"Give me your feet," Mike said without hesitating. "What?" Toni didn't think she heard him right. "Let me have your feet, Toni." His voice become soothing & seductive. 'Meltingly sensual' was the term that came to Toni's brain, which was in a jumbled state of confusion. He took her small feet into his large, muscular hands & began immediately hitting all the pulse points. "Toni?"
"Hmmm?" She purred like a contented cat. "Did anyone ever tell you that you have perfect feet?" He murmured as he continued massaging. "No. I always thought they had too many calluses on them. And I hate my toes," she mumbled, still not sure as to what was happening. "Well, my little cubbie, I happen to think that after God made your feet, He broke the mold." He then brought her right foot up to his mouth & began sucking on her toes. Toni was at that state just between sleep & awake. Oh, God, what a wonderful feeling. She knew she had to be dreaming. She continued thinking that as Mike moved from one toe to the next. She never knew someone so built could be so gentle. "That's it, I've died & gone to heaven," she thought to herself. "It can't get any better than this." Before she knew it, he was working his way up from her foot to her ankle. When he reached her calf, he ran his tongue along the back of her calf & licked it ever so gently. He stopped at her knee, lifted her leg slightly, & kissed the bend of her knee. Toni began to moan with pleasure. A scene flashed into Toni's head. Someone with a baseball cap was pinning her down. She was torn as to what to do. It felt so good to just lay there. Meanwhile, Mike continued to plant feathery soft kisses along her inner thigh. At that moment, Toni froze. "Hon, are you all right? What's wrong? Did I hurt you?" Toni burst out in tears. "No, it's not that. Just remembering the attack &--". She put her hands over her face & sobbed. Mike sat up & cradled Toni in his arms. "I'm so sorry, Toni."
"You don't have anything to be sorry for. It's me. My emotions are so screwed up, I don't have a clue what I'm doing or thinking. Nothing like this has ever happened to me before." Mike had a confused look on his face. "You mean attacked?" Toni shook her head. "That, too. I mean, I've never--" A look of realization crossed his face. "How has someone so beautiful never had sex before?" Toni was stunned. Nobody had ever called her beautiful. Sure, she got a lot of comments like "cute, "perky", & "vivacious", but never beautiful. Of course, that had started with her father. He never did have a kind word to say about her. He always told her she was too fat, too ugly. "You realize you're going to be an old maid, don't you? That's fine with me, means you'll always have time for your old man." God, how she hated him. She didn't even cry when he died 2 years ago. She actually wanted to throw a party, but she thought better of it. Thanks in part to him, she had hidden behind her weight & used it as a shield to block any advances, wanted or otherwise. Up until meeting Mike, there really wasn't anyone she'd been attracted to. And she knew she was way out of her league with Michael Logan, even with what had just transpired. She shook herself back to the present. Time to focus on the positive, she decided. "I'm sorry, you asked me a question, didn't you? I was just thinking how best to answer it. To be perfectly honest, no one ever asked me. And, Mike, thanks for saying I'm beautiful. I haven't heard that before."
"You're welcome, Miss Bradley. And I do mean that. You are beautiful, & if anyone thinks otherwise, just send 'em to me & they'll change their mind."
"Mike?" She said in a whisper soft voice. "Can I ask you something? And promise me you won't laugh?"
"I promise."
"When I'm more myself, you know, a little further removed from the attack, would you--" she choked up. "Would you--be my first?" Mike didn't hesitate. "I'd be honored. That's a question no one's ever asked me."
"I'm not surprised. You know me, the original & unique Toni Bradley."
"And this guy wouldn't have it any other way." He leaned down, hesitated for a moment, & said, "are you awake enough to enjoy our first kiss now?"
"I'm flattered you remembered I said that. Yes, I'm awake now." He put his strong hand under her chin, brought it up to his face, & enveloped her in a long, deep & wet kiss from which Toni thought she'd never recover. "Umm, that was unbelievable." Toni looked up at Mike with watery blue eyes. "Mikey, would you just hold me for a while?"
"You got it. I'm not moving. Well, except maybe to get the remote."
"Babe, you'll have to fight me for it," she replied with a twinkle in her eyes. "Oooh, a fight, I love it!" Mike joked. "I'm sure you would, you Irish hooligan you!" She grinned. "I guess this means you're feeling better," Mike said. "Back on the road to recovery, thanks to you."
"My pleasure, ma'am."
"By the way, Dr. Logan, I'd highly recommend this recovery program to anyone." Toni leaned against Mike's broad chest & he wrapped his arms around her. She felt so secure enclosed in his strong arms. She knew nothing or no one could harm her now. I've got to be the luckiest girl in the world, she thought. I know it can't get any better than this. Toni looked up at Mike, who had snuggled up against her & had fallen asleep. She reached up, wrapped her arms around his neck, & fell into a blissful sleep.
Toni woke up Saturday morning to the lilting strings of Celtic music playing throughout the room. She rose from the couch, stretched her limbs & walked over to the stereo. She picked up the CD case. "Lord of the Dance. Hmmm, I like it." She turned back towards the couch & smiled broadly as she remembered the turn of events of the previous evening. She was still wondering if it had been a dream as she plodded into the kitchen to get some breakfast & she spotted something on the table. In the center of the table stood a vase with a single red rose sprouting from it. There was a hand-written note under the vase. Toni picked up the note. She could still sense his touch on the paper as she read the note. "My little cubbie, got something to take care of. Be back later. Miss ya already." He signed it "bucko." "I still can't believe this is happening to me. What did I ever do to deserve this? Who cares! I'm just going to enjoy it while it lasts, because it probably won't last that long. I know if I tell myself that, then I won't be disappointed when he leaves." Toni shook her head. "Yep, that's the Bradley motto--prepare for the worst, that way you're not surprised by anything." She thought back over the chain of events that had brought her to this point in her life. She grew up an only child. Her stepsister, Beth, was shipped off to private schools. As a youngster, she never knew the whole story, only that Elizabeth didn't get along with Toni's father. Unfortunately, she found out all too well why Beth was never around. Toni was lucky enough, however, to grow up in a neighborhood full of girls, so she found sisters outside her birth family. The carefree life that she knew changed in an instant, however, when her parents divorced when she was 12. Her mother had a nervous breakdown & just walked out one day, so Toni's dad was left to fend for himself & a girl just hitting puberty. Toni's life collapsed rather rapidly from then on, at least that's the way she remembered it. Thanks to a memory block covering the next 3 years of her life, Toni was spared from most of the horrors of the divorce & the aftermath. However, the details she had dredged up were frightening enough. "NO!" Toni shouted. "I refuse to let you influence my life anymore, you son of a bitch! I've been through enough therapy to know that what happened was not MY fault! My God, I was only 12! What did you expect? You took away my childhood! I'm not letting you have my adulthood, as well!" She slammed the cabinet door just as Mike came in. "Damn it!" She scramed. "You okay, Toni?" Mike peered cautiously around the wall. Well, that's anger, he thought, supposed to be a good sign.
Toni whirled around in surprise. "Oh, Mike, it's you. I'm sorry. I was just upset because--" she said the first thing that popped into her head "--I slammed my finger in the drawer. I was getting a knife to slice a bagel &--" Mike sauntered into the kitchen. "And to think I was worried. Remind me never to be on your bad side."
"Oh, don't worry, you'll know."
"By the way, which finger?" Mike asked as he took her hands. "Huh?" She'd forgotten what she'd just said. "Which finger did you hurt?" Mike said compassionately. "Oh, my--this one." She held up her right index finger. Mike brought it to his lips & placed a tender kiss on it. "Better?" Toni nodded. "But I still don't have breakfast." Mike turned around, went to the entryway & came back with two sacks. He held them up for her to see. "Brunch & entertainment," he said. She went & took one sack from him. "Mmm, sesame seed bagels & pineapple cream cheese--my favorite. I can't wait to see what's in the other sack." He held it over her head. "Well, you're just gonna have to wait, little missy. They're for later." Now her curiosity was aroused. (Note to the Incorrigibles--that's not all that's aroused!) She stuck out her lower lip & began to pout. "Nope, not gonna work, cubbie. However, you do get a reward for being so darn cute when you're pouting." He leaned down & enveloped her lips. She could do nothing but respond back. She opened her mouth as he forced his tongue in between her lips. She dropped the bagels & began to run her fingers through his thick hair. After a few minutes, Toni came to her senses (mind out of the gutter, Incorrigibles!) & pushed Mike away. "Wait a minute. I got a call from the doctor this morning."
"What happened?"
"Nothing. Everything's OK. There's just some--" Toni hem-hawed around trying to find the right words. "--information the hospital didn't give me when I was discharged. Mike, these are the hardest words I've ever had to say." Mike became concerned. "Are you sure you're all right?" Toni bit her bottom lip. "Fine. It's just--" she looked up at the ceiling & sighed. "I can't have sex for 6 weeks. There, I said it." Toni sat down in a kitchen chair. Mike was shocked, but recovered quickly. "Is that all? God, I thought it was something serious." Toni was stunned. "You mean, you're OK with that?" Mike laughed. "Well, of course I'm all right with it. It's not like I haven't gone that long without it before. Sheesh, what do you think I am? A sex maniac?" Toni's face turned beet red as she sank in the chair. "No, I just didn't know if you'd want to wait or not," she said hesitantly. Toni looked up at Mike. "To tell you the truth, I didn't believe you'd think I was worth waiting for." Mike took a chair, swung it around & straddled it. He took Toni's hands & brought them up to his face. Her eyes filled with tears as she focused on his dreamy hazel eyes. "Antonia Lynn Bradley," he softly whispered as he planted a feathery kiss on each hand, "I've waited my entire life to meet my soul mate, I don't think 6 weeks will be a problem." She leaned across the chair & gave him a soft kiss. "You don't know how much--" Toni broke down. She couldn't handle any more emotions at the moment. As she hung her head, Mike placed a finger underneath her chin & brought her face up to eye level. "You're my little cubbie & don't you ever forget it." Toni nodded, sniffed, & then shook her head. "I think that's enough waterworks for now; on to more important things. Like, what's in the other sack?" Toni gave a little smirk.
"Oh, all right, I'll show you." He picked up the sack off the floor & handed it to her. She peeked in & squealed with delight. "Oooh, the Star Wars Trilogy! My favorite movies!" She went to Mike & hugged him. "Thank you! How did you know?" A smug look crossed Mike's face. "I'm a detective. It's my job to find out things." She slapped his arm. "Cute, Mikey," she joked. His face became serious. "Speaking of finding things out, when I was out picking up these items, I got a page. You might want to sit down for this." She sat. "Bobby Franco's been found." Toni's eyes fired up. "He was pulled over for speeding up near Syracuse. Are you up to coming in to view a lineup?"
"Are you kidding?" Toni almost leaped up out of the chair. "Let's go. I just want one shot at the jerk." She settled back as a thought crossed her mind. "Mike, what if it's not him? What if the guy that attacked me wasn't Bobby? I know the description I gave you fits him, but it also fits thousands of other guys." A frightened look crossed her pale face.
"If it's not him, then we'll retrace our steps & find the guy. Don't worry, that's what we're here for, to protect you, remember?" Toni nodded. Just then, the phone rang. "I'll get it," Toni said. She went to the phone & answered it. "Hello? Hi, Beth. No, things are fine. How's it going up there? I see. Yeah, he's here. Sure, hold on." She turned to Mike. "Mike? It's Beth." Mike took the phone from Toni & watched her as she left the kitchen. Man, how could she not know that I would wait for her? A guy would have to be pretty stupid to not wait. He turned his attention to the phone. "Hey, Doc. Nah, she's doing pretty well. No, hasn't asked yet. Yes, I found the list. I'll tell her about it. Plans? Staying home, watching movies for a while. By the way, thanks for the tip about the movies, that really made her day. Oh, one more thing. We're going to the precinct for a lineup. We think we caught the bastard. I'll watch it, Liz. I'll try not to tear him from limb to limb. Okay, bye." He hung up the phone & it rang again. "Hello? He's there? We'll be there in a bit." Mike hung up the phone again & called to Toni. "Sweetie? That was Lennie. Franco's at the station. You ready?" "On my way, Mikey." She walked into the kitchen pulling a sea green sweater over her head. "Okay, I'm ready. I'll fix my face on the way," she said as she shyly grinned at Mike.
"You'll be okay, Toni. He won't be able to see you, so you have nothing to worry about. Besides, I'll be there, & so will Lennie, Profaci & Van Buren." He held the door open, locked it behind her & they went down to the parking garage. "Man, do you call out the calvary like this for everyone?" Toni asked as Mike opened the car door. "Nope, but it helps that you have a famous relative," Mike said as he slid into the car. "Don't remind me, okay? He doesn't have anything to do with me & I don't have anything to do with him & we like it that way. Why do you think I dislike the Yankees so much? See, & you thought it was because they beat my beloved Braves in the Series." Toni laughed. "Don't worry, though, this is our year, even if they did get rid of 2 of the best players they ever had." Mike still couldn't believe he'd found a woman who knew so much about sports, especially baseball. "And just think of the fun we can have arguing about the teams--& even more fun making up," he chuckled to himself.
Toni leaned back & enjoyed the rest of the short drive. "I can't wait to see what this city really looks like. I'm ready to be a real tourist, not a poster child for Traveler's Aid." Mike laughed. "I guess you haven't seen much of the city, have you?" Toni nodded. "No, but I'm very impressed with what I have seen." She shot a lascivious grin at Mike. Just then, Mike pulled into the 2-7. "You're just lucky we're at the precinct, Miss Cubbie. By the way, I guess I should formally ask you."
"Ask me what?"
"May I have the honor of escorting you for a night on the town, my treat?"
"Is this the date I've been waiting for? Hmm, what night? I'll have to check my schedule." Mike did some quick figuring in his head. "How does July 4th sound?"
"Let me check. Yes, I believe I have that evening available. I'm all yours, detective." To do with what you will, she thought to herself. Mike parked the care, got out & opened Toni's door. He took her hand & they walked into the station. "Well, if it isn't the lovebirds," a voice boomed from down the hall. Tony Profaci came walking out of an office. "About time you 2 showed yourselves in public. Mikey, I thought maybe you were hiding her from us."
"Only from you, my friend. Of course, all I'd have to do is report you to Miss Stewart and--" he was interrupted by a lilting Irish accent. "No need to report anything, laddie," she kidded. "Well, Miss Toni, aren't you a sight for me Irish eyes? And has our boy here been taking good care of you?"
"Best care anywhere, Olga." They quickly hugged. "Not that I'm not glad to see you, which I am, but what are you doing here?"
"I'm here for you. The guys thought you might need some female support. You know," she remarked, glancing around the room, "too much testosterone is not a good thing, young lady." Toni laughed. "Thank you, Dr. Stewart." Just then, Lennie sauntered into the room. "Hey, Lennie," Toni brightened up, "glad you could join us for this shindig."
"Hey, kiddo, how are you doin'? Mikey boy givin' you any trouble?" He said in a fatherly voice as he glanced at Mike. "Nothing I can't handle, Lennie. Thanks for asking." She hugged him. "Sorry I was late. Been getting the main course ready." He looked at Toni. "Are you sure you're ready for this?" His voice became serious. Toni nodded. "Let's get it over with. Just show me where to go." Lennie & Profaci escorted Toni down the hall. Olga hung back to talk to Mike. "How is she doing, really, Mike?" Mike replied. "On the surface, she seems to be fine, but underneath--I don't know. It's like she's hiding something. I don't know what it is, but I intend to find out."
"Don't push her, Mike. She's still fragile. She's got a fighter mentality & with our support, she'll forge ahead, but it has to be at her own pace. We can't force her to do or face anything she's not ready to." The conversation stopped there, as the pair caught up with the rest of the group. "Toni, you remember Lt. Van Buren?" Lennie said, motioning to the lieutenant. Toni nodded, approached Anita & shook her hand. "Of course. Thank you for the lovely flower arrangement you sent. "That was very sweet of you."
"It's the least I can do for the girl who's kept this big guy out of my hair for the past two months. I'm just glad to see you're doing better. Are you ready to view the lineup?" Toni nodded. "Okay, send them in." The group watched as the 6 men filed into the lineup room. "Take a good look, Toni. There's no hurry," Van Buren said. Toni looked at each man carefully. ""Number 3," she replied.
"Number 3, step forward," Profaci ordered, then looked over at Toni. "Is that the guy?"
"More so than the others, but I'm not sure if that's the guy that attacked me." Toni looked up at the group, shaking her head. "I'm sorry, I'm just not positive." Van Buren patted Toni's shoulder. "It's okay, Toni. We'll still question Mr. Franco, since he waived his right to an attorney. Why don't we go to my office & you can wait there while Lennie & Mike question him?" Toni got up & walked with Van Buren & Olga to Van Buren's office. "Anybody want anything to drink?" Profaci asked. "I'd like some iced tea, please, no lemon," Toni replied. "Lord, another tea drinker. Whatever happened to coffee drinkers?" Profaci joked as he sauntered down the hall.
In the interrogation room, Lennie was trying to head off a possible storm. He knew how Mike's temper could flare up at a moment's notice. He'd seen Logan smack around a few perps & had even had to restrain him at times from doing something that might get hiim kicked off the force. "Mike, remember, don't blow your lid. Keep your cool. We're still not sure he's the guy." Mike was methodically pacing around the table. "I'm doin' my best, partner. I just keep seeing Toni, lying there in a pool of blood & I just want to knock the shit out of the bastard."
"If you want," Lennie offered, "I can have Profaci help me out & you can go be with Toni."
"No," Mike said firmly. "I want to hear for myself what this jerk has to say." The door opened & Bobby Franco was led into the room. He was a tall, lanky man, with blonde hair & blue eyes. The all-American type, Mike thought to himself. I'd just love to take my fist & ram it into his gut. Lennie began. "So, Mr. Franco, can we get you something to drink?" Franco nodded. "No, thank you, I'm fine. Can we just get this over with, please?" He said in a flat voice. "That we can do, Bobby." He pulled up a chair & sat next to Bobby. "So, Bob, you used to work at Yankee Stadium?" Lennie leaned toward him. "No, Detective Briscoe, I didn't. A close friend of mine did, however. I gather you've talked to Mark Porter & he put you on my tail." Lennie nodded. "That's the closest I've ever been to a baseball stadium. I hate sports. Never could play them in school."
"So, Mr. Franco, you've never been to Yankee Stadium?" Mike jumped into the conversation. He slammed his hands down on the table, causing it to shake. "Then how do you explain the attack on Toni? You do know Toni Bradley, don't you?"
"I'm sorry, Detective--Logan, is it? Yes, I knew Toni very well in Tulsa. However, I was not, nor have I ever, been to Yankee Stadium. During the time in question, I was with my ex-wife & daughter. We were in Syracuse visiting relatives." Bobby cocked his head. "I'm picking up some very interesting vibes, detective." He stared at Mike. "You're in love with her, aren't you? I can tell these things. I have a sixth sense."
"Well, that's good, because your other 5 aren't worth crap," Mike shot off. "What does it matter how I feel about her?"
"It doesn't. Has she ever mentioned me?"
"No, we haven't covered the lowlife section of her life yet." Mike's jaw tensed & he clenched his fists. "She was in love with me," Bobby replied, "but I wouldn't have her. I told her I'd never go out with anyone older than me, had dark hair, or weighed more than me." Bobby paused. He was enjoying this; he lived to annoy people. "Has she told you anything about her past?" He didn't give Mike a chance to answer. "You realize you're getting damaged goods, don't you?"
"I know she was raped during the attack," Mike grunted through tightly clenched teeth. "Was she? Wouldn't be the first time," Bobby said smugly. "What the hell are you talking about?" Mike said as he leaned into Bobby's face. "Her dad. After her parents got divorced, her dad used Toni as a substitute wife. Did she forget to mention that?" Mike leaped out of the chair & lunged toward Bobby. "You son of a bitch!" Mike screamed. He picked Bobby up by his shirt collar & threw him against the wall. "Mike!" Lennie yelled. He ran over & tried to pull Mike away. "Profaci! Get your ass in here!" Profaci burst through the door & the 2 of them were finally able to get Mike away from Bobby, who kept a smug look on his face throughout the attack. Lennie & Profaci tried to restrain Mike, but he shook himself loose from the 2 detectives & stormed out of the room. "What was that all about, Franco?" Lennie said as he got in Bobby's face.
"You don't get it, do you? I have no interest in Toni other than seeing her life in shambles. I didn't attack her. You want to know why? Wounds to the body heal much too soon. It takes longer for injuries to the soul to go away." He paused & stared straight ahead. "Go ahead, check my alibi, you'll find I'm telling the truth. I have nothing else to say, so I'll be going now since I'm not under arrest." He smirked at Lennie, then got up & calmly strolled out the door. "We'd better go check on Toni & try to find Mike," Profaci said. As he got to the door, Toni burst in, with Olga right behind. "What happened?" Toni demanded to know. "We heard a lot of shouting & then saw Mike fly by." She looked around. "Where'd he go? Bobby, I mean." Lennie put his arm around Toni's broad shoulders. "We had to let him go. He has an alibi for the time of your attack." Toni shook his arm off. "That's all well & good, but what about Mike?" Toni again demanded as she threw her hands up in the air. Profaci & Lennie looked at each other. Lennie spoke up. "Honey," he said in a gentle voice, "apparently Bobby told Mikey some things about you."
Toni opened her mouth but couldn't speak; it hit her as to what Bobby knew. "Damn! That son of a bitch!" She cried out with a horrified look on her face. "I've got to find Mike & explain to him--" She couldn't finish the sentence. She whirled around & buried her head in Olga's shoulder. She cried for a few minutes, then composed herself. "Where did Mike go, Lennie?" He thought for a moment. "Usually when he wants to think, he goes over to Casey's. I'll walk you over there."
"Thanks, Lennie, I'd appreciate that," she said shakily. "Did you bring a coat, hon?" Toni shook her head no. "Let me see if I can find you one." Lennie walked down the hall. Olga pulled Toni away & sat her in a chair. "What does this guy know about you?" She asked with a worried look on her face. "Everything," Toni said flatly. "He knows more about me than anyone does. I've got to get to Mike & talk to him. Make him understand that--I was going to tell him, as soon as I found the right time. Well, thanks to that jerk, I guess now's the right time." Lennie reentered, holding a well-worn short brown leather jacket. "Here, I found Mike's. He must be wearing his other one." Lennie helped Toni put on the coat. "Okay, we'll be back." The two of them left the precinct & headed over to Casey's.
"Lennie, I think I've screwed up big time. I guess I should have told him everything up front, but I didn't want to scare him off. Too late for that, huh?" Toni shook her head. "I thought I'd found the one for me, the one male on the planet who could look past the weight & see the real me. And you know what, Len? He never saw my weight as an issue. He's the first man to see me as a woman, not an overweight woman." Lennie thought carefully before responding. Oh, well, I'll deal with Mike later. This is more important. I can't let him lose this one. "Toni, Mike'll probably kill me for telling you this, but I think you should know. Has he told you anything about his childhood?"
"Not much. I've gathered it was pretty unpleasant. He always grimaces when talking about his mother, if he mentions her at all. He's mentioned his brother & sister, but that's about it. Why?" She flashed him a curious look. "He had it pretty rough. His mother used to beat him; quite regularly, from what I gather."
"Oh, poor Mike. No wonder he has such a wall around him. I get the feeling there's something else there, though."
"You know, he said the same thing about you. That's when I knew you two were made for each other. And I don't think you screwed this up, Toni. It was bound to happen. I think Mike Logan has found his match in you. He's been intrigued by you from the start." Lennie halted. "Well, here we are, Casey's Bar. You want me to go with you?"
"No, I need to do this by myself. Thanks for your help, Lennie." She squeezed his hand & walked into the bar. She stepped in & looked around but didn't spot Mike. She saw a few people in the booths & a couple of guys at the bar. She walked up & perched on a barstool. "What can I get for you, lass?" The bartender's Irish brogue boomed through the building. "For now, just a Coke. Let me get my feet wet, then I'l start on the heavy stuff," she replied. "Have you seen Mike Logan?"
"Mikey? He's in his usual spot, in the booth back there." He pointed to a booth nestled in the rear of the bar. "Thanks," Toni said. She slowy headed towards the table, not quite sure how to approach Mike. She decided up front was the best & only way. "Mind if I sit down?" She asked, unsure of what the answer would be. "Go ahead," he replied in a somber voice. "Can I explain, please?" She didn't wait for an answer. Mike continued nursing his beer. "I was going to tell you, but I didn't know how. I mean, how do you tell someone you've just met about your dad abusing you? There is no polite way to introduce that into a conversation. I knew it would come back to haunt me, my telling Bobby. I always worried that if I became famous somehow, he'd blackmail me with it. And, I figured who would want someone who'd been through that, so I hid myself in my weight to discourage anyone who might ever be interested in me--until you came along. Mike, you are the first guy who's ever stayed around long enough to get to know the real me. Well, except Bobby."
Mike looked up. "Did you love him?" Toni chuckled. "I thought I did, but I was just desperate. He told me he'd never go out with me because I was too fat, too old & too dark-haired, but I was so desperate for any attention from males I figured his friendship was better than nothing. But none of this explains why you flew out like you did." Toni paused. "If it helps at all, I'm truly sorry I didn't tell you sooner, but I didn't want to--" Mike finished the sentence for her. "Screw up the one good thing that's happened to you." Toni was surprised. "How did you know what I was going to say?" Mike grinned as only Mike could. "I was thinking the same thing before you got here. I guess I was mad because I wasn't there to protect you & partially because you didn't tell me. But then I realized something--I haven't told you much about my past, either."
"You mean about your mother? Lennie mentioned it. Don't get mad at him. He was just trying to help, and it's okay. It just makes me feel closer to you somehow. You know, like we've both won similar battles." If you only knew Toni, if you only knew. "This isn't easy for me to say, Toni. I'm--" he stuttered, "sorry that I ran out. Forgive me?" He begged, looking even more like a lost little boy, with an incorrigible lock of that raven hair falling across his forehead. "If it means anything, I think you look quite sexy in my leather coat."
"How could I not forgive you after a statement like that," Toni beamed. "It's settled then, we're back together?" Mike asked as he stood up & offered his hand to Toni. "Back together, I like the sound of that." Toni took Mike's hand & the 2 of them walked out of the bar.
**********
Toni's case was at a standstill for the next few weeks. Bobby's ex-wife confirmed the fact that she & Bobby were in Syracuse when Toni was attacked & no other leads panned out. Mike & Lennie were involved in several pressing cases, so Mike & Toni didn't get to see much of each other. One day, the two were talking on the phone. "You realize what happens next week, don't you?" Mike asked as he pecked away on his typewriter. "Yeah, the 4th of July. I just love fireworks," Toni joked. "Well, babe, nothing will be our fireworks," Mike seductively whispered. "Do tell, Detective Logan," Toni laughed. "By the way, what are we doing on this date, anyway?"
"You have to ask?" Mike teased. "Mikey!" Toni exclaimed as she blushed. "Okay, okay. All I'm gonna tell you is be prepared for the best weekend of your life. Oops, gotta run. See ya next week, sweetheart." Toni beamed as she hung up the phone. "Oh, Lord, must be another call from Mike," Liz remarked as she saw Toni's bright smile. "It was." Toni sat down on the couch & curled her legs up underneath her. "This is going to be the longest week of my life." Liz looked puzzled. "Mike & I are taking a one week sabbatical from each other. We've spent so much time together, we decided we needed a break. You know, to see if absence really does make the heart grow fonder."
"This must be serious, then," Liz said. "What makes you say that, Beth?" Liz knew she had to cover this subject at some point.l "She saw from the start the chemistry between Mike & her sister, & she knew she'd have to tell Toni about her & Mike. "Toni, how much do you know about Mike?" Toni took a sip of iced tea. "I know about his unhappy childhood & about his partners. Oh, & the fact he's dated practically every female in the tri-state area. Why?"
"This isn't going to be easy for you to hear, but you need to hear it & I need to say it. Mike & I slept together. I was going through a rough time, one thing led to another, and--" Toni put up her hand. "You don't have to say any more. I had a feeling something happened between you two, but it's all over now, right?" Liz nodded. "I don't advocate psychiatrists sleeping with their patients. Although Mike wasn't my patient at the time, it still wasn't a good idea."
"It's okay, Beth. It's in the past, over & done with, so I don't see a problem. I'm all right with it, really I am. I figure if I haven't scared him away with my past, then I don't have any room to complain, do I?" Toni smiled. "I have a favor to ask you. I need to go shopping for something to wear for the big date next week. Would you like to go with me?"
"I'd love to. I've got the afternoon free. Would you like to go now?"
**********
(Author's note--Okay, guys
"Why am I so nervous? It's not like he's never seen me before or we've never spent time together? We were together for practically 2 months." Toni looked up at Olga, who was helping her get ready. "So why am I shaking so much?"
"Well, lassie, it's your first time, you know," Olga said. "This is a very special event in our lives. You, my dear, just happen to be experiencing it a wee bit later in life. I just think you waited until you were mature enough to handle it & waited for the right lad."
"I'm also scared about that--hell, forget scared. I'm terrified beyond belief." Toni turned around & faced Olga. "I don't know anything & he's so--experienced." Olga grabbed Toni's shoulders. "Do I have to shake some sense into you, missy? He knows that & he's still with you, isn't he?" Toni nodded her head. "Then get those negative thoughts out of your head. Don't worry, your instincts will take over--trust me, all right?" Toni jumped up & hugged Olga. "What would I do without you?" Olga smirked. "For one thing, you'd be fixing your own hair." Olga turned Toni back toward the mirror. "There, tell me what you think." Toni's shoulder length light brown hair was upswept softly into a loose bun. "Well?" Toni contemplated it & then declared, "I like it, Olga, I really do. I don't normally like my hair off my shoulders, but it makes my face look less fat."
"Slimmer is the word, dear heart. Now, go put on your dress & we'll get a look at the whole package." Toni went into the other room & after a short time appeared in the doorway. "Well, what do you think?" Olga turned around & let out a whistle. "Well, if me judgment is correct, you won't be wearing that dress for very long."
"Olga!" Toni blushed. "Come on out here & let me take a look." Toni walked into the room & Olga nodded her approval. Toni was wearing a long sleeved midnight blue velvet dress that skimmed the top of her knees, showing off her legs quite nicely. The dress was loose in the sleeves & had a scoop neck, showing just a tad bit of cleavage. "Antonia, you are a smashing looking woman, if I do say so myself. If you weren't my best friend, I wouldn't trust you around my guy," Just then, the doorbell rang. Toni looked at her watch. "Oh, God, it's Mike & I'm not ready yet."
"It's okay, Toni. Keep 'em waiting--they'll appreciate you more," Olga quipped. "I'll get the door, you finish getting dressed." Toni turned & hurried back to her room & Olga went to answer the door. She opened the door & let out another whistle. "Well, look at you, Michael Logan! What did you do, call GQ Magazine for fashion advice? Whatever you did, it works. Come on in, Toni's not quite ready." She held the door open & Mike waltzed in. She smiled approvingly at his dark blue sportscoat, the crisp, white dress shirt & grey slacks. "I don't believe it," Olga mocked. "Can it, would ya, Stewart?" Mike popped off. "Geez, you think you'd never seen me dressed up before."
"It's not that. I just can't believe you bought new clothes. Nice touch, Logan."
"Well, you know, only the best for Toni. That's why she's got me." Mike strutted into the living room & sat down on the couch. Olga just rolled here eyes & shook her head. "By the way, speaking of having the best, thanks for cooking the dinner & dropping it off. I thought Toni deserved better than dirty water dogs or macaroni & cheese."
"You're welcome, Mike. I'm happy to do what I can for my best friend. Plus, I think she deserves a medal just for putting up with you." Toni walked into the room & cleared her throat. "Ahem. I'm finally ready. Sorry I took so long." Mike stood up, turned around, gave a very approving look & let out a wolf whistle. "It was definitely worth the wait." Toni blushed. "Thanks, Mike." She went up to Olga & hugged her. "Thanks for everything, Olga. I'll see you later." Mike & Toni exited into the cool, crisp New York City evening. Toni started to walk toward the parking garage, but Mike stopped her. "Aren't we going to your car?"
"We're using another mode of transportation this evening." He pointed toward the street to a horse-drawn carriage. "I thought you might like a little change of pace, a different view of the city." Toni clasped Mike's arm. "I'd love it, Mike." He helped Toni into the carriage & then got in himself. He had the driver take the long way over to his apartment, pointing out the sights along the way. Before she knew it, they were at his apartment. "I can't believe you went to all this trouble just for me," she said as they walked up to his building. "Oh, you ain't seen nothing yet," Mike smirked. The elevator door opened, they got in & headed up to his apartment. Toni was visibly nervous as Mike unlocked the door. "You all right?" Mike looked concerned. "Just a little nervous. I'll be fine. Besides, I'm in good hands, right?" Toni grinned. Mike laughed as he opened the door & let her in. "Go on in & have a seat in the living room. I'll be right in," Mike said as he locked the door behind them. She walked in, looked around & headed straight for the bookcase. "Very nice collection of books, Detective Logan. I'm impressed. I wouldn't have pictured you as the classics type of guy." She walked over to the entertainment center & glanced at his CD collection. "Mind if I put in a CD?" She asked as she spotted a Chicago's Greatest Hits 1982-1989 CD & put it in the CD player.
"No, go right ahead." Toni jumped as Mike sneaked up behind her & handed a glass of wine. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. You really are tense, aren't you? Come here." Mike took Toni by the hand & led her over to his dark brown leather couch. "Dinner will be ready in a minute, just lean back." As she did, he placed his strong hands on her shoulders & began to massage her neck & shoulders. She rolled her head & murmured, "That feels wonderful. Don't stop." He brought his head up to hers & began kissing her neck. She moaned & fell back into him. She turned around, looked at hims & whispered, "Mike?"
"Hmm?"
"Can we--postpone dinner?" She shot him a wicked grin. "You mean?" She nodded. "Are you sure?" He asked. She smiled. "I've never been more sure of anything in my entire life. I don't think I'd be able to make it through dinner, anyway." She sat up. "I mean, I am a little scared, but I'm here with you,so I'll be okay. I'm just afraid I won't--" Her cheeks turned red. Mike took her in his arms & reassured her, "If I do something that makes you uncomfortable or hurts you in any way, let me know & I'll stop, OK?"
"Thanks, Mike. You don't know how special that makes me feel." Mike smiled. "Yes, I do. Now, give me your hand." She did & he took it & led her down the hall. Neither of them spoke a word as the walked into his bedroom. Toni walked over & looked out the picture window at the view of the city. "What a skyline! Isn't that a gorgeous view?"
"I know an even more gorgeous sight," Mike whispered in Toni's ear. "You, standing there with the moonlight reflecting off your hair. It's like you were meant to be here, in this spot at this exact moment." Mike's hands slowly unzipped Toni's dress & slipped it off of her as she stepped out of her shoes. She turned around to face him & they began fervently kissing, fumbling with uncooperative buttons & hooks as they made their way to the bed. Toni perched on the bed as Mike seductively removed her stockings & planted feathery kisses from her thighs to her feet & back. He laid Toni on the bed while continuing to kiss her body. He looked at her with love radiating from his bedroom hazel eyes into her crystal blue eyes. Toni pulled him closer & returned his kisses with equal fervor. She ran her fingers thourgh his dark, wavy hair as waves of euphoria overcame them both. They moved as one body for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, they collapsed into each other's arms. Toni kissed Mike's face & continued stroking his hair. She turned & saw the fireworks in the window. "Happy 4th of July, Mikey." At that moment, Mike knew what it was like to make love & not just have sex. "Back at ya, my little cubbie." She hated to ask, but it was going to drive her crazy until she found out. "Mike?"
"Yes, cubbie?" He said lovingly. "Was it--was I--?" She blushed. She seemed to be doing a lot of that lately. He gave her a wicked grin & kissed her. "Sweetie, you were wonderful. In fact, I think you're a natural. Of course, you can never have too much practice."
"Oh, you think so, do you?" Toni grabbed Mike & pulled him closer. "Wanna start practicing now? Practice makes perfect, you know."
"Why, Miss Bradley, you surprise me at every turn."
"Shut up, come here & kiss me." They fell into another all purposeful embrace & stayed in bed exploring each other for several hours. Mike gazed over at Toni & smiled broadly. "I have another present for you, sweetie." He went to his walk-in closet & came back with a brightly wrapped package. "Here you go, I hope you like it." She took the package, sat up & opened it. She pulled out a cotton bathrobe with a red, green & blue print. "The Lindsay tartan! How did you know?"
"I'm a detective, remember? Didn't we cover this already?" She playfully swatted him on the back of the head. "Actually, I asked Liz & she told me what your grandmother's maiden name was, so I did some investigating--my specialty, I might add. When I found this robe, I knew I had to get it for you." She kissed him. "I love it! But I didn't get you anything."
"Sweetie, you gave me you. That's all I want or need." Toni's eyes filled with tears. "That's the most romantic thing anyone's ever said to me. I don't know how what to say or how to thank you." Mike reached for Toni & took her in his arms. "You don't have to say anything. This is thanks enough," he replied as he held her & they began another round of voracious lovemaking.
Saturday morning Toni woke up famished, then realized that they'd never eaten dinner the night before. That's okay, she thought to herself, we had other appetites to take care of. She grinned slyly as she looked over at Mike. He was sprawled across the bed & Toni had to push away an arm & a leg before she could move. She leaned over, brushed back the hair that had fallen across his forehead & kissed him. "Good morning, Mikey," she whispered as she crawled out of bed. She picked up her robe, put it on & made her way to the shower. As she stood under the cascading water, she could still feel his caresses all over her. "I still can't believe I'm here with him. I'm still shocked that he wants to be with me--me!" She almost shouted. She began to sing to herself:
"I like the feel of your name on my lips I like the sound of your sweet gentle kiss The way that your fingers run through my hair And how your scent lingers even when you're not there..."
(I Love the Way You Love Me by John Michael Montgomery)
As she finished the song, she turned the water off & reached out to get the towel. Before she grab the towel, a hand appeared holding it. "This what you're looking for, darlin'?" Mike asked, waving the towel in front of her. "That would be it, dear heart. Now, may I have it, please?" She reached for the towel as Mike hid it behind his back. "What do I get in return?" Mike asked seductively. "Let me think--I know, I won't throw this bar of Ivory soap at you," Toni joked. "Nope, gotta be worth more to you than that."
"Okay, how about I make us breakfast?" She asked. "Deal. Now come here & kiss me, my little cubbie," he said as he stepped into the shower with Toni. "Ooh, Detective Logan, you do have a way with words, among other things," Toni said as Mike pressed her up against the shower wall.