Convicted (Consequences)

Harry tried not to think about other times she’d worn those—and not much else. Unable to hide his sly smile, Harry said, “Hi, come on in.”
    She took a few steps, scanned the stacked boxes and raised her eyebrows. “You’re really moving on to other cases.”
    Harry gently clenched Liz’s shoulders, pulled her close, and kissed her cheek. “Between you and Amber, I don’t know who has more difficulty remembering—I can’t talk about it.”
    Liz grinned. “I know—or you’d have to kill me; but hey, this case almost cost us—us. So, to say I’m glad you’re moving on—is an understatement.”
    Going into Harry’s kitchen, Liz opened the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of water. Harry was close behind when he asked, “Even if it means that I’m traveling?”
    Liz shrugged. “I like it better when you’re here. How much of your schedule can I know?”
    Leaning against the counter with his faded jeans, tight black t-shirt, bare feet, and messy, blonde hair, Harry grinned. “I can tell you when I’m home.”
    “But, not when you’re coming home.”
    He stepped toward her, put his arms around her waist, and pinned her against the counter. Inhaling deeply, he took in the sweet smell of her perfume. As he exhaled, his warm breath bathed her neck. Before he spoke, his lips caressed her shoulder and his fingers traced the edge of her scoop cut blouse. Liz tilted her head back, giving him full access and involuntarily moaned. His words were spaced and breathy. “No” “not when I’m coming home” “I promise” “when I’m home” “I’m all yours.”
    Liz sighed, momentarily allowing her hips to be pulled toward his; however, when his hands lowered to her round behind, Liz pushed away. “Well, I think we need to talk. I mean, what’s this relationship anyway? What am I?”
    Harry lifted a brow. “What do you mean?”
    “Are we dating again, or just having sex?”
    Running his fingers through his hair, Harry sighed. “I don’t know how long I’ll be gone. I don’t want you stuck in some holding pattern. It could be a few days—or a few months. That’s not fair to you.”
    Liz set the bottle on the counter with enough force to allow droplets of water to escape onto the granite top. “Fine,” she said as she turned toward the door.
    Harry grabbed her arm and turned her back toward him, pulling her into his strong embrace. Looking down into her light blue eyes, he softened his tone. “What is this? I thought we’d been through this. You know it’s my job.”
    Liz nodded into his chest. “I do. I just don’t know what that means.”
    Harry lifted her chin. “Why are you suddenly upset?”
    “It’s not suddenl y, Harry. It’s still !”
    Exhaling, Harry took Liz by the hand and led her to his sofa. “It was a job. I let it get out of hand. It’s over. She’s remarried. She’s having someone else’s kid!”
    “You told me it was over with her after you found out about the kid not being yours.”
    Harry’s voice became louder. “It was! We’ve—you and me—have been back together since then. What is this?”
    Liz stood and paced about his living room pretending to have interest in all the things lying around. Finally, she answered, “I want to believe you—I do. I can do the whole secret-agent girlfriend thing . Christ, Harry! I was kidnapped and forced to watch some assholes beat the shit out of you!” She inhaled deeply and wiped a tear from her cheek with the back of her hand. “I kept my mouth shut the whole time that stupid slut was here.” She turned her eyes to Harry.
    He knew she was waiting for a reaction. Luckily, years of training allowed him to remain stoic.
    Liz continued, “I did! I smiled and played nice, even after Amber told me you two were sleeping together.”
    Harry exhaled— damn his sister! He knew she’d been the one to inform Liz, but hearing it reminded him how Amber needed to learn to keep her mouth shut! Agent training summoned, Harry stood and walked to Liz. Lifting her chin, he kissed her lips once again—softly and slowly. “I’m sorry. The whole thing put you in a terrible place. Is this something we can ever get past, or will I hear about it every time you’re mad at me, for the rest of our lives?”
    Her lips curved upward. “The rest of our lives?”
    “Or, until you tell me to hit the road.”
    Her blue eyes closed, and her lashes fluttered on her cheek. “You’ve never talked about the future, even when we