thumb. His fingers brief lost contact, playing with the ends of her hair. Undoubtedly he loved the feel of it. His other hand now carefully cupping her buttocks. Squeezing it gently, each time he deepened their kiss.
As his fingers found her nape, the butterflies slowly began to stir in her lower abdomen. They slowly drew circles. Massaging her in a hypnotic way, making her head feel too heavy for her neck. She dropped it back, feeling the support of his hand. While his thumb gently continued to stroke her nape, his fingers entangled in her hair. Deepening their kiss as much as possible.
Sharon could feel him grow hard against her. She had felt it before, causing all sorts of reactions, but today was different. It was time. Maybe long overdue. She wanted to feel him. Wondered how it would feel, if he filled her. To feel him throbbing, warm, building up a heat that would cause all the nerves in their bodies to combust. Sharon suddenly wasn't scared anymore, but hungry. Hungry for him and his love. The pressure grew on her lower abdomen, the wings of the butterflies tickling its walls. Her breathing grew heavy. Sharon moved her weight forward, trying to direct him backwards. Dinner would have to wait, she wanted him now. Even with her eyes closed she could perfectly steer him in the direction of their bed room.
It wasn't like he had expected it to happen this soon in the evening. He'd planned more than just sex. A romantic evening, a night to remember. Cooking her dinner, eating, talking, laughing. Inviting her for a dance, kissing her, but her body language made it more than clear to him that they were already there.
Andy couldn't say he'd mind. God knew he was already halfway there. He had made his mind up some time before though, that he would let her take the lead. More than anything else Andy wanted this to feel good for her.
As he heard the high pitching sound of the doorbell he released her lips, murmuring against hers, while she stood frozen in his arms.
Andy's voice was low. "Just ignore it, they'll go away."
He could feel her lips curve into a smile. Them once again moving into the direction of his bed room, while the doorbell more urgent rang again. This time Sharon ignored it as well, only deepening their kiss, as if it helped shutting out the high pitched sound.
They made another step.
"Sharon?... Andy?"
They both immediately froze, the heated moment cooled down by the voice of Sharon's mom. Diane must have heard the music. Please not their moaning. Sharon moved from his hold, turning towards the door. It wasn't a question to ignore her mom standing in front of the door. Andy knew it without them speaking as much as a word.
"Mom? I'm coming…" Her voice sounded a bit unstable, while her body still tried to get control over the tingling sensations that made her muscles a bit jittery. She looked over at Andy, a certain kind of urgency in her eyes.
It was then that he got aware of the fact that they were sparsely clothed. Making a few big steps he hurried into his bed room, grabbing their morning coats. Later wishing he had picked out a fluffy one instead of the flimsy silk one, he saw Sharon hastily wrap around her. Tying the sash, as she walked over to the door. Sharon looked over her shoulder one more time, to see if it was safe enough to open.
"Mom, come in.. Are you alright?"
Diane hastily walked in, ignoring the fact that it had taken her daughter rather long to open.
"I just believed there's something you should know about Phillip."
Diane turned, actually looking at her daughter for the first time she had barged in there. Sharon's face was flushed. Her lips red and swollen. Her hair messy. Her eyes travelled to the silk morning gown and the definite imprint of lingerie beneath it, as the black lacy slip dress, slightly revealed itself. Diane quickly put two and two together. The ignoring of the doorbell, the delay in opening the door. She felt her own cheeks flush, while she looked over from her daughter to Andy, his attire a morning gown as well. It was then that she noticed the dimmed lighting, the candles, the soft music. She had interrupted them. And judging by the state her daughter's appearance was in, in more than just a romantic dinner. She stuttered as she tried to keep her bearings, not wanting to make it more awkward than it already was.
"I … I'm sorry… I'm interrupting…"
Both Andy and Sharon blushed, feeling caught, just like a couple of teenagers.
"I'm sorry, sweetie. I'll come back later… Tomorrow.. In the afternoon…"
Sharon bit her lower lip, as she smiled, focusing on the ground, feeling a bit giddy all of a sudden.
Andy saw Sharon's sassy smile, he could only feel embarrassed though. It was more than clear to him that Diane knew exactly what had been going on between them. They were adults, but it was still quite embarrassing and damn awkward.
Diane was the one blushing once more, as she saw the tiny smile on her daughters lips. Happily surprised, she saw that Sharon, once recovered from the first shock, now seemed more relaxed.
"You believed it was important. I believe you should tell us now."
Sharon didn't have to look over at Andy. He would feel the same. It wasn't like he would be able to pick up where they had left off right away anyway. She walked over to the couch, waiting for her mom to get seated as well. "What is it you wanted us to know about Dr. Haskell?"
Diane began tentative, part of her wasn't sure whether this was really as important as she made it out to be. It was just a gut feeling. "He was at the house earlier…"
"He was?…" Sharon looked surprised.
"Asking your daddy whether he could talk some sense into you."
"Did he?" Sharon raised her eyebrow.
"I told him you weren't a five year old."
Sharon smiled, feeling lucky to have her mom always on her side.
"I'm sure your daddy would have told him the same."
Sharon wasn't too sure about that, trying to keep her sadness from her mom.
Diane insisted. "He would have."
Sharon forced a smile on her face, hoping her mom wouldn't be able to tell that she didn't quite believe her in that.
"There's something else I believe you should know… What do you know about Phillips's divorce, sweetheart?"
"Uhm, well we assumed his wife found out he was cheating on her and she filed for a divorce… do you know what happened, mom?"
"Jane and I talked a lot.. She wasn't the one filing for divorce."
"She wasn't?"
"No it was Phil's choice. She tried everything possible to save their marriage. Suggested counseling, a temporary break, up to almost begging him to tell her what she had to do for him to want her. Phil had made up his mind though. He wanted only one thing and that was for their marriage to end. "
A deep frown appeared between Sharon's eyebrows. Thinking. Processing her mother's words. A few seconds of silent thinking, before she looked over her shoulder at Andy. "He wanted a new life with Ireen. He was willing to give up his marriage for her…"
Andy nodded. "But Ireen was unwilling to do the same."
"Hm-mm. She chose for her family…" Sharon fell silent, as she realized something. " For her child. She chose for her child… We better question Ireen again. See if Dr. Haskell tied to persuade her to give them another chance, not there's no longer a child to keep her marriage together for."
While Diane looked shocked over Sharon's assumption, Andy only nodded. He knew Sharon had a special knack for connecting the dots in a case and it seemed like she had done it again. Before they had nothing more than random evidence, no motives, no cold hard suspect. Now they had both, because her brilliant mind was great at connecting the most random dots possible.
"I believe you've got something there, hon."
Finally Andy moved closer, no longer frozen on the spot where he stood when her mom entered. Relaxing as they were in their work mode. It took his mind off the fact they were caught by her mom. He'd need some recovering from that, later. Looking over her shoulder she smiled at him, as he gently squeezed her shoulder, his thumb stroking her collarbone. He wasn't kidding the times he'd say to her he loved her intelligence. They were partners in life and at work, like two puzzle pieces that fit well together. That's what had been so important, the respect and the love that grew equally.
"You really believe.." Her mom's voice cracked, soft, tentative, as she didn't want to believe Phillip could be capable of that. He was one of her husband's friends. They played golf together. He was a respectable surgeon.
"Mom.."
"Sweetie, maybe you shouldn't be doing this. I mean he could get dangerous and if he believes you get into his way…"
"Mom, this is my job. This is what I do. I'll be fine. I'll watch my back."
Andy grinned. "I'll watch her back…"
Diane forced a smile, but she didn't seem reassured at all. She had always been frantic about protecting Sharon from the big bad world, but now the threat hit so close to home. "Please be careful."
Sharon felt pity for her mom, as she was so anxious. "I will.. I'll be fine."
Sharon reached for her mom's hand, gently squeezing it, hoping she'd be able to reassure her. She wasn't afraid of Phillip Haskell. If he had wanted to harm her, he had threatened her. Instead he went to her dad to urge him to talk to her. This man might have butchered this little girl, but he wouldn't have the guts to kill a grown up. And certainly not a cop, who had a weapon and would most definitely defend herself. She could promise her mom truly that she would be okay.
