*Mature Content Ahead*
Ch. 26
He was sitting at his desk when the call came in. "Falconeri here." "Yeah, Dante, this is Joe Stewart." It took him a minute to register the voice and then he realized he was speaking to the divorce mediator. "Hey, Joe, how's it going? What can I do for you?" "It's more like what I can do for you, like make your day…" He went on to tell Dante the reason for his phone call.
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Dante was trying to concentrate on his work but he was distracted. The case notes and witness statements were one big blur because his mind was elsewhere. He wasn't feeling exactly celebratory—more like relieved, he guessed. That part of his life was over and the next chapter had yet to be written. He thought about Rocco, who was too young to understand anything. It was strange that none of his son's memories would involve his parents as a unit; for him, they would have always been divorced. Part of him regretted that. There was the future to look forward to, however. A future that now included Val. He smiled as he thought about being able to be with her, really be with her, and an idea began forming in his head. Realizing that he wasn't going to get any more work done, he decided to leave a bit early. He brushed past Val on his way out of the squad room and she asked him, "Where are you headed in such a hurry?" Not wanting to divulge his plans, he hurriedly replied, "Got an errand to run." "Wow, ok," she said with a little laugh, adding to the empty air, "I guess I'll see you later."
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Valerie stopped Jordan, who was also on her way out the door at the end of the shift, in the middle of the squad room. "Did you send Dante on some kind of special assignment?" "I didn't—why?" "He just jetted past me like he was on a mission. I thought maybe he was doing something for you." "No, not for me." Jordan approached the duty officer at the front desk. "Any idea where Falconeri was headed?" "He's gone for the day, Boss," she was told. She turned to Val, saying, "There you go." No sooner had she finished speaking when Val's phone began ringing with the ringtone she had reserved for Dante's number. "Dante-" she began to say but was quickly interrupted. "Val, I need you to do me a favor. I'd meant to go to Foster's Brewery and pick up a couple cases of their imported beer but I got hung up with something. Could you stop by for me and grab some?" "Foster's Brewery?" "Yeah." "On the other side of town Foster's Brewery?" "Yeah. If you could, I'd really appreciate it." "Sure, why not?" "Thanks—you're a lifesaver! I'll pay you back later." They disconnected and Jordan, frowning, asked, "He wants you to go all the way out to Foster's?" "Yeah." "In rush hour evening traffic?" "Looks like." "And you're going to go?" "Well, I told him I would…" Jordan laughed as she shook her head in amusement. "I guess. The things we do for love." Val gave her an admonishing glare. Throwing her hands up, Jordan replied innocently, "Hey, I'm just saying…"
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After Val had finished making the special trip for Dante, she called him to inquire, "Where exactly did you want me to take these? To the loft?" "Just take them to your place, ok? I'll get them from there."
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When Val arrived at the penthouse with beer in hand, she realized immediately that someone had been there before her. For one thing, the lamps in the living area were on their dimmest settings, and she knew that they had been off before she'd left for work. There were also candles of various sizes lit all over the room, something else she hadn't done. There were only two place settings on the dining table; the rest had been removed. Dante emerged from the kitchen and stopped short when he saw her. "Wow, you made good time," he told her, further saying, "I thought I had at least fifteen more minutes. Traffic must have been light." "I took a couple of side streets to avoid the bulk of it. Why? Did you need extra time for something?" "Yeah. That's why I sent you on that errand, to give me time to set all this up." He walked over to the table and poured a glass of wine which he then offered to her, saying, "I'll trade you," as he pointed to the bottles she had forgotten she was holding. He took the beer into the kitchen. When he returned to the dining area, Val was standing at the window in the living area, gazing down at the city lights. He picked up the stereo remote control and pushed a button, causing music to fill the air. She quickly recognized the theme song to Swan Lake and she turned from the window to beam at him in delight. "What is all this?" "This? This is my way of saying 'I appreciate you.' Of saying thank you for putting up with me through everything that's been going on." "Well, I appreciate you, too, and you're welcome. It looks like you went through an awful lot of trouble, though." "Aren't you worth it? I think you are. We're gonna eat, we'll talk, and see where the night takes us." Having said that, he guided her to the table where he pulled out the chair at the head of it and gestured for her to have a seat. She shook her head in bemused wonder as she sat down. He then went back to the kitchen from which he brought two plates. "Duck a l'Orange," he announced, setting the plates on the table. Disappearing once more, he brought a small basket of bread with pats of butter on the side to the table as well. He poured himself a glass of wine and then sat down next to her. "What should we drink to?" he wondered. "To an interesting evening, maybe?" "How about to an interesting evening full of new beginnings?" "That works, too," she answered.
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As they enjoyed the duck and the accompanying side dishes, they talked together. Dante spoke of his plan to go the hospital again to see Nathan. He was still upset about the fact that it seemed his partner's assailant may have gotten away with attempted murder. He really wanted to catch whoever it was for Nathan's sake. They spoke of how Val was almost halfway through with her special project in the basement and how happy she would be to be finally finished. They bounced from subject to subject while the evening passed into night. Glancing down at her mostly empty plate, Dante asked her, "Did you enjoy the duck?" "Yes, I did. I'm kind of surprised, actually. The last time I had it, I didn't care for it. Maybe it depends on which restaurant makes it." "Restaurant? What makes you so sure it came from a restaurant? Couldn't I have made this fabulous meal?" "You could have, sure, but you didn't. Confess. Who delivered it?" "I actually picked it up from the Metro Court. I called it in earlier in the day, and they had it ready by the time I got there." "I told Carly her chef is a marvel—he delivered another hit." Dante rose from the table and walked around to Val's side. He stood there for a moment and then offered his hand to her. Helping her push back from the table, he walked her over to a part of the room between the dining and living areas. He pulled her into his arms and as they started slowly swaying back and forth, he remarked, "This music isn't exactly dance music, is it?" "Well, it is," Val responded, "just not the kind of dancing we're doing."
"What specifically is the attraction, then?"
"It's Tchaikovsky. It's classic. It's evocative. Of course it's better when you can see the ballet dances that go with each piece, but it's still beautiful music."
"I can't argue with you there." Holding her a bit tighter, he gently kissed her. She relaxed into his embrace, opening her mouth slightly to return his kiss. Deepening the contact, his tongue swept against hers as they fed on one another. A few moments later, he broke off the kiss, his lips moving from hers to her neck. When he realized her collar was impeding his progress, he began unbuttoning her blouse. Once he saw skin, he brushed his lips over her collarbone, across the tops of her breasts, back again to her neck. Val's head fell back and she moaned softly as Dante continued caressing her with his lips, his teeth, his tongue. He made his way down to her breast again, suckling her through the lace, and she cried out, saying, "Ooh, Dante, wait! The rules, remember! What about the rules?" "No more rules," he said in a low voice. "But hang on," she went on insistently, "I thought we'd agreed-"
Dante cupped her face in his hands and stared into her eyes to get her attention. "No more rules," he repeated emphatically, "because we don't need them anymore." He held her gaze to make sure she understood what he was saying and he could see when the connection was made. Her mouth falling open, she whispered, "No way—seriously? But when-"
"Later. Later," he murmured before resuming his previous activities. He dampened the lace of her bra as he started sucking and teasing her other nipple and then he drew back. "I have this fantasy," he began explaining, "where you're totally naked while I'm fully clothed, giving me the ability to run my hands all over your soft, silky skin." He finished unbuttoning her blouse and removed it from her body. His eyes almost glazed over when he unfastened her bra, exposing her breasts to his gaze. Reaching to her side, he unhooked her skirt and watched it fall down her hips to the floor. She stepped away from it and stood there in her nylons and panties, waiting. Licking his lips he told her, "You might want to remove those yourself—I don't trust myself not to rip or tear them." Inhaling slightly, she reached down and slid her hands under both and in one deliberate motion, she eased them unhurriedly down and off. Standing there they watched each other, both of them beginning to breathe more deeply. In one motion, Dante pulled one of the dining chairs away from the table and backed Val toward the table edge. His hands moved over her skin as he voraciously and repeatedly kissed her. She reached up to stroke his arms and when she encountered his shirt, she broke off the kiss to pant, "I know this is your fantasy, but you've got to give me something. Take this off," she demanded, yanking at his shirt. Acquiescing, he pulled the shirt over his head and she immediately ran her palms over his arms and chest. Leaning forward, she placed light, ghosting kisses all over the flesh she could reach—his neck, his chest, his nipples. He shuddered when he felt her hands move to his belt to loosen it. He groaned aloud when she reached into his khakis to grip him firmly. "I think we should both be naked, don't you?" she whispered into his ear as she continued stroking him.
"I can take the rest of this off but you're gonna have to let go first," he said, glancing down to watch the movement of her hand. With a mock pout, she released him and he quickly divested himself of the rest of his clothes. Standing there, they reacquainted themselves with one another's bodies. Dante rubbed the backs of his fingers against the sides of her breasts, saying softly, "This time I'm gonna memorize everything. I'm gonna remember everything." Lifting her chin with his finger he held her gaze and then leaned forward to whisper against her lips, "THIS is the time that counts. Last time was one thing, but this time is us havin' the right to be together." She opened her mouth to respond and he swooped in, capturing her lips in a heated embrace. Their fingers traced patterns over skin, sometimes softly, sometimes with more force. She responded to his gentle squeezing of her breasts by taking him in hand and firmly stroking him. When Dante had reached the end of his endurance he reached down to the floor, fumbling in his pants pocket for his wallet from which with slightly shaking hands, he took a condom. He gripped her waist and boosted her up onto the table before sheathing himself. Val's breathing became more rapid when Dante approached her, aligning their bodies. She gasped and winced as he entered her. They both froze as they adjusted to the sensation of finally being coupled. Val looked down to see where they were joined and then she caught his eye and they smiled at each other. Their smiles quickly faded when he began thrusting upward into her. She leaned back slightly to give him more room to move and he grunted his thanks as he started thrusting faster. "You're so tight, Val—just like I remembered." A low, intermittent keening began in her throat and chill bumps rose all over her body as Dante plunged into her again and again, pushing her towards a climax. With a stifled cry, she began coming and she gripped his arms to anchor herself, the contractions within her setting off a chain reaction in him. Not quite ready to join her, he quickly changed positions, lifting her off the table and dropping down with her in the closest dining chair, causing her breath to sob and hitch as she was further impaled on him. Grasping her waist, he raised and lowered her slightly up and down. He panted raggedly when she rocked her lower body against him and braced her feet fully against the floor for leverage. Bringing her down hard one last time, he convulsed with a harsh cry, the orgasm slamming through him, instantly enervating him. Val collapsed against him while being overtaken with small quakes as she tried to drag air into her straining lungs. They were momentarily exhausted, inhaling rapidly and exhaling roughly, holding tightly to each other as they waited for the shivers and tingles to subside. They regarded one another in wonder before Dante leaned forward slightly and kissed Val's nose softly. "Are you ok?" he rasped. "I'm better than ok, Dante. God. That was-" "Yeah, it was," he agreed though she hadn't completed her thought. "I'm so glad we waited. Waiting was hard, but I'm so glad we did it. Makes this-" They spoke at the same time-"More meaningful." "Just perfect." She laid her head back on his shoulder and they sat like that for a while before he said, "You know what?" "No, what?" "I want more." He stood up, telling her, "Keep your legs tight around my waist. I don't wanna pull out so I wanna see if I can make it up the stairs still inside you." She laughed, making him say sharply, "Don't laugh! I can feel it when you do. Just be still." Shaking her head she complied as he haltingly moved up the stairs.
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Finally arriving at the bedroom, Val lifted her knees up as Dante turned and sat on the bed, still fully penetrating her. "I knew I could do it," he told her almost proudly. "It only took forever but yeah, you did," she laughed. "Hey, what matters is that I did it, not how long it took."
"And now that we're here, it's my turn for fantasies," she murmured as she pushed him down on to the bed.
"What'd you have in mind?"
"I want to taste every inch of your skin. Is that ok with you?" "Whatever you wanna do is fine with me," he replied with a grin, adding, "just let me get rid of-" She eased off of him and after disposing of the condom, he reached into the night stand on what he now considered his side of the bed. Retrieving the box of condoms he had secreted there, he shook it at her and with wiggling eyebrows queried, "How many of these do you think we'll go through tonight?" "Let's use them all!" she gleefully exclaimed.
"What?" Dante was in shock as his smile quickly disappeared. "Seriously?"
"No, silly! But the look on your face is priceless!" Chortling merrily, she poked fun at him, causing him to wrestle her down to the bed. Holding her there, he challenged, "Now what, Missy?" "Now you let me up because it's my turn to indulge my fantasy, remember?" Acknowledging the rightness of her statement, he obediently rolled onto his back with his arms outstretched. She straddled him and began a gentle assault on his ear with her tongue. Dante inhaled sharply and exhaled slowly—his ears were so sensitive and he tried not to move as she nibbled and bit down on his lobe. Moving to his neck, she deliberately slid her lips against him, lightly licking and sucking in turns. Hardening instantly, he grabbed a handful of the bed covers in each hand to stop himself from reaching out for her. He arched his neck slightly to give her better access and she took advantage by nipping him hard enough to leave a mark. Grunting softly, he gripped the covers even more tightly.
Val journeyed further down, down to his chest where she took her time kissing and suckling each nipple in turn. Her kisses vacillated between gentle and rough as she continued on, intensifying her attack on his torso. She breathed on the skin of his stomach once, twice, before proceeding downward. He could feel her breath hot against him and he couldn't keep himself from urging, "Please, Val. Please." "Please what, Dante?" she teasingly asked him. "Take-" Val had already taken him into her mouth so he didn't have time to finish his plea. Beginning gently, she drew on him while she firmly gripped him in her fisted hand. At turns nibbling and licking, she hummed lowly as she feasted on the sap his body was producing as a result of her ministrations. Just when she seemed to be backing off and moving away, he couldn't help but cry out loudly when she suddenly doubled her efforts, her lips drawing tighter as she rapidly moved up and down on him. "No, Angel, sweetheart, stop, please," he begged, gasping out, "I don't wanna come like this. I wanna be inside you. Please, baby—God!" Panting, he tried to stave off the orgasm that was threatening to overtake him. Frantically searching for the box of condoms he'd thrown on the bed, he let go of the covers long enough to reach in the box and pull one out. She helped him smooth it on and once that was done, she pressed the tip of him to her opening and eased him into her inch by inch until she was fully surrounding him. Leisurely at first she undulated against him, grinding down and rocking back and forth, moaning intermittently as her movements caused her to tremble. He was deep, so deep within her and she felt that fullness more intensely when he lifted his hips to meet hers. They raced together, spurring each other on to that cliff edge. Suddenly pulling her closer, he latched onto her nipple and sucked hard, groaning and bucking as he came. His actions pushed her over and she cried out, her womb contracting continuously. Rolling them to the side, he kept suckling, causing wave after wave to crash through her. She gripped his hair to anchor herself, her body jerking relentlessly in orgasmic spasms. "Ohh," she was finally able to gasp out, "I'm dead, I think. Dante, uhh-" She began trembling again and he held her tighter in response. Dante lifted her leg over his, placing his hand behind the small of her back to pull her even closer to him. Still buried inside her, he tenderly kissed her forehead and then her lips before sighing, "God, that was good, Val. So good." Involuntarily shaking from the sensation of skin against skin, their bodies finally began calming enough to allow them both to drift off to sleep.
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