Three hours later, after Pete locked the doors of the tavern, Carl took her to an all-night restaurant next to his motel. There they talked and ate, alone in the dining area.
”What does FORCE mean, Carl?” she asked.
”Federal Office for Research and Control of the Enhanced. Why?”
”You are the first FORCE Deputy I have had to myself. Are you a mutant, too?”
”No. Some are. Most aren’t. When it was first set up as a law-enforcement agency, back during the Bloody Years, all of us were highly trained normals hand picked from the remaining military and police services. When the EPs, Enhanced people like Angel in your song, started to trust us, some of them joined up, too.”
At last, he pushed back his chair. “Well, do I get a room for you?”
She shook her head and traced his body with her eyes. “Non, Carl. I do not wish to sleep alone. Do not rent another room.”
He looked at her and grinned. “I’ve been hoping all evening you’d say something like that. Come on, what are we wasting time here for.” He stood, dropped two twenties on the table, then seized her hand. She followed eagerly.
He locked the door of his room, then turned to her. She smiled seductively and, watching him from the corner of her eye, began to dance. As she performed an impromptu strip tease for him, she thought to herself, Ah, that feels so good. A thrill coursed through her body.
She could feel his eyes on her, intense and hungry. A warm, familiar glow filled her body. She undid the button of her wraparound skirt and tossed it on a chair. While she danced, she stroked her body, caressing herself with her fingertips as she guided his eyes to her charms.
He took her in his arms and she rubbed against his body like a cat. Putting her arms around his neck, she lifted her lips to his. He accepted her invitation and kissed her, picking her up in his arms and carrying her to the bed.
Some time later, she murmured and snuggled against him in contentment. Carl is a good lover and a good man, she thought dreamily. She sighed, cuddling against him, already half asleep.
#
She awoke before him the next morning. She lay with her head on his chest, her hair a tangled cloud covering them both. He caressed her jawline with strong, gentle fingers. “Want a bath before leaving paradise, Toni,” he asked.
”Oui. That would be lovely, Carl. Bathe with me?”
Afterwards she sat on the edge of the bed and combed her damp hair with her fingers while he shaved.
”Here.” He turned away from the mirror. “This’ll work better.”
”Thank you.” She took the hairbrush he handed her with a smile. “Mmmmm. It smells good.”
He nodded. “It’s made of cedar.”
She ran it through her hair, then held it to her nose. “I like it, Carl.”
He dressed and packed, then lounged on the bed and watched her. She sat brushing her long hair on the foot of the bed. He shook his head with a sigh. “If I weren’t in the middle of an assignment, I’d take two weeks of vacation and spend it with you. This has been magical.”
She smiled and stood, returning the hairbrush. She picked up her skirt and wrapped it around her waist. He sighed again, drinking in her every movement. “You are so incredibly beautiful, Toni.”
She smiled at him, then arched her back and ran her fingers through her hair. “Thank you, Carl. You have made me feel so good.” She picked up her bolero and slipped it on, ready to leave. After putting his suitcase in the trunk of the car, he walked with her to the restaurant for an early lunch. “Is there anything I can get for you, Toni? Anything you need? I’ve got plenty of money, and I’d like…”
She reached over and put her finger on his lips. “Non, Carl. Do not say it. There is nothing I need and I had a wonderful time sharing with you.”
He nodded, then took her hand and held it. “What do you want out of life?”
”Right now, to see the world. I hope, someday, to find something I really want to do and a man to share it with. Until I find them, just wander, sing, dance, enjoy life.”
Carl glanced at his watch. “Twelve o’clock. Past time for me to get moving. I’ll drop you off at the tavern, then hit the road.” He parked in front of the tavern, then took her inside to a table and held a chair for her. Going to the bar, he asked for a paper bag and two glasses of wine. He took something from his pocket, wrote a brief note on it and put them both in the bag. When Joey brought the wine, he rolled the bag down. “Give this to her after I’ve left, please. Here’s a five for your help.” Joey nodded.
Carl walked back to her. “A toast, to the best night of my life.” She smiled, then took one of the glasses and stood.
”To love. To men and women together. To life. To you and me,” she said. They drained the glasses in silence. Taking her in his arms, he kissed her, a long, slow kiss.
She looked up at him. “This has been wonderful, Carl. I will never forget you,” she said.
”Nor I, you, Toni. If you ever need anything, anything at all, call the FORCE toll-free number and leave a message for me. Code nine-nine-TONI. Code 99 is a priority code. It will reach me, no matter where I am. I’ll come help you.”
”Thank you, Carl. It feels good to be cared for.” She hugged him.
He hugged her, then let her go. “Goodbye, Toni. Best of everything for you. I hope you find your purpose and your man.”
