Dempsey checked in at the SI10 offices with Jarvis and Watson; he'd filled out a report on the operation and given in the document he'd received from the court officials as he'd handed Robert Makepeace over to his barrister to give evidence. He wanted to clear up all the red tape so he could be with his partner and not get dragged back by Spikings to do the paperwork. When he'd finished he had a quick shower in the guys' locker room and was pulling on a fresh pair of jeans when Chas came in.
'Not a nice man Harry's ex, give her my best when you see her,' his dark eyes met those of the American and a silent conversation took place. 'Tried to pump me for information on the two of you,' Chas pulled his jumper over his head.
'Yeah and how did that go,' Dempsey's mouth twitched with humour he could imagine how that went. He'd heard Chas blank Spikings a million times and most of it on his behalf.
'Nothing to report,' Chas gave a wry smile. 'I checked the hospital, Harry's out of A&E and staying with her father at Winfield Hall,' he knew Dempsey would already know that but he played the game.
'Thanks, I'm taking a few days back leave since I haven't had a day off in forever and maybe I'll pop down there and see how she's doing; check out the lodge house whilst I'm there and assess the damage. See you around Chas and thanks,' he held out his hand and shook the other man's hand.
'For what?' Chas had a feeling he knew what was coming but waited patiently for Dempsey to continue.
'For dealing with the asshole on a day to day basis and keeping me from committing murder one. And also, for the cooking when you got to buying the canned food it got better,' he lightened the atmosphere after the reveal and slapped the other man on the back and left the room.
Dempsey made his way to the car and headed down the M4 in the direction of the Winfield estate. He didn't underestimate the gun battle Harry had been involved in and he'd fought hard not to desert her jerkwad of an ex-husband and fight his way to her side.
He also knew Harrry'd been reliving her painful past over the last few weeks. For his own part he'd shut down Robert's attempts to talk about the blonde; he was curious as to what had gone down but he wanted his partner to tell him not that pathetic loser she'd been married to. It went against the grain to deliver the smarmy bastard to the court without rearranging his face and he hated the thought that jerk had touched Harry, never mind been her first.
He came off at the motorway exit and drove along the country lanes and through the late afternoon dusk until he came to the drive leading down to Winfield Hall. He pulled up there and gave the police Sergeant at the gate his I.D. 'Heard you had quite a party here,' he drawled, 'Dempsey SI10, I'm expected.'
The Sergeant nodded, 'forensics are combing the grounds for evidence plus there's an army detail to make sure any heavy weaponry is made safe; it's usually quiet here we get lawnmower's stolen and the like,' he returned Dempsey's I.D.
'Chief Superintendent Spikings is at the hall he's assessing the damage and checking on his team they took a number of injuries but no fatalities so that's a result.'
'Thanks,' the American nodded and got back in his car and drove into the semi-circular drive in front of the house and sprayed gravel everywhere as the car came to a screeching halt.
'Dempsey's arrived,' Spikings growled and looked over at Makepeace who was looking pale and expressionless. 'Well go and greet him girl, I'm sure you'll want to swap war stories and he'll no doubt be glad to know you're in one piece.' What was up with Harry she'd been a ghost of her former self the last few weeks. The Yank had been undercover before for long periods and she'd coped.
Harry came out of her introspection and walked to the door to greet her partner and surveyed the gravel all over the front steps, 'I see you've arrived,' she said simply her eyes searched his with a shadow of fear in their blue depths. She'd been haunted by Robert's painful accusations about her ability as a lover; old wounds re-opened as she'd wondered what her ex might have revealed.
Dempsey got out of the car and came up to her his gaze warm as he assessed her status. 'It's good to see you Harry, you okay I got here as soon as I could?' His fingertips ran over her temple and down to her jaw, 'how's the shoulder?'
'It's just a graze the bullet didn't go in; I've got painkillers from the hospital,' Harry dismissed the injury and moved away from his touch, 'Spikings is here he's in the drawing room with Freddie and we have police and army personnel all over the grounds, the traffickers had a fair amount of artillery but Spikings had prepared for it. It got a big naughty at times but we had the element of surprise and that kept the causalities down; it took a while to round them up. Fry's in hospital with a leg wound; he held up well though and he's going to be okay.' She knew she was babbling but couldn't seem to help it, Dempsey must think she'd lost it.
Her partner got the fact that Harry was playing it like they were in the office and he supposed with the boss here she wanted to keep the professional personae in place. On the other hand, it could be because she was spooked about her ex and was keeping her distance.
Dempsey decided to follow her lead, 'yeah, how's Freddie I think the hunting lodge took a few hits; at one point I thought I heard a mortar? There had been deafening sounds which could be heard despite the insulation in the tunnels.
'Freddie's fine, the hall was well protected,' Harry acknowledged as she led her way into the house and into the drawing room, 'D.I. Dempsey,' she announced in a polite tone.
'You can call me James I'm off duty,' Dempsey growled at her. 'Hello sir, boss,' he acknowledged. This was great he wanted to get Harry on her own and he had the chief and her daddy on point.
'Good work James,' Spikings responded using Dempsey's first name with his usual sarcasm. 'The witness has given evidence on the first day of the trial, he will be cross examined of course but the information has been submitted. The court is aware of the threat so they're fast tracking Robert Makepeace's part in the proceedings to lessen the risk and thereby reducing his potential as a target.'
'Good to know,' Dempsey responded in a wooden tone, he personally wouldn't care if they offed Robert once the trafficking case had the information they needed in fact he'd hold whoever's coat. 'Sorry about the damage sir,' he turned to Freddie.
'Don't worry about that my boy, that's the least of my worries,' Freddie's warm gaze settled on his precious daughter he'd give everything he owned to keep that haunted expression from her face.
'We're ready to inspect the damage to the Lodge House now Lord Winfield,' Spikings decided to give his team some personal time as Dempsey looked like he was ready to lay an egg and he didn't want to be involved in a domestic between his most proficient officers. There was only so much you could turn a blind eye to.
'Yes, yes excellent idea,' Lord Winfield wanted the American to sort out Harriet and he could see his daughter was looking less than willing to play ball; he ushered Gordon Spikings out of the hall and down the steps before she could offer to join them and left the pair of them together.
Dempsey decided to try baby steps as he read Harry's defensive body language, she was posting keep off the grass signs no doubt about that. 'Chas is a terrible cook you got anything to eat here,' his warm smile was meant to reassure, he could see he'd got some work to do to coax the princess out of the tower. He didn't comment on her emotional retreat because he understood.
'I think we might be able to find something,' Harry answered realising that she couldn't very well just bolt to her room and if she did he'd follow her anyway as Dempsey wouldn't let a little thing like being a guest in her father's house bother him. 'Shall we go into the kitchen and help ourselves most of the staff have been told to stand down today due to the police activity.'
Dempsey followed Harry into the kitchen and opened the fridge; he foraged and got out a selection of cheeses and pate. Harry had gone quiet and he wondered if they'd given her something at the hospital, she sounded like a wound-up toy when she'd met him on the steps. He put the food down and then came over to her and lifted her jacket off one shoulder and saw the bandage under the baggy tank she was wearing. 'How bad is it?'
'It's fine,' her heart rate increased as he bent his dark head, his hair brushing her jaw, and kissed her shoulder near the edge of the dressing. Her eyes flashed to the housekeeper who'd come in to feed the wood burning stove,
Mrs. Milburn had known her since she was a child and she felt very self-conscious at her partner's touch. She'd almost forgotten the heat he could create when he kissed and caressed her; it felt uncomfortable her body was stinging with awareness, it was intense.
'Spikings should have kept you out of it.' Dempsey murmured as he placed a number of small, lingering kisses over her neck and collar bone; food taking a backseat now he'd started nuzzling at Harry. He'd hungered for the familiar scent of her when he'd been shut up in the safe house with the boys.
'Why, he needed every resource he could get his hands on; the traffickers had deployed a small army and as your partner I was guarding your rear,' she pointed out with a little more spirit than she'd shown so far. 'I thought you wanted something to eat,' she gently pushed him away her eyes flashing to the housekeeper and she was still feeling uncomfortable about what Robert might have revealed.
'I do,' his gaze ran over her in an appreciative manner. 'Sorry honey, but I've been fantasising you for weeks,' he piled some food on his plate and sat down at the large, wooden kitchen table as Harry opened a bottle of wine. 'The Chief should have kept you out of it because he could've with your ex being the witness.'
Harry considered that, 'I think Spikings felt it safer to have me under his wing so to speak; apart from organising resources to cover your operation he's been working all hours on Vice's bent coppers you know how he feels about that; it's why he agreed to take you on in the first place.'
Dempsey nodded as he spread the pate generously on the bread and took a bite it was delicious in comparison to the steak pie in a can which was Chas's last gastronomic delight. 'This is good,' he lifted a glass of wine and gave her a silent toast. He watched her she was awkward, nervous it was like the morning after their first night together.
'Why don't you ask me?' Dempsey took another mouthful of the bread and pate and gave her a look of disbelief when she asked, 'about what?' He put down the food and leaned towards her across the table. 'You want to know what Robert Makepeace said about you to me and you're all jumpy as hell because you think I might believe him. As if I'd believe anything that jerk said,'
Dempsey's scathing tones showed exactly what he felt about her ex, he took another mouthful of wine. 'And since you won't ask I'll tell you. I closed him down on anything he tried to start on that subject and I think he found me so repellent that he couldn't for one minute imagine that you and I had anything going on.'
Makepeace quelled a smile and felt an immense sense of relief and gratitude to her partner, 'you played the brash Yank I presume?' She gave a small laugh as he nodded his eyes alive with mischief. 'I hate it when you do that,' she confided knowing that he was aware of that and did it occasionally if he thought she was being too snooty.
'Well it's something you and your ex have in common then,' he responded in a dry tone. 'Chas and the guys followed my lead so that's how that went so you can stop starving yourself to death and eat something,' he pointed at the food. 'You can tell me about you and him; I want to hear it from you.'
Harry picked up the bread and added some cheese, 'I have been eating,' she defended herself but she didn't respond on the issue of her ex-husband. She just wanted to forget about that.
'Well you ain't been eating enough,' he growled as his gaze ran over her. 'Anyway, one consolation for you Harry, I think your taste in men has improved. I mean I may be no Prince Charming but Jesus what were you thinking?' He could see Robert Makepeace was good looking and had a classy way with him but a couple of weeks in the guy's company was all he could take. Harry's ex was a total jerk.
'Point taken but I was very young,' she agreed finding she was suddenly hungry. 'You can see why I was put off the idea of dating and then you rode into town Dempsey and gradually the thaw set in,' her blue eyes were warm as she held his gaze.
'Took three years for the ice to melt but it was worth it,' he got up and pulled her out of her seat and into his warm embrace. 'C'mon Harry you're better than this; you fight me over every goddamned thing, you go up against a private army get a bullet wound and it's like all in a days' work. You're my girl, my baby, my princess,' he murmured the mantra as he kissed her again and got a much warmer response than before as he took time coaxing her to come out and play. 'That's better,' he growled as he kissed her nose in a patronising manner and smiled as her blue eyes flashed in answer to his challenge.
Her finger tips traced the breast pocket of his shirt as she realised she'd better update him on the guest list at Winfield Hall. 'I stayed with Spikings and his wife for a few days; he's just the same at home as he is at work and Mrs Spikings or Jane has the patience of a saint. The traffickers broke into my house and caused quite a bit of damage so I'm glad they took me in. Freddie was very grateful,' Harry gaze met his knowing the news she had to impart wouldn't be too popular.
'Yeah the boss is one of the good guys when you come down to it; figured out the danger to my queen before I did, chess metaphor,' he explained as he brushed back her hair and his thumb ran gently over her ear as his hand cupped the back of her neck.
'Yes, well Spikings has had to spend a lot of time with the local force and the army officer in charge,' she bit her lip and wondered if he was tuning in to her news. 'And Freddie is very hospitable,' she added.
'I hope you're about to say he's given the army guy a room,' Dempsey ground out in a frustrated tone.
'Well yes Major Hayes is staying here,' she agreed and waited for the other shoe to drop.
'What not just the army guy, Spikings also,' his dark scowl showed how popular that option was.
'Nearly there,' she agreed with a bright smile as she ran her arms around his waist.
'Spikings wife too you got to be kidding me, what is this place a motel?' His expression reflected his bad temper, 'tell you what maybe we should move out, there's a nice pub in the village that does rooms.'
'It will be all right; the house is vast you've been allocated the same room as before and it's got an adjoining door to my room so you won't need to tiptoe down the hall. The Spikings are in the other wing and Jane Spikings was very nice to me.'
He pulled her to him making sure he didn't jar her injured shoulder, 'I've missed you,' he whispered in her ear and buried his face in her hair inhaling the faint vanilla fragrance.
'Yes, I can feel you've missed me,' her skin heated at the only too obvious masculine reaction against her lower body as it rested against his.
'Screw the guests let's go to bed,' he raised his head and his dark eyes searched hers. 'You're not going to tell me we have to go to dinner and do all that polite chit chat, crap,' he saw the stubborn look on her and groaned. 'You owe me,' he muttered.
'Yes James, I think I do,' she reached up and wound her good arm around his neck and kissed him with a passion that promised he'd be rewarded later.
-oOo-
Dempsey, Spikings and Lord Winfield lit cigars from Freddie's humidor which made the American give a sigh of utter bliss. 'Excellent cigar sir,' he murmured as he inhaled and blew a smoke ring.
Harry placed a brandy beside each of her most significant males and took a small sip of the fiery liquid, it helped her relax after all the stress she'd endured. James didn't seem to have been negatively affected by anything Robert may have said. It occurred to her that maybe she should tell him about it. She would tell him at some point when the moment was right; she would tell him if it seemed necessary.
-oOo-
Dempsey however had a different approach; he'd seen Harry evade him on a number of issues and he'd worked out that Robert Makepeace could have finished them if he personally hadn't taken control of the situation. And as tired as they were he wanted at least a synopsis of what had gone on especially as Harry looked so skinny and pale when he got back.
As the night drew to a close and the guests made their way to their beds; Dempsey and Makepeace followed half an hour later. Harry's bedroom was heated but not that warm and Dempsey looked at the bed and decided that's where they'd talk. 'Doesn't your English central heating work in these big, old houses?'
'Well they're very large, double glazing is difficult and expensive so they're hard to heat; you can have the bathroom first I'm more used to the temperature.' She waited outside until she heard the shower go on as the plumbing was a little antiquated and then drifted away to hang up her clothes and get ready for her turn in the bathroom. Harry throat went dry as James came out of the shower in a towel and looked good enough to eat. Her hormones were getting the better of her and she bit her lip and disappeared into the ensuite.
Dempsey got under the covers as the place was damned cold and then noticed the snow falling outside the window; that was nice and seasonal, reminded him of New York; even better when you were in a warm bed and waiting for your favourite lady. 'Harry, hurry up and get in here,' he yelled at her as she seemed to be taking forever in the bathroom. His foot touched a hot object and he hauled it out; what the hell was that?
Harry came out of the bathroom looking a little embarrassed. 'Did you have to yell like that? There are other people in the house.' Dempsey always amazed her the way he could chat away to aristocracy in a well-informed manner on a number of subjects and then yell like New York yob when it suited him.
She slipped off her robe and got in beside him in a pale pink, skimpy tank with matching briefs it had some kind of lacy stuff on it and looked like paradise to a male who'd been holed up with a bunch of guys who hadn't bothered about hygiene too much. 'You look like an aristocratic, wet dream,' he growled. 'And what the hell is this; I nearly burnt my goddamned foot.'
Harry exercised her patience muscle and informed him it was a hot water bottle intended to keep the bed warm. 'One of the staff must have brought it in earlier; we're having a rather severe cold snap.'
'Are you sure they ain't at the bottom of the bed ready to offer me a cigar when I've performed my duty,' he asked sarcastically. James wasn't that keen on all the flunkies that ran around Winfield Hall, it offended his democratic principles.
'I'm sure it could be arranged,' she answered in a cool tone which usually pissed him off. Harry pulled the covers up to her chin as it really wasn't very warm in the room. She caught sight of the snow and smiled. 'I love snow, we can take the dogs out tomorrow it will be fun to watch them play in it.'
'Come here,' Dempsey pulled her to him and settled her on his chest. He left it for a few seconds while she snuggled closer. 'All right sweetheart let's get comfortable, now I know you won't like this but I want you to tell me about your marriage; give me enough to understand why you were so scared of me meeting your ex.'
Harry froze and her whole body tensed as she looked up at him her expression closed even though she knew she should tell James about it when it came to the crunch she really didn't want to, 'I don't think that's necessary.'
'I think it is; I think it could have broken us up; he cheated on you I know that; lots of guys cheat and women forgive them or they don't. You got cheated on and you left him and then you don't date or anything until I gave you an ultimatum. Why'd you react like that?'
'I don't want to talk about it,' she protested upset that he would raise the subject now of all times. 'Can't we just be glad we're both in one piece and together; why would you bring that up tonight?' Harry pushed away from his embrace her body language defensive.
'I brought it up because the longer we leave it the worse it'll get; tell me Harry.' Dempsey sat up and watched as she got out of bed went to her closet; she seemed to be looking for something. The next minute she threw a book at him. 'There that's my diary; you can read it and then you can go to hell.' She picked up her robe and tied it quickly and left the bedroom.
The detective in Dempsey made him pick it up and leaf through it until he found the stuff about Robert cheating; his face darkened with a scowl as he experienced Harry's pain. Her deliberations on whether she should be like those other girls and then her strong feeling that wouldn't work for her that she couldn't be someone she wasn't and did that make her inadequate. A lot on the subject of why she couldn't be more relaxed with Robert and give him what he needed, 'you were right not to do it princess, the guy was a selfish, sadistic bastard,' Dempsey muttered.
The insults were all recorded as if she was punishing herself; the suggestions of sexual stuff that Harry would never be into even if the guy was more than willing. He shut the diary and groaned no wonder she'd been on the reserved side, he wished he'd been there for her, he felt sorry for the young girl his partner had been.
Harry meanwhile had paced the house her thoughts in turmoil. She shouldn't have given James the diary; my God why had she done that; he'd see her every private thought. What had she written; think back, think back what did I write? She was beside herself with mortification and nervous tension. She'd have to go back to the bedroom and face him; she couldn't avoid her partner they worked together and besides that he was persistent and didn't give up easily.
Dempsey heard the door creak and looked over to see her there like a bird ready to fly at any moment. 'Come here, Harry,' his voice was warm and held a wealth of tenderness. He threw back the covers to let her in and she slowly made her way over and then settled beside him.
'The guy was sick and twisted and there's nothing wrong with you that a few more Christmas's won't solve,' he smiled at her way of describing her progress in the bedroom area. 'Why'd you think it was you; why couldn't you talk to Angela or one of your other friends?'
Harry didn't answer immediately as she wasn't sure she could speak as her throat was so tight and tears were threatening. She swallowed hard and concentrated on putting the words together. 'I was very young and proud and t-t-t-oo ashamed at my failure. I didn't want to admit I was wrong I suppose.' She took a deep breath to try and regain her composure.
Dempsey's arms tightened around her protectively, 'you made a bad choice; we all make bad choices Harry, there ain't no shame in that. You stuck to your guns and didn't let him change you, you should be proud of that. I'm proud of you for that.'
James words helped her to confide more even though it was hard to open up on such a painful period in her life. 'Robert's abusive comments got worse as I broke away from him; he got obsessed with getting me back; stalked me; I had to get a r-r-restraining order,' she shivered horrified at the memory. 'It was a nightmare that I just want to forget,' she whispered.
'Okay baby, I got you,' he soothed her as he stroked her hair and then down her spine. He held her while she let go and sobbed on his chest all the pain flooding out of her in an exhausted wave. His jaw squared and he wished he'd knocked Robert Makepeace's head off when he'd had the chance.
Anyone hurting Harry would have him to answer to and if the guy didn't get posted to the other end of the planet he'd be receiving a visit. On the other hand, he was intelligent enough to realise that if Harry hadn't cut herself off like that he wouldn't have had his chance with her; she'd be married now to some guy from the nobility with a bunch of kids, a four by four, and a stable full of horses and dogs.
The sobs started to ease a little and Dempsey reached across to the nightstand and got the tissues and handed them to her; he smiled as she hopped out of bed and went to the bathroom. She was probably too ladylike to blow her nose in front of him; she was like that dainty and pretty in the way she did things; he liked that even though he was the polar opposite. He heard the shower go on and then the hairdryer; what the hell was she doing he quelled his impatience whatever it was if she needed to do it then he'd wait.
Harry came out and quickly dressed in warm clothes and picked up the diary she looked over at him. 'Are you coming?' Her voice was back to its usual cool modulation and she eyed him with the challenge he knew so well.
'Pass my clothes over its freezing,' he grumbled acknowledging this was some kind of rite of passage of hers and he may as well give up on the sex thing. His clothes hit him in the face which was nice; deciding not to say anything he dragged them on and then found his shoes. 'Do I need a coat cos I didn't' bring anything for the arctic wastes.'
'Freddy will have something,' she responded as she walked out of the room.
They made their way downstairs and Harry headed for the main reception room where the log fire was burning; she poured them a brandy each and lifted hers and took a generous mouthful.
Dempsey waited, this was her moment and he didn't want to rush her; she seemed pretty determined about something her chin was kind of set like when she was going to be really stubborn about something or when she was scared but she was determined not to be. When Harry got hold of the diary and looked at the fire he realised her intent.
'Are you sure about that Harry; it's what makes you, you.' He didn't want her to regret her decision but had to admit there was nothing in that diary he'd want to hold onto; it had been a bad year.
She threw it into the flames and her body seemed to relax. 'I don't want it here poisoning the atmosphere. You've seen it and you are the only person that needed to see it. I suppose in some way it was waiting for you.' Her blue eyes held his, 'I love you,' she looked almost angry about it as if she was saying 'so there.'
'I love you too,' his voice had a distinctly low timbre as he felt awkward with the emotional stuff but he knew this was the time when 'thank you,' would be inappropriate.
'That must have been hard,' she acknowledged the effort and bit her lip to stop the smile as the delight at his words flooded through her body chasing the pain away. James didn't' give up his feelings easily and she knew he'd spoken the words because she needed to hear them.
'It was,' he agreed with a warm smile. 'No point in keeping stuff back huh,' he took a sip of the brandy to fortify himself and moved closer to the fire watching the diary be consumed, the pages curling in the flames. 'You really want to go out there,' he looked dubiously at the heavy snow hitting the window panes.
'We could make snow angels,' she teased him. 'Isn't that an American tradition?' She moved closer to him and her blue eyes flirted with him shamelessly. 'What would you suggest?'
'Rug looks nice, cosy by the fire,' he smiled at her. 'Or we could go back to bed and keep each other warm, share body heat,' he pulled her closer to him and kissed her gently. 'It's up to you; I'll freeze my butt off out there if that's your pleasure Lady Harriet,' he could see his Harry had returned and he was glad she was back.
'You obviously do love me,' she took another sip of brandy. 'I think the rug looks comfortable; it's a bit of a romantic cliché though but at my age I think I should have done that.'
'You ain't worried Freddie or Spikings will turn up,' he lifted her chin and kissed her with more passion than before; weeks in the safe house had been hard and his nightly companion had been fantasies of Harry, her body under his, those soft little moans she made and the occasional scream when it got away from her. He loved that scream made him feel like some kind of God.
She dragged in oxygen as he raised his head her breathing ragged. 'I don't think you're really worried about that James,' she descended gracefully to the rug and he followed. Harry's fingers ran around the top button of his shirt she knew he was waiting for her to take the initiative; she was knelt on the rug and he was reclining supporting himself on his elbows; watching her. Harry held his gaze as she slowly unbuttoned his shirt and when it gaped open her hand went in and smoothed over the warm skin of his chest and then his rib cage; his breathing accelerated as she caressed him fascinated by her tactile exploration. Her nipples hardened and her clothes felt abrasive, she swiftly pulled the thick Aran sweater over her head and then the tank until she was left in her bra and jeans.
'Like some kind of fantasy,' Dempsey growled, 'take it off,' his fingers ran along the thin silken strap of her bra and he gave an internal groan as she leant back and released the catch and let the silk slide down her arms. 'Beautiful,' he levered himself up and sat facing her as she came closer, his fingers traced around the dressing on her shoulder, 'are you sure you're up to this sweetheart.' He thought he'd die of frustration if she said no but he didn't want to hurt her.
'I'll be fine,' she pushed him back against the fur of the rug and kissed down his chest to his abs, 'maybe this will be your Christmas, Lieutenant,' she used his old title but used the American pronunciation her voice soft and breathless.
Since Dempsey had fantasised Makepeace calling him that in just such a situation his arousal went up a notch; he felt his belt release and wondered how much control she thought he had, 'nice offer but if you do that this'll be over before we get started,' James swallowed hard as she unzipped him and her fingers closed round his hard length.
'That is bad,' she leaned over him and looked mischievous her eyes dancing at the evidence of his desire for her, 'I'd say you were up for it,' she watched as he kicked off his jeans and then shivered deliciously as his hand curled around the back of her neck and he pulled her down for his kiss. It wasn't quite clear to Harry how she ended up on her back as she'd been the one in charge and now she wasn't. His hard fingers unbuttoned her jeans and unzipped her and she felt the abrasive brush of the denim against her thighs as he dragged them off her, the silk of her lingerie disappeared at the same time and the soft fur caressed her limbs.
His darkened gaze ran over body relaxed in the warm glow of the fire, 'you're beautiful, Harry,' his fingers trailed the line between her breasts and her navel and he leant in to taste her breasts, his tongue running over one hardened tip.
Her body arched at the hot tug of his mouth and she moaned softly and then in a soft passionate protest as his lips moved down until he kissed just under her hip bone and nipped her slightly. She trembled and bit her lip; she was in the same state of high arousal as he was. The emotion of the evening was too much and she wanted them to come together. Her fingers sank into his hair and she pulled almost aggressively.
Dempsey got it and moved up her body and he gave a heartfelt groan as her knee move to his hip and guessed that protracted foreplay was not required; he moved over her. 'Love you Harry, you're perfect for me,' his brown gaze was dark and passionate on hers.
'Yes,' she said softly as he forged into her body, 'oh God yes,' the heat he created seared any thoughts of her former relationship from her brain. The chains of the past were well and truly broken as they came together and celebrated their deep love and passionate commitment to each other.
She lay there with his body heavy on hers feeling utterly content as he murmured her name. 'Maybe we both had a Christmas together,' she smiled as she felt his body shudder with a brief aftershock.
Dempsey had the distinct feeling that when Harry gained more confidence he'd be in trouble; she had an instinctive sensuality that just burnt through his control. He felt conscious of the gift and he rose up and looked at her and his breath caught in his throat, he could see she'd got her mojo back she was regarding him with a kind of sensual mockery.
'I think with a little bit of practice I could take you, Dempsey,' she smiled up at him as her arms linked behind his neck.
'I think you could too,' he agreed with a warm smile, 'but then it's a kind of win, win ain't it,' he laughed and nuzzled her throat. 'C'mon get up, we're gonna do the snow thing.'
'You are joking, it's freezing out there,' she protested as he pulled on his clothes and gathered hers up and helped her carefully put the tank over her head and shoulders. He stuffed her bra in his pocket. 'And what if we disturb an explosive or something,' she pulled on the aran jumper.
'Weren't you listening at dinner, Hayes said he'd cleared the lot.' He grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the cloakroom and put on some kind of overcoat as she got her stuff.
The scene outside was magical the snow still heavily falling, he laughed as she aimed a snowball at him and dodged it, he kept the return of fire to her legs not wanting to hurt her even accidentally so he was at a disadvantage because Harry was strafing him and she had remarkable aim. He decided to close it down and grabbed her and brought her into his arms, 'I got my snow angel,' he murmured romantically and then froze as a lump of snow slid down his spine. He decided there and then that Makepeace needed to work on the romance. He swept her off her feet and strode towards the house.
Meanwhile in the west wing Jane Spikings was looking out the window, 'I think Harry and James are having a snowball fight,' she told her weary husband.
'Y-e-s,' he agreed he'd heard them messing about.
'Do you think they're an item because James couldn't take his eyes off her at dinner,' she'd observed the younger couple and made her own conclusions even though they were trying their best to be discrete.
'Y-e-s,' Spikings droned annoyed with the pair of them for disturbing his sleep and it was bloody freezing as well.
'Isn't that against the rules,' she turned back to look at her beleaguered husband.
'Y-e-s,' he thumped his pillow wishing he was in the office so he could yell at the pair of them to stop being so bloody stupid.
'Are you going to do anything about it,' Jane came back to the bed intrigued as to her husband's response.
'About what,' he asked her with mock confusion.
'I love you Gordon,' she kissed him on the lips and smiled, he wasn't such an old stick in the mud after all.
The end.
.