𝑀𝓎 𝑀𝒶𝓃#1~When Love Lasts

Cedric didn't come pick me until late in the afternoon. He wasn't in a cheerful mood when he got there. He informed me that the first missing woman had been dead for a day, and the new woman's house had blood on the bedsheets.

I had asked him for their names. I needed to know them, but he refused. At first, he told me it was because he couldn't talk about the case, but later that night he admitted to me that he didn't want me to know. I felt enough guilt as it was, and he didn't need me to start looking them up just to make myself feel even worse.

Anna had come over the next day for dinner. I had texted her, telling her we needed to speak with her about something. I didn't need Mrs. Helen to slip and speak with Avery about me and Cedric being together before I had the chance and frankly, the balls to tell her myself.

“What did you want to talk to me about, Ave's?” Anna had asked me after we all finished eating supper. “What's going on with you and my brother? Why are you here, inviting me over to dinner at my brother's house?”

“That's what I need to talk to you about, Anna. Cedric and I have decided that we like one another and want to see where it goes.” I told her, hoping I wouldn't lose my friend over this.

“You know I'm not blind, right? I saw the sparks flying between you two the first time I saw y'all in the same room. I knew it was only a matter of time.” Anna sighed and looked at me with an annoyed face. “Took you both long enough to notice it, too.”

It shocked me that she even thought that, yeah ill admit that he and I argued a bit when I first moved here, but sparks? I don't know what she is talking about. The only sparks I would have produced was the spark of wanting to slap her brother.

Angry sparks, not sexual whatever sparks.

“So you're okay with this?” I asked her, needing to know her true feelings about this. I need to know that she doesn't think badly of me. I need to know I'm not about to lose her over this. “I didn't start being your friend for your brother. You know I couldn't stand him.”

“Oh Ave's. Of course, I'm fine with this. Now we can both complain about the tickets he gives us and be equally pissed off at him.” She laughed and raised her wine glass. “My brother and my best friend.”

“I still have to change my license plate before he gives me another ticket.” I growled, remembering about our conversation at the police station the second time I saw him.

“Yeah, you better do that." Anna giggled and took a sip of her wine before demanding. “We need to celebrate. This Friday. Sleepy Sheep.”

“No.” Cedric's hard tone startled us both as he walked into the kitchen.

“What?” I asked him, a little annoyed that he thought he could decide things for me.

“Yes. We have to celebrate. My brother and Best friend are dating.” Anna argued with Cedric, but he didn't let her or me get started. He shut us down, he shut us down hard.

“We can celebrate another time. Do you know about the missing women? I'm on the case, and it's fucking with my head. I need Avery safe for me to do my job and to find the son of a bitch. She doesn't need to go walking around a bar where the man doing this could be there stalking for his next victim and neither do you, Anna.” Cedric growled before striding out of the kitchen, leaving both Anna and I speechless and pissed off.

“Grumpy cop.” Anna grunted before downing the rest of her wine.

“Hmm.” I agreed and took a small sip of mine, worried about Cedric.

It has now been a week since his parents and Anna found out we are dating, and Cedric has been driving me up the fucking wall. He doesn't let me go anywhere alone. He drops me off and picks me up. He won't even let me go to the grocery store without him and on the nights he has to work late he brings me to his parent's house.

Bless them.

They have been so kind and supportive towards me. Trying to keep my mind occupied on the nights that I go over. Mr. Glenn even lets Mr. Helen and I gang up on his in board games, and I have the suspicious thought that he is letting us win just to make us smile and laugh when we beat him, horribly.

“Cedric. I want to go out tonight.” I demanded as soon as we walked through the door to his house after he picked me up from his parents tonight.

“Avery we talked about this baby-” He sighed and told me, but this time I cut him off. This time he is going to listen to me.

“No. You talked and made me listen. Now it's your turn to listen to me. I understand that you're worried about me Cedric, but keeping me locked away baby isn't going to do anything but make me go crazy. Don't you see that? I can't go anywhere without you, and I'm not complaining. I like the idea of you picking me up after work, but I can't even go to the grocery store alone without you turning all caveman on me.” I told him calmly, not wanting to cause a fight between us but needing him to understand what this is doing to me.

“Did you just call me baby” Cedric asked and smirked.

“That's not the point.” I shouted, frustrated. “Anna wants to have a girl's night and I want that too. I need it. You can come, it's Friday. Anna said that's when you hang with your friends. We can both get out of the house and have some fun without worrying. We both need this, Cedric. I have been so scared, and you have been too worried and protective.”

That's all he heard from my speech?

Men.

“He could be there, Avery.” Cedric sighed, not looking happy with this conversation.

“He could be right outside, Cedric. We can't keep living like this.” I complained. “Let's go out and have some fun, babe.”

I finally announced to him four nights ago that I was ready to be in a relationship with him. I wanted to take things slow, we haven't even had sex yet.

After everything that's been happening, I need him and I to just go slow. Take our time and that's exactly what we been doing. He doesn't rush me. We stay up late talking, watching movies and being a little hot under the covers.

Lord, that man's mouth can do wonders. I swear I see stars every night.

“Okay, if you really want to do this, we will but Avery. I need you to stay close to me tonight.” Cedric growled, not looking happy with his decision.

“But I want-” I complained that I wanted to be able to dance and play pool with Anna, but his mouth slowly touched mine, and he kissed me.

“You can do whatever you want babe, just stay close. Yeah?" He asked when our mouths parted minutes later.

“Yeah.” I agreed happily before placing my hands on his head, digging my fingers into his hair and pulled his lips back against mine, wanting more of him.

“I like when you call me baby.” He whispered and playfully bit my bottom lip. “Makes me want to forget about our plans and carry you into our bedroom.”

“No. We are going out.” I shouted playfully and walked out of his arms and raised my hands up when he tried pulling me back against him. “Don't think about it, cop. I have to go get ready. I plan to have fun and get drunk and maybe, if you're good, you may get lucky tonight and just incase your cop brain doesn't understand, I'm giving full consent for later.” I grinned before walking out of the kitchen, this time leaving Cedric shocked and speechless