Chapter 11 Liam
We'd driven straight to Gisselle's apartment so she could grab essentials for a few days. She'd been quiet since we left the construction site, the reality of the situation weighing on both of us. And now there she was, in my space because I couldn't stomach the thought of her being anywhere else.
"I'll put your stuff in the bedroom. Let me change the sheets and grab clean towels for the bathroom," I said.
Gisselle nodded. "Thank you for all of this."
"You don't have to thank me for basic human decency," I replied, taking her bags and leading the way down the hallway.
Every protective instinct I possessed was on high alert. The plan was simple: keep her safe until we caught whoever was targeting those buildings. Except nothing about having Gisselle in my bedroom felt simple.
She paused at the door as I moved to put her bags down and strip the king-sized bed.
"I can sleep on the couch if you'd be more comfortable," I offered.
"That wasn't our deal. You said you wanted me here so you'd sleep better knowing I was safe. You can't do that from the couch."
The directness of her gaze and the certainty in her voice cut right through my bullshit. "No, I can't," I admitted.
She set her toiletry bag on the dresser, claiming her space.
Suddenly, the sight of her in my bedroom hit me like a backdraft, hot and overwhelming.
I closed the distance between us. Gisselle's hand came up to touch my face, tracing along my jawline as I pressed a kiss to her lips.
Then again, our lips parted, making way for us to explore each other.
"Are you alright?" she asked once we broke apart.
"I should be asking you that. You're the one who found out someone tried to torch your work," I replied.
Her hand found mine. "Yet you're the one who's on edge. Talk to me, Liam."
"I'm angry someone targeted your project and put you in danger."
"We don't know if it was personal," Gisselle pointed out.
"Either way, I keep thinking about what could've happened."
"It didn't happen. You'll catch whoever's doing this."
Gisselle's confidence in me was so unwavering and absolute that it broke something in my chest. I pulled her against me, wrapping my arms around her waist.
"I can't lose you. I just found you," I blurted out before I could stop myself.
Our lips met again, and I kissed her with desperation clawing at my insides. My hand slid under her shirt, over her curvy breasts as I learned her body.
"Liam, I want you." She breathed against my mouth.
I pulled back enough to look into her eyes to make sure there wasn't hesitation or doubt. "You sure?" I probed.
Gisselle confirmed by unhooking her bra and leading my hands back to the soft weight of her breasts.
I thumbed her nipples, making them stand at attention, before leaning in to taste, taking one into my mouth before switching to the other breast. The bulge in my pants grew at Gisselle's moans.
I lifted Gisselle, and she wrapped her legs around my waist as we moved to the bed.
I put her down, and we undressed as we continued to kiss while removing our clothes.
My dick strained against my pants, and I was ready to unleash it.
I laid Gisselle back, spread her legs, and dropped to my knees.
I licked the walls of her jewel like a man thirsty for nectar.
I pushed my tongue inside her moist mound as I drew out more wetness.
"Liam," Gisselle whimpered as I licked, sucked, and explored her deep folds.
I continued doing this until her body thrashed with pleasure. I pulled back, groping my rock-hard dick. It had been too long since I had been inside a woman, and I couldn't wait any longer. I grabbed a condom from the nightstand and slid it over my dick.
I turned Gisselle over, and she got on all fours. I moved behind her and worked my pole inside her. I pumped into her hard and slow as I grabbed her hips to position myself deeper.
"Got damn!" I growled as I went deeper. I squeezed her ass cheeks as I quickened my stroke.
"Oooh my God, this feels so good," she slurred.
My balls moved against Gisselle's wet pussy, and she rewarded me with warm juices.
She moaned as her walls throbbed around me, making me want to explode.
My dick hadn't been this swollen in a long time.
It felt so good, and I didn't want it to be over, but I also wanted to cum so damn badly.
I pushed my engorged dick inside a few more times until my release was inevitable, grunting hard as my cum released. That shit felt amazing.
Afterward, Gisselle and I collapsed into the bed, breathing hard. I pulled her close, her head resting on my chest.
"That was fun," I admitted.
"Mm-hmm, it was. I could get used to being in your bed, Lieutenant."
"That's what bothers me. Someone is trying to scare you away."
Gisselle propped herself up on her elbow to look at me. "I don't scare that easily. I'm not going anywhere."
I smiled as she lay her head back on my chest. We talked in hushed voices until Gisselle fell asleep.
I lay awake and watched her. Having her in my bed was a joy.
I tightened my arm around her, a promise of protection.
Outside, a dog barked, and I tensed, listening for anything that didn't sound right, ready to move if there was a threat. Eventually, I drifted to sleep.
The fire station was quiet on a Sunday afternoon, and most of the crew were out on a routine call.
I parked my truck in my designated spot, noting the other vehicles already present: Chief Reeves' department SUV, Fire Marshal Winter's sedan, along with a couple of unmarked police cars.
Whatever this meeting was about, it involved the full task force.
Inside, the conference room was already filled with serious faces when I entered.
"Crawford, glad you made it on short notice." Chief Robinson gestured to an empty chair.
"Sir," I acknowledged, taking the empty seat.
My eyes immediately looked at the map on the table, noting the red pins for each fire location, with a new pin added — Gisselle's community center project — which made my jaw clench involuntarily.
"Let's get started. For those just joining us, we've confirmed the attempted arson at the old textile mill matches the signature of the previous fires," the Chief disclosed.
Fire Marshal Winters, a fit man with salt-and-pepper hair, chimed in.
"Lab results from the scenes show identical chemical composition, gasoline with paraffin wax to create a slow burn effect, yet at the mill site, there is trace evidence of a polymer compound we haven't seen at the previous locations.
" He slid a photograph across the table toward me.
I studied the photo. The image was of the accelerant-soaked rag Gisselle discovered, with a close-up of visible residue along one edge.
"What kind of adhesive? Looks construction-related," I noted, already connecting the dots.
"That's what we're trying to determine. It's probably from the renovation materials on site or something the perpetrator brought with them," Winters commented.
"Or it could be something that links our arsonist to a specific industry or workplace. We're checking to narrow down the manufacturers," Chief Reeves interjected.
"What's the pattern? The first three targets were storage facilities, personal, boat, and commercial. The community center is completely different. It's a historical building under renovation."
Marshal Winters nodded, pointing at each location. "That's what concerns us. The arsonist is escalating, moving from relatively isolated areas to higher-profile buildings in the center of town."
"Not to mention, one with political visibility. The community center is Mayor Thompson's pet project. It's on the front page of the Goodwin Grove Gazette every other week," Chief Reeves added.
The implication hung in the air. Was the arsonist targeting the building because of its connection to the mayor? Or was Gisselle the target, the architect bringing new life to the historical structure?
"What about security footage? The community center has cameras, doesn't it?" I asked.
One of the detectives shook his head. "The community center had them, but they were knocked out, we believe, the night before the accelerant was placed. It looks like a professional job. Cut wires, not disabled."
"They know their way around security systems," I noted. "Not an opportunistic firebug, but someone with skills and an agenda."
"One more thing. The lab found a partial fingerprint on material from the boat warehouse fire. It doesn't match anyone in the system, but it's the first real physical evidence," Marshal Winters revealed, pulling a sheet of paper out of a folder.
"A fingerprint, any distinctive features?" I asked.
"Yeah, an unusual scar pattern across the whorl. If we can find a match, it'll be conclusive. We're cross-referencing employment records with those of local construction companies. It's a needle in a haystack, but it's something," Chief Reeves added.
The meeting broke up shortly after, and I gathered my notes.
"Crawford, you did a good job identifying the pattern early, connecting the cases when they could've been seen as isolated incidents."
"Just doing my job, sir."
Reeves clapped me on the shoulder. "Good man. Keep me updated on anything your crew observes on those extra patrols."
"Most definitely."
I got back to my truck, eager to return to Gisselle and my home, which was no longer empty. For the first time in years, duty to the job wasn't the only thing driving me forward.
I took the short drive home. Traffic was extremely light today, which was fine by me.
I pulled up in my driveway, and inside, I found Gisselle where I expected: in the spare room I offered her as a workspace.
I leaned against the door frame, admiring the slight furrow of her brow as she worked.
A smile curved her mouth as she seemed to sense my presence.
"You've made yourself at home," I noted.
Gisselle looked up. "Yes, there's great lighting in this room. It's perfect. How did the meeting go?"
"The fire marshal confirmed four cases, along with some other new evidence."
"Oh, they have actual evidence now? That's good, right?"
"Yeah, but something is telling me that because the community center is the mayor's initiative, someone is targeting the mayor's projects or you specifically."
"I'm not stopping my work because someone wants to play with matches. This project and community matters to me."
"I know. I'm not asking you to stop, but—"
Gisselle cut me off. "I don't need a babysitter either."
"I was going to suggest construction site security cameras, in addition to the community center cameras and check-ins. Work during daylight and when others are present."
Gisselle blew out air. "I can work with that. Now, want to see what I'm working on?"
I pushed off the door frame and moved toward her. I listened as she explained her design.
"You're not listening," she observed.
My eyebrows raised. "What?"
"I can tell by your brooding face, and while I admit it's sexy, I want you to pay attention."
Gisselle's unexpected compliment pulled a smile from me. "My brooding face is sexy?"
"Don't let it go to your head. You have other qualities too!" Gisselle poked my chest with her pencil.
I caught her hand and pressed a kiss to it. "Such as?"
Gisselle pulled her lip in. "You make me feel safe, and your bed is pretty comfortable."
I took the pencil out of her hand and set it on the table. I picked her up and headed to my bedroom. "Show me the comfortable part of the bed, because I don't believe you."
Gisselle giggled as I lay her across my bed. "This is the spot, but I need you to confirm it," she said.
I spread her legs and climbed in between. "Is this the spot?"
Gisselle nodded as I moved toward her, and we kissed.