Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
It was still incredibly dark in the bedroom when Tess awoke, disoriented and cramped.
Stretching gingerly, she got out of bed and stumbled to the window.
Weak sunlight greeted her when she pulled back the shade.
Thankfully it was morning, she thought. Figuring it was safe to turn on the light, she glanced at the wall clock.
She had to hurry if she was going to get out of the apartment before any of the staff came to open up.
Although they didn’t serve alcohol this early, Molly had warned her that several locals came in for coffee.
They did serve a daily lunch special, which required a cook and he was usually there by eight in the morning.
Patrick didn’t come in until around nine, after he dropped the kids off at school and Molly not until eleven.
During the week they had a sitter who provided after school care for the kids and they both tried to get out of there at seven, leaving the night bartender to close up at two.
Friday and Saturday nights were busy; both Molly and Patrick stayed late and on those nights Tess didn’t have to worry about being quiet.
No one downstairs would ever hear her over the music and laughter.
Tess was a little ashamed of herself after her behavior last night, crawling into bed and hiding like a two-year-old afraid of the dark.
It was true she was unfamiliar with the neighborhood and that man did appear to be following her, but she had been fine.
Showering quickly, she dressed in a gray skirt and pink sweater.
Her hair was much easier to care for now that she had cut it and her makeup took only a few minutes.
She threw a pair of jeans, crew socks and sneakers into her bag and decided she would change from now on before heading home.
Tess made the bed, shut off the lights and by seven forty-five she was slipping quietly down the back stairway.
Head down, she set out towards the bus stop, never noticing the dark car parked in an alley.
Rory kept his distance watching her, waiting until she was safely on the bus. Then he followed her.
* * *
Tess saw the dark car as soon as she turned the corner a block from the office.
Her steps faltered as she came closer and saw Rory leaning against the doorway, his long legs crossed.
He held two cups of coffee. Her dark eyes took in everything about him, from his relaxed stance to his huge hands that gripped the cups.
Slowly she dug in her purse for the keys.
“It was you,” she whispered tipping her head back and looking into his eyes.
“Of course,” he answered.
“Then you know?”
“That you’re staying over the pub? Yes. Come on, babe, open the door, my hands are on fire.”
Tess unlocked the door, praying his hands would be the only thing on fire. She had absolutely no idea if he was angry or not.
“Did Molly tell you?” she asked, feeling a little betrayed.
“Babe, ever heard of surveillance? It’s what I do. Now, open the door.”
Pushing the door open, she put as much space between them as she could, circling behind her desk and waiting, for what she was not sure.
“Here,” Rory said, handing her the coffee. “One sugar, extra cream, just the way you like it.”
Tess held out her trembling hand and took the cup. Setting it on her desk, she shrugged out of her jacket and backed away from him to hang it up.
“What the hell’s wrong with you?” Rory demanded with a scowl. “You’re acting like you’re afraid of me.”
“Are you not mad at me?” she asked, working to keep her voice calm.
“You’re damn right I’m mad at you. I haven’t had a good night’s sleep since you pulled your disappearing act. My mother was very hurt. The time I spent looking for you could have been spent looking for real criminals and not a naughty, ungrateful little .…”
“Oh no, Rory, please do not say that,” Tess pleaded, twisting her hands in distress. “I love your family and am so thankful they took me in. I would never do anything to hurt them, especially your madre.”
“Then why did you run away? Is it because I spanked you?” he asked, taking a step toward her.
“No, that was very bad of you, Rory, but that is not the reason,” Tess replied, backing up another step. “It was the other thing you did.”
“Tess,” he barked. “For God’s sake, will you stop before you’re in the closet?
I am not going to spank you now. I would not take the chance of Delbert Bertram Winston the Fourth getting a look at your adorable bottom,” he told her with a grin.
“I will, however, reserve the right to take care of that at a later, more appropriate time. By the other thing, I take it you are referring to my actions in your bedroom?”
Tess nodded and blushed fiercely.
“Are you angry because I touched you, or angry because I stopped?” he asked, watching her closely.
“I am not angry at all,” Tess insisted, her hands over her face in embarrassment.
“It was wondrous. I realized that day you would be a very demanding lover. What happens if I cannot meet your demands? I do not think I am a submissive woman. I will not be able to make you happy, Rory,” she whispered, tears filling her eyes.
“Oh, babe,” Rory answered, setting his coffee down.
Striding to her, he pulled her hands away from her face and gently tipped her chin up.
“You make me happy just being near me. Every smile you give me brightens my day. I love everything about you, even when you misbehave. I don’t want a doormat.
I want a woman who gives as good as she gets.
You may not always be able to submit to me, but that’s all right.
It’s what will make our lives exciting. I will never hurt you, Tess, and I will teach you.
If there are times when you just can’t, I’ll adjust. Please give us a chance, Tess,” he whispered, turning her hands up and kissing each palm.
Tess nodded and threw herself into his arms. Rory tipped his head back and mouthed a silent "Thank you" to the Man above. He was kissing her wildly, her feet far above the floor when Del walked in.
“Detective O’Malley,” Del stuttered in surprise. “Is everything all right? Tess?”
“I’m fine, Del,” Tess replied, burying her face in Rory’s chest to hide her tears. “Rory was just leaving.”
Del stood quietly, assessing the situation. Tess seemed shaky, but happy and O’Malley had a self-satisfied grin on his face.
“Actually, we are both leaving,” Rory answered. “Get your coat, babe. Nick and Maggie got home last night and called me this morning. Rebecca and Mason are having their baby today. We’re heading over to the hospital now. You should be able to handle things around here, right Delbert?”
“Oh, of course, you two go right along. Don’t worry about a thing, Tess. Rest assured you are leaving the office in capable hands.”
“Thank you, Del. Oh, Rory, a baby. Come on, hurry, I do not want to miss this.”
* * *
Rory and Tess arrived at the hospital in plenty of time.
“First babies take their own sweet time,” Maggie informed them giving Rory and Tess a quick hug.
Rory shook Nick’s hand. “How was the honeymoon? Did my sister behave herself?”
“Shut up, Rory,” Maggie responded with a blush.
Nick laughed. “It was great and she did most of the … Ugh!” he replied, cut off when Maggie’s elbow made contact with his ribs.
“Easy there, cupcake,” Rory warned with a grin. “You just got yourself a husband. You don’t want to put him out of commission yet.”
“How is Rebecca?” Tess asked, trying to change the subject before things got any more embarrassing. “Is Mason in there with her? What is the doctor saying?”
“It will be a while yet,” Maggie assured her. “Mason has been out a couple of times and he’s just about out of his mind. It’s absolutely amazing what creampuffs some of these men are. I have to say I’m enjoying it,” she giggled.
“Why is he out of his mind?” Tess asked concerned. “I do not understand. He was so happy about the baby.”
“Oh, he’s happy about that. It’s seeing Rebecca in pain that he can’t stand. What did he think it was going to be like?”
“Did they not take classes? I am sure Rebecca told me about them. She said Mason was very good on the breathing part.”
“Well, he’s not doing so great right now,” Maggie laughed.
“The last time he came out he was as white as a sheet. I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t need medical attention before this is over.
Let’s go get a cup of coffee,” she suggested sliding her arm through Tess’s.
“Do you want anything?” she asked Nick and Rory.
“Not right now,” Nick replied as Rory shook his head no. “Don’t be long, though. I’m not much use to Mason other than moral support.”
“We won’t be long.”
Maggie and Tess made their way to the cafeteria. After getting their coffee, Maggie chose a table in the back corner far enough away not to be overheard by the other customers.
“So, what’s going on?” Maggie asked, wrapping her hands around her cup and looking intently at Tess. “I heard you moved out of my parents’ house. What happened?”
“Nothing really,” Tess mumbled looking flustered. “I just felt it might be time to get my own place.”
“And have you gotten your own place?” Maggie asked.
“Not exactly, Molly let me stay in the apartment over the pub.”
Maggie’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Gee, that’s not really the way I heard it. The story I got was that you took off and no one knew where you were. I guess Rory was ready to explode. Wish I’d been there,” she grinned.
Tess fidgeted on her chair, not sure how much she should reveal.
“I can’t believe Patrick went along with it,” Maggie mused. “I would have bet he would have told Rory immediately where you were. These guys usually stick together, like there’s some unwritten code or something,” she griped, before taking a sip of her drink.
“He did not know,” Tess whispered.