Page 26 of How May I Please You

It only takes a second to empty the can beneath the door of the diner. I have no idea what’s on the other side. It could be an office, storage area, or the kitchen. Whatever it is, it will be where the heat begins before it spreads to everything else inside. Based on the dumpsters back here, I’d assume it’s the kitchen. They probably use this door to throw out the trash and have their smoke breaks after they are rude to paying customers.

Sometimes valuable lessons have to be learned, Sir. You and I have taught plenty, sending a few of our students to an early grave. While you’ve honed your skills at straddling the line of murder without crossing it, I’ve gotten better as well. No one will die today. I didn't kill Robin either. You see? We’re both becoming better people together. However, Robin, Chad, and Mr. Clark will all learn not to fuck around with me.

I’m back in my car before the fire shows any visible signs on the outside of the diner, and by the time I hear sirens in the distance, I’m already near the highway. I drive the speed limit to get back home, making sure to not draw any unneeded attention on my way, and I smile at you when I re-enter our room and kiss your perfect lips again.

“That was quick,” you say as I change back into my nightgown in the closet.

“I told you,” I reply, flicking off the light and getting into bed next to you.

I push my ass against your cock as you grab me by the waist and pull me close. Your warmth feels so good, reminding me of the many reasons why I hate being away from you. I always want you near, Sir. You are my home. With your arms around me and your breath on my neck, all is perfect in the world. Nothing that I’ve done matters as long as I have you, and I smile knowing that you are mine … and that Andrea’s Diner is already a pile of ash on top of a blackened foundation.

det. monroe

seventeen

~ journey ~

The phone has a habit of ringing first thing in the morning when we’re in the kitchen together. Right when I walk in and try to spend a few minutes marveling at the way you look, taking in your masculinity and sex appeal that oozes off you without you even knowing it.

There are lots of conversations about the male versus female gaze, and you don't even know that you are the latter. You are effortless in your sex appeal, dominant without trying to be, smart without attempting to impress me with it, helpful, thoughtful, empathetic, and caring in every moment. It shows in how you look after me when we finish a scene, making sure we never skip aftercare. It’s apparent in the way you hold me at night, tugging me in so close that I can’t help but feel protected and loved. It’s all on display now, as you cook breakfast for me again without me having to ask for it or complain about not feeling well. You don't do things just to make me feel better, you do them because you know I will like them, and you never take yourself too seriously … until it's time to protect me. You are the female gaze, which is why I can never take my eyes off of you. It’s also why I hate that my phone rings right as I’m breathing in the sight of you.

“Hey, good morning,” you greet me as I enter, looking over your mountainous round shoulder as you scramble eggs in a skillet.

I wrap my arms around your waist and hug you from behind. “Hi, Sir,” I reply before hoisting myself on top of the counter and answering my phone on speaker. The voice of Captain Eric Saunders booms into the kitchen like thunder.

“Good morning, Detective Monroe,” he says.

“Morning, Captain,” I answer. “I’m about to see you at the precinct here soon, aren't I?”

“Actually, no,” he says. “I’ve got an assignment for you and Summers.”

“Oh, what’s up?” I ask, but a pang of nervousness blooms in the heart.

Last night, I told you that Captain Saunders had called and asked me to look into a robbery. If you weren't so caught up in dividing the eggs into equal portions for us, I’d be anxious. It’s strange that the captain would call and put me on an assignment right after doing the same thing last night, especially without saying something about dropping the other case. Nonetheless, you don't even glance in my direction. I love the way you trust me.

“I need you and Summers to get down to Andrea’s Diner, just a few blocks from the precinct,” Saunders informs me. “There has been a fire over there—took out the entire diner—and the manager thinks it may have been arson. I need this to be a top priority, Monroe. The owner, who’s out of town, is a friend of mine. I’d like to take care of this for her and get her some answers. Go get with the manager—his name is Robert Clark—and find out what the hell happened to my favorite diner.”

“Alright, Captain. We’re on it. I’ll talk to you later,” I say, watching you from behind as you pour orange juice into two cups and walk them over to the table.

“Thanks, Monroe. Keep me updated.”

“Will do. Alright. Bye.”

I end the call and hop down to join you at the dinner table, where you sip from your cup while watching me take my seat. I don't look at you because I don't want the obvious to pour from my eyes. If I turn my head in your direction, my nervousness will become too glaring. I feel like it's too late. My anxiety crawls on my skin like spiders and gives me gooseflesh. Fucking Saunders just had to call and say this right now, and I just had to put the fucking phone on speaker.

“Did he say that Andrea’s burned down?” you ask, making my skin feel like it’s tightening around me.

I clear my throat and sip my orange juice to buy myself some time before answering, “Yeah. Can you believe that? We were just there.”

You stare at me. I feel it on the side of my face like a hot beam of sunlight.

“Yes, we were,” you say, your tone soaked in accusation. “It’s pretty strange that the place would burn down right after we had an issue there.”

“Yeah, and right after that little fucker quit. I’d bet my next paycheck that he had something to do with it.”

“You think the kid burned it down?”

“If not him, probably someone close to him. You know how kids are these days. Anyway, as crazy as it is, I’ll get to the bottom of it. In the meantime, I guess you and I are going to have to find another diner to frequent.”

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