This is the third Grayson story and direct sequel to The Rescue. It's suggested to read that before this one. Thanks for reading and your patience in getting this follow-up story written.
*****
Ken snapped awake at the intrusive vibrations of a phone on the nightstand.
"Is that yours or mine?" Michelle Ripley groggily raised her head and asked.
"If it's mine, you have my permission to throw it out the window," Ken murmured without opening his eyes.
She read the time off her bedside clock. "May take you up on that. Who calls someone at midnight?"
"Someone who shouldn't expect an answer," he responded.
She sighed and leaned over him to check. He took the opportunity to pull her closer as she reached for them. He kissed her exposed neck making her moan.
"Mmm, are you thinking of using an overhead toss or gonna side-arm it?" he grinned.
"I was thinking that I wore you out earlier," she rubbed her thinly covered breasts against his bare chest in retaliation. "I see I was mistaken. As for your phone, I haven't decided yet."
Her hand groped for the offending phone and snagged it on her second attempt. She took a second to read off the caller and a worried look crossed her features.
"It's yours," she handed it to him.
"Thought you were gonna toss it out the..." his thought was derailed when he read the name of the caller.
"Jen?" he paused. "Or is this a Det. Young call?"
"Either you're very good at sounding like I just woke you up or you weren't just at a shootout."
"...sounding less and less like this is a social call."
"It's a work call," she confirmed.
"Yours or mine, Det. Young?"
"You should know by now that if it's yours, it inevitable ends up as mine as well," she pointed out.
Ken sighed. "You're going to make me put pants on, aren't you?"
Michelle gave his chest a light slap at that question.
"Not an image I needed in my head, Grayson," Det. Jennifer Young said.
"Yeah, well you're welcome for calling me at his ungodly hour," he shook his head.
"Are you always so cheery at this time of night?" she asked.
"I've been told that it's part of my charm."
"Someone lied to your face just like that huh?"
"Whoa, now who's the cheery one?" He chuckled.
"It's been a long day stretching into what's looking like a long night," she answered. "Isn't this considered your normal business hours though? You know, when you're out playing private eye."
"Okay, it's private investigator and I haven't been out
playing
since I got back from my... let's call it a sabbatical."
"You sure that you haven't started back working cases yet? Say one that would bring you here to Myrtle?" She asked.
"I am in Myrtle, well South Myrtle at least, but I promise you that I'm not back on any cases. I've been told that lying to blondes is bad for my health," he answered.
Michelle smiled and shook her head while Det. Young chuckled.
"Smart man," she chided him.
"So what makes you think that I'm back working cases?"
"Found one of your cards at a crime scene. Could be something, but could be nothing as well. We're still working it," she said.
"Got any names for me? Maybe whoever it is was, was an old client that held onto a card," he speculated.
She sighed. "No names, no bodies just bullet holes, casings, some blood and a boatload of questions."
"And one of my cards," he added.
"Yep, one of your cards, but there's also candy wrappers, popcorn boxes and other kinds of trash," she paused. "No offense."
"Only slightly offended, Jen," he chuckled. "But then I did hand out those things like they were candy at Halloween when I first got started so a few were bound to end up as trash. Want me to drive up and have a look around? Maybe an extra set of eyes could help."
"I appreciate the offer, Ken, I really do, but it doesn't look like I can do much here myself. Between Lang and me and the evidence techs we've got more than enough eyes. I wouldn't want to waste your time on something that's probably going to end up being nothing," Det. Young said.
"If you need anything or if I can help out..."
"I've got your number. Thanks for taking my call and tell Michelle, I'm sorry for disturbing y'all," she said.
"Gimme," Michelle gestured for the phone.
He handed it to her then kissed her bare shoulder. She sighed then gave him a slight push away from her as she took the phone.
"Hey, Jen. It's not a problem though Kenny is trying to be at the moment," she said.
"I tried telling you that he wasn't trainable," Det. Young laughed.
"You did, but what can I say? I like a challenge," she smiled.
"Say goodbye to Jen and I'll show you how much of a challenge I can be," Ken chuckled.
"Uh-oh, I may be in trouble here," Michelle said.
"I'd offer you the use of my handcuffs, but I have a feeling that Grayson might be into it," she smiled.
"Been cuffed too many times in non-erotic situations for me to find it hot," he said.
"My loss," Michelle sighed.
"I'd probably find scarves hot if you wanted to experiment with those," Ken smiled.
Thoughts swirled through Michelle's head. "Mmm, I do have some nice, silky ones that we..."
"Okay, you two, I should let you two go so you can continue that discussion or whatever else is about to happen," Jen broke in. "Sorry for the late call, Michelle. If there's anything I can do to make it up to you, let me know."
"There's no need for you to make up for anything, but if you want, you can stop by the aquarium for lunch soon. How's that sound?"
"Lunch with Lenny and Squiggy?" She asked.
"You can't come by and not have lunch with your favorite pair of octopi. They'd be very upset if you did," Michelle smiled.
"I can't be upsetting my boys. I'll text you soon to set that up. Try to keep Grayson outta trouble for me," she laughed.
"You know that I'll do my best. Night, Jen," she said then hung up.
She placed Ken's phone back onto the nightstand but stayed lying across his chest. Her fingers drummed playfully against his skin.
"Now that we're up... whatever shall we do, Mr. Grayson?"
"Let me think, well, our usual go-to would be watching some classic movies or we can go for a midnight stroll out on the beach or...,"
She cut him off with a quick kiss.
"What did you do that for?" He asked in his best Bogart impersonation.
"I've been wondering if I'd like it," she replied in her best Bacall.
"What's the decision?"
"I don't know yet."
He pulled her in and kissed her again.
"Mmm, it's even better when you help," she finished the movie quote.
"Let's see how much more I can help, Slim."
Their lips met again in the darkness of her bedroom and after a few minutes of passionate kissing she sat up, tugging off her pajama top.
"I like this way better than a midnight stroll," Ken smirked.
"Why do I bother getting dressed with you in my bed?" She shook her head as she tossed the shirt to the floor.
"I believe the words you said were that you needed to get up early and if you slept naked with me then we wouldn't get any sleep," he answered as he ran his hands up her bare back.
"Much," she moaned at his gentle caress. "I said... we wouldn't get much sleep."
"Thanks..." he kissed her bare shoulder, "for the correction. So I should let you get back to sleep then?"
"Nuh-uh, I'm too riled up now so you'll just have to wear me out... again," she grinned.
"Yes, ma'am," he nodded.
He grabbed her hips and rolled her onto her back. Her giggle turned into a moan as he kissed his way down her neck. Her fingers snaked through his hair as his tongue trekked lower.
"Love me, Kenny. Love me again," she moaned.
He skimmed her sleep shorts down her tanned legs then tossed them aside to join her shirt on the floor. She pulled him back to her waiting mouth and kissed him hungrily until he pressed into her.
"Yes," she gasped then sought out his lips again.
Ken started slowly just as he had when they'd made love earlier in the evening.
"Faster!" She urged him after a few minutes had passed. "I'm needing to come!"
A few months ago, making a request like that caused her some discomfort, but she had learned since, that all she had to do is ask and Ken delivered.
As their bodies slapped together she moaned out. "Yes, just like that, Kenny!"
She pulled his mouth back to hers and kissed him as best she could between gasps and moans until she arched her back and came explosively. He managed a few more thrusts then released into her with a satisfied groaning of her name. Ken tried to stay upright so that his weight wasn't crushing her but she pulled him down and planted more kisses on his lips. He kissed her again then rolled to her side.
"Gonna bother getting dressed this time?" He grinned.
"I probably..." she paused to yawn. "Should but you have worn me out."
"As I was instructed, I believe. I'd offer to retrieve your PJ's for you but I feel a distinct lack of motivation to do that," he smiled as his fingers slid over her naked skin.
"I feel a distinct lack of wanting you to move right now myself," she smiled back.
He snuggled against her and gave her bare shoulder a soft kiss as she wriggled her bare bottom against his crotch.
"You're playing a dangerous game, Dr. Ripley," Ken groaned.
"What can I say, Mr. Grayson? I like to live dangerously with you," she answered. "Now go to sleep. We've got a morning swim waiting on us."
"In March? Much too cold for that," he said and snuggled her close.
"Too cold like that lake you fell into? Twice was it? Have you forgotten that I've heard all the stories about you from Scottie and the boys?"
"Known liars, the lot of them," he kissed her neck.
"Uh-huh, sure they are, Kenny," she patted his arm.
"Can't trust a word they say."
"Kenny?"
"Yes, Michelle?"
"Go to sleep."
"Can do... soon as you stop rubbing your hot butt against me."
"Never."
"Mmm, I love that answer."
