Chapter Fifteen
They head out of the city a little after 4 PM; heading north is all she can tell. After about two hours on the road, they turn off the highway and drive through a little town. She gets a glimpse at the name. Williamsport. She shakes her head never heard of it. As they pass through the town Alex notices that the buildings are old but they are well maintained. A few blocks further down the road, he turns into a small two-lane road. Every three of four hundred feet, they pass a house, plenty of space between each home.
Bobby pulls into the driveway of a small ranch house. He turns off the engine. "Well you wanted quiet, you got it."
The front yard is well manicured; red and yellow rose bushes and a variety of different flowers decorate the front of the house.
She looks at him. "You own this? It's adorable."
He nods his head. "Well I don't know if adorable is the right word, but ok."
"Come on let's go inside." He hands her the keys. "Here, open the front door." She takes the keys as and he pops open the trunk to retrieve three bags, two for her and one for him, she unlocks the door.
She opens the door into a small but comfortable living room and from where she is standing, she can see the kitchen and directly in front of her is a large window covered with drapes. Bobby sets the bags down and closes the door.
"Open the drapes."
She tosses him the keys and then opens the drapes. "Oh it's beautiful." He walks behind her, reaches over, and unlocks the sliding door that leads out on a large deck. She leads the way onto the deck. She looks from side to side and then at him. "Please tell me one of those boats is yours?"
He hugs her from behind. "The middle one."
She glances around the yard again, off to her right is a hot tub. She points. "Is that what I think, I hope it is?"
He squeezes her tenderly and kisses her neck. "Yes it is."
"Can we use it, is it ready to go?"
"Yes and yes." I drove up yesterday and cleaned it out." He taps her shoulder lightly then points to his right. "Do you see those little white spots over there?"
She nods her head. "That's the town and when you want to go into town."
She cuts him off. "You take your boat. To use one of your favorite words, cool."
He steps back into the house and picks up the bags. "I also went to the store and bought some groceries, you know eggs, wine and beer."
She laughs. "And some pickles?"
He raises his eyebrows. "No. I bought whipped cream though."
"Not in a million years." He laughs as he turns to walk toward the bedroom thinking that she is behind him, he looks back.
"You gonna stand there all night?" Alex looks out onto the lake once more. "I wish I could, no streets, no cars or angry people or ugly buildings and no noise, it's so beautiful."
She stays behind for a minute or two. Then checks out the frig. She smiles. He actually did buy all the items he said plus bread, milk, cheese, bacon and juice. Mostly items to make breakfast for a couple of days.
"Bobby. Where are you?"
"In the bedroom." She walks down a little hallway and there are two bedrooms. One with two single beds and one with a queen sized bed. The room across the hall from where he is seems to have a feminine touch to it.
Alex stands in the doorway "How far is it?"
He looks up at her as he is taking some clothes out of the bag. "What?"
"Carmel Ridge."
He smiles. Before he answers Alex says. "I am a detective you know, the little touches around here suggest that a woman does stay here sometimes."
She walks into the room, picks up her bag and places it on the bed.
"Twenty minutes, she comes to stay here overnight if I can get up here on a Saturday. Unfortunately it is not as often as she would like."
He says nothing more about it and Alex does not ask any questions.
They finish unpacking and then change into shorts and t-shirts. Bobby turns on some music and then he opens a bottle of wine. "Come on." He says as he grabs two glasses. "Let's sit outside."
He sets the glasses down on a little table between two chaise lounges. He pours the wine and then sits down.
"How long have you owned this place?"
"Almost three years, my friends come up here more that I do. In the springs and summer they use the boat and fish and in the winter there is a ski resort about half an hour from here." He takes a sip of wine. "She does like to sit out here and look out over the water. Thinking I guess, about what I don't know, she never says."
They sit in silence for a few minutes. He sits up suddenly. It startles her. "Jesus. What?"
"If I sit out here much longer I'm gonna fall asleep."
She shrugs her shoulders. "So, go ahead, to be honest with you I wouldn't mind just sitting out here for a while."
She takes a sip of wine. "Do you know any of the people who live around here?"
"Yes. The Taylor's, " He points to the left, "They live here year round. They own the hardware store in town. The Darnels." He points to the right. "Only come up here in the spring and summer. Mrs. Darnel takes my mom into town with her sometimes to go shopping."
"That's very nice. You know the house and yard look similar to your house in Brooklyn, except that house is bigger."
"That's why I bought this one. It's similar and it makes her feel like she's home."
She reaches over and touches his hand. "You're very sweet you know that."
He nods his head. "Don't tell anyone."
She smiles. "Something I always wanted to ask you." She sits up in the lounge chair. "Who takes care of the yard, no offense Bobby but I can't picture you mowing the lawn and gardening."
He laughs. "None taken. Landscapers."
About forty-five minutes pass. Bobby drinks down the last of the wine in his glass. "I'm getting hungry, you?"
"Yeah."
"What do you feel like eating? Pasta, steak, chicken or fish?"
"I'm not sure, what do you want?"
"I haven't had lobster in a long time."
"Sounds good to me, do I have to change?"
"No, unless you want to."
They put sneakers on and walk down to the dock. The air is sweet and there is just a little breeze blowing. It only takes about 10 minutes to get to town. He docks the boat and they walk through the town. As they walk, she notices there is not much traffic. People walk past and greet them and some call him by name.
Every restaurant that they have gone to in the past few weeks the hostesses always know his name. Way up here is no different.
"Here we go." He points to the door of "Finnegan's Restaurant."
"Good evening." Says a tall attractive, 30 something, woman, she then recognizes him. "Hi Bobby. How are you?"
"Hi Robin, I'm fine, how are you doing?"
"Can't complain," She looks towards Alex and smiles. "Robin Tucker this is Alex Eames."
Robin extends her hand. "Nice to meet you Alex."
"Nice to meet you."
Robin holds her arm up and waves for them to follow. "Here you go." She hands them each a menu. "How's your Mom?"
"She's doing well thank you." Ever the gentlemen he holds the chair out for Alex.
"Can I get you a drink?"
He looks at Alex. "Alex."
"Wine."
"A bottle of Pinot Grigio."
"Claire will be your waitress, be right back with the wine."
Alex is staring at him. "What?" He says.
"No matter where we go, someone knows you."
"I'm a big friendly guy, people notice me." He smiles. "It's the one trait that I got from my Dad. He was like that, very friendly, maybe sometimes a little too friendly. But that's another story."
Robin returns with the wine. Minutes later Claire is there to take their order.
"Are you going to visit your Mom tomorrow?"
"Wasn't planning on it, why?"
"I'd like to meet her."
He picks up his glass. "No not now, not this weekend."
"Not many of your girlfriends have met her. Have they?"
He doesn't answer.
"Bobby, how many?"
Raising his voice, "None, alright, none." He looks around the room and a few people look over. He holds up his hand as he mouths the word sorry, they all let it go. He looks to her. "That word scares most people."
She takes a hold of his hand. "I'm not most people."
"I know. I know that."
"Alright I'll drop it for now."
"Thank you."
Later That Evening
After their delicious meal, he takes her for a ride around the lake. "What's the name of the lake?"
"Willow Lake."
"Willow Lake?"
"Yeah, take a look around the lake. Willow trees are everywhere." He looks at her. "I know, how original."
It only takes a half an hour but she loves every minute of it, the clean air the wind blowing through her hair, she feels free.
They get back to the house a little after 10:30.
"Is it too late to go in?"
"Go in where?"
"The hot tub."
"Why would you think it was too late?"
"Does it take long to set up?" He flips a switch out on the deck. "It's ready."
Alex exists the bathroom wearing an oversized t-shirt. "Bobby where are you?"
"Out here."
She walks out on to the deck and Bobby is in the hot tub with a snifter of brandy and a cigar. "Wow you look comfortable." She says.
He takes a long puff on the cigar. "Yes I am, come on in." After a sip of brandy, "I have to get one of these in Brooklyn."
"You. Coming to work everyday relaxed and calm, people will think something is wrong."
"Very funny, thanks partner."
"Oh." She says suddenly remembering something important. "Do you know what I found out?"
"Am I supposed to answer you?"
"No shhh. I found out that just because we are seeing each other outside of work we don't necessarily have to break up the partnership."
She expected more of a cheerful reaction from him. "I didn't know that." He takes a sip of brandy. "You know when I first thought about us seeing each other and maybe having to split up the partnership it bothered me. But the more I thought about it, it hit me." He looks up at her. "Do you really think that we should and can see each other everyday at work and then all night?"
He suddenly feels uncomfortable usually they come pretty close to agreeing on things but Alex is not saying anything.
She slowly shakes her head in agreement. "I agree with you."
"So. Are you going to come in? This was your idea. She stays still. He looks up. "What's the matter?" He looks closer. " Is that one of my t-shirts?"
She nods her head and whispers, "What if someone sees us?"
He looks around the yard. "Like who?"
"Your neighbors."
"Unless my neighbors are squirrels living in the trees, no one can see us. Come on, get in."
He takes a puff on the cigar. Alex is standing still with her arms crossed. "You pick the strangest times to get shy. Why didn't you put a swim suit on?"
"You didn't tell me to bring one."
Nodding his head, "Yes I did."
"No you didn't."
"Gees I'm sorry."
"Are you wearing one?"
"Yeah."
"Well take it off." He doesn't respond and he doesn't move.
"If you don't take it off I will."
He spreads his arms apart welcoming her in. "Go right ahead."
Quickly she removes the t-shirt and gets into the tub. She reaches down and to her surprise, he is not wearing a suit.
"Oh you bastard."
His laugh is sinister. "I got you in the tub."
She smiles warmly at him, "Want a cigar?" He says still laughing.
"No but I'll take some brandy."
The warm feel of the brandy goes through her body. "That tastes so good."
"Why are you whispering?"
"I don't know. It just seems like we should."
Bobby puts down his brandy snifter as he reaches for Alex.
His hands move beneath the water slowly stroking her.
She moves in close as he places his arm around her shoulder. He bends his head down and lightly kisses her lips as his hand cups her breast.
Alex lifts herself out of the tub and positions herself on his lap. He holds her by her waist as she moves closer to him. Their lips met and their kiss is long and deep.
As he kisses her neck, he whispers in her ear. "Do you want to go in the house?"
She shakes her head and whispers "No." As her hands are sliding down his body.
"Are you sure? I mean." He looks up. "The squirrels might be watching. She shakes her head and giggles as she moves the tip of her tongue around his lips.
Bobby's hands slide up to her breasts. She lays her hands on his shoulder as he moves forward taking one nipple between his lips drawing it in deeply making her moan. He lays kisses between her breasts as he leaves her nipple erect and wet from his tongue. He licks and kisses her between her breasts before he takes control of the other one.
Alex moves her hand down between her legs and touches him gently. "Oh what's this?" She says with a smile.
"You keep doing that to me."
He reaches behind and grabs the foil wrapper. She quickly takes it out of his hand. She unwraps it and slides it on him as she glides her fingers from the head down and back again. He lets out a low moan as his body tightens.
He moves his hand down between his legs to position himself to enter her. She takes a hold of his hand. "I'll do it."
Alex moves up and takes control as she guides him into her.
They hold each other's hands as she raises herself up and down, slowly at first then faster and faster with each movement. Bobby says in a low voice "We're making waves."
Their moans are soft and the night air sends shivers through their bodies.
She throws her head back and lets go of his hands as she feels the first wave of pleasure. She digs her nails into his shoulders as she sits up and lets out a moan that is hardly be heard through the sound of the jets in the tub and the crickets in the night.
Alex relaxes her body and moves in closer. She covers her mouth with his as Bobby moves his hands slowly up her body.
He grabs her by the waist moving her up and down. He lifts her higher and faster each time as he succumbs to the wave of ecstasy surging through his body. He picks her up one last time and growls, "Oh baby." as he climaxes.
She falls into him and they hold each other. "If I haven't said it today I'll say it now. I love you."
She grabs him by the back of the neck and kisses him. "You've said it today but I never tire of hearing it." She lays her head down on his shoulder. "I love you Bobby, you've made me so happy." He squeezes her gently.
She sits up. "Baby, you forgot my name again."
"Does that bother you?"
"No silly."
He looks away from her as he picks up his snifter of brandy. "You should be glad I didn't call you Eames."
She pokes him in the side. "Hey that hurts."
He looks down at her. "It's going to be cold when we get out of here." He turns around to get the t-shirt she wore but it is wet. "Why didn't you bring a robe with you?"
"I did."
"Then why didn't you put it on?"
She shrugs her shoulders. "I don't know."
"I'll get your robe, where is it?"
"It's hanging on your bathroom door."
Early The Next Morning
Alex wakes up and makes her way to the bathroom. At first, she thinks she is at Bobby's house in Brooklyn and then she remembers where she is and where the bathroom is.
As she gets back into the bed he wakes up very suddenly, she can hear him gasp. There is soft light coming through the window and she can see the look on his face as he turns towards her.
He shakes his head as if suddenly remembered something.
"Bobby, what's the matter?"
"Nothing."
"Bullshit tell me what's wrong."
"I forgot where I was for a second."
"And."
"What? No and."
"Talk to me Bobby."
He sighs and sits up in the bed. He looks down.
"I thought you were Nicole, I'm sorry."
"What are you apologizing for?"
"I wouldn't want someone mistaken me for Nicole if I were you."
She smiles and holds his hand. "It's alright." She pauses. "Did she sleep with you?"
He nods his head. "The key word is sleep. One night she got into the bed with me. Man, I had forgotten all about that. She didn't do anything but I wasn't able to sleep thinking that she would."
He raises her hand to his mouth and kisses it. "You must be so tired of all this shit? I know I am."
She hesitates, shaking her head. "Yeah, you're right I am."
He looks at her, shakes his head, and laughs.
"What, you think I'm going to lie."
"You, never."
His voice is stern and loud. "Goddamnit, I am never going to get the bitch out of my head. Am I?"
"Sure you will. It may take time but new memories will come along and take its place."
He looks down at her and she lays her head on his chest. "New memories."
She gives him a tight squeeze. "Yes, me. I've been with you since the beginning of this and I'll be here till the end. Face it Bobby, you're stuck with me. I'm not going anywhere."
They don't speak again as they hold each other. They both fall back to sleep.
TBC