Damien was tired, physically and emotionally exhausted. He was driving to Leigh's and the idea of seeing her beautiful face and touching her smooth caramel skin made his heart pound a bit faster. He thought about Brian's words, if Michael found out about Leigh's relationship with him, it would certainly make things more complicated, because Damien was sure Michael would confront Leigh about it. That was something Damien wanted to avoid at all costs. Even if he had to stay away from her to keep her safe, and the mere thought of not seeing her made his chest hurt.
How could something like this happen? How could you come to have such strong feelings for someone out of nowhere? When he held Leigh in his arms or kissed those soft lips it felt so right; it all made sense. Damien didn't know much about her likes and dislikes, the places she would love to visit, but he did know she was brave, stubborn, caring, passionate, honest and that she fit incredibly perfect in his arms. However, he also knew that he would have to slow things down with her so he could concentrate on the case. Besides, Leigh deserved so much better than desperate kisses and quick afternoon interludes. Damien was still kicking himself about making love to her that way; jumping on her like prey. But the way she looked at him then, he knew she didn't have any regrets and that she wanted it to happen as much as he did.
As Damien knocked on her door he felt his pulse quicken. "Yeah, I am definitely whipped." He laughed to himself.
"Hey." Leigh smiled timidly.
As Damien entered her house, he brought her into an embrace and kissed the top of her head. "Hey." He sighed deeply. Leigh responded by holding him tightly. They stayed like that for a long moment only listening to each other breathing.
"Come on...you look like you need some sustenance...Long night?" She tried not to sound too worried. "He has enough on his mind; he doesn't need a clingy girlfriend." She thought.
"Girlfriend..." He almost missed her frowning slightly.
"Yes, we had a lot to work on." Damien said feeling guilty about not sharing more with her. He couldn't elaborate more. He had to keep some aspects of the investigation classified, for the integrity of the whole process and for her own safety.
"I understand Damien. I work with confidential information every day, so you don't have to worry about hurting my feelings."
He stood there staring at her. "You are incredible. Thank you for understanding." And then he kissed her, softly at first but as she moaned quietly into his mouth, he increased the pressure and he lost himself in the sweetness of her mouth.
"Ahem! Breakfast anyone?" Lucy said with a grin as she passed them heading to the kitchen.
"Sorry, I forgot Lucy was here." Leigh mumbled with her head buried in his chest.
Damien was actually glad for the interruption, otherwise he would have completely forgotten about his resolution to slow things down.
"I am actually hungry! And you need to get to work..."
Damien ended up dropping Lucy at the gallery first, and as he was parking the car near the entrance of Leigh's office building, he took a deep breath.
"Leigh, it would be better if we didn't see each other again until this case is closed." He was gripping the steering wheel so hard his knuckles were white.
Well, she certainly wasn't expecting that. Leigh felt like he had just stabbed her in her heart. Her hurt was noticeable in her voice "Why?" she managed to ask.
"Sweetheart..." He parked the car and turned to her, grasping her hand. But Damien couldn't look into her eyes; if he did he wouldn't be able to go on with this.
"Look, I am trying to do the sensible thing. I need to be cautious. If Michael suspects anything about us he might do something..." He didn't finish because she just didn't give him the chance. Leigh unbuckled the seatbelt and quickly straddled him, taking Damien completely by surprise. She took hold of his face and looked into his wide eyes as she spoke.
"I am done with his threats. I am done with feeling like a helpless little girl; he did it to me for years. I can't have you or anyone deciding my life for me. Don't make decisions on my behalf and don't take my choices away from me, Damien. I don't deserve it damn it!" she said angrily.
"Baby..." Damien made a move to kiss her but Leigh put one hand flat on his chest.
"However, I agree we need to slow things down a little. I don't want to cause any problems for you at work, and you need to focus on the job." She finished with a grin.
This time Damien didn't find any resistance when he leaned in to kiss her with everything he had. When they came to their senses they noticed a few people on the street looking at them, some amused, others not so much. Damien chuckled and Leigh blushed looking down mortified.
"You never cease to amaze me. Sorry for being such an ass, I have this protective side that sometimes turns me into a complete jerk." He said cupping her face and giving her peck. Leigh smiled and returned to her seat, gathering her purse and briefcase.
"I can get a taxi home, so you don't need to rush to pick me up"
"No, I will be here at five, okay?"
"Alright, see you at five. Take care." She said opening the car door. She didn't want to push, but she felt there was something he wasn't saying that had him worried.
Damien smiled but it didn't quite reach his face. He had a nagging feeling something wasn't right. He looked around and didn't see anything suspect. Damien watched her get into the building before starting the car. He shook the feeling away and drove back to the office.
As soon as Leigh got into the building she was greeted by a man with a pair of cold brown eyes that sent a chill straight through her body. He was blocking her way, and as she tried to move around him his calloused hand stopped her.
"Miss Grayson, don't make a scene..." He told her and discreetly opened his jacket to show her a gun.
"...you are coming with me." His voice was voided of any emotion. That scared the hell out of Leigh. All she managed to do was nod. There was no point in arguing. She knew she had to keep calm and fighting now wouldn't help her situation.
"Good girl." He said pulling her back towards the door.
***********
Brian and Damien were in the conference room waiting for Michael's arrival for the official arraignment. Captain Harrison was going to order his suspension based upon several allegations and complaints made by citizens both to the Police Department and the Office of Citizen's Complaints.
They were going to argue that suspension was necessary to ensure the integrity of the investigation in case Michael retorted. But what they weren't prepared for was Michael acting in complete disdain during the entire meeting. Brian had been keeping Captain Harrison informed of the development of the investigation, and surprisingly Brian was told to lead the meeting.
It gave Damien a great sense of pride for his partner and their efforts. However, in the end it was Captain Harrison who gave the announcement.
"You are being suspended until the investigation is finished. Detective Tempton, hand over you badge and your gun." Captain Harrison ordered.
Without muttering a word Michael placed the gun and his badge on the table. He had a satisfied smirk plastered on his face, something that was irritating Damien profoundly.
"Conceited son of a bitch." Damien had remained quiet the entire time they had been with Michael, but the smirk Michael displayed wasn't something easy to swallow. Damien had a feeling the smirk was directed at him personally. Michael was testing his nerves.
As the meeting came to an end, Damien's cell rang. He ignored the call without even checking the caller and placed it on vibrating mode. After the third time, as Michael was leaving, he turned to Damien and said in a condescending tone.
"You'd better get that, you never know Detective Crook, it could be a friend in distress."
"Shit, he knows!" Damien concluded.
Panic struck Damien as he walked to the back of the room and to check his cell. "Lucy" he whispered to himself. As if on cue, it rang again.
"Hello, Lucy?"
