Part 19

Summer passed quickly. Tom loved working on the task force. The last day of the program was kinda sad, but he looked forward to the team getting back together. Since Doug and Dorothy's dinner party fiasco, everyone had drifted to separate corners. With the restart of Jump Street, they all had some major catching up to do.

"Hey, baby." Judy surprised him with a hug and a kiss. "What's shaking?"

He stifled a yawn as he watched her slide on a pair of ankle boots. "What time is it?"

"It's a little after seven."

He placed his hand on her side of the bed. It lacked the warmth of her body. He pulled himself into a sitting position. "What time did you get up? I was just waking up."

"I don't know. Maybe an hour ago. Maybe earlier. I went for a jog. I also picked up some coffee and donuts."

"Jude, you know I don't like you jogging alone."

She grabbed a pillow and tossed it at him. "I'm a cop, Hanson. I can take care of myself."

"I know, but I like taking care of you, too." He rose from the bed and pulled her into his arms. "Come back to bed."

"Are you kidding me? Today is the first day back! You'd better hurry up and get dressed before I leave you."

He gave her a hurt look. "You wouldn't dare."

"I don't want Fuller on my back. Besides, I heard there may be a new guy in the mix."

"A new what?"

She wiggled out of his arms. Her backside sashayed before his eyes as she ran from the bedroom. Like a little puppy, he followed. "What do you mean there's a new guy?"

"That's a rumor going around. Since Doug may move to major crimes, Fuller has to get someone new. I heard the guy is kinda cute, too."

"Cute, huh?" He stopped chasing her and stood in the middle of the living room with his hands on his hips. "You're just pulling my chain."

A sexy grin danced across her full lips. "As tempting as pulling your chain is, that's not what I'm doing. I'm just putting you on notice."

"Oh, like when you surprised me with your new haircut."

Her mouth dropped open. She ran her fingers through her short curls. "You said you liked it."

"I do, but it was a surprise. I leave and you have long hair and when I come home, it's gone."

"Oh, so the truth comes out."

The teasing light vanished from her eyes and he knew he'd gone too far. She turned her back. He stepped close behind her and wrapped his arms around her. The slight tremble of her body made him ache.

"Jude, I was kidding. You're beautiful and if you like it, I like it. Hair or not, you're still the same woman I love."

"That's a good start. Keep going."

He parted his mouth over her neck. His tongue slowly licked the gooseflesh there. When she quivered, he knew that forgiveness was right around the corner.

"Tom…."

"Let's go back to bed and I'll make it up to you. I'll show you how much I love you and everything about you."

"Are you trying to seduce me, Tom Hanson?" She turned around and laced her fingers together behind his head. "Is that what you're trying to do?"

"Am I succeeding?"

"Maybe." She gave him a quick peck on the lips. "But summer vacation is over and we have to get back to work."

The End

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