Perfect Storm

Chapter 25 - Must Be Doing Something Right

Summer in Chicago was almost as extreme as the winter. Instead of subzero temperatures and blankets of pure white snow, the city rippled with a hazy heat that had Kate ducking into the locker room at random points in the day to take a shower in an effort to keep herself cool.

Her cosy jumpers and long-sleeved henleys had been replaced with short-sleeved t-shirts but, even at nighttime, the air remained humid and muggy. Kate hadn't yet experienced a summer in her apartment and it wasn't until the mercury began to rise to an uncomfortable level did she realise that it didn't have any air conditioning, much to Hank's irritation.

'How could you forget to get air conditioning?' He grumbled one night as the two of them lie in bed, sticking to one another uncomfortably but also refusing to put any space between them.

'I didn't forget to get air conditioning, I forgot that this place didn't already have it. There's a subtle difference.'

Moving out of his arms, Kate slid out of bed and pushed all of the windows open as far as they would go in an effort to tempt some cool air into the bedroom but the blinds remained stubbornly still.

Hank's eyes tracked her naked form as she moved across the room, her tanned skin dewy from the heat as she flopped back down onto the mattress with a groan. He watched her for a few moments as she lie on her back, staring at the ceiling, chest rising and falling gently with each inhale and exhale.

The sun had bleached her hair a few shades lighter than normal and the locks were strewn across the pillow in a wavy halo. The skin tone of her face, neck and arms were darker than the rest of her body, her Italian genes giving her a deep tan that was the perfect counterbalance to her bright hazel eyes.

From this distance, he could see her pulse thrum steadily in the hollow of her throat, the flesh dancing with each beat of her heart. Tracking his eyes down further, he took in her full breasts, tight dark nipples pointing skyward before moving on to the soft swell of her stomach. To him, Kate was the perfect combination of strength and femininity and, if he could spend the rest of his life with this beautiful creature beside him, he was sure he'd die a happy man.

Kate lifted her chin towards him, smirking when she noticed the direction of his gaze.

"Eyes are up here babe."

Hank simply returned her smirk, completely unabashed at being caught staring. With a roll of her eyes, Kate turned to snuggle into his body, despite the fact his skin was emitting a furnace-like heat, and placed a kiss to the centre of his chest.

"Earth to Kate."

Snapping her eyes upwards, Kate's gaze landed on Kevin who was smirking at her from across the bullpen, whiteboard marker dangling between his fingers.

"Sorry. This heat's got me all spaced out. Gimme a sec?"

"Sure thing."

Shooting him a grateful smile, Kate pushed back from her desk and got to her feet, heading towards the kitchen. Swinging the fridge door open, she stood in front of the appliance for a few seconds with her eyes closed, savouring the chill washing over her heated skin. Reaching one hand into the freezer, she plucked out a frozen bottle of water, running the icy plastic over the back of her neck, circling round to dip the neck of the bottle under the collar of her shirt and into her cleavage.

"You know, we spoke about inappropriate behaviour in the work place."

Spinning on the spot with the bottle still wedged down her top, Kate took in the sight of Hank leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest with his biceps and forearms on full display.