Murder in the Forest, Chapter 27
In the woods beyond where the landslide had blocked the road, it was now dark. Ashley Seaver was breathing heavily as Peter Blacklaws fondled her productively after removing her blouse and bra. He was fondling and nuzzling very effectively, and Ashley moaned as he stroked her hair and ears… and nipples.
"These jeans are in the way," he declared. "Want help in getting them off? By the way, I assume that you are on The Pill, or something? I do have rubbers, but added protection is not a bad thing to have. Are you enjoying this as much as I am?"
She nodded. "If you're enjoying it as much as it seems you are," she replied, stroking the hard erection through his trousers. "It appears that we're both enjoying it a lot. But I don't generally do one-night stands. We're both going to get a grilling from our friends tomorrow. I'm not sure what to tell them. The hell of it is, I think they're going to assume the worst."
Peter smiled. "Most girls of my dating acquaintance don't describe me as 'the worst'. And this isn't necessarily a one-night stand. I was rather hoping that you might transfer to the Seattle field office and we might continue to see one another. And not just for sex. I really think we may have long-term potential. I'm quite serious. That's not a proposal, but it is true that I've been thinking of you in that way. I mean, as much as I can, based on brief acquaintance and instincts. I say, is that kaffir mutt with a chip on his shoulder going to hit me for being with you? If he is, I certainly want to enjoy all that he'll think I did."
Seaver laughed. "Morgan is a little too protective of me, I guess. But whatever you just called him, don't do it to his face. I know him well enough to know that he may in fact get violent if insulted. I think Hotch and I can call him off before he goes after you, otherwise. I'm more worried about what JJ and Hotch and Rossi will think of me than I care about what Derek thinks. He's not ever going to be someone whose opinion I need to determine my self worth. He's a damned hothead, regardless of his racial attitudes. But I have got a reputation to maintain in the Bureau, so I have to consider that. Still, these people have their own love lives, in which I don't interfere. Look, I don't like the Quantico/Washington, D.C. atmosphere much and I've been wanting to transfer, anyway. Are you serious about wanting to see me if I move out here?"
"Totally," he promised. "Remember, among other things, I promised to show you trout flies beyond the Royal Coachman. And there are other delights here. I want you to meet my family and see our winery. You'd probably enjoy seeing how wine is made, and we have won some top prizes for our efforts. Try our Sauvignon blanc or Riesling with fresh- caught broiled trout or salmon. And I think you'd like my family. The Pacific Northwest isn't a bad place to live. It's certainly far better than if you get transferred to New York, Chicago, Boston or some other national armpit! Most of what ails America oozes out from there or from California and taints everything."
"Whoa," said Ashley. "Let's not get political tonight, although I have to admit, you're right about that. So, I guess we vote the same way. We may have other things in common, too. But the issue now is whether we're going to go all the way tonight, on what sort of amounts to our first date. Honestly, Peter, would you respect me if I did? Many men wouldn't. And some would brag to their pals about laying me. A girl has to worry about things like that!"
"You don't, not with me. I'll respect you whether we fornicate tonight or not. And I still want you to think about moving out here, either way. I'm not only being selfish: I think you'd like it here. And I think we should think about getting much better acquainted and see where it leads. If you want to wait rather than fool around more, I understand."
He looked tenderly into her eyes, and Seaver knew in her heart that he was being honest. Something in her whispered that Peter Blacklaws was as honest a man as she was ever going to find, and that he wasn't just out to score with her and then discard her.
"All right," she said, a little hoarsely as she made up her mind. ""Let me swivel my legs around and unbuckle this belt and you can slip my jeans off. Be careful of the holster. I took my gun out already, but don't scratch the leather. It cost quite a bit; it's a Galco (brand). And I am on The Pill, and I have some with me. But dig out your rubbers, too. I hope to gosh that you haven't been carrying one around in your wallet long enough that it may have dried out and cracked. I've seen some that guys had been carrying that way for far too long. Did you get some at your house?"
"Yes, but I wasn't being presumptive, just hopeful. Let me dig in my bag behind the seat and I'll show you that they're fresh and in good condition. I may want children with you someday, but not this soon. But let me get those jeans and panties off first. By the way, this will go better if we move to the back seat. More room. I want this to be really good for you. And later, I'll make a fire and cook dinner for us. Our first camping trip together!"
Seaver blushed and swiveled her legs around and looked at Peter as he stripped her. She liked the way he looked at her, admiringly, genuinely impressed. His caresses along her leg made her draw a shaky breath as he got out and opened the rear door and set her gently in the back seat before joining her and producing the condoms from his travel bag. He brandished them triumphantly and she laughed. He tossed her jeans and panties in the front seat.
An hour later, he held her gently, kissing tenderly and running a hand over her as he told her how terrific she had been. "However this relationship goes in days to come, I want you to know that we got it off to a fantastic start!"
The couple embraced and murmured sweet somethings to one another and Peter asked Ashley if he could keep her panties. "First pair that I ever got off of you. I'm sentimental about them. I'll buy you a few replacements. We can go back and take advantage of those sales we found earlier. You can model the new ones for me, too."
"Sounds like a win-win situation for you, "she said. "But I sort of like the idea of showing off for you in some new ones and watching your eyes bulge out. And those shops did have some great deals. I guess I like you, Peter. You're one of the few men I'd feel comfortable going lingerie shopping with, let alone posing for in my undies. Wait: this isn't to fulfill your fantasies about Candice Swanepoel and Doutzen Wowtzen or whatever her name is? Anyway, I think Doutzen left the company after the 2014 fashion show. Not that most men don't still see her as the ultimate Dutch treat, I guess."
Peter was amused. "No, baby, I want to see you as yourself. You'd give them a run for their money, anyway, but one of them is married and has kids and the other has been dating the same guy for about ten years, since she was just 17. I think one of the TV entertainment shows said that she's actually engaged now. They've already been together longer than most marriages last these days. All I'd get from either is an autograph and maybe a smile. You, on the other hand…"
"Down, boy!" Ashley giggled as he played with her again. "Hey: didn't you threaten to cook tonight? Are you any good at it? And what about the bear and Bigfoot? What if they smell us cooking? Would they come after our food? Thinking of that bear eating that poor man just totally grosses me out! "
"It's possible, and I won't leave any trash by the car. And we'll have our rifles at hand. I'm loading my .44 Magnum and keeping it by me as we sleep, too. And I expect we'd better sleep in the car, not in the tent. Pity, but it seems prudent. The Fish & Game people will have someone hunt that bear down soon, but not until we've left. Of course, if it does come after us tonight, you can shoot it and show JJ the hide. I'm sure that would be the highlight of her trip out here."
They laughed about that and handed one another various pieces of their clothing, Seaver playfully tugging at her panties as Blacklaws sought to retain them. He had been serious about wanting them as a trophy or souvenir. Finally, she relented and let him have them. The idea of shopping with him for replacements did have its appeal. She got her bag and took out a spare pair and they dressed and got out groceries and a camp stove. Seaver made sure to take her borrowed rifle with her as they cleared a space for a fire.
Then, she realized with a jolt that if the kidnapers or other threats were out here, the fire would highlight them. What might scare a bear off could attract a human predator!
"Unlikely," said Blacklaws when she expressed this misgiving. "But after we eat and bag the trash, we'll drive down the road a bit to be away from where we were when the fire was lit. And we'll sit on opposite sides of the fire and watch one another's backs. We can hold one another later, in the car. And I must say, I'm looking forward to that. I say, Ashley? You're a Federal cop. Isn't it a conflict of interest for you to also be an addictive substance?"
"Flatterer!" she scoffed. "But I hope you do get addicted to me, Studly. I think I'd like that. What if we do become mutually addicted? You appeal to me a lot, too."
"No worries," said the handsome deputy. "It'd settle your issue of wondering whether to move to Washington. You'd come out here for good and I'd have you conveniently in my clutches."
She looked seriously at her new lover. "I can think of worse places to be, Peter. You're very nearly as good with girls as you think you are."
And she shivered a little as he took her hand and pulled her into his arms, for just a short hug, this time.
"Ashley Seaver, it's too soon to be certain, but I think I love you."
"Just keep thinking that way, Peter. I like your reasoning. And I think it may be mutual. Are you going to hold my hand later when we're back with our friends and bosses? I'm not sure I can keep from showing how I feel about you."
"We'll hold hands," he promised. "I don't give a rotten, sun- baked meerkat for who knows about us. I think it's better that I seem proud of you than trying to hide how I feel."
And on that note, eyes shining, they embraced again until Peter mumbled something about dinner and they reluctantly parted and prepared to feed their hunger of another kind.