Finally (A Law Enforcement Romance)

Chapter 6

“It’s a really nice place. Fancy, no drunken college kids, and a dance floor, if the bug bites.”

I looked up at Mike, the uniforms Sergeant, and gave him an incredulous look. “I am not joining you on your quest for a one-night stand.” I packed up my stuff, ready to head home for the evening but he stood in front of me, blocking my path. He was shorter but built like a tank. I was not going to get past him.

“Come on, Gabe. It’s been a while since you actually took time for yourself. Have a few drinks, relax and enjoy the night. It’s a lounge, so it’s chilled enough.” When he saw I wasn’t budging he stepped back. “I’m not on a quest for anything tonight. And don’t act high and mighty, it’s not like you haven’t had one-night stands.”

“I wasn’t implying anything. And I haven’t had a one-night stand in months.” I pushed past him - he allowed me to push past him - and started for the parking lot. Mike followed closely.

“Yes, I know. About six months if I’m not mistaken. Just about the time Detective Hearthorn started here.”

I stopped suddenly and his heavyweight body bumped into me. While deep down, I knew it to be true, I wasn’t going to let him say it out loud. “It has nothing to do with her.”

Our kiss on the roof played in my mind and I tensed my jaw. Jodi was the first woman I kissed since she started working here. I didn’t want anybody else.

I rubbed my hand over my face and sighed. “f**k sake.” I started walking again. Mike had a victorious grin on his face.

“Either way, let’s just have a few whiskeys, unwind and then be on our way.”

I was not getting out of this. Maybe a few drinks are just what I needed. It had been a difficult week. “Ok, fine. What time?”

“Let’s meet at 7. Then we can get good seats.” He was already walking to his car when I confirmed the address.

You know it has everything to do with her. Although I had one-night stands, it was few and far between. The day Jodi walked in, confident but quiet, I knew I was done for. She didn’t say much to anyone for a while but she has opened up slightly. I sensed trust issues and she never let on to what was truly going on in her head, but people around her were always smiling, she had a wicked sense of humour, bordering offensive sometimes but not in a malicious way. She just didn’t sugarcoat anything.

I sat in my car for a few minutes before driving. She’s exactly what you want, stop being so proud. Pride was part of it, but a lot of people didn’t know where my fear of relationships stemmed from. My mother was killed in the line of duty when I was fifteen. It broke my father to the point he was hospitalised for a few months. He recovered pretty well but he has never been the same. From then on, I vowed I would never put my partner through that.

I hit the steering wheel, swore and sped away. Regardless of my fear and vow, Jodi never left my mind.

*****

I got home and saw it was only 5 p.m. I made a quick dinner, showered, changed and waited.

Jodi didn’t strike me as the kind of person to do the one-night thing or flings. She was the kind of person you brought home to meet your family, not have a quick lay on the side. Was I prepared for that sort of thing? What did she take our kiss as? What if we did start a relationship? What if one day my worst fears come true and I don’t come home?

The questions just rolled in like an avalanche. Best I didn’t get too carried away. I wouldn’t be able to handle it. It was just a kiss, albeit the best one I had. I had been prepared to take her on the roof then and there. I liked it rough. And it seemed she would like it, too. Yet, I also wanted to be gentle, to cherish her. I’m screwed. It was just a kiss.

I checked my watch again and decided to watch a few episodes of my favourite series. Next thing I knew it was 6:45 pm. I rushed out and luckily found parking close by at the club.

Inside, it was a lot fancier than I thought. The lights were dim, highlighting the flashing lights of the dance floor on the level below us. Circular couches were placed around with a bar for each side of the club. The decor was inspired by the 20’s speakeasy bars and the air had a cigar and polished wood scent to it.

I liked it. I looked around and spotted Mike at a table close to the edge of the balcony that had a full view of the dance floor. As I approached him, a waitress in a flapper dress carried a tray with 2 neat whiskeys and a platter with finger foods. She looked at me and smiled.

“After you, please,” I gestured to the table. She gave me a grateful smile and a wink then walked away once we had our drinks and food.

Mike watched her as she walked away. I sat down across from him and saw him frown.

“You could have literally any woman you want.”

“That’s not why we’re here, remember?” I took a big sip of the whiskey, savouring the warmth and smoky flavour.

“Yeah, yeah. So, what do you think?” Mike gestured to the club with one hand, shoving three mini meatballs into his mouth with the other.

“It’s nice, actually. I’m glad to see people our own age here.” I popped a chicken nugget in my mouth and was surprised at the full flavour. I peeked down the balcony to the dance floor below and saw a huge crowd gathered, all swaying and grinding. A sea of long, blonde waves caught my attention but Mike’s voice pulled me back.

“Ok, thirty-five is not that old, Gabe.” He mocked offence, but he had a big smile on his face.

“I don’t know, Mike, forty isn’t getting any further from us.” I looked down again and saw the woman with the blonde hair swaying her hips. She looked relaxed, confident and completely lost in the music. I was mesmerised by her natural rhythm, the ease at which she moved and matched the beat. She held people’s attention, especially mine. Then she lifted her hair up and a familiar wolf tattoo on her back shook me out of my trance.

“Jodi,” I whispered. I shook my head trying to clear it. I looked at Mike who had a knowing smirk on his face.

“Well, look at that. Just as well we came out tonight.” He held his glass up and downed the rest of the drink. He motioned to the waitress for two more.

I had no idea what to say. Mike knew what happened during the week on the roof. I didn’t tell him. He figured it out. He had an uncanny ability to read people’s minds, it seemed. He didn’t seem surprised, in fact, he was quite happy and encouraged me to take it further. I shut that idea down very quickly.

“Should we say hello? Her friend is cute.” He looked down and had a boyish grin on his face. He had a thing for redheads.

“That’s her best friend and she’ll eat you for breakfast.” Her name was Lainey, if I remembered correctly. I’d met her a few times at the station and at a work function that Jodi invited her to. She was a live wire and exactly Mike’s type.

“I’m hoping she will.” He clapped me on my shoulder and chuckled. I looked at Jodi again and my whole body felt like it was on fire. She laughed at something Lainey said and nodded. They disappeared from the dance floor and came up the stairs on the side. I knew I was staring like a horny teenage boy but her black dress just shadowed her curves perfectly and her long legs were on display for all to see.

I noticed a group of men ogling the two of them and I immediately felt jealous. Pull yourself together, Gabe.

“Hey, they’re heading to the bar. You want to say hello?” Mike was already pushing me in their direction.

“What about our table?” I dug my hands into the leather seats. What the hell was I supposed to say to her?

“I’m keeping our table for us. You’re getting more people to sit at it.” He motioned with his hands around to the empty seats.

“This is completely inappropriate, Mike. I’m her direct superior, we work together.” My body deceived me and was already facing their direction.

“Jesus, Gabe, you’re not proposing to the woman, just ask them if they’d like to join us.”

I reluctantly got up and started towards them. My palms got clammy and my breath became shallow. What would Jodi think of her boss asking her and her friend to join them at their table? We hadn’t really spoken since the incident on the roof except for a few courtesy greetings and a smile here and there. I wasn’t avoiding her, the week just got really crazy after that. Also, they had a big break in their case and they were finalising the evidence to make an arrest.

As I approached them, Jodi downed a shot of bright blue liquid and pulled a face.

“s**t, that is sour,” she giggled and tapped the glass twice on the counter. Lainey did the same and called the bartender, asking to get 2 vodka and sodas.

I stepped beside Jodi and she immediately noticed. “Would you mind if I pay for those?”

Her mouth parted slightly and her eyes widened. A burning feeling started low in my abdomen. Before she could say something, Lainey spoke up. “Oh, hey, Sergeant, fancy seeing you here!” She seemed to be a bit on her ear. Jodi laughed and shook her head.

“Hi, um, if you want. I don’t think Lainey will say no to free drinks,” she pointed with her thumb behind her to Lainey, who enthusiastically shook her head.

I took my card out and gave it to the bartender when he approached me with the drinks. I leaned in closer to her, her chest rising slightly.

“Would you say no?” It was outrageous what I was doing but I was three whiskeys down and feeling confident. I hoped she’d pick up on my double meaning.

She smirked and propped her elbow on the bar, giving me a thoughtful look. “Depends on what you’re offering.”

She was flirting with me - and like hell I was going to stop it. I was no longer worried about what she would think as she was clearly all for it. I just smiled in response, my answer written on my face. I looked over to Lainey who watched us with undivided interest.

Jodi turned to Lainey and took her drink. “Lane, did your mother never tell you it was rude to stare?”

I felt at ease. Even though the situation should have been awkward, it wasn’t. I asked them if they wanted to join us at our table and when they agreed, we walked over and I introduced Lainey to Mike. I gave him a warning look to be on his best behaviour.

“Hey Mike, good to see you,” Jodi sat down across from him, right where I would be sitting. “How are the uniforms going?” I sat next to her, maybe a little closer than I should have but she didn’t move.

He went quiet when Lainey sat next to him and gave him an award-winning smile. He spluttered a bit before answering. “Oh, it’s good, nothing interesting going on, at least not as interesting as upstairs. I heard you got a break on that child pornography case. And of course, you diffused that bomb.”

Jodi lit up at the recognition. I wanted to place a hand on her thigh, and I almost did. I stopped myself just a breath away from her. She was too submerged in recalling the events of the week to Mike she hadn’t noticed. I saw her dress had ridden up and a bit more of her thigh was exposed. It was driving me insane. Her dress had a V cut in the front and the back showing the light outlines of her muscles. She had an athletic build but it was complemented by her curves. She just had raw s*x appeal.

I watched her lips as she spoke. They were soft and light pink and the urge to kiss her again became overwhelming. I looked away and focused on the conversation instead. We chatted for a few hours, had some drinks and it was honestly one of the best nights I had in a long time.

It was nearly eleven when Lainey stood up. “How about some more drinks?” she asked, already flagging down a waitress.

“I’m good, any more and I won’t get up tomorrow morning,” Jodi said, stifling a yawn.

Lainey pouted and looked at me. “Gabe?”

“I’m with Jodi. I should probably head out soon.” I looked at Jodi and I didn’t miss the dark look she gave me. s**t, was she hinting at something?

“Ok, Mike, then it’s just you and me, I guess.” Lainey put a hand on his arm and Mike actually blushed.

“If you want, I don’t mind. One more drink sounds good, actually.”

Jodi gave Mike a suspicious look but didn’t say anything. Mike may have been a bit of a flirt but he was a good person. I wanted an excuse to talk to Jodi alone, so I took my opportunity.

“Jodi, why don’t we let them enjoy their drinks? There’s a balcony through there with a great view of the city.” I stood up and held my hand out. My invitation was clear. There was nothing platonic about it.

She looked over at Mike and Lainey again, probably uncertain if she should leave them alone. I trusted him with my life. I bent over slightly so they wouldn’t hear us.

“He’s alright. He’s more scared of her than he’s letting on.”

She chuckled and placed her hand in mine. “Yeah, ok, sounds good.”

We walked away hand in hand, Jodi trailing behind me. She was letting me lead the way. It was a small thing to trust me with but I felt great about it.

We stepped outside and walked around the balcony to the side where not many people were and we couldn’t really be seen either. The heat started in my stomach again at us being alone without prying eyes and the promise that lingered between us of something happening.

Jodi let go of my hand and walked to the edge, placing her hands on the railing and taking in a deep breath. She closed her eyes and let out a soft hum. She turned to face me and had a soft smile on her face, the city lights gently reflecting off her skin. Although there was unmistakable heat in her eyes, her features remained soft and like she was admiring me.

It made me slightly nervous but I couldn’t look away. I walked towards her slowly and with purpose. She stilled as I stood in front of her, placing my hands on the railing on either side of her.

“Congratulations on your break. I hear you’re ready to make an arrest.” I kept my voice low and the desired effect was achieved. Her breathing had sped up slightly, her chest rising and falling in sync with my racing heart.

“It was a team effort. I could hardly take all the credit. As with the bomb,” she placed a hand on my chest, gripped my shirt and gently pulled me closer. “You helped me, too.”

“You still did commendable work this week, Detective.” I dropped my head just next to her ear. I could see goose bumps rise on her skin as I whispered, “I did say your efforts will not go unrewarded.”

Jodi inhaled a sharp breath and she tilted her head slightly, giving me access to her neck and shoulder.

That’s your invitation.