Merrville County

  Tuesday

  Fell's Springs

  Patterson Residence

  Dave is awakened by Detective Patterson, who pounces on him with a childish giggle, straddling his waist with her knees. Octavia leans forward, poking the tip of Dave's nose with her left index finger. Dave squints at the female detective out of one closed eye, a soft grunt issuing from his lips.

  "It's time to get up, Dave. I'm supposed to be sleeping in this morning. Which means...You don't have to go home," Octavia bends forward even more, kissing Dave's waiting lips. "But you can't stay here."

  Dave reaches up with both hands and tickles Octavia's sides through her silk nightgown. Detective Patterson lets out a gasp and rolls away from him. Dave laughs uncontrollably, as Octavia glares at him from her spot on the mattress.

  "Butthead!" Octavia says in a hoarse whisper.

  "I know you are...But what am I?" Dave responds, his face reddening with suppressed laughter.

  "Goodness, you can be such a child," Octavia chuckles, rolling her eyes and sitting up on the mattress.

  Kissing Dave a second time, Octavia stares deep into his eyes. Dave stares right back, one arm snaking around Octavia's shapely waist.

  "But...That's why...I'm in love with you, Dave," Octavia whispers, leaning closer. "I just wish...There weren't so many bad memories mixed into everything. I wish...Maybe things had been different between us. Dave, I...I'm seriously considering leaving the force."

  "What?" Dave almost yelps, his eyes widening. "What do you mean...Thinking about leaving the force? Policework is your life, Octavia? What brought this on?"

  "Well...Jackson left me because he couldn't handle the work that I do," Octavia replies, tears pooling in her eyes. "He couldn't handle a woman being in a position of authority. And he really didn't like the idea of other men..."Pawing" all over me. His words...Not mine. Jackson felt I was somehow emasculating him. My own daughter is dead because she wanted to be just like her mother. The sexy undercover cop. And now..."

  Octavia's voice trails off and she lightly strokes one side of Dave's face. Dave fantasizes grabbing Octavia and screwing some sense back into her. Instead, he silently watches her--and listens.

  "And now, I...I just don't want to lose you, Dave. I'm not sure this little situation we've got going on here can work long term. I want it to. Gosh, I want this to work. But I'm afraid."

  "Don't be," Dave whispers. "I'm not going anywhere. Not unless you tell me to."

  To prove his point, Dave takes Octavia's left hand and kisses the engagement ring he placed upon it the previous evening. Octavia allows him to kiss the ring, and her hand. The detective's mouth is drawn into a solemn pout.

  "I love you, Octavia. That's all there is to it. I'll do whatever I have to do to make you believe that."

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  "Okay, Dave."

  "But first, I need you to do something for me," Dave says with a sly grin.

  "What's that?" Octavia asks, eyes narrowed with suspicion.

  "I need you to get dressed," Dave replies.

  "Dave!" Octavia groans. "I told you...I'm supposed to be sleeping in today. After six weeks, I need a mini staycation. I don't want to get dressed."

  "Please, Octavia. It's important," Dave pleads, sitting up beside Octavia and kissing her repeatedly. "I promise I'll make it worth your while."

  "Oh, Dave. Come on. What could be so important at five in the morning? I'm exhausted. You kept me up all night. Now, you won't even let me sleep in."

  "Can't tell you," Dave answers. "Just trust me. It's important. It's about our future."

  "Our future?" Octavia asks, before Dave covers her mouth with another warm kiss.

  "Yes. Our future."

  "Okay, Dave. I'll get dressed."

  "Good," Dave whispers, kissing Octavia's neck. "I want you to wear that silver blouse I think is so hot on you. The one with the teeny holes and the low cut front. The one you wore out to dinner last month."

  "Dave? What the hell? Why?"

  "Because...It'll be great."

  "That's not an answer, Dave."

  "I know. You'll know why once we get there. Make sure you pair it with those black denim jeans. The ones that make your ass look big. I love those jeans."

  "Dave!?! Shut up! Oh my gosh! What has gotten into you?" Octavia squeals in disbelief.

  "I think you're asking the wrong question," Dave quips. "Come on, honey. Time is a'wasting. I'm gonna jump in the shower."

  "You do that," Octavia laughs.

  Before Dave slinks off of the bed, he pivots his upper body and kisses Octavia again. He offers her a sly wink.

  "Remember, the black jeans."

  "Get in that bathroom, Dave!"

  -

  -

  Shy of two hours later

  Castleton Police Department

  Dave and Octavia enter the operations room hand in hand. As expected, Sergeant Emerson steps away from her desk, sizing the couple up with her hawkish gaze. The sergeant's eyes stop midway up Octavia's cleavage. Phyllis scrutinizes the woman detective, her mouth twisting unattractively. Emerson's sour expression speaks volumes of her outward distaste for Octavia's wardrobe choice. Her body language exudes malice and growing envy.

  Octavia spots Detective Mackey as he exits Chief O'Leary's office and heads for his desk across the room. Detective Patterson waves her left hand in the air, attracting James' attention.

  "James? Hi! Good morning," Octavia calls in his direction.

  She and Dave head for Detective Mackey's desk without a word spoken to the frustrated Sergeant Phyllis Emerson. James is caught off guard when Octavia politely frees her right hand from within Dave's; only to cup his own face with both of her hands. She plants a tiny kiss on the stunned detective's lips. James expression turns quizzical as Octavia moves away.

  "What was that for? It's much too late for mistletoe. And please don't tell Madison," James only half jokes.

  "Quiet, you goof. And I think you know," Octavia says, raising her left hand so James can see the ring. "I believe this was your idea?"

  "No. Not mine. Dave's," James hurriedly says. "He just needed a little extra push."

  "Thanks anyway," Octavia replies, kissing James on his right cheek. "You're a good friend, James Mackey. I hope you realize that?"

  "Well, now that you mention it," James responds, winking in Dave's direction. "I guess it was sorta my idea. Dave steals everything."

  "Yeah right," Dave scoffs. "Like I'd steal any of your ideas, Mack. Your ideas usually land me in extremely hot water."

  The three friends share a short laugh. Across the operations room, Sergeant Emerson sits back down in her chair. She pretends to stir a cup of hot coffee on her desk. In truth, she is staring at Dave's wide back. Phyllis vividly imagines how it would feel to have the large deputy inside of her--instead of inside that damned woman detective. How it would feel to have his chest pressed firmly against her own. The sergeant's gaze shifts to Detective Patterson. What did Patterson ever do to deserve the likes of Dave Newsome? Nothing but a cheap whore in a police uniform. Maybe Dave will come to see that before it's too late.