Wavering Mollisher

Love Rivals

 “She hasn’t been out of the room in several days,” It was a couple of days after Della arrived at Charles's flat. Caroline and Henry had stopped by to check on the father and daughter. While Della refuses to come out for their visitors, Charles vents to the duo. “I know she is upset about her mother, but I’m not sure what I can do.”

Henry pats his father on the back. “How are you, father? You lost mother as well.”

Charles shakes his head. “I’m grieving in my own way, but I’m worried about Della. Perhaps you can talk to her Caroline? She might talk to you."

Caroline glances at Della's door. “ Of course. May I?”

Charles gives a reassuring nod. “Go ahead.”

Caroline knocks on the door gently. “Della? It’s Caroline. May I come in?”

The door handle jiggles before swinging open. Della greets her friend wearing nothing but her nightgown and her curls a mess. Della steps aside to allow Caroline in. 

Caroline swiftly moves to the edge of the bed, sweeping aside stray blankets before sitting. Della follows, sitting in the space next to her friend.

“Della, are you okay?” Caroline asks after a moment.

“Do I look okay?” Della snaps. “Mother is dead, and to add salt to the wound, I just got played by the biggest Casanova in Merryville! I slept with him, Caroline! He kidnapped me, and I let him seduce me! What is this Stockholm Syndrome? OH! Here is the cherry on top of the cake- his ex-walked in while I was naked! He hardly said a word about how inappropriate it was to violate his privacy. He didn't stop her from treating me as a common mollinger!” Angry tears slip down Della’s face.

“May I?” Caroline opens her arms in an embrace. Della falls into them, sobbing on the blonde's chest. Caroline rubs Della’s back until Della's sobs subside. “Della, you mustn’t blame yourself. Lucas is handsome, and it is obvious he took an interest in you. I don’t think you were a one-night thing for him. Your father was telling me how often Lucas frequents here.”

Della refuses to listen to Caroline's reasoning. “He is doing so because he promised father protection.”

Caroline drops her face into Della’s s red locks, brushing a kiss on the top of her head. “Perhaps you're right.”

“I must look a fright right now.” Della suddenly feels self-conscious about her appearance. Caroline must think she looks unkempt. 

“You look beautiful- as always.” Caroline beams. Della is always beautiful to Caroline. The fact that Della herself can’t see it surprises the detective.

Caroline‘s hand dips lower on Della's back. She runs her fingertips over Della’s soft curves, sending shivers of delight run through Della’s body.

Realizing the effect she had on Della, Caroline pulls away from the tempting woman. Now was hardly the time to make a move on her grieving friend.

Della looks hurt by Caroline’s actions. She shakes it off, chalking it up to grief “So, have you found any useful information on Lucas or Ruth?”

Caroline shifts back to a professional demeanor. “Yes. Lucas told the truth- he had nothing to do with your parents’ circumstances. What makes this curious is whoever killed your mother and attempted to kidnap your father is framing Lucas. Someone from the outskirts was spotted near the crime scene. Not to mention a can of chloroform near your house- a chemical that is in abundance at the Merryville Outskirts factory."

Della shakes her head. “That can be anyone, though.”

“Agreed. You said that Ruth barged in the morning you were with Lucas?” Caroline taps her chin.

Della tries to hide her red cheeks. “Yes.”

“Curious. Henry and I have our suspicious about her involvement.”

“If she killed my mother, I hope to the gods that you get there before I.” Della grits her teeth. 

Caroline grabs Della's hand. “Don’t, Della.”

Someone knocks on Della's door and Henry pokes his head in. “Della?  Lucas Clarke is here. He said he wouldn’t leave until you see him.”

Della rolls her eyes. “Tell him I’m not decent.”

 “I tried; he insists.”

Della sighs, throwing her hands up in resignation. “Send him in.”

 Lucas walks in. Della’s breath catches in her throat as she takes in Lucas in her doorway. Lucas Clarke is gorgeous with his dark hair unruly and his loose-fitting shirt and pants hugging his muscles. Della longs to run her hands through those messy waves and run her tongue on his abs.

Lucas shoots a glare at Caroline. “Excuse us, Caroline.”

“You’re excused.” Caroline retorts.

“A delight as always, I see. I need to speak with Della, alone.” Lucas jerks his head to the door.

“Go, Caroline. I’ll call if I need you.” Della squeezes her friend's hand. Caroline gives one final lingering look at Della before standing up slowly. She shoots a cautionary look at Lucas as she slams the door.

Lucas smirks. “She is lovely.”

“She’s just protective.” Della defends her

“Sure,” Lucas sarcastically remarks.

“ Enough with your wit, what do you want, Mr. Clarke?” Della barks.

“Mr. Clarke? Baby, I have seen you naked. Call me Lucas.” He winks at her.

“About that. I had a lovely time, but I think that should be the only time. I’m a lady and will have no part in indulging a ladies’ man.” Della informs him curtly.

Lucas clutches his chest. “I’m hurt! Me, a ladies’ man? Who told you, Caroline?” Della stays silent. Lucas sighs as he sits next to her on the bed. “Della, I’m sorry for how I treated you when we met. I regret it. I don’t think of you as a conquest, I want to be with you. You’re the first woman I have felt this way about since Ruth. There is more to you than meets the eye, Della Delacroix. Besides, I like the sounds and looks I can pull from you.” His face draws near hers eliciting a small squeak from Della's lips. “Like that one.”

 Della pulls away. “I’m sorry, Lucas. I can’t.”

Lucas huffs in frustration. “Is this because of Caroline?”

Della’s eyes widen at his accusation. “What?”

“I see the way you two look at each other! She is attracted to you, Della. I would be a fool not to notice the way she looks at you.” Lucas runs a hand through his hair. “I meant what I said; the minute you agreed to sleep with me, you are mine. I promise I will fight any suitor who tries to seduce you from me”

Della feels her heart beat frantically. Lucas Clarke is going to be the death of her.