DAMSEL IN DISTRESS

Mavis Applewater

yomavis@email.com

DISCLAIMERS:  Okay here goes this is an original story where the two of the main characters bare a striking resemblance to two characters on a certain television show owned by Universal/MCA, Renaissance Pictures among others.  Notice that I have stated that it bares a resemblance to the characters, not the actresses that play them.  Since I've never had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Lawless or Ms. O'Conner I wouldn't dream of writing about their personal lives.  But then again I seriously doubt that they'll be reading this little ditty.

This is a PWP therefore yes there is sex in this story and not just a little sex, there is a whole bunch of sex and it is between two consenting adult women.  You know the drill if you don't care for this type of story, don't read it.  If it is illegal for you to read this for any reason, stop now!

A special thank you to my beta reader Brunhilda.

CHAPTER ONE

The rain was coming down hard tonight. I could barely see two feet in front of me as I drove along the deserted road.  One last pick up and then I was done for the night.  Then I could go home.  I was looking forward to getting home; it had been a long day.  With this kind of weather it seemed that everyone was breaking down.  Not that I minded, the money was good.  Hell it was nights like this that made it for us drivers.  Of course Amanda, my now ex-girlfriend, hated that I drove a tow truck for a living.  She had always trying to get me to do something else. "Why can't you get a real job?"  She would nag.  Like helping stranded travelers wasn't a real job?  Plus I liked the freedom.  I was my own boss and during the winter months, between people breaking down and the jobs I got plowing, I made some damn good money.  I truly cared for Amanda but there was never any real spark between us.  All we seemed able to offer one another was the stability of being in a relationship.  Eventually it wasn't enough for either of us.

I spotted the flares lined up around the battered VW alongthe roadside.  I turned on my lights to alert the driver and other vehicles that I was approaching the scene.  I pulled behind the car and stepped out into the pouring rain, pulling the hood of my windbreaker over my head, I approached my last tow of the evening.  I rapped lightly on the driver's side window.

The window rolled down carefully.  Nothing could have prepared me for the sight of the beautiful woman inside.  She had shortblonde hair and the greenest eyes that I had ever seen.  "You called for a tow?"  I squeaked out staring openly at her.  "Thank God." She smiled up at me.  "I was beginning to worry.  My cell phone died right after I made the call to triple A."

"Why don't you tell me what happened?"  I asked her never breaking eye contact with her.

"I have no idea."  She said in a flurry.  "I was on my way home and all of sudden Sara started to lose power."

"Sara?"

"My car."  She explained.  "Her lights began to dim and then she just died right on the road.  I had to push her over here."

"Lucky you weren't hurt."  I said softly.  "Why don't you pop the hood and I'll see what I can do for you."

"Anything you say."  She responded in teasing voice.

I swallowed hard at the implication as I heard the hood of the car pop open.  I stumbled back and turned away from her.  "Is she flirting with me?"  I wondered as I turned back to find her leaning slightly out of the car.  "I think she was checking out my ass!" I said to myself.  I shook off the thought and got down to business.

After a quick look under the hood I quickly determined the problem.  I was just about to extinguish my flashlight when I felt a gentle caress on the small of my back.  I jumped slightly from the unexpected touch.  I spun around quickly to find her standing there, smiling sweetly up at me.  She was much shorter than I had expected.  Of course since I am almost six feet tall most people are shorter than I am. She had a fantastic body.  Her wet clothing that was clinging to her body left very little to the imagination.  I felt my body throb as I found myself staring at her breasts.

The wet material of her t-shirt was revealing that she wasn't wearing a bra and her nipples appeared to be erect.  I was lost in thoughts of running my hands up under her shirt when I felt her hand touching my thigh.  "I didn't mean to frighten you."  She explained softly.  I was struck mute by the heat coursing threw my body.  "So do you think you can get me started?"  She teased.  "Do I need a jump?"  She added playfully.

I inhaled sharply as I mentally warned myself not to go there.  "No."  I finally managed to say pulling away from her slightly.  My body immediately ached at the loss of contact.  "Your belt is loose."  I said quickly.  I gasped as she slid her hand down to the belt on her jeans.  "Your alternator belt is loose."  I stammered.

"That's why you're not getting any juice . . . I mean power."

"Oh?"  She responded with a smirk.

"Why don't you grab what you need from your car and wait in the truck."  I suggested quickly.  "It will be much warmer in there."

"I don't know it's pretty warm out here."  She answered in a husky tone before she turned and walked back over to her car.

I collected my thoughts and tried to cool my libido as I walked back to my truck.  I found her sitting in the passenger side with a leather jacket on and a large gym bag across her lap.  With her hair all mused up I thought she was simply adorable.  I climbed into the truck and pulled in front of the aging VW Rabbit.  I climbed out and performed the necessary functions to tow the little car.  Once I had the vehicle lifted safely in position I returned to the truck.  I explained that I could tow it to Dirk's Garage, it was nearby and had a reliable reputation. I also explained to her that she should have the alternator checked as well.  I accepted her AAA card and wrote down the information.  "Here you go Ms. Masters."  I said as I returned the card to her.  I had made a mental not of the name on the card.  "Ryan Masters."  I suddenly became concerned that there might be a Mr. Masters waiting for my frisky friend.

"Call me Ryan."  She answered sweetly calming my fears.

"I'm Casey."  I offered in a friendly manner as I pulled the truck out onto the road.

"It seems that both of our fathers wanted boys."  She laughed.

"Ah, not really I have six brothers."  I smiled.  "Casey is my middle name, I've always preferred it."

"Six brothers!"  She gasped.  "That's quite a family."

"Yup, there are ten of us all together."  I smiled at her interest.  "Well give or take."

"Excuse me?"

"It's hard to explain."  I sighed at the familiar question.  "We kind of have an extended family thing going, between marriages and step-parents and so on.  Five of us have the same Mom and I have two brothers from my Dad's first marriage and then the other three are step kids from my Mom's side.  Their Father was married to my Mom years ago and when he died in an accident they came to live with us."

"Wow it must have been great having such a large family."  She exclaimed.  "I always hated being an only child."

"It was."  I sighed with relief.  Most people didn't accept us as one family since not all of us were connected by blood, as if that mattered.  "The only hard part was trying to get into the bathroom in the morning."  "Why is it so easy to tell her all of this?  Amanda never wanted to talk about my family.  Hell she didn't want to see them half thetime!"

"It still sounds great to me, long line for the bathroom and all."  She patted my arm gently; I felt the heat from her touch shoot down my body in a decidedly southerly direction.  "I'll need to call a cab to come get me from the garage."  She added sadly.  "My cell phone died."

"Where do you live?"  I asked not wanting our time together to come to an end.

"East Lake Road."  She replied.  "About six miles from where you picked me up."

"That's pretty out of the way."  I answered.  "Is there someone who could come get you?"  I asked hoping that the answer would be no.

"No.  I live alone."  She answered.

"Must get lonely?"

"I like the quiet."  She smiled.  "I have a stressful job."

"What's that?"

"I don't want to talk about it."  She said flatly.

"Okay."  I answered casually, hoping that I hadn't offended her.  "You're my last stop for the night.  I could drive you home if you want?"

"I'd love it."  She answered seductively.

"Now how are you going to get yourself out of this one Casey?"I called into the office and explained that I was dropping off the car at Dirk's garage and that I would be calling it a night after that.  As I drove, my eyes began to wander over the blonde's well-toned body.I caught her looking at me as well.  Despite the dampness of my clothing, my body was on fire.  "What on earth am I thinking?  I don't even know this woman!"

We dropped off her car at the garage and I slipped her keys into the mail slot with a note explaining the situation.  Well I explained the mechanical situation and not my raging hormones.  During the drive to her house Ryan moved closer to me, I could feel the sweat beading up on my brow as my heart began to race.  She began to ask me questions, which I decided to answer with a simple yes or no.  "Just watch the road and get her home.  Then go home to your shower massage and everything will be okay.  Why am I fighting this?  After all I'm single now.  Yeah but I was in a relationship for almost five years, I have no idea how to act or what to say.  Hell I don't even know if she is gay."  I released a sigh of relief when we finally pulled into her driveway.

"Would you like to come in?"  She offered.  I just stared at her blankly.  I knew I should just say no but I couldn't resist those eyes or that body.  "You're soaking wet."  "You have no idea lady."  I thought as I clenched my thighs together tightly.  "I could dry your clothes for you and make you some coffee while we wait for them to dry.  You've been so nice to me, I couldn't very well let you drive all the way back to town in this condition.  Could I?"  I could see the desire in her eyes as she spoke.

I had just summoned up my courage to refuse her offer when I felt her hand caressing my thigh.  "Okay."  I agreed against my better judgment.  "I&rsquo;m just going to dry my clothes and have a cup of coffee and that is all!"  I cautioned myself.  We exited the truck and I followed her up the walk way to the ranch style home.  She opened the door and keyed in her security code, then flippedon the lights.  My heart was pounding against my chest as I followedher into the modest home.  "The bathroom is right over there." She explained as she pointed to the doorway.  "Why don't you go take off your clothes."  I gulped loudly at her suggestion.  "There is a robe hanging on the back of the door you can slip into."

"Thank you."  I stammered as I dashed off into the bathroom.

After I changed into the skimpy terry cloth robe that was far too small for me I took the liberty of brushing the snarls out of my hair.  "Just relax Casey, whatever happens, happens.  Face it, the girlis drop dead gorgeous and she doesn't seem like a serial killer.  Of course they never do.  Do they?"Shyly I stepped out of the bathroom clutching my wet clothing to my chest with one hand while trying to keep the hem of the robe from riding up with the other.  I foundthe living room deserted.  Hearing noises coming from down the hall and I decided to follow them.  I discovered her in her kitchen making coffee.  The sight of her standing there with her back to me clad ina pair of boxer shorts and black mid cut t-shirt was overwhelming. All sense of reason left me as I dropped my clothes onto the floor and just stared at her well-toned body.

She turned around and smiled at me seductively.  "Drop something?"  She teased.  Embarrassed I started to bend over to pick up my clothing.  "I've got it."  She answered with a wink as she kneeled in front of me.  "This is a little small on you." She said playfully as she ran her fingers across my exposed thigh. "But I like it."  She purred as she stood with my clothing.  "I'llbe right back."  She added before she left the room.

My heart was racing as I tried to gain control over myself.  "What the hell am I doing?  I'm standing here practically naked in a stranger's kitchen.  A very hot stranger who isn't the least bit shy about hitting on me."  My thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of Ryan's approaching footsteps.  .  She looked at me thoughtfully."Sorry."  She apologized shyly as she blushed slightly.  "I didn't mean to stare like that."

I simply shrugged in response and began to look at my feet. Suddenly I was feeling more self-conscious.  There was something in the way she had stared at me, I felt as if she was looking right into my soul.

"I put your clothes in the dryer, they should be ready in about an hour or so."  She said her voice quivering slightly as she spoke.

"Thank you."  I answered as I wondered why her demeanor had changed; now she seemed somehow withdrawn.

"Look I need to apologize."  She said suddenly.

"For?"

"I don't usually come on this strong."  She explained hesitantly.  "I had a day from hell on the job today.  To put it bluntly my car dying in the rainstorm wasn't the worst thing that happened today.  I just needed . . . to be close to someone."

"So if it hadn't been me then . . ." I said hotly, feeling suddenly defensive.  "A few moments ago I hadn't given a thought to her motives.  All I had cared about was seeing her naked body pressed against mine."

"It would have been my shower massage."  She cut me off in defense of herself.  "Look the truth is that I find you very attractive and I want to be with you.  I thought I saw the same thing in your eyes, that you needed to be close to someone tonight.  If I'm wrong or out of line, then I apologize.  I'll get your clothes and you can be on your way and you never have to see me again."

Well she was nothing if not direct.  "And if you're right?"  I asked her seductively.  A smile crossed her lips asshe slid one hand under her t-shirt and began to caress her own breast.  I swallowed hard as I watched her play with herself.  "If I'm right then you can do anything you want with me and leave in the morning and you never have to see me again."

"I still get that cup of coffee you promised me?"  I asked playfully.

"Coffee and anything else you want a taste of."  Ryan purred as her hand left her breast and slid down her stomach.  My jaw hit the floor as I watched her slide her hand into her boxer shorts.  My knees felt weak as I watched her hand moving rhythmically under the cotton material of her shorts.  I moaned as I watched her pleasure herself.She moaned as her hand began to quicken its movements.

I gasped, fighting with myself not to rip her shorts from her body so I could see everything that she was doing to herself.  She laughed at my startled expression.  "Yes."  She replied as her hips began to jerk in response to her touching.  "I know my current state of health Casey.  For reasons I won't go into I have been tested for every STD under the sun and I'm fine.  If you're not or there are any questions then tell me now.  I could be satisfied with just watching." She explained thoughtfully.

"I like watching you."  I admitted with a blush.  "In fact I would really like to see the whole performance."  I tugged playfully on the waistband of her shorts. "As for sharing, there is nothing stopping us."  I pressed up against her, grasping her hips with both of my hands and thrusting her into my body.  I could feel her hand as she touched herself, with each movement it brushed against my sex. I groaned in desperation when she stopped suddenly.  Looking deeply into my eyes, she removed her hand from inside of her shorts.

  "Are you certain?"  She demanded in a husky voice.

"Yes."  I gasped pushing myself against her feeling the cotton of her boxer shorts brushing against my sex.  I doubted that I had ever been this completely turned on in my entire life.

"Good."  She moaned in response, lifting a glistening finger to my lips.  I swallowed hard knowing that I would soon be able to taste her passion.  She ran her fingers across my lips and then pulled away slightly.  I could smell her very essence.  I licked my lips and tasted what she had offered me.  I was lost in the aroma and taste of this beautiful creature.  "Still want coffee or can I offer you something else?"  Ryan offered as she wiggled her eyebrows up and down.

I grabbed her wrist and drew her fingers back to my lips.  I plunged her digits into my mouth and sucked them greedily.  I could hear her breathing becoming labored as I drew every last drop of passion from her fingers.  Her free hand found it's way to my exposed thigh, the warm caress of her strong hand worked its way under the robe and cupped my backside.  I moaned and released her fingers from the warmth of my mouth.  "You like that?"  She asked as her other hand, now free from my grasp, slid under the robe and grabbed my other cheek.

"Yes."  I panted as I thrust against her my hips began a rhythmic grinding against hers as she massaged my ass.  I found myself staring at her full lips now parted as she gasped with pleasure.  I lowered my head towards her lips that seemed to be begging to be kissed.

I pressed my lips against hers hungrily.  The kiss quickly deepened as I ran my tongue across her soft lips.  Her mouth parted quickly, granting me entrance inside her warm mouth.  She grabbed my backside tighter as our hips began to move in a frantic pace.  My hands found their way quickly underneath her shirt as I cupped her full breasts in my hands.  We both gasped for air as our mouths separated. "Tell me what you want?"  She pleaded as I watched her pull her shirt up without waiting for my answer; she pulled the garment up over head and removed it before tossing it onto the floor.

The sight of her half-naked body was overwhelming.  I couldn't speak; all I could do was react to my desires.The one thought that occurred to me as my tongue reached out and circled her right nipple was that if this was some kind of test, I was failing miserably.  She moaned in pleasure as I took her breast eagerly into my mouth."Yes!" She gasped as her back arched, forcing more of herself into me.  I could hear her disappointed growl as I tore my mouth away.  She reached forward and untied the belt to the robe I was wearing.  Pulling open the robe she licked her lips at the sight of my naked form.  "You are so beautiful."  She said sweetly.  I leaned and captured her lips once again. I broke away as the need to breathe proved to be overwhelming.  I pulled her towards me and then moved behind her.

I pressed my wetness against her naked backside and began to grind myself into her.  "Touch yourself."  I whispered hotly into her ear.  I watched as she began to fulfill my request.  "I want to see."  I whispered again.  Understanding my desire she lowered her shorts down her hips and allowed them to drop to the floor.  Once the garment hit the floor she stepped out of it and kicked it aside.  I watched happily as her finger began to stroke her blonde curls.  Throughout this my hands held her hips tightly as I pushed myself against her, my rhythm building steadily as she rocked with me.

I was losing control quickly as the need to posses this woman became overwhelming.  I spun her around and increased my movements.  "Hold onto to the counter."  I ordered her.  She obeyed and tore her hands away from her own passion and grasped the white tiled counter.  "That's it."  She gasped as I spread her legs apart with my knee.I pressed my wetness against her bottom as she moved against me in a steady motion.  I felt as if I would explode.  I grasped her hips harder and moved her against my wetness. "That's it Casey take me."  She demanded harshly.What was this woman doing to me?  I spread her further and slid my fingers into her wetness.  She gasped at my touch.  Her body began to ride my fingers eagerly.  "Not yet my love."  I whispered hotly in her ear.

"Please."  She begged me.  "I need to . . ."

"No not yet."  I whispered once again.  "When your passion explodes I want to feel it all over me."  She could feel Ryan's body tremble at my suggestion. My fingers continued their rhythmic motionas she gasped for air. We were both so close to release it took all of the strength I had to slide my fingers out of her wetness.She growledas my touch left her.  I spun her around and captured her lips probingher mouth deeply.  My lips tasted hers and then worked their way down her chin and neck.

I kissed a trail down her firm body leaving goose bumps in my wake.  I sank to my knees in front of this goddess and lick my lips in anticipation.  I watched in delight as she offered herself to meand ran her fingers through my dark tresses.  Drawing her closer I tasted her and drank in her passion.  She growled as my tongue entered her.  My tongue plunged into her center in a steady rhythm.  I could feel her body trembling.  Moving my tongue I tasted her passion that was now overflowing.  "Please don't tease me anymore."  She pleaded.  I smiled up at her before.  The sight of her face flushed with excitement was almost too much for me.  I felt my body tremble. Gently I began to tease her clit with my tongue as I entered her with twofingers.  "Yessssss!" She screamed as my fingers and tongue danced in an increasing rhythm.

I felt Ryan's gentle fingers running through my hair urging me on.  My pace quickened as her thighs tensed around me.  Her moans urging me on, I captured her completely as her body arched and she screamed out her release.  I held her gently, still kneeling beforeher as she quivered from the aftershocks coursing through her body. As her body began to still, I slowly removed my fingers from inside of her. She trembled slightly from the loss of contact.  I rose to my feet and stood before her.  Never in my life had I felt so complete making love to another woman.

Ryan's hand gently reached up and caressed my cheek. "That was . . ." she panted heavily.  " . . . that was simply amazing."  She gasped.  "I need water."  She managed to squeak out. I chuckled at her admissions and reached behind her to retrieve a glass from the sink.  Ryan snuggled against my body; I filled the glass with water and handed it to her.  "Thank you."  She whispered softly, her hands shaking as she accepted the glass of water.

I smiled as I watched the smaller woman taking sips of the water as she tried to regain control of her breathing.  I felt myself pulling her closer, my hands began to make gentle circles across her back. There was something unexplainable about what I felt as I held this woman.  "I finally feel like I belong, that this is where I am suppose to be."  My feeling of comfort was interrupted as I felt tiny kisses working their way up my neck.

I found myself moaning softly as she began to tease my neck with gentle kisses and she ran her fingers thru my long black hair.  "Spend the night with my Casey."  She pleaded softly.  I could only gasp in response as I felt her hand take my own and squeeze it tenderly.  I could feel my blue eyes held captive by her green and I knew then thatI was lost.  I simply nodded my response.  Ryan smiled a smile that melted my heart and made my knees go weak.  "What was it about this woman that had captivated me so quickly? "

Before I could phathom what was happening I found myself in her darken bedroom being lowered onto a rich feather bed.  My breath caught as I drank in the vision above me.  "You are so beautiful."  I admitted as my voice trembled.  I smiled as she blushed from my comment.  My body trembled as I felt our bodies pressed together.  I knew it wouldn't be long before I crossed over the edge.  The very sight of her body was driving me crazy.

I found myself shivering as she captured my already erect nipple into her mouth.  Running my fingers thru her short blonde locks I pressed her closer to me begging her to take me.  I wasn't certain if I had spoken my request aloud.  I must have, or Ryan had simply read my mind.  Quickly I found myself being driven over the edge as she entered me."Ryan!"  I screamed out as my entire body arched as I exploded against her hand.

"Wait. . . ."I panted as her mouth found it's way down and began to pleasure me.I found myself looking down at a pair of delighted green orbs twinkling back at me from between my thighs.  "Are you trying to kill me?"  I managed to utter finally.  Ryan laughed as her tongue quickly tasted the inside of my thigh.  "Can I hold you?"  I asked quietly.

I felt utter contentment as I felt the little blonde powerhouse wrap herself around my body.I awoke the next morning to find our bodies still wrapped together.  "Good Morning."  Ryan whispered against my chest.In the distance I could hear my pager going off from somewhere in the distance.  I groaned as pulled Ryan's body closer to mine.  From the beside I heard a second pager beeping it's intrusion. "That's mine."  Ryan said grimly as she lifted her head.

"Back to reality I suppose."  She grumbled.

"Hmm."  I responded lost in thought.  "Ryan how are you going to get to work?"

"Uggh!"  She growled as she collapsed against me.  "I forgot about my car."

"Let me drive you."  I offered.

I smiled as Ryan accepted my offer,  I knew that I would spend the drive back into town trying to convince her to have dinner with me that night.  Something told me that Ryan would be resistant to my offer, but something else told me that I needed to get to know her better.  Who knows at the very least it could be the start of a beautiful friendship.

The End

SNOWY NIGHT

(DAMSEL IN DISTRESS - PART TWO)

Disclaimers: For those of you new in town, here’s the lowdown. Yes, I am well aware who they look like, and trust me, it isn’t them. The story and its characters are the sole possession of the author and may not be reproduced, posted, or sold without the express permission of the author. And doesn’t it just suck that I have to mention that. If for any reason, real or imagined, you do not enjoy stories with graphic descriptions of consenting adult women in sexual situations then do us all a huge favor and do not read this story or anything else I have ever written. If for any reason it is illegal for you to view this material then do me a favor and do not read my work until it is no longer a crime. Do they really make action figures for children since most adults have a stash hidden away from their kids?

Thanks to my beta reader Joanne.

As always, this is for Heather.

*****

The snow is coming down really hard now and it seems like I’ve been waiting an eternity for the tow truck. I know that it’s only been about twenty minutes, but when you’re stranded by the side of the road in the middle of a snowstorm on Christmas Eve, twenty minutes can seem like forever. Still, it isn’t like I have anywhere to go or anyone waiting for me when I get home. The solitary life I lead is my own doing. My family turning away from me because they wouldn’t accept my lifestyle and my demanding career has led me to being alone on Christmas Eve.

Tonight the most I can hope for is that the tow truck driver will be Casey. I haven’t seen the tall dark-haired beauty since the last time my aging Volkswagen Rabbit decided it wasn’t going to simply deliver me home in a timely fashion. I had accepted that Sara, my beloved car, had decided that heat was no longer an option. Still I held out hope that she would actually have the good manners not to break down in the middle of nowhere during the worst snowstorm in years. Silly me.

But if the fates smile on me and send the lovely Casey to my rescue, then perhaps I might just get a little Christmas gift after all. Then again there was no guarantee that Casey would be as willing or as eager as she had been on that rainy night. I sigh deeply as I recall how the taller woman’s libido matched my own. I know I’m blushing as the images of her making love to me in the middle of my kitchen fill my mind. I should be shivering from the cold but instead I find my body heat rising as the memories fill my senses.

It’s been several long and lonely months since I was so brazen with the beautiful stranger. Work has been overwhelming me. My job isn’t easy. I don’t even like to talk about it with people. When Casey drove me into town the following morning I had her drop me off at the coffee shop around the corner from the station. I didn’t want her to know what I do for a living. What could I say after that intense encounter? Oh by the way, I’m a homicide detective and I just spent the day looking at the dead bodies of two little girls. That certainly would have killed the mood.

As it turned out I didn’t have to worry since it appeared that my path was not destined to cross Casey’s again. I had hoped that she might return to my place late one night for at least one more performance. That was the problem with a really good one-night stand; it’s only for one night. "Bummer," I mutter to myself.

I’m so lost in the fantasy of Casey that I fail to notice the blinking yellow lights of the tow truck pulling in behind me. The sharp rap at my window makes me jump. I catch my breath as I check the rearview mirror to assure myself that it’s the tow truck and not some ax murderer wandering through the snowy wilderness. I roll down my window, and as the snow drifts inside my car, a pair of amazingly blue eyes smiles down at me.

"Have you ever considered buying a new car?" Casey teases me.

"Whatever for?" I quip in response as I try to calm the rapid beating of my heart. I look up and down the woman’s body I had the pleasure of knowing for just one magical night. I decide that she looks absolutely incredible even all bundled up in her heavy winter gear.

"Why don’t you go get warm in my truck while I look under Sara’s hood?" she offers in a warm tone that sends a shiver down my spine.

"Thank you," I accept as I pop the hood for her. I know my hands are shaking as I gather up the case files I’d been planning on working on tonight. I can’t help wondering - if I’m as brazen about my desires tonight as I was the last time, will she refuse me? As I trudge through the heavy snow towards her truck, I’m lost in my thoughts and my body is tingling with desire. It was strange how this woman, who I really don’t know anything about, can ignite such intense desire within me.

I feel the warmth creeping over my body and I try to see her while she looks at my car. I know the heat I feel isn’t emanating from the hot air blasting from the truck’s vents. My only problem is how to go about propositioning this gorgeous woman. Somehow the first time was much easier. Now we have a history of sorts, which suddenly is making the entire situation very uncomfortable.

Once again I’m stirred out of my musings as Casey opens the driver’s side door and stares at me with a grim expression. "What’s the verdict?" I inquire nervously.

"Honestly?" she asks with a grimace.

"Honestly," I assure her.

"I think you should get a gun and put that poor old car out of its misery," Casey bluntly informs me.

"Damn," I mutter as I contemplate a future without my beloved car. Granted, the relationship has been one sided in the past year or so, but Sara was my first car.

"Ryan?" Casey interrupts my thoughts. "I’m going to tow your car to Dirk’s; he’ll be straight up with you."

"I know; a lot of . . . ," I stammer, almost letting it slip that a lot of the cops go to Dirk, "my co-workers have recommended him. And he did a great job with my alternator."

"I’ll give you a lift back to your place if you want?" Casey added shyly.

"Thank you," I blurt out. "I mean, if it’s not out of your way, that would be great."

"Well, once again you’ve managed to be my last stop of the evening," Casey explains as she lingers outside of the truck’s cab. "Are you still out on East Lake Road?"

"Yes," I respond softly, unable to keep the smile from blossoming on my lips.

"Still enjoying your solitude?" she questions me with a hint of sadness.

"You could say that," I answer, the timber of my voice echoing hers.

I’m still considering whether or not I should invite her in for coffee once we arrive at my house as we drop of my poor little car at the garage. "Casey?" I begin carefully after coming to the realization that I might be intruding on the brunette’s life. In my excitement over seeing her again, I’d overlooked the fact that it was Christmas Eve and the object of many of my late night fantasies probably had plans. "I’m not interrupting your holiday, am I?"

"No," she reassures me with a soft smile. "I’m not seeing my family until tomorrow morning. Tonight most of my siblings are spending time with their respective in-laws. But tomorrow we’re all going to be together at my parents’ house," she explains as her smile grows brighter.

"I forgot that you come from a big family." I smile despite my own inner turmoil. Something about the way she talks about her family warms my heart. "Didn’t you tell me that you’re one of ten kids?"

"Wow." Casey smiles as she maneuvers her large truck across the slick roads that are quickly vanishing under a heavy snowfall. "I can’t believe that you remember that."

"It’s hard to forget." I laugh, feeling more and more at ease with the taller woman.

"Its just that my ex, Amanda, probably couldn’t name all of my siblings, much less remember how many of us there are, and we were together for over five years," she explains to me as she keeps a constant focus on the icy roads.

"Now I find that odd," I respond. "How could she not take an interest in your family? You’re obviously close to them. Tell me about them," I encourage her. I need to hear that someone out there has a normal loving family.

"Are you sure?" she asks. I can tell by her voice that she’s eager to tell me all about her nine brothers and sisters.

"I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t," I answer her honestly.

"Okay, here goes. Jarrod’s the oldest; he’s from my mother’s first marriage," she begins with a flourish. "Then there’s Frankie Jr. and Shaun from Dad’s first marriage. His first wife passed away. Then comes Maureen, she’s the oldest of the girls and she’s from Mom’s second marriage, then there’s Deshawna and Byron from Mom’s third marriage."

"Deshawna?" I ask, puzzled by the ethic-sounding name.

"Yes," she answers me as I watch her face tighten slightly. "Then George, Michael, and Stephen are actually Mike Sr.’s kids from another marriage, but when he and his wife died in an accident they just joined the family. Mike was mom’s third husband. Then there’s my sister Taylor. Then Mom and Dad met and had me and thankfully marriage finally worked out for Mom. They’ve been together for almost thirty-two years," she finished with a flourish.

"So your father is actually your mother’s fifth marriage?" I ask, curious as to why she skipped over Taylor’s placement in the lineup.

"Uhm no," she says softly. "Her fourth."

"Oh," I say quickly, understanding that Taylor’s father was probably a jerk.

"You’re very observant." Casey notes.

"Occupational hazard," I say before I can think better of it.

"And exactly what would that be?" she pries.

"The snow is coming down pretty hard," I comment in an effort to avoid the subject. "Are you sure you’re going to be all right driving on these roads?"

"Yeah," She answers me with a hint of hesitation. "Still don’t want to talk about your job?"

I ponder it as something in the back of my mind starts to worry me. I work with a lot of people who have the same names as Casey’s siblings, including my new partner Byron. Rumor has it that Byron’s related to Frances Stewart Sr., the commissioner. But that would be a long shot - the old man is a good old Irish cop as is my captain Frank Jr., and Byron is African American. "So you’re the baby?" I throw out in an effort to keep the conversation going while my mind is still processing what she’s told me.

"And they never let me forget it," Casey responds with a hearty laugh. "You don’t know what you missed being an only child. You have no idea what it’s like to have nine overprotective siblings. Dad was no picnic either. I keep telling them that I’m gay because they scared off every guy in town."

"I wonder if that logic would work on my stuffy parents?" I laugh, thinking how much of an embarrassment I am to my father, the Republican senator.

"You don’t get along with your family?" she asks me quietly.

"No," I answer, knowing that the bitterness I feel has slipped through. "Are you sure you’re going to make it back tonight?" I ask in concern and a deep need to once again change the subject.

When she fails to answer me, my eyes drift from her body up to hands that are fiercely gripping the steering wheel. "Casey?" I ask in a quiet tone, not wanting to break the intense concentration she was directing towards the blanket of white that was ahead of us.

"Sorry," she finally mumbles. "I was just wishing I had the truck with the plow on it."

"And you don’t because?" I ask, curious as to whether or not this beautiful woman and I were going to be snowed in together.

"Different purposes," she explains as her brow creases in worry. "This truck has a winch in case I need to pull someone out of a snow drift. Besides, my nephew Danny has the plow. I’m letting him earn some extra money for school. This truck is big and has four wheel drive so we should be able to make it to your place eventually."

"But there’s a good chance that you shouldn’t risk driving back into town," I finish her thoughts for her. "You know you can bunk at my place for the night," I offer. My heart skips a beat as I contemplate the possibilities. "Still, I don’t want you to be stuck with me and miss seeing your family tomorrow. Plus I know you might not be comfortable sleeping at my place after what happened the last time."

I hold my breath waiting for her answer while she slows her truck down. "Ryan, spending the night with you isn’t a problem," she explains to me in a breathy tone that makes my pulse race. "The last time was so amazing, and I would be a liar if I said that I wasn’t hoping to spend more time with you. I’m just more than a little worried about getting us to someplace safe. Once we’re someplace warm and dry, whatever does or does not happen is up to us."

"So the only question is which is the best choice - your place or mine?" I ask as I study the road ahead of us, or rather the deep layer of snow covering what was once the road. "Which one would be closer and the safest to get to?" I’m thankful that my libido has calmed down and I’m focusing on the more important issue.

Casey releases a heavy sigh as she studies the road and her rearview mirror. "Your place is closer," she finally informs me. "So do you at least have a tree up?"

"Yes." I chuckle. "I’ll even make you cocoa," I add with a slight purr. "You should call your family when we get there."

"I’ll take care of that now," she responds casually as she unclips the handheld radio from the dash. "Danny?"

"Aunt Sharla, where are you?" a young voice squeaks.

"Sharla?" I say in surprise as the last of the pieces fall into place. ‘Now I have a real problem,’ my mind screams as I realize whom my knight in shining armor really is.

"Problem?" she teases me.

"No," I grumble as she gives me a curious look.

"Danny, I’m on my way out to East Lake Road," Casey informs him. "Aunt Taylor is staying at my place. Could you call her and let her know that I’m staying at a friend’s tonight?"

Danny agrees and Casey goes through a list of things the young man needs to be wary of while he plowed that evening. I can hear the respect mixed with frustration in the young man’s voice as they speak. It warms my heart to see how close Casey is to her family. "Just humor me and be careful. Don’t work too late or your Dad will skin me alive," Casey cautions him once more before cutting the connection.

"I think it’s sweet how you’re more worried about him plowing around downtown then you are about yourself driving around in the middle of nowhere," I say with a light laugh.

"He’s just a kid," she protests.

"And how old is this kid?" I push, knowing that if he needs money for school that he’s probably at least old enough to vote. I smile as we finally turn onto East Lake Road. It would be another couple of miles to my house and the long stretch of road is darker than usual.

"Twenty-one," Casey informs me. "You know how it is; he’ll still be just a kid to me. Looks like the power lines are down. Please tell me your heating isn’t electrical."

"Oil," I reassure her as we creep along the road. "And the stove is gas so I can still make your cocoa. And we can take a hot shower when we get in." I blush as I realize that my statement implies that we’ll shower together. Although the thought is more than a little appealing to me, I’m still not certain where I stand with the desirable Miss Casey and now I have a new problem.

"I like the sound of that," Casey responds softly as she finally pulls into my driveway. I’m impressed that she remembers which house it is after all this time.

I unload my belongings from her truck and she follows me up to the front door. I grumble when I notice that the power is indeed out. I unlock the door and we step inside. Despite the cold, I can feel a crackling of electricity flowing between us. I briefly wonder if it would be rude of me to simply jump her right then and there. "Let me get some candles lit," I offer as I set my things down on the sofa. "Make yourself comfortable."

I begin to light the candles that I have lying around the living room as holiday decorations. She removes her coat and boots and steps further into the room. I can see she’s shivering. Before I offer her a shower, there’s something I need to know. "Casey, is your last name Stewart?" I nervously ask as I move the candles to safe locations.

"Yes," she says in surprise. "Didn’t I tell you that?"

"No," I respond with a heavy sigh. "So your father is Commissioner Stewart and your brother Frankie is Captain Stewart?" I ask as I shrug off my leather coat, knowing that my badge is clipped to my belt.

"Yes," she responds flatly. "What’s wrong?" Her voice trails off as she spots the badge. "You’re a cop? Why the big mystery? Ryan, with the exception of Maureen who’s a doctor, Shaun who’s a priest, and Taylor who’s with the FBI, everyone in my family is a cop. Hell, I used to be on the force. It would be safe to assume that I wouldn’t have a problem dating one."

"I know. That’s not the problem." I chuckle. "You’re the commissioner’s daughter; any cop would be an idiot to cross that line."

"You’ve already crossed that line," Casey points out to me in a husky tone.

It’s true. I’d slept with the big boss’ daughter and my boss’ baby sister. The expression ‘beyond screwed’ rings in my ears as I brace myself for the next question I must ask. "Your brother Byron - is he African American by any chance?" I ask as a sense of dread fills me.

"Yes," she responds cautiously. "Half of my siblings are. Mike Sr. was black. You got a problem with that?" she spits out accusingly.

"No," I respond, almost laughing at the accusation. "Byron Mitchell is my new partner." I watch as her crystal blue eyes widen in sudden understanding. "He talks about his baby sister Sharla a lot. He is very overprotective and I’m beginning to fear for my life."

"Sorry." She laughs and I’m drawn in by the delightful sound of her rich laughter. "It’s just that this is a small and not always understanding town. From what I’ve heard my own grandparents freaked out when Dad started dating a divorcee with a boatload of kids. And they were less than thrilled that not all of her kids were white. It’s led to some problems."

I stand there trembling as I wonder just how short my life span will be if any of my co-workers ever find out about my tryst with the baby of the Stewart clan. I risk glancing over to look at the woman who can set my body on fire with a simple glance or smile. She’s shivering. "Why don’t you take a shower and get warm? I’ll put on some hot chocolate and find something for you to put on," I timidly suggest.

"Wow, I can’t believe it," she addresses me incredulously. "This is quite a change. Aren’t you the same woman who gave me a complete floorshow in her kitchen the last time I was here? Are you no longer attracted to me or are you that intimidated by my family?"

I look over at her and once again I feel my body demanding that I reach out to her. "Trust me; I’m still attracted to you," I confess in a breathy tone. "I’ve been dreaming about you," I shyly confess in a soft voice that I pray she can’t hear.

"Then what’s the problem?" she asks me as she closes the distance between us. "What do you want Santa to bring you tonight, Ryan?" she teases me as she runs the tips of her fingers along the damp collar of my shirt.

I know that I’m trembling and I realize that the tables have turned completely from our last encounter. I know what I want, and from the hungry gaze she’s casting down upon me, I know that Casey wants the same thing. Tonight it’s her turn to lead the dance and I’m the one who’s helpless to resist. I feel as if she has stripped me bare and left me exposed to all of my deep hidden desires.

Her hot breath is warming my cold face as she leans closer to me. "Ryan, it’s Christmas Eve and I want to spend it unwrapping you," she says, leaving me no room for doubt as her voice deepens. "Tell me what you want on this magical night."

"You," I managed to choke out as I feel her lashes brushing against my skin.

My knees buckle as her lips brush against my neck and her hands drift down the front of my damp clothing. "Let’s take a shower and get warmed up," se whispers hotly in my ear.

"I don’t think I can get any warmer," I whimper weakly as I feel her hands unbuckling my leather belt.

She captures my lips in a soft sensual kiss as she yanks on the ends of my belt and pulls me against her warm inviting body. She deepens the kiss and begins to explore my mouth thoroughly as she guides me towards the bathroom. I feel one of her hands tighten her hold on my belt as her other hand resumes its exploration of my shirt buttons. We stumble into the dark bathroom, never breaking from the fiery kiss.

I can feel my lower anatomy pulsating with desire as she removes my shirt and bra. I pull her shirt from her wet jeans as I feel my belt slipping from the belt loops of my Levis. We’re both panting for air as the kiss comes to a reluctant end. I begin fumbling with the buttons of her shirt; my eyes are straining in the darkness in an effort to see her ample cleavage.

Divine intervention blesses me when I notice the light in the hallway flicker on. "Perfect timing," I sigh as I reach behind Casey and flick on the bathroom light, my eyes never straying from her chest. "Oh God," I whisper as I begin to lower her shirt down her shoulders.

I’m stunned when she captures my hands. I look deep into her crystal blue eyes and feel myself drowning in her desire. I’m trembling as I feel the soft leather of my belt wrapping around my wrists. Her eyes drift from mine as she looks around and I feel the dampness of my passion seeping from my body. I know what she’s looking for as she guides me back out of the bathroom, tugging on the leather restraint.

"Yes," I hiss as she backs me up against the wall and lifts my arms up over my head. I’m squirming against her body as she ties my belt to the beam running along the upper part of the wall. "I’ve been dreaming about you too," she purrs as she runs her fingers down along my arms.

"Show me," I beg as I grind my aching center against her body.

"You’re so beautiful," she whispers against my skin as she begins to kiss her way down my neck. I squirm harder against her body, needing to feel more of her. I struggle against the restraint holding my wrists captive as Casey’s mouth slowly moves further down my body. She moans against my tingling flesh as she licks the valley between my breasts. My eyes flutter shut as she traces my already erect nipple with her tongue. I arch my body, hoping that I will feel her tongue against my nipple. Instead she submits its twin to the same delightful torture.

I feel something brushing against my wrist and almost laugh as I spy my gold badge still dangling from my belt. My eyes snap shut once again as her tongue flickers across my nipples. My entire body arches in response as I struggle to feel her. I wrap my legs around her waist as she suckles one of my nipples eagerly. She continues to tease me as I grind insistently against her body.

My entire body is on fire as she teases my breasts with her mouth and her hands while I rock against her in a wild rhythm. Her long hair brushes against my skin as I feel myself nearing the edge. I whimper as she releases my breast from the warmth of her mouth. My eyes drift open as I feel her unwrapping my legs from her body. I’m trembling with anticipation as her hands roam my half naked body. "Please," I plead as I struggle to free my hands so I can touch her.

"Ssh," she offers gently as her hands caress my waist. I inhale sharply as she lowers the zipper of my jeans. I fight to control my breathing as she begins to lower my pants down my body, kissing every inch of exposed flesh along the way. My mind drifts to the first night we spent together and how good her tongue felt buried inside of me. I look down at her kneeling before me as the aroma of my desire fills the small hallway. She nuzzles my passion-soaked panties while she runs her long fingers along the inside of my thighs. My hips trust forward, pleading for more contact.

I lick my lips in anticipation; I feel her finger slip beneath the elastic of my underwear as she kisses my abdomen. My entire body jerks in response and I part my thighs, inviting her to take whatever she wants from me. My back presses against the wall as her hands move up to my hips. I watch her every movement as I anticipate her touch. "Casey," I gasp as she lowers my underwear down past my hips.

Soon my underwear joins my faded jeans in a pool around my ankles as Casey kisses her way back up my legs. Each time my body trembles, she insists on revisiting the spot and lavishing it with kisses. I part my legs as far as my clothing will allow as I feel her breath on my thigh. I moan as she nips and tastes the tender flesh that’s already quivering from her touch. "Ryan," she moans softly as I feel her fingers dipping into my wetness.

I struggle to breathe as she licks away the wetness that has painted the inside of my thighs. She’s so slow in her movements that I’m certain that I’ll pass out before she finishes pleasuring me. I’m lost as her fingers glide along my slick folds as she continues to lick my thighs. I can feel my clit pulsating in a steady rhythm as she teases me. "Casey," I repeat. My head is spinning while one of her hands gently caresses my hip and the other finds its way into her mouth.

I’m helpless as I watch her suck my wetness from her fingers. I cry out when she grazes her thumb across my throbbing clit. Once again her touch retreats as I feel the blood rushing down towards my clit. I tug against my belt in an effort to free myself as she dips her tongue into my wetness. My head falls back as I feel her slowly stroking me with her flattened tongue. Casey’s murmurs of pleasure fill me as she suckles my aching nub into the warmth of her mouth and I feel her fingers pressing against the warm wet opening of my center. I thrust against her touch; I crave the feel of her filling my body.

Instead she teases me as she pleasures me with her mouth. I feel a sudden rush as she enters me. Her fingers wiggle inside of me while her mouth feasts upon my wetness. Soon her mouth and her hands are moving in unison as I beg her for release. My ears are ringing as she takes me harder. I feel my passion consuming me as my entire body begins to explode. Just as my climax threatens to overtake me, her mouth leaves me. "Please, Casey," I plead as she rises up and stands before me.

The look she gives me burns my soul as I feel her fingers resume plunging in and out of my wetness. She kisses me and I almost explode from tasting myself on her lips. I feel her adding another finger deep inside of me as our tongues wrap around one another. I am riding against her touch as she takes me harder. "Yes!" I scream as I tear my lips from hers. Casey’s body melts into mine as I rock furiously against her.

She pinches my erect nipple while she plunges deeper inside of me. I lose all sense of reality as my body explodes against her knowing touch. My body is still rocking urgently against her when she whispers in my ear, urging me to fall over the edge once again. I can’t breathe as I feel my very essence slip from my body.

I’m still struggling to breath normally when I became aware of the fact that my wrists were no longer bound and we were curled up on the floor. I was clinging to her as she held me in a warm embrace. "Shower," I manage to sputter out as I pulled myself from her tender embrace. Somehow I manage to help undress Casey as we stumble back into the bathroom. I kiss her deeply while I fumble to adjust the water temperature.

"Now I get to show you what I’ve been dreaming about," I boast as I drag her naked body into the warm wet confines of my tiny shower.

"I’m all yours," she promises as I start to run a thick lather all over her body. I take my time as I caress every soapy inch of her glorious flesh. I carefully wash every inch of her and rinse the soap from her body. I’m lost in the sight of the lather flowing down her long firm body.

"Are you?" I ask as I wrap my arms around her from behind. I cup her breasts as I press my wetness against her backside. "Are you mine?" I repeat before I begin to kiss her back and lick her spine.

"Yes," she cries out as I press her against the tiled wall.

I part her shaking thighs with my knee and she presses her hands against the wall in an effort to remain standing. I grind my clit into her firm flesh as she moans with need. "Say it again," I instruct her as I run my hands along her body.

"I’m yours," she chokes out and I hear the intense desire in her words.

I thrust against her as I dip my small fingers into her wetness. She moans again as I run my fingers along her sex. Our hips fall into a steady rhythm as I enter her. Her body rides against me as her hips sway backwards and I take her deeper. Her cries of pleasure ring out as I feel her body climaxing against me.

I hold Casey until she stops trembling and the water turns cold. We step out of the shower quickly, giggling like teenagers. We make the mistake of trying to help the other dry off only start kissing again. "Uh uh," she cautions me. "I know how you are. You think you’ll get out making me hot chocolate by diverting my attention with hot sex."

"You’re on to me." I laugh as I wrap a large robe around her. I smile as I see that my oversized robe is still far too small for her.

"In fact, you still owe me a cup of coffee from my last visit," she points out as I put on my other robe. I grimace at the sight of it. Like my car it’s seen better days but I just can’t seem to part with it.

"Why don’t you go into the living room and light a fire while I make the hot chocolate?" I suggest eagerly. "And I’ll make you coffee in the morning."

"You have a fireplace?" she states in surprise as we step out into the hallway.

"I forgot. You really didn’t see that much of this place the last time," I say with a blush as I begin to gather up our clothing so I can toss them into the dryer.

"Kitchen, bedroom. That was about it," she informs me as she hands me my belt with my badge still dangling from it.

"Thanks," I mumble as I feel my blush growing deeper.

Once the hot chocolate is ready, I carry it out to the living room. I smile at the sight; the fire is burning in the fireplace, the tiny white lights on the tree are lit, and Casey is snuggled up on the sofa. "Thanks for lighting the tree," I say as I hand her a steaming mug of hot chocolate.

"Ooo . . . marshmallows." She beams as I sit next to her.

"Only the best," I quip as I feel myself becoming lost in her captivating smile. This time I know it isn’t only a sexual attraction. The thought suddenly fills me with a sense of panic.

"Merry Christmas, Ryan," she whispers as I feel the panic slip from my body.

"Merry Christmas, Casey," I echo, unable to stop the silly grin from breaking out on my face.

The End

MORNING FROST

(DAMSEL IN DISTRESS - PART III)

Disclaimers: Despite an eerie resemblance to a certain leather-clad television character and her spiffy sidekick, this story and its characters are the sole possession of the author and may not be reproduced, posted, or sold without the author’s permission. So there! If for any reason, real or imagined, you do not wish to view material with graphic descriptions of a loving sexual relationship between two consenting adult women, then here’s a thought - don’t. In fact, don’t bother reading anything I have ever written; it will spare both of us any further anxiety. If for any reason it is illegal to view such material then please, I’m begging you not read this story until it is no longer a crime for you to do so. Just remember - if your friends and family didn’t pick on you, strangers would.

A big thank you goes out to my beta reader Joanne.

As always, this is for Heather.

*****

Ryan was slowly waking up as she snuggled closer to the warm inviting body next to her. The blonde’s emerald eyes flew open in a sudden panic and she spun around quickly. She almost laughed at her antics when she saw Casey sleeping contentedly. The memories of the night before came flooding back to the tiny blonde. She lifted her body up and placed her hand over her still rapidly beating heart. Ryan couldn’t keep the smile from emerging.

Casey was still sleeping soundly with a blissful smile on her face. Ryan peered over at her bedroom window to see that the sun was just beginning to kiss the morning sky. There was a sheet of frost on the windowpane. Ryan’s heart ached slightly to see the snow-covered ground and the clear sky. Now that the storm had passed there would be no reason for Casey to stay.

Ryan’s emerald eyes drifted back to her slumbering lover whose nipples had become slightly erect from the cool morning air. It was an inviting sight that was making the blonde’s mouth water. It was Christmas morning and she’d found the best gift she had ever received lying naked in her bed. "Hmm," she sighed contentedly.

The slumbering brunette’s hands began to wander in search of something warm to cover her naked flesh. Ryan inhaled deeply when Casey’s hands found her. Casey wrapped her arms around Ryan’s waist and drew her closer. Ryan bit back a delighted moan as their bodies melted together. Casey did release a soft moan as Ryan’s body blanketed hers.

The blonde snuggled closer to the taller woman as she pulled the bedding up around them. Ryan if she should awaken her contentedly sleeping companion. Her brow crinkled in worry. She was well aware of the fact that Casey had plans to spend the holiday with her family. Ryan tried in vain to push aside her own selfish desire to keep the sexy woman in her bed for as long as possible. Finally greed or pure lust won out and Ryan snuggled closer to Casey’s warm inviting body. Soon she joined her lover in a blissful slumber.

Sometime later Casey awoke to feel of Ryan’s warm breath caressing her shoulder. She released a happy sigh as she relaxed into the feel of the blonde’s body wrapped around her own. Slowly she opened her eyes, blinking slightly as the morning sun assaulted her. She craned her neck to look through the window to see the ground covered in a wonderful blanket of white. "Christmas snow," she whispered happily. Her smile vanished when she noticed that the storm had passed. The roads would be clear enough to allow her large truck safe passage back home.

Ryan suddenly jerked from her grasp and sat up. Casey almost broke out in a fit of laughter as Ryan looked down at her in confusion. It was evident that the smaller woman was not accustomed to finding someone else in her bed. "Merry Christmas," Casey offered tenderly as Ryan’s lips blossomed into a smile.

"Merry Christmas," Ryan responded gleefully.

Casey watched as the blonde’s face suddenly turned sullen. "You seem surprised to find me here," Casey said with a hint of worry.

"I should have woken you earlier," Ryan shyly explained as Casey’s hands came to rest on her hips. "I just wasn’t ready for goodbye just yet."

"You don’t have to," Casey suggested as she ran her fingers up along the gentle curve of Ryan’s body.

"Really?" Ryan responded with a soft purr as her skin danced from her lover’s tantalizing touch. The blonde finally shook her head in an effort to clear her thoughts. "Wait! What about your family?"

"You could come with me," Casey suggested hopefully.

"I . . . uhm . . . ," Ryan began to stammer as a wave of panic rushed over her.

"Problem?" Casey pushed as she reached up and guided Ryan closer to her.

The tall brunette lifted her long frame up and met her lover who was now straddling her body. Casey quickly captured the flustered blonde in a passionate kiss. Ryan’s hands began a soft exploration of her lover’s body as their tongues engaged in a promising battle for control.

Casey took advantage of their position, allowing her hands to wander between them and cup the blonde’s firm full breasts. The brunette allowed her lover’s breasts to fill her hands as she brushed Ryan’s nipples with her thumbs.

Ryan could feel the fear slipping away as Casey began to tease her erect nipples between her long agile fingers. As her fears slipped away, her resolve quickly followed. She had the sudden nagging feeling that she was about to agree with whatever Casey suggested. Ryan felt lightheaded as the kiss gently ceased. The blonde’s head slumped onto her lover’s shoulder. She shivered as she felt her lover’s hot breath on her neck.

Ryan kissed the soft flesh of her lover’s shoulders as the brunette’s fingers continued teasing her nipples with a sense of urgency. "Casey," Ryan gasped as her lover nibbled gently on her earlobe. ‘I’ll just make love to her one more time,’ Ryan mentally reasoned as she convinced herself that she would be able to simply send Casey on her way afterward. As she felt her body being lowered down onto the bed, Ryan briefly wondered if one more time would be enough to quell the desire she had for this woman.

Casey knew she was playing with fire. The brunette just couldn’t resist the urge to touch Ryan for what could possibly be the last time. As Casey began to kiss her way down Ryan’s firm body, she wondered just what it was about the commitment-phobic blonde that drove her past all sense of reason. Casey tried to brush aside her concerns as she felt Ryan’s body quivering from her touch. As the musky aroma of Ryan’s arousal filled her senses, Casey looked up and saw her lover looking back at her with a smoky haze of pure desire.

The intensity of Ryan’s stare caused Casey to freeze for a moment as she stared back. Casey’s eyes drifted along her lover’s body. She memorized each curve as her gaze drifted back up along the small blonde’s incredible body until she was once again locked in a fiery emerald gaze. If this was to be their last time, this was how Casey wanted to remember Ryan.

Ryan felt as if her heart had stopped beating; time stood still while she looked deeply in the tow truck driver’s crystal blue eyes. She became aware of her labored breathing but she refused to relinquish the intense stare. Somewhere in the back of her mind a voice was screaming for her to stop, reminding her that the last thing she wanted was to get involved with someone. And if she did decide to get involved with someone, Sharla Casey Stewart was most definitely out of the question. Instead of stopping, she continued to look deeply into Casey’s eyes. One of her hands drifted down along her own body and she kept her body supported by placing her other arm behind her.

Ryan smiled at the way Casey’s eyes lit up as she followed Ryan’s movements. Neither of them spoke as Ryan began to fondle her own breasts. The only sounds in the room consisted of the heavy gasps they were both involuntarily releasing. Ryan felt as if Casey’s eyes were burning into her as the blonde’s hand drifted down to the soft patch of golden curls. Ryan knew that simply sleeping next to the gorgeous tow truck driver had inflamed her passion; still, she was unprepared for the flood that greeted her touch.

"You have no idea what you do to me," Ryan confessed huskily as Casey continued to watch her fingers gliding along her sex from her perch between the detective’s legs.

Casey was unable to speak as she watched Ryan’s fingers glide along her slick folds. She inhaled sharply as the blonde began to tease her own clit. Casey could feel her own clit throbbing as she watched Ryan pleasure herself. The brunette was ready to explode when the blonde suddenly stopped and offered her glistening fingers up to Casey’s lips. Eagerly Casey grasped Ryan’s wrist and drew the blonde’s hand closer. She plunged the glistening fingers into her mouth and suckled them greedily.

Ryan moaned in pleasure as Casey licked away every last drop of passion from her fingers. The blonde fought to control her breathing as Casey teased her sensitive fingers with her teeth and her tongue. She whimpered as her lover finally released her fingers from the warmth of her mouth. She caressed the brunette’s face as her lover lowered her mouth to her wetness. Ryan whimpered and her eyes fluttered shut while her lover began to drink in her passion.

Ryan forced her eyes open as she felt her lover lifting her body slightly. Casey’s strong hands cupped the blonde’s backside while Ryan continued to hold her body upright with one arm. The blonde ran her fingers through her lover’s long black hair, guiding her to where she needed her the most. Ryan’s body lifted higher as she felt her lover’s tongue enter her. "So good," Ryan managed to say as she looked into her lover’s twinkling eyes.

Casey fought to hold her lover’s body steady as she plunged in and out of the blonde’s warm wet center. She massaged Ryan’s firm flesh as her tongue slipped from the warmth and glided up to her throbbing clit. Casey murmured in delight as she drowned in her lover’s overflowing passion. She suckled the blonde’s clit while her lover’s hips thrust forward. Her eyes never left her lover’s heaving body and she suckled her harder as she waited to hear her lover begging her to take her over the edge.

Ryan felt as if her body was about to take flight as Casey’s mouth devoured her. "Please," she gasped finally. "Baby, please! I need you inside of me. Take me," she pleaded, knowing that her lover was waiting to hear those very words. Her plea was granted as Casey’s fingers entered her while her mouth hungrily feasted upon her. Ryan rode against her lover’s touch as she fought to keep herself from losing control. Casey’s tongue and fingers pleasured her in a wild rhythm and Ryan was no longer able to resist the tidal wave of passion that was screaming to be released.

Casey fought to hold Ryan close to her as the smaller woman’s body exploded. Her lover released a passionate cry as her entire body lifted up and escaped Casey’s grasp. The brunette climbed up her lover’s trembling form and brushed her short blonde locks from her sweaty brow before wrapping her up in a tender embrace.

"What were we talking about?" Ryan finally choked out once she was able to breathe again.

"I was wishing you a Merry Christmas," Casey quipped before placing a soft kiss on the blonde’s shoulder.

"Oh right," Ryan sighed. "If that’s how you wish someone a Merry Christmas, I’m curious as to how you wish them a Happy New Year."

"Wouldn’t you like to know?" Casey purred in the blonde’s ear. She laughed as Ryan trembled. "Now I need to get going. Are you going with me or not?"

Casey felt the smaller woman stiffen in her embrace. She knew she had to be direct or else Ryan would squirm out of the invitation. "Chill out," Casey instructed her. Ryan rolled over and looked up at Casey who was now leaning over the smaller woman’s body. "I’m not asking for your hand in marriage. I’m simply inviting you to a holiday dinner. I’m not happy with the thought of you spending your Christmas alone."

"It’s Christmas. I do have plans," Ryan protested as she rolled over and sat up.

"Yeah, pouring over your case files and throwing a couple of Pop Tarts in the toaster oven," Casey said bluntly. "Look, I’m not asking for a date. But you’ll know most everyone there and Mom is a great cook."

"That’s the problem," Ryan confessed with a heavy sigh.

"Mom’s cooking?" Casey teased.

"No," Ryan grumbled as she turned back to Casey. "I’ll know almost everyone there. Besides I really do have plans," Ryan lied.

"Great." Casey smiled in response. "I’ll give you a ride," she offered, knowing that she had caught the little blonde in a lie.

"Creep," Ryan grunted. "You really are old man Stewart’s kid, aren’t you?"

"He he," Casey chuckled. "So I was right about the case files and the Pop Tarts?"

"Yes," Ryan hissed.

"Look, you’ll be going as my friend," Casey asserted, hoping that Ryan would agree. For some unexplainable reason, it broke her heart to think of the small blonde sitting home alone on Christmas. "No one, and I mean no one, has to know we slept together."

"Right." Ryan laughed. "A room full of cops, plus a priest, an FBI agent, and your mother, who after raising ten of you little darlings will probably be the first to figure it out."

"So? I’m an adult," Casey protested.

"I work with these people," Ryan argued. "Your brothers are going to beat me up."

"No, they won’t," Casey continued to protest.

"Yes, they will," Ryan blurted out in a panic. "And Byron will be leading the pack. He knows that I’m not the marrying kind. I’m not, by the way."

"Fine," Casey responded in exasperation. She almost laughed at the sheer look of panic clearly written across the blonde’s face. "Hey, what part of ‘I’m not hitching up the U-haul’ did you miss? I’m just offering dinner. No big deal. I thought it would be nice to spend some time together when the weather doesn’t completely suck and we’ve got our clothes on."

Ryan chewed on her lip nervously. Casey was wearing her down. She wanted to spend more time with the tall brunette. But the thought of spending time with her and her entire family scared the hell out of the blonde. She opened her mouth to respond several times but just couldn’t find the words. She wiped away the beads of sweat that seem to be oozing from every pore on her brow. Her heart was pounding in her chest as she wallowed in her inability to make a decision.

She watched in horror as Casey got up off her bed. "Where are you going?" Ryan blurted out in a panic.

"I have to go," Casey flatly informed her.

Ryan felt numb as she watched Casey’s naked body walk out of her bedroom. She could hear the brunette wandering around as she struggled to gather the courage to accept Casey’s offer. All too soon Casey returned to her bedroom fully dressed. "Merry Christmas, Ryan," the brunette offered sincerely. "Enjoy the Pop Tarts." Ryan sat there and watched her lover walk away while her mind screamed for her to do something. As she heard the front door close, she knew it was too late.

Almost a week later Ryan was sitting at her desk staring blankly at her case files. She hadn’t been able to eat or sleep since Christmas. She wanted to call Casey. She needed to hear the brunette’s voice. But Ryan had no idea what she would say to the sexy tow truck driver. How does one apologize for being an emotional coward? She should be focused on the case at hand, but she was constantly lost in thoughts about Casey.

"You want to talk about it?" Byron asked her.

"Talk about what?" she grumbled, unable to meet his gaze.

"Why you’ve been walking around like you just lost your best friend?" he offered gently.

"My car died," she offered, hoping that it would be the end of the conversation. Still, a little voice inside of her had been nagging her all week to pump her partner for details about Casey.

"Again?" He laughed. "Why don’t you just buy a new car?"

"I am," she said with a heavy sigh. "Dirk said it was time to pull the plug."

"I could have told you that." Byron snorted in disgust. "So what else is bothering you?"

"Nothing," she lied.

"Masters?" he pushed.

‘Geez, what is it with this family? Are they psychic or something?’ she mentally groaned. "So how was your holiday?" she asked in an effort to change the subject.

"Great." Byron beamed. "The whole family got together Christmas Day. Nothing like having everyone together and a bunch of kids running around on a sugar high." He laughed.

Ryan finally looked up and met his gaze. She smiled as she realized that he had the same laugh as his younger sister. "The things you miss when you’re an only child," she said with slight smile. She and Byron hadn’t been working together for very long; he hadn’t spoken much about his family. For the first time Ryan realized it was probably because she was so standoffish when it came to talking about her own.

"I can’t even imagine what that would be like," Byron responded with a slight shiver.

"Well, I guess when you have nine siblings the thought of being an only child must seem foreign," Ryan added before she realized what she had done.

"How did you know that?" he asked in sudden interest.

"You must have told me." She shrugged as she prayed that her partner would suddenly develop a lapse in memory.

"No, I didn’t," he corrected her.

"I . . . uhm . . . ," she stammered. "It must have been Casey."

"When did you meet Sharla?" he inquired with a hint of coldness in his voice.

"Relax. She towed my car," Ryan quickly informed him as her palms began to sweat.

"Oh," he said with a sigh of relief.

"Thanks a lot, pal," she fumed as she shoved her files shut and stood, slamming her chair against the desk.

Ryan retreated to the break room in search of some space and a cup of coffee. Ryan was furious that Byron had assumed the worst. And she was angry with herself since her partner’s assumption had been correct. She gritted her teeth while she stalled and regained her composure. Finally she poured herself a cup of three-hour-old coffee and returned to the squad room.

"I’m sorry," Byron quickly apologized. "I didn’t mean to offend you."

Ryan couldn’t respond to his apology. What could she say? You’re right; I took one look at your baby sister and seduced her not once but twice? She wondered at what point did she start living up to the womanizing reputation she’d had back in Baltimore? The ‘love them and leave them’ rap she had earned was one of the reasons she moved up north so she could spare her father, the senator, any further embarrassment. What was really hurting her at the moment was that she really liked Casey and had blown her chance with the tall brunette. "Forget it," she finally muttered as she reopened her files. "So why did she leave the force? Was because of her eye?" she asked quickly before she lost her nerve. Now that she had unwittingly opened the door she might as well find out as much as she could.

"How did you know about that?" he asked.

"I noticed that when I entered a room she had to turn all the way around to see me," Ryan explained as she pretended to read the file in front of her. "When someone does that, it’s usually because they have limited or no vision in one eye."

"Yeah, it was an accident," Byron informed her sadly. "They always warn us about flying bullets, never flying glass. It was a raid and a window was shattered; she lost most of the vision in her left eye."

"So she has no depth perception," Ryan said. She was sad that Casey’s career had ended over something so trivial.

"Right," Byron sighed again. "She had the option of leaving with a nice compensation package or spending the rest of her career sitting behind a desk."

"I can’t see Casey stuck behind a desk," Ryan admitted, thinking that the hyper brunette would have ended up going ballistic in a very short period of time.

"Hold on," Byron suddenly said in a quiet yet commanding tone. "If all Sharla did was tow your car, when did you enter a room she was in?" Ryan turned three shades of red while her partner glared over at her. "Oh man. Masters, please tell me you didn’t," the older man pleaded.

"I swear I didn’t know she was your sister," Ryan weakly tried to explain. "Not to mention the baby sister of half the people I work with. And the Commissioner’s daughter," she added with a groan.

"Do you have any idea how truly screwed you are if this gets out?" Byron asked her in bewilderment. "Her ex, Amanda, can barely drive across town without getting a ticket. I like you and I still want to kick your ass."

"Tell me about her," Ryan asked, throwing all sense of reality out the window.

"Who?" Byron suspiciously responded.

"Amanda," Ryan growled.

"She was a first class bitch," Byron informed her. "No one liked her. She made Sharla very unhappy. Not only did she make her unhappy, she didn’t care that she made her unhappy."

"Bitch," Ryan spat out.

Ryan looked up in surprise as her partner burst into gales of laughter. "What?" she sneered at the still chuckling man.

"Oh nothing," he choked out. "It’s just that you could have gone your entire career without anyone ever finding out about you and Sharla. Instead of keeping your mouth shut, you tell me."

"I didn’t," Ryan argued. "It was a slip of the tongue."

"Right." He chuckled again. "You like her."

"I do not," Ryan protested as her heart began to beat in an erratic rhythm.

"Oh, so you’re playing with my baby sister’s affections?" he accused her.

"No," she blurted out.

Ryan’s face fell as she realized what she was about to admit to him and to herself. "Oh crap," she muttered.

"You like her," he taunted her once again.

"Do not," Ryan whined, suddenly feeling very young.

"You know, Masters, I said the same thing and had the same look on my face right before I decided to ask Robin to marry me," he said with a boisterous laugh.

"Stop it," Ryan fumed. She felt a panic attack starting to choke her.

"Fine, have it your way," Byron offered in a patronizing tone. "You don’t like her. And since she seemed really happy, I won’t have to hurt you. And it won’t bother you that she has a date on New Year’s Eve."

"She what?" Ryan choked out in horror.

"Yeah, some doctor Maureen works with," Byron responded in a blasé manner.

"A doctor?" Ryan grunted, suddenly feeling very angry. "That’s nice," she hissed as her partner just smiled at her.

"Yeah, Maureen talked her into it on Christmas Day," Byron continued his explanation as if he didn’t have a care in the world.

"Well, that’s just peachy," Ryan grumbled once again.

Ryan sat there grinding her teeth as Byron went on and on about how Sharla was going with the lady doctor to the annual New Year’s Eve dance at the Briarwood Country Club. It wasn’t until Ryan snapped her pen in half that Byron took a break from the conversation. He did continue it later in the day, and as much as Ryan pretended that it didn’t matter, inside she was furious. The following day her partner was only slightly better behaved, only mentioning the annual dance every hour instead of every half hour as he’d done the previous day.

The icing on the cake happened when the Captain called her into his office. Ryan could feel the sweat pouring off her. Normally being called into the boss’ office wasn’t a big deal, unless of course you recently slept with his little sister. Ryan said a silent prayer that Byron had chosen not to share this information with the rest of the overprotective Stewart clan.

"Yes, sir?" she stammered nervously as she stepped into his office.

"I understand you’re on the desk tomorrow night for New Year’s Eve," the gray-haired gentleman said as he reviewed his paperwork without looking up at her.

"Yes, sir," she said in relief. He appeared to be treating her no differently than before.

"I’m changing your assignment," he informed her with a slight yawn.

"Okay," she responded with a shrug, simply thankful that he wasn’t about to shoot her for sleeping with Casey.

"A couple of politicians have been added to the guest list for the Briarwood dance. You’ll be working security," he continued.

"Excuse me?" she squeaked out.

"Problem?" He seemed to be taunting her as his crystal blue eyes looked up at her.

Ryan briefly wondered if that response was some kind of annoying genetic thing. She was also searching her mind for some plausible reason to refuse the assignment. She knew the real reason she didn’t want to work the detail. First, she had no desire to spend the night watching Casey enjoying her evening with her date. Secondly, if there were going to be politicians around there was always the chance she would run into dear old Dad or one of his cronies. "I’m waiting, Masters," he bellowed.

"No problem, sir," she wearily answered him.

"Good," he grunted with satisfaction. "Wear something nice that will hide your gun. Meet with Lt. Sampson here at seven."

"Yes, sir," Ryan grumbled before trudging back to her desk.

"What’s wrong now?" Byron asked as Ryan rested her head on her desk. She prayed for death to come and take her there and then.

"Lt. Sampson is your brother Jarrod, isn’t he?" Ryan whimpered as she slowly lifted her head.

"Yes," Byron confirmed. "Poor bugger is stuck working that big party over at Briarwood tomorrow."

"I know," Ryan said in exhaustion. "So am I."

"Really?" Bryon chuckled in amusement.

"What about you?" Ryan asked him suspiciously.

"I’m going to be happily enjoying the New Year at Robin’s parents’ cabin in New Hampshire," he informed her with a teasing smile.

"Any other members of your family going to be there?" Ryan hissed. "And did you tell them about Sharla and I?"

"No, I didn’t tell anyone," he denied a little too vehemently for Ryan’s comfort. "Let’s see, Jarrod is running the security detail and Deshawna is also working the detail. Maureen, her husband, my parents, Sharla and her date will be there as guests."

"Great. Just freaking great," Ryan groaned.

The following evening Casey stared at her reflection in the mirror. She liked the red evening gown she’d selected; she just had no desire to go out. She brushed her long dark hair once more and checked her makeup before heading downstairs to find her sister Taylor sprawled out on her sofa. "Move your fat ass," she griped. She shoved her sister’s feet aside so she could sit down.

"That’s Special Agent Fat Ass to you." Taylor laughed.

"I want to stay home with you tonight and watch Dick Clark," Casey whined.

"You hate Dick Clark, and if you didn’t want to go on a blind date then you should have said so," Taylor informed her as she began to flick through the channels. "Oh, look who’s in town?"

Casey looked at the television to see what her sister was sneering at. "Senator Leigh," Taylor spat out as she tossed a handful of popcorn at the screen. "Do you think I have issues with my biological father?"

"No." Casey laughed. "Geez, when was the last time he and Mom were in the same room?" Casey mused, wondering how her mother was going to feel about running into the pious old flame who had left her the moment she got pregnant with Taylor.

"When Dad wanted to adopt me," Taylor explained. "Suddenly he gave a damn about me having his last name. I never understood him. Tonight should be fun. Oh look, and Senator Masters is attending tonight as well."

"Another pious asshole," Casey groaned. "Now I really don’t want to go."

"What’s the real reason?" Taylor unexpectedly asked.

"Real reason for what?" Casey asked in confusion.

"That you don’t want to go out tonight?" Taylor elaborated.

"I hate blind dates, New Year’s Eve parties, and Republican senators," Casey quickly explained.

"And now the real reason?" Taylor pressed.

"I met someone," Casey whispered.

"No kidding." Taylor chuckled. "I didn’t think you spent Christmas Eve with a sick friend. So what’s the problem? Why are you going out with someone Maureen found at the hospital?"

"She’s not into commitment," Casey tried to explain.

"Not good, Sharla," Taylor grumbled.

"And she’s a cop," Casey further explained. "She’s terrified that the boys will beat her up."

"Screw the boys! Deshawna’s the one with the temper." Taylor laughed. "So what’s Miss Wonderful’s name?"

"You can’t tell anyone," Casey cautioned her older sister.

"Scout’s honor," Taylor pledged.

"You were never a scout," Casey jested.

"Fine. FBI honor," Taylor muttered. "Now don’t make me tell Mom that you were the one who dented her car. Out with it. Just who would be the lucky, albeit clueless, lass?"

"No running a check on her," Casey warned her sister.

"Killjoy," Taylor snorted. "Okay, I promise."

"Ryan Masters." Casey couldn’t help but smile when she said the blonde’s name.

"Ryan? What kind of name is that for a girl?" Taylor teased. Suddenly her smile vanished. "Wait! Is she a blonde about yay high?"

"Yes; why?" Casey asked with a grimace.

"It’s okay," Taylor reassured her. "If it’s the same Ryan Masters that I’m thinking of, she was in my class at Quantico. In fact, she was at the top of the class."

"Then why isn’t she an uptight fed like you?" Casey asked curiously.

"You’re going to love this," Taylor slowly began. "Remember back then you couldn’t be gay and in the FBI?"

"Vividly," Casey snorted. "In fact, I believe that was the reason I told their recruiter to shove his offer."

"Her mother outed her," Taylor explained flatly.

"Excuse me?" Casey choked out.

"Her mother outed her," Taylor repeated. "She showed up, met with the brass, and outed her own daughter."

"Why would anyone do that?" Casey gasped. "And why did the brass meet with this woman?"

"Because she’s Shirley Masters, wife of . . . ," Taylor began.

"Senator Sherman Ryan Masters," Casey finished for her. "The same jerk who suggested that homosexuals should be quarantined so we couldn’t get near innocent children. Dear God, no wonder she has issues."

"Not as many as she thinks she does," Taylor supplied. "I knew her when she was on the force in Baltimore. She’s a nice person. And she’s a good cop. She would have been a good field agent if her parents weren’t assholes. They wanted her to be a sweet little girl and marry some other bonehead politician’s son. Law enforcement wasn’t an option. They thought if they got her tossed out that would be the end of it."

"Does she know they were behind it?" Casey asked as she felt her heart breaking for Ryan.

"Yes," Taylor confirmed. "The mom was smart. If she’d simply told the director, he would have let it slide. Hell, most of the men she told would have let it go. But since she told them all at once, they had no choice but to boot Ryan out."

The knock on the door stirred Casey from her thoughts. "That would be my date," she said sadly.

"Sharla, relax and have a good time," Taylor tried to reassure her. "You never know; the doctor might just sweep you off your feet."

"Whatever," Casey responded in a defeated tone as she got up to open the door for her sister Maureen and her date.

Much to Casey’s relief, she only found her sister and her husband at the door. Maureen quickly explained that Vivian had an emergency and had to cancel. "See? Things are looking up already," Taylor called out as the trio made their exit. Casey was so relieved that she missed the conspiratorial wink her sisters shared when her back was turned.

Ryan was miserable as she watched the elegant guests moving about the ballroom. She was dressed in a long black evening gown with a slit up the side that showed off her legs and gave her easy access to the gun strapped to her thigh. She was tense enough when she discovered her father was attending the function. But what really set her on edge was that Casey’s family was there, and at any moment the woman she couldn’t stop thinking about was due to arrive on someone else’s arm. The only bright spot was that her shift was over at 1:00 a.m. whether or not the party had broken up. "Just another five hours and I can go home and forget all about this," she whispered careful to keep her musings from the microphone she was wearing.

If it weren’t for the tiny device and the earpiece she was wearing, the blonde would have resembled any other guest in the room. "Still talking to yourself?" a deep voice interrupted her thoughts. She turned to see a tall burly man she’d known all her life. "Mr. Palmer, still heading the Senator’s security?" Ryan greeted the older man with respect.

"Mr. Palmer?" he choked out. "There was a time when you called me Uncle Buck."

"There was also a time when I called the Senator Dad," Ryan discreetly pointed out. She didn’t begrudge the man his position on her father’s staff. She truly liked Uncle Buck and he’d always been kind to her. In fact, she probably spent more time with the giant man during her childhood than she did with either of her parents.

"Can I still call you Rie Rie?" h softly inquired.

"Ssh," Ryan chastised him as she blushed. She heard squawking and laughter in her earpiece. "Now you’ve done it. My lieutenant wants to know if he can call me that," she explained with a warm smile.

"Tell him he has to go through me first." The large man laughed.

"Thank you, Uncle Buck," she whispered shyly.

"Well, I guess we both need to get back to work." Uncle Buck sighed. "I just wanted to say hello and to tell you how proud I am of you. I’ve been following your career and I just about split a gut when you got your gold shield."

Ryan thanked him and bit back the urge to ask if her parents had followed her success as well; she already knew that they hadn’t. She stifled the request and the bitter feelings as she said goodbye to Uncle Buck and refocused her attention on her duties. She braced herself as she saw Commissioner Stewart approaching. "Good evening, Detective," the graceful man greeted her with a warm smile. "Paula, this is Byron’s new partner, Ryan Masters. This is my wife, Paula."

"A pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Stewart. Are you and the Commissioner having a good time this evening?" Ryan politely greeted the couple.

"Nice to meet you, Detective," Mrs. Stewart greeted her in kind. "Honestly, I hate these kind of affairs, don’t you?"

"Yes, ma’am, I do," Ryan confessed.

"Wouldn’t be so bad if some bonehead hadn’t decided to invite the moral majority," the Commissioner groused.

"Now, Frank, you promised to behave," Mrs. Stewart cautioned her husband with a playful swat.

"Right you are, my dear. It wouldn’t do to have one of the kids lock up the old man." The Commissioner snorted in amusement as Ryan smiled.

The Stewarts wished her a Happy New Year before drifting off to mingle. ‘It isn’t hard to figure out where Casey gets her good looks and personality from. So that’s what real parents are like.’ Ryan smiled at the older couple; they obviously still adored one another. Her back stiffened as her own parents passed by without acknowledging her. ‘And there’s the other side of the coin.’ She grimaced as she watched her parents stiffly move across the room, barely touching one another.

"This sucks," a voice said from behind her. She turned around to find Deshawna Wright beside her. The tall caramel-colored woman with brilliant blue eyes was hard to miss in a crowd.

"Detective," Ryan greeted her.

"Detective," Deshawna said in return. "I could wring my brother’s neck for roping me into this detail."

Ryan was about to make a pithy comment in response when something occurred to her. Prior to her partner finding out about her and Casey, the Stewart clan had kept quiet as to how many of the Commissioner’s children were on the force. Tonight they all seemed very open with her about it. It was almost as if they knew that Ryan knew. Suddenly the small blonde didn’t feel very well. ‘Why do I get the feeling that I’m being set up?’ Ryan thought with a sense of dread. Her negative feelings vanished as the most beautiful woman she’d ever laid eyes on entered the ballroom. "My God, Casey, you are stunning," Ryan whispered.

On the other side of the ballroom Casey was scanning the crowd, searching for her parents as her sister Maureen and her husband were greeted by some of their co-workers. Her jaw dropped when she spotted the most beautiful woman she’d ever seen on the opposite side of the room. "Ryan, you’re gorgeous," she gasped, as her eyes remained focused on the small blonde.

"And what you gawking at?" her father barked.

Reluctantly she tore her eyes away from Ryan’s beauty. "Happy New Year, Dad," she said, greeting him with a big hug.

"Happy New Year, Sharla," he responded, giving her a big hug.

"How is Mom doing with Senator Leigh being here?" she asked in concern.

"She’s fine," he explained. "He’s staying on one side of the room and she’s on the other. Trust me, the last time they spoke your mother got the last word in. How did you know he was here?"

"Taylor and I saw it on the news," Casey explained.

"Should I call her? Is she alright?" he blurted out quickly.

"She’s fine," Casey reassured him. "She threw food at the television and called him a nasty name. Nothing new there. I almost asked her to take my date’s place but then I remembered that he was here."

"Where’s your date?" the Commissioner inquired casually.

"Medical emergency," Casey explained, curious as to why her father didn’t seem surprised. "Doctors! Go figure. I still don’t understand how Mom can be so calm about being in the same room with him," Casey said, returning her attention to Senator Leigh.

"That’s what adults do," her father calmly explained. "Speaking of arrogant blowhards," he grumbled. Casey stiffened as she saw Senator Masters approaching them. "Here comes another one."

"Commissioner, we finally meet," the senator offered brightly. "I was beginning to think you were avoiding me. This is my wife, Shirley," Casey could feel her skin crawling as the Senator discreetly checked her out. She was amazed at how polite her father could be with a man she’d heard him refer to as a horse’s arse on more than one occasion.

"This is my daughter, Sharla," he introduced the tall brunette as he motioned for Maureen and her husband Steve to join them.

Casey ignored the senator’s offer to shake her hand. She stared at him coldly; he smiled at her while her father introduced Maureen and Steve to him. "And this is one of my other girls, Deshawna," the Commissioner proudly introduced her older sister.

"Senator," Deshawna greeted him as the senator just stared at her.

The Stewart clan stood there and stared at the befuddled man who seemed to have lost the ability to speak for a moment. "A pleasure," he choked out as he finally shook Deshawna’s hand.

"Problem?" the Commissioner innocently inquired as Casey noticed Deshawna fiddle with her earpiece.

"No," Senator Masters said with a slight stammer as Deshawna grimaced and played with her earpiece. "You have a lovely family," the senator continued in an effort to save his dignity.

"Oh, this is just the tip of the iceberg," the Commissioner boasted. "Do you have any children?"

"One," he explained quickly in a well-rehearsed way. "She’s traveling."

"Excuse me," Casey blurted out. She walked away before she struck the arrogant Senator.

"Hey, what’s wrong?" Deshawna asked as she followed her.

"Nothing," Casey fumed. "What is it with you and that earpiece?"

"Oh, just a little blonde cop laughing herself silly when Dad was giving it to the Senator," Deshawna explained with a scowl. "No, I won’t go back so you can hear more," Deshawna shouted into her microphone. "Geez, how does Byron put up with her?"

"Ryan has her moments," Casey said with a smile.

"Oh, you know her?" Deshawna innocently asked.

Not for the first time that evening Casey had a sneaking suspicion that something was going on. She clamped her hand over the tiny microphone her sister was wearing and glared at Deshawna. "What’s going on?" she demanded.

"Sharla, I don’t know what you’re talking about," Deshawna lied.

Casey was grilling Deshawna as Jarrod approached Ryan. He began discussing the staff, how they had more than enough police and private security, and there was a chance that she could get off-duty early. Ryan would have been jumping for joy if she weren’t straining her neck to see if she could sneak a peek at Casey’s date.

"Are you listening to me, Masters?" the Lieutenant asked.

"Sorry, sir," Ryan quickly apologized.

"I said if you want to turn in your radio, that’s fine," he explained once again. "Just stick around and enjoy the party, but don’t drink in case we need your help."

"Seriously?" Ryan asked. She tore off her microphone and earpiece and handed them over. The entire situation failed to make any sense, but she wasn’t about to argue. She could go hide in a broom closet for the rest of the night and avoid everyone.

"Go, enjoy," he instructed her.

"Yes, sir," she responded with a broad smile.

Ryan scurried off, deciding that the first thing she needed to do was get a peek at Casey’s date. She snuck up behind Casey who was in a very animated discussion with Deshawna.

"May I interrupt for a moment?" Ryan requested as the two women turned to her.

"Please feel free," Deshawna eagerly offered. "I need to get back to work since you’re off-duty."

"I knew it," Ryan groaned as Deshawna rushed away from them.

"You knew what?" Casey asked in confusion.

"Where’s your date?" Ryan quickly blurted out.

"Stood me up," Casey explained as her eyes widened. "How did you know I had a date?"

"I think we’ve been set up," Ryan softly explained.

"By whom?" Casey asked.

"Apparently your entire family." Ryan chuckled as she stepped closer to the woman who had been haunting her for months.

"How could they know?" Casey babbled.

"Byron," Ryan stated as her hands came to rest on the taller woman’s hips.

"Go on," Casey encouraged her as she leaned into the smaller woman’s touch. Ryan’s hands slipped up along the curve of the brunette’s waist. "I meant with your explanation," Casey clarified as her own hands found their way to Ryan’s shoulders.

"Right," Ryan said with a smile. "I told Byron about us."

"How much did you tell him?" Casey squeaked out fearfully.

"Not that much," Ryan quickly clarified. "Just enough that he wouldn’t shoot me. I’m assuming that he blabbed the whole thing to the rest of your family. Suddenly I’m working this detail and then I’m not but I have to stay and your date is a no-show."

"I’m going to kill them," Casey grumbled.

"No, don’t," Ryan protested as she leaned closer to the dark-haired beauty. "I think it’s sweet and it gives me a chance to make up for being such an ass on Christmas morning. I should have gone with you. I just panicked."

"I understand," Casey tried to reassure her. "How are you doing?"

"Better now that I’m holding you," Ryan stated boldly.

"I was referring to your parents," Casey explained.

"How did you know?" came Ryan’s stunned response. "After all, I’m traveling. In fact, I think that I’ve been traveling for at least fifteen years now. Hard to say."

"My sister Taylor," Casey offered.

"The FBI agent?" Ryan added.

"Yes, Special Agent Taylor Leigh," Casey softly said.

"Taylor Leigh?" Ryan said brightly as she nodded in understanding. "So now you know everything."

"Not everything," Casey emphasized. "I don’t have a clue as to what it would be like to go out on a real date with you."

"Well, it’s New Year’s Eve and I thought I was supposed to work. But since I have the night off and I’m stuck at this swanky shindig, would you consider being my escort for the evening?" Ryan eloquently requested.

"I don’t know," Casey hedged.

"Please?" Ryan pleaded.

"Oh, I do so love it when you beg," Casey purred.

"Yes, I know," Ryan responded in a husky tone. "Sharla, would you do me the honor of allowing me to escort you for the rest of the evening?"

"If you’re okay with being around your parents, then I would love it," Casey answered before placing a soft kiss on the blonde’s lips.

"They don’t bother me," Ryan said with a shrug. "They’ve walked past me at least a dozen times tonight. I honestly don’t know if they’ve even recognized me."

"What is wrong with them? How can they not see you for the truly amazing person that you are?" Casey fumed.

Ryan was taken aback by the Casey’s boldness. She also felt a sense of warmth from the heartfelt sincerity that seeped through the tall brunette’s words. "Well, I have a theory about that," Ryan began playfully.

"Do you now?" Casey encouraged her silliness with a smile as she tucked an errant strand of blonde hair behind Ryan’s ear.

"Yes, I do," Ryan merrily continued. "I’m convinced that my real parents were abducted by aliens and those two are really pod people."

"This works for you?" Casey asked, worried that Ryan might not be as all right with the situation as she pretended to be.

"Absolutely," Ryan confirmed. "Casey, trust me. I’m all right with them being here. Yes, it hurts, but I have to let it go. They let me go a long time ago. I can either allow it to swallow me up or I can live my life. It’s not easy at times but it is what it is. I accept it as much as I can."

"Ladies, are you enjoying the evening?" a friendly voice greeted them. Both of them to turned to find a tall-distinguished gentleman smiling at them.

"Yes, thank you, Councilman Grayson," Casey responded brightly.

"Happy New Year, sir," Ryan chimed in.

"Then why aren’t the two of you dancing?" the councilman inquired.

"Perhaps it’s because of those two fatheads the board invited?" the Commissioner griped from behind them.

Ryan jumped at the sound of the man’s voice, instantly removing her hands from the man’s daughter. Casey sighed heavily as she wrapped her arm around Ryan’s waist. Despite her best efforts, Ryan couldn’t relax as the Commissioner stood next to her.

"Honestly, Jack, why did you invite those idiots? You’re a Democrat, for Pete’s sake," the Commissioner continued to complain, seemingly oblivious to Casey’s closeness to the small blonde. "Aren’t they blocking that measure you’ve been busting your arse on?"

"Yes, I’m at cross purposes with both of the Senators," Jack Grayson confessed with a smile. "Perhaps the joyous celebration of the season will help both of them see the light. It is, after all, the season for giving. And both of the Senators are very firm in their convictions for family values."

Casey’s eyes lit up when she grasped the comment. "Oh boy," the tall brunette whispered.

"What?" Ryan asked in confusion.

"Apparently we weren’t the only ones to be set up this evening," Casey said with a smirk.

"What are you up to, Jack?" Frank Stewart pressed.

"Just politics as usual," Jack confessed. "I promise to be very discreet."

"Jack, if you’re planning on using my daughter to upset Senator Leigh, I strongly suggest you rethink things," Frank Stewart cautioned the other man. "Taylor is my daughter and I won’t let you or anyone else hurt my kid."

"Taylor?" Ryan asked Casey in confusion.

"Senator Leigh is her father," Ryan whispered in the blonde’s ear.

"I’m her father," Frank Stewart asserted. Ryan could see the look of pride on the man’s face as he made the declaration. It was more than apparent that mending scraped knees, teaching her how to drive, and all of the things a father endures meant more to him than biology.

Casey jumped at the loud tone her father used. "How did you hear me?" she whined. "Look, Councilman Grayson, I know these guys make your skin crawl. I feel like I need a bath just from being in the same room with them. But whatever you’re planning, don’t do it. Other people could be hurt by this." Casey tightened her grip on Ryan’s waist.

"Okay, I get the gist of what’s going on," Ryan suddenly blurted out, tired of the Councilman’s games. She had met the man a few months ago when she solved an important case and apparently he’d figured out who she was. "First, I want you to know that no matter how discreet you are or how good your intentions are, what you’re doing sucks. I moved up here to get away from all this."

"Detective Masters, I don’t mean any harm, but both of these men preach their version of family values and both of them refuse to acknowledge their own children," the councilman tried to defend his actions.

"Yes, I agree that it’s despicable," Ryan asserted. "But using it against them is just as bad."

"Sharla, care to fill the old man in?" the Commissioner requested.

Ryan could hear them whispering behind her as she continued talking with the councilman who finally agreed to back off.

"I meant no offense," the councilman confessed.

"I know. You just thought you could back them into a corner," Ryan conceded. "Trust me; I’ve seen this my entire life and no one wins. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I want to enjoy the evening with my date." Having had her say, she took Casey by the hand and led the slender brunette away from the crowd. Ryan didn’t stop until they were outside on one of the terraces safely away from prying eyes.

"I hate politics," Ryan grumbled.

"I can see that," Casey said with a smile as she wrapped her arms around the smaller woman’s body.

Ryan nestled her head against Casey’s body. They held one another tightly in an effort to ward off the cold winter air. "Why can’t it just be us?" Ryan whispered against the bare skin of Casey’s neck.

"I know, baby; reality truly sucks at times," Casey agreed as she ran her hands up and down Ryan’s back in a reassuring motion.

Ryan raised her head slightly. Her breathing caught in her throat as she found herself captured in a fiery blue gaze. They moved in unison and soon became lost in a passionate embrace as their tongues wrapped around one another. Ryan moaned deeply as her lover’s hands began to roam along her shivering body. The blonde’s body swayed against her lover as Casey’s moans filled her. Ryan’s lips were still tingling long after the kiss had ended.

Casey drank in the scent of her lover’s hair as she felt the blonde’s hands gently exploring her body. "This isn’t the best place for this," Casey reluctantly interrupted the fondling.

"I know," Ryan murmured against her chest. Casey felt her skin erupt in a rash of goose bumps; she was all too aware that the frigid night air had not caused them. "Let’s go back inside before we freeze to death," Ryan said as her breath caressed Casey’s skin. The brunette inhaled sharply as she felt her entire body tense. She was unable to form a verbal response as Ryan took her by the hand and led her back into the grand ballroom. "You know, just before I approached you I was thinking about spending the night in a broom closet," Ryan lightly offered.

"Now that sounds like fun," Casey scoffed. "We could just leave."

"I can’t. I’ve been told to stick around just in case," Ryan griped.

"I’ll talk to Jarrod," Casey volunteered.

"No." Ryan halted the brunette who was about to hunt her brother down.

"Why not?" Casey protested. Her amorous feelings were growing with each passing moment. "My family spent a lot of time hooking us up; we should be able to enjoy it."

"I think they want us to have fun but not too much fun, if you get my drift," Ryan informed her as she leaned her body closer to the leggy brunette.

Ryan spotted Uncle Buck out of the corner of her eye. "Come on. There’s someone I’d like you to meet," she said as she guided her lover towards the security specialist who was sporting a very troubled expression.

"Uncle Buck?" Ryan interrupted the man’s thoughts.

"Ryan," he greeted her with a smile.

"I want you to meet Sharla Stewart," she nervously introduced her lover. Introducing someone who was special to her was a rare event and she had never introduced a special someone to a person she considered family.

"A pleasure," Uncle Buck greeted Casey in such a warm tender tone that it instantly pushed aside Ryan’s fears.

Ryan felt proud as Casey and Uncle Buck continued to exchange pleasantries. Then suddenly the man grimaced. Ryan followed his line of vision and understood what was troubling him. "Oh dear," she sighed.

"Not to worry, Ryan. I can handle it," Uncle Buck reassured her.

"What is it?" Casey asked fearfully.

The brunette had every reason to worry after everything else that had happened that evening. "Mrs. Masters is lingering at the bar," Ryan explained.

"Mrs. Masters?" Casey stammered as she processed the information. "You mean your mother?"

"Yes," Ryan confirmed as her jaw clenched. "It’s never a good sign when Mother lingers at the bar. The Councilman just might get that embarrassing scene he was hoping for."

"This night just gets better and better." Casey smirked.

"Still want me to be your escort for the evening?" Ryan inquired seriously.

"Oh yeah," Casey reassured her as she gave the blonde’s hand a gentle squeeze.

"Palmer!" a voice called out.

Casey felt her lover tense as someone pushed them aside. Ryan’s father had stepped between them and Uncle Buck. "Deal with her," he instructed Uncle Buck coldly. Casey felt Ryan stiffen as the Senator cast a cold stare down at her while Buck rushed off towards the bar.

"Senator," Ryan greeted her father formally.

"Must you?" the man responded as he glared down at their joined hands.

"Sir, this time you’re a guest in my hometown," Ryan politely explained. "I suggest you err on the side of caution."

"Are you threatening me, young lady?" the senator hissed as Casey’s jaw dropped. If she hadn’t known that these two were related, she would have sworn they were complete strangers. What was truly boggling her mind was that this man felt threatened when Ryan had been nothing but polite.

"I wouldn’t dream of it, sir," Ryan continued in the same overly polite manner. "I just know how you hate a spectacle."

Casey had had enough when the Senator opened his mouth to respond. "Stop," she growled. "Let me put it to you this way, Sparky. Ryan is my date for the evening and you are the only person here that seems to have a problem with it. I would also like to point out that I own the only plowing and towing company in town. I could be shacked up with a kangaroo and folks round here wouldn’t care so long as their driveways are clear. Now before you go off on some long-winded tirade about how we’re going to hell, I might remind you that the Police Commissioner is my Daddy and he doesn‘t like you."

Ryan smiled up at her as the pompous Senator started to choke. "I do believe you’ve been outmaneuvered, Senator," Ryan proudly exclaimed.

"Well done," the senator conceded as he stepped away.

"No one has ever done that for me before," Ryan gushed as she wrapped her arms around Casey’s waist.

"Done what?" Casey asked as she leaned into Ryan’s touch.

"Stood up for me," Ryan exclaimed in wonderment.

"Never?" Casey responded in surprise.

"No," Ryan confirmed as her smile slipped away.

"Ryan, you do know that you’re worth fighting for, don’t you?" Casey asserted as she pulled the blonde closer to her. "You are," she stressed when the blonde failed to respond. Ryan’s smile reemerged as she gently laced her fingers through Casey’s long black tresses. Casey quickly claimed the blonde’s lips in a promising kiss.

"So do you want to start a pool on how long it takes Mom to get loaded and start ranting about my Father’s infidelities?" Ryan merrily quipped.

"How did you survive that?" Casey asked in astonishment.

"I left," Ryan answered bluntly. "The story that I’m traveling isn’t that hard for my father’s constituents to buy since I was never around. I didn’t like the way my parents led their life or most of the people they chose to surround themselves with, so I was never around."

"You do realize that one of these days the press is going to figure out that you’re not simply off on a very long cruise," Casey pointed out as she took Ryan by the hand and led her to the dance floor.

"I know," Ryan agreed as she stepped into Casey’s embrace and allowed the taller woman to guide her around the dance floor. "I simply refuse to be the driving force behind my Father’s fall from grace. I like the way you dance," Ryan added as she delighted in the feel of her lover’s body moving against her own.

"Thank you," Casey responded with a shy smile; she also enjoyed the feel of Ryan’s body swaying against her own.

"May I be so bold as to request that I be the one to kiss you at midnight?" Ryan requested huskily.

"Yes, you may," Casey eagerly accepted.

"And may I be permitted to escort you to your home this evening?" Ryan further pressed as her hands drifted to Casey waist. Ryan smiled as she realized how good it felt to hold the brunette in her arms.

"Tell me, did you buy a new car?" Casey teased as she placed one hand on the back of Ryan’s head.

"Rental," Ryan informed her as she leaned in and stole a kiss.

"In that case, yes, you can drive me home. And if you’re really good, you can sleep over," Casey informed her in a husky tone that left no room to misinterpret her intentions.

Neither of them had noticed that the music had stopped; they were far too busy staring into one another’s eyes to notice anything. It wasn’t until the bandleader began the countdown that they realized what was happening. They drew closer and closer to each other, and before the crowd erupted into cheers as the clock struck midnight, they were wrapped around one another, lost in a fiery kiss.

Each of them seemed to be dazed as the kiss ended and the band played another slow waltz. "How long have we been dancing?" Ryan asked as she tried to figure out where the time had gone.

"I have no idea," Casey answered. "I was just thinking."

"About?" Ryan encouraged her.

"What time are you free to leave?" Casey asked as her hands glided down Ryan’s body and brushed against her firm backside.

"One," Ryan informed her as the blonde’s eyes darkened with desire.

"Well, if we start our goodbyes now, we could be out the door before anyone notices that you’re cutting out a little early," Casey suggested.

"You start at one end of the room and I’ll hit the other," Ryan readily agreed. "Meet you at the front door."

The couple shared a quick kiss before separating. Ryan started with Jarrod. "Boss, I’m leaving," she told him.

"Okay." He shrugged. "Just behave yourself."

While Ryan was shivering from her boss’ overprotective tone, Casey was saying goodnight to her parents. Both women continued to work their way around the ballroom until they met up again at the entrance. Ryan took the brunette’s coat check ticket and scurried off to claim their coats before anyone could stop them from making a quick exit.

"Masters," a voice barked in the empty hallway just as the blonde had retrieved their coats.

"Deshawna," she greeted her co-worker with a smile. The smile quickly slipped from the blonde’s face as she noticed the intense look on the taller woman’s face. "Oh crap," she muttered.

"A word," the tall woman commanded.

"I thought it would be your brothers," Ryan muttered as she sheepishly stepped closer to the angry-looking woman.

"You thought what would be my brothers?" Deshawna demanded.

"To threaten me," Ryan admitted. "That is what you’re planning to do, isn’t it?" Deshawna folded her arms across her chest and nodded in agreement. "Okay, but before you do, I think you should know that I have feelings for Casey - feelings that frankly scare the life out of me since I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. I plan on treating your sister like the lady she is and I would never disrespect or hurt her. I’m well aware that if I do, you’ll beat the living shit out of me."

"You do know that you just sucked all the fun out of threatening you, don’t you?" Deshawna grumbled.

"Yes, I do," Ryan beamed triumphantly. "Happy New Year. Oh, and if it makes you feel better, I’m pretty sure Mrs. Masters is probably about to make a drunken scene. You could arrest her."

"Cool," Deshawna said with a bright smile. "Happy New Year. I’ll see you at dinner tomorrow night."

"Dinner?" Ryan muttered as she wondered what she had just gotten herself into.

"What about dinner?" Casey whispered in her ear.

"Deshawna just mentioned having dinner tomorrow," Ryan explained as she helped Casey on with her long wool coat.

"Did she threaten you?" Casey inquired in exasperation.

"I didn’t give her the chance," Ryan boasted.

"Good for you," Casey congratulated her. "As for dinner, it’s a family thing we do every New Year’s Day. You don’t have to go if you don’t want to."

"I’d like to," Ryan nervously accepted. "I’m not making promises," she quickly explained. "I’ve never been good at dating or relationships, but I’m trainable."

"Trainable huh?" Casey said with a wicked grin. "I like the sound of that."

"Well, in that case let me get you home so you can begin training me," Ryan retorted in a husky tone that sent a shiver down Casey’s spine.

They drove to Casey’s modest home in silence as the intensity of their desire crackled in the air. The need to touch one another overwhelmed them as they stumbled inside. The brunette kicked the door shut as she pinned Ryan against the wall and began an assault on the blonde’s neck. Ryan moaned as she squirmed against Casey’s warm inviting body.

"Geez! Get a room," a voice groused.

"I can kick you out into the snow," Casey growled as she spun around and glared at her sister. Her eyes widened in horror when she spotted the mess of pistachio shells littering her coffee table. "Did you eat all of them?"

"Yes," Taylor chuckled as she held up her hands, showing her sister her now pink fingers. "Hey Detective," Taylor shouted out to the small blonde hiding behind Casey.

"Agent Leigh, always a pleasure," Ryan greeted the brunette whom she had never seen behave in such juvenile manner before.

"Good night, Taylor. Clean up your mess before I get up in the morning," Casey addressed her smirking sister.

"What? Aren’t you going to tell me about the party?" Taylor teased.

"No, I’m taking Ryan upstairs, tying her to the bed, and having my way with her," Casey offered in a deadpan tone.

"Casey?" Ryan choked.

"Eww! Thanks for the visual, Sharla," Taylor blanched.

Ryan was blushing as Casey took her by the hand, led her up the staircase, and into her bedroom. "So you’re going to have your way with me, are you?" Ryan challenged the brunette as she removed the taller woman’s coat.

"That was my plan," Casey responded as she assisted Ryan with her coat. "Why?" she inquired as she tossed both of their coats onto a chair. Casey released a squeal as Ryan tossed her down onto the bed.

"Change of plans," Ryan asserted as she kicked off her shoes and climbed up onto the bed.

"Really?" Casey panted anxiously as Ryan began to kiss her way down her neck.

Casey’s heart skipped a beat when her lover ceased her movements and looked up at her. Ryan had always been able to melt her into a willing puddle of desire with just one look. The level of intensity in the look she was now receiving made all the others dim in comparison. "Ryan." Her voice trembled as she spoke.

"I love the way you say my name," the blonde confessed as she cupped Casey face in her hand.

Casey was a quivering mass of desire as she leaned into Ryan’s touch. As Ryan returned her attention to Casey’s neck and earlobes, they no longer had a need to speak. Casey was panting heavily as she felt her lover’s mouth on her skin. She reached behind the blonde who was hovering above her and slowly began to lower the zipper on Ryan’s black evening gown. Ryan’s breath tickled her ear as the blonde’s hands cupped her breasts.

Casey kicked her shoes off as she lowered the thin straps of Ryan’s gown down her shoulders while the blonde’s hands continued fondling her breasts. Her body arched in response to her lover’s touch as the blonde’s touches grew bolder. Casey shuddered as she realized it was like the first time they’d made love; she knew that she would willingly give the blonde anything she requested.

Ryan captured Casey’s mouth with her own as she melted into her lover’s body and they began to roll across the large bed. She lowered the zipper on Casey’s gown, as the kiss grew even deeper. She lowered the straps of the red gown as she felt her lover removing her bra and casting it off into the darkness. Ryan mirrored her lover’s movements. Both of them shivered as their nipples brushed against one another. Each of them reached out and began caressing the other’s breasts while they exchanged promising kisses.

Casey could feel her body burning from Ryan’s touch and they grew bolder with each caress. Ryan lowered Casey’s dress further down her body. The brunette rolled onto her back as her lover began to kiss her way across Casey’s broad shoulders. Casey gasped as Ryan captured her nipple in her mouth. Casey held her lover tightly against her body as Ryan suckled her eagerly.

After the blonde lavished her full attention on each of Casey’s nipples until the brunette pleaded with her to take her, Ryan began to kiss and taste her way down Casey’s body. Casey was lost in a haze of ecstasy as Ryan feasted upon her while she all too slowly removed her clothing. Casey shivered as she lay before her lover completely naked. Ryan guided her up to the pillows and gently placed them behind Casey so that the naked woman was sitting slightly upright.

Casey bit down on her bottom lip as her lover reached between her own legs and removed her pistol along with its holster. The blonde placed the gun on the nightstand. Casey gripped the comforter as her lover lifted her half-naked body up off the bed and began to undress herself. Casey was transfixed at the sight of Ryan caressing herself as she removed each article of clothing.

Casey was wriggling against the bedding as her lover climbed up and straddled her hips. She reached out to touch the blonde whose body was still not touching hers. Ryan playfully swatted the brunette’s hands away. Casey was trembling as Ryan continued to caress her own body. "Yes," she whispered as Ryan parted herself and dipped her fingers into her wetness. She watched as her lover’s nimble fingers glided across her swollen clit.

Casey was ready to beg as Ryan raised her glistening fingers to the brunette’s quivering lips. Her tongue snaked out in an effort to capture the sweet nectar. She groaned when Ryan snatched her fingers away and began to paint her own nipple. Casey could barely breathe when Ryan returned to stroking her clit and then painted her other nipple.

Ryan leaned forward and braced her hands on the wall above Casey’s head. The brunette could smell her lover’s desire on her breasts. She flicked her tongue across one nipple, savoring each drop of Ryan’s wetness. Soon she cupped the blonde’s breast and brought both of them to her mouth. She licked and suckled every drop of Ryan’s passion from her breasts as she felt her lover’s clit pressing against her body.

Casey finally released her lover’s breasts as Ryan rocked urgently against her. She cupped the blonde’s firm backside and guided her to thrust harder against her. Soon feeling Ryan’s desire wasn’t enough. Casey reached between their bodies and dipped her long fingers into Ryan’s warm wet center. Ryan lowered her head and began to tease Casey’s nipples with her mouth while her body rode the brunette’s touch.

Casey pressed Ryan closer with one hand while the other plunged in and out of her wetness. She could feel her lover’s body pulsating against her own as she teased the blonde’s clit with her thumb. Ryan was gasping heavily as she released Casey’s breast from the warmth of her mouth. "I need to feel you too," she panted in her lover’s ear.

Casey wrapped her long legs around Ryan’s body as the blonde reached between them and ran her fingers through the brunette’s wetness. They were both fighting to control their breathing as they began to move frantically against the other’s touch. They clung to one another, their bodies riding against each other until they both cried out in pleasure.

Ryan didn’t give her lover a chance to catch her breath as she slipped down the brunette’s body and nestled herself between still quivering thighs. She parted her lover and began to feast upon her wildly until Casey was screaming her name. Ryan climbed back up her lover’s body and kissed her deeply. Casey’s fire was burning brightly as once again they rolled across the bed.

Ryan found her body pressed against the pillows as Casey straddled her from behind. Shamelessly the blonde thrust her backside against her lover’s body. Casey eagerly accepted the invitation; she pressed her wetness into Ryan while she entered her center with several fingers. "Yes," Ryan cried out. She clutched the pillows while Casey ground against her. Ryan continued her cries of pleasure as Casey felt her own body nearing the edge. Casey melted into her lover as they swayed in a sensual rhythm. Ryan shuddered as her body exploded. She collapsed on the bed and Casey continued to thrust against her until she followed the blonde into blissful oblivion.

They curled up together under the blankets and held one another. "Happy New Year, Casey," Ryan whispered as she listened to the steady beat of her lover’s heart.

"Happy New Year, Ryan," Casey murmured in response as she kissed the top of Ryan’s head.

The End