"You think Winthrop is guilty?" Harvey asked.
"Doesn't matter now. After this, there's not a court in the state that would convict him."
"But kidnapping?" Harvey protested. "That's federal."
"She wasn't hurt, there was no ransom demand, no real evidence of a crime."
"She was found near a swamp in a caterer's truck!"
"And, for all we know, it was some twisted sexual fantasy gone awry. If she says it wasn't him, there's no evidence that it was. Even if she pursues it, which I doubt, there's only her word that it might have been Don Winthrop. Nothing solid."
"What do you think?" Harvey persisted.
"Me? I'm an old warhorse, who thinks that once in a while, the criminal isn't such a bad guy. And maybe he should catch a break."
The others couldn't refute that.
After lunch, they all headed home. Newton was loathe to leave Eilene's house, but didn't want to push his luck. Eilene wasn't scared of getting involved, but she was skittish. He was greatly tempted to kiss her, but decided to wait until after their first, official date. Breakfast after shift, and lunch with colleagues was hardly the best venue for seduction and romance. However, he had to appreciate Jill's unsolicited comments about him. Nothing like a little girl power.
As he drove her home, their conversation touched on music, books they'd enjoyed, and a variety of light subjects. Eilene in particular, had a lot of questions, which he answered freely and honestly. He'd observed that she had a highly tuned bullshit meter, and he wasn't going to wreck their relationship by lying.
He still declined to tell her his first name, regardless of how much she tried. They pulled into her driveway and he turned off the car. Walking her to the door, he continued to tease her.
"At least tell me what letter your name starts with."
"Guess." He propped himself against the porch railing, arms crossed, legs slightly splayed. The position made his biceps bulge in a very distracting fashion.
Squinting, she tried to pull her gaze from the tasty view in front of her. "I could frisk you and look at your license."
He held his arms wide. "Please. I'd enjoy that. But in the spirit of full disclosure, my wallet's in the car."
"Of course, you'd say that."
She checked his pockets, expertly frisking him. She didn't miss his body's reaction to her touch. He was telling the truth. No wallet.
"It wouldn't be something mundane," she decided. "Not common, like Tom, Dick or Harry."
He smirked when she said dick.
"Don't even. I see it in your face, and I know how cops think."
"Didn't cross my mind. But you're right. However, it does begin with the same letter as one of those names."
"I'm going to go with H."
"Why?"
"Because D and T are too common."
"So, Dante's off the table." He pouted, snapping his fingers.
"Totally. And don't deflect."
"Pity. I always wanted to be Dante. It sounds edgy, dangerous."
"You don't need a name for that. You do fine on your own."
"Yeah?" He grinned, taking his relaxed stance again.
"Have you looked at you?" Her gesture encompassed him from head to foot. "You're all kinds of yummy, and you know it."
"I do. Do you?"
She didn't miss the hitch in his breathing, the dilation of his pupils, and the swell that his pants couldn't conceal.
"I might need convincing."
He couldn't stop himself. The urge to kiss her was too strong to ignore. Whatever he'd thought was going to be the perfect time, he was wrong. This was. Standing slowly, he advanced with a purpose. Eilene gazed up at him, intimidated by his almost aggressive stance. Dark fire burned in his eyes. Taking her by the waist, he pulled her close. Her head fell back from the sudden movement. Her mouth dropped open as she tried to form words, tell him to wait, but she couldn't.
Newton lowered his face to hers, capturing her mouth. Eilene gasped and swooned against him. Pulling her closer, he deepened the kiss, teasing her tongue with flickers of his own. After a blissful eternity, he released her and trotted down the steps. Without a goodbye, Newton drove off.
Eilene stood on her porch, staring after him, her fingers brushing her lips. Hands shaking, she unlocked her door. Closing it, she leaned back, sliding to the floor.
"Damn," she whispered. "Hot damn!"
Newton was glad he lived close. Driving was an effort, as he forced himself to concentrate. He had no self-control around her anymore, not after the shower talk that morning. The entire time they'd been in court, he'd been aware of her. Watching her on the stand, he'd become uncomfortably aroused, and prayed he wouldn't be called. He had a raging hard-on that his jacket wouldn't cover.
©2021 Dellani Oakes
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