Carly woke up with the sun shining through the window. She could tell right away it was going to be a beautiful day. Nothing outside resembled the storm that blew through the day before. She lay on her back with Steve lying next to her with their leg entwined. His body hugged her as he lay on his stomach with one arm under her pillow and the other over her stomach. He slept with his head resting on her pillow.
The night before had been like a whirlwind to say the least, the whole day for that matter. The only thing she could focus on at the moment was him and how their relationship had changed overnight. They bonded in the most intimate way possible. She bit her bottom lip and actually blushed just thinking of what they had experienced together. They had made love three times over the course of the night and into the morning. Once on the floor, once at the foot of the bed and then once more when they had thought they were too tired and were about to go to sleep. That one was the most intense of all.
She should have been exhausted, but she wasn't, a little sore and stiff in some places, but tired, no. She was wide-awake and ready to start her new life. It was going to be a beautiful day all right, inside and out.
She looked over her shoulder at the man who held her. He was just as perfect sleeping, as he was awake. She smiled, nestling herself closer to him, thinking of her analogy of his lovemaking equaling his kissing talent. She was 100% accurate about that.
She could smell coffee coming from downstairs and felt that morning craving. She went to carefully move away from him when his hold tightened.
She giggled and squirmed feeling his teeth on her ear, gently biting.
"Where do you think you're going?" He pulled her in continuing to molest her with his kisses that moved to her shoulder and neck.
"I was going to get us some coffee."
He stopped and leaned back so he could see her. "Coffee?" He kissed her on the lips, "Ok, but hurry back because I'm not done yet." He dove back into her neck, nibbling on it until she laughed out loud. She wiggled away from him and scooted to the edge of the bed.
She glanced over her shoulder at him, "Can I wear your shirt to my room so I don't have to put my dress back on?"
He laid back with his hands tucked behind his head. "Absolutely." He didn't know what it was, but when she slipped on his shirt it was almost more of a turn on than if she were standing there naked. It fit her like a mini dress.
She lifted up the collar and smelled it, "Mmm," she smiled, "I can smell your cologne. It reminds me of your neck last night." She crawled up on the bed and kissed him. "Cream right?"
He looked at her as she spoke but was caught up in the way she looked. It was different from before. He had always thought she was stunning, but there was a sparkle in her green eyes and a relaxed tone in her voice that mirrored the peaceful expression on her face, he'd never seen her look more beautiful. It started his heart racing as images of their lovemaking from the night before began to entice him. He nodded her answer to the coffee question but reached out for her as she backed away. "Wait, hold on a minute."
He spoke as if he were desperate for her not to go. She crawled back to him on all fours just inches from his face. "Yes," she asked, but already knew exactly what he wanted. It was written all over his face, but not in the typical fashion she was accustom too. He looked upon her as if they were already in the throes of passion and they weren't even touching yet.
She felt her whole body ache for him as she sat up on her knees and pulled his shirt back over her head. She felt his hands start at her thighs and glide up her naked body on either side before she even had it off. She pulled back on the sheets and straddled him, seeing that he was already prepared for her.
"Oh my," she grinned, "is that for me?"
He loved that their playfulness had made its way into the bedroom. "It's because of you." He slid down until he was lying flat, never once taking his eyes away from her. "So please, help yourself."
Carly came downstairs feeling completely sedated. She ran her hand through her hair, still reeling from their last encounter. Jules was in the kitchen alone and smiled when she saw her.
"Good morning. Exciting night huh?" She turned around grabbing the coffee pot as Carly sat down at the counter.
She smiled at that statement thinking it had a double meaning, but kept the comment to herself. "Two to go please."
"Is Steve still sleeping?" She poured coffee for Carly but before she turned around for another cup, she caught a glimpse of the smile on her face. She stopped and leaned against the counter toward her, "What's with the smile?"
Carly tilted her head pretending like she didn't know what she talking about, but for the life of her she couldn't get the grin off her face that had become stuck there. "What do you mean?"
Jules practically laughed in her face. "Oh my God!" she leaned in closer, whispering, "You and Steve had sex."
"What?! We…" she started to deny it knowing it would be the tactful thing to do, but this was Jules.
"Look at me and tell me you didn't," she harped.
Carly looked over her shoulder to make sure they were alone. She reached over grabbing her hand, her eyes getting brighter, "Oh Jules. You have no idea." She dropped her head on the counter and moaned, glancing back up at her with a sheepish look on her face, "four times already." She dropped her head again giggling.
Jules jumped up and down, clapping. "I knew it!"
Carly sat up motioning for her to be quite, "Shhh. Don't say anything." Her face suddenly took on a concerned look.
"What? What's wrong?" Jules asked, "do you regret it?" she asked in a tone as if she were asking her if she were crazy.
"No!" she quickly put that rumor to bed, "not at all. It's just that…" she set her elbows on the counter and ran both her hands through her hair, "I'm still married and I don't want anyone here to think…"
"Stop right there," Jules said, holding her hand up. "First off, the only thing you are technically married to is a piece of paper. All claims to that relationship were severed when A, he almost tried to drown you, and B, when he tried to choke you; all in one day may I remind you." She reached over taking her hand, "And second, everyone in this house loves you and wants nothing but the best for you. And believe me when I say, the best thing for you is upstairs waiting for coffee." She smiled and reached for another cup, filling it and then pushed Steve's cup toward her. "So run along and don't you for one second let anything come between you two."
She looked at her best friend, so thankful for her. It was almost as good as having Karen. They were as close as sisters could possibly be. "Ok, thanks Jules." She reached over for the milk and poured some in before picking them up and going back upstairs. She glanced over her shoulder before taking the stairs and smiled as Jules motioned for her to go up. What she didn't see once she was out of sight was Jules behind the counter jumping up and down as if her team had just won the Super Bowl.
Carly pushed the door open with her foot but didn't see him. She came in and heard the shower on in his bathroom.
She set the mugs down on the counter and took off her clothes she had changed into before going downstairs.
The shower was a remodeled walk-in type that had no door or curtain. It was tiled in a dark blue marble style with built-in shelves for soap and shampoo bottles.
She picked the cups back up and walked in just as he was rinsing the shampoo from his hair. The soap ran down his body and she followed it all the way down, admiring every inch of him. She wished she didn't have the cups in her hand, so she could have her hands on him. He was amazing. She couldn't believe how badly that she wanted to make love to him again. He opened his eyes and when he saw her, that same silly grin crossed his face that had been on hers all morning.
"Excuse me Sir," she stepped toward him holding the cup out, "did you order coffee?"
He took it from her, scanning her body with his eyes, "Yes ma'am." He took a drink and set it on the shelf over her head. "Could I also please have some sugar with it?" He put an arm around her waist, kissing her lips.
She chuckled, "That was kind of corny."
"I know," he agreed, taking her cup from her hand and setting next to his.
"But I liked it," she admitted.
"I like you." He pulled her under the warm water and kissed her again, only really kissed her this time.
They fell on the bed with her legs still wrapped tightly around him, while his hands held her from the waist. They started up again the second they hit the soft material, finding that incredible rhythm that sent them both into a mind-blowing frenzy, clutching the other until they both felt the astounding release from what they had been working so hard for.
"Oh God Carly!" He moaned, his arm around her waist trying to pull her closer as he came inside her.
Her fingers dug into his back pulling down on his waist following his movement as it hit her too. It was the best one yet. She couldn't breathe; she couldn't speak except for the erotic sounds that came from inside her as he moved on her, mercilessly pushing deeper and deeper, each thrust was followed by a new sensation that just didn't seem to have an end. She just held onto him as he gave her the single most pleasurable moment of her life.
When it was over, he tried not to collapse on her but was finding it difficult to hold himself up from lack of strength. It had literally drained him. He braced himself on his elbow and rested his head on her shoulder, feeling her heart pounding. The sheets soaked up the water from her hair that was dripping wet. She pulled down on his back bringing him in closer.
He eased himself down on her and moved slightly to the side, still keeping a nice hold on her. She closed her eyes resting her head against his, still trying to recover from it. He did the same as he pulled the blanket over them and they eventually both fell back asleep feeling perfectly content.
Steve motioned to his plate after Jack put a burger on his bun.
"What?" he asked, "Do you want me to hold it for ya while you eat?"
"No smartass, I want a double."
Jack smiled as he scooped up another burger from the grill. "Been working up an appetite?"
Steve shoved his plate toward him. "Just give me the burger," he chuckled.
He slipped one on top of the other one and looked over at Carly, "Hey Carly, are you going to want two burgers too? Or maybe you would like a foot long dog."
She looked at him oddly and shook her head, "No thanks, I'm having the chicken."
He laughed and looked back at Steve who glared at him and then rolled his eyes, shaking his head.
"What?" he laughed at his own joke. "Just trying to help the poor thing out. She could probably use a couple of extra inches."
Oh yea?" Steve played along, "I've got a license to carry my gun. What about you?"
He huffed, "Don't worry about that. I've got a license!"
"Happy Meal license doesn't count," he grinned, walking away from him.
"Ha, Ha, Ha!" he imitated a stupid laugh on purpose.
Steve sat next to Carly on the picnic bench that was on the deck. She smiled and scooted over for him, eyeing his burger. "That looks so good. Can I have just one bite?"
He slapped the top on it and held it up for her. She took a bite and moaned like it was the best thing she ever tasted.
"Don't do that," he scolded, whispering to her.
She looked at him confused, holding a napkin over her mouth as she chewed. "Do what?"
"Moan like that. It's difficult enough just sitting here next to you let alone you making those noises." He took a bite of his burger and then a swig of his beer.
She put her arm around his waist and laid her head on his shoulder, hugging him, considering that a nice compliment.
He loved having her this close and after the night before, that's exactly where he wanted her to stay. He took another drink of beer and told her so.
"I don't want to you to wander off anywhere without me, ok? After last night, I think it would be a good idea if you stuck close to me." He looked over at her, "Is that alright with you?"
She curled her lip, pretending to pout, "You mean I have to stay by your side all the time?" she groaned, "Oh what a torture that will be." She ended with a teasing smile.
"Keep it up," he warned, holding up his burger, offering her another bite.
"No thank you. And yes, that is ok with me." She ran the back of her hand over the five-o'clock shadow on his cheek. "As if I want to be anywhere else."
They looked at each other longer than usual, both experiencing the same high that only true lovers knew. They were in that place of complete and utter solitude as if only the other existed. He didn't even think about who was watching because he didn't care as he leaned over and kissed her.
Danny picked his phone up off his desk, looking at the number before her answered. "Danny Williams advice on the fly. How can I help you?"
"Very funny," Steve groaned, "How's it going back at the homestead?" He stood down by the water, looking out over the lake.
"Busy. We caught a case yesterday, jewelry store robbery. Smash and grab. Snagged over hundred grand in diamonds."
"Hmm, any leads yet?" he asked. He was generally interested until he turned around back toward the house and watched Carly as she cleared the dinner dishes off the picnic table. She smiled at him before going back inside. His heart started pumping as if he had just finished a marathon.
"Hello," Danny pulled the phone away to see if he had accidentally hung up, "Hello!"
"What? Sorry. I was looking at something."
"Something? Or someone?" It dawned on him then that after three phone calls this was the first time he had even asked about work. "What did you call for?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well you obviously didn't call to talk to me, so why did you call?"
"You sound hurt Daniel," he smiled, "am I not paying enough attention to you?"
He didn't have time to monkey around today, so he figured he'd get right to the point. "How are things going with the girl?"
Steve turned back away from Carly so he could concentrate on this subject. "Well now that you mention it."
"Ah huh, get on with it. Some of us have cases to solve."
"I need a favor Danny."
He leaned over his desk for a pad of paper. "Yes…" he said as if trying to hurry him up.
"I want you to run a profile on Allan Sumner, residence in San Diego."
"Ok," he wrote down the name. "Who is he?"
Steve rolled his eyes before he said it, knowing it was going to cause backlash. "Carly's husband."
"What?! Are you out of your mind? You're going to run a make on this guy now because you have a crush on his wife?"
Steve pulled the phone away from his ear just slightly, not able to get a word in as he ranted.
"What's gotten into you since you've been over there? I'm starting to think that maybe you shouldn't have gone at all. Leave the poor schmuck alone!"
"Are you done," he asked patiently?"
Danny sat back in his chair shaking his head, "What are you doing this for?"
He wasn't sure how to define what was happening to him, so he figured he'd treat it as a case. He knew how to describe that, "There's been some developments since the last time I talked to you."
"Developments? Please enlighten me on the developments between you, the girl and her husband," he replied sarcastically.
"He was drunk and ran into her Jet Ski. She almost drowned. He was arrested for DUI and then when he got out of jail he assaulted her."
"Jesus," Danny sighed. "He is a piece of work."
"I just need to know a more extensive profile of his background."
"Where is he now? I'm assuming not there and in jail."
"No, we had a nice chat and he left. Carly just wanted him gone."
"You and he had a nice chat?" he huffed, "Did he leave in an ambulance?"
"Almost." He ran his hand over his hair, "I'm just worried about Carly's safety is all."
"All right I'll have Chin look into it. She has a place to stay I hope after she leaves there."
Steve rubbed his hand over the back of his neck, preparing himself for the next wave of backlash. "Actually, it's funny you should mention that."
"Why? What's up?"
"She's coming home with me," he blurted it out and then held his breath.
Danny sighed as he started to get a clear picture of what was going on. Or what he assumed was going on. "And this was all arranged before or after the 'developments'?"
He didn't like the tone of his voice, "After!"
"Really? So the phone conversation we had the other night had no influence over her husband's actions?"
"Why don't you just say what you want to say Danny?"
"I thought I was. In other words, her husband didn't have anything to be jealous about, did he?"
"So that makes what he did to Carly ok? He gets a hair up his ass and he's allowed to go on a rampage?"
"You know I'm not justifying his actions," he snapped, "all I'm asking is, what made him snap? Was it jealously?"
He was silent. He didn't think he had to justify his relationship with Carly to Danny or to anyone else for that matter. He knew what he was doing and he knew what he was feeling and nothing anyone could do or say would change it. "Just run the profile," he answered flatly.
"Well I guess you just answered my question for me."
"No I didn't. And I'm not going to because it's none of your business."
None of my…" he laughed. "You're asking me to run a profile on a guy who's the current husband of your new lover who's coming home to Hawaii with you!" he yelled. "And furthermore; you haven't seen her in sixteen years. Maybe she's the one that put the hair up his ass!"
"Fuck you Danny!" he'd gone too far, insulting Carly sent him beyond bouncing off the walls. "Don't talk about her as if you know her situation by a five minutes phone conversation you and I had! And since when did you become my keeper. I asked you for a favor, that's all! If you think you're too superior in your scruples to do it then just say so and I'll call Chin myself, but don't you ever talk about Carly like that again to me" he was fuming, "or that might be the last conversation you and I ever have."
"Then don't call me for advice if you can't take the good with the bad! Your life as I know it in the last five days has taken a complete 180, all over some girl you haven't seen in sixteen years!"
"Don't try to dissect my relationship with Carly Danny, because whatever scenario you come up with, it's going to be wrong. I didn't fall in love with her over the last five days; it's been there for sixteen years! Stop trying to portray me as some schmuck who's following his dick around. I'm not asking for your advice on Carly or anything else for that matter! Just do the job I asked you to do and stay out of the rest!" He pulled the phone away from his ear and hung it up. He growled and squeezed it, wanting to throw it out in the lake. God he knew how to piss him off sometimes.
Danny stared at his phone. He wasn't thinking about being hung up on, or the scolding he got from Steve or even the threat he put on their friendship. He was still in shock over the word 'love' that he used to defend his relationship with this girl. He'd never even heard that word come out of Steve's mouth in contrast to his life.
Chin came in his office and chuckled at the expression on his face. "You look a little bewildered."
Danny set the phone down and picked up the piece of paper, handing it out to him. "Here, do me a favor and run a profile on this guy."
Chin took it, reading it out loud. "Allan Sumner? Is this a lead in the jewelry heist?"
"No, it's for Steve." He sat back in his chair. "Just go ahead and relay the info directly to him." He thought maybe they should have a cooling down period.
"Does he ever go on a serious vacation?"
Danny chuckled over that statement, "I think this is the most serious vacation he's ever had."
"Alright. I'll get started on it." He turned and walked out.
Danny opened his laptop and logged into the HPD national database and typed in Carly Sumner, wanting his own profile.
Carly came down the lawn and stopped just before she got to Steve. The conversation he had had on the phone was not a pleasant one, she could tell that from his body language from up on the deck. "Hi."
He turned around and the instant he saw her, the whole stress from his discussion with Danny had vanished. He smiled walking toward her.
"Is everything ok?" she put a hand on his waist, looking up and not seeing the irritation that she thought she would.
He looked at his phone, "Yes, it was just Danny, my partner." He huffed, "He can drive me crazy sometimes." He put his hand on her cheek, knowing without a doubt none of those things Danny said were true, and he also couldn't deny that he loved her enough that if Danny didn't too, it could very well be the end of their friendship.
She saw a look of sadness come over him. "Steve, are you sure you're ok?" she asked again, feeling for him, because whatever it was that was bothering him, she could tell it was painful.
He rubbed his thumb over her cheek, feeling completely content with his decision. Danny was his best friend, but Carly was going to be more to him than that. He knew that as he stood there looking at her. He wanted them both in his life but if he had to choose, he chose her. He just hoped it would never come to that. He wondered if she really knew what he was willing to sacrifice for her, or if she knew how desperately in love with her he had become, and it seemed to be gaining momentum by the hour.
"What?" she gently shook him, needing him to confide in her. "Communication, remember?" she quoted his own words.
He had to trust her and abide by his own guidelines he had given her. If he demanded honesty from her, then how could he possibly deny it when she asked? He was about to jump in with no life vest and only hoped she would save him.
He brushed his thumb over her flawless cheek, "I love you Carly."
She smiled, "I love you too."
He shook his head, "I don't think you understand. This is really difficult for me to stand here and say that. I don't mean that in a bad way, but you should know that I don't need anyone. I've never needed anyone," he sighed, feeling completely exposed to her, "until now. It scares me how much I want to be with you."
She saw that fear in his eyes but it didn't alarm her because she knew he had nothing to fear from their relationship nor from her. It only bothered her that he felt that way. "I'm scared too, but I've never been happier in my life than I have been over the past week. We both need to let our guard down and trust in this." She put her arms around his neck and stood up on her toes so she was eye level with him. "I do love you very much and that alone should put your fears to rest."
He put his arms around her, gathering her long black hair in his hands, slowly running his fingers through it. "I want it too and I'll sacrifice whatever I have to make this happen."
She rested her hands on his shoulder, "Steve, I don't want you to sacrifice anything." She was getting the idea that the heated conversation was about her. "Was that phone call to your partner about me?"
He shook it off as if it were nothing, "I don't want you to worry about that."
She stepped back, "Well I am. What happened?"
"Nothing, he just flies off the handle sometimes and this is really none of his business."
She didn't like the sound of that, knowing for a fact now that it was about her. "You told me he's like your brother. Was that just a phrase or was that the truth?"
That statement made him really think about what it would be like to not have Danny around. Now that he was somewhat calmed, that idea didn't sit well with him, at all. "It's the truth."
"You spend everyday with him at a job where you protect each other and look out for one another, but you're telling me when you leave the office it stops?" she didn't look convinced, "I don't believe that."
He reached out taking her hand, "He just doesn't understand."
"What are his concerns?"
"Carly…" he didn't want to hurt her feelings by going over their conversation, "it'll be alright. He'll come around."
"And what if he doesn't?" The last thing she wanted was to come between them. "It's because I'm married isn't it? Did you tell him I was coming home with you?" she turned away toward the water assuming he had, getting a glimpse of their situation from an outsider looking in, "Oh my God! He must think I'm just some harlot that strapped herself onto you. Bad marriage, crazy husband, go to Hawaii with the good guy and live the good life."
"Hey!" he scolded her, "knock it off!"
"I don't want to break up your friendship with him," she started to panic over what that would mean to him, "I won't come if that's a possibility."
That sent him into a panic, "Just stop!" he grabbed her by both arms, "Listen to me! Danny is like my brother and yes he's concerned over what's happening, but he's also knows me, probably better than anyone else. And once he meets you, he'll see just like I do that this is the best thing that's ever happened to me."
"And what if he doesn't?"
"He will." He pulled her into his arms, "He will."
She wasn't sure if he was trying to convince her, or himself more.
"Besides," Steve released her, smiling at her still concerned expression. "You have two things going for you that he'll fall for. One, you're likable." He kissed her, "very likable. And two, you're playful and have no problem slinging me shit. He'll love that more." He ran his hand down her face, pleased to see the smile emerge, "He'll love you."
She reluctantly nodded, seeing how much he wanted that to happen. It still made her nervous, but there was really nothing she could do about it now. Only time would tell. She didn't blame Danny for his misgivings. He was a cop so his first thought was probably suspicious and given her background his assumption was all he had to go by. The only thing she had to offer him was that she loved his partner, and she hoped that would be enough to win him over, otherwise not only would Steve and Danny's relationship be strained, but she knew it would filter over to she and Steve as well.