Starting over – chapter 6

Gene sat in his office, door open, looking out across his team. Bolly's desk was empty, of course, the files distributed among her colleagues, her stationery lined neatly in a corner. Chris's head was down as he worked his way through a stack of paperwork. Shaz was on the phone trying locate a couple of reluctant witnesses. Most people were busy with something or another, or at least pretending to be. Ray, though, had got his feet on his desk and was flicking through a racing magazine. Ray was going to be a problem, and Gene wasn't sure yet how to solve it.

He knew the air of suspicion still lingered, and the painful fact was, he knew he deserved it. Bolly had worked so hard over the last 18 months and had, finally, been accepted by the team. What had Ray said? She was a pain in the arse, but she was their pain in the arse. So now they didn't know whose side to be on, didn't seem to believe they could support him and Alex at the same time. They never used to have these doubts.

Sighing, he looked again at his watch. He didn't want to be in the office, he wanted to be across the road in Alex's warm, bright flat, making sure she was still okay, taking care of her while she healed. Couldn't go yet, though, was still too early. Needed to be here, to be seen to be in charge. He watched the hands of the clock dawdling towards six, watched as his team members started to pack up and drift off, Ray among the first. By six-thirty he couldn't wait any longer, shooing away the final stragglers and pulling his coat around his shoulders on his way out.

He still had the key she'd given him yesterday but he hesitated for a moment outside her flat, wondering whether he should use it. Giving himself a mental shake, he put the key in the lock and let himself in.

"Bolly?" he called. "You here? I've got food." Making his way through the flat he spotted her, draped along the sofa, head on a cushion, feet dangling over the other end. She looked up at him, a soft smile on her face, open and trusting, and his heart contracted.

"Food," she grinned. "Perfect. You know where the kitchen is."

Clearing his throat, he disappeared to find utensils, depositing the pasta and salad onto plates and pouring them each a glass of red wine. Smiling to himself, he realised he was enjoying being in her kitchen more than he'd ever enjoyed being in his own. "There you go," he said, offering her the tray before taking a seat alongside her, a plate on his own lap.

"How was your day?" she asked, and he told her about the couple of minor assaults and the burglary that had arrived on his desk. Nothing out of the ordinary. He didn't tell her about Ray.

"So," she smiled at him. "Happy not to be on the lam any more? Back on the side of the good guys?"

He sniffed. "I've always been one of the good guys, Bolls. But yes. Glad to be back in the saddle. And what about you, anyway?" He raised his eyebrows in her direction. "Happy living the life of an idle housewife?"

"Hah!" she spluttered. "Hardly. Anyway, have to be married to be a housewife."

"Well, you're safe enough then, love," he said softly. He cleared the supper things onto the coffee table and turned towards her, catching her hand in his. "Are you sure you're okay now? No problems with your wound?"

"It's fine, Guv," she replied. "Really. It's healing nicely. I'm cutting back on the painkillers already."

"Good. That's good." He cleared his throat. "I wouldn't want you to be hurt."

"Well, yes, you should perhaps have thought about that before you pulled the trigger." He winced, but she softened her words with a dry smile and he gave a gentle squeeze on her fingers.

"You don't know how often I've wished things had been different," he said quietly. "How often I've wished I hadn't hit you. Just a tiny moment, an inch either way, and it would all've been different."

She stared into his unhappy eyes, trying to reassure him. She knew more than most what it was like to wish for things that couldn't happen, to wonder how things might have been. What she might have been doing had Layton been as bad an aim as the man in front of her. "Gene," she smiled, tracing a finger down the side of his face. "You can't keep wondering what if. I'll be fine, we'll be fine, as long as you go back to being you. I need you to be DCI Gene Hunt, Manc Lion and master of all he surveys. I need you to let it go."

He reached up to touch her hand, holding it softly against his jaw. Her eyes were dark, beautiful, and he felt himself falling as he leant towards her, brushing his lips gently across hers. Jesus, she felt so soft, so warm, he loved the taste of her, the feel of her skin. Her hand snaked around his neck, threading through the hair at his nape, and he opened his mouth in delight, groaning as her tongue met his.

"Bolly," he whispered into her mouth, sliding his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him, his head spinning as she sighed in response. He allowed himself to sink into her caresses for a moment, but as he felt her edging towards him, her kiss deepening and her hands tightening on his body, he drew on every last shred of his self control and gently pulled away.

Taking a moment to catch his breath, he took hold of her hands and slowly came back down to earth. Letting her go was harder than he could have imagined, but he couldn't allow things to continue, not while there was still a risk he could hurt her. He looked up into her eyes, reading the uncertainty that was driving out the desire, and sent her a wry smile. "We can't do this, Alex," he said softly. "Not yet, anyway."

She swallowed, nodding. "Right. Yes. Not yet. Later."

"Later," he promised, pulling her into the crook of his arm, resting her head on his shoulder and dropping a kiss onto her hair. "Soon."

They sat quietly for a moment, but when Alex stifled a yawn Gene checked his watch and rose to his feet. "Come on then, Sleeping Beauty," he murmured, offering her his hand. "We need to get you into bed."

Grumbling a little, she allowed herself to be pulled upright, leaving her hands in his. "Will you stay?"

He puffed out a small sigh. "Okay. But on the sofa."

She pouted up at him. "Really? Bed's more comfortable…"

"Not for me. Not if you're in it."

Laughing quietly, she nodded. "Fair enough. Sofa it is. Make yourself at home."

"Will do." He bent towards her, brushing a kiss across her cheek. "Sleep tight, Princess Bolly. Sweet dreams."

"You too, Gene," she whispered, squeezing his hands before letting go and heading slowly to the bedroom, leaving him standing in the middle of the sitting room, watching her as she went.

~ o ~

They fell into a kind of routine for the next few days, with Gene dropping round after work, sharing supper with her, helping with chores, then spending the night on the sofa. He only went home to grab toiletries and changes of clothes, and although the sofa wasn't the most comfortable place he'd ever slept, he was enjoying the domesticity, the intimacy with Alex.

It was almost enough to counteract the problems he was still experiencing in the office. Ray seemed to be at the root of it; muttering under his breath every time he was given an order, a sullen expression seemingly painted onto his face, fuse even shorter than normal. Acting like a kid, and it irritated Gene even when he could see where Ray's doubts were coming from.

He was relieved to be approaching the weekend, Friday afternoon spent up to his elbows in paperwork, signing off on reports, reviewing case files. It wasn't his favourite part of the job but he wanted to be out of the office on time tonight. He wasn't the only one with dreams of freedom and by 5.30 he was the last man standing. One last look around the squad room and he left, wanting to get home. No, not home, Bolly's. Home. Wherever.

She heard him letting himself in before six and she smiled up at him as she slid a chicken into the oven. She was feeling stronger by the hour and had even managed to pick up some groceries on the way home from her doctor's appointment. "Hi," she greeted him with a grin. "Good day?"

He murmured something non-committal, as he always did when she asked him about work. She assumed he was trying to stop her from worrying about her open cases while she was recuperating. He needn't have worried – she knew her files were in good hands and she'd be back soon enough to clear up anything that had been left hanging.

Helping himself to a bottle of white from the fridge, he poured them each a glass and then sat at the small table, watching as she bustled around the kitchen. "You know you don't have to do anything special on my account," he fibbed, his mouth watering as the aroma of roast chicken filtered through the air.

"Wanted to." She pushed a drawer closed with her hip as she carried plates of salad and bread across to the table. "I'm feeling so much better today, thought it would be nice to do something normal."

"This is normal, is it? I thought a normal Friday night was a pizza and a pint downstairs."

Chewing on her lip, she shrugged. "Still not up to company, I'm afraid, Gene. Apart from you, of course," she added with a smile.

"Well, in that case, I suppose I'd better eat this rabbit food you're trying to foist on me." He faked reluctance but it wasn't so bad, considering.

They chatted quietly, easily, finishing the bottle between them, polishing off the chicken as well. She couldn't stifle a laugh when he leant back, plate finally empty, hands on his stomach, and asked what was for pudding. Shaking her head, dropped a plate of cheese and grapes in front of him. "What's the matter, Bolls?" he smiled, tucking in. "Got to keep my strength up."

When he'd finally finished they took coffees across to the sofa, making themselves comfortable, Alex lying on her back, her legs resting across Gene's lap. She smiled up at him through her lashes, mellow from the wine, and took hold of his hand. "You know, you've been brilliant this week," she murmured. "Can't have been easy."

He lifted her hand to his lips, planting a soft kiss against her palm. "It's been torture. Hated every second."

"Well, naturally. Yet you've borne it so well."

"It's my forgiving nature and infinite supply of patience."

She tugged on his hand until he turned his eyes to hers. They were dark today, silvery, looking down at her with such an intensity she felt her breath hitch in her throat. "Seriously," she whispered. "Thank you."

"Seriously. It's been a pleasure."

She took a deep breath, then pulled again on his hand again, deliberate, dragging him down to her, until his face was just moments from hers. He began to speak, and she knew what he was going to say, he was going to make some excuse, find some reason for not doing what she knew they both wanted to. She put a finger to his lip, halting his words. "Gene," she breathed. "Please."

His head was spinning, blood coursing through his veins, but he resisted the pressure of her hand as it crept around the back of his neck. "Can't hurt you again, Bolly," he muttered. "Won't be able to hold back once we start."

Smiling, she shook her head. "You won't hurt me. I won't let you. And I don't want you to hold back."

Groaning, he dipped his head, pressing his lips against hers, feeling her warm and soft beneath him. He closed his eyes, savouring the taste of her, slipping his tongue into her mouth, wrapping his arm around her body. She sighed into his mouth, murmuring his name, and he could feel his heart pounding, his control vanishing in a cloud of white-hot desire.

"Bolly," he muttered, kissing a trail from her earlobe to the top of her shoulder. "Tell me to stop." Leaning closer, he gathered her to him, nipping gently at the column of her neck.

"Don't stop, Gene," she whispered. "Feels so good." Her hand slid around him, pushing into his hair, holding his head tight against her body.

He pulled her closer, slipping his hand beneath her jumper, groaning as he touched her bare skin, sweeping upwards to meet the silk of her bra. He squeezed gently, feeling her nipple pebble against his palm, and bent his head to take the peak in his mouth, sucking through the silk, scraping his teeth across the tip.

"Gene," she whimpered, her head turning from side to side, her body arching into his. "Oh, God, Gene…"

Lifting her slightly, he pulled the jumper over her head, gazing down at her smooth, pale flesh. There was a small patch of gauze just below her ribs and he started at it for a moment before blinking and looking away, to her generous breasts filling the sheer black bra, deep pink nipples clearly outlined through the fabric. "Christ, Bolls," he groaned, dipping his head to her once more, feeling her hands slide across his chest, pushing his jacket from his shoulders, allowing it to fall in a heap on the floor.

He pulled his tie from his collar, sending it to lie with the jacket, then helped her as she fumbled with the buttons on his shirt, shrugging quickly out of it. He groaned at the feel of her hands on his skin, fluttering across his chest, flicking at his flat nipple. Head spinning, his hands went to her waist, to the top of her jersey skirt, slipping it down over her hips, shuffling awkwardly above her while she kicked it away to join the growing pile on the floor. He fell to his knees on the floor, staring at her body, the dips and curves that had been tantalising him for so long. He could barely breathe.

"So beautiful," he muttered, reaching for her skimpy black knickers, groaning as she parted her knees, opening herself to him. He ran a finger across the silk, groaning as she squirmed in pleasure, then hooked his finger into the elastic, pulling them down her long, perfect legs.

His erection grew even bigger within his trousers, uncomfortable now, so hard it was almost painful, but he was determined that this would last, that she would enjoy it as much as he did. He pulled her around, one of her legs dropping to the floor beside him, the other resting on his shoulder as he pressed kisses against the inside of her thigh. He paused as he reached his goal, breathing in her scent, almost afraid to touch her in case he broke the spell.

Gently parting her folds, he knelt closer, her legs opening wider as he placed a gentle kiss on her clit. "Gene," she cried, her head flung back, hands scrabbling against the seats of the sofa. Closing his eyes, he allowed instinct to take over as he lapped at her, tongue tracing patterns up and down her, hands holding her close as her hips bucked beneath him.

"Oh God, yes," she called, her hands finding his head, fingers wrapping themselves into his hair. "Please, Gene, please…" Her heart beat wildly in her chest, pulse roaring in her ears as she panted for more. She was close now, his tongue working its magic on her body, and as he slipped a finger inside her, thrusting it back and forth, she exploded against him, shouting his name, blinded by the pleasure.

Flopping back against the sofa, quivering as the aftershocks raced through her, she opened her eyes and saw him looking up at her, hunger written clearly in his eyes. Rising up on his knees, he pulled her to him, his arms wrapped around her body, mouth against hers in a deep, warm kiss. She raised her legs around him, crossing her ankles in the small of his back, and he pushed against her, groaning as his trousers rubbed frustratingly against her curls.

She broke away for a moment, smiling. "Come with me," she whispered, taking his hand and leading him to the bedroom.

"Oh, I intend to," he growled, following her, kicking off his boots and socks on the way.

She climbed on the bed, turning towards him, and he took her face in his hands, kissing her mouth, her jaw, taking her earlobe between his teeth and pulling gently. His hands ran down her shoulders and around her back, unhooking her bra, leaving her naked to his touch. He groaned at the sight of her, cupping her breasts in his palms and feeling their weight, rubbing his thumbs across the tight peaks. "Beautiful, Bolly," he murmured, "always knew you'd be beautiful."

Her hands were at his waist, pulling his belt through the loops, popping the button, lowering the zip. She pushed down his trousers and shorts in one movement, eyes widening as she took in the sight of his solid, hard cock. Dropping to her knees, she took a firm hold, pumping slowly with one hand, the other reaching beneath to cup his balls. She lowered her head and ran her tongue around his tip, teasing him, smiling at his muttered curses and threats, the way his fingers gripped and flexed against her shoulders.

Opening her mouth wider, she took him deep, sucking hard, sending waves of pleasure through him that almost knocked him from his feet. He felt his control slipping away, unequal to the onslaught of sensation she wreaked with her hands and her tongue. But he wanted more, needed more, and he pulled her away, capturing her lips as joined her on the bed, laying her flat, sliding above her.

He positioned himself between her legs, catching her hands above her head in one of his as he looked down at her, seeing the desire in her dark eyes, the soft fullness of her lips. His own eyes must have been asking a question because she nodded, raising her knees, tilting her hips in an unmistakeable invitation.

"Alex," he whispered as he slid into her, filling her, losing himself for a moment before beginning to thrust, his head buried against her shoulder, arms holding her tight.

She pushed her feet against the mattress, rising to meet his every thrust, her breath coming in shorter, faster gasps. "Yes," she cried, "so good, more." He nipped on her shoulder before bending lower, taking her breast in his mouth, sucking hard. Desire flooded through her, tipping her over the edge, and she tightened around him, grasping at his shoulders as she called out his name.

"Bolly," he grunted, straining as he pounded into her, his body on fire with lust as he crashed into her, coming in a hot stream, over and over again.

He collapsed onto her, sweat beading across his body, trying to regain his breath, waiting for his pulse to return to normal. Feeling her wriggling a little beneath him, he rolled to his back, pulling her with him so she was curled against his side, her head tucked under his chin, his hand covering hers against his chest. "Well," she murmured as her body stilled, the pleasurable glow still warming her from top to toe. "That was worth waiting for."

He closed his eyes for a moment. "Never had any doubts, Bolls," he sniffed.

"Course not." Lifting her head, she smiled down at him, dropping a gentle kiss on his lips. "Staying here tonight, then? Not going to disappear across to the sofa?"

Smiling lazily, he hugged her close. "Staying here," he agreed, closing his eyes and sinking into the pillow. "Long as you'll have me."

To be continued

~ o ~

AN - thank you for the great reviews and the favouriting, it's always great to get your feedback. Please do leave a comment.