Chapter 13

"Wait here a minute," said Deeks. "I should give my roomie a heads-up. He can be kinda messy."

"You're such a neat freak I'm surprised you tolerate that."

"True, but we have an understanding. Don't go anywhere."

Kensi shook her head. "Unlikely at this time of night."

Deeks exited the car and went to his front door. When he unlocked the door, Monty, his retired police dog, looked up from his bed by the couch. Deeks reached down to rub his head.

"Hey buddy, I know it's been a long evening for you. Big news. Kensi's staying with us tonight. You haven't met her yet, but I know you'll like her. Just don't jump up on her and lick her to death, okay? She's all dolled up and might take exception to that."

Monty seemed to nod his head in understanding. Who is this Kensi person, big guy? Oh well, if you like her, then I like her.

"Okay, I'm bringing her in."

Deeks went to the door and motioned for Kensi to join him. She walked up to the door, stilettos dangling from her fingers. She was curious to see where Deeks lived and to meet this mystery roommate. At least it's not some girl. Not that it's any of my business.

Monty got up from his bed and stood by Deeks. His tail was wagging. Kensi's eyes immediately went to the dog.

"Kensi, meet Monty. . . my roommate, if you will."

A look of surprise crossed Kensi's face. "Oh, I expected maybe another cop."

"Monty was a K9, a bomb sniffer. He's retired now."

"Oh," said Kensi again. She bent to pat Monty's head. "Always glad to meet another law enforcement professional."

Monty clearly enjoyed the attention and started to put a paw on Kensi's leg. "Monty! Remember what I said. Don't overwhelm Kensi," warned Deeks.

Monty whined and sat down. I like this Kensi. She smells nice.

"So . . . you don't live with a human roommate," said Kensi.

"There's no female who lives with us, if that's what you're really asking," said Deeks with a knowing smile.

Busted, thought Kensi. "Your personal life is none of my concern." She was striving for indifference and failing miserably.

"But you want it to be." That's right, Kensi. I've got your number.

Kensi just looked at him. She resented that he could read her so well. "I'm tired and I'm reconsidering calling that Uber."

"No, you're not." He grabbed her hand. "Come on. Bedroom's this way."

Naturally, the king-size bed was made up and everything was tidy. The closet door was ajar and Kensi could see that all the clothes were hung neatly and the shelves were in order. In the dirty clothes basket, she saw the green plaid shirt he'd worn two days ago. She remembered how the ketchup on his hamburger had squirted out on the front of it when they were having lunch at the beach.

He pulled out the top drawer of his dresser. "Tee shirts and sweat pants. Clean, of course. Take your pick."

Kensi picked up the top tee shirt. It was pale blue with "LAPD" written in black. "I guess you really are a cop," she joked.

"Or maybe I got it off eBay."

"Right. Since you're such a big online shopper."

"Okay, I'll get my stuff and leave it to you." He grabbed the pajama pants lying on the bed and one of the pillows. "Sweet dreams," he called over his shoulder as he closed the bedroom door behind him.

Kensi stared at the back of the door for a few seconds. Deeks' bedroom. It's surreal actually being here.

She stepped into the small bathroom. It was spotless and one striped towel hung on the rod. She checked over her shoulder. She didn't want Deeks suddenly coming back into the room. Curiosity drove her to peek inside the medicine cabinet. There were the usual items: aspirin, band-aids, a bar of soap, razors, an extra toothbrush. She picked up the toothbrush and was shocked. "Compliments of Dr. Stanley Millan" was on the label.

We have the same dentist? Her jaw dropped. Okay, Dr. Millan is only a few blocks from here. Or maybe an old girlfriend left it.

This was beyond weird. She shook herself. Not going to think about this now.

She reached back to unzip her dress. Nothing moved. She tried again. Still nothing. No . . . no! This cannot be happening. She squirmed and tugged, but to no avail. She paused and sucked in a breath. Okay, I can do this. I will not be defeated by a stupid zipper that must have escaped quality control in China.

She tried once more, but it was still stuck. She sighed. The dress was too tight to wiggle out of without unzipping it at least a little. She clinched her fists. "Damn." She looked at the closed bedroom door. Unfortunately, there was only one solution.

"Deeks?"

"Yeah?"

"My zipper's stuck. Get in here!"

"Seriously?"

"No, I'm making a joke. Yes, get in here this minute!"

In the living room, Deeks had already changed into his pajama pants. He ran a hand through his hair and looked at Monty. "Did she say what I thought she said?"

Yes! Undressing Kensi Blye. Like I haven't dreamed of this a hundred times.

He picked up his tuxedo and headed for the bedroom. Kensi stood there with hands on hips and a frustrated look on her face. "Give me a sec to take care of this," he said. "I can't let Hetty down." He proceeded to take his time hanging up the shirt, jacket and pants.

"Yet you let your partner stand here stuck in her dress." Sam's comment about the new guy being distracting came back to her. Except now it was the new guy's bare chest that was distracting. Tan and toned, it was quite impressive. She wanted to glide her fingers over all those smooth muscles. She expected some flexing of the biceps at any moment.

"Don't worry, we'll figure it out," he said soothingly. "Turn around."

He grasped the top of the fabric to inspect it. "Your hands are cold!" gasped Kensi.

"Sorry. Okay, I see the problem. Part of it jumped the track. Maybe I can work some magic on it. I'm not called 'Marty the Manipulator' for nothing."

"The Manipulator? Ugh! That sounds faintly obscene."

Deeks laughed. "Your assessment, not mine."

"Careful. Hetty will put both of us on desk duty if you rip it."

"Why? It's just a dress. I'm sure it could be repaired."

"It's not just a dress. You men know nothing. It's an expensive designer dress."

"Well, when you put it that way. . ." His voice trailed off as he concentrated on the zipper.

After what seemed like an eternity, Deeks announced, "Got it!" He began pulling the zipper down. Then he froze. "Wait. Are you, uh, you know, wearing anything under this designer dress?"

"Maybe, maybe not," replied Kensi with a twitch of her hips.

Deeks' fatigue vanished. "So, that's how it's gonna be. Maybe it's Kensi au naturel." He slid the zipper all the way down with a whoosh and glimpsed the top of a red lace thong.

Kensi shrieked. "That's enough, Deeks. You may return to the living room now."

"Glad that question's been answered. It would have worried me all night long. See, it's a good thing you decided to stay here. Otherwise, I would have had to make an emergency house call to extricate you."

"Or I could have called the fire department."

"Not exactly their area of expertise, but I'm sure they would have enjoyed the experience. They might even have asked you to be Miss October on their calendar."

"Leave!" She tried to shoo him out.

"I'm going," he laughed. Yet he stood there ogling her as she tried to hold up the bodice to keep her boobs from springing out.

"Now, Deeks!"

"Going . . . going . . . gone," he said as he slowly backed out of the bedroom. Kensi rushed over and slammed the door.

"My next-door neighbor probably heard that," said Deeks.

"Don't care," Kensi responded.

"Okay, then. Good night, princess."

"Yeah, good night," she mumbled.