�But there are ways and ways, protocol,� Doggett growled. �Monica, he used us like lab rats.�
�Yes, and next time we will know better.� Reyes reassured. �It�s not as if we were put in any danger.� Her hand began to leisurely move over his chest sending waves of tranquillity through his system. �We are officially off the case and have the next two days to ourselves.�
Gradually his face softened. The following two days would be like no weekend he had experienced in a long time. It had always been difficult for him to detach himself from a case so suddenly but Reyes had ways of making him forget. For the moment he would enjoy being with her and alone.
�There�s still a bit of time before I�m due at the marina.� He moved in closer, speaking to her more with his body than with words. �How do you want to spend it?�
�I have a book I�ve been reading,� she taunted. �It�s at an exciting part.�
�If it�s carnal maybe we can share?� he called her bluff as though he could suddenly read her innermost thoughts.
�Oh, I think it can wait until later.� To encourage him further she traced her fingers over his bare chest. The kiss on the beach came to mind and how tempting it had been just to find a place where they could make out further.
�Maybe we could play a card game,� he continued to tease as his thumbs looped her bikini straps and drew them down her shoulders and began kissing along one collarbone.
�Or perhaps we could go for a walk along the beach,� she maintained the amusing dialogue as she allowed him to undo her bikini top freeing her breasts for more of his kisses.
They walked slowly backwards towards the bed as Reyes soaked up the attention his mouth was giving to her skin. Flopping down with a bounce he lightly straddled her working his way to her ready mouth.
As their lips interlocked, their hands went to their remaining clothing articles and peeled them off leaving them both bare and vulnerable for what would play out on Doggett�s hotel room bed.
Rolling onto their sides the exploratory kissing continued as their limbs meshed in a dance that had them closer than ever before. It hadn�t been twenty-four hours since they had first made love but it was already as though it had been weeks or months. They had known each other as partners and friends for so long that they seemed to just intuitively understand their mutual preferences.
A wandering hand tantalizingly traced patterns down over her hip and thigh and then up barely touching her pubes but just enough to feel her juices collecting once more. As the hand moved back down, with it he brought her knee so that it rested on his thigh, opening her wide for him.
Closer than ever their bodies pressed heavily into each other squashing his ready erection between their sandwiched flesh. Their mouths were hot as their tongues pushed for dominance and added lust.
�Beats work any day,� Doggett managed to rumble in her mouth as his hand magically ran over a butt cheek with fingers barely touching her labia. He would have felt the evidence of her deep desire for him that was growing even more with each kiss, with each stroke his thick fingers becoming closer to her wetness.
�Hmm,� was all Reyes could utter in response as his fingers slipped between her lips and began sliding over her hardened clit. Her arms held him tightly as he proceeded to co-ordinate his superb kisses with his fingers adeptly manipulating her weakest spot of all.
A chunky finger found its way deliciously inside and then two and slowly pumped as his thumb remained stimulating her clit.
�That�s so good,� she moaned into his mouth and took a moment just drinking in the pleasure his fingers were giving her.
�You feel good,� his rough voice uttered against her cheek as he lusciously pushed in a third finger, spreading her even further. It was clearly evident that he was going to masturbate her until she came and that�s also what she wanted. His fingers inside her felt too good just to stop. With each deft stroke she could feel herself becoming lighter. Every thrust, each caress on her clit, shed layers of reality until she and he were the only ones in the universe.
His erection strained between them as his hot breath grazed her cheek. He was doing all that for her enjoyment not thinking of his own immediate need. After minutes experiencing indescribable pleasure she felt herself giving in to the foreseeable and allowed herself to topple over the edge and spill her all on his fingers.
It was the most sensational orgasm she had ever experienced. Not only was it powerful but seemed to continue for ages. Doggett kissed her mouth as she felt the remaining embers quiver. She could feel him smiling and knew he felt overwhelming satisfaction that he could bring her to orgasm that way.
�Lie on your side,� Doggett growled. As she obeyed he lifted her upper leg to hook over his shoulder. Positioning himself between her legs she knew what he had planned and experienced another flutter of arousal as she felt the tip of his stiff penis rub along her already sensitive piece of flesh. Lubricating it well he then eased his monument inside her stretching her even more than his fingers had.
The added sensation and that he pushed in extra deeply made her horny for him all over again. She knew it wouldn�t be long before he came. He had waited long enough to experience his own pleasure.
�It�s so good!� With one hand on her ass and the other on her thigh he took leverage and began slowly pumping. Each movement in and out built up her desire again. He was putting just enough pressure on her G-spot to get her sizzling. To add another layer of pleasure his fingers began waltzing over her lower abdomen and then through her pubic hair and after that his thumb began lightly strumming her small bead of flesh. Never having experienced consecutive orgasms before she knew this time would be different. He was playing out all the right cards to stoke her ablaze desire once more.
As his fingers played on her ass they started moving in more deeply until his other thumb lightly stroked around her anus.
Numb with added yearning from all the sensations she was aware her inner thermometer rising rapidly. He must have sensed the same because he increased his pounding and the pressure of his thumbs. It was all so exquisite being made love to by the man of her dreams in such a romantic setting. He was approaching everything so perfectly.
Just as she experienced the start of her second orgasm he was on the verge of his.
�Monica,� he huffed as the hammering changed to throbs when he exploded his love juices inside her. It was all compounded by her own release. His head flopped forward a little, clearly exhausted from the vigorous bedroom athletics. It was only after she had calmed did she open her eyes and see the wonderful smile that truly told of his contentment.
�That was amazing.� She lowered her leg to let him come forward enough to give a mutual kiss on the lips. Continuing their long, slow passion he slipped out of her and rolled onto his side.
�No matter what Follmer says, I can�t just drop this case.� Doggett laid his head on the pillow beside her, still holding her as though she should ever want to get away.
�Neither can I, John.� Her voice was soft, still finding her vocal chords after their recent breathless action. �So let�s just play it out tonight and see what we find.�
�I�m not going to be able to keep my hands off you tonight,� he confessed.
�Who says I want them anywhere else but on me?� Reyes smiled with mock innocence.
There was a small knock at the door, almost inaudible.
��
�Could that be Follmer back?� Doggett quickly got out of bed and fumbled around in a drawer to find some clean boxers. Quickly pulling them over his legs and up over his hips he made for the door and opened it partially.
Before him stood a very attractive woman dressed in a blue and yellow floral bikini with her long blond hair tied back into a braid. She had clearly been enjoying the benefits of the sun because she was healthily tanned. Luckily the bed was placed out of eyeshot of the open door because she was noticeably peering in.
�Hello John,� she smiled as she looked over his chest then back to his face, visibly liking what she saw. �I wasn�t sure I�d catch you.�
�What is it Rita? Did Ted tell you that class has been delayed an hour?� Doggett could see she wanted to be invited in but under the circumstances that was not possible.
�Hope I�m not intruding.� She seemed to know something had been going on. Maybe it was the fact that the man before her was dressed in minimal clothing and looking a little disorientated.
�Well, I�m just getting ready to go to the marina early. What was it you wanted?� he reiterated keeping his protective stance at the open door.
�Can I be of any help?� If she was flirting with him then he was oblivious. He had his mind on Reyes and what they had just done in his bed.
�I could find something for you to do.� As it was he was running a little late so another pair of hands would just be the trick. �Meet you there in about fifteen?�
�Okay,� she sweetly smiled and walked a little backwards before turning and making her way in the direction of the beach. She turned back once to see that he was still watching her, and gave a small wave and a smile.
�Who was that?� Reyes was already out of bed and had her beach towel tied around her. �John, I need a shower. Mind if I use yours?�
�Go ahead but I�ll need to shower too,� he smiled as he headed for the ensuite bathroom. �That was Rita, she�s meeting me down at the marina soon.�
�Oh?� Reyes was wide-eyed with curiosity. �I told you she had the hots for you John.�
�Come on Mon, she�d barely be out of her teens.� Reyes followed him and took off the towel, draping it over a chair. �What would she want with someone double her age?�
�You�re selling yourself short John,� Reyes stepped into the ample sized shower recess followed by her lover after he had stripped off his boxers, and let the hot water trail down both their bodies. �There are plenty of young girls who would jump at the chance to date a mature, good looking, fit man.�
�I�ll remember that when I�m going through mid life crisis,� he shook his head in disbelief and chuckled as he soaped his hands running them admiringly over her shoulders.
�I can just see the attraction. A sexually experienced, healthy man teaching a sexy newbie new tricks in the bedroom.� Her eyes followed her hands as they tracked over his hairless chest running circles of soap suds.
�Makes me wonder about you when you were twenty-one.� His smile was uneven, the same way it always was when he lightened up. Reyes knew it pictured his true sentiments. It sometimes happened when he was truly at ease with life.
�I had my dreams.� When her soapy hands reached his balls it halted his thoughts. It was not the right time to talk about fantasies when he was due to start work. As her hands wound their slippery magic around his jewels she smiled thinking about how sexy it would be to talk later about their innermost thoughts.
�Are you going to tell her about us?� Reyes let him slide his hands over her breasts and over her stomach as she reciprocated washing the appetizing contours of his body.
�I suppose if the topic comes up. There�s no use in deception.� Collecting the soap again he slipped it in his palms and bent down to run his sure hands over and down her legs. �We could �show� her.�
�Hmm, how?� It did not matter his response because the next ten minutes he kissed her so luxuriously that any other woman would be so envious. As they embraced they used their hands to soap and rinse the rest of their curves. It was the most sensual shower either of them could remember having without going the whole way, there wasn�t time.
�Meet me at the marina at four?� Doggett had towelled her dry and she was dressing for work as he dried himself and ran the towel through his wet hair.
�It�ll be in my afternoon break.� After asking permission to use her partner�s comb she ran it through her hair and slipped on her flip-flops. Collecting her beach towel she gave him one last kiss and headed for the door. That�s when she seemed to have an after thought. �John? If over the next couple of days you have any doubts about us you�d tell me, right?�
�What makes you think I�d have any doubts?� He seemed puzzled.
A cryptic smile swept her face as she left.
Chapter Four
Reyes hadn�t thought to bring anything more formal with her from DC for evening entertainment, thinking they would be on the case rather than going out socializing. Her stomach tightened with nervous anticipation as she looked along the line of dresses in the store, for that perfect something that would top off the way she felt about being with Doggett.
They had been given carte blanche for the next two days to have fun in the sun. When had been the last time she had looked forward to being with the man of her dreams and knowing she could take him home to her bed at the end of the night? The thought of Rita and her attraction to her man was only a fleeting thought but was still there slowly bubbling below. She would just have to trust that the Doggett she knew would not reciprocate any more flirting with her.
Her thoughts went back to the evening prospects.
Just the notion of being with him, in his arms on the dance floor was enough to get the stomach doing somersaults again. Her fingers seemed to stick on one article and could not pass. Bringing it front of her eyes she thought the black jersey number a little too revealing for her with its drop V-neck halter upper but she couldn�t help picture her partner�s face when he set eyes on her wearing it. Even more exciting would be how it felt when he wrapped his arms around her wearing it.
<img src="http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/5125/blackdress.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" />
Feeling one million dollars she headed for his room. It was only a stone�s throw away to The Bull and Whistle so they could easily walk it. As she waited for him to open the door she contemplated not having seen Keith and Tilly since breakfast and wondered whether the couple had spent it sharing the day between bed and the beach. If she and Doggett weren�t working the next two days perhaps they could also decide how much time they would spend in bed.
She was sighing as he opened the door.
�You�re not happy to see me?� Reyes hardly understood the words as she inspected him up and down. He looked well groomed as usual however this time his colors were light and different from his usual darker choice. His sea blue open neck shirt, down to his beige silk gabardine trousers and brown slip on loafers to his matching silk sports coat all told a story of a very different Doggett.
�You look amazing John!� She found it difficult to keep her mouth closed.
�This old thing?� He stepped back to allow her inside his room. �I�ve had this outfit for years. There hasn�t really been the opportunity to wear it until now. I thought I�d give it an air here in Key West.�
�Well it looks very smart.� Reyes adventurously reached her hand out. �Can I touch it?�
With a lower more enticing voice, that was when he commented on her clothing.
�You�re not wearing a bra with that?� Without asking consent he edged in closer and ran his hands lightly over her hips continually looking her up and down and finally resting his gaze on her cleavage. �The neckline goes right down to your navel.�
Reyes chuckled and corrected, �Not quite John. You like it?�
�And so will every other man there tonight.� His lusty eyes linked with hers. �I�ll have to chain myself to you if I�m going to keep you to myself.� He drew her closer and looked at her lips as she spoke. His hands glided over her butt and hers over the silky fabric of his jacket and then underneath to feel the hardness of his body.
�Please do, that�ll give me an excuse to feel you all night.� She accepted his lips even though she would need to reapply her lip gloss. �John, you�re making me want to stay here and not go.�
�We don�t have to go,� his voice was sex itself as he edged her over to the dresser until her butt rested on the corner. Spreading her legs for him she could feel his hard groin pressing into her and up. �I want to feel you again.�
The kiss was much more powerful than she had experienced before and she found herself responding to the experience with animal urges of her own. There had been no intention of a quick �liaison� before they left for the evening�s entertainment and company but Doggett�s lips and tongue as well as his hot, solid body on hers was driving her wild with pent up desire.
Without warning Doggett slowly lifted the hem of her dress and began taking down her very brief black v-string underwear. The feel of his fingers on her skin was wonderfully enticing.
�There�s nothing of it,� Doggett huffed as he peeled the slip of fabric from her ankles. �You might as well go with no panties.�
�And you�d like that,� she whirred as he lifted her to sit on the dresser while he quickly undid his belt and pants letting the lower clothing fall around his ankles. There was no time to pull his briefs any further than his thighs before he had her just where they both wanted.
�You deserve this!� He growled as he widened her legs, found her hot hole and rammed inside as her hips were forced back with the power. Lifting her legs high she rested them over his arms letting him go deeper still. Her hands supported herself on the dresser. �How dare you come here dressed like that and not expect to be fucked senseless,� he whispered as he took up a beguiling rhythm.
Somehow the primal nature of the conversation and the spontaneity of the act were ever so luscious. The way his hands were rough on her body perfectly matched the mood. His lips found hers again as he mercilessly pumped below. They were rough and raw and the groans from his larynx were prehistoric. Little did she think they would be so flagrantly interlocked so early in the evening but both bodies were ravenous for each other, testimony to their built up passion for one another over time.
No way would Doggett ever consider being so dominant and forceful unless he knew that she was also enjoying the action. He bore witness to the way her head flung back revealing the flushed pink of her neck and her mouth hung open eliciting small gasps. He thought about transporting her to the bed but with his clothing around his ankles the notion was fleeting.
Again they were kissing wildly, devouring every morsel they could glean from the oral union. Reyes� hands moved to behind her lover�s head, making untidy what had been so well groomed. It did not matter, nothing mattered except their shared fulfilment, their mutual delight.
The feel of him so deeply embedded inside her and so hot against her body made her even hungrier to feel more. Swiftly she lifted off her black dress over her head leaving herself bare then, kissing him more, went for his jacket. With lips still locked, with his help, the light fabric was removed from his arms and placed on the small piece of space beside them. Doggett kicked off the pants around his ankles and flipped off his shoes before lifting her frame and began transporting her to the bed.
Still with bodies conjoined they fell on the bed covers crossways and continued their fevered play.
�Oh John, I love you,� she dashed out without realizing what she was saying. It was all true but in the frenzy of the moment it came out prematurely. Not caring whether he was distracted or not she kept kissing and running her hands violently all over him. One by one she found the buttons of his shirt and undid them just wishing she could rip it off him. Doggett helped in taking it off and once both bodies were bare proceeded to pound into her with even more force. With each passing fevered moment it was becoming more difficult to catch their breath between kisses. Leaving their lips wet and swollen he lifted her onto his lap and she sat down on him as they bounced on the bed.
He breathed hot air on her shoulder as his hips bucked. Their bodies melted into each other as the sweat began to bead on their skin. Doggett had set the air conditioning on low because he thought he would be leaving the room so the heat from their surrounds added to their already soaring body temperatures.
Snugly sandwiched together they both rode out the preface to two wonderful orgasms. Reyes kissed her lover hard as she came and whimpers exuded from her throat. Doggett�s hands slipped down her back to her butt, grabbing on tightly as he experienced two sets of pulsing. Low rumbles could be heard from his throat as he underwent what was to be again a profound release.
Keeping themselves up with communal support both drained beings huffed their way through the aftermath of some quite amazing bedroom activity.
After minutes of just holding and feeling Reyes was the first to slowly unstick their glued bodies. The smile on her face was radiant, indicative of the comforting ease she felt with her lover and how immensely in love with him she was.
�I do love you John,� she said quietly but still with that joyful captivating smile.
�I don�t know why.� He initially looked serious then a small smile crept to the corners of his mouth and he kissed her again but that time more sensuously as opposed to roughly. �I really didn�t think I�d love again after my marriage ended.�
To Reyes it was an admittance that he also felt the same way, that he truly loved her too but she would wait until he could say those three words to her. She hugged him for it and they stayed that way for ages even though they were running late to meet their new friends for an evening of entertainment.
�..
�You�re making this a habit,� Keith smugly commented as the other couple moved across the floor to their table. Tilly looked on with equal amusement.
�What?� Reyes knew exactly what he meant but no way were they going to tell the newlyweds that they were late again because they�d had a last minute amazing sex session.
�It�s written all over your faces,� Tilly commented. �We know why you�re late.� She patted the table just near the two chairs reserved for their new acquaintances.
�Monica had to go withdraw some cash,� Doggett offered unconvincingly. In his job he was a pro at hiding his intentions but when it came to his love life he was transparent.
�We were like that too when we first met,� Tilly spoke, evidently not believing what Doggett had explained.
�Still can�t believe you two haven�t known each other longer.� Keith had a look in his eye that did not seem consistent. Was it that he was trying to probe into their relationship for other reasons? The male agent still was not convinced that the couple were not mixed up in the case somehow. That night they would need to work out the connections.
�Monica, how about you and I go get the drinks?� Tilly brushed past her husband and took Reyes� hand. �Let the guys talk for a moment,� she mentioned when they were closer to the bar. �How can a guy like that still be single? You have good taste girl.�
�I know what you mean.� Reyes played along. �He�s pretty fantastic.� She looked back to the guys who seemed comfortable with their talk.
�Why are you really here Monica?� It actually didn�t surprise Reyes that Tilly was asking questions such as that. �You�re a beautiful, intelligent woman. Why are you just a sales assistant?�
�Well, I�m not here permanently.� It was a chance to use her cover story which was slowly becoming debatable since being taken off the case that afternoon by Follmer. �I�m taking some time off work back in DC. This was meant to be a change of pace from my stressful job back there and a chance to maybe meet someone.�
�Well you�re a fast worker.� She winked and raised her eyebrows. �So what is it that you do back there?�
�Law enforcement. I ended up being on call day and night. Not very conducive to a social life.� That seemed to interest Tilly. It was planted for that reason, to see if the fish would bite.
Tilly took a moment to order drinks for she and Keith. �What are you and John having?�
�Two beers.� A few drinks and a night on the town was an advantage to being off the job. �But I�ve been called back. I�m heading back on Friday evening.�
�So soon? What does John think of that?� Tilly opened her wallet for some notes and Reyes couldn�t help noticing the stack of one hundred dollar bills.
�I haven�t told him yet.� Reyes tried to look as frank as possible and to not show surprise on her face. They were yet to discuss what stories they would spin for heading back home after only a week working there.
�Do you think he�ll follow you back?� Tilly paid for the drinks with one of the one hundreds. �This round�s on me.�
�Thank you,� Reyes smiled as she watched the other bills being hidden in the confines of the wallet. �I wouldn�t expect him to. It�s not as though it�d be love after only first meeting last Saturday.�
�Not love?� Tilly chuckled as she collected the tray of drinks from the counter. �Monica honey, okay there�s mainly lust there but I can see you two love each other. If I was a betting woman I�d say he�ll follow you back without a whimper.�
As they began moving back to the table Reyes� expression changed and Tilly�s eyes followed hers to see a certain person who seemed to have her hands all over her new boyfriend.
�..
�Rita�s here,� Tilly seemed joyful. �She told me she was going to the Atlantic Shores tonight to pick up a man.�
�Seems she changed her mind.� Reyes wasn�t usually one for resentment and knew that Doggett was hers but what would any healthy male do with a blond, tanned, scantily clad splendour all over him. At that moment the female agent seemed just ordinary. How could she possibly compete?
Just as they were half way back Rita took Doggett�s hand and led him over to the back of the bar where large floor to ceiling doors led out to what seemed to be an open air entertainment area.
To follow them would have seemed petty so Reyes took her seat hoping Keith could shed some light on what was happening.
�Looks like your guy has been kidnapped,� Keith laughed but Reyes was not at all amused. All she could do was trust him. It was the exact reason why back in Doggett�s hotel room she had mentioned to him that if he had any doubts about their relationship then she would prefer him to tell her before she got in too deeply. If she was under the false notion that their relationship would last a lifetime then she wanted to know sooner rather than later. In her heart she knew there was no other man for her than Doggett. Her heart would be broken if he didn�t feel the same way but from experience she knew broken hearts could be mended so would move on.
�Where did they go?� Reyes tried to stay composed but some of the hurt must have shown.
�Just outside for a talk. Apparently it was something urgent.� Keith informed.
�Don�t worry Monica,� Tilly smiled and placed a comforting hand on her arm. �Rita�s clearly been after him since the start of the diving classes but she knows he has the hots for you. She�s not his type, you know.�
Reyes did know and it was quietly comforting coming from someone else. If their association was to be ongoing then she would no doubt suffer through other female attempts at luring her man. To take her mind off what was happening outside, her thought processes went to finding out more information to aid the case.
�So how long are you two staying here?� Reyes wanted to look to see if her lover was returning but decided to restrain herself.
�Just until Uncle Ted sells his business.� Keith mentioned. �He offered it to us first but I�m looking for a job in LA where I can use my degree skills.�
�And when I�ve finished my studies Keith will apply for FBI Academy and we�ll probably move to DC.� There was a hint of excitement in her voice. �I thought I might join the Navy and use my oceanographic expertise that way.�
�We haven�t talked about this Tilly.� Keith was slightly frowning with concern. �The Navy?�
�It wouldn�t have to be a position at sea.� Tilly comforted by moving closer and holding her hand in his. �There�s a naval research office in Arlington, Virginia.�
During the conversation it was becoming more and more evident that the couple opposite her were the genuine article. They just seemed like a normal happy pairing with visions of the future. They may not have been mixed up with the bank robbery after all.
�So did you know Ted has a buyer for his business?� Reyes steered the conversation back to confirm her findings.
�He has? How do you know?� Keith was genuinely inquisitive.
�John and I met him this afternoon. His name�s Brad Farmer from New York. Ted asked us to show him around the place, to make him feel at home.� Reyes closely watched their reactions.
�Do you think he�s interested?� Keith looked even more excited. �Uncle Ted told us that if he sold before the weekend he�d give us half.�
�That�s very generous, did he say why?� As soon as she�d asked the question and by the looks on their faces she knew she had gone too far.
�Monica, I thought you came here to get away from the interrogations,� Tilly giggled.
At that moment Tilly and Keith looked up to a shadow that loomed behind Reyes. By their expressions it wasn�t Doggett having returned from his liaison with the blond.
��
�Monica, you�re not giving away any secrets I hope,� the calm well known voice echoed from behind.
�Brad!� She took a moment to compose herself before understanding that she needed to start the introductions. �This is the buyer I was talking about. Brad Farmer please meet Keith and Tilly Urban.�
Keith stood and shook Follmer�s hand.
�You two already knew each other before today?� He was certainly quick on the uptake. It was difficult for Reyes keeping the emotion of the goings on of her missing partner and the fact that Follmer had turned up so unexpectedly.
�Yes, Monica and I were lovers in New York a few years back.� Much to Reyes� discomfort Follmer took the liberty to put a hand on her shoulder and bent down giving her a kiss on the cheek. There was no way out but to look as though it was natural.
�It�s a small world,� chimed in Tilly who was waiting for the men to sit. �Come join us, we were just talking about you.�
�You were?� Follmer gave Reyes a supercilious smile and then sat in Doggett�s seat and in front of his beer. �And can I guess who this is for?�
�You can have it Brad, it�ll be warm before he gets back.� Reyes really didn�t want to encourage him to stay but she was getting more agitated by the minute why Doggett still hadn�t returned.
�So Brad, thinking of buying that business of Ted�s?� Keith was keen to find out more. Reyes felt a pang of remorse that he wouldn�t be getting that fifty percent share he was thinking about it didn�t look as though the couple were destitute anyway. Her thoughts went to the stack of bills that Tilly was carrying and her radar fired up further.
�I work for a major company in New York and we�re buying up businesses like this to make a chain up and down the west coast.� Follmer fabricated easily. The FBI would probably come up with the cash and then the assistant director and others would catch the guy and his cohorts as they tried to flee the country, Reyes pondered.
Where was John and why hadn�t he returned, Reyes kept thinking as Follmer and the newlyweds exchanged conversation points.
�I�ll be back soon,� Reyes excused herself as she made her way past Follmer�s chair. �Just powdering my nose.� She really didn�t need to use the bathroom but it was an excuse to see if she got a glimpse of Doggett on the way there. Also she was feeling a little uneasy in Follmer presence, concerned she might slip up in her deception and put the resolution of the case at risk. Was he there by coincidence or did he not trust his two agents to stay off the case? She made a mental note to ask him later.
�The restrooms are out the back past the pool.� Tilly tendered the direction. All the way through the open doors where her lover had last been seen, past the myriad of sun seekers surrounding the pool and to the bungalow that housed the restrooms, there was no Doggett to be seen.
Her stomach did a flip remembering Keith�s words about being kidnapped. It was funny to him but what if Rita had tricked him into going with her somehow? Why couldn�t he have come back and told her?
Looking at her reflection in the mirror she combed her hair and reapplied her lip gloss. Maybe on the way back she would find him.
�Have I told you how hot you look tonight Monica?� Follmer leant against a makeshift wall covered with vines, the half full beer glass in one hand. He was looking quite suave and relaxed. It wasn�t often that Reyes had seen him in anything other than a suit these days. It reminded her of New York and the time when she really did love him. He looked quite relaxed and happy with his life even though he�d gone through the whole arraignment over the shooting death of Victor Regali.
�Thank you Brad,� she smiled despite not really wanting to encourage him but she did miss the way he would always compliment her on how she dressed back in New York. �I haven�t had the chance to let my hair down for a while.�
�You dressed for him didn�t you.� Without letting her respond with the palpable he continued on, �So where is Doggett tonight? I thought you two were an item now.�
�Brad, I�m sorry.� Reyes moved closer to him, close enough to smell his exquisite cologne, the scent she remembered devouring when in bed with him at his place back those years. �We just thought it would cover our tracks on this case. By looking as though we were a couple then the suspicion could be taken away.�
�And you need this to continue? Monica, Doggett�s not right for you.� His hand travelled down her arm but it felt right. Follmer had a way of making her see the not so obvious.
�And you are, Brad?� The way his hand dangled on her elbow was reminiscent of the past and was quite pleasing.
�I thought so. We had something back in New York, Monica. You know it and I know it.� The hand travelled slowly up her arm again until it rested on her shoulder. Reyes found herself enjoying the touch but then also knew the real reason both she and Doggett had been assigned to the Key West case. It wasn�t just as decoys like Doggett had thought.
�This has something do with why you sent us here Brad.� Reyes watched his expression and how all his attention was on her. She also noticed a single tear that collected at the corner of one eye. �You wanted to see if this would happen, if John and I became closer. Maybe you had a suspicion that we were already in a romantic relationship.�
�And were you? Working with him so closely on cases you must have formed some sort of bond.� Follmer spoke quietly as he delved.
�Of course partners need to have that special bond but it need not be romantic. John is the best partner I�ve ever had the pleasure to work with.� Since Follmer moved to the DC office Reyes knew at some stage that they would have the exact conversation. It was way past due. Right from the get go he�d had his suspicions about how close they were. �We don�t always see eye to eye, we�re not always all smiles, but that makes for lines of questioning and discussion that bring us closer to the truth.�
�So Monica, what is the truth? Have you slept with the man?� Follmer wanted to get to the point. �Look, I know it�s personal but it�s something I need to know.� His hand felt over her shoulder. �I promise it won�t go further than here. The bureau need not know any of this.�
Reyes knew Follmer well enough to recognize when he was telling the truth. When he was deceiving she had a way of knowing by the small twitch he would give to the corner of his mouth.
�Yes, we�ve made love.� Reyes noticed Follmer physically slump and knew he had still been hurt by the news even though it was expected. �Last night was the first time.� She needed to add. She didn�t want Follmer believing that on assignments they were playing around behind the bureau�s back.
�So this is it then?� Another tear formed in the other eye. Follmer was usually too discreet with his feelings to show that much emotion. He had been passionate and giving with his past romantic relationship with her but had never shown tears before. He was truly hurting. �It�s now John and Monica?�
Reyes just nodded acknowledgement.
It was then that Follmer moved in and gave her a kiss on the lips. It was a natural parting kiss. It was a sentiment that gave her his permission to move on. The only reason it lingered was because Reyes let it. She wanted him to be the first to part as a symbol of their continuing friendship even though she was deeply in love with another man. His hand moved around to the small of her back and pulled her closer.
�What is this?� An irritated voice came from behind Follmer shocking them from embrace.
�..
Before Reyes could explain anything Doggett was roughly pushing Follmer on the shoulder with the flat of his hand. She had never seen him so mad.
�John wait!� She tried to stop him but he just gave her an angry stare that told her to stay out of it, her turn would come later.
�You�re out of line Doggett!� All Follmer did was put up a stop hand signal but Doggett gave him another push for the hell of it that almost had him losing balance. �It�s not what it looks like.�
�No, you�re out of line Follmer.� His teeth gritted and his jaw bulged with rage. �What were you doing with my partner?�
Follmer gave one of his chuckles that said �wasn�t it obvious�. �You�re �partner� wasn�t refusing.�
Doggett shot Reyes another cool stare and then, even more frustrated, gripped a hunk of his superior�s shirt and began twisting it. If before then there were only a few spectators then by that time there were a whole heap more. There was chatter from the poolside crowd as they excitedly adjudicated the clash between the duelling men.
�Stay away from her!� Doggett huffed through clenched teeth. �I�ve had enough of your smart ass, self-righteous, mother-fucker of a face around here.�
�John, please!� Reyes tried to intervene but a sturdy arm nudged her away.
�This is stepping over the mark Doggett.� Follmer was amazingly calm for someone facing such ire but that was probably how he became an assistant director at so young an age. Calm in the face of adversity.
Something seemed to snap inside her partner and for the first time he was witness to the crowd gathering and that he was making a spectacle of himself. With further frustration he untwisted the fabric and gave another push on Follmer�s shoulder before backing off.
Giving another livid glare at her he retreated further and then turned, walking back in the direction of the bar.
�John!� Reyes called after him but he just flung up a hand to say �I�m not in the mood�.
�Monica, leave him to cool down.� Follmer lightly touched her elbow as she began to follow. �I probably would have reacted like that too if I�d seen my girl kissing another man.�
Had she just blown it all with Doggett? It had seemed right at the time to kiss her former lover but in hindsight she could have expected to have been found out whether Doggett saw with his own eyes or not.
�What�s wrong with John?� Keith questioned with Tilly by his side as they approached. They had come to see what had happened to their company for the evening. �We saw him leave through the front door. Was it something that happened with Rita?�
�Let�s go back inside.� Follmer led the way. There had been enough entertainment for the crowd without adding more to the show.
�..
