Lawmakers (21 page)

“Listen, R.J.,” her father sighed. “Honey, no father could ask for a better child, son or daughter, than you. You have so much fire in you, for justice, for life and that promise you made put a damper on that for too many years.  I followed along because at first after the shooting I was too weak, and then I let the fear of losing you seep in.”

“Dad, you don’t…”

He cut her off. “No, let me finish. You said we wanted Sean to be the son we never had but that’s not true. Baby girl, you can be one of the finest police officers this city has ever seen and it’s not because of me, it’s you. You throw your heart into everything one hundred percent and I’m so sorry that I let it get so far.”

“I just want you to be proud of me, Daddy,” she said honestly.

“Who were the lady and the little girl walking away when I drove up?” her father asked.

“When I dislocated my shoulder, I got her daughter back from a drugged out father and a child molesting so-called grandfather,” R.J. explained. “She wanted to say thanks.”

“I’m even more proud of you,” he answered. “Your dedication has gone past any cop I ever knew, even mine. R.J., you’ll do fine and your mom will come around.”

She put her cup down and hugged him. “Thank you Daddy, I love you.”

“I love you too,” he replied. “At the academy don’t let them give you any shit about being my kid. You give as good as you get and more.”

She gave a watery laugh and wiped away a tear. “They haven’t met the likes of me and never will again. I’m ready.”

“I know you are.” He hesitated. “What about you and Sean?”

She shook her head. “That ship has sailed. I can’t be the kind of woman he wants.”

“You’d be surprised,” her father murmured. “All I’m going to say is you have twelve weeks to decide what you want and if he’s part of it. Then you fight just as hard for him as you did for this job. Promise you’ll think about it.”

“I promise,” she answered.

“Good, now let me show you how to fold these socks so your bag isn’t so bulky,” he said.

R.J. passed him her socks and watched with a smile as he showed her how to fold. She already knew because she’d seen him do it hundreds of times at home. Yet sitting with her father, listening to him, made her feel so much better than being alone. He was on her side and no matter what he loved her. Things were going to be okay and regardless of if her mother was displeased with her for the rest of her life she was going to give being a police officer her all.

As for Sean, she didn’t know if they would find their way back to each other, but like she promised her dad she would think about it while she was away at training.  By the end of the twelve weeks, her decision would be made if loving him was in the cards or not.

Chapter Seven

She was back from training. He knew it even before her father told him. Sean and Anthony Domino had kept in contact trying to figure out ways to fix the mess between Rosalie and her mother. All the while he also tried to figure out ways to fix the damage in their own relationship.  She never took his calls from the day after the blow-up at her apartment, and he knew she left for training because he watched from a distance as she loaded her stuff in her car and drove away. Rosalie was intent to prove him wrong; the sorry ass statement he made burned him each time he thought of it.

He heard the stories circling the precinct about Lieutenant Domino’s daughter. She went to the academy in Brooklyn and was more focused than any other recruit. She took everything they threw at her and more but never gave up. The other recruit and even some of the instructors started calling her Robocop.  What he didn’t hear from her father, Sean heard from other cops in his precinct.  Rosalie was on a mission and her hurt fueled the fire in her that was already there.  She was fierce, she was determined, she was fire and ice. God, how he loved her and ached for her every minute of every day. Sean was never going to give up on her even if she didn’t know it yet.

Right now Sean had two missions, and he was sitting in a coffee shop waiting for the first to arrive.  He was waiting for Rosalie’s mother to arrive so they could talk. Rosalie’s graduation would be in a few weeks and he planned to be there to support her.  Now he wanted to convince her mother to show up and be there for her daughter. Pride should never stop the love between a mother and a daughter.  He saw Ramona Domino walk into the coffee shop and waved so she could see where he was. She was in her thick, floor length winter coat and wore a scarf and gloves.  He stood as she walked over and she smiled at him while she took off her gloves.

“Sean, you could’ve come by the house,” Ramona said. “It’s much too cold in New York in the winter. Sometimes I swear we’re going to move to Florida to get away from it.”

Sean helped her with her coat. “At least buy a winter home there, you’d miss it too much in the warm months.”

“Good point, but again, six dollars for some coffee. I have Café Bustelo at the house that is just as good,” Ramona said.

“I know, but the hot chocolate here has real chocolate shavings in the whipped cream,” Sean said and teased, “I know you like chocolate.”

She smiled. “Yes, I do, so let’s order and then you can tell me why we’re meeting.”

Sean went to the counter to get their hot drinks and mentally prepared himself for Rosalie’s mother’s stubbornness. He hoped he could make an impact because all their happiness depended on it. She brought their drinks back and sat down. She took a sip of her hot chocolate while he sipped his tall coffee.

“I want you to go to Rosalie’s graduation,” Sean said bluntly, deciding not to pussyfoot around.

“As far I hear, she likes neither of us at the moment,” Ramona said neutrally.

“I plan on marrying her, Ramona, and I know while you may be pretending not to hear it, Rosalie is one tough woman and blew the academy away with how she did,” Sean said. “You must have some pride for the strong woman you raised.”

“I’ve heard Anthony talking to his friends,” Ramona played with the edge of her sleeve. “I miss my
mija, mi bella princesa
, but even more so I’m scared to lose her, Sean.”

He covered her hand with his. “Regardless of if you talk to her or not, Rosalie is a cop now, and for us there is always more danger than normal. But imagine this: your worst fear happens and she is hurt or killed. Do you want that to happen while you’re not there? That would kill you, tear you up inside.”

Her lips trembled and she gave a stiff nod. “You are correct on that aspect of it. She is so stubborn, so very proud.”

“She’s your daughter and you would have her no other way,” Sean pointed out.

Ramona smiled. “You think you know me so well.”

Sean grinned. “The reason why you fight so hard is that you are the same woman, too much alike. Make peace with your daughter, then I can convince her to marry me and you can plan a wedding.”

“No Vegas,” Ramona warned.

He held up his hand. “I swear, no Vegas, but let’s keep it small for her sanity.”

She nodded. “I can do this.”

They finished their drinks and he walked her outside and made sure she was safely in a cab back home. Sean went into the precinct to catch up on some paperwork even though it was his day off. It was much easier that sitting home, pacing the house, waiting until he felt it was time to go to Rosalie’s. He wanted to give her a chance to get settled in.  With the holiday season upon them, New York had put out its usual grandiose extravaganza with holiday lights and trees. Holiday decorations were everywhere and he couldn’t take two steps without it being in his face.  He used that as his in, dropping off a Christmas gift and apologizing until she forgave him.

He didn’t get that chance because while he was at home getting changed and looking at the gift he chose for her, the doorbell rang.  Frustration rose in him and he tried to squelch it. He didn’t have time to help one of his neighbors who knew he was a cop right at that moment. He had his own issues to deal with, but if it was an emergency he’d make the effort.  But instead of Mrs. Louis looking for her cat or Mr. Eden saying neighborhood kids were messing with his outdoor decorations, it was Rosalie. Bundled up in her black coat, a red hat, and a thick scarf. Her hands were shoved into her coat pockets and she wore fuzzy snow boots. She looked cute, delectable, and she came to him.

“Rosalie?” Sean said her name as a question.
Play it cool, buddy.

“Can I come in?” she asked.

He stepped back. “Sure, it’s cold as hell outside.”

She walked inside and looked around as he closed the door. “No decorations?”

“No one to see them but me,” he answered. “How was training?”

“Brutal, but I managed,” she replied blandly. “You seem to be getting dressed, I didn’t think…” She gave a soft laugh. “Yes, that’s true I didn’t think, you must have plans. I’ll leave…”

Sean had enough with playing it cool. He strode over to her and practically lifted her off her feet as he kissed her.  Rosalie gave as good as she got and devoured his lips hungrily, fisting her hands in his hair.

She tore her mouth away from his and gasped. “I’m sorry.”

“Shut up and kiss me, Punk,” he muttered.

Her hat fell to the floor and she struggled to get her coat off as they kissed. “I mean it, I’m sorry. I should’ve told you sooner.”

Sean was working on the zipper of her coat. “I should’ve stood up for you. Your dad gave me updates, you’re at the top of your class.”

She pulled his belt from his pants. “I’m about to be on top of you.”

“God yes.”

 He lifted her and she wrapped her legs around his waist. On the way upstairs to his bedroom they both struggled to get her naked of all her layers of clothes, leaving a messing trail in their wake.  By the time they reached the door to his bedroom, she was naked and he was almost there. His shirt was loose, falling down across his shoulders, and Sean kicked the boxer shorts free of his legs.  Together they toppled to be the bed both trying to touch each other everywhere at once. He noted how her body was even more toned and firm than before, showing the physical part of her training had made her more muscular. But she still whimpered like a sexy kitten when he cupped her breast and gasped his name when he took her nipple in his mouth.

“I love you, Rosalie, I love you so damn much,” he said in the midst of their frantic breathing.

“Damn it, I love you Sean, and I thought about you every damn day I was in training,” she replied. “Now fuck me and then we can get married.”

“You are so amazing,” he laughed.

Their eyes met and Sean lost himself in her gaze. She was his magnet and his world, his love would always be pulled back to her. He watched her as she closed her eyes when their lips met and Sean gave himself over to the kiss. R.J. made a soft sound of pleasure that made his cock throb between his legs. He pulled her into his arms and rolled, deepening the kiss as he pressed her into the bed. Every nerve ending in his body screamed her name in pleasure and relief for the long time they were apart.  They broke the kiss with lips just a breath away from each other, and he memorized each nuance of her skin.

“I love you.” He pressed a kiss on her lips and repeated the words. She pulled his head down and he buried his hands into her hair, scraping her scalp gently.  R.J. arched and purred, running her toe along the length of his thigh.

“Never doubt my love for you or how much you mean to me,” Sean said huskily. “I’ll stand by you in everything. I’ll have your back, I swear I will. Don’t push me away again. I couldn’t stand it if you did.”

“It won’t ever happen because when I did it, it hurt me just as much,” R.J. admitted. “I know I’m not the most gentle woman, I know that I can be harsh. But my love for you is stronger than anything I’ve ever known.”

He gave her a slow grin. “Who said I ever wanted gentle? You’re amazing just the way you are.”

“Show me,” she whispered.

A low groan escaped his throat and he surrendered to the want, to the desire that raged through him when she was around. God he missed her, each day of the twelve weeks she was gone he missed her. Open-mouthed kisses that left his blood boiling took over and soon all thought processes were lost. Their bodies slipped and melded together perfectly and he could feel the sheen of sweat on her skin. He had her back and tasted the sweetness of her lips.

She boldly slipped her tongue inside his mouth and it delighted him, a groan of pleasure escaped his lips. Somehow she was lying on top of him and he certainly didn’t care how it happened. His hands roamed from her shoulders to her hips and even traced the sexy dip of her back. Sean pulled her legs apart so she was straddling his lower body. R.J. gasped at the intimate connection and moved against him sensuously. He was already hard and throbbing and could feel the warm wet lips of her pussy. She pressed against the hardness of his cock and he took control of the kiss.

He tore his mouth away from her. “I’m going to fuck you till we both can’t move.”

“Well thank you, Jesus,” she laughed. “I’m a horny girl. Now less talk, more action.”

He filled his hands with the smooth globes of her breasts and she arched into his palms inviting him to take more. He obliged and sucked her nipple deep into his mouth, she writhed and if he wanted to he could slip right inside her and take them into bliss.  But not yet, he wanted to savor every minute of her being naked in his arms.

“Oh yes,” she whispered as he played at her other breast.

She kissed her way down his body and he closed his eyes, knowing what was coming next. When she took his cock in her grasp and fondled him, his breath hissed out and his hips moved to match the strokes of her hand on his cock. He watched her every movement and stayed still as her lips descended and wrapped around the head of his shaft. The low moan that escaped him couldn’t be helped. Her hot mouth was so delectable and each time she sucked his cock he thought he’d die from the pleasure of it. R.J. took him deeper into her mouth and made such sexy noises around his length it drove him crazy.

She sat up and he watched as she ran her hands down her body to the apex of her thighs, tempting him with the invitation. Sean sat up, meeting her gaze as his hand slipped between her legs to fondle her sex.  Damn, she was like warm honey at her depths. Slick and wet, he rubbed her clit with his thumb and slid his two fingers deep inside her. She gyrated against his hand and threw her head back with a cry. Her hair cascaded so far he swore the ends touched the bed. She was his flexible temptress and delighted him each time he touched her body.