The Detective's Partner

Chapter 5

“Why did you leave?” Matthew drops his gaze from mine, his hand resting over his mouth and chin. Sighing, he drops his hand and looks back at me. “The week before I left. You uh remember the Hannigan case? And how I got shot.” I nod.

“I came home from the hospital to find Anne’s bags packed. The shooting scared her, and uh, she said if I wanted to be involved in our child’s life, I would have to be more responsible with my life.” My eyes widen when he says child. “She was pregnant?” I ask in disbelief.

“I couldn’t leave her, Elizabeth. I’ve always wanted to be a dad. She told me to leave the force or to at least transfer to an office setting.” His hand running through his hair. I could see the sorrow in his eyes. “I knew if I had called you, I wouldn’t have been able to leave.”

Overwhelming guilt consumes me. “Matthew, I…” sensing my emotions, he grabs my hand. “It’s okay. You didn’t do anything wrong Elizabeth.” I take a few seconds to process before asking, “How is he, I mean your child? How is everyone? Anne?”

Matthew’s hand tenses in mine. I try to pull mine away to give him space, but he holds firmly to me. “Anne uh… she lost the baby.” Tears were forming in his eyes, and it took everything in me to stay in my seat. “Oh Matthew. I’m so sorry.”

He gives me a sorrowful look. “She was 5 months along. The baby… the baby’s heart just stopped beating.” He clears his throat, painfully continuing. “We uh, tried making it work, but we both knew it was over.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” My own tears were threatening to fall. “I would have been there for you.” I squeeze his hand. “I couldn’t face you. After everything I did to you, I knew you would hate me. I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if I hurt you again.”

He sighs in defeat before his head hangs low. Both of our eyes full of despair. A few seconds go by before he lifts his head back to me. “I’m really sorry, Elizabeth,” his voice full of sincerity. I return a sad smile.

We finished dinner and casually talked about work before Matthew suggested showing me his new apartment. I wanted to say no, but something in me urged me to go.

Arriving at his apartment, Matthew took my coat, and nodded to the couch. “Make yourself at home. Want a beer?” “Sure. Thanks.” I make my way to his couch. His apartment was small and plain, but had a homey feeling to it. There were hardly any decorations or pictures.

The walls felt so lifeless, like it was displaying Matthew’s own misery. Looking around, my eyes center on the only photo in the entire room. It was a picture of Matthew and I during a work Christmas party. We were both tipsy from all the eggnog.

I had my arms around his waist, while he placed a kiss on my cheek. The photo instantly made me smile. I had completely forgotten about the whole thing. “That’s my favorite picture of us,” Matthew says walking back into the room handing me a beer.

He takes a seat on the opposite side of the couch. “You have a nice place, but you really should invest in some decorations,” I jest. He chuckles. “I got the only decoration I need,” he says nodding to the picture of us.

His hand grazes mine. A shock floods through my body. The mood in the room abruptly fills with tension. Our eyes meeting, speaking a silent language. My mind told me to get out of there, but my body wanted more. It craved for more.

“Liz,” his voice deep, full of desire. Hi voice makes me shiver. “I uh… I should go,” I whisper standing up. He grabs my arm, standing close to me. “Stay. Please,” he practically begs. His eyes displaying all his emotions.

He pushes a strand of my hair behind my ear. Electricity engulfs me with every touch. “I made a choice, Elizabeth, and it was wrong. I won’t do it again,” he whispers full of lust. He places his hand on my cheek and pulls me closer.

His lips brush mine, freezing me in place. He pulls back trying to gage my reaction. A newfound confidence thrusts my lips back onto his. Our arms wrapping around each other with an overwhelming need to be closer.

His tongue runs across my bottom lip begging for entrance. I open my mouth, letting his tongue explore. Letting out a moan, my tongue fights back, craving his sweet taste.

Matthew’s hand entangles my hair, with his other moving up and down my back. He pulls my head back breaking the kiss. His mouth attacking my neck carefully avoiding my burns. I moan with pleasure. All thoughts of rationality leaving with every kiss.

He lets go of my hair, and I feel his hands on my back, unzipping my dress. He tugs my dress down, gently nipping my skin on the way. I freeze feeling his lips on my thigh. My hands steading myself on his shoulders.

His fingers traced my lace thong. Sparks were intensifying with every tender kiss and touch. I close my eyes savoring this feeling. My eyes going straight to his when I feel him stop. His eyes were seeking approval.

I slightly nod, feeling his fingers pulling my panties down my legs. He hovers inches away from my core, his eyes never leaving mine. The amount of trust and regard he had for me just made me want him more. He gently places a kiss on my folds before slowly returning his lips to mine.

My hands fumbling with the buttons on his shirt. Redness shines on my face when he takes over, nearly ripping the buttons from the shirt. His shirt swiftly slides off his arms onto the ground. My hands go straight to his chest, tracing each and every scar and mark. I wanted to know his body better than I knew it before. To leave no space untouched.

Without breaking the kiss, Matthew pulls me into him, lifting me off my feet. I wrap my legs around his waist, feeling his bulge pressing into my thigh. Steadily, he carries me into his bedroom, each step making our bodies ignite with passion.

A year ago, I would have never imagined being here, arms around Matthew, exploring his mouth like I had dreamt about for years. His muscled chest pressed against mine. The boundary we both respected, at long last being crossed with each heated emotional touch.

I feel the mattress underneath me, his body slightly hovering over me. He spreads open my legs allowing himself to fit between. The space perfectly fit his body like he was meant to be there. His mouth leaves mine leaving a trail of kisses down my neck.

I feel his hands on my back fidgeting with my bra. Arching my back to him, his lips brush my neck sending chills everywhere. I reach behind my back yanking the bra off in one swift movement. Lust beaming off his face, he attacks my breasts with his mouth.

I moan his name in pleasure, feeling his teeth graze my n****e. His hand teasing my breasts while the other goes to his pants. I place my hands over his undoing the button, feeling his bulge imploring to be free.

He shifts pulling his pants completely off. My hips lifting instantly aching from his temporary absence. His pants fly to the floor with his groin crashing into my mine. We both moan at the friction and pressure.

He searches my face for any sign of doubt, taking in my flushed appearance. I give him a reassuring gaze, my heart racing. There was no way he couldn’t hear it nor feel it. My anxiety trying to persuade me into leaving, yet my desire anchoring me in place.

One last look at my face, he slides into me, inciting moans from both of us.