Some may find a part of this story mature--Judge for yourself.

Chapter Six

Evening of Delight, Night of Enlightenment

She did enjoy spending the afternoon with Bobby and his sons. Eleven-year-old Chris is a serious boy, while nine-year-old Tommy is playful. She has dated men with children before but has never spent time with them.

Chris and Tommy are very smart and respectful boys. They seem to like her and she likes them. Bobby kept his promise and they had a quiet dinner just for two.

During the week, they speak with each other everyday and went to dinner in the city a couple of times.

They spent one night just walking around the city, watching people. Every time she spends an evening with him, it is different but fun. One night they started playing a game. Pick a person and make up a story, the game lasted for hours, her stomach hurt from laughing.

One night Alex took him to a Jazz club. Bobby was indeed a jazz fan, which was no surprise to her.

Saturday Afternoon

The temperature in the city was nearing 95 degrees. Bobby was to come into the city tonight. They have reservations at Sparks Steakhouse for dinner and then they would finish the evening at the Manhattan Café to listen to music.

She purposely stayed away from the station this morning. Alex takes an afternoon shower and is on her way to Brooklyn soon after, he was not scheduled to work today so she knew he would be home.

She parks behind the truck and doesn't see him outside. She pushes the doorbell and after about a minute, he answers. His hair is wet. "In the pool again?"

"No. No, I was in the shower. I just got home from the store. Come on in." He follows her into the room. "Wasn't I supposed to come into the city later?"

"Yes. It is so hot and humid today that I just wanted to get out of the city. Do you mind?"

"No. Not at all." He walks toward the kitchen. "Want something to drink?"

She follows him. "Yeah, thank you."

He opens the refrigerator. "Beer, soda, bottled water." He looks up at the counter. "Or wine?"

"I'll take a beer." He reaches in and takes out two beers. Pours one into a frosted mug and hands it to her.

"Thanks, Bobby."

With one hand holding his beer, he takes the other and grabs her hand. "Do you hear that?"

As he looks around the room, her eyes follow him. Trying very hard to hear the noise, "Bobby I'm sorry but I don't hear anything."

"Exactly," He smiles as he traces the outline of her chin. She looks around again. Suddenly she realizes what he is talking about, "Where are the boys?"

"On an overnight camping trip."

"Boy scouts?"

"No, with friends."

"You don't like camping?"

"I am not a big fan of the great outdoors."

"I could easily picture you being a scout Dad."

He smiles. "No. I'm more the football and basketball Dad."

"What no baseball?"

"No that's in the spring and that's the busiest time of the year at the store."

"You enjoy working there, don't you?"

"Yes I do. I like people and everyday is different. Besides I'm part owner." He pauses as he takes a sip of beer. "In the past eleven years I have sold seven refurbished cars and I have made a nice profit from the sales." He sneers. "Rich people, they'll buy anything just to make themselves look good. Anyway, I invested some of that money into the store and Gene has sold me a 30 percent share. For the past five years, I have been running the day-to-day operations anyway. He's doesn't have the energy anymore and he's only works a few hours a day." He looks in her eyes. "You mean to tell me Detective Eames that you didn't find that out in your investigation."

Smiling she says under her breath, "You bastard."

"I heard that."

She lightly taps his arm. "Bobby I didn't mean anything by the question."

"I know that."

She smiles at him and lightly kisses his lips. He puts down his beer and takes her mug from her. Bobby steps forward and slides his fingers through her hair as he tilts her head back.

"God that smiles of yours," He exhales. "I don't think I can go through another evening without touching and tasting every part of you."

He lowers his head and presses his forehead against hers and she reaches up and kisses him. The kiss is hard, deep and long. Every ounce of passion that they have been savoring all week is released, the kiss ends and his shirt is off before she has a chance to catch her breath. He lifts her up, and she wraps her arms around him. He sits her on the table.

He has one arm around her waist, the other wrapped around her neck. As he kisses her neck, his mouth comes next to her ear. "We're in the kitchen."

Alex lays kisses on his neck and shoulders. "I like kitchens. Don't you?"

"Hmmm."

"Bobby we could go upstairs or maybe the couch."

He lifts his head up and looks toward the stairs and the couch. "It's too far."

She laughs, "Too far?"

The arm around her waist pulls her closer. He lightly touches her hair, her cheek, then leans in, and brushes his lips across hers. He steps backs and his hand is shadowing her breasts. "Buttons, you had to wear a blouse with buttons."

"You want it." She smiles then kisses him. "Work for it."

He laughs as she places her hands on his shoulders as he unbuttons her blouse. His hands caress her shoulders and her arms as he removes it.

Bobby pulls her closer and suddenly her bra is undone. He slowly unveils her breasts as his thumb traces her nipples delicately.

He holds her steady by the waist as he lowers her gently down on the table. His lips brush across hers then his teeth catch her lower lip and she gasps. His tongue fills her mouth again as he slowly moves his hands from her waist to her breast. She has a tight hold around his neck as his fingertips are plucking lightly at the tips of breast.

He ends the kiss and pulls her up as he catches one nipple between his lips pulling it into his mouth. He abandons that breast leaving it hard and wet from his tongue and turns to the other.

She lets a low moan as she arches herself into him. Alex is aching for him. "I want you the way I haven't let myself want a man in my life."

She finds his waist and moves her hand to touch him. She can feel his erection through his jeans. She unzips his pants and he is free. She slides her fingers up and then down. Bobby lays his head next to her shoulder and nibbles lightly on her ear.

He slowly lifts his head up and looks her in the eye. "You keep doing that and this is going to be over in about a minute."

Alex moves her hands up and holds his waist, "A minute?"

He suddenly gets quiet. Oh no, that was the wrong thing to say.

She looks at him and he is smiling. She relaxes and returns the smile, "Oh alright, thirty seconds." He says as he lays kisses on her cheek and neck.

They both laugh and she holds his face in her hands. He leans down and kisses her then lifts his head up. In a teasing and playful voice, "You're killing the moment here. I don't want to start all over." She moves her hand back down, "Oh, really?" She says with a sly smile.

He gently lays her down on the table and removes her pants and then her panties. He bends his head down and traces her lips with his tongue.

His hands are caressing and examining every part of her. His touch is gentle and sensual driving her crazy with anticipation. He reaches his hand down and finds her sultry center. She arches her back as his fingers explore her heat. He pulls her up and she is sitting on the table.

She can hear the foil packet open. Alex takes it from him and she looks up to see his reaction. He raises his eyebrows and smiles. She slides it on him touching and teasing him at the same time. He gently spreads her legs apart as he pulls her forward.

He fills her slowly then withdraws. Slides in and withdraws, slides in withdraws.

"What happened to thirty seconds?"

"Am I frustrating you?"

"Oh... God... Yes." She moves her hips with him and grabs onto his shoulders.

"Good." His usual sweet smile turns sly and sexy. His hands lift her up into him as he dives in deeper, faster and harder.

He can feel her tighten around him as she wraps her legs around his waist and her nails are digging into his shoulders.

She lets out a cry of pleasure as her orgasm sends shivers through her body.

She releases her grasp on his shoulders and he holds her as she lays herself down on the table.

He pumps into her faster and harder. A low growl escapes his lips. His head snaps back as his own orgasm claims his body.

Still inside, breathing heavy he pulls her up and holds her by her waist kissing her neck. "Wow."

"Wow. Well there goes your romantic medal out the window."

"Later, I'll think of something later. I promise."

"I'm just kidding."

"I know." He slowly pulls out, grabs her hands, and lifts her off the table.

He bends down and hands her, her pants. They both look around for her panties. "There." She points. "How the hell did they end up over there?" He takes them off the counter and hands them to her.

He looks at the time. "We can still make our reservation at Sparks if you still want to go."

"I'm not really up for going back into the city. Do you mind?"

"No. But I'm getting hungry."

"What else is new?" She opens the freezer. "Chicken, we can make some chicken."

"Sure."

They decide on grilling some chicken with flavored rice and a salad. They work well in the kitchen together. They start by preparing the salad.

"I went snooping the other day when I was here."

"Yeah, find anything good?"

"I went nosing around in your den. I assume that it has always been your den." He is chopping carrots and she is washing the lettuce.

"That portrait in there is beautiful. I am not am expert on art but I know what I like and whoever painted that knew her subjects very well. The name Cathy is on the painting, your wife?"

"Yeah, it hung out here." Pointing toward the family room, "But then I would have to look at it all the time so I put it in there. Maybe I should just put it away."

She grabs his arm. "Is that why you think I brought it up? That I am so small that I want to erase the memory of your wife who was a mother to your children?"

"I...I don't know. No."

"You are allowed to talk about her you know. I am very curious about the woman who turned your life around." She lets go of his arm and starts breaking the lettuce apart. "I'm sure you had a hand in it also. Besides if, she was anything like her mother. She must have been something special."

He just nods and stays silent.

"I want to apologize again to you for snooping."

"It's alright. Don't worry about it."

"Did she paint professionally?"

"No. She was a teacher. She quit after Chris was born. She wanted to stay home with him."

"Did she know about your past?

"Of course."

"You told her?" She asks with surprise in her voice.

"No I didn't have to. She found out from a mutual friend of ours." He pauses and takes a sip of beer. "We went to high school together started going out the summer of our sophomore year, it lasted for four years. Then I ruined it." He shakes his head and exhales. "We had a big fight and I never called to apologize."

He finishes the carrots and start slicing a tomato.

"Didn't see her again for twelve years, she finished college got a degree in art and then a teaching degree while I went to jail."

"Her parents, they knew."

"Yeah, They are very forgiving people and for some reason they've always liked me." He pauses. "The feeling is mutual."

She looks at him and smiles.

Alex says shaking her head. "She was so young. It happened so fast."

He stops slicing and slams the knife down on the counter It startles her. Raising his voice that makes her step back, "Fast!…… No!" He shakes his head. "Eleven days, she lay in that bed for eleven days. She never woke up." He pauses swallowing hard. "And if she did she would have needed special care for the rest of her life. Damn, you think I would be over this by now." He picks up the knife again and begins his slicing only to stop soon after.

"Looking at her everyday just lying there, I wondered why God would do that to her. She had a lot of faith. She like her parents, are devout Catholics. She never preached to anyone." He tilts his head and shrugs his shoulders, "Except me."

Alex smiles.

"Why? I kept asking myself that question. As each day passed, I got angrier and angrier. Of course there isn't an answer to that question, is there?" He looks at her but she stays silent. "But I channeled my anger that time." He says with pride in his voice. "I didn't crawl off in a corner and get high and hope that when I came down that the problem would be gone."

She reaches over and takes a hold of his hand. He lifts it up to his lips and kisses her hand. They continue with the preparation of their meal.

"I need a bowl for the salad."

He is finished slicing the tomato, opens a cabinet, and hands her a bowl. "I hope I have enough dressing." Alex takes a quick look in the refrigerator. "Good. Want another beer?"

"Yes. Thanks."

During Dinner

"Whatever happened with Stewart?"

"He pleaded to second degree burglary and manslaughter."

"How long?"

"Fifteen years and he won't be spending them in Gainsport this time."

"Wow. Fifteen years, I don't think he'll make it." Bobby shakes his head. "He's really not a bad guy. Just too impulsive, I should know I was the same way. He probably thought of this robbery the night before."

"You're probably right."

"Can you tell me what was in the suitcases?"

"Coins and jewelry."

"I'll bet he didn't have a fence for them." He pauses and takes a mouthful of rice. "Do you want that piece of chicken?"

"No. I'm full. Take it."

"Thanks."

She smiles. He looks at her. "What?"

"I don't cook that often but I do enjoy it and it's nice to see someone enjoying my cooking."

"It's good."

"Thanks." She takes a sip of water and sits back in the chair. "When we arrested him, he had fifty cents in his pocket and seventy five thousand dollars worth of coins and jewelry."

"Fifty cents," He chuckles. "That sounds like Stewart. He could spend a hundred dollars in ten minutes. When we were arrested the last time, I remember him starting the night with over two hundred bucks in his wallet. By the time we left, he was broke. Come to think of it, that's all I remember. When I woke up three days later in the hospital my lawyer had to tell me what I did."

"Two geniuses I think that was what I said when I first saw that or maybe I called you guys Frick and frack. Hmmm. I'm not sure."

He has to laugh.

Later That Evening

Snuggled together on the big comfy couch they settle on watching the Yankee game.

"Bobby, can I ask you a question?"

"Uh-Oh."

She tugs on his arm. "When you were on the phone with Eileen the other night and I asked you if your Mom lived close by. You blurted out about her living in upstate New York. Don't you see her?"

"I see her all the time, every weekend and a phone call everyday." He releases his hold on her shoulder and lowers the sound on the TV. "In your line of work I bet you've met a few."

"What?"

"She lives at the Carmel Ridge psychiatric center, she has schizophrenia."

Alex is speechless and that fact embarrasses her.

He notices and teases her. "I knew you'd have that look."

"Bobby... I don't know what to say."

"There's nothing to say." He smiles as he grabs her hand. "She's also a very sweet woman who loves her family and we love her.

She links her arm in his and lays her head down. "Was it hard for you as a kid?"

"It had its moments, but for the longest time I was convinced that I was going to be just like her."

"Why?"

"Because there wasn't anyone around to tell me I wouldn't be."

"What about your Dad?"

"Oh please can we save him for another night? Besides it is getting late." He clicks off the TV. "And I'm getting tired. I hope you're going to stay the night?"

"I'd love to."

"Good." He stands up and extends his hand. She takes hold as her leads her upstairs. He stops walking and pulls her in close. "I think I'm falling in love with you."

She reaches up and kisses his cheek. "Good because I think I'm falling in love with you."

Sunday Afternoon

Alex starts back to the city around 4 PM. She puts the radio on and starts singing a song she remembers from high school.

That's exactly how I feel, just like a kid. Discovering a part of myself hidden for so many years.

A commercial comes over the airwaves about investing you money.

Money.

She suddenly thinks of Stewart.

Something Bobby said. How quickly he would spend his money. She gasps, when Stewart was being taken from his house the night he was arrested. She remembers him saying to Bobby.

The money didn't last as long as I thought it would.

Money? What money?

They didn't get any money from that warehouse break-in.

She hits the steering wheel. "Shit, oh shit. What did he do? Son of a bitch!"

She stops at a red light. Well, even if he did something it was a long time ago.

She shakes her head hoping the thought will go away. It does until she gets home. She changes her clothes and goes into the kitchen to get a drink.

Her laptop is on the kitchen table and she sits down and goes through Stewarts past again. She remembers that he had a cousin Chester who was just starting to get a reputation in the neighborhood as a drug dealer.

She reads his history, he was murdered in April 1991 and when he was discovered remnants of cocaine were still in the room. The detectives at the time believed that he was murdered and then his supply was removed, not stolen he was not alive to be able to report it stolen. She finds the detectives notes on the case. She prints out all the reports and interviews done during the investigation.

As she read these reports, it hits her that the detectives were more interested in finding the cocaine than his killer.

Word on the street was that he had at least five hundred thousand dollars worth of cocaine in that apartment. His body was found when the people downstairs noticed a smell and the police went to investigate. M.E. set the time of death to have been at least four or five days prior.

Only people close to him knew about the drugs and where he kept them.

Stewart.

She reads notes taken by the detectives after interviews with his family.

Mother said, "I don't know what happened to him. He was a nice little boy but he turned into a vicious and selfish man. God has punished him."

His younger and older sisters were afraid of him. He had, in a rage, hit them both more than once.

She finds numerous police reports about physical abuse charges. Girlfriend after girlfriend called the police on him.

The cocaine was never recovered and his murderer was never found.

Nowhere is there a statement of an interview with Stewart.

"It's just a coincidence that Bobby knows Stewart. And Chester is his cousin."

She downloads the autopsy photos of Chester; he was shot in the face.

"Oh my God the man has no face."

If he was there, there is no way he could do that to someone. Not even Stewart. He panics when old ladies pass out.

"Then who?"She turns off her computer and takes a couple of aspirin. A headache is just starting. She spends the rest of the night doing menial chores around the house, cleaning and laundry.

She retires to bed around eleven, she stares up at the ceiling. Something Bobby said last night goes through her mind.

When I woke up three days later in the hospital, my lawyer had to tell me what I did.

Why was he in the hospital?

Alex returns to her computer. Court records showed that his lawyer had him transferred to Bellevue that night, short-term drug and alcohol abuse.

Guilt, if I know anything about that man he was feeling guilty about something.

She shuts down the computer and returns to her bed.

Why? Why do I want to put him in that room?

I'm in love with him. I should give him the benefit of the doubt. Am I looking for an excuse to dump him because I'm scared of a commitment?

"Should I ask him? Damn. What am I going to do?"

TBC