dip slightly under the top of her jeans. Everyone else seemed to be so mesmerized by the beautiful morning sky that Bobby felt perfectly comfortable leaning in toward Piper and nibbling her ear. They had both been patient and responsible. They had committed themselves to following through on what they had started, and now it was done. The only thing left to do was give in to their desires.
Piper’s body was craving more of him. If the fire she felt when they kissed was any indication of what making love to him would be like, she wasn’t sure she’d survive. Then again, it wouldn’t be a bad way to go. She pulled away from him as she saw Jules turning back toward them, grinning like a school girl with a secret.
“I’m exhausted,” Bobby said, hopping out of the chair like he’d just been stuck with a needle in the backside. “I think I’m going to head home. Piper, I’ll give you a ride.”
It didn’t seem possible, but Jules’s grin grew even larger. “Yes Piper, enjoy the ride Bobby is about to give you. Don’t forget to buckle up.” She and Michael leaned into each other, giggling.
Piper’s face was crimson with embarrassment as Bobby pulled her from the swing to her feet. He wrapped his arms around her for a hug and whispered through her hair, “I might even let you drive.”
She shook him off and dug her elbow into his side, pretending to be annoyed. In reality she was desperate to get somewhere alone with Bobby. She wanted to be on him, under him, she wanted him in a way she had never imagined possible.
Bobby put his arm over her shoulder, and they were about to head into the house to get their things when Bobby’s ringing cell phone drew everyone’s attention. It was early for a phone call, especially since everyone he normally talked to was standing there with him.
“Good morning Captain Baines.” Bobby said, trying to keep his cool even though his instincts were telling him something might be wrong. At first Piper thought little of the call until she saw the blood drain from Bobby’s face as he dropped his voice lower and stepped into the house and out of earshot.
A knot formed in Piper’s stomach, and judging by the worried looks passing between all of them, she wasn’t alone. Perhaps something had already gone wrong with the judge’s case. What if Christian and his family hadn’t made it safely out of town yet? Maybe Judge Rosenthal’s promise of anonymity for the group hadn’t panned out.
Bobby was pulling on his duty belt as he stepped back onto the porch. He could feel the pressure of nervous stares weighing down on him. They all had reason to worry, but only one of them, beside himself, would know why.
“A girl was attacked on campus early this morning. Due to everything going on with the judge and the scene at Rylie’s house, they need all available hands on deck to secure the evidence at the college.” Bobby pulled on his coat and tried to think quickly about how to proceed. How, he wondered, could he tell them all the truth yet not break the trust Piper had placed in him?
“Is the girl going to be all right?” Jules asked, leaning into Michael. All this drama was making her weary. Hopefully this story would have a happy ending.
“She was beaten badly and is in critical condition. Betty, it’s going to be a long day, do you have anything I can take with me to eat?” Betty shot up and hustled into the house, happy to oblige. “And Jules, I left my shaving kit up in the bathroom – can you grab it for me and bring it down? I can’t go to work looking like this. I’ll have to hit the precinct first.” Jules hurried into the house to gather Bobby’s forgotten things. She hadn’t always been so accommodating, but Bobby could feel the direction of their relationship finally changing for the better. He owed it all to Piper.
The moment they were gone, Bobby spun toward Piper and crouched down in front of her. “The girl who was attacked this morning,” he started in a no-nonsense tone, “had the number twenty-three carved into her thigh. I’m going down there to get more information, but this can’t be a coincidence.”
Piper brought her hands up, covering her mouth as she gasped. Her eyes immediately filled with tears and her body started to tremble.