Lunch break
Corporal Ryan Stewart was on his lunch break when his phone vibrated on his right thigh. He wiped his hand on the paper napkin on his lap and took out his phone. A frown formed on his face as he saw the name flashing before him.
Sergeant Romero Martin looked over at him. "You nah answer that?" He was biting into a shrimp patty, Sergeants Cross and Blake looked over chewing food in their mouths. They were in a squad car, parked on Barry Street in Downtown, Kingston.
The call ended. Ryan's frown deepened. Sergeant Martin watched him closely. "Yuh good?"
Ryan nodded. "Yeah," he said. He was about to put his phone away when Shane called again.
"Bredda, answer the phone nuh man!" Cross said.
Ryan shot him a glance, then swiped right to accept the call. He put the phone to his ear. "Hello?" he said.
"Good," Shane said. "You're on your lunch break, right?"
Ryan cleared his throat and coughed. The spicy chicken wings he ordered were acting up. He licked his lips. Sergeant Blake lifted Ryan's cup that was tucked between his thighs and pressed the straw to his lips.
He looked at her. She nodded. "Go ahead," she said, an amused look on her face. He shook his head, smiling and took a sip as she held the cup steady for him.
"Hello?" Shane said. "Corporal Stewart?"
"Yeah," Ryan answered, shifting his head away from the cup, "Good day, Sergeant Crosby, what do I owe this pleasure?"
Blake held the cup, placing it on the closed lid of her boxed lunch in her lap.
Shane snorted. "I'm calling to let you know that Constable Walker was sent home earlier. She fell ill at work."
Ryan's hand tightened on the phone. "What's wrong with her?"
"Nausea and vomiting," Shane said.
There was a question in Sergeant Crosby's tone, Ryan could feel it. "Ask what you want to ask," he said.
"How do you know I have a question?" Shane asked. "You're a mind reader now?"
"No, but it sounds like you have something you want to get off your chest," Ryan replied.
"I heard about what you said. That you would get back with Lissa if she left her husband. Isn't he your best friend?"
Ryan lifted his gaze and stared out the window. The phone wasn't on speakerphone, but its natural volume was loud enough for his colleagues in the car to hear. Martin leaned back in the car seat.
Ryan's eyes briefly fluttered shut. "I can't talk right now. Yes, I'm at lunch."
"I gathered," Shane quipped.
"Is Constable Walker at home now?" Ryan asked. He was going to do something reckless in the next five minutes.
"Yes, Corporal Barracks brought her home," Shane answered, taking a quiet breath. "Listen, Ryan, this isn't my business, but Sudanie seems to be really cut up about what you said. She told Claude you guys are no longer dating."
Ryan took the phone from his ear and opened his eyes. Something inside him went very still. Cross's brow knotted as he looked at him. "Stewart, yuh arite?"
Ryan nodded, then took a breath and raised the phone to his ear. "Thanks for telling me, Sarge. I'll go see her."
"Okay." There was a pause. "Also, I think we should talk, but only if you're up to it."
"What time?" Ryan asked.
"I should be taking Dana home, but I think she'll understand if I chat with you for a few minutes. Meet me here, your old station. You know where. Around 7? Can you make it for that time?"
"Make it 7:15."
"Okay, that's fine."
Good, I'll see
"Yeah, see you."
Shane ended the call. Ryan leaned back and closed his eyes.
Blake touched his shoulder. "Whapm?"
Ryan shook his head. "I don't want to talk about it."
Blake turned to him. "What do you need?"
He looked at her. "What do you mean?"
"Bredda, we all heard that," Cross said. "We heard what that Sergeant said. Is this Constable your girlfriend?"
Ryan sighed and nodded. "Yeah, but apparently not anymore." He looked at his lap. The spicy chicken wings mocked him. He had lost his appetite. Blake nudged him, while holding up his cup of fruit punch. He took it from her with a tiny smile. He inhaled softly, remove the lid from the cup and put the rim to his mouth and emptied it in four large gulps.
"If you want her you have to prove it," Martin said, wiping his fingers on a soiled paper napkin.
Ryan crushed the cup in his right hand.
"You like this girl?" Blake asked, watching him closely. Ryan chuckled, his shoulder dropped a fraction.
"Like is not the word," he replied, turning his head to look at her.
Sergeant Tracy Blake had become almost like a big sister to him. She was the first to make his transition to the new police station a pleasant one.
"So what is it then?" She used a pinkie finger to scratch a spot just below her chin.
"I love her," he answered.
"So what is this thing about you being with another woman?" Martin asked, turning towards the back seats to stare at him.
"Guys, please I don't want to get into that right now," Ryan said, closing the disposable food box.
"Yuh nuh want nuh more?" Sergeant Cross asked. Ryan shook his head. Cross looked at him for a few seconds, shrugged his shoulders then bit into his barbi-fry chicken.
Martin sighed. "Weh Corporal White deh wid the likkle ketchup bag. That is all mi send him fi duh an' all now him nuh come back yet? Jus' one ketchup packet. Is weh ah teck suh long?"
They heard a knock on the car glass. They looked up to see Corporal White at the window. Martin opened the door and he slid into the front passenger seat beside him. White turned the bag upside down and emptied the contents onto Martin's lap.
"White!" Martin shifted in his seat.
Cross laughed. Martin began to curse expletives.
White laughed. He looked at Martin's lap. He had dumped a 16 oz plastic ketchup bottle on Martin's lap, along with some chocolate bars.
Blake reached over and took one of the bars and tapped it on Ryan's chest. He took it from her and gave a faint smile. "Eat something," she said. "Plus the chocolate will help cool down the spicy chicken."
He nodded at her, but his mind was far away.
She took up another bar and used her teeth to puled of the top of the rapper. She bit it the candy and leaned back and satisfied look on her face. Martin twisted the lid of the ketchup and poured a small amount on his fries and chicken.
"Yuh lucky seh mi in a good mood, y'ere?!"
White chuckled.
"Suh weh mi change deh?" Martin asked, while licking the ketchup off his fingers. He closed the bottle and dropped it in his work bag.
"What change? Mi buy ketchup an' the chocolate dem." Corporal White said, a smile on his face.
"Mi never tell yuh to buy chocolate. Mi tell yuh to go back in the restaurant and get the girls to give u one or two ketchup packet. Mi give yuh the money if dem a behave way yuh can offer to buy it from them. Mi never tell yuh fi buy one wholla bokkle of ketchup plus five chocolate bars!"
"Di girl dem seh nuh more ketchup was there. It done. Suh mi guh cross the road to buy it for you. Is you seh yuh need extra ketchup, Sarge!" Corporal White was laughing now.
Blake shook her head as she looked at her men. "Settle down, gentlemen," she said sternly, though her lips twitched into a smile.
"I need to see her," Ryan said, ignoring everything around him.
Cross and White were texting each other about a new girl White had met recently. All conversation stopped as his colleagues looked in his direction. White's face lit up. "Her? Which her dat?" he asked.
Cross chuckled. "Stewie girlfriend sick."
"Oh..." White's expression sobered. "Wah wrong wid her?"
"You want us to drop you off and come back for you?" Martin asked.
"Yeah, if that is possible," Ryan said.
"It's not exactly protocol," Cross said, intervening.
"How long do you wanna take?" Martin asked, ignoring him.
"Maybe twenty minutes, half hour," Ryan said. A heavy weight was settling in his chest.
Sergeant Martin turned his head to look at Ryan, then his gaze landed on Sergeant Blake. Nothing would happen without her say so.
"We'll give him the time," she said, directing her attention to Martin. Martin nodded. He looked at the other men. Cross hissed his teeth but White took up a plastic fork and threw it at him, hitting Cross on the side of his left ear. Cross held his ear and swore.
"Quiet down, men!" Blake said, her tone sharp.
She turned to Sergeant Cross. "Sergeant, state your concerns," she said.
Cross cleared his throat. "Ma'am, it's just... It is a personal matter. Civilian issues. We're on duty. We don't have time to play chauffeur."
Ryan shifted uncomfortably in the back seat. They were in a six-seater vehicle. Only Blake was around the back with him, and Cross sitting in the middle aisle.
White cleared his throat. "I say we drop him off and come back for him later."
Cross stared at him like he was a traitor.
"What?" White said, a cheeky grin on his face. "Yuh forget the time me, you and Sarge Crawford was on patrol in a community and yuh mek him do a detour suh yuh could go see the girl you were dealing with at the time because she lived in the community nearby? Yuh not even deh wid her now!"
Cross averted his eyes. Blake's lips quirked up into a smile. "Okay, so we all agree then?" Cross mumbled that he agreed. She gave a slight nod to Martin who she was allowing to drive. "Let's do it quickly," she said. Martin started the engine.
"Where does she live?' Martin asked, watching Ryan adjust himself on the seat.
"Thank you guys for this," Ryuan said quietly. He told them the address.
When he arrived at the house another squad car was already parked outside. Cross shook his head while smiling. "She popular man," he quipped.
Ryan looked at him. "Wah that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing, Corporal Stewart, nothing. I was just saying..."
"You were just about to shut up." Sergeant Blake glared at him.
Cross closed his mouth.
Martin parked behind the vehicle and Ryan got out. "I'll be just fifteen minutes," he said.
"Yuh nuh wah stay longer?" White asked, noting the look on his colleague's face.
Ryan shook his head. "Fifteen minutes is all I need," he said.
Martin nodded. "Okay, the engine will be running so don't take long."
Ryan nodded and walked to the front door.
One kiss is all I need
He came back to find her crying. She tried to hide it, but her eyes were red, her lashes still damp. He pulled her in and rocked her gently.
"I'm sorry for putting my boots on your bed," he whispered, fingers stroking her hair. His eyes dropped to them — his boots, out of place on her pretty pink sheets.
"Sudz... I'm so sorry for what you're going through. I feel like it's my fault." He kissed her hair.
Sudanie sniffled and eased back from him. "Why do you say that?"
He cupped her face. "I should have told you how I felt from the beginning. Every time I wanted to, it just never felt like the right time."
She stared at him. "So why is it right now?"
He took a deep breath, held it, then exhaled slowly. "I bought a house."
Sudanie's eyelids fluttered. "You bought a house?"
"Mhm," he said, smiling at her. "In Portmore. The night we kissed, I was coming to take you to see it."
"Oh," she said, looking down at her hands.
He brushed his fingers along the line of her left cheek. "Sudz, I wanted to show you because I want you to see that I'm more than able to take care of you."
"I make my own money too," she said, sniffling. "And as you know, this is my house."
"I know. But I wanted to show you that I'm ready to treat you right — to give you everything within my power to make you happy."
He leaned forward to kiss her.
"Claude, I..." Sudanie moved back from him. She cleared her throat. "Don't get me wrong. I like you. We're great friends, but that is all there will ever be."
He reached out, touched her face. "I love you," he said softly.
"I..." She shook her head. "I can't do this," she said, rising from the bed. Claude caught her wrist, gently, but it stopped her, and she sank back down. He was close now, hovering over her, hands braced on either side of her shoulders.
"All I need is one kiss, Sudz. One kiss. Just kiss me this last time. If you don't feel anything, I'll let this go. But if we both feel something, then it means we should at least try."
She looked up at him. He was handsome, and at one point she had liked him like that. But...
It was the taste of Ryan's lips she yearned for.
She shook her head. "I'm sorry, Claude, I can't."
"Can't or won't, Sudie?" He dragged a hand over his face. "You're telling me you're still thinking about that fool?"
I would never...
He pushed the door open. "Sudie?"
Nothing. He called again, louder. "Sudie?" Still nothing. That's strange.
The house was too quiet. He scanned the living room and then he saw it behind the couch on the floor — a gun holster with the weapon still inside. He stared at it. The leather was a little worn, and his eyes narrowed when he noticed a distinct mark carved into the belt in the shape of a 'C'.
He recognized it immediately. It was Corporal Barracks' gun holster.
He unbuckled his service belt holding his gun, his fingers feeling numb and placed them carefully on the couch. He listened to the quiet room again.
He was about to call out her name when he heard voices coming from the bedroom. He walked to the door and listened.
"Yes, I still care about him," he heard Sudanie say.
"But he said he would get back with Lissa if he got the chance! Can't you see he's using you?!'
"And I told you that he and I are just friends now. Nothing more."
"So why can't we...?"
"Claude, I told you that I'm not looking for anything right now. Didn't you say you would give me time?"
"Yes, I did, but Sudz, I can help. I know what you need. You don't need a lot of time to get over that loser. I can help you get over him. Sudz, he doesn't deserve you. Ryan doesn't deserve you!"
Silence.
Ryan leaned closer to the door, ears straining.
A muffled sound.
"Kiss me, Sudz."
"Claude, no! No! What are you doing?!"
Ryan twisted the door handle. It was locked. He started banging on the door.
"Sudie!" he shouted.
The room turned quiet.
"Sudie, baby, are you okay? The door is locked. Open the door, baby."
"You locked the door?!" Sudie shrieked.
"I..." Claude closed his mouth.
"Sudie, open the door!" Ryan roared.
Sudie scrambled off the bed and opened it. Ryan moved past her, fists ready to hit Claude. He was about to grab him when Sudie ran and put herself in front of him. "Ryan, no!"
Ryan's hands were curled tight. Claude watched Sudie trying to keep Ryan at bay and a mocking expression appeared on his face, his left eyebrow lifting. Ryan took the look as a silent challenge. He surged forward, but Sudie braced her hands on his chest to stop him. She could feel the anger seething just underneath.
"What were you planning to do by locking her bedroom door, Claude?" Ryan asked. The air thinned, pulling tight as Claude slowly looked him up and down.
A cold smile curved the corner of Claude's lips. He sat up slowly, not in a rush to move from the bed. "I made a mistake. I locked it by reflex. I usually lock my bedroom door."
"Foolishness!" Ryan said. "Lie yuh telling! You had other intentions. You should leave!" His body hummed with rage.
Claude stood and straightened the edge of the bed. He walked up to Ryan. They were just a few inches apart, sizing each other up. Sudie wedged herself between them and pushed Ryan back. "Claude, please leave!" she said, her voice shrill. Her eyes were wide.
What is this?! "Just leave," she said, agitated.
Claude looked at her. He saw the fear in her eyes and nodded. "Okay, I'll leave. I'll see you tomorrow at work."
He was walking to the door. "Claude," Ryan called to him.
He stopped and turned around. Ryan moved away from Sudie to stand before him. "You may be her friend, but I'm here now. Stay in your lane. If you so much as put your pinkie finger on my girl again I will break your hands."
Claude took a step forward. "Is that a threat?" Something flickered in his eyes.
"That is a promise," Ryan said, his voice dropping low and menacing.
"Oh? Yah bad man? Nobadda feel like seh yah nubaddi. Security bwoy," Claude slurred.
Moving quickly, she grabbed Claude's hand, dragged him to the front door and pushed him outside. "Get out!" she shouted. "I don't want you ever coming to my house again!"
"Sudie, it was a misunderstanding," he said, his eyes guarded.
"You want to take from me too?" she asked, her voice harsh.
The muscle at Ryan's jaw flared. "I'll be right back," he said.
Stepping through the front door, he noticed that Corporal Barracks' squad car was gone and his colleagues were now parked on the opposite side of the road. He crossed over and walked up to them.
"I may have to stay longer," he said, looking at Sergeant Blake.
She searched his face calmly. "What happened?"
"Yeah? That guy stormed off like hell was following him!" Sergeant Cross exclaimed. Sergeant Martin and Corporal White leaned forward in the vehicle to get a better look at him.
"I can't talk about it right now," Ryan said, avoiding their eyes.
Something cold grew in Sergeant Blake's chest. "Is she okay?" she asked.
Ryan flinched. Blake's hand resting on the window curled into a fist. "Take an hour. We'll cover for you."
He nodded as he looked at her. She smiled and nodded. "Go take care of her." She looked at her watch. "We'll be back for you in 1500 hours."
Ryan nodded. "Thank you."
Martin backed the vehicle away from the curb and drove off.
He watched them drive off, then turned to walk back to the house, however when he tried the door, it was locked. "Sudie," he said, knocking on the door. "Sudie, open the door!"
"Go away!" she yelled.
His throat constricted. "Open the door, baby," he said, lowering his voice. She was right by the door.
"Baby, it's me, you can trust me," he said.
"Can I, Rhy? Can I really?"
He took a breath and swallowed. "Baby, you know me," he said softly.
"Do I?" she asked.
"I've known Claude since the 10th grade. I would never think he would..."
Ryan pressed the palm of his right hand on the door. "Baby, I would never..." He took a breath. "I would never ever force you. Never."
He bowed his head, leaning it against the door. "I am sorry for hurting you by what I said about Lissa, and I am sorry this is happening now, but I would never... I would never take what you haven't freely given. I love you."
He heard movement, shuffling and the lock shifting open. She pulled the door and he walked into the tiny foyer. She looked at him, her eyes large and vulnerable. He reached for her and she went to him. He lifted her in his arms and walked with her to the couch. Sitting down, he cradled her in his arms, her feet dangling off his lap. He pressed his forehead to hers.
"I love you. I will never force you. Never," he said vehemently.
She eased back, her eyes casting downwards.
Ryan's heart dropped. He cupped her face and lifted her chin to look into her eyes.
"Baby, you're special to me. I won't deny that I want you. I want you, but I respect you more and I love you. I won't do anything to deliberately hurt you. And if I do anything, come to me and talk to me, okay?" He hugged her and felt her body tremble.
"Sweet baby, I'll make sure he never touches you again." He eased her back and searched her face. "Did he touch you in private places?" Righteous indignation was boiling up inside his chest.
She shook her head. "No, he just tried to kiss me," she said softly.
"It's okay, baby," he said, stroking her hair. "I've got you. He won't try that again. I promise you."
He gently squeezed her arm. "Okay?"
She stared at him for what seemed to be a long while though it was just a few seconds, then slowly moved her head up and down.
"You trust me?" He brushed his fingers through her hair.
"Yes," she said, but her shoulders were rigid. She took a deep breath trying to calm herself.
"My baby, I'm here now. He will never hurt you."
He lifted his head and kissed her brow. "I love you," he said. "You're safe now." His hands gently rubbing her lower back.
The sensation of his touch and words sent a tingle up her spine. She shivered. He squeezed her close and released her. "Sweet baby, you're good. I'm here," he whispered softly.
Sudie bent forward, her eyes searching his face. He stared back at her, his honey-brown eyes openly showing affection. Her gaze dropped to his lips. Ryan went still, waiting to see what she would do. Tentatively, she brushed her mouth on his lips. Heat ignited between them and he pulled her closer, gently tasting her lips. His arms tightened around her. Carefully, his lips and tongue probed her mouth. She moaned and leaned into him.
"Hmm..." Ryan groaned as he kissed her. So sweet.
Sudie placed her hand on his chest and the kiss intensified. Ryan's arms came up to cradle her shoulders. He inhaled her and released a soft moan. Pressing into him, Sudanie playfully bit his bottom lip. Ryan squeezed her in his embrace, his tongue teasing her. Sudanie groaned and began moving on him. His mind went blank and he gripped her harder, his hand caressing her back, her sides, squeezing and exploring her curves. He ached to touch her breasts but didn't want to scare her.
"Mmhh..." Sudanie moaned. Her hand fisted into his shirt, drawing him almost on top of her.
Ryan pulled back, breathing heavily. He brushed his hand on her neck. "No..." He swallowed, his mouth was dry. Her hands reached for the buttons on his shirt. He shook his head. "No, baby, not yet."
Sudie's heavy breathing caused her chest to rise and fall rapidly. She dropped her hands, rubbing on his thighs.
"Not yet, sweetness." Ryan said, gently brushing them off him.
"Why not?" she asked.
Sudanie inhaled sharply as an image surfaced—him holding her close making sweet, gentle love to her. "Are you sure?" she asked. "We've been wanting to for a while."
Her hands were itching to take off his clothes. She could tell he really wanted her too. Her thoughts were muddled, all she knew was that she needed him to hold her, to squeeze her to his chest; to feel safe again.
Ryan's gaze drifted lower and lingered, mesmerized by the tempting curves of her bosom as she tried to regain control. He forced himself to look at her face. This isn't her. She's trying to mask the shock of what happened with her friend. Ryan shook his head, trying to clear his mind. It's not about me.
"You okay?" he asked, his mouth slightly parted.
Sudie closed her eyes and leaned forward, seeking the warmth of his touch, her breathing unsteady. He held her and she placed her head on his shoulder.
"I wish you would make love to me," she said quietly, breath hitching.
Ryan put her away from him to stare into her eyes. He touched her face. "Do you mean that?" he asked.
She reached for the lapel of his work shirt and smiled at him. She nodded, but her eyes were dull. He kissed her forehead. "Not yet, baby," he told her. "This doesn't feel right." She's trembling. He could feel the faint tremors on the surface of her skin.
His hands tightened around her shoulders as the thought struck him that if he had not come when he did, Claude could have...And If he hadn't been there to stop Claude... The anger in his chest solidified into a cold certainty. He would make sure Claude never touched her again.
"Let me win your heart first," he crooned, his hand cradling her face. He brushed his thumb over her right cheek, kissing her tenderly he whispered her name, "Sudie." Then he eased back, just enough to watch her — like he needed to see for himself that she was okay.
"I love you," he said, holding her gaze.
"I..." Sudanie bit her bottom lip, doubt filling her mind.
"I know," Ryan said. "I know you do." His eyes didn't leave hers. "No one's ever going to hurt you again. Not while I'm here."
The tension inside her gave way. She let out a soft, shuddering breath.
Ryan drew her closer. She laid her head on his shoulder, and he listened as her breathing evened out. "It's okay."
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