Chapter 23

I had a decision to make about my next move. I could take one of several courses at this point. I could tell Morelli I heard what he said on the phone to Ranger and try to bully and coax the truth out of him. Yeah, fat chance of that working. We'd just end up fighting and ruin the short amount of time we have together.

I could play innocent and hope to charm him into sharing the information with me. This course of action was not likely to work. If Joe thinks he's protecting me, no amount of flirting is going to get around that primitive instinct. At that level, he is the caveman who would sooner whack me over the head and drag me into the cave by my hair than let me face the dinosaur on my own.

Another option I have available to me would be to try to figure it out myself. I suppose this is my best chance. Apparently the person in question is a man. Joe had said that much. Also, I knew after the conversation he had with Ranger that the guy must have been arrested and bonded out by Vinnie at one point on a Breaking and Entering charge and was now FTA. I knew his priors had not been violent so there was a damned good chance that I had the guy's file here with me.

I decided to just enjoy my remaining time with Joe and pursue this matter in my 'spare time'. Although he was acting like a Neanderthal and protecting his 'little woman' and his child, he was right about one thing. If there was a chance I could apprehend this guy and enable Joe to be home sooner, in time for the birth of our first child, you'd better believe I would do it. I will do it, that is.

I'd missed him while he was gone today. We started making out before we even got to the car to go into town and get pizza. After a bit of passionate necking, a little nibbling, and some well-placed strokes from each of us, we decided to get the pizza 'to go'. We'd made the round trip in 40 minutes, including one stop to get me a strawberry milkshake and another stop to get Joe more beer.

Upon arriving back at our room, I was balancing a pizza on one hand and clutching my shake with the other. Joe's hands were occupied with his 6-pack of Corona and my ass. He walked backwards all the way to the door and we never broke our lips apart. This was quite a feat and by the time we got there we were both feeling the exhilaration that circus performers probably get when they do their act without anyone dying.

Joe's erection was so hard, I swear he could drive nails with it. I was pretty horny myself, remembering the amazing sex from the night before. However, we had to balance one basic need against the other. "Joe?" I panted, "I really want you bad, but I am REALLY hungry. Is that okay? I'll eat really fast."

"Cupcake, I am going to pass out from hunger before I could even get you undressed, so, yeah, let's eat first. I promise I'll make it up to you," he responded, smiling that we were, once again, on the same wavelength.

I turned on a game on TV so that I could stop staring and salivating at Joe's crotch. I was still preoccupied, however. We collapsed on the sofa and ate in a hurry. I was pacing myself. The baby was now taking up a lot of room so it would be easy to overeat. Also, I had learned by now that it was some of that same room that Joe would want to occupy when we made love so I tried really hard to limit my pizza intake. I did drink the entire shake, however. I wasn't going to go overboard with the conservation plan. Also, the shake had to be loaded with calcium – and fruit - strawberries. That's a good thing for the baby.

I tried to ask Joe a few questions about his day, but predictably, the curtain of 'cop face' would fall across his features. Nonetheless, he did volunteer more information than I expected him to. He said the interview went well and that he got a lot of valuable facts. He even allowed that most of the information he had received was regarding the murder of Jeri Stephenson and not the operation of the Geneive crime family. However, he said that Sara Geneive's father had allowed Tommy Takata to take control of the family 6 years ago, basically because he was still of the old school and didn't think a woman should head a crime ring. Also, if anyone was going down, he wanted it to be Tommy, and not his daughter, even though she was obviously the boss. Jeff Green had apparently talked a lot today.

Putting two and two together, I was getting at least seven. Joe said he got a lot of information about Jeri's murder today. Earlier he had told Ranger that the 'guy' in question (who was now FTA) was a murderer. Maybe that meant he was Jeri's murderer. I wanted so much to stroll over to the stack of files I had left sitting on the end table next to the sofa and start to look through them. Fortunately, for me, Joe had finished wolfing down his pizza and had started working on my buttons. I was happy to reciprocate.

We made love on the sofa. Joe can be pretty creative, thank goodness, when he needs to. I swear the baby has grown just in the amount of time we've been here. After removing my top and jeans, Joe became pretty fascinated with the little maternity all in one undergarment I was wearing. It was black and lacy, obviously stretchy and had a built in bra that could stop a tank. It culminated at the crotch with a very lacy panty that could unsnap. My sister had encouraged me to get one. Besides being pretty, she said it would help support my enlarging tummy in the upcoming weeks. Joe didn't seem interested in my tummy at the moment.

He was on the floor kneeling in front of me, while I sat upright on the sofa. He had leaned in and was nibbling my nipples through the reinforced spandex on the cups of the brassiere. My breasts were tender and I reminded him not to get too aggressive with them. His intense gaze at my face from under the fringe of his eyelashes was erotic and sexy. He sleepily dropped his attention to my other breast. I had pulled his t-shirt off quickly, but his jeans were still on. I could feel his erection digging into my knee as he pressed himself against me. I had to get those jeans off.

They were my favorites. They rode low on his hips and were pretty baggy in the thighs, but cradled his butt and his package very nicely. They were worn in the best strategic locations. Namely, I had rubbed his erection through them for years, so the denim covering him there was more frayed and just a tad lighter in color. One of my favorite memories of those jeans was one night when I was clinging to his belt loops and bending over backwards like an acrobat while he was suckling my breasts. We were on the stairs in his house and were just getting together again after one of our myriad breakups. The belt loops on either side of his jeans gave way and I fell down. Fortunately, I was the one higher on the steps, so my fall was basically just a hard sit-down and we had giggled about it. The incident had ripped half-inch holes in each side of the hips of the jeans and I could see his plaid boxers through the holes now.

He was going to leave a bruise on my knee with his rock hard erection, so I had to make a move. I lifted my feet to grab the waistband of his jeans with my big toes on either side of his hips and I pushed them down. I knew I would hit a 'snag' when the waistband got to his engorged penis, but it was still a playful move. I realized for the first time that he'd lost weight during his assignment because the jeans that usually hugged his hips pretty tightly slid easily down several inches. He reached to unsnarl the tangle at his crotch and stood to discard the pants. Once done, I reached for him and he came to sit next to me on the sofa. "I love you, Joe. I need to feel you inside me," I begged.

He grinned in his characteristic way and said, "You want me bad." He busied himself trying to figure out the combination to unlock the crotch of my little black number. Moments later, he pulled at my hips to bring me to the edge of the sofa. Again he knelt in front of me and just when I thought I was going to get my wish of feeling that rock hard erection slide home, he bent to taste me. I was euphoric. He hadn't been very attentive orally to me on this trip, if you get my drift, and I was afraid he'd decided he didn't like it that way anymore. I flopped my head back on the sofa and reveled in the feeling of him licking and sucking at my damp folds. I glanced down and for the first time figured out what was probably going on and why he hadn't done this before. He couldn't see my face because of my huge tummy. He's told me before that the most erotic part of sex to him is watching my face as he brings me pleasure. Almost every time I glance down I can meet those whiskey-colored eyes and see the corners of his mouth turn up in a smile. Not now. No way. No wonder this hasn't happened until now. I decided if the only gratitude he could experience now was in my movement and my voice I would compensate accordingly. I could tell he appreciated the effort and he gave an excellent performance once I worked out the gratuity system.

After he felt he had appropriately worshipped my body and I had thanked him in kind, he resumed his kneeling position and entered me slowly. He reached up and interlocked his fingers with mine and drew me to him for a kiss. At one point, I was admiring his chest muscles. All the lights were off. The one, huge window that faced the lake was covered only with sheer curtains and the moonlight was pouring through, intensified by the light reflected from recently fallen snow. Joe's muscles were all outlined in silver. He was moving his body in a deliberate pattern and I could see his jaw working as he clenched and released it. He was breathing deeply through his nose and I could tell he was nearing orgasm. His head was back, his eyes were closed and I could see the muscles in his neck twitching with every stroke. I could tell this was one of those magical moments I would remember for the rest of my life.

Our fingers were still laced tightly together and the baby had joined in the party, kicking and swirling in my belly. With one huge shudder, Joe climaxed. His penis twitching inside me gave me amazing satisfaction – more than any earth-shattering orgasm ever had. He loved me. Why, I'll never know.

6:00 a.m.

"Damn, Joe. Why didn't you turn off that alarm? It's way too early to be up. That is, unless you are ready to reprise that performance from last night, you sexy devil, you." I had my arms wrapped around his neck and was already planning my attack.

"Stephanie," Joe said, tentatively, "I have a little confession to make. Please don't be mad. Things went pretty well yesterday. So well, in fact, that I need to go back in for a little while today. I didn't want to tell you because you seemed so sad yesterday when I left. However, I have something for you to do today so that you aren't sitting out here all alone."

"What? NO! You can't go to work again today!" I hadn't expected him to have to go back. I wanted to cry immediately, but I knew he hated it as much as I did. "How long will you have to work today? We have to go home tomorrow!" I was in full-out whine mode.

"I know, Sweetheart. You know I wouldn't do it at all if I didn't think it would pay off in the long run." He was definitely in defensive stance. His lips were a straight line. He didn't like the idea any more than I did. "Give me four hours today and I think it will pay off 2 weeks on the end of the assignment. I really think it will, okay?"

I wasn't done pouting. "Okay." He knew I was disappointed. He pulled me out of bed with him and took me to the shower. We both just sort of kept our thoughts to ourselves while we soaped and rinsed each other.

"What is it you have for me to do?" I asked, as I reached for a towel and handed him one.

"Well, because I had some pretty good news yesterday, I called Morgan (his boss from Trenton). He and his wife flew in last night. She has a sister who lives here and they made an appointment for all of you girls to go have breakfast and then get pampered at a nice spa place this morning. It's all on Morgan's tab. He says I'm making him look good." Joe was trying to smile, but he wasn't making it all the way. I still wasn't smiling. He knew and I knew that we'd rather be together than spending time apart, no matter how nice it was for me.

We both got dressed. Joe was wearing grey slacks, a white button down and a navy jacket today – this was real business. Again, his tie was hanging out of his pocket when we climbed in the car. I had just thrown on a little green maternity dress that my sister had given me. I wasn't exactly planning on a visit to a spa on this trip.

We drove to the Bernadine Hotel, where Morgan and his wife were waiting for us in the lobby. I had met them both once, at the department Christmas party last year. I was trying to be smiley and to act happy to see them. Debbie Morgan and I were to take her rental car and Joe and Morgan would go in ours.

Joe pressed a kiss into my forehead without further discussion and he and Morgan headed out the door. I could feel his tension. He so wanted this to pay off.

"Well, what's on the agenda?" I asked Debbie, brightly.

"We're going to meet my sister, Theresa, for breakfast at 'The Skillet' restaurant, and then we are going to go to a spa called 'The Pampered Pony' for pedicures and massages. Sound okay?"

"Sure," I responded. I'd rather be rubbed by Joe, but if that's not possible, this could be the next best thing.

We walked to the car, and had the typical friendly chat. How was your flight? When, exactly, is your due date? Do you know if the baby is a boy or a girl? Do you have a name picked out? Have you enjoyed Seattle so far?

By the time we were at the restaurant, we were chatting like old friends. I remembered Joe saying that the Morgan's had 4 children, so we had talked about them as well. Debbie was funny and easy to talk to, sharing silly stories about pregnancy and what it was like to bring a baby home from the hospital.

Debbie turned to me before we went into the restaurant and said, "Stephanie, I hope you know how well Joe is thought of in the law enforcement community. His ability to pull off operations like this is extremely critical to solving these sticky cases. The Trenton PD is really lucky to have him."

"Thanks," I said. "I know I'm lucky to have him. I'm really ready to have him back at home." There were tears in my eyes and I hoped Debbie would let it drop.

"From the little that my Tom has shared with me, I think you'll get your wish soon," she squeezed my hand and said, "Let's eat. I'm starving!"

We met Debbie's sister for breakfast and learned that the spa was just a short drive away. By 10 a.m., I had stuffed myself with French Toast, I figured there was no reason to save room for Joe today! I was thoroughly enjoying a wonderful pedicure. I was lounging in a black leather chair, my feet soaking in warm water, and listening to Debbie tell stories and visit with her sister. Joe said they would pick us up by lunchtime so I thought this was a nice way to kill the hours that stretched between us.

After the pedicure the massage therapist came to get me. I had never had a professional massage before except once when I was married to Dickie. He thought it would be sexy for us to get a couple's massage, where you are together in a room with two massage therapists. He thought it was erotic. I thought it was bizarre. Needless to say, he was disappointed when I wasn't very enthusiastic in thanking him afterwards.

I liked the lady doing the massage. She specialized in massages for the pregnant woman. There was a special massage table in her room that not only allowed you to put your face through the hole and look at the floor, but you could put your belly through another hole as well so you could comfortably lie on your tummy. I thought I was going to enjoy this massage a lot more than the last one I had.

After all was said and done, I felt light and happy. The massage had been great. I was ebullient and ready to see Joe. When I met Debbie back in the lobby of the spa, she gave me sort of a sad look and said, "I have bad news. The boys are going to be a little later than they thought. Their new ETA is 2 p.m., so let's go grab lunch and see what happens then."

I was dying for barbeque, so Debbie's sister suggested a place and we went to chow down. Afterwards, I was sleepy and content. We went back to the hotel and hung out in the Morgan's room. I climbed onto the extra bed and curled up with a pillow while Debbie and Theresa visited more.

I must have been asleep for a while when I heard Joe's voice. "Stephanie. Come on, Sweetie. Wake up."

He was sitting on the bed next to me, Tom, and Theresa were sitting in the chairs at the small table in the room and Debbie was crashed on her and Tom's bed. I stretched and smiled at him. He wasn't smiling. Tom wasn't smiling either. They must not have had a very good day. I glanced at the clock. It was 6:15 p.m. Obviously, their day had stretched out to be much longer than anyone anticipated.

Tom stood, and sort of clapped his hands together. He tried to lighten Joe's mood a bit by saying, "Let's go out to eat. I'll take you guys wherever you want to go. Whatcha' say?"

Joe didn't even respond. He just gave him a pretty dark look and then looked at me and said, "Let's go." Joe was not a happy camper. He had obviously already spent way too much time working with Tom today and didn't intend to spend anymore with him.

"I had a nice time," I stammered at Debbie and Theresa. "Enjoy your evening." Joe had already pulled me toward the door and was waiting for me in the hotel hallway, with his hands on his hips and his jaw clenched tightly as he stared at the floor.

His strides were long and determined as he made for the car. "Joe?" I asked, grabbing his hand, "You okay?"

He swallowed hard. "Yeah. Just pissed. Today was a total fucking waste of time." We'd reached the car and he kicked the front tire hard and said, "CRAP! I hate this! I hate this job that keeps me away from you! I hate this stupid case! DAMN! Why did I ever get in the middle of this! Shit." He sounded defeated now more than angry. He closed his eyes and rested his head on his hand at the top of the car window. A couple of deep breaths later he said, "Get in. Let's get something to eat and I'll shake this off. Sorry." He was shaking his head as he pulled out of the parking lot.

I stayed quiet, knowing that there was nothing I could say to make the situation better. We stopped at a drive in for fried chicken and took it back to the room to eat. Neither of us said anything all the way there. Joe flopped on the couch and turned on a game to have some noise. I could see he was thinking. He didn't get this way very often, but I knew it was best to just let him go for a while until he got it out of his system.

I hoped it was soon. I had a noon flight to catch tomorrow and his was shortly afterwards. I didn't want to spend my last evening with Joe watching him brood in front of the television.