Chapter 23
He no sooner sat down at his desk the next morning than someone flopped down in the seat opposite.
"Miss me?"
Rye glanced up to find Jingle smiling happily, wearing the same outfit as before. He could only hope this happened to be a duplicate costume instead of the same one worn day after day with few washings in between. "Why would I miss you?"
"Because I was right about the drugs?"
Gotta give the little guy credit. "Yeah, you were. Though how you knew is still up in the air."
"Told you. I'm an elf."
"Yeah, we've been over this ground already. So what are you doing here today? Returned to help me get back on Santa's good list?" He grinned at his own joke.
Jingle tsked. "If you aren't nice to me, I'll make sure you're off that particular list and moved to the other one." With a long sigh, Jingle dug out a slip of paper from his belt and handed it over. "Check out this guy."
Randy Gidley. "What for?"
The elf stood and grinned. "I have a feeling he's up to something."
"Jingle, I can't just investigate anyone because you have a 'feeling'."
Throats cleared and chairs squeaked nearby as the room fell silent and all eyes landed on the two of them.
Rye couldn't believe he was doing this but lowered his voice and asked all the same. "Can you give me a solid lead to follow?"
The elf beamed and jiggled, sending his bell to ringing loudly. "You want the guy stealing children's toys from under their trees, right?"
Startled, Rye stared at the green-clad man. "That case is confidential. How do you know about it?"
Jingle rolled his eyes. "I told you, I'm an elf."
Not willing to argue over the state of the man's delusions when he might have a tip, Rye stared at the slip of paper. "You think this is the culprit?"
"Maybe. Just check him out."
"But…"
When Rye glanced back up, the elf had disappeared from sight.
Well, hell.
He quickly typed the name into the computer and hit the search button. Within two minutes, he discovered an address, place of business, and a criminal history as long as his arm, mostly petty crimes, making this thief more of a thorn in the ass of every officer. No matter. He'd take the low-key bad guys any day. They normally didn't try to remove his head from his neck whenever he pulled out the handcuffs.
Snatching up his coat from the back of his chair, Rye pulled his keys from his pocket and walked from the office directly to his car.
* * * *
Brie opened the door and stuck her head inside. "Rye? Are you home?" Glancing around, she found the kitchen and living room empty and devoid of footsteps or other sounds indicating her live-in boyfriend might be there, just unable to answer.
"Great." Stepping inside, she lightly plopped a couple of shopping bags on the counter, then shut the door.
For two weeks, she'd racked her brain trying to decide what to get Rye for Christmas, to no avail. After all, what did detectives want for the holiday? Sherlock Holmes books? A new gun? Super Bowl tickets? A year subscription to the Playboy Channel? She snorted. Well, Rye would probably go for the Playboy Channel, but he would monopolize her free time with nothing but naked women. As much as she loved Rye, she drew the line at spending every evening watching porn with him. There wasn't enough leftover money to pay for the needed therapy, not to mention she spent her working hours seeing all kinds of nude bodies. Enough was enough.
Finally, after days of frantic searching, she'd stumbled across a local store ad with the perfect gift. A big screen TV. What man didn't want the extra-large item in their living room, allowing for up close and personal viewing? What he chose to watch on his present would be negotiable. It better be, or I'll bean him with a shoe. One humiliating experience watching an adult movie in hopes of seeing Rye's delectable rear in action from his short porn flick career was enough. She'd blushed for a week afterward. Still did any time he mentioned the movie's name.
Opening one of the sacks, she pulled out a small plastic-wrapped item along with a three-pack of men's thong underwear. All pink with imprints of red lips in certain eyebrow-raising areas. As much as Rye had complained when she'd dyed his underclothes pink, he still wore them. She helped ensure he did, with generous praise, and a little physical reward now and again when he sported the traditionally feminine color proudly. While he might roll his eyes at her latest addition to his boxer drawer, she was willing to provide some sensual encouragement for his efforts. Besides, he needed a fun gift, full of teasing potential.
She'd briefly considered picking up another pair of sexy sleepwear but quickly disregarded the idea. Rye didn't need any more stimulation or motivation in the bedroom. He knew his way around a woman's body, made her blush more times than she could count, and had an elephant sized ego to boot. In spite of all that, he amused her, loved her, and cared for her as if she were a treasured gift. She couldn't ask for a better guy.
Her cell phone rang. Palming the small device, she checked caller ID, grinned, and answered. "Hello?"
"Hey, you," Rye purred over the phone. "What are you doing?"
"Not much." She glanced at the pink undies once more. "Just got home from a little bit of shopping."
"Ohhh. Anything I need to know about?"
She grinned wickedly. "Curiosity killed the cat."
"Good thing I'm a cop, then."
"Uh-huh. So what are you up to? Slow day at work?" Walking over, she pulled out a kitchen chair and plopped down.
"Not too bad. Caught a Christmas thief already this morning."
"Wow. That's great."
"Had an interesting phone call, too."
Brie perked up. Considering their families and neighbors, interesting meant something quite out of the ordinary. "Such as?"
"The Graysons who live just down the street."
"What about them?"
"They called in this morning to make a report."
"Oh, no. They were burglarized? That's horrible."
"No. Not that. They were gifted."
"Huh?"
He chuckled. "They woke up this morning to find a bunch of Christmas decorations all over their front yard. None of them belonged to them."
Her mouth fell open as her hamster wheel of a brain stuck in mid-round. "They were what?"
"Gifted. Decorations showed up in their yard. All assembled. They haven't a clue who put them there."
"How odd." She shook her head. Talk about weird. "Are they the only ones?"
"As far as we know, yes. But it's still four days until Christmas."
"With a Christmas decorating maniac on the loose. What ever will we do?" She did her best Scarlett impersonation.
"You're such a squirrel," Rye teased.
"Yeah, but you love me anyway."
"True." He paused for a second. "What are you going to be wearing when I get home?" His baritone voice turned sensual, caressing her desires in temptation.
"Oh, I don't know." She tapped her chin. "Perhaps, if you're good, I can put on an old nightgown. Warm and comfortable."
His voice lowered to a whisper. "Baby, I'll keep you plenty warm and comfortable. Needy and breathless. Wet and wicked."
She licked her lips and squirmed in her seat. "Oh, my."
"I'll be home at six. Wear something easily removed." He hung up.
Instinctively, she checked her watch. Two hours to get dolled up for a night of debauchery.
Grabbing the brightly-colored Christmas paper, she hurriedly wrapped Rye's fun gift in a box, then placed it under the small artificial Christmas tree sitting near the front window. Satisfied with its location, she headed toward the shower with a naughty plan in mind.
* * * *
Rye opened the kitchen door, stepped inside, automatically dropping his duffel bag at the door while toeing his shoes off.
"Brie?" Glancing up, he found her standing a few feet away, wearing a pair of his boxers, one of the pink ones she'd dyed as a prank a few months back. At the time, he'd considered the act blatantly crossing the line. Now, he knew the image would burn in his mind for months to come, adding to his memory bank of wet dream material all including the woman before him.
"Hmmm?" She shifted weight from one foot to the next, the baggy briefs dipping lower with the movement. Her eyes sparked as she batted her lashes at him, a come-hither expression written clearly on her face.
"They look much better on you. Now take them off."
"Make me."
His manhood jumped at the blatant sexual challenge. A new game; he jumped in eagerly.
Slowly, with finite precision, he made a show of removing his shoulder harness with the handgun safely holstered and gently placed it on the kitchen table. His shirt immediately followed, falling to the floor with a snap of his wrist.
Her gaze caressed his body, flicking back and forth from his face to his chest, then lower.
Her appreciative expression set his banked inner fire to blazing; his stone-hard cock throbbed, demanding attention. He couldn't take his eyes off the teasing vixen before him.
Reaching down, he flicked the buttons of his slacks. One. Two. Three. Four. Each one provided a bit of relief as well as drew out the anticipation. Brie's gaze fell to his groin as he shoved the material over his hips, letting his pants fall into a puddle around his feet. His briefs followed, leaving him completely nude for her appraisal.
Brie licked her lips, so sexy and tempting he couldn't wait a moment longer. Stepping out of his piled clothing, he methodically stalked her like a hungry wolf pursued a rabbit, grinning when she retreated, matching him step for step.
"You threw out the challenge, Brie. I'm answering."
Her eyes widened as she maneuvered backward down the hall, her attention locked firmly on his physical reaction to her state of dress and sensual play. Color blossomed across her cheeks. He caught the increased intake of air and grinned to himself. His little squirrel played coy, might have bitten off more than she could chew, but she was turned on big time.
With a tiny squeal, she spun and dashed into the bedroom.
He bounded behind her, tackling her in a leap that landed them both solidly on the bed, he on the bottom, Brie stretched out across him. A sharp elbow landed in his gut.
"Umph."
Rye shackled her wrists, used his bigger and heavier body to flip them over, then pinned her beneath him.
"Now, what did you tell me?"
She blinked up at him, breathing heavily, her still-clothed chest rubbing against his bare skin with each breath. Her hazel eyes sparked.
"Ummm. You're mean?"
He grinned wickedly. "Nope." With finesse, he yanked the hem of her shirt up, flicked the front closure open on her bra, all while holding her smaller hands with one of his larger ones. Shoving the shirt up and over her head, he flipped open the bra, leaving her beautiful breasts bare for his appraisal. Unable to resist, he wrapped his lips around one tip, laved the area with his tongue, then sucked gently. After a long moment, he switched sides, showering her other breast with the same attention.
"Mmm." Brie arched into him.
Rye drew back with a sudden thought. Wrapping her shirt around her wrists, he proceeded to tie her hands together, checking the tightness to ensure good circulation. Finished with the task, he stared into her face, finding a flicker of concern flash through her expressive hazel eyes. He'd never restrained her before unless you counted the time they were kids when he bound her to a tree.
"Stay put." With both hands free, he slid down her body, one hand cupping her breast while he nibbled on her collarbone. Slowly making his way farther down, he peppered kisses over her breasts, her sternum, along her flat stomach, swirling his tongue around her belly button. "Lift your hips."
She lifted her chin. "Make me." The purred words lashed his lust like a cherry bomb added to an existing flame.
His dick tightened to granite hardness with her reaction to the novel game. Grasping the top of the boxers, he pulled them down, rolling her from side to side before freeing them entirely and tossing them aside. He lightly smacked her rear.
"Don't move unless I tell you." Leaning in, he resumed his sensual torture, taking her breast in his mouth, working the nipple, building her desire.
"Rye…" She writhed but didn't move her hands from their position flat on the bed above her head.
"Hmm?" The breast popped out of his mouth.
"I need…"
"What do you need?" He turned to the twin globe, sealing his lips over the tip, then gently nipping it. Tightening his reins, he relied on inner strength to draw out the game as long as possible even as the sensual play pushed him right to the edge, his cock demanding attention and release.
"More. I need more." She panted. "Please."
Heading south, he licked a trail downward to nuzzle her hip. "Spread, baby."
She parted her shapely legs. He positioned himself between them in a kneeling position. Leaning over, he licked her folds from top to bottom. Hearing Brie gasp, he nibbled around before centering his attention on her sensitive clit. Gently, he circled the area with his tongue before brushing directly across, back and forth, up and down.
"Ohhhhh…"
Glancing up, he saw her eyes close, head loll to the side. Her hands trembled, but she didn't lift them.
"Such a good girl. You deserve a reward." He touched the entrance to her core with two fingertips, noting the abundant wetness. With a knowing grin, he slowly pushed his digits inside, feeling her inner heat.
She sucked in air and whimpered.
At the limits of his control, he removed his hand, lined up his erection with her slit, then leaned forward. Languidly, he joined their bodies, reveling in Brie's snug warmth, the welcoming channel that delivered ecstasy every time he entered. Hitting bottom, he sat unmoving for a few seconds, savoring the sensation.
Brie wiggled underneath him.
He pulled back, then thrust forward, lazily at first, but gradually with more power and speed. She lifted and met him on each stroke, their bodies slapping together in an ever increasing rhythm. Moans and heavy breathing filled the room as he pushed them both to a near fevered pitch.
"Let go, Brie. Fly with me." He lunged forward, feeling the warning tingles in the base of his spine. Covering her body with his, he assumed a push-up position, bracketing her head with his arms. Rapidly driving in and out of her willing body, he nibbled her ear.
With a groan, Brie went taut, her sheath clamping down then milking him in a series of strong contractions, each one in distinct timing. Echoing her cry, he fell over the edge with her. Slamming into her a final time, he rode out the short visit to nirvana, delighting in every millisecond.
When the moment passed, he quickly untied her hands, wrapped her in his arms, and rolled so she now rested on top of him. They both tried to catch their breaths from one of the best sexual experiences he'd ever had.
Brie lay flush over his body, her breath warming his shoulder as she trembled now and again in aftershocks. He lightly rubbed her back, easing her back down to earth.
"Damn, vixen." Sated and drained, he didn't think he could move for a long time. Didn't want to either.
She sat up gingerly, his deflating manhood still lodged inside her depths. Her eyes flashed with longing and playfulness.
"Again." She grinned down at him and rotated her hips, clenching her feminine muscles on him.
"I need a moment, here." He blew out a slow breath and bracketed her hips to hold her still. As much as he wanted her, he physically couldn't do anything about it for a few more minutes.
She rolled her eyes. "One round and you're worn out. And they call women the weaker sex."
He snorted. "I'll show you weak." With a hearty growl, he pulled her against his chest, then rolled them both over until she rested underneath his larger body once again. He peppered kisses over her breasts, bracing himself with one arm planted near her head.
She arched into him, thrusting her hips up in demand.
He chuckled. "What am I going to do with you?"
Brie smiled up at him. "Love me?"
"Already do." Leaning down, he sealed his mouth over hers.