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The
next morning, Cadence and Scott know they have to find a better
solution to her protection dilemma. He plans to contact his boss as
soon as possible, to get her around the clock surveillance.
"So,
what will they do with me?" Cadence asked suddenly.
"As
far as protection? No idea. Sometimes we take a witness to a hotel.
Other times, we patrol the neighborhood.
Different levels of protection depending on circumstances."
She
nodded, sniffling as she cleared her plate. "I want to thank you
again, Scott. I know you didn't have to do what you did."
"Can't
have my star witness scared and alone, can I?" He stood,
bringing his things to the sink.
Cadence
turned quickly, finding him directly behind her. She hadn't heard him
walk up. She was in tears again. Scott put his plate on the counter
and took her in his arms. She pressed her face to his shirt, crying
softly. He held her close, stroking her hair and murmuring
comfortingly in her ear. Not quite sure how it happened, he found
himself kissing her. Mouth closed, at first, nothing special about
it. Just an average, friendly kiss.
She
opened her lips, her tongue diving into his surprised mouth. That was
all the encouragement he needed. They stood there for several
minutes, consuming one another. She clung to him desperately as he
possessed her. His phone ringing broke the moment. Cursing, he looked
at it. Nessa.
He answered, trying not to sound as pissed off and horny as he was.
"Yeah?"
"What's
biting your ass?"
"Never
mind. What do you need, Vanessa?"
"You
not to take my head off. You busy?"
"A
little."
Cadence
started away from him. He took her hand, gently, worried she was
upset. She pointed to the clock, then the door and he understood she
needed to get ready for work.
"I
gotta go," he mumbled.
Wide
eyed, she nodded. He could tell she was afraid to be left alone.
"I
can stay fifteen minutes," he murmured, the phone away from his
mouth.
She
made rushing motions and ran up the stairs.
"Is
someone there with you? Where are you? You're not at your place."
"How
would you know that?"
"Cause
I'm knocking on your front door with donuts and coffee."
Shit!
"I'm
at a friend's place."
"Ooh,
new lady friend?"
"Not
like that. If you must know, my witness called me last night,
terrified because our fourth floor guy saw her even more clearly than
she saw him. She's afraid he'll find her."
"Shit!"
"Yeah,
my thoughts exactly."
"Okay.
Give me the location. I'm on my way over."
"Ocean
Sun, apartment Five ten."
"Ocean.
. . . Oh, my God! Her place is the floor in between? Jesus, Scott.
Why didn't you tell me that? I'll be there in ten. Stay tight. Call
the station and tell them where you are so the lieutenant won't bust
your ass when you get there."
"Good
idea. See you in a few."
He
concluded his call to the station as Cadence walked down the stairs.
She looked incredible he couldn't help staring at her. She wore a
short, gauzy black dress covered in rusty orange and lavender
butterflies. Her necklace and earrings were teardrop shaped purple
stones in antique gold filigree settings. Her sandals made her about
three inches taller and clasped around her narrow ankles. Her golden
hair was done in a loose chignon, her makeup minimal.
"Oh,
teacher, spank me! I've been a bad boy!" he murmured as she got
to the bottom step.
Cadence
blushed, feeling his scrutiny. No man had ever looked at her that
way—like a dying man seeing his first glimpse of heaven.
"If
I took your class, I'd fail the whole year," he said as he took
her hand, bringing it to his lips.
"Why's
that?"
"Cause
if I failed, I could take you again." It took him a second to
realize how that sounded, but decided he didn't care.
Cadence
laughed nervously, blushing more as he kissed her hand. His lips
moved to hers, kissing her softly, lingeringly. A small sigh escaped
her parted lips.
"You
look—amazing. . . ."
"Thank
you." She gently extracted her hand with an apology. "Sorry.
Got to get my things." She pointed to her desk in the corner of
the living room.
©
2015 Dellani Oakes
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