Part 25 (1/2)

The team waited with practiced patience, except Beth. ”Let's have it, Lieu. What's in there, a nice fat, juicy bonus for everybody?” Cheers sounded as the of cers expressed their agreement.

”You wish.” Alex unfolded the papers as she spoke. ”These are the lab results from the homicide investigations of Tiffany Brown and the other college students. I haven't even seen them myself.”

The room grew suddenly quiet as Alex relayed the information to her team. ”The weapon used by Freddy Capanelli to shoot his girlfriend two years ago is the same weapon used to kill Tiffany.” Applause, st pumping, and high ves accompanied the announcement. ”There's more. The blood found on the sofa in Davis's warehouse, the same warehouse where we made our drug buy, matches the victim's.”

Steve Alston stood and held his drink in the air. ”I propose a toast. Now that is what I'd call a kick-a.s.s investigation. We went after a doper and came up with a murderer.” Gla.s.ses clanked together in celebration.

Alex added the nal details. ”When the homicide guys picked up Fletch and threatened him with murder charges, he sang like the * 218 *

proverbial bird. He admitted that he told Cappy and Hunk to take Tiffany to the warehouse. The three of them went back later and worked her over to see if she'd told us anything. She didn't tell them about her statement, guys. Then Cappy went back later to nish the job. The 'brains' of the out t, Dolph, was the one who paid a street dealer to poison Tiffany at the community watch meeting where Stacey Chambers died, and the dope we recovered has the same characteristics as the drugs the college students overdosed on. The DA's of ce has agreed to bring multiple murder charges against all of them. Our boy Sonny and his whole gang are goners. Big-time.”

Alex had one last comment before she could relax and enjoy the evening. She stood and tapped a fork against her water gla.s.s. ”Guys, just one more thing, if I may.” The room once again quieted. ”I want to thank each of you for the outstanding job you did on this case. You have proven that of cers from different agencies can work together. It took all of you to make this investigation so successful. If the opportunity presented itself, I'd choose each of you again. I'm proud of you and wish you all the best as you go to your next a.s.signments.” Alex felt pride start to swell in her throat and nished quickly. ”That's all I have.

Thank you.”

The of cers applauded and cheered as Alex sat down. Then Beth rose at the head of the table. ”Wait just a minute. That's not all.” She held her gla.s.s in the air. ”I propose a toast to the next captain of the Granville Police Department, Alex Troy.”

Each of cer toasted her promotion and led by to shake Alex's hand. Keri was the last in line. When their hands came together, Alex held rmly and lowered her voice. ”This would not have been possible without you. What you did, all of it from day one. Bringing Chad into play, your creativity and fast thinking. You made it happen. I'm very proud of you, Of cer Morgan.”

Keri blushed and joked, ”And what about my dancing skills?

Admit it. I made you look good.”

Alex was grateful for the levity. ”That you did, Of cer Morgan.

That you did.”

When she took her seat, she did so with a huge sigh of relief. The a.s.signment was nally over. At least for now, Keri no longer worked for her.

Keri's pulse quickened as Alex smiled across the table at her. It * 219 *

was that same magnetic smile with something extra. Alex's eyes were soft and hungry and swept over Keri like a lover's touch. She felt it in her depths. When the tip of Alex's tongue slowly rimmed her lips, Keri gripped the napkin in her lap and pressed it into her tightening pelvis.

She was oblivious to the other of cers eating and talking around her.

Alex's meal sat before her untouched. The hunger clawing inside her could not be satis ed with food. She slipped her foot out of her right shoe and raised her bare foot to the seat across from her. I can't believe I'm doing this-in public, no less. Keri's eyes widened as Alex's toes teased their way up. She felt the heat between Keri's legs and pressed the sole of her foot into her crotch. A bullet of raw sensation shot up Alex's thigh and into her already pounding c.l.i.t. The blue of Keri's eyes grew hazy with need. G.o.d, I want to see those eyes when you come for me again.

”You haven't touched your food. Is something wrong?” Alex asked.

”I guess I'm too excited,” Keri answered truthfully. Alex's foot against her already swollen c.l.i.toris was more than she could bear. Food was de nitely the last thing on her mind. How does she so completely unravel me with just one touch?

”I know the feeling.” Mischief played across Alex's face. She looked up as Beth tapped her shoulder.

”Get a room,” came a soft suggestion meant for Alex's ears only, but Keri heard as well.

”That's an excellent idea.” Alex glanced around, hoping no one was paying attention. To her relief, the other of cers seemed oblivious to the conversation at her end of the table.

While the of cers nished their dessert and talked among themselves, she went to each and thanked them for their work and dedication during the investigation. She vowed to send letters of commendation to their agencies, along with a summary of the operation.

When she got to Keri, she knelt on one knee, as she'd done with the other of cers, and leaned into her body s.p.a.ce. Her arm slid along the back of Keri's chair and she could feel her lover's heat rising.

”You, my lead detective, were amazing. Have no doubt that you will receive the highest commendation I can substantiate. You have every reason to be proud of yourself.”

Keri's generous mouth blossomed into a wide smile. ”Thank you.”

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Her thoughts weren't on the case. Alex was too close, her fragrance too strong, her presence too compelling. The hard pain between her legs grew with every breath. She thought her insides would explode from want.

Alex leaned in closer and whispered, ”Follow me home.”

Keri's eyes sparkled as she struggled to swallow. When words would not come, she simply nodded.

Alex felt her body might betray her right there, on one knee in front of Keri. She wanted so desperately to claim her mouth, to announce her feelings. Instead she said, ”Good. Give me a few minutes to wrap up and I'll meet you outside.”

She talked with Beth a few more minutes, then addressed the group for the nal time. ”Folks, I hate to leave, but I've got lots of paperwork to nish if you're all to get your commendations. Please stay as long as you like. You have an open tab at the bar.” With that, she headed toward the exit.

Keri watched Alex go and wanted to run after her. How long would she wait? Trying to appear nonchalant, she walked around the table talking and joking with the of cers for what seemed an eternity. I can't bear this any longer. ”Guys, I'm afraid I have to go.”

It took every ounce of her patience not to bolt for the door as she accepted handshakes and pats on the back. The ache between her legs grew with each step toward the parking lot until a full-blown hunger gripped her.

Alex stood near their vehicles. She started toward Keri, then stopped just out of reach.

”I want you so much.” Keri reached for her.

”Don't.” Alex held up her hand. ”If you touch me right now, I'll take you where you stand. Let's get out of here.”

They practically ran to their respective vehicles and began what seemed an interminable drive to Alex's house, only two miles away.

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CHAPTER TWENTY.

Alex unlocked her front door, pushed it open with her foot, and pulled Keri into her arms, surrounding her in a full-body hug.

”I thought we'd never get here.”

”Is this really happening?” Keri pressed her tender pelvis against Alex's and felt her respond in kind. The contact created such excruciating pleasure it forced a long, gus.h.i.+ng breath from Keri's body.

”Please make love to me. I can't wait anymore.”

Alex cupped Keri's chin and brought their lips together in a delicate kiss. As the softness turned demanding and grew like a fever between them, she led Keri into the bedroom and lowered her onto the down comforter.

Moonlight ltered through the trees outside and cast a ickering, candlelike glow across Keri's body. Alex stood over her and admired the devastating natural beauty of this woman, who lay ready to give herself over to desire. She prayed for the ability to give Keri what she needed. This time Alex wanted to show her how she felt, not just feast like a hungry animal.