... ... ... LONGED AND LASTING ... ... ...

She stripped out of her so fine silk dress of bronze color... used to be... now spoiled with blood. Save this barely yesterday's purchase or not, need this garment ever again or not, but she drowned it in the bathroom sink to wash. Then went to wash her feet. No cuts, no wounds there - it's a miracle.

This evening promised to be boring as any official events are. She would have never agreed to go if not for him - his alluring company and firmly supporting hand and shoulder. Also, even in spite of her disliking for such totally hypocritical receptions - or rather people there, she considered it's not a bad idea to change usual surroundings and a chance to refresh the memories of their first case together with a forced undercover. Forced then for her, because of her impossibility to lie and pretend, because of her hate for heels and simply that was completely out of her duty and skills. But that day months ago she happened to be the only one unexposed and available member of the team to partner him... to play a married couple, lovingly sticking to each other and... well, that's another story.

Tonight was a bit different. Not forced, not undercover, but almost willingly to represent Chicago Police and to enjoy themselves sticking to each other this time not acting and not for a show but because they ARE together. Though as predicted she could stand the glamorously fake atmosphere and in her heels barely an hour. So soon they left, to land in the ice-cream shop just round the corner from the building.

Relieved she took off her shoes and crossed her legs with his under a small high table while eating her cold dessert, sharing it and tasting his. That thankfully felt like her place, no matter that their outfits didn't suit much there. Any grumbling's gone and she was back to pure reveling in his presence... until sirens came loud, then police cars rushed past and seemed to abruptly halted around the block just where they escaped from twenty minutes ago.

The man jumped from his seat and requiring her to stay inside ran out to check what's going on there and help. Five more minutes of uncertainty while their ice-cream fully forgotten to melt and then... a little earthquake... caused by a clear blast from that unclear side.

It was her turn to spring from her seat and dart in the direction of that cataclysm... and the man she cared for. Truly speaking, she was fully led by the last one fact and only in the moment. Piercing now her way through terrified people storming outside of the chaos of the building, automatically directing lost and lifting fallen in the lobby, she eventually found herself in what was left of the banquet hall. And onсe she saw Kim helping someone, she remembered there at the party also were her friends and colleagues - specifically that girl and Adam. In an instant back to her altruistic senses and the cool of 911 operator she used to be she joined to assist those injured still in the room. Somehow she was sure that Antonio was safe and even when she heard gunshots it didn't startle her.

When both men finally appeared informing that the terrorists were diseased but the medics not allowed yet 'cause the building got to be searched first for another possible bomb, she met him with a faint smile... appeased, proud, admiring. While his reaction came pretty opposite. In front of him she stood right there barefooted on the cracks of everything, her dress and hands dirtied with blood.

Erst it scared him, then made him mad, he was about to make a scene of "a dad and disobeying daughter", but instead just grabbed this independent and on her own to reckless woman, took her in his arms and moved them out of the building. Soon after they were allowed to go home for the rest to deal with the mess and both entered her apartment where she left him to feel comfortable, even though there stayed some unbreathed strains between them.

- Have you called Eva to say you're okay, if she heard the news and worries? - she inquired emerged from the bathroom in a short silk purple gown.

- Need to, yep. I'll text her, it's late.

All that time he was sitting at the counter dividing the kitchen and the main room and as if hypnotizing so well familiar couch but with no thoughts of that type at all, simply prostrate.

- No, call her, - she repeated. - Eva needs to hear her father's voice.

He looked at that wise and caring woman again... back again with fascination.

- And tell her you're not going home tonight, - she continued softly.

They waited for too long. Driving each other crazy. Driving to the edge. And to the exact finish. In his car, in the nooks at work, on her sofa. But all that was not sex itself. Incredibly immodest kissing - yes, the same touching and exploring - yes. And one morning with their becoming so delightful habit to start the day when he dropped earlier before job, well... she asked to trust her desire or almost insisted... and swallowed him... not to make him return home for a change of his pants. That whole day he walked amazed... satisfied, but hardly could recollect himself. She'd be the death of him...

But, hm, no sex so far... Because it needs more time. Not to happen but to perform. Actually, making love needs more time, deeper involvement and thoroughly acting. When sex just for sex, brief and only physical want, is not her style at all. However she knew from the very start, moreover she could feel it from the very first glance they shared in the stuffy elevator where she hid from the scorching heat as they met - with him sex can't be just sex.

And still, they needed to spare enough time for that. That was the main reason why they prolonged. Their job didn't give them enough freedom to fulfill something so serious...

And so now, whatever she meant by the last sentence but he obeyed and while talking with his daughter she poured them two glasses of water.

- So... we have a day off tomorrow, - when he hanged up, she clarified nonchalantly while leaning against the wall.

- Already have, - he confirmed though, still sitting and facing her, intrigued.

- Then turn off your phone, please, - she asked and unsashed her gown merely showing some flesh of her naked body in only tiny panties. - Nothing else to disturb us anymore... And take me directly to the bedroom.