Thanks for the kind reviews – it's nice to know that even after all this time people still read LOM and Ashes fics. Gone, but not forgotten, huh? *sigh*
Back to familiar territory in this chapter, although they may be sailing into treacherous waters …
….
Chapter 2 – London, 1982
.
Alex looked up as Gene strode past her desk and headed for the double doors of CID without even a glance in her general direction. The first couple of times, she'd barely registered his absence. A few months on, the Guv quitting the office early on a semi-regular basis had her more than a little intrigued. Truth to tell, the curiosity was driving her mad. She frowned, pursing her lips. There was only one thing for it; she'd have to ask Ray. If anyone knew what the Gene was up to, it'd be him. Keep it casual, Alex. Pretend it's just a passing interest. She cleared her throat, fiddling nonchalantly with a pen as DI Carling looked up and caught her eye.
"I see the Guv's off early again. Don't suppose you know anything about it, do you?"
Ray leaned back in his chair, hands behind his head, and gave her a lascivious grin.
"Maybe he's seein' someone. 'Bout time, if you ask me."
Alex furrowed her brows.
"At five o'clock on a Wednesday afternoon? Unusual time for a date, isn't it?"
Ray shrugged, his grin widening.
"Who said anythin' about a date? She's probably married, has to … ahem … fit 'im in when she can."
He winked at Chris, who sniggered at the all too obvious innuendo. Alex's stomach clenched as a sudden lurid vision sprang into her head: Gene naked in bed with a buxom blonde, her face contorted in pleasure as she dug her long nails into his broad shoulders.
"Trust you to jump to the usual sordid conclusion, DI Carling."
Rolling her eyes, she made a pretence of returning to her paperwork, but her mind was whirling. If Ray didn't know, Gene was definitely up to something. The question was what?
...
Alex sat in Luigi's, a barely touched plate of pasta in front of her, checking her watch for the umpteenth time. Just after seven. If this Wednesday went the way of the others, he'd be strolling through the door very shortly. Would he look happy? More relaxed than usual? If so, did that mean he'd spent the last hour or so in another woman's bed? She drummed her fingers on the table. If she was married, they'd be more likely to meet at a hotel, surely? She could picture the scene all too easily: a badly-lit room with furnishings that had seen better days; a vast double bed with rumpled sheets; the rhythmic sound of creaking bedsprings; a woman's enthusiastic moans mingling with Gene's grunts of pleasure until finally they both reached a loud and ecstatic climax.
"Make it stop, for god's sake!"
She muttered it under her breath, reaching for her glass of wine and taking a large swig. Feeling somewhat hot and bothered, she contemplated making a trip to the ladies to throw some cold water over her flushed face, but it was too late: Gene suddenly materialised from nowhere, dark overcoat swirling around him, eating up the floor with his long strides and looking for all the world like some kind of avenging angel. The breath caught in her throat as it always did at the sight of him, but she made a concerted effort to look nonchalant as he shed his outwear and took a seat next to her. Catching Luigi's eye, he motioned for another glass and then turned his attention to Alex. She felt her face redden even further under his intense scrutiny, pushing her food away and picking up her glass again.
"You're looking a tad flushed, Lady Bols. Been 'aving filthy thoughts about me again?"
Caught out, she immediately went on the defensive, snapping back a swift retort.
"Don't flatter yourself, Guv. It's just warm in here, that's all."
He crossed his arms, contemplating her for a long moment.
"Hmmm. Flushed, and tetchy with it. Got the decorators in, 'ave we?"
Alex cast her eyes heavenwards and huffed out an exasperated breath as Luigi approached with a glass and another bottle of red. The little Italian beat a hasty retreat, sensing a storm was brewing.
"Of all the DCIs in all the world, I have to end up with Cro-Magnon man. Well, thankyou, god. Thankyou very much."
"Crow who?"
"One step up from a Neanderthal, Gene. Unlike you."
She mumbled the last couple of words just loudly enough so he could hear.
"They were big and strong and manly, weren't they?"
Alex snorted out a laugh and turned her head, meeting his piercing blue-eyed gaze for the first time that evening, and immediately regretting it. There was nothing remotely troll-like about her superior officer: he looked rumpled and sexy, as usual. And way too relaxed for her liking.
"And uncouth. And uncivilised …"
Gene smirked at her, completely unperturbed.
"You posh birds love a bit of rough. Admit it, just thinkin' about it moistens yer gusset."
Alex sighed heavily, toying with the stem of her glass.
"Give me a man who can hold a decent conversation any day."
Gene leant in close, his breath warm against her neck.
"I can talk dirty with the best of 'em, Bols."
His low growl sent a shiver of arousal skittering down her spine. A vision of the two of them rolling around enthusiastically beneath her red duvet, assaulted her: she could almost hear his gravelly lust-filled voice in her ear as he described in graphic detail exactly what he planned to do to her. The beginnings of an involuntary moan escaped her parted lips, and she caught the rumble of his knowing chuckle before swiftly turning it into a groan.
"Feeling alright, Bolly-Kecks?"
Hearing the amusement in his voice, she bristled, massaging her temples.
"No, actually. I have a tension headache coming on. I should probably take a couple of painkillers and lie down before it gets any worse."
"Need any assistance? Me bedside manner is legendary, after all."
She gritted her teeth, suddenly reminded of the earlier conversation with Ray. How dare he flirt with her after coming straight from the bed of another woman? The urge to bait him was suddenly overwhelming, and she turned to face him with a derisive snort.
"If I said yes, you'd run a mile and you know it!"
He held her gaze, his eyes glittering.
"Not a mile, just as far as yer front door. Wouldn't want to tire meself out, after all."
A thrill ran through her, and she leaned in close, so close that their noses were almost touching.
"Do tell, Gene. In the unlikely event that I did invite you into my boudoir, what would you do with me?"
His gaze dropped to her mouth and then back up to meet her eyes again. The air around them crackled with static, the atmosphere highly charged, and she held her breath awaiting his response. He took his time, and when he spoke again his voice was a low sexy rumble.
"I'd cuff yer to the bed, Bolly-Knickers. And find a better use for that smart mouth of yours than pointless conversation."
The obvious inference caught Alex off-guard, her gaze flicking down to his groin and back up to his face before she could prevent it. Gene made no effort to hide the obvious bulge in his trousers, and the predatory gleam in his eyes left her in no doubt as to his state of mind. Heat rushed through her and she swallowed, suddenly struggling to breathe.
"I ... need to go to bed. Alone. I'll see you in the morning, Guv."
Grabbing her coat and bag, she fled from the trattoria, knowing full well his hungry gaze would be on her jeans-clad rear all the way to the door.
.
…
.
Has the Guv taken up with a Diana Dors look-alike? You'll have to come back in a couple of days to find out!
Hope you enjoyed. If so, do let me a know. :)