"So I told him that he needs to either let me do my job or I walk."
"You did not!?"
Kate nodded at the woman across from her as she drained her third glass of wine, the sweet nectar doing little to loosen the anxious knot in her chest at the memory of her recent standoff with her boss slash boyfriend.
She hated locking horns with him at work but they simply couldn't let their personal relationship get in the way of how they operated as a unit and, from the knowing look in Sam Miller's bright green eyes, she could see the inner turmoil plaguing her friend.
"Well, I suppose it's about time someone put Hank Voight in his place."
Kate shook her head, her fingertips rotating the stem of her glass, the swirling liquid casting patterns across the wooden table in dim restaurant lighting.
"I hate doing it Sam but things have been…difficult ever since New York. I dunno, he just looks at me differently now."
Sam considered Kate from across the table for a moment, eyebrow raised high on her forehead.
"I told you."
Kate looked at Sam quizzically, brows furrowed.
"Told me what?"
"I told you he was forbidden fruit so, what did you do? You went and took a big, juicy bite anyway!"
Both women shared a light laugh until Sam leaned forwards, bracing her elbows on the table, looking Kate dead in the eye.
"This was never going to be a walk in the park, Katie. Not only has that man got more enemies than you can shake a stick at, but he has this…" Her hands gestured in the air as she searched for the right words "…desire to shield everyone he cares about from all of the bad things life has to offer. A trait not too dissimilar to someone else I know."
Sam gave her a pointed look and Kate dropped her chin with a sigh, knowing full well that Miller had hit the nail on the head but it didn't mean that she couldn't be pissed at their situation.
"But one thing I can say for sure, is that Hank Voight absolutely trusts you as a detective. He trusts your instincts and he knows that you'll get the job done. It just seems like he's having a bit of trouble with the thought of you being in harms way and, given what happened in New York, I can't say I blame him."
"I get it, really I do but we set boundaries for a reason, Sam. When we're at work, I can't be Kate and he can't be Hank…otherwise it just isn't going to work. Do you really think he'd bench Burgess, Upton or, heaven forbid, one of the guys because he was worried about them getting hurt?" She shook her head. "This is the career we chose. We all know the risks."
Miller nodded, draining the last of her wine before motioning for the bartender.
"Can we have another round please? Actually, better just bring the bottle."
Kate snorted at the request and followed suit, swallowing the last of her wine in two gulps before letting out a long breath.
"Look Katie, if he's worth it to you, then you talk and you make it work. If the way he looks at you is anything to go by, I think you two will navigate your way through this just fine."
Kate reached across the table, grasping one of Sam's in her own and giving it a gentle squeeze, ever grateful that she had such an incredible friend in her life.
"I appreciate you Sam Miller. Anyway, enough about me. What happened with Guterra? I never heard from you so I assumed the slippery prick disappeared back under whatever rock he crawled out from under."
The change in Sam's demeanour was instant, her face becoming hard and her eyes turning as cold as ice.
"He caught wind that we knew he was in Chicago and swiftly high-tailed it back to Mexico. It'll only be a matter of time until he resurfaces again. And when he does, I'm going to nail his ass."
The two women raised their glasses, clinking the rounded edges together in a silent toast to the day that they would finally be able to put the sick bastard behind bars where he belongs.
"You know, there's something I've been dying to ask you since you two filed the HR paperwork a few months' back."
"Hmm, what's that?"
Sam peered at Kate over the rim of her glass, eyes glittering with mischief.
"What's he like in bed?"
Kate gawped, an indignant sound leaving her throat at the question.
"I'm absolutely not going to give you the horny details Samantha Miller! He will kill me!"
"Oh come on, I bet he's incredible! All rough hands and sinewy muscle…and that voice!?"
A loud laugh burst from Kate at Miller's statement and all she could do was shrug her shoulders noncommittally but the big smile and rosy blush on her face was a huge giveaway.
"Yeah, he's…pretty incredible."
A bottle and a half of wine later, Sam had excused herself to use the bathroom and Kate took the opportunity to check her phone, noting that she had one unread message from Hank. Rather than responding, she pulled up his contact card and hit call, the sound of his voice at the other end of the line bringing a smile to her face.
"Hey baby."
Hank grinned at the term of endearment, limited experience telling him that excessive alcohol consumption made her more tactile and affectionate than normal.
"You two ladies having fun?"
Kate hummed in response, the alcohol buzzing through her system making her brain feel hazy.
"We are. Where are you?"
She tugged the sleeve of her blouse back to reveal her watch, taking note of the time.
22:48.
"Just finishing up some paperwork for Fischer. Want me to swing by and pick you up on my way home?"
"Yes please."
With a promise that he'll see her inside of thirty minutes, Kate killed the call just as Sam returned to their table, the two of them finishing off the remainder of the wine just as Hank texted to let her know he was outside.
"You sure you don't want a ride?"
Sam waved her off, shrugging her light jacket over her crimson silk blouse as Kate did the same, the early summer evenings not requiring anything heavier. When they made their way out onto the sidewalk, Hank was waiting across the street, leaning his weight against the fender of his SUV with his ankles and arms crossed casually, a look of contentment on his face at the sight of her.
Kate walked Sam to her cab, the two embracing and Kate thanking her once again for her company.
"Are you kidding? We need to do it more regularly. Once every nine months is not okay with me!"
Before Sam got into the waiting car, she lifted a hand into the air and waved at Hank from across the street, wishing him a good night before disappearing into the back seat. Safe in the knowledge that she would get home safely, Kate began weaving her way across the street, her balance completely off-kilter.
When she reached him, Kate toppled forwards into Hank's waiting arms, wrapping her own around his neck, smiling adoringly up at him. His palms settled low on her back, pulling her body tight against his own, holding her steady.
"Well aren't you a delightful drunk. You have a good night?"
Hank's expression was soft as he looked down at her, taking in her glassy eyes and flushed cheeks. She had been pushing hard the last few weeks and it was nice to see her let her hair down and have a bit of fun.
"Mmm, I did. But I missed you."
Kate pushed up onto her toes, pressing her lips to his, a little moan of pleasure escaping her throat that sent a spike of lust directly to his groin. Her tongue traced the seam of his mouth and he willingly granted her entry, sliding one hand up the length of her back to bury in her hair, bending her to his will and deepening the kiss.
Her hips instinctively started to roll against his own, the pressing ache between her thighs only growing as his tongue danced with hers, the taste and feel of him driving her crazy. Hank's jeans were becoming uncomfortably tight, the blood usually reserved for his brain function rapidly heading south at the feel of her undulating against him.
Reluctantly separating to draw breath, he watched as she took her swollen lower lip between her teeth, biting down on the flesh as her eyes fluttered open, lust dancing in her hazel orbs.
"I don't think I've ever wanted anyone more than I want you right now." He admitted, his voice deep and gritty. Before they could get too carried away, he pecked her gently on the nose and pushed them both away from the car, walking them backwards so that he could help her into passenger seat.
"C'mon, let's go home before we get arrested for public indecency."
As Kate was situating herself in the seat, she planted her hand on the door to prevent him from closing it, her face completely serious.
"You know, I know people that'll help us with a charge like that."
"Oh, you do, huh?" He grinned, leaning in to kiss her once before before closing the door, rounding the hood to get into the driver's side.
It was a thirty minute drive back to Kate's apartment but barely five minutes into the journey, Kate leaned across the console, sucking his earlobe into her mouth, one hand creeping into Hank's lap to palm the bulge in his jeans.
"Jesus Kate, you want me to flip this car over?"
"Mmm, maybe I want you to flip me over instead?"
Kate blew against his damp flesh and Hank groaned, a shiver tracking down his spine at the sensation. He knew he was in trouble when Kate's busy hands began unbuckling his belt, dragging the zipper on his jeans down slowly before pulling his hard shaft free from its denim confines. But he hadn't anticipated just how much trouble until she hinged at the waist, ducking down to take the head of his cock into her hot mouth with a moan.
"Oh fuck!"
Dropping one hand from the wheel to clutch a fistful of Kate's wavy locks, Hank was torn between trying to pull her closer and push her away as propriety and desire warred in his mind. The decision was made for him when she pulled back ever so slightly, flicking her tongue repeatedly against the sensitive tip, her intimate knowledge of his anatomy working in her favour.
With a grunt, he spotted his opportunity a few yards ahead, swinging his SUV into a dark, abandoned alleyway, slamming on the breaks and shoving the car into park. Using the hand in her hair, Hank pulled her roughly away from his body and forced his mouth to hers, rough and demanding, nothing at all like the tender kiss they shared earlier.
Taking his length into her hand, pumping him firmly in her fist, Kate slid her mouth to Hank's ear.
"I want you…right here…right now."
His resolve vanished at her whispered request and he jabbed a finger at the clasp of her seatbelt before dragging her into his lap, her knees braced on either side of his thighs as he immediately set to work on tugging the hem of her shirt over her head.
Two sets of hands worked frantically to expose as much skin as the limited space would allow. Kate had managed to get Hank's shirt unbuttoned, tracking her lips down the centre of his chest before diverting off to the left, flicking her tongue over his nipple. Hank reached behind her back and unclasped her bra with practised ease, the black lace falling away to reveal her ample breasts to his hungry gaze.
Returning the favour, Hank took one stiff peak into his mouth, sucking hard as his tongue alternated between slow swirls and rapid flicks. Whilst his mouth was busy, his hands dropped to the button on her jeans, swiftly undoing the denim and slipping a hand inside, tracing his fingertips over her damp underwear.
"I haven't even touched you yet and you're already so wet for me."
"Just shut up and fuck me."
Her aggressive demand had Hank growling in the back of his throat, yanking the denim down her thighs sharply, freeing one leg as she hovered over him. Once he had created enough space, he tugged her underwear to one side, lined himself up with her dripping opening and pulled her down into his lap, sliding himself inside her in one, smooth motion.
The two of them stilled for a second, both panting heavily as Kate's body adjusted to the sudden intrusion. The glass was beginning to steam and, in that moment, Hank had never been more thankful for the tinted windows.
With a coy smirk, Kate leaned forward and rested her mouth next to Hank's ear.
"Please Henry."
His groan was nothing short of feral. Planting his feet in the footwell, Hank started a brutal, punishing pace that had Kate writhing in pleasure, eternally grateful that she had discovered that little kink early on in their relationship.
"Like this? This what you want?" He grunted, teeth sinking into the flesh of her neck sharply.
"Yes…yes…just like that."
Sliding his hands up the smooth expanse of her back, Hank traced his tongue down her sternum, tasting her salty skin as she moved above him, breasts bouncing in time with his thrusts. He wasn't sure if it was the alcohol or the stress of the last few weeks but he had never seen her this wanton. Her nails scored angry red marks down the skin of his chest, her teeth nipped at the flesh of his collarbone before she attached her lips to the same patch of abused flesh. Even as far gone as she was right now, Kate still had just enough presence of mind not to leave a mark somewhere that he wasn't able to cover up, regardless of how much she wanted to let the world know that Hank Voight was her man.
Feeling the familiar pressure build low in his stomach, Hank dropped a hand to where they were joined and ran his thumb back and forward over her slick nub repeatedly, the rhythm of his hips never faltering as Kate's walls began to flutter around him.
"Are you close?" The only response he got was a shaky jerk of her head as her eyes rolled back and her forehead dropped onto his shoulder. Within a matter of seconds, she threw her head back and cried out his name as she reached her peak, convulsing above him as her walls clenched him in a vice-like grip. Hank managed two more deep thrusts before he erupted inside of her, his body shaking with the exertion, palms running gently up and down her sweaty back.
Kate was completely limp against his chest, her face buried against his neck and, whilst Hank could feel the short, sharp puffs of air against his skin, the only clear sign that she was still conscious was the slow, subtle movement of her fingers carding through his hair.
"Well, that was unexpected." He muttered into her hair, drawing a light chuckle from Kate who pulled back slightly so she could meet his eyes. The raging desire had been replaced with a look of contentment, her lips capturing his slowly before she moved off of him completely.
Flopping down into the passenger seat, Kate righted her underwear and cast her eyes over Hank who had yet to move a muscle. His lean torso was slick with sweat, the tanned flesh almost glowing in the moonlight and Kate took in the new additions of eight pink lines on his chest along with a rapidly darkening bruise just under his right collarbone with a surge of satisfaction.
Tucking himself back into his jeans, Hank glanced at her with an odd expression on his face and Kate suddenly became shy under his gaze.
"I don't know what came over me. I got one look at you and-"
"Oh, you won't hear me complaining sweetheart. Although, I'm probably getting a bit old for these kind of acrobatics."
Swatting his arm playfully, Kate pulled her jeans back up over her thighs and hips, reaching down between his parted knees in search of her bra and shirt, finding the black lace hanging over the indicator stalk as Hank set about righting his own clothes. When they were decent, he restarted the engine and pulled the car back out onto the main road and safely delivered them back to Kate's apartment.
When they arrived home, they took a long shower together, content to simply enjoy the feeling of touching and being touched in return, sliding between the cool sheets and curling around one another. Kate had thrown one thigh across Hank's hips, her head tucked into the space under his chin and her fingertips drawing patterns over his chest and stomach.
"You know if I had to make a choice between you and the unit, it wouldn't be a choice, right?"
Kate's tone was soft as she spoke and, reading between the lines, Hank understood exactly what she was trying to tell him. She would give up her spot in Intelligence if that was the only way they could be together.
"I can't promise you that I could stop being a cop but, truth is, I've never felt anything like the way I feel with you. And if that means transferring to another unit then…"
She tapered off, letting the statement hang in the silence between them. Despite his best efforts, Hank felt his eyes burn at the magnitude of what she had just told him. She would be willing to sacrifice her career, everything that she had worked hard for just so that she could be with him.
Kate had wormed her way into his life, unravelling the iron chains he'd wrapped around his heart, exposing the deepest, darkest parts of him and sharing her own secrets in return. He knew Camille had loved him but he kept the worst of himself hidden from her, only letting her see the man he was at home. Would it have changed her feelings for him if she knew differently, he guessed he'd never know. But here was this incredible woman who had accepted him and all his flaws readily and without judgement simply because she believed that he was good, that he was worthy.
Before Kate came into his life, Hank was convinced that there wasn't any goodness left inside of him. Embracing the darkness like an old friend had become second nature to him but it seemed that having her in his life served to heal parts of his fragmented soul that he had thought were lost forever.
Wrapping his arm more firmly around her shoulders, Hank pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head.
"It won't come to that. We'll work it out."
