Deadly Deceit, page 8
Christian grumbled good-naturedly as he pulled the car into the driveway. Jolene offered Christian a half-wave, before stepping into the house through the door in the garage.
“Christie?” she called, surprised to find the dining room and living room dark.
“Right here,” Christina said, raising her hand so Jolene would see her on the couch.
Jolene tilted her head curiously, and flipped on the light switch in the dining room. “What are you doing in the dark, honey?” she asked, moving to stand behind the couch and look down at her wife.
“Questioning my decision to become a teacher,” Christina replied gruffly. She was lying on her back on the couch, with one arm draped over her eyes.
“Uh oh,” Jolene said ominously, “that doesn’t sound good. Want to talk about it?”
Christina waved her other hand toward the kitchen, but didn’t move to sit up. “Only if we can get drunk while we talk,” she grumbled, “I wanted to start drinking as soon as I got home, but didn’t want to drink alone.”
Jolene smiled and went into the kitchen to pull a bottle of wine out of the fridge. “Well, thank you for not getting drunk without me,” she said when she returned, “How come you didn’t text me today?”
Christina accepted the wine glass and moved to sit up, freeing a space for Jolene to join her. Jolene sat beside Christina and pulled the woman’s legs onto her lap.
“I discovered that my phone isn’t nearly as indestructible as I am going to need it to be this year,” Christina said, taking a healthy gulp of her wine.
“Oh no,” Jolene groaned. They’d had to replace Christina’s phone the previous year, when a scuffle between teenagers in the hallway resulted in her phone getting knocked out of her hand and stepped on by a rather large young man.
“Oh yes,” Christina replied, “I also learned that first day chemistry experiments are ill advised. My phone now smells like sweet spearmint, and is sticky inside and out.”
Jolene rolled her eyes and sipped her wine, rubbing her hand absently over Christina’s bare calves. She loved it when Christina got comfortable after work. Christina’s professional attire was attractive enough, but Jolene preferred it when her wife wore nothing more than a pair of panties and a camisole top.
“Mentos and Diet Coke?” she asked, receiving a nod of confirmation. “How the hell did your phone end up participating?”
Christina grimaced and flicked her tongue over the drop of wine on her lip. “I set it up on a holder to record the experiment, like I always do so the kids can review it later. After I dropped the mints into the bottle, and removed the tube, I caught the top of the bottle with the tube and knocked it over. My phone caught the entire deluge.”
Jolene gave her wife’s legs a sympathetic pat, and leaned sideways to kiss her. “I’m sorry, baby,” she said, running her hand steadily up to Christina’s thigh, “I’m off tomorrow, so I’ll go pick up a new one for you. I’m pretty sure you have an upgrade available, anyways.”
Christina hummed against Jolene’s lips. “You’re the best wife ever, Jo,” she murmured. She set her wine glass on the coffee table, and wrapped her arms around Jolene’s neck.
Jolene claimed Christina’s mouth, deepening the kiss as she shifted to rest between Christina’s bare thighs. “I don’t know about the best wife,” she said, placing lazy kisses along her lover’s jaw to her ear, “but I’m definitely the luckiest woman in the world.”
Christina shivered as Jolene’s warm breath caressed her sensitive ear. “Take me to bed, Jo,” she whispered, tilting her head to the side when Jolene’s lips traveled to her throat.
Jolene growled, deep and low, and moved to stand, scooping Christina into her arms. Christina giggled softly and placed soft lips against the pulse in Jolene’s neck.
“Careful, Christie,” she moaned, “or we won’t make it to the bedroom.”
Christina flicked her tongue over the hollow of Jolene’s shoulder. “Then hurry,” she whispered, moaning softly.
Jolene lengthened her strides, carefully taking the stairs two at a time. Within moments, she laid her bride on their bed and stared down at her with adoration.
“Gorgeous doesn’t even begin to describe you, Christie Preston,” Jolene breathed as she reached out to draw her fingertips lovingly over Christina’s cheek.
Christina took Jolene’s fingers and kissed the tips of each. “I love you, Jo,” she said, tugging Jolene’s hand until the redhead was on top of her.
Words ceased as lips met and bodies melded. Jolene worked quickly, relieving Christina of what little clothing she wore. She shed her own clothes, sucking in a breath when she met Christina’s cobalt-blue eyes. She would never tire of seeing Christina’s eyes turn that deep shade of blue, a clear indicator that Jolene was in for a long night.
Christina lifted her hand, beckoning her wife forward with a crook of her finger. Jolene responded quickly, laying on top of Christina with her firm stomach pressed against the warm softness she desired.
Chapter 7
“LeRoy, I don’t care who Brett’s parents are,” Christina waved a dismissive hand at the Principal, “I’m not changing his grade.”
“Christina, please be reasonable here,” LeRoy leaned forward, clasping his hands on top of his desk as he pleaded, “Give him a few extra assignments or something. I’m not asking you to just give him a new grade. All I’m asking is that you give him another chance to get higher than a D. You are more than welcome to make him do the work to earn the grade.”
Christina wrinkled her nose. “He has a D because he failed his first-quarter final, Roy. If I give him another chance to take the test, I will have to do the same for everyone. Even if I do,” she added as she crossed her arms over her chest, “It won’t make a difference. I can’t change the grade once it’s been entered into the database. No one can.”
LeRoy sighed in frustration. She was right, of course, and he’d tried to explain that to the Aldrich’s. Unfortunately, their wallets were much larger than their brains.
“Christie, look,” LeRoy tried a different approach, “The Aldrich family isn’t asking you to give him a free ride. Brett is their youngest child, and only son. He’s set to inherit millions of dollars from his grandfather after graduation, but only if he maintains a three-point-five or higher each year.”
Christina raised a dark eyebrow. “This is my problem because?” she asked, unmoved by the 9th grader’s plight.
“The Aldrich’s are threatening to go to the school board and file a grievance against you!” LeRoy slapped his hand on the desktop, “They claim that Brett is being singled out in class, and it’s making him too nervous to learn properly.”
Christina shrugged. “He is being singled out in class,” she replied, crossing her left knee over her right and straightening her calf-length black silk skirt, “Brett Aldrich is a bully and a slacker, Roy, plain and simple. Yes, I call on him more than other students, but only because he obviously doesn’t think he needs to pay attention.”
“When he’s not trying to talk over me to his friends, he’s tormenting the students around him. He’s lucky I haven’t failed him completely, Roy. I’ve been generous and patient with him, so far, but I won’t be extending that kindness next quarter. If Brett Aldrich causes a disruption in my class, he will be sent out. He’ll have to manage to do the assignments and labs without the benefit of visual instruction. If that means he’s sent out every day, then he’s sent out every day.”
“Christina, are you really so determined to make your point that you are willing to force that boy to take your class again in the third quarter?” Roy’s voice dropped as he realized that he was losing the argument.
“Yes,” Christina replied without hesitation, “Despite what you and the Aldrich’s think, I want Brett to succeed. But, I’m not going to pass him, unless he earns it. I’m not Staci.”
LeRoy smiled, despite himself. Brett Aldrich had made a pest of himself in Staci Lawson’s class, too, but the Algebra teacher was quick to cave when LeRoy approached her. In fact, he hadn’t even had to bring up the Aldrich’s threat before she agreed to give the boy a passing grade.
“Christie,” LeRoy sighed in resignation, “I just don’t want you to have to deal with the board. You know how they are.”
Christina offered her friend a soft smile. “Yes, I do, Roy. But, I’m not afraid of them. If it were an issue with my personal life, I’d be a little more concerned, but if they want to discipline me for doing my job, they’re in for a helluva fight. Do you really think the board is going to cause trouble for the daughter of their biggest donors? Come on, now, even Staci’s father kisses my dad’s ass.”
LeRoy shook his head. Again, Christina was right on the money. “After all I’ve done for you, why do you insist on making my life so difficult?” His question contained no accusation, simply exasperation at his friend’s determination.
This time, Christina’s smile brightened the room. “Because I like to see you squirm,” she answered with a chuckle, “You keep my secret, because we both know the board’s views on homosexuality have no business in a public school. I can’t tell you how much Joseph, Jolene, Christian, and I appreciate your candor.”
LeRoy stood and moved around his desk, offering his hand to Christina. “Christie, you and Joe are two of the best teachers I’ve ever met. Who you choose to warm your bed has no effect on your teaching skills, and it’s no one’s business but your own. I’m sorry that, in this day and age, you and Joe have to pretend to be married to each other, just to protect your jobs.”
LeRoy guided Christina through the empty office, her arm threaded through the crook of his. “We’ll figure this Brett Aldrich business out. If his parents want him to turn out like them; skating through life on his granddaddy’s money with no real education to speak of, then that’s their problem.”
Christina thanked her friend with a smile and a quick peck on the cheek. LeRoy blushed, making her chuckle. “You’re so cute when you blush, Roy,” she said, patting him affectionately on the same cheek she’d kissed, “Too bad you have the wrong body parts.”
LeRoy barked out a laugh when Christina winked at him. “Go home, Christie,” he said with a wave and a shake of his head, “Before your wife thinks I’m hitting on you again. I don’t need her down here, kicking my ass all over the football field.”
Christina returned the wave and blew him a kiss, before rounding the corner to head toward her classroom. LeRoy tucked his hands in his pockets and turned to return to his office. He stopped short when he noticed Staci Lawson standing near the front doors with a look of disdain contorting her pretty features.
“Staci,” he greeted her in surprise, “What are you still doing here? I thought you left hours ago.”
Staci crossed her arms over her chest and glared at the Principal. “How could you, LeRoy?” she asked, her tone harsh.
LeRoy looked at her, his eyes narrowed in confusion. “How could I what?” he asked, clearly unsure of her meaning.
Staci’s heels clicked angrily on the highly polished tile of the school’s lobby. In mere seconds, she was standing nose to chest with LeRoy.
“You’re having an affair with Christina Hess,” she snarled, poking him in the chest with the tip of a polished fingernail, “How could you do that to Joseph? He’s supposed to be your friend!”
LeRoy’s eyes widened. “You are out of line, Staci,” he growled, taking a step back, “First off, I’m not having an affair with anyone. Joseph is a long-time friend of mine. As is Mrs. Preston,” he added, placing plenty of emphasis on Christina’s last name.
Staci’s lip curled, and her nose wrinkled. “That looked a hell of a lot more intimate than friendship,” she said, making air quotes around the word.
LeRoy raised his hand to stop her from continuing. “I don’t know what you thought you saw, Staci,” he said firmly, “but you best be careful with your accusations. Otherwise, you’re going to end up with egg on your face that even your daddy won’t be able to clean up.”
Without another word, LeRoy turned away and went back to his office, slamming the door behind him. Staci stayed as she was, glaring daggers at the door.
I can’t believe that bitch would cheat with LeRoy! This is going to devastate Joe. Good thing I’ll be the one to offer him comfort when he divorces her.
At that final thought, a wide, self-satisfied smirk spread over Staci’s face. She glanced down at the phone in her left hand, and the photo of Christina and Roy she’d snapped without their knowledge.
***
“Good morning, beautiful,” Jolene brushed her fingers over Christina’s cheek as she kissed her.
Christina smiled and melted into Jolene. “Mmm, good morning, Officer,” she said in a reverent whisper.
Jolene laughed against her wife’s lips. “I take it you were satisfied with the local public servant last night?” she asked coyly.
Christina stretched and shifted to straddle Jolene’s stomach. “I was completely satisfied with my public servant, yes,” she purred, lowering to lay on top of Jolene’s chest as she kissed her.
“I aim to please,” Jolene mumbled, her hands moving softly over the warm skin of Christina’s hips.
Christina moaned. “Your aim is impeccable,” she breathed, moving her hips against Jolene’s bare abdomen.
Jolene sucked in a breath as Christina’s lips found a straining nipple. “Years of constant practice, baby,” she replied, pulling Christina from her breast to reverse their position.
They made love slowly, taking full advantage of the rare Friday together. Thanks to the end of the semester, and the extra hours Christina had put in at the school the day before, the couple managed to snag a full three-day weekend together.
Jolene and Christian had been on their assignment to Dallas PD for almost six weeks, and this was the first time their schedule matched with their spouses. Typically, their four on, three off work week started on Sunday and ended on Thursday. This meant that the officers only got one full day to spend with their teachers each week.
“So, you’re not going to give the kid a break?” Jolene set a plate of poached eggs and fried potatoes in front of Christina.
Jolene always made it a point to cook breakfast for her wife, especially after morning sex. She kissed her wife on the cheek and brought her own plate to the table.
“Nope,” Christina replied, sliding her fork through the perfectly cooked egg, “If he wants to pass, he’s going to have to work for it. I don’t care who his parent’s think they are, he’s going to be treated the same way as every other student in my class.”
“You’re such a good teacher,” Jolene smiled affectionately and reached over to swipe her thumb over the small show of yolk on Christina’s chin.
Christina beamed. “I know,” she replied, no trace of ego evident in her voice, “One day, those kids are going to realize that, too. I can’t believe how arrogant today’s kids are. They think that Google is going to answer all their questions, so why bother learning how to find the answer themselves? Did you know that I’ve had seven students this year that say they want to be scientists?”
Jolene shook her head. “That’s good, right?” she asked, confused by the sudden segue.
Christina frowned and shook her head. “It would be, if even one of them made the effort to learn anything about science. There is one girl, who actually thinks she doesn’t need Chemistry class to be a biochemical engineer!”
Jolene snorted. She didn’t claim to know much about the scientific aspect of different careers, but she did know that anything with “chemical” in the title probably required some knowledge of chemistry.
“Honey, kids these days are eating laundry soap,” she said as she collected their plates, “I have no faith that any of them are smart.”
Christina barked out a laugh, even as she sent Jolene a scolding look. “I would love to say you’re wrong,” she said, following Jolene to the sink with their coffee cups, “but, you’re not. You’re stereotyping, though, which isn’t nice.”
Jolene rinsed the dishes and stacked them in the dishwasher. “I’m a cop, Christie,” she said, pulling Christina into her arms, “I’m not supposed to be nice. According to the same kids who are bitching because their feelings got hurt when they didn’t get praised for remembering to brush their teeth; all cops are angry assholes who have nothing better to do than kill people they don’t like, and manhandle helpless women until they do what we want.”
Christina snorted and glanced at the fading marks on her wrists. “Well,” she giggled, kissing Jolene quickly, “I won’t argue the manhandling part.”
Jolene smirked and tickled Christina’s sides. “You liked it,” she said over Christina’s squealing laughter.
Christina giggled and ducked out of Jolene’s reach. She stuck out her tongue and bolted into the living room, vaulting the back of the couch when Jolene lunged for her. “Of course, I do,” she said breathlessly, “That’s why I let you do it.”
Jolene hopped over the back of the couch, landing on her butt on the cushion. “What do you want to do today, Sweetheart?” she asked, reaching her hand out to her wife.
Christina took Jolene’s hand and allowed herself to be pulled into the redhead’s lap. “I don’t know,” she replied with a shrug, “Is there anything out that you want to see?”
Jolene thought for a moment, but shook her head. “Not here in Dallas,” she said, nuzzling Christina’s tangled mass of curls, “But, I think there’s one in Marilynn that I’m dying to see.”
Christina looked at her wife curiously. “Which one?” she asked, “Dallas has like twelve movies showing.”
Jolene nodded toward the coffee table, and the book lying in the center. Christina frowned. “Living Two Lives was made into a movie? How did I not know that?”
Jolene scoffed playfully. “I don’t know, but now I’m wondering why we got married.” She laughed outright when Christina grumbled and smacked her on the back of the head. “Hey, assaulting an officer is a felony. You’re going to get yourself locked up.”
