Passion In James County X
Badge of Dishonor
By D.C. Roi
Chapter thirty-one
Lise hadn't been back to work since Rod's death, which had occurred three weeks earlier. First there was the funeral, which was the most horrible experience she'd ever been through, even worse than being shot at. Then, after that, she'd been busy setting up therapy appointments for the kids, and getting them - and herself - adjusted to the fact that they would be spending the rest of their lives without Rod.
The kids were starting to adjust, at least that's what the therapist told her. And she was starting to adjust, too. She was seeing a therapist, who was helping her make strides toward recovery. Sheriff Martin had been a big help, and his wife and the wives of other deputies had been a lot of support for her.
What bothered her the most was that she hadn't seen Luke since the day of the shooting. She had heard he'd gone back to work and that he had moved into a new apartment. She decided she had to see him before she returned to work, so she drove to his apartment.
She sat in her car in front of the apartment building where Luke lived for quite a while, working up the courage to go to the door. Finally, she got out walked up the sidewalk, and knocked on the door.
Luke opened the door and smiled nervously. "Lise!! It...it's good to see you," he exclaimed. "I...I've been thinking about you a lot. Are...are you all right?"
"Is...is it OK that I stopped by without calling?" Lise asked. She was elated to see the delight that had appeared in Luke's eyes when he saw her.
"Of course it is!" Luke said. "I...I kept telling myself I should call you, but...I...I guess I wasn't sure whether you wanted me to and all, you know..."
"How are you, Luke?" she asked, "Are...are you all right?"
"I...I'm fine, I...I've been back to work for a couple of weeks now," Luke replied. "I...I'm back on nights. I really am sorry I didn't call."
"You don't have to apologize," Lise said.
"Would...would you like a cup of coffee or something?" Luke asked.
Lise smiled. "I'd love a cup of coffee," she said. "Do you have any made?"
"I'll make some right away," Luke said, his heart pounding.
The two of them went into Luke's apartment. Lise sat at the kitchen table watching while Luke started the coffee maker.
As he worked, Luke looked at the woman sitting in his kitchen. She looked incredibly lovely, he thought, even prettier than he remembered. She was wearing a pale yellow blouse and snug acid-washed jeans.
He walked toward the table and as he did, Lise stood up. The next thing they knew, they were in each other's arms, kissing passionately.
"About that coffee..." Lise said after the kiss ended. She was having a lot of trouble breathing.
"It...it ought to...to be...finished," Luke replied. He went to the counter, poured a mug for each of them, and they sat down at the kitchen table.
"I've been thinking about you a lot, Luke," Lise said. "I..." She shrugged as she felt her face grow hot.
Luke felt his heart pounding. He was thrilled beyond belief by her admission. "I...I've been thinking about you a lot, too, Lise," he said. "Almost every day." He didn't tell her that every night on patrol he'd cruised by her parents' house several times. He kept wanting to stop, but wasn't sure she wanted him to.
Each of them took a sip of their coffee.
"How about you? Are you all right?" Luke asked and put his hand over Lise's.
"To be totally honest, I'm not, all right. Not completely, anyhow," Lise replied. "I'm scared, I...I don't know what's going to happen now, what I'm going to tell the kids about their father when they're older, and all, but..."
"I could see where you'd feel that way," Luke said. "But I...I'd like to help...if you want me to."
"I'd like that," Lise replied, smiling gently.
They sat silently for a while longer, sipping their coffee and looking at each other. Lise finally put her cup down, rested her chin on her folded hands, and smiled at Luke.
He looked back at her and thought she looked so pretty it was hard for him to breathe.
"Show me your apartment, Luke," she said. "I've always wondered what a bachelor's apartment looked like."
"OK," Luke said.
They got up and Luke showed her through the small apartment he'd rented. Lise was pleasantly surprised. Luke kept his apartment very neat. It was comfortably furnished and felt very cozy.
"This is a really nice place," Lise said. "I'm a little surprised at how neat it is, though."
"That's just me," Luke replied. "I've always been a neat freak."
He put his arm around her trim waist and Lise leaned against him. She liked the feel of his body against hers. She turned, put her hands on his face, and pulled him down into a wild kiss. When the kiss ended, they stepped apart and began fumbling with each other's clothing.
Luke realized his hands were trembling as he unbuttoned Lise's blouse and slipped it from her. "You aren't wearing a bra!" he gasped. His hands wrapped around her breasts.
When Luke touched her breasts, such intense pleasure flooded through Lise that she was afraid she'd faint from sheer joy.
"Do...do you have any idea how wonderful it feels when you touch me?" she murmured.