CHAPTER TWO

I hope you enjoyed this little missing moment. Thanks for your reviews.

Unfortunately, the men from DA's office were waiting for the lawyer, his secretary and detective, when they got back to the hotel and they were taken for questioning. Quite a while later they had finally been released by the district attorney and it was an exhausted threesome that headed back to the hotel. Perry and Della said goodnight to Paul at his room and headed for their suite.

Perry walked Della toward her room but veered off to his and taking her arm he pulled her inside. Before she could say a word, he had her in his arms and was ravishing her mouth. She pushed him slightly away, but he was kissing her neck and running his hands down her sides and back.

Before she could speak he whispered, "I have been wanting to do this since the moment we found you. Do you have any idea how worried I was? I felt like I was going out of my mind."

"Perry," she began. "I didn't want you to worry, and I did what I thought was best once you had decided to defend Mrs. Newberry."

He led her over to the bed. Sitting down beside her he asked, "you didn't think you could disclose this information to me?"

Trying to make him understand she went on, "look at what has happened and all the publicity we have generated." She had to smile, as she went on. "It is nice to know that you were so worried about me though."

"That damn detective was trying to tell me you probably had met someone else on our cruise. Of course, I couldn't tell him we were married in Bali. I did tell him you would never do that."

Della tried to soothe him. "Sweetheart I know keeping this quiet is difficult for you but imagine if everyone knew about us now. They would really go to town on you and what were you trying to hide and who were you trying to manipulate."

He admitted, "you may have a point Baby, but I realized just how hard it would be on me to be without you in my life, by my side. Della don't you realize I don't eat, I don't sleep, when we are not together."

She ran her hand over his cheek and smiled, "I know you don't my love."

"Are you going to promise me that you are never going leave like this again?" He wanted to know.

Looking deeply into incredibly beautiful blue eyes she remarked, "Let's just say I sincerely hope there is never another reason for me to do any such thing again."

"You didn't seem to trust me to do the right thing that is what bothered me the most. I could have walked away from Mrs. Newberry, but I could never walk away from you." His eyes were pleading with her to understand his feelings.

Della took his hand in hers explaining, "I know you so well, I didn't want you to have to make that choice. You know I didn't plan to be gone forever."

He kissed her palm, "It was the not knowing and being so afraid something had happened to you. I was frantic."

"I believe Mr. Drake described you as apoplectic, if I am not mistaken."

Perry had to grin at her. "I might have been a little over the top," he admitted.

Grinning back his wife inquired, "A little over the top?"

"Alright, alright, I admit it I was out of my mind with worry. That should tell you, Darling how much you mean to me."

As he put his arm around her waist and pulled her closer Della Street Mason leaned down and kissed his lips quickly. "As always Mr. Mason you want everything right now."

He pulled her back into his embrace and informed her, "all I want right now is you, in this place, in my arms and safe. You know young lady I will do everything to keep you protected, but I can't promise we will never take chances again. Trouble seems to find us."

Della took a deep breath and informed him, "and you my darling husband do not do a lot to avoid it. I'll make you a deal."

Trying to look annoyed he asked, "Another deal?"

She laughed, "you will like this one. If you promise I will be beside you as much as possible when you go out to rescue a damsel in distress then I promise to never disappear, even temporarily again."

The lawyer took a moment to answer, "well I do find them in the strangest places sometimes. However, even if I must have you meet me in strange places, I will always do my best to make sure you are included in OUR cases."

"Could I get that in writing?" She asked as she moved to the center of the bed.

Perry stood up and looked down at her. "We could seal our agreement with a kiss."

Della leaned against a pillow and patted the pillow next to her. "I think counselor I have something more enticing in mind." Lowering her voice, she said seductively, "I think I have a way to get you to agree to all my terms."

"Just what do you have in mind young lady?" he wanted to know.

"Why I thought I would be Mata Hari with you Darling, all the way."

Perry wasted no time agreeing to all her terms.

FIN