Chapter 4.41
August
Knocking on my boss' door, she asked me to come in with a bouncy tone which, by the way, I'd never heard before. This creeped me out. Usually, she was in a bitchy mood.
As I sank into the chair cushion, she said, "I've got some great news, Agent Day."
My eyes widened. No chastising for firing too many bullets? No angry eyebrows for me not filing the right paperwork? "Um...okay."
"San Myshuno's director just called. They have a position available for you right now. Special Agent Dickens especially requested you. Isn't that great?"
I blinked, not sure I was hearing her right. "Um...San Myshuno, you said?" That was the most coveted job in the states. One of the biggest cities in the country, I could only dream of ever working there. My heart sped up at the possibility. "Are you sure you're not kidding with me? A joke like that wouldn't be funny."
"Of course I'm not joking! You've got such a great skill set, why are you surprised? You're an amazing sharpshooter, can handle all perpetrators physically, and you can speak three languages. Not many guys are as ready as you are to jump into any role. I recommended you immediately. You're going places, Agent Day, even if it'll be hard for me to let you go."
"W-When do I leave?" I heard myself stammer.
"It's effective immediately." She thrust Agent Dicken's card in my face as she got up from her desk. "Give him a call and he'll set things up for you." She patted me on the shoulder and said, "I'm so proud of you, August."
*****
Floating home, I barely remembered climbing the steps to my apartment.
Clawd and Bullet darted out the door, almost tripping me.
But when I entered, the elation I felt only moments before deflated like a popped balloon.
"Shit," I muttered as I stared at my sweet girlfriend who'd tried to wait up for me. She even left the candles burning in our room.
Depressing thoughts blanketed me as I got dressed and turned out the lights. I cuddled close to Alex wondering how the hell she was going to take this news. I wasn't supposed to get my orders for another job in the states yet. My exchange program was going to last between 2-5 years. I'd only served one year of it.
Alex snuggled closer as I turned over, trying to get comfortable. "Hi, baby," she whispered. "Rough night?"
But I only nodded because I was too choked up to talk to her. I was so conflicted.
The next morning, she woke up, kissing me then getting dressed for the day. I still couldn't confess it to her. She was in such a great mood. She had football practice all day and told me she'd be back by five that night. I nodded and kissed her back, telling her I couldn't wait to see her.
By five, I was beside myself. Just thinking about leaving her was crushing me.
I remembered one of my coworkers set us up on a blind date and we hit it off instantly. She was very athletic, fun, and laid back, exactly what I needed at the time. I hadn't dated since Beau and Briar's deaths. Beau was classified as a missing person, but was assumed dead because of all the blood that was lost at the scene. And no one had ever heard from him again. Losing both of them really affected me in the most depressing way, and I dove into my studies in criminal justice and learning two languages--Russian and German.
But when the exchange program was offered, I was ready to start dating again and that's when Alex came into my life.
God, we had such a great night last Saturday. It was so perfect and showed me that I was totally falling for her. I was beginning to see a real future for us.
"Hey, watch it with that knife," I joked, uncorking a bottle of merlot. "You could chop off a finger. I wouldn't want to have to take you to the hospital again."
"Just mind your own business, detective," she countered. "I'm plenty good with a knife. I just received lessons from Zayne."
Zayne was her cousin but was raised as her brother since his parents died when he was a little kid. "Doesn't Zayne know you have horrible fine motor skills?"
"You won't let me live down that one time I cut my finger using those scissors. It wasn't my fault."
"It wasn't? Who snips off the top of their middle finger like that?"
"Okay...okay..., smartypants. I'll be careful. Now will you pour me some wine already?"
I swiftly obeyed, handing her a glass. She turned on jazz music and swayed to its rhythm. "Oh, God, August, that's so good. I could just get lost in the notes, you know?"
I took in her figure and X-rated thoughts sprang to my mind about what was going to happen later that night. Alex's body was perfect for me. She wasn't curvy but she was so muscled and firm--sexy as hell to me.
After I stopped stirring the paella, I slipped my hands around her waist and purred, "I think I can get lost in you."
She swayed even more, trying to get me hard, which was working pleasantly. "You're just going to have to wait," she teased. "Time for me to make the cake."
I chuckled at her and tried to calm down, pouring myself a glass.
Once she'd made the batter, I plunged my finger into the chocolate, hoping to get a taste.
"Stop it, August. It isn't finished."
"I'm just testing it to make sure you're not going to poison me."
Mmm...the cake batter melted in my mouth. She was actually a decent cook.
After we ate and cleaned up, it was time for a show. I chose some goofy anime she loved. I couldn't stand this stuff, but she would geek out so badly, it was cute to watch. "Spirited Away or this horribly overacted movie, Akira."
"Oh, August! You're so sweet! Are you sure? I know you don't like anime."
"That's okay. I'll survive."
"Okay...then Akira. I don't feel like crying tonight. Spirited Away is so sad."
I poured us more wine then we clinked our glasses, and feelings of love overwhelmed me as I gazed into her eyes. "To me not dozing off," I said, trying to lighten the mood. But she could feel it, too, because she just wistfully smiled at me and held my gaze. I'll never forget how she looked that night. So happy. Contented. How I'd always dreamed my wife would look at me one day.
What was funny was she'd slipped away, snoring during the movie while I watched it, pretty amazed it wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. But one thing I was sure about was I could spend many nights just like this and be perfectly happy with my life.
And now...
Was I stupid enough to leave her? To leave this life to chase my dream?
*********
Happy Valentine's Day, lovely readers!
And by special request from nbgangelova...I've made a few Valentine's gifts!
Two novels for your Harlequin-loving reading sims! (I won't say who is enjoying that tome, but...she's hiding the smut, I mean, the delicious literary treatise from all who might take it away!)
Happy Valentine's Day, lovely readers!
And by special request from nbgangelova...I've made a few Valentine's gifts!
Two novels for your Harlequin-loving reading sims! (I won't say who is enjoying that tome, but...she's hiding the smut, I mean, the delicious literary treatise from all who might take it away!)
To download: Click on the link, place cc in your mods folder in your EA folder. Should pop up in the buying book feature.
NOVEL 1: Tempting Target
NOVEL 2: Disarming Detective
But wait! There's more! I've given three posters (for the price of one!) Download this cc and click on the different meshes to see the three different posters. Here's a peek:
AUGUST DETECTIVE POSTERS
ENJOY!
Next update is on Friday, February 16th
Follow Day & Knight through Tumblr, Discord, or Simmers After Dark