I was out ofthe office and in my car, driving home in under twenty minutes. I hadn’t seen Dominique since crawling from his bed Sunday morning and dragging myself to work. It had been a lonely three days, and had it not been the middle of a workday, I would have driven straight to his house.
We talked daily, but our jobs kept us busy. As I drove, I connected a call to his number, figuring I’d get his voicemail. Surprisingly, he answered on the second ring with a, “For the last time, Detective, toxicology reports take weeks, sometimes months.”
“So you’re saying sucking your cock got me nowhere? Dammit.”
Dominique chuckled, and it was music to my ears. Not only did he laugh on occasion, but his smiles came with greater ease. I liked to think it was all my doing.
“Hello, Kobe.”
“Hello, handsome. How’s your day?”
“Well, I’ve got a stiffy on my hands and no blow job in the world will help this time.”
I groaned. “Oh god. Your sense of humor should be illegal.”
“Will you arrest me?”
“Keep it up, mister, and I might.”
“Shouldn’t you be solving a case?”
“Fuck that case. It’s giving me a headache. I got sent home, and for once, it wasn’t because I did something wrong. The boss shooed us out the door and told us not to come back until after the holiday. It’s barely two in the afternoon, so I thought I’d see if Émeric wanted to hit the arcade.”
“Ottawa has an arcade?”
“Damn straight. House of Targ. It’s amazing fun. Émeric loves it there, even when I kick his ass atGuitar Hero. They serve the best pierogies, too, and that kid doesn’t eat enough, so I like to load him up before I bring him home.”
“Sounds like a good afternoon.”
“When Cosette is older, I’ll introduce her to the art of classic video games and greasy food. Ms. Pacman still sports her pink bow.”
“I’m sure she’d like that.”
“What are you doing later?” I asked, turning onto my street. “Up for some company?”
Dominique paused, and my heart sank, disappointment setting in.
“Let’s make a deal,” he said. “How about I work late tonight. That way, I can take the next two days off. You were already spending Christmas with me, but why not start sooner? Come for breakfast?”
“Listen, Doc. You’re cute and all, and I admit, you turn me on, but I’m not planning to get up before noon tomorrow, not even for princess pancakes, whatever they are. Do you know when I last slept in?” I didn’t wait for him to answer. “1998.”
“Were you alive in 1998?”
“Yes, I was, smart-ass. I was born in ninety-three.”
“Such a baby. Lunch then?”
“It’s a date. Can I bring anything?”
“Just your appetite… and afully stockedovernight bag?”
I grinned, remembering the exchanged blow jobs and desperate desire to explore more. “I can do that.”
“Excellent. I should go. I have students waiting, and if I want to take a couple of days off, I have a lot of work to do.”
“Go play with your stiffy. Have fun.”
Another chuckle. “I’ll text you when I get home. Maybe we can chat.”
