Chapter 29
The barbeque wound down around midnight. By then almost everyone was sitting or lying on the lawn with his or her significant other. Al and Donna were the first to leave followed by Grissom and Sara. Warrick kissed Catherine goodbye and walked out with Grissom.
"So Catherine are you and Warrick ever gonna tie the knot?" Iris asked.
"Very doubtful. Warrick and I both had bad marriages; we aren't looking to complicate things."
"He's a sweetie." Grace added.
"You know what? He is." She smiled dreamily. "Well guys I'm headed home. I need to do some laundry and cleaning before work tomorrow. Thanks for everything Brass. See you all tomorrow."
Hugs and congrats circled around. Nick, Grace, Jack, Olivia and Greg finished out the team, leaving just Brass and Iris.
"This is such a great idea. A tomorrow will be fun." Iris said.
"Not for me." Brass said.
"Why sweetie?"
"You all get to go to Reno for a week. I will have to catch up on paperwork and cold cases." He grumbled.
"Oh that's right. Well we can chat on the phone and Lord help me I will learn to get better at texting."
"Not as much fun as this." He pinned her to the tree, hands above her head. His eyes were hungry and his kisses were dangerous.
"Uh, oh, uh true but we're only there till Friday. I'll be back Saturday morning."
"What if you get to Reno and fall in love with a handsome young police captain?"
"It would never happen. Breaking you in nearly got me killed!"
"Touché. Well I'll just mark my territory so they won't get any ideas."
Iris looked at him in horror.
"I'll smack you with the newspaper like I do my dogs!"
"Did it ever occur to you that I might like it?"
"I haven't any doubt."
"I wasn't going to lift my leg on you." He said.
"I'm already wearing your ring; what else is there?"
"Glad you asked King."
He moved her shirt slightly off her shoulder to reveal the length of her collar bone and took the flesh tightly in his mouth. Iris was dazed and though her logic rarely failed her, she could seem to find no reason to make him stop. She made a very poor attempt to brush him off but he laced his fingers through hers and pinned her solidly against the tree. They stayed that way for a long time. By then Iris was Jello.
"That's a lovely ten day tattoo." He said smugly. "And what it looks like now isn't even close to what it will look like tomorrow.
Her collar bone was Tootsie pop purple.
"Oh my! I can't believe you did that! I feel like we're in high school! Although I never had one in high school. I was a shy little bookworm."
"You're lucky you didn't know me in high school. I was a football player and had a new girlfriend every week."
"Oh? Any little Brass's running around?"
"About three or four hundred."
"Oh I beg your pardon. I didn't know I was in the presence of the King of Siam."
"Etc. Etc. Etc." He said referring to the movie the King and I.
"Now will you kindly release me? Nature calls."
He released her and she disappeared inside. He stood outside alone and looked up at the stars. "Lord, I am a humbled man tonight. You have blessed me with diamonds and gold, riches and blessings and they we're all at my house tonight. Thank you Jesus for loving this old cowboy who owes you his life."
Iris stared at the silver dollar sized plum on her collarbone. It looked like someone had shaded her neck with a purple marker. She came out of the bathroom and found Brass loading the dishwasher.
"It's finally happened." Iris said.
"What's that babe?"
"I'm marrying a blood sucking leech."
"I am what I am. I, however I sustained injury to my lips to ensure you were branded a first class, grade A, future Mrs. James Brass." He said without looking up.
"Aww well look at this thing! I have to wear blouses that are high cut. I can't wear my beloved V neck shirts."
"That's the point. You're lucky I didn't put it on your neck!"
"Oh that would be bad."
"So cuddle pup you sleeping over?" He batted his eyes at her.
"I can't sweetie. I have to do laundry and spend some time with my boys. Poor things are home for one day and already have to go to Olivia's tomorrow."
He looked at her with his lips popped out.
"Although I could use someone strong to carry out my garbage. And I'll need someone to eat leftovers from breakfast cause I cook too much. You know anyone who fits the bill?"
"I'll drive you home. Maybe we'll find someone on the way."
"Good thinking."
They arrived at Iris's much to the delight of two very excited dogs. Brass busied himself throwing the tennis ball and Frisbee out back. When he came back in she was on her hands and knees scrubbing the kitchen floor. He kneeled down and helped her with it.
"We need some music in here. I don't care if it is after 1am." He said.
"You're in luck. Luke hooked up my surround sound on the television so we can turn on the satellite and get it from there."
"Put it on and turn it up."
Iris turned on the country mix station. Miranda Lambert was singing about Gun Powder and Lead.
She went on the porch and began brushing out her pups. They loved this activity. Brass was sweeping the dining room and dancing to "4th of July" by Shooter Jennings. She chuckled watching him through the window. He occasionally sang into the broom handle. A new song started playing.
"Get in here King and dance with me. The floor's dry." He hollered.
She came inside and took his hand. He started singing the song "Cover You In Kisses" by John Michael Montgomery.
"It's going to be a long week. I never saw myself as a needy guy but you've made me this way."
We'll always have Buck's Landing."
"Baby, you're da greatest.' He said like Bogey.
She stepped forward to kiss him but he stopped her.
"No, no. We have to finish your housework. Now let's go upstairs and get the laundry. Where do you keep it?"
"Bedroom closet." She said with an annoyed tone.
"Are you pouting?"
"Maybe."
"C'mon, up the stairs we go."
Iris grunted but complied.
"I love your bedroom with the comforter on top." He said going up the stairs.
"How do you know what my bedroom looks like?"
"Remember I had to get clothes after Amos drugged you?"
"And where was I?"
"Passed out in my Jeep. I was only here for a minute."
When Iris realized he'd had to go into her underwear drawer she blushed. Her bed comforter was striped black and blue but the top blanket was black with the red Marines emblem. She'd bought it on a whim thinking of him.
Iris pulled the hampers out of the closet. She'd volunteered with Catherine to wash half of the sheets from Buck's Landing. As Brass picked up the hamper and headed to the door, Iris dove at him knocking the hamper flying and Brass falling to the bed. Quickly she climbed on his waist.
"What's this all about?" He asked.
"Call it a temper tantrum." She said.
"Is this because I wouldn't kiss you downstairs?"
"Uh yeah."
"And you think this little maneuver is going to help you get your way?"
"I do."
"Who am I to argue?" He said and pulled her down as if to kiss her.
Brass had been out of the Marines for many years but he was still built for combat. He locked his leg through hers and suddenly Iris was airborne. As soon as she landed on the bed beside him Brass began an all out tickle torture assault. Iris fought like a wildcat. Brass thought he had her bound at one point but she broke free and since all he could grab was the front of her shirt, all the buttons tore loose. She stood over him, her shirt wide open, leaving his eyes free to wander across her bare skin and purple bra.
"I always did like purple." He smiled.
Iris smiled briefly then dove at him again. Brass still had the upper hand however. He pinned her, stomach side down.
"Well King I think you've lost this round."
"Grumble." She said.
He laughed and released her arm which was halfway out of her shirt. He slowly pulled her arm free and then the other and threw her shirt into the hamper. He looked at her bare back with the purple strap across it. He leaned forward and kissed her shoulder, then began kissing a trail down her back. Iris never knew breathing could be such a complicated effort. His hands caressed her sides and she had chill bumps all over her skin.
"You're so soft." He said raggedly.
His maddening kisses continued as he slid off of her and onto his side. Carefully he rolled her onto her back and began kissing her stomach. Iris ran her fingers over the bristles on his head. Finally after an eternity he lay on top of her and claimed her lips. Every inch of Iris was on fire. It was evident that Brass was too. His kiss got more intense and they both made groaning sounds at different points. Iris was rubbing his back through his shirt and longed to touch his bare flesh. Like he was reading her mind he rose up and removed his shirt and tossed it into the hamper. Iris had never felt another's skin against her own and she found it wondrous.
All of a sudden as he had before, he stopped. He stood up, grabbed his shirt, collected the fallen laundry and hauled it downstairs. Iris got to her feet and threw on a blue shirt. She decided to clean up the room and leave Brass alone for a few minutes.
Finally she headed down the stairs. The washer was running but Brass was nowhere to be found. She found a note in the kitchen.
All things considered, I have compromised our case. Going home now to save face for us both. Forgive me for pressing my advantage. I'll call you after shift tomorrow. I love you.
Iris grumbled. She'd had enough of this. She let the dogs in, grabbed her MP3 player, strapped her gun to her hip and put her jacket over it. She started to walk.
Brass took the longest and coldest shower he could stand. He tried desperately to keep his mind off Iris. Then he lay in his shorts on the sofa. He got immersed in "Sands of Iwo Jima" and nearly came out of his skin when the doorbell rang. He peeked through the peephole and saw Iris.
"Hey where's your car?"
"I walked."
"You walked?!"
"All the way."
"That's nearly five miles! And it's almost 3am!"
"I made better timing than I thought."
"Iris, are you nuts?! Not for nothin' but you're an easy target."
"Am I?" She said moving her jacket off her hip to reveal her sidearm.
"I wasn't kidding when I said you pack heat."
"You'd be surprised. Now can you sit down so we can talk?"
"You're the one with the gun. I'm feeling reasonable."
Iris put her gun on his bookcase and went to sit by him.
"Why did you fly out of my house like an F-16?"
"I couldn't cool myself down in there. I was on overload and there was no reasoning with my anatomy. It wasn't like the night at Olivia's. I seriously wanted you. I was breaking down barriers I vowed I wouldn't. Ten more minutes of that and we'd have gone past the point of no return." He said.
"And you're to blame?"
"Yeah."
"Why is it you? Why aren't you allowing me to share the blame?"
"Because you have no idea what you're doing babe."
Iris looked at Brass incredulously.
"Oh don't get angry sweetheart. I know you're untouched and namely pure; although I can't figure out for the life of me how someone could be married to you and keep his hands off."
"David managed easily enough."
"He must've been play dough from the waist down.
"No idea but let's get back to why you're guilty." She said.
"Because I let it go too far. I knew what I was doing and I know what I'm capable of. I had a girlfriend from Singapore when I was in the Marines. She taught me the ropes so to speak. There'd be little chance that your will would win out."
"At that point my will had his mouth shut and hog tied in the back of my head. I wanted it as much as you did. I still do. Why do you think I walked?"
"Don't tell me that! You're not helping the Bulldog's restraint." He growled.
"I'm sorry Brass. I may not be properly broken in yet but I'm not completely naïve nor am I without those wants and feelings. You have that effect on me every time you kiss me." She admitted.
"Iris, I'm trying to do the right thing here. Do you know what I would do right now if we were married?"
"Tell me."
"Drive you up to Buck's Landing, take my big wool blanket, lay you down on that hammock and make love to you till we were both howling with the wolves. I can't get the image out of my mind. It's the only bridge we haven't crossed and I feel like a cad for wanting to."
Iris watched Brass's internal struggle.
"If it were five years ago and you were anyone else, believe me I would have broken down all those defenses. I could've done that tonight. But I made a vow to God so I had to leave." He said hanging his head.
"Would it be better to move up our wedding or maybe get married here in Vegas at one of those all night chapels?"
"You would do that for me? Man you are something else. No my love, we will wait till April. We just have to avoid putting ourselves in temptation's path."
"I will work on that. Does that mean no more snuggling?"
"No, it means we can't wrestle." He said.
"Totally agree."
"I love you, you know?"
"I love you too. And not just because you're strong."
"And here I thought it was my brawn."
"You are a lot stronger than I realized." She said.
"Nick and Warrick have me lift weights and you know I still do kickboxing. I have an entire workout room in my garage and you've seen it up at Buck's Landing too."
"I can tell. Now will you kindly get your butt in that Jeep and drive us back to my house. We have to finish the laundry or we will never get to bed."
"Oh yes ma'am."
"And I want a promise from you please."
"What's that darlin'?"
"Promise me you won't run off. You and I have gone down so many rocky roads together, I think we have ironed out the bumps. If things get tough we need to talk it out."
"Or call Pastor Lucky." Brass added.
"Right! Oh that reminds me, are you picking me up Saturday?"
"For Pastor Lucky's? Yeah."
They got back to Iris's, finished the laundry, and Iris packed her bags for Reno. It was after 6am before they fell asleep on the couch. The music played in the background.
Iris awoke at 11 and broke free from Brass's protective grip. She ran to the bathroom and then back to the couch. He wasn't there.
"Iris! Up here!" He called.
Iris jogged up the stairs and he was lying in her bed. She crawled in bed beside him and he wrapped his arm around her. They slept that way till her alarm went off at three.
"Do we have to get up?" She murmured.
"Afraid so babe. Your flight leaves at six."
"Can't we just make a career out of this?"
"Oh I fully intend to but right now we have to get up and get dressed. We have to take the pups to Olivia's by four."
"Grumble."
"You better get up or I'm going to tickle you."
Iris flew out or bed and he laughed.
"I'm going to shower. You can use the bathroom downstairs."
"Will do."
Iris appeared a short while later. Brass was on his phone.
"Hey don't you worry about it Mick, we'll just pray about it. Listen you get Hal and Willie together tomorrow afternoon at Sal's for pizza and we'll work on it. I got some ideas. Sure sure. You want to pray now?" He said.
Iris didn't want to interrupt so she went outside with her dogs. They were engaged in a heated game of Frisbee when he came out.
"Sorry about that. Mick is one of our seniors in youth group. He's working on a production of Lazarus's awakening. He's a great kid, works hard, and does a phenomenal job but he's hard on himself."
"I imagine he feels better now."
"I think so too. I'm humbled by the opportunity to be there for those boys especially when I slip up."
"Looks like Mick isn't the only one hard on himself."
"I gotta be babe. I don't want to be the monster I used to be."
"Not a chance. You're a superhero."
He pulled her to him and kissed her. "Thanks for loving me. You about ready?"
"I am. We'll take the boys to Olivia and then we'll go eat."
"Sounds good. I am craving a pastrami sandwich like no other. There's a Jersey Jack's by the airport. Do you want to go there?"
"I've never been there so yes I like to try new places." She said.
"You won't be sorry." He said
Iris was not all sorry after filling her tummy with a corned beef and Swiss sandwich on rye with a big dill pickle and a large lemonade. They ate in silence but shared quiet looks every now and again.
Brass and Iris arrived at the airport at a quarter of six. Nick and Grace were there with Grissom who was carrying their kits on a cart. The rest of the team arrived shortly after.
"Man a whole week. This is gonna be tough Big Dog. Usually I like headed to Reno after we get back." Nick said.
"Tell me about it pal."
"Gracie, I'll take care of your cowboy if you take care of mine." Iris said.
"Count on it."
"All right. Say your goodbyes. We have to get our kits through security." Grissom said to the groans of the others.
Brass kissed Iris quickly not wanting to make it harder than it already was. "You're a marked woman Iris King. You're my woman. Don't forget it." He said running his thumb over the cotton material where the purple brand was hidden.
"I won't forget Captain. Bye." She kissed him again.
"Times like this make me glad I'm married to my work." Sara said to Catherine and smiling at a busy Grissom.
"I bet you are."
Brass and Grace stood together until the team was gone. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "Hey Grace I have a project I'm working on. You available to help out?"
"I have a whole week to go Bulldog."
