Sorry to have kept them waiting and you too. Life, bills, work etc. Ah, to be a fictional character...
"Thank you," Harry began and wondered why she was saying such words. Thank him for that kiss which was nothing like they'd shared so far? For getting her coffee or whatever dubious arrangement that made him stay?
She wondered how Dempsey looked so calm as he picked up his shirt, grabbing some toast and took the stairs two at time. She heard the rumble of the water pipes and wandered around the lounge hoping for a distraction, trying to avoid the feeling of being upended by what really was acting.
Outside the sky was inky and she nibbled on toast and marmalade wondering what her mother would have made of all this. Goodness knows it was the oddest situation she had been in.
All too well, Harry remembered how Dempsey had pulled off his shirt this evening in a graceful move, something she hadn't witnessed a man do for years. Was she avoiding him because he was an escort for hire, for sex if she wanted or what he did to her? He provoked an elemental and raw feeling that she'd hidden all her life in favour of being good and proper.
Harry considered Dempsey minus his profession; if he was law enforcement and not biding his time to go back home. A guy she met somewhere. He looked good with his shirt off. He seemed to be containing something inside too, but was nevertheless, friendly and decent with a hint of rough around the edges. For the first time she wondered what it would be like to be his girlfriend. The scenario gave rise to a hot desire that was nothing like she'd experienced before.
Thoughtfully she climbed the stairs and opened the bedroom window. Maybe running cold might help her body seek warmth from his.
DMDMDM
Dempsey splashed cold water on his face and took a breath. Since a fling with a woman who turned out to be a hit woman, he'd never fallen for anyone. He told Chas he was perfect for this job. He could shove any emotion in a box and turn himself into a machine. He'd got a good record for it in the force.
Now he felt like a satellite decoupled from its base station; lost and directionless because of the woman downstairs. When he'd kissed Harry, he wanted to dive back in; make her laugh and please her. God knows she deserved it and wanted to be that guy. He stole two more in case he never got the chance again.
He showered and slid under the covers as she excused herself to get ready for bed too. When she returned, Harry looked different but he wasn't sure why but he wanted to know.
"We didn't share our secrets today," he offered. "I'll go first, I swear."
She turned to face him, "I don't mind." He held her gaze for as long as she allowed.
"I've never been in love," she said and he swallowed a lump in his throat.
Dempsey was surprised by her words this morning; more so now by the sincerity in her tone. This morning, he knew was a deflection, though he had no idea why. These words felt profoundly emotional as if she had changed.
"Your prince will come," he said weakly, wanting to uncharitably shoot the mythical prince.
"Your turn," she said.
This wasn't the moment for a silly indiscretion, something had changed and he vowed to be equal in his sharing.
"I shot my partner," Dempsey waited for her to run. When Harry looked at him with worried eyes, he clarified further to leave no room for doubt. "I killed him."
"What happened?" Harry asked quietly, her fingers on his arm and he looked at her hand. This woman. Perhaps she could reach into his soul and create a research programme for lost monsters.
He took a chance.
"Joey was being fed lies by a guy who wasn't to be trusted, and drugs. When he hit the booze, I knew it cos my dad used to do that. He'd try to hide it like Joey and then his temper would get the better of him. Joey thought I was against him. He aimed his weapon at me, I heard the catch. I had to get him first. The asshole behind this, Coltrane, wanted me out of the way as I knew about his corruption ring and used Joey to do it. I got sent here. I was so angry about it." He sat up in the bed, feeling the anguish rush through him again. "I was gonna go back home. Chas caught me at the airport and reminded me that I went back to NYPD, I'd be shot by Coltrane."
"I don't think I need to tell you this, Dempsey but Joey's death wasn't your fault." She began to draw a pattern on his skin. "Anything could push you over the edge, leaving your family and friends."
"I know that in law anyway, but…"
"…your brain is telling you things you want to believe." Harry was firm.
"I know, I had chat with a shrink once, but somehow I believe you more."
"That because you've kissed me." Harry deadpanned.
He laughed and she dropped her hand from arm. He missed the contact instantly and hoped she wouldn't disappear into herself again.
DMDMDM
Harry thought his secret to be a confession and she had something of her own to say, "I'm sorry I was avoiding you."
He shrugged easily, "I was starting to worry we were gonna run out of time. I'm taking it personally if you don't get this grant."
"We may as well give up. There's no sign of Arlington and Chas can't possibly allow you to stay here."
"He doesn't care."
"I had no idea that pimps had a heart." Harry look aghast at her words, worried she'd offended him.
"We're friends, do you wanna know how I got this gig?" He faced her now, his head rested on his palm, waiting.
Harry shrugged, not certain she wanted to know.
"I did some work on law and protection around prostitution services at college. When I left the force, Chas surprised me with his sideline in high end escorts. I had the knowledge, I've done undercover police work and it's pretty much the same. I swore I'd stay away from sex, but a women told me how much she'd pay me. NYPD had cut off my expenses and … Jeez… Harry … I was so broke. The bills were stacked high, I had nothing to send to my mom and, in a way, I missed a bit of human contact. So I did it and it was nice. Nothing amazing. Chas was livid, but I got him a few more bookings."
He looked as though he wanted reassurance or moral guidance but she had trouble trying to work out what to fix first.
"I had no idea," she said instead.
"Nobody asks," he commented softly and he turned off the light.
DMDMDM
"Harry…" there was a whisper from the edge of her dream, and then a weight in the lay of her body. Dempsey was virtually on top of her.
"Sssh," he hushed her. "There are some staff on the roof by the window."
She remembered them from earlier in the week, and nodded, "They were fixing something."
"I thought we should be cuddled up… or we could…" he tailed off.
"… put on a show?" Harry must have looked worried but only because she remembered the conversation last night. "Oh.. the window is open…"
"We can fake it," Dempsey suggested lightly.
"If I can't trust my fake fiancee who else is there?" She teased quietly.
Dempsey smiled at her, his eyes soft. He rolled them so he was between her legs above her and covered their bodies at the waist. From here, nobody would know he was still in his pants and she had her pyjama set on.
"Put your arms around my neck," he instructed and she did, listening to the quiet purr of his voice and unable to take her eyes of his mouth. He leaned in close. "Think of England, I've got this."
Slowly he began to move his lower body against hers, his weight on his knees and arms, grinding against her in an unhurried way. She ran her hands through his hair wanting something to do with her hands and tried to look him in the eye. It was - no, he - was almost too much. It felt more erotic than if he had removed their clothes.
She could feel her body responding, that low ache, and his body reaction wasn't slowing hers down.
He was aware of her looking down at him and stopped, "I'm sorry."
Outside there was a thump and a clatter.
"Don't stop, they're out there still," she whispered and he looked uncertain; his breath coming in short pants. In answer, she reached under the covers and pulled his hips closer. They both hissed at the contact.
Anything good is worth doing well she thought and moaned loudly.
He looked down at her again, a bead of sweat on his hairline and she reached up to brush it away, just as he moved where she needed it. If this was fake sex, what would he be like… Her eyes closed and she gave in to the entire feeling. letting herself be as loud as she wanted, her fingers in his hair and her worries thrown to the wind.
"Jesus… fuck," Dempsey buried his face in her neck and his movements stopped, her mouth still laving his shoulder.
She heard the faint thud of a door closing. She felt a ringing in ears and a relief from not caring so much.
"Dempsey?" She ventured.
"Yeah?" He panted, his voice muffled by her hair.
"We're alone."
He seemed to gulp a breath and rolled to one side, not hiding his body. Good grief. "That wasn't too much?"
"It was perfect," she said, looking over at the window.
"No, for you, was it, I mean.." Dempsey finally looked at her.
Oh, now she got it. She smiled, "I'm okay, better than okay."
"Jesus, Harry…" A small smile danced over his mouth as he looked a little awestruck. "I'm gonna take a cold shower."
Harry nodded, happy to give him space. She rang down for coffee and breakfast.
