So before anyone points it out yes the first tiny part is very similar to the first morning in Coffee-but its for a reason. A reader asked me how this first morning would go and I wanted to do this parallel kind of to show the differences. As for what differences you'll see. Now I also want to point out that yes there is a little extracurricular substance use in this chapter and I apologize if it offends anyone . . . but PLEASE do not send me a million flames over talking about pot. I'm not promoting or condoning; it's just fiction. So no one go and say this crazy broad on was preaching the praises of reefer. Or you can, whatever. Hope you enjoy it.

Wake

Ripley rolled, trying to get comfortable as she shifted in her bed. But no matter what she did she couldn't seem to get to the middle. Which was odd seeing as in that was usually where she slept; spread out in the middle of her bed and burrowed into as many pillows and covers as she could pile on said bed. It wasn't the world's oddest habit or guilty pleasure but it was hers . . . and considering the fact that she'd slept on a pull out sofa bed most of her teen years and even into her twenties it was one she frequently indulged in.

So why the fuck couldn't she get to her spot?

She grimaced, sitting up half asleep and pushing at the large pillow that refused to move. Where in the hell had she found this thing? It was lumpy and hard and it was hot-very, very HOT. She moved again, pushing at the heavy lump in earnest as her mind started to wake up, bits and pieces of the room becoming clearer as she blinked into awareness. But when the pillow grunted she felt her heart stop. She shook herself, trying to make her eyes stay open as she looked over the sleeping form beside her. She reached down, pinching herself before she opened her eyes again. But the same sight was still waiting on her . . . she just couldn't get her sleep fogged mind to remember what had happened last night.

Actually she couldn't remember much of yesterday period, other than nearly killing herself trying to drink away her dread over today.

She stilled, watching the man sigh deeply as he moved; letting her see just how damned relaxed he looked while he was unconscious. And slowly the events of last night started to flood back to her. She reached up, running a hand through her stiff and tangled hair before she eased out of the bed carefully. No need to wake him up because she had to get ready to go to work -Work! Christ what time was it?! She glanced around, trying to find a working clock before she finally riffled through her purse to find her cell phone.

9:38 am.

She groaned, going to her closet and grabbing the nearest outfit she could as quietly as possible. Not only had Sphinx stayed the night but now she'd overslept too! And on the damn day that she had to go all the way to Seal Beach to meet the contractor before she went to check on things at the shop. She moved, shimmying the raw silk and cashmere tunic over her head, smoothing it down over her French shorts and the bra she'd inadvertently worn to bed last night. She barely glanced at the jersey black and white stripes trying to peak through the almond pink cashmere overlay before she grabbed the dark French gray fitted Member's Only jacket from the back of her closet, tossing it on over the tunic and adjusting the sleeves as she scanned her shoes for something she could move in quickly.

There was a pair of her better jeans tossed over her dryer-meaning she could wear any shoe she wanted without worrying over the length of the sleeveless shirt . . . and to think when Paul gave it to her he'd sworn the damn thing was supposed to be a dress!

She turned, almost crowing for joy as she spotted her black cowboy boots, grabbing them as she scuttled out of her closet and through her bedroom; stopping at her tiny laundry cubby long enough to locate her jeans. She opened the dryer when she couldn't find them, tossing clothes this way and that before she growled; settling on a lighter ripped pair when she couldn't find the others. What did it matter anyway? She was just meeting the contractor to discuss the renovations her Mother's old house would need. If he had a problem with how she looked or dressed she would tell him to fuck off and find someone else.

Right after her nervous breakdown of course.

Ripley tugged the jeans up and over her hips; making sure everything was straight and closed before she picked up the discarded boots. She twisted and squirmed in place; maneuvering into the damn things one at a time as she tried not to fall and break her neck in her kitchen. As soon as her boots where on she ran from the tiny cubby, stopping long enough to look over the information Char had given her about the foreman before she groaned. It was damn near ten o clock and she was supposed to be in Seal Beach by 10:30.

God she was going to be so freaking late!

She stopped; running her hands down her face as she tried to gather herself. Okay, this just wasn't doable with how late she'd slept . . . and she'd rather have the contractor be a little peeved at her for rescheduling than make him wait for the hour it would take her to get there. Especially with the traffic around Long Beach and her less than stellar luck. She turned to her coffee pot and hit the button without a second thought, shifting through the mess of papers on her counters a little less frantically now that she wasn't freaking out. She scanned the contact list, dialing the number as soon as she saw the name she needed; only to turn and nearly fall as she tripped over one of the shirts she tossed around in her jean quest. She huffed, praying as she listened to the phone ring that the man would just answer as she started gathering up her mess; shaking her head at her own stupidity.

God why was she being such a fucking spazoid today?

Finally after the eighth ring a gruff voice filled the phone, the muffled background voices and noise making her feel bad for interrupting but she couldn't help it. She needed to do this so she could stay sane . . . and she knew the man would probably appreciate not having to wait outside in the sun until she could get there.

"Gregson."

"Hi, Mr. Gregson? Its Ripley Guadimus-we have an appointment at 10:30?"

She listened to him move before the other noises disappeared, his voice seeming less hassled as he sighed into the phone.

"Yes, Ms. Guadimus we do. I was actually trying to wrap up another consult so I can get on the road. Unexpected foundation problems with another project have kept us pretty tied up most of the morning so a fair warning it might be a while before I can make my way out to Seal Beach."

Ripley closed her eyes, letting her head fall back as she sighed in relief. Oh thank you God. She knew it wasn't exactly right but if something like this could happen it couldn't have picked a better day.

"Actually that's fine. I got caught up with some things myself. Is there any way we can try for later today? Maybe after noon?"

"Ma'am that would be fantastic. I'm hoping to be done here by eleven at the latest . . . but I'm going to say 1:30 just to be safe. It's been one of those mornings, you know?"

Ripley nodded, laughing into the phone as she turned to open her smallest kitchen drawer; tugging a fresh pack of cigarettes free before she dug deeper for a lighter.

"Trust me sir, I can believe it. I'll see you at 1:30-but if something comes up this is my cell. We can always try again on my next day off. Is there anything I need to bring with me other than what Char brought?"

The man on the other end double checked the paperwork, telling her to find a copy of the deed just to be safe as he took down the number for the shop before he hung up; leaving her to look around her semi destroyed kitchen as she packed her cigs and waited on the coffee. After she smoked and had at least two cups she would call Tome to let him know she'd be in later than expected-maybe even see if she could skip it all together. She didn't really have anything on the books, just coverage for walk ins and consults.

She nodded; opening the pack and pulling free a clove, lighting it and inhaling deeply as she sagged against the counter. Only then realizing that for all the drama she'd solved she still had an issue snoring away in her bed.

Why in the hell had Sphinx randomly decided to try the whole sleep over shit the night before she had so fucking much to do?

Sphinx rolled away from the sun shining on his face, burrowing deeper into the warm covers and soft pillows before he realized two very important things. One it was far later than he normally woke up if the sun was trying to blind him. And two whatever bed he was in was far too soft to be his. Meaning he wasn't at home. He blinked back to awareness, running a hand over his face as he yawned; glancing around the room as he realized where he was.

And-more to the point- whose bed he was in.

He sighed, closing his eyes as he decided not to worry about all of the complications his decision last night had dredged up as he reached out to pull the girl closer. Intent to just enjoy the quiet morning and the overall sated feeling he had as long as it lasted. But when his arm hit an empty mattress he furrowed his brows. He looked over, seeing that not only was she not there but-judging from how cold the bed was- that she'd been gone a while.

He sat up, looking around and trying to see or hear her moving around the small house but to no avail. He could hear the waves and the wind, the few scattered birds and even the traffic in the distance-but no Ripley. Had she seriously just run off and left him alone in her home? God she was far more trusting than he'd thought-or she'd been in a rush and forgotten he was here. Equally probable possibilities that just made him roll his eyes. It figured that the one woman who wanted anything to do with him that wasn't insane-Ripley was crazy but in a way he was becoming partial to- or some kind of agenda driven harpy from the bowels of hell would have to be scatterbrained in the morning.

Boosting cars and gang wars she could handle without flinching. But expecting her to remember something before she'd been awake two hours was beyond pointless.

And by God he wasn't going to feel badly about it. Last night had been something completely different than he'd been expecting-a large divergence from the norm for both of them. Her soft kisses and little touches hadn't left him disgruntled the way a timid lover usually did. Actually her zeal and overall eagerness to touch him and be touched, to please him and just be with him had made the whole thing seem almost surreal; like they were coming together for the first time rather than continuing a nearly two year affair. He'd honestly never had a lover like her-had a night like the one before.

And the knowledge that all of this could possibly continue just made him hopeful rather than dreadful.

Hell the sex alone would be worth putting up with any aggravation she caused him.

Sphinx smirked before he stretched and stepped out of her bed slowly; testing his still weak and wobbly legs-now that was a definite first- as he looked over her bedroom in the daylight. After Atley's stunt-and Ripley's arrival at his home- he'd made the decision to take their relationship public; to cut all of the subterfuge and bullshit off before it could even begin. Ripley hadn't completely seen his point but she'd agreed with decision . . . only to disagree when he'd told her that he wanted her to spend the night. Sphinx sighed, reaching up and smoothing his hair down as he tried to wake up, refusing to let himself become as irritated as he had the night before.

Ripley had been quick to explain that she wasn't averse to spending the night, only that the errands she had to run and the overly full schedule for the rest of her day today meant she wouldn't be able to stay. So he'd done the next best thing and told her-if she was willing-that he would stay with her. He'd spent enough time around the awkward girl's home as it was; he knew his way around her neighborhood and could be ready to go by time she needed to leave. It all seemed logical at the time . . . so why was he waking up by himself far later than he should?

And why did he find himself almost disappointed that they hadn't woken up together?

He shook himself, looking around for his clothes when he spotted them; folded neatly with his cellphone and wallet laid across them. He quirked a brow, picking up his phone before he shook his head; smirking softly at the daft little thing before he frowned. So he'd been right; she'd overslept and run off to do what she needed to; leaving him to his own devices until she could get back later in the day.

Meaning that he was completely and utterly alone in her home.

Now what in the hell was he supposed to do?

Ripley inhaled as she leaned back into her patio chair, eyes closed as she let the smoke sit in her lungs; the warm morning sun beating down on her now bare feet as she lounged and waited. She sat the glass piece back into the large amber glass ashtray on the side table; careful not to ding or chip either before she let her hands fall into her lap. She'd shed her boots the second she'd gotten off the phone with Gregson, resolving herself to digging out her flats as soon as Sphinx was awake and out of her bed. But until then she couldn't seem to force herself to do any of the random chores she normally would on a slow morning, instead deciding to enjoy the rare quiet as she waited.

She exhaled just as her back door opened the rest of the way; Sphinx stepping out cautiously before he spotted her and shook his head. He crossed her back porch, stopping just behind her chair as she took another hit from the bowl in the ashtray beside her. She knew he didn't smoke-not that he really cared that she did; she'd asked and he'd sworn that it was her choice-but she'd still refrained from exposing him to it. With what she did no one really cared if she took the occasional toke but Sphinx was different. He had a good legal job, one that entailed drug tests and rather unforgiving bosses if something ever went wrong. And she wasn't going to be even slightly responsible for costing him what he'd worked so hard to accomplish.

She watched him eye the piece before he shrugged, dropping into the chair beside her bonelessly as his fingers looped through hers; his eyes on the water just beyond the dunes and the rickety fence. Ripley bit her lip before she turned, picking the piece up with her free hand and stowing it into the little drawer in the wooden table; carefully but quickly tucking it away before she settled back into her seat. Only to nearly jump out of her skin when he snorted.

"You didn't have to do that, you know. I'm not bothered by a little smoke."

She rolled her eyes before she shrugged, squeezing his hand reassuringly before she glanced to her phone; checking the time before she flipped the lid close with a loud snap.

"I know I didn't but you don't smoke. I do the same thing for Atley and Char-out of respect. I don't expect people to just be okay with all of my habits; and I'm not stupid enough to parade them around when I know they make other people uncomfortable. Hell you should've seen Atley when Paul brought me the hookah tucked away in my closet. He almost shit himself before he tried to play it off."

Sphinx cut his eyes to her, one brow raised as he nodded to her to continue. She chuckled, getting a better grip on his hand before she leaned back into her chair; both of them relaxing as she began telling him about her birthday five years before.

"Paul always goes overboard on gifts, you know? Gets the biggest craziest thing he can just to see my reaction-or to see how I'm going to hide it. But when I turned twenty-four he went a little overboard . . . even for him. Two days before my birthday he shows up with this trunk. Atley was here for me to stitch up his leg-from that fall where he busted open the scar tissue from his wreck? And he starts moaning and groaning the second Paul walked through the door."

Sphinx chuckled but nodded, turning in his seat to look at her as she started to laugh.

"I can imagine that. Lord knows I've heard Jackson bitch about your friend enough."

Ripley rolled her eyes but didn't comment refusing to rise to the bait he was setting. It was too nice a day and she was far too relaxed to ruin it-even if picking and bickering with him was one of her favorite pastimes.

"Oh trust me, I know. I swear there are some days all Atley does is complain. But back to the point Paul had this client at his salon right? This middle aged photojournalist that was kinda kooky and just randomly grabbed things from wherever he went for work. Well, really long story short the guy was moving out of state . . . and he had to get rid of some of his more controversial memorabilia because he couldn't figure out a way to ship them without raising all of these red flags. So Paul starts asking what he has and the guy tells him about this hookah he'd stumbled across while he was in Pakistan; tells him it's really intricate and it's never been smoked out of."

Sphinx blinked before his brows drew together, his lips tugging into a thin line.

"Why? The bloke not know how to use it or something?"

Ripley shook her head laughing, squeezing his hand again.

"Even better. He'd bought it while he was on assignment for his sister-and once he brought it back to her she'd told him she didn't want it. So this big beautiful thing sat unused for like fifteen years-right on this guy's coffee table! He had pictures of it and all the other odds and ends he'd collect in his portfolio. So Paul told him they could trade. That he would do his hair, waxing, mani/pedis and cover his white patches for the rest of the time he was in Long Beach . . . if he would let him have the hookah and the cowskin rug that's in my living room. Which was my real birthday present just to let you know."

Sphinx shook his head, turning back to the waves with a chuckle.

"I take it he agreed then. So how's Atley play into it?"

Ripley grinned, almost bouncing in her seat as she turned to face him completely; gesturing wildly with her free hand as she explained Atley's reaction to the gag gift.

"Well he was here because he refused to go back to the Docs-"

Sphinx huffed, rolling his eyes. "Because he'd already busted the bottom o that scar and the Doc told him to stay off it."

"So he comes to me at freaking sundown and practically begs me to stitch him up. Paul walked in when I was about halfway through cleaning up the mess he'd made of the stitches; carrying this bulky trunk in one hand with the cowskin rug tossed over his shoulder. He throws the rug down and starts pulling out the hookah, putting it together and setting up the charcoal like he'd done it a million times. While Atley just sits there and stares at him like he's crazy. Everything was okay until he went to load it with shirshin and then Atley fucking freaked. Stood up and started going on and on about how I didn't need to have something like that before he demanded to know when I'd started smoking enough to actually want one! It took me almost an hour to get him to calm down-while Paul laughed so hard he was fucking crying."

Ripley giggled, moving to check her phone again as Sphinx laughed; his face in his free hand as his shoulders shook. She gave him a few minutes before she pulled her hand free from his, stretching before she continued.

"So now Atley doesn't even ask about my 'sordid habits' . . . and I named the hookah Big Bart just to piss him off."

Sphinx stilled, looking up to her in confusion as she stopped right in front of him; his eyes searching hers as he pushed to his feet to stand beside her.

"Why Bart?"

Ripley stopped, looking to him like he was crazy before she shook her head; trying not to laugh again as she realized what she'd just done. Oh Atley would kill her for this . . . if he didn't skin her for sleeping with Sphinx to begin with.

Oh well, what could she do?

"Because Atley's middle name is Bartholomew. He hates it . . . and every time he's here and being overprotective or just plain out annoying I threaten to break out Bart. Works every single time."

Sphinx laughed again, shaking his head before he moved; taking her hand in his and lifting it to where he could see the faceplate on her phone. His eyes darkened before he sighed, his mood seeming to almost sour before he could stop it. Ripley bit her lip, hesitating for half a second before she stepped into him; easing her hand free so she smooth them down his chest and around his waist. Sphinx froze every muscle in his body hardening to almost stone before he caught himself. Slowly he relaxed, one hand settling on her hips as the other came to cup her cheek.

She nodded to him, giving him a cautious smile as her cheeks started to pink; her eyes searching his face as he sighed.

"I'm gonna be late if I don't get going soon, Girlie. I'm supposed to be in around 12:30 and I've still got to change."

Ripley nodded as she glanced to their feet, her voice soft and almost shy; her fingers worrying the fabric of his shirt as she dipped her head.

"Oh. It's almost 11:30 now, Sphinx. Do you think you'll need to call and let them know you might be late? My house is about twenty minutes away from your work . . ."

He nodded, leaning forward, resting his forehead against hers as his gray green eyes bore into her blue green. His thumb caressed her cheek softly and he forced himself to smile for her, hating that this moment-this one quiet perfect moment would end as soon as he left. He knew it was stupid, that with everything they were working toward they were bound to find more opportunities like this one but he still wanted to keep it. To revel in it as long as he possibly could. Ripley's next words cemented his decision that if they ever stumbled upon another he would make sure it lasted . . . because he loved seeing her like this.

So content and happy he almost couldn't bare it-and it was because of him. Of them.

"Tonight . . . after the run I'm supposed to spend some time with Char-but if you wanted you could come with us. We're going to grab a few beers, probably just come back here and relax."

Sphinx stilled before he shrugged, nodding once as Ripley's lips split into an almost blinding smile. But as she stretched up onto her tiptoes and ghosted her lips over his her phone rang; making both of them turn to glare at it. The cell rang, vibrating across the small tabletop while the faceplate blinked sporadically; showcasing the number for the Raines home line. Sphinx glared even harder at the phone before he sighed, letting Ripley ease away to answer.

Right before he groaned at what he heard.

"Hello? Penn honey what's wrong? What do you mean you don't want to stay with Tumbler? Now you were fine with him last night. Why-well no I don't have to go to work until-*SIGH* Honey that doesn't mean I'm off. I have to do other things today before I go in . . . Let me talk to your Dad."

Ripley closed her eyes, running her hands down her face before she sighed again; pushing her fingers through her bangs as she nodded.

"Memphis? Look I have a ton of shit to today so if Junie can take her then- *SIGH* Fine, Raines. I'll come and stay with her until I have to go but I'm telling you right now I have to get this done and it's looking like today is my only shot. I'll keep her entertained until I have to leave but you need to see if Junie can take her for the rest of the day. I know you appreciate it Randal-and I don't mind. Okay . . . I'll be there in a few minutes. Yeah, you're right. You do owe me."

She sighed, closing the phone before she turned to him; her shoulders sloped and her lips tugging down into a frown. But honestly he couldn't blame her. She had a lot to accomplish today, things that had to get done regardless of Memphis and Penn's desires. He moved, reaching out and pushing her hair out of her face; dipping to lock eyes with her.

"We'll set our plans later, Love. Just go on and deal with this. You're still going to settle shite with the house right?"

She nodded, leaning forward to rest her forehead against his; exhaling loudly as she closed her eyes.

"Yeah . . . but I have this really bad feeling that I'm going to be taking Penn. Which is fine because I love her to death . . . but Memphis is going to have to learn to tell that kid no-preferably before she's in high school."

Sphinx nodded, deciding to keep his opinion about the matter to himself. Raines had been told that she had things to accomplish and Sphinx knew the man would hold up his end . . . or he would cart him through the morgue. He huffed, rolling his eyes as Ripley pulled away; running her hands down her face as she groaned.

"Christ, you're supposed to tell Atley today aren't you? Are you sure about this-can't we just let it wait-"

He covered her mouth with his hand, giving her pointed look as he dipped his chin to her. It wasn't what he wanted to do-and he was dreading it worse than anything he'd ever planned but he would do it. Because the sooner the others knew that they were together-that Ripley was taken and involved then the sooner they would stop doing shite like this. Meaning he would actually get to keep his lover to himself instead of having to track her down to the shop or the Raines house just to bloody see her.

"I'm sure, Girlie. And he'll be fine-"

She raised a brow at him before she pulled back enough to speak; her words flowing out quickly as she kept herself far enough out of his reach so he couldn't quiet her again.

"No he won't. He's going to flip his shit-the same way he always does over everything. And what makes it even better is Memphis seems to be in such a wonderful fucking mood-"

"Which is their shite to sort through-not ours. I'll talk to Jackson on my way into work and by tonight everything will be settled."

Ripley rolled her eyes, snorting before she sighed; throwing her hands up in defeat.

"Fine! Fine! But when everyone freaks out I'm not even going to bother telling you I told you so. I'll see if Char wants to go to Seal Beach with me-so we can go ahead and get that conversation over with before anyone else weighs in. Do you want me to tell Memphis when I go over or are we going to let Atley gossip?"