A/N: Because all good things, have to come to an end. I really hope you enjoy the last chapters of this story :) xx Mariah
Katie and Ned sat on the couch in quiet for a long time.
Her father had gone home once he'd had a chance to talk to Katie and promised that he and Melinda would come to check on her as much as they could. Katie was just so glad to always have her parents and Ned on her side.
They'd gone from sitting to lying together and Ned flipped on the tv. After finding a movie and silently watching it together in each other's arms, Ned pressed a kiss to her forehead.
As much as he loved spending time with his wife and should be able to stay in their home with her, he knew he should be leaving soon. Mason was never one to let them live in peace for long.
"I should get going soon," he whispered.
"Yeah, I suppose." She replied, looking over at him. "Do you think you could stay a little longer? It's only noon."
"Maybe a little longer," he shrugged, smiling at her. "But I gotta stretch and run to the bathroom."
"Okay," she smiled, pressing a kiss to his chest before she slowly peeled herself off of him and sat up on the couch. "Hurry back."
Her phone started to ring and he saw that it was an unknown number as he stood up from the couch.
"I'll be quick," he whispered, kissing her forehead as he walked around the couch. He almost wanted to sit back down, but he knew she'd tell him what he needed to know. "Promise."
"I did what you asked. Leave me alone," she said suddenly. He wished she'd just hung up there, but he saw the phone was pressed to her ear as he slipped into the bathroom under the stairs.
Ned closed the door quickly, relaxing against the wood. He pressed his forehead against the cold wood of the wall and squeezed his eyes shut in exasperation. He smacked his palm against the wall and kicked the empty garbage over.
He hated Mason.
He wanted to kill the man for what he'd done to them.
Then he was reminded of why he'd come in here. His erection strained against his pants. Two hours of lying with Katie always did something to him.
He was thinking too much into this, but that didn't matter. This needed to go away and the quickest way was to lock the door, which he had already done. His pants fell a second later as he stepped over the toilet, pulling his boxers down next. He stood bare-assed, his forehead against the wall as he took a handful of fruit-scented soap and lathered himself up, slowly stroking himself as he thought about all the things he wanted to do to her right now.
How he would worship her. He imagined being in their bed, laying her down against the soft sheets. How he'd spread her legs apart, and gently place them over his shoulders. He'd trace his fingers up along her thighs and center, exploring every inch of her, and then he'd taste her, running his tongue along her until he found all the spots that he knew made her squirm.
He'd love to feel her gasp against him, the way her chest would rise and fall. How she would purr for him. He wanted to make her breath hitch, her eyes squeeze shut in pleasurable concentration. Then he wanted to feel her grasp him close, yank his hair and bring him to the brink just like he did to her. She'd take her small hand and guide him inside of her, slowly at first. Their faces would be so close their noses would touch. He'd count the freckles on her nose to keep calm, and they'd stare into each other's eyes.
He was slowly coming undone as he imagined seeing her face the moment they joined together. He could feel his shit-eating grin at the moment that she became his, and he became hers. He could almost feel her as he picked up the pace. The way they would be slick and sweaty against each other as wetness seeped out of her, so warm. She would be lost in pleasure as he leaned his face to hers and kissed her then, lovingly stroking her tongue with his.
He would hold her as she came, feeling himself empty soon after. He hunched over the toilet, sighing as he cleaned himself up, fixing his pants. He went to wash his hands next, splashing water over his face after he did.
When he slid back out the door, he'd seen the tears she wiped from afar. He was by her side on the couch a moment later but hadn't said anything.
"What's wrong?" He asked, leaning back into the couch beside her, wrapping his arm around her.
"Can we talk?" She sniffled, looking up.
He turned to see her eyes were full of tears, her nose red and her hand had a tissue tucked between her fingers. "What's wrong?" He asked. "What did he say?"
"He knows you're here," she muttered. "He told me he was tired of being second best and that he deserves to be treated better. Says I need to learn a lesson."
"So he threatened you?" He asked, not quite understanding everything she was telling him.
"In a way, yes. I'm unsure," she whispered, shaking her head. "I didn't think he'd ever hurt me, you know?"
He bit his tongue, knowing it would be best for her to just piece this together in her own mind then to hear his selfish thoughts about Mason.
"I just wish this could be over," she sighed, leaning against him as she scooted near him.
She held onto his arm as they sat there, feeling unbelievably safe with him. She sent a quick text to her mom, wanting her to know how things were going so far.
Didn't mean to be rude yesterday, sorry. I don't even remember when you stopped by, but everything's okay. Ned's still here. Wanna call to talk later once he's gone? xo
Ned pressed his lips into her hair, breathing in the smell of her perfume.
This was real. She was here. His.
"I never take you for granted Katie," he said, looking to her as he stopped at the intersection. "I promise you that." Her pulse slowed, wrapped in Ned's arms, everything else calmed, became inconsequential. She could stay here all night, sitting beside him in his arms. She pressed a soft kiss to his throat, her hand curling up on his chest. "Stop that. We shouldn't," he warned, but she smiled and kept it up, letting one hand drift to his hip and pulling them tighter together. With a groan, he gripped her hip. "I'm gonna give in if you keep doin' that… distracting stuff to me."
"We're married, old man," she chuckled. "So we can do whatever we so choose, Ned Banks."
"I was thinking we'd go grab some ice cream from the fridge first," he smiled.
"Okay. That sounds great and I would kiss you for saying it, but I'm distracting." She muttered, mimicking what he said earlier with a playful grin.
He pulled her into his lap, squeezing her ass lightly. "I want you to kiss me," he breathed.
He didn't protest as she rolled against him, his lips lavishing her neck and ears with heady kisses. She let her legs fall open, allowing him to settle in their embrace, his hips now flush with hers. They rolled and ground against each other. Kissed and caressed. She was flush against his lap, feeling him grow with each time they met each other's lips.
"We should..." she panted. "Go get the ice cream."
"Yes," he said. "We should."
They both jumped up and he held his hand out for her. She latched on, wrapping her arm around his as they walked into the kitchen together.
She was his.
They ran into the room quickly. She pulled open the freezer and saw three different pints she could choose from. She couldn't decide which flavor and he was teasing her about being so indecisive sometimes. He suggested they just grab all of them and have a little of each, and she laughed.
It was the kind of laugh he could listen to for the rest of his life. She said he was silly and she kissed him, pressing herself against him so he could feel how cold the tip of her nose was peeking to read the frosty labels. His back was against the counter as she laughed, her lips still touching his. She was only in her pajamas, hair so messy from sleeping all day yesterday, yet she was at her most beautiful.
"I love you," he breathed.
And at that moment, he knew he loved her more than anyone else he had ever loved anyone. At that moment he knew she was his once in a lifetime and yet all they were doing was standing together in the kitchen.
"I think I want normal old strawberry," she said, grabbing the flavor that was always in their freezer. "I love you too."
"I'll have the mint chocolate chip," he said, kissing her cheek as he grabbed his. "We can rent another movie too."
"Something to distract your hands off me?" She grinned, grabbing them each a spoon, giving him his.
"Maybe," he said, walking with her to the couch.
"Maybe I might just let you go all the way," she breathed, her tongue flicking against his ear, feeling more confident as she was flush against him on the couch again.
"Katie," he chuckled softly, taking a spoonful of ice cream to his mouth then. They sat side by side, her hand on his thigh and their eyes locked. "What do you need?" He asked in a strained whisper as she pushed closer, her hand moving in closer toward his groin.
"You," she kissed him again and palmed him through his pants. "I need you."
"I'm eating," he said, taking another bite.
She laughed, kissing his neck as h quickly put the top on.
"You're always doing something," she whispered, pulling his zipper down.
He slid the ice cream onto the coffee table as she maneuvered her hand into his pants. He turned her onto her back a second later.
He shed his clothes quickly, leaving him in his boxers as they kissed. She peeled her sweater off a moment later. She'd gone for comfort and was in a sports bra, pulling it off and baring her chest to him. She kissed him differently that next time, not holding back anything. Their hands met and he would remember forever, how it felt to feel her breast in his hand. He took her nipple into his mouth soon after, a moan leaving her throat. She grasped his shoulders and sighed. He peeled her leggings and panties down next, baring her entire self to him.
She was beautiful. He kissed every part, every bump and every freckle and scar. She loved the way he always explored, with his hands, his mouth and tongue and most importantly his eyes. His eyes told every story and thought throughout his mind. She squeezed her eyes shut as he pushed inside her, clinging to his shoulders. The muscles there. Her mouth at his neck as she cried out.
She hadn't felt this relaxed, this safe, in a long time. She groaned and gasped as he pumped his hips in sync with hers.
He was all she would ever need.
"Ned," she whispered after, her head on his chest. He was near sleep, as was she. Her words so soft, yet he yearned to hear them. "I don't care what he says. I don't care one bit. I love you. I love you. I love you."
He kissed her bare shoulder, feeling closest to her now than he may have ever felt.
"Something in me always knew you were meant to be," he chuckled, grinning at her. "Clique I know, but still completely true. I always knew one day it would be you."
She smiled and it was only a minute longer before she knew he should probably go back to LeTrai's before Mason threatened her again. It was almost one now.
"I'll go at three. Mason can go to hell," he said, sensing her thought, grabbing the ice cream off the table. "You're my wife. Not his."
"Okay," she said, taking the strawberry container from him as he leaned up to get his. "You've got a cute butt, you know."
"Yes, I know my butt is cute." He kissed her, sitting back down. "I just don't want to get dressed."
"Me either," she laughed and opened the container. She spoon-fed herself, moaning at the good taste of strawberry ice cream. "Nothing is as good as ice cream here. Nothing."
He took a bite and nodded. She was so right. He kissed her, tasting both ice creams at that moment. She moved against him, his hands pulling her to his lap. She straddled him and took another bite of her ice cream, cocking an eyebrow at him.
"What's up?" She asked. "Wanna go again because you were great… it was amazing."
"You were amazing," he cupped her cheek. "You're beautiful and everything I could dream in a wife. What more could I ask for?"
She shrugged, agreeing with him long enough to kiss him again before taking another bite of her ice cream.
When Ned was getting dressed, after another long, fun hour with Katie, his phone rang. And he heard what he didn't want to hear.
Another dead body. Another crime scene to investigate and try to piece together. Another victim on the wall.
Ned almost threw his phone against the wall.
It's on him, these dead women. He was a cop, and he swore an oath that he would protect people, and they needed him. They didn't have anybody else. No one cared about them. No one. And someone was raping, murdering and slaughtering them, and he was supposed to stop it, but he hadn't been able to yet.
How many more women were going to be killed?
"I need to go," he said, tossing his phone into the couch angrily. He buckled his pants and fastened his belt quickly. He pulled his shirt on and ran his hands through his hair. "There's another victim. A crime scene, I have to go."
"Okay," she nodded, reaching out and squeezing his hand. "If you need to call me later and talk, you can."
"I'll call you when I get a chance," he smiled, leaning down to kiss her. "I love you."
"Be careful," she whispered, pulling back just before he could.
"I always am," he nodded, capturing her lips in a brief kiss.
"I know. I love you too," she smiled, standing up as he started for the stairs. "Did you forget something?"
"I was gonna go grab a jacket. I don't know how long I'll be out at the scene," he said. "Where are you going?"
"To shower," she laughed, following him up the stairs. He kissed her once more before he went toward his closet and she walked toward the bathroom. "Like I said, be careful at work."
He pulled on his coat as she started to turn away and he nodded to her. "I will. I always am, as I said." He mimicked her and earned another laugh from her as she closed the door to the bathroom and the shower turned on.
Ned jogged down the stairs and to his truck and sped off toward the coordinates Jamison had told him. He put them into his GPS and followed the directions. He drove past the Salvation Army and the other shelters he'd visited, to a back alleyway where all the emergency vehicles were gathered. He parked, shut his truck off and ducked toward the scene.
"Credentials?" A cadet asked before she lifted the caution tape.
Ned showed her his detective badge and she let him enter. He saw Jamison looking over the body, which was covered by a sheet that an ME had placed over it.
"Do we have an ID yet?" Ned asked, pulling his notebook out of his back pocket.
"I believe so. Do you recognize her, Ned?" Jamison asked, looking away.
Ned looked down at the redheaded girl, looking away before his emotions got the best of him.
It was Reiley.
She'd been badly beaten, there were bruises up and down her arms and legs. There were hands marks around her neck, her head twisted in an unusual way.
He hated to see her like this. She was supposed to be safe, but here she was. The next victim.
Ned was frustrated and threw his phone down on his desk. He stared at the report. He needed to work. He pressed his forehead into his hand and tried to focus on the lab report.
"Okay, what happened to you?" Jamison asked, sitting down in his desk across from him. He took a bite into his burger and leaned back into his chair. "Come on, tell me. Be honest." And his partner chuckled at his glare. "I'm serious, Ned. What happened? I know that Reiley was a hit to all of us at the station, but still. Did something happen at home? I heard you were staying with LeTrai for a few days."
"It's none of your business," he snapped. "And Katie and I are fine. It's something else. It's between us. Not you, so butt out."
But Jamison doesn't back down. He stared at him. "Did something happen?" the older man asked, voice soft. Ned doesn't respond. This wasn't a conversation they need to have. He didn't need to know about Mason and everything surrounding him. It was too personal. "Oh, shit, Ned, did you cheat on Katie?"
The entire station turned then, looking to hear Ned's answer.
"No," he yelled, "I didn't." he threw down his pen and looked at everyone sternly. "I didn't, okay? Find some other drama to fucking worry about."
"But something happened," Jamison insisted a little more quietly as everyone went back to their own work and conversations from before. "I know something happened, Ned. Don't deny it."
He shook her head. "It doesn't matter. We have more important things to worry about than my marriage right now, okay? We have a killer rapist to find before more women are brutally murdered."
And Jamison finally lets it go, he stood and nodded, and Ned made himself stare at the report.
"C'mon," Jamison said, pulling on Ned's shoulder. "Let's go canvas around in the car. We need to chat."
He doesn't look at him, but closed the file and grabbed his phone and jacket as he stood.
"LeTrai told me," Jamison continued, "because you have refused to tell me anything personal these past few weeks you've been back."
He pressed his lips together and refused to look at him as they walked out of the station.
"What do you want to know?" He asked, now that were away from all of their colleagues.
"What the hell is going on?" Jamison asked.
"There's a man stalking Katie and he wants me out of her life. He's threatened her well-being several times, so we finally gave in and I'm staying with Captian so he thinks we're on the outs." He explained quickly. "I don't know how else to explain it, but Katie and I... we're managing this. We're trying to at least."
"Do her parents know?" Jamison jumped into the driver's seat as Ned pulled the passenger door closed.
"Not everything, but yeah. They know most of what's going on. They have been checking on Katie. I was just there when I got the call about Reiley." He said, sighing and looking out the window as he drove off. "It's been stressful."
"How's Katie doing with all this? Do you have any security cameras installed?" Jamison asked, taking a right turn.
"Yes, we have a few cameras around the house. We did that over the summer when things got worse." He sighed. "Katie is scared out of her mind, but she doesn't like to talk about it. Not to anyone but me."
Jamison nodded, thinking about everything Ned had just told him. "That's pretty normal. She only trusts you with her darkest moments, no one else. You're her husband after all."
It took two days of texting and calling, but not seeing Katie reminded Ned of how much he hated when she lived so far away in the city. Damnit, he hated Mason for doing this to them.
He found her at her mother's store, she was irritable from a bad night's sleep, but smiled when she saw him and came around the counter to see him.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" She asked, straightening his detective's badge on his belt.
"I just missed you," he said, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Think your mom would give you a few minutes with me?"
"Probably," she smiled, yawning. "C'mon we'll fool around in the back because she'll have to come out front." He smiled and leaned in to kiss her cheek as she turned around and he followed her into the back. "Hey mom, can we have a minute alone?"
Melinda looked up from her computer as she was typing something and smiled at the couple. "Sure, sweetheart." Her mother closed her computer and stood up, sliding out from behind her desk. "Don't forget to close the doors."
The second she closed the doors and turned around, he kissed her, leaning her up against the white doors that concealed them from the front of the store. The kiss was urgent and soft, and his hands were warm as they cradled her face. He was hesitant until she tilted her head and slanted her lips over his to sneak her tongue into his mouth.
His thoughts were jumbled. She did things to her, made him feel things, made him feel sane.
Her hands fumbled when she tried to open his shirt a little, and her shirt caught on her hair, and their laughter was breathless. She slid her hands across his chest, scraped her nails against the skin she was able to and he kissed and licked up her throat. He nuzzled her breasts; she arched into him. She couldn't keep her eyes open when he trailed hot, open-mouthed kisses along her collarbone. She fisted her hands in his hair as he uses his tongue and his teeth against her nipples once he pulled her bra down just enough, and the sharpest pleasure swept through her.
Oh, God. This might be enough.
He kissed her just before she moaned, feeling the words she spoke. His laughter was cheeky when she hit him playfully, and his eyes were soft when he said goodbye.
"I have to get back to work," he sighed.
And she nodded, fixing his shirt and hers. She kissed him once more, briefly. "We're almost through this. Mason hasn't talked to me the last few days. Has LeTrai said anything?"
"Not yet," he muttered. "But Jamison knows. I think he's looking into it a little. If we can catch him trying to break in again, we can get him for good."
"Okay," she nodded. "I'll call you if anything happens." He touched her cheek with his hand, smiling at her. Her lips curl into a smile against his palm and she turned her head to kiss his hand. "I have to get back out there."
"Yeah, I have to go back to work. Get all the paperwork done for Rieley's scene." He sighed, shaking his head.
"If you need to talk later, you know you can always call or stop over. I know talking on the phone doesn't always help." She said, squeezing his hand. "And even though we're trying to keep Mason out by doing this, we're still married and I love you."
"I know, Katie. I love you," he smiled, opening the door and letting go of her hand. "I'll call you later. Maybe I'll stop by."
"That would be nice," she nodded, walking over to her mother. "I'm off here at five, so just let me know if you're coming by and I'll make you a plate for dinner."
Ned smiled at her as he opened the door. "It was nice to see you, Melinda. Tell Jim and everyone I say hello."
"It's always nice to see you too, Ned," Melinda replied.
Ned's walking down the street toward Village Java when his phone rang. It was Jamison calling about the case they were working. A girl had called the police from a pay phone that was at a rest stop off the highway.
Her name was Kaitlyn and she'd run about five miles in the woods from cabin because someone was trying to kill her.
"I'm on my way to the station. Let's get over there now," he said, running across the square to the police station as he quickly sent Katie a text that he might not be able to make it for dinner.
Katie unlocked her front door around six that evening after going to pick up some groceries. Her phone buzzed as she was opening the door and she fished it out of her pocket as she put her keys in the door. She read the text from Ned, frowning. Damnit.
Ned [Sent August 22nd, 6:10 pm] - Caught another victim for this case. Alive. Might not be able to make it to dinner. I'll text you when I can. Love you
She shoved her phone in her pocket and opened the door when she heard someone step up onto the porch.
"Who's there?" She called out as she placed the groceries in the house and began to turn around.
"Don't say anything," Mason whispered into her ear before she could turn. She felt the barrel of the gun press into her lower back. "Just walk inside with me. okay?"
She nodded and felt him push her forward into the house. He pushed her over the groceries into the house and closed the door. He grabbed her arm and pinned her against the banister of the nearby stairs.
"Do you think I don't know you've been speaking with Ned? I told you to cut him out or I'd do it for you." Mason said quickly, tapping the gun against his head. "Do you think I'm playing games here?" He pointed the gun at her, pressing it up against her jaw. "I'm not playing any games, Katie."
"I don't think you're playing games," she whimpered, closing her eyes. She didn't want to see a gun in her face. She would break down. She wasn't strong enough to deal with that image in her head. "I don't."
"I don't believe you," he yelled. "I saw Ned leave the store. What was he doing there?"
"He stopped by. He wanted to talk," she whispered, looking away from him as he pulled her face back toward him.
"Open your eyes, sweet pea. I want to see you look at me when you're talking," he muttered.
She opened her eyes slowly and looked at him. seeing the barrel of the gun pointed straight at her. "He stopped by for a few minutes," she said softly, leaving out the real information. "Nothing serious."
"You're lying to me, Katie." He said, tapping the gun against her cheek. He cocked it back, loading the bullet into the chamber and held it firmly against her temple. "Don't test me. Tell me the truth."
"He begged for me to come back to him," she whispered, trying to come together with the best lie she could without telling him the truth. "He wants me to let me back in the house. All the blah blah right words you told me he would say, remember?"
Mason chuckled, taking the bait of thinking it was all his idea. "Right," he said, tapping the gun against her cheek. "I told you he would do this, Katie. See I was right."
"You were," she nodded, her lip quivering. "Can you..." she whimpered and looked away from him. "Can you just put the gun down?"
"I just needed to scare you a little, okay?" He said, placing in the back of his pants. "There. I put it away." He pressed a kiss to her face and she wanted to pull away and wipe her face clean for days. But she knew he'd shoot her if she did. "What did you get from the grocery store?"
"Some stuff for dinner," she said softly, breathing in slowly to calm herself down somewhat.
As Mason backed up to grab it, she wiped her face of his saliva while she could. He grabbed the few bags and grinned. "You got steaks for us? Did you know I was coming over?" He asked.
"No, but I had a hunch," she lied, biting her lip as he walked past her. She just needed to distract him enough to call Ned. Or her father. Or anyone. "Can you go get the food put away? I want to freshen up real quick."
Mason placed the bags on the counter, coming back over to her. "I think you look beautiful," he said, pulling her right into his arms. He wrapped them around her waist and leaned in to kiss her lips. She didn't know what to do. She wanted to pull back, but she knew she couldn't. His lips touched her and they were a slimy and slim as she'd remembered. He kissed her softly, pulling back with a grin on his face. "C'mon. Let's get these steaks started before we head out. We have so much to get done tonight, Katie."
She slowly nodded and followed him into the kitchen reluctantly. She knew she was just going to have to go along with this for as long as she could.