Red half listened to the conversation taking place across the spacious room.
Lizzy sat, phone in hand, her long legs dangling over the arm of the chair. She absently played with the dark curls of her hair, a soft smile on her face.
Samar had phoned earlier, and now the two women were engaged in a lengthy conversation about... whatever it was women talked about these days.
Red was regulated to his own devices, but he was a pretty resourceful guy. He didn't mind Lizzy having friends, not at all.
Leaving Lizzy to her pastime, Red retreated to the bath, intent on enjoying a long, hot shower. Turning the dial to his preferred water pressure, Red braced his arms against the shower wall, bowing his head.
He thought better in such a position, thoughts came freely.
Humming a low groan, he shifted slightly, allowing the stinging pelts of water to pound against the muscles in his neck and shoulder blades.
These showerheads had a power he found soothing.
Stretching his neck back, the rapid cascade beat against his torso and groin, tickling the crown of his penis.
"Behave," Red grumbled when his dick twitched in immediate response, "...she's busy." The words brought a smile to his lips.
Squeezing the curve of his penis, Red settled the wayward organ, scolding its quick reaction; though were he honest with himself, Lizzy was the catalyst to rousing such a response ninety-nine percent of the time. So should he really be all that bothered?
It wasn't really his cock's fault for mistaking the pronounced caress of the water pelts for anything other than its favorite female.
"Started without me, eh?" Liz asked, having heard the pummeling spray beating against Red's body.
"You hate this tempo." Red moaned the reply. Shivers of delight traversed his spine, further relaxing his already lax body. "I'll adjust them."
"No, take your time." Liz insisted, going to her make-up to choose which suited her that day.
Given their late night activities, and now the stimulating massage; it would have surprised Red had he felt anything other than euphoric. He stood quietly under the spray.
"I don't know how you can stand it that hard." Liz called out over the sound of the shower.
"I could say the same for you." Red quipped.
Liz rolled her eyes at the sexual innuendo. "You've spent too much time with Silas, I see."
"You've seen my back," Red returned to the former topic, his tone more subdued.
"Of course I have." Liz frowned before her expression morphed into one of concern. "Is your back hurting?" She tensed, her hands going to the counter, gripping the marble slightly.
"No more than normal," Red shrugged the question aside, then continued on. "I was meaning to imply... I don't feel the pulses the way you do."
Considering the scar tissue and dead nerve endings, Red felt very little in fact. Deep in the muscle, he would feel an ache when a change in weather was expected.
If directed in the right position, however, he could feel the pulse of the showerhead.
He could also feel when Lizzy grasped him when they made love. In his books... it's all he needed to feel.
He turned the shower off, stepping outside the stall, having secured a towel around his waist.
Seeing the woman's forlorn expression, Red's gaze softened. "I'm all right." he kissed the tip of her nose. "I would tell you otherwise."
"You better." Liz said, gently caressing the man's back as he passed on his way to his side of the vanity.
"Besides, we're to relax and lounge today." Red reminded, assuring all was well. "What did Samar want?" he asked, changing the subject.
"She wanted me to thank you for their stay in Atlantic City." Liz smiled.
"They left already?" Red's brow furrowed. "No extended stay."
Liz stared at herself in the mirror, her expression oblique. "She wanted to do some projects at home and catch up on sleep before our return."
"Then they're still on leave." Red confirmed.
"Yes," Liz assured. "Cooper is taking advantage of the downtime still. He and Charlene are still at your place, from what I understood."
Red returned his attention to the matter on his mind. "I promised to wash your hair. I didn't forget."
"Don't be silly," Liz pushed aside pangs of regret. She so loved when Red surprised her with a long, leisurely wash. "You're out of the shower already."
She sought him out. "It's no hardship to wash my own hair." her smile softened. "That you for offering."
"It's no hardship to see you naked either." He hooked his thumb. "Get in there. I don't go back on my promises."
Several minutes later, Liz stood docilely, feeling the luscious suds slide down her body. The amazing shivers of pleasure Red's fingertips supplied as he studiously lathered her long tresses, felt fantastic.
Her mind floated to a delightful place. Past images flashed in Elizabeth's mind's eye.
Red soaped his long frame with avid attention. Liz particularly enjoyed when the man took meticulous care, lathering the flaccid length of his penis and weighty sack.
The sight of the suds covered groin produced arousing fantasies which left her psyche on edge.
Elizabeth felt her cheeks heat. Red sensed the woman's attention and where it was directed. He lifted a bold stare.
Liz drew in a halting breath, recalling the moment.
"Am I doing it wrong?" Red's words brought Liz back to the present.
"You never do it wrong." She lay her head to the side, her voice soft.
"Are we still discussing my hair washing skills?" He thought he picked up on another topic.
Lizzy turned, seeking his embrace. Lilac and vanilla, plus the sensual slopes and bulges of the woman's body, assailed the man's senses.
Liz tilted her head, recalling how she watched the frothy suds run in thick rivulets down the meaty length of Red's cock.
"Well, this is nice." Red tightened his embrace.
"Yes, it is." Liz lay her head on the man's shoulder, snuggling into his warmth.
Red continued massaging the silky strands. "You know, you're one of my most favorite clients."
He smiled. "I am very fortunate you found my salon."
"The arrangement is mutually beneficial." Liz indicated his work-space. "You really do spoil your women."
"Only one, woman." Red corrected.
"Because I'm a good tipper?" Liz lifted mirth-filled eyes.
"Because you give excellent head... and yeah, the tips are great." Red teased, running a brushing pass over the tip of Lizzy's breast.
"This isn't just a sexual thing, is it?" Liz chastised pseudo-sternly.
"Oh, hell no." Red vetoed such a notion. "I would do you anytime, anywhere, regardless."
"You mean... my hair." Liz clarified.
"Sure... whatever." Red offered somewhat magnanimously.
Liz giggled infectiously, her arms lifting about the man's neckline. Their mouths joined in a sweet kiss that quickly melded to a passionate intensity.
The sound of the clock in the living room chimed merrily, alerting both to the time.
"Oh my gosh," Liz's eyes widened, quickly setting aside their playtime. "Is that the time?" she backed away suddenly, rinsing her hair hastily.
"Relax," Red grinned, "brunch doesn't start for another forty minutes... you have a really marvelous ass, by the way."
"I have to do my hair, makeup," Liz briskly soaped herself up, ignoring his attempt to reestablish contact, "...choose something to wear."
"We could order in, if you prefer." Red offered to ease her nerves, resigned to his fate.
Liz gasped her dismay. "The awards–"
Red held up a placating hand, chuckling. "God forbid we should miss such a prestigious event!"
"Well, I know you had to have won something." Liz chattered, rinsing the soap off her body. "It's not really important we attend, of course."
Grabbing their towels, Red wrapped one about his waist, handing the other to Lizzy.
"I'm going to shave." he conceded defeat, knowing a lost cause when he saw one. Shaking his head for the absurdity of that last lie.
Lathering up, Red divided his attention between the razor sliding effortlessly along his stubbled face... and Lizzy hurriedly scampering about.
Craning his neck, Red's brows furrowed when sight of a darkened splotch appeared. Squinting his eyes, leaning closer to the mirror, he peered at the oddity before offering a small snort of recognition.
Chuckling, he rinsed his razor before sliding it over the rather prominent hickey Lizzy gifted him.
He hadn't noticed its presence until now, or even when the auspicious occasion occurred.
Not that he minded in the least; in fact, Red found the small splotch rather charming. It'd been so long since he'd had one, he had forgotten how just the sight of the dark splotch could instill a certain level of intimacy.
Retreating to the closet, his already heightened mood brightened as Lizzy scurried about between the racks holding her clothes, picking through them undecidedly.
"I like the seal of approval you left behind." he teased.
"Huh?" Liz stood upright, her expression a queer one.
"Does this mean we're going steady?" Red gestured to his neck. "I've heard about chicks like you. Thank god I finally found one!" He waved a hand over his body. "Should you wish to place others... elsewhere, I wholeheartedly approve."
"I didn't do that." Liz denied the accusation, her brow furrowing.
"Are you suggesting a vampire bat flitted through our French doors last night?" he laughed incredulously, waving a hand at the mark.
Peering closely at the distinct purple flesh, Liz canted her head questioningly. "I don't do those... do I?"
Closing his eyes, Red shook his head, chortling. "I thought maybe it was you. I did spend a few moments with Dembe, however." he shrugged aside the afterthought.
"I don't remember doing that." Liz ignored the man's mutterings. She stared off into the racks of clothes, obviously replaying the previous night's activities. "Oh, this is horrible... will you be embarrassed?"
"Hell, no." Red clicked his tongue decisively. Flicking through his suits and ties, he chose a set which suited him, setting them aside. "I earned the damn thing. I will wear it proudly."
"Because I have make-up that might cover–"
Closing his sock drawer, Red stared curiously at the woman. "Hey, I like trophies just as much as you."
"Trophy?"
"This is irrefutable evidence I got you," he looked the woman over with a slow caress, "way past first base."
"First base?" Liz arched a brow. "Red, we aren't randy teenagers."
"Are you sure? We better check cause," Red held his amusement admirably, "the last time I got one of these, I was frolicking in the back of a 1978 Chevy Impala."
"So what... like last year?"
"No, baby," Red assured, "the year and the car matched."
"Well, it sounds like you're complaining or something." Liz adopted a haughty tone, side-glancing Red as she did so.
"I was not complaining." Red begged to differ. "Quid pro quo? I marked you... therefore you marked me." the man shrugged.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Liz was lost.
Dropping his boxers on the tabletop, Red turned, wrapping his arms about the woman's waist.
"After we make love," Red rumbled intimately, scenting the woman's neck, "I can smell myself on you..."
Craning her neck, Liz giggled when Red hit a particularly delicate spot. "You like that?"
"I love that." Red corrected. "Now that I know you hold no objections, I could include your signature trademark," he touched the spot on his neck, "should you wish...into our playtime."
The man smoothed his hands down the curves of Lizzy's body, hesitating in all the right places.
"I can think of numerous spots I'd love to give added attention." he said, skirting his fingers over the inside of her thigh. "I would actually love to see the visual of my enthusiasm, truth told."
Swallowing at her suddenly parched throat, Liz exhaled shakily. "We'll talk... later."
"Plan on a practical demonstration," Red revised the plan, "... later."
Red grinned, watching Lizzy's fingers tremble as she pulled her lingerie on, followed by her dress. He rather enjoyed these brief bouts of foreplay they sprinkled into conversations throughout the day.
By the time they retreated to their room, Lizzy would be nice and eager to play... together.
Looping his tie and fastening his watch, Red watched Lizzy finish her hair and makeup. She gave one last twist to her locks, studying herself critically in the mirror, a fixed scowl on the lovely face.
Sometimes it was the smallest things that bespoke of the intimacy between a man and a woman.
Red cherished such times.
"You ready to go now?" She asked as she adjusted her earring.
"Yep." He cracked his knuckles. "Let's go win some money. I'm in a damn good mood... must be our day."
Clasping Lizzy's hand, Red chuckled at Elizabeth's pink cheeks and bright eyes.
After enjoying brunch, Red had turned his attention to Elizabeth, watching the woman's reactions to the awards presented. As expected, her expressions to the outcome were entertaining and most amusing.
"I just knew you would win for best dress." Amanda beamed happily as the woman hurriedly fell in step beside Liz and Red. "You were truly stunning in that magnificent gown."
Flushing her excitement, Liz squeezed Red's hand. "I can't believe it!" she gushed her excitement. "Well, I mean..." she winced, "I can believe it..." she chattered exuberantly, "it's such a gorgeous gown... I just didn't expect them to present such an award. You know what I mean!"
Delighted by her friend's animated response, Amanda laughed brightly.
"What I can't believe," Francis grumbled his discontent, "is how you got a higher kill count than I did! Did you buy off the judges."
"There must have been a miscount or something." In all honesty, when the award had been presented, the news surprised even herself.
To her recollection, her afternoon was filled with Red, shopping, and a hostage situation. She barely had time to eat, let alone fire her weapon.
"You had the highest kill count of innocent bystanders." Red reminded the young man, his tone droll.
"Yeah," Ben snorted a scornful laugh, "I can't see why Mark didn't present Francis an award for being the worst detective with the highest mass casualty of civilians."
"It wouldn't fit on a trophy." Red muttered aside.
"Is it my fault they were caught in the crossfire?" Francis replied in a pompous tone. "I don't think so! Wrong place, wrong time... not my fault!"
Liz could argue they trained Law Enforcement for such eventualities, but felt it would be a lost cause.
"You know what," Liz patted her friend's arm consoling, "... you're right, I'm sure." She nodded her support. "There was a miscount and those people should have learned to duck!"
"Explains both travesties." Ben rolled expressive eyes. "It only seems obvious, right!"
"Damn right, there you have it!" Francis perked up, pointing happily to the planned activity. "I'm gonna find a table."
Smiling, Liz nodded enthusiastically. "You do that!"
Turning his cheek, Red masked his amusement when the young man's spirits lifted exponentially.
"You're learning to pick battles wisely." Red said, guiding Lizzy around poker tables to a nearby seat.
"Which is more than I can say for you." Liz gave the man a cross look.
"I'm in the doghouse... why this time?" Red teased, enjoying her scolding tone. "What'd I do?"
"What were you thinking, buying into this game." Liz whispered urgently. "Besides the fact you're competing against fifty equally experienced players," she pointed out, "you paid out twenty-grand to do it. Silas told me you did!"
"Your point?" Red lifted amused brows.
"Aren't you nervous?" Liz moved closer, checking for prying ears. "Twenty-thousand is a lot to lose." Red graced her with a cocky smile, making her doubt the validity of the question. "...Right?"
"You shouldn't buy into the game if you aren't able to forfeit your stake." Red gave his two-cents on the matter. "It's just for fun, Lizzy."
She wondered if she'd ever get used to a life where you could basically afford anything your heart desired. Did she even want to get used to it? She had enjoyed the element of surprise to this point. There was a sense of adventure not knowing how each day would unfold.
"Well, twenty-thousand is a lot to me." she scoffed. "Hell, to most people."
Red, on the other hand, didn't seem fazed one iota by the possibility he could lose such a substantial amount of cash. Which made her wonder... how much was Red worth exactly?
"I'll wager another twenty grand... I know what you're thinking right now." Red muttered, reading the woman's expression like an open book. "Want to take a chance?"
Liz shook from her quiet thoughts. "I most certainly do not."
"It's not like you couldn't afford the stakes." he reminded, then made a mental note to discuss the details of that fortune with Elizabeth at a later date.
"Never mind about that." Liz forgot her own financial status, whatever it may be. "One never knows what life will throw at you. Best to keep reserves if you have them to keep."
"You'll never have to worry your pretty little head about such things." Red had made certain. "Your wealth is invested wisely and you have my reserves–"
"I don't want to talk about that." Liz interrupted, pouting.
"No woman ever does," Red dismissed, "but every woman should. No one's future is set in stone. Best to be prepared."
"I don't want to talk about it." Liz reiterated stoutly. "This is about you being reckless with your money."
Even when she said it, the woman realized the error of her ways. "...Which implies," she grimaced, "I am being presumptuous, butting into your affairs. It's your money, after all."
Red held his grin. "You're starting to think of us as a unit." Her actions proved his point. "Your words say... my money. Your open concern I might lose says... our money."
"It does not." The woman fitfully denied. "You just go ahead and throw your money out the window. See if I care."
Red's grin widened. "What makes you think," he motioned to the poker set-up, "I will lose?"
"You are too cocky." Liz decided. "Serves you right if you did."
Red's confident look annoyed the woman. "Yeah, let's let back to our own little wager." He waved an imperious hand. "I know what you were thinking back there a few seconds ago. I can prove it."
Liz's irritation heightened. "There are times when you are just too big for your britches. You couldn't possibly know my thoughts."
"Put your money where that pretty little mouth is." Red called her bluff.
"Fine," she lifted smug brows, "ten dollars says you have no clue."
"Ten dollars, my ass." Red scoffed. "It's not money I want from you." His look told her exactly what he would prefer the wager involve.
Liz's brow furrowed darkly. "Stop it." She chastised that look in public.
"If I'm right," a slow smile tilted Red's lips, "I get to do whatever I want to you... in bed. No holds barred."
Red's proposal wasn't a bad one, win or lose. Which made her wonder if there was a catch.
"You're awfully sure of yourself." she noted. "Who's to say I won't win and ask the same of you?"
"You got the balls?" he grinned mischievously. "Metaphorically speaking, you understand." His eyes swept her anatomy with avid interest, for he knew exactly what lay beneath her clothing.
"You've got yourself a deal." Liz's bravado was tinged with hesitancy, for she secretly wondered if she truly cared as to the outcome of such an interesting wager.
"Write that little thought down." Red handed the woman a napkin and pen. "I won't have you changing it mid-wager."
"I don't cheat!" she took exception.
"Yes, well," Red looked over the crowd for Dembe's position. "I'm not taking any chances, not when the outcome could be so intriguing."
Taking the napkin and pen, Liz jotted down her former thought. "What makes you think I care one way or other?" she lifted seductive eyes. "If I lose."
"Because... up until now," Red's smile was all too pleasant, "I've kept my libido in check. If I win, I no longer have to do that... do I."
Liz blinked, confused. "Well, my goodness." Was he saying that would be a bad thing? "Why should I care about that?"
"Why indeed?" The innocently cryptic remark puckered Liz's brow further.
The man's eyes held hers masterfully.
"You're speaking in riddles, you realize." She allowed her pique.
"I'll explain it all later... in glorious detail." The man placed an empathetic hand on her shoulder. He glanced about, signaling Dembe, who stood across the way, conversing with an elderly woman and gentleman at her side.
Dembe excused himself, making for Red Reddington.
"Dembe, would you hold this until the end of the game." Red handed his friend the napkin. "No matter what Elizabeth says, do not let her have it back."
"I told you, I'm not a welcher." She took exception. "Stop implying I am..."
Dembe took the item, stuffing it in his inside pocket. "You two make quite a pair."
"Ladies and gentlemen," Mark gathered the crowd's attention, "if the players could step up and pick a number out of the hat..." he gestured, "we will assign your tables in this manner."
"You pick it for me," Red scooted Lizzy forward. "You're my good luck."
Smiling happily, all former grudges forgotten, Liz stepped up and closed her eyes tight, shoving her hand in the hopper.
Sharing a grin with his friend, Red chuckled as Lizzy stirred the slips of paper frantically about before making her selection.
"What?" She handed Red the paper. "Did I do it wrong?"
"Memorizing moments." The man murmured his contentment. He glanced at the slip. "...The far right table." He motioned. They made their way through the throngs of players.
"Did you make another wish?" He steered Lizzy, hand on her lower back. "I saw you hesitate before you chose the table number."
"No..." Liz felt foolish, trying to cover her actions now.
"It's my fervent hope," Red kissed her temple lovingly, "whatever you wish for... comes true."
AUTHOR NOTE:
If you haven't already, check out and support Spaderisms_TLH on Youtube! Not only does she continue the fight for Lizzington... her videos go a long way to healing the Lizzington heart.
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