Crossing Lines

by KD Williamson

  Their eyes met.

  Nora’s gaze was reverent, relieved. She looked at Kelli like no one else existed. Nora reached out to touch her. Unlike before, Kelli didn’t refuse her. Nora’s hands slid around her neck, pulling her close. For the first time, Kelli knew what it was to be the one protected.

  “Are you okay?”

  “No…yeah.” Kelli smiled at the confused look that crossed Nora’s face. “Yeah.”

  CHAPTER 17

  Kelli smiled as Nora mumbled in her sleep and nuzzled closer. Nora was nearly on top of her now. At least one of them was getting some rest. Kelli couldn’t turn her brain off. Her worries crowded her—her family, Travis’s upcoming discharge, and the woman tucked against her side. Kelli looked up. There was just enough light for her to stare at the ceiling. After a few minutes, she sighed. There wasn’t a fucking answer to be seen up there.

  A helpless little sound escaped Nora’s throat. She fidgeted and brushed her mouth against Kelli’s throat, then went still again. Kelli’s thoughts scattered. Apparently, even while sleeping, Nora could distract the hell out of her.

  Not everything was a jumbled mess. Kelli was certain about at least one thing. She was in love with Nora Whitmore.

  It wasn’t the polite, romantic comedy kind of love either. What she felt for Nora was messy, raw, and intensely overwhelming, and it fit them perfectly. Kelli grinned into the darkness even as doubt crept in around the corners. She knew Nora cared for her deeply. That much was obvious in the way she looked at her, touched her, kissed her, and Kelli could in no way forget that fierce protectiveness. Kelli pushed the doubt away. They had come too far.

  Kelli had to be careful. With the fucked up state of her family, she wanted the relationship with Nora to work even more. That meant she couldn’t fall into old habits like fucking into oblivion, shutting down, and pushing people away. The fallout at this point would be nuclear. She couldn’t lose this. So, where there was a fucking feast before, there was now famine. Kelli fought like hell to keep her hands to herself and stay present in the moment. She did her best to ignore the sharp, mounting ache that refused to go the hell away.

  Take what you need.

  Kelli shivered and closed the door to those thoughts and concentrated on Antony instead. She was hoping that, after a few days, he’d realize he was making a mistake. Tony was standing his ground. Goddammit. He was intent on admitting guilt and doing the time. Kelli was tired of wondering if she could have…should have…done something different.

  Then, there was her mother. Involuntarily, Kelli’s entire body tensed. She hadn’t come out and said it yet, but Carina was sorry for laying all this shit on her doorstep. Kelli knew her mother didn’t really mean what she’d said, but it still stung like fuck, even after a couple of days.

  “Stop,” Nora said groggily.

  Kelli lifted her head to look at Nora. Her eyes were open. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

  “It feels like I’m sleeping on top of marble, and I could practically hear you thinking.”

  Kelli chuckled. “Sorry.”

  “So, stop. I know there’s a lot going on, but your mother didn’t mean it.”

  “I know. I could just sleep in the guest ro—”

  “That’s not an option,” Nora said. “Maybe I can help.” Nora’s voice was stronger now. “Turn over.”

  Kelli’s breath caught. The quiet stretched between them.

  “That isn’t what I meant.” There was laughter in Nora’s voice. “Now, on your stomach, please.”

  Kelli did as she was told.

  “Your muscles are tense. You need to relax,” Nora said.

  Kelli groaned. Nora had no idea.

  “With a massage.”

  Kelli swallowed. “Oh, I knew you were going to say that.”

  Nora hummed in agreement. “You’ll need to remove your T-shirt.”

  Kelli wrestled out of her shirt. Her nipples brushed against soft Egyptian cotton. Kelli didn’t expect the sudden warmth at her lower back as Nora straddled her hips. She bit her lip to keep from groaning again. She released a shaky breath and did her best to ignore the way her stomach had just dropped. Kelli was a big girl. She could handle a massage. Right? “You don’t have to do this.” Maybe not.

  “Yes, I do. You have work in the morning.” Nora’s tone was breathless, unsteady.

  Knowing that Nora was affected made Kelli feel a little better. “So do you.”

  Nora ignored her.

  The groan Kelli had been holding back came out anyway, as strong hands pressed into her shoulders.

  “I’m sorry? I didn’t hear you,” Nora said.

  “Shut up.” Kelli was sure this was going to keep her up for a whole different set of reasons.

  *

  Kelli woke up slowly. She was lying on her side, facing the window. It was still dark outside, but something pulled her from sleep. She reached out with her senses. She was too comfortable to move an actual part of her body. Kelli felt a soft, wet flutter at her shoulder that sent a shiver down her spine. Nora. She did it again, closer to her neck. On pure instinct, Kelli tilted her head as much as she could and was rewarded with a sharp bite that brought every nerve ending to life.

  She gasped and arched into the warmth at her back. Nora’s full, bare breasts pressed against Kelli’s shoulder blades, and the curvature of her hips lined up with her own. This wasn’t what Kelli expected, but her body drank it in nonetheless. Heat blossomed in the pit of her stomach and pushed itself outward.

  Nora’s tongue grazed Kelli’s earlobe before it dipped into her ear. “Kelli.”

  Kelli moaned. Her entire body clenched. She pressed herself into Nora.

  Nora whimpered. The sound sizzled across Kelli’s flesh, bringing an excruciating arousal with it. Shit. How the hell did she get so turned on that damn quick?

  “Let me…please,” Nora said. “We need this.” She dug her nails into Kelli’s hip. “I need this.” Her hips pumped softly against Kelli’s ass.

  Kelli’s eyes nearly rolled into the back of her head. She was that ready, and they had barely touched.

  Apparently, Nora took her silence as affirmation and trailed her hand upward over Kelli’s hip to her stomach. Kelli’s muscles jumped as if jolted by an electric current. Nora’s fingertips teased her nipples, making them harder than they already were.

  “God yes.” Kelli groaned, as Nora palmed and squeezed her breast roughly. Each squeeze reverberated between Kelli’s legs.

  Nora’s breath hitched, and she nipped and sucked at her shoulder while she tweaked Kelli’s nipple. She wasn’t gentle at all. The sharp pricks of pain slithered and mingled with Kelli’s rising pleasure. Kelli turned her head, and their lips met in a sloppy kiss that turned into a battle of tongues. Urgency grew between them, and it made her skin tingle.

  Nora yanked at Kelli’s boxers. Their hands flailed about as Kelli tried to help. She wiggled and kicked to get them down her legs.

  Nora pressed her hot body against Kelli’s back again, and she was so fucking soft. Nora’s nails dug into her hip once more, as she writhed against Kelli. The sounds she was making…needy and hungry…made Kelli’s head spin.

  “Fuck.” Kelli wanted more.

  Reaching back and over, she grabbed Nora’s ass forcefully and urged her on. There was something so erotic about the feel of her…the sound of her. So intent, Kelli wasn’t aware of Nora’s fingertips sliding over her sex until they reached her clit.

  “Fuuuuck.”

  Kelli drew her knee upward, opening herself completely. From behind, Nora’s fingers glided in wide teasing circles. Kelli groaned. She didn’t have the patience for this. “Harder.”

  Deliberately, Nora slowed her caress until it felt like she wasn’t doing a damn thing.

  Kelli could beg for what she wanted, needed, but instead, she reached between her own legs and guided Nora’s fingers where she wanted them. Their combined touch slipped over soaked flesh, meeting at the aroused tip where Kel
li finally got the pressure she’d demanded earlier.

  They both moaned.

  Nora’s touch trailed downward, and before Kelli could ask for more, Nora was inside her.

  Kelli cried out so loud her ears rang.

  “Yesss.” Nora whimpered in response, as she began thrusting deeply.

  Kelli’s own fingers remained pressed against her sex. She was so distracted by Nora’s actions that she froze.

  “Don’t…stop,” Nora said.

  Kelli didn’t tease. She circled her clit with one purpose in mind. Her senses were on overload, and sparks of pleasure erupted from between her legs and crawled over every inch of her skin. Kelli was in no way prepared for the orgasm that blindsided her.

  Her vision dimmed and the world turned into a supernova.

  *

  A long time later, Nora slumped against her in a sweaty heap. Kelli rubbed a still trembling hand down her damp back. Nora said something, but Kelli’s ears were still ringing.

  “I sure as hell am relaxed now,” Kelli finally said.

  Nora chuckled. She pushed hair out of her eyes and looked at Kelli. “I’m not going to apologize.”

  Kelli shook her head and met Nora’s gaze. “I think you were right. We needed that.” She reached out and tangled a strand of Nora’s hair around her finger. She felt more connected to Nora than before.

  “It wasn’t about making you feel better. It was about—”

  “Us.” Kelli finished the sentence for her, understanding completely.

  “Exactly. I’ve never felt like this before. This, sexually, is one of the ways I need to express it.”

  “Then, maybe I need to be the one apologizing. Everything else is messed up. I didn’t want us to be the same way, especially after what happened last time.”

  “We’re not, and I was trying to be understanding. I just couldn’t wait anymore.”

  Kelli arched her eyebrows. “So you’re saying I’m irresistible?”

  Nora glared. “Those were not the words I used.”

  Kelli shrugged. “It meant the same thing.”

  “I disagree.”

  “Really?” Kelli smirked. Her hand slid further down Nora’s back, over her ass, and between her legs.

  Nora whined. “We have work—”

  “Shut up.”

  *

  Kelli carefully and slowly removed herself from the tangle of arms and legs. She kept her gaze on Nora the whole time to make sure she didn’t wake her. Kelli was thirsty as hell. Plus, her bladder was screaming bloody murder.

  After the bathroom, Kelli tiptoed into the kitchen. She pressed her glass against the water dispenser on the refrigerator. A loud grunt got her attention. Phineas pushed his way through the flap in the kitchen door. Kelli grinned.

  “Well, hey big guy.”

  He looked her way briefly and kept trotting toward his food bowl. It was empty, but Kelli didn’t tell him that. Phineas sat down in front of his bowl. He placed his snout right on the edge of the dish and waited.

  Kelli chuckled. “You would have been shit outta luck if I wasn’t up.”

  He made a noise. It sounded suspiciously like a snort of laughter.

  She opened the refrigerator and got the fruit mix marked with Phineas’s name.

  “Your mom is dead to the world, thanks to me.”

  He did look at her, but Phineas didn’t seem impressed.

  “Smartass.” Kelli filled his bowl and watched him dig in while she drank her water. “I got a lot of shit going on, so I won’t bore you with it, but would it freak you out if I told you I’m in love with your mom?” She gave him a heavy pat on the side. He huffed, and as she turned to put the glass in the sink, Phineas bumped her.

  Kelli laughed. “I’m gonna take that to mean that you’re cool with it. I’m cool with it too. Should scare the shit out of me, but it doesn’t. Nothing about us…about her…scares me anymore. Now, I just gotta find the right time to tell her.”

  She gave him another pat and a good scratch at the top of his head. “You’re cute and all, but your mom smells better.” Kelli smirked, but it turned into a yawn. “Night big guy. Good talk.”

  *

  The bell above the door at McCabe’s Deli jangled as Kelli opened it. The place was pretty full. Sean sat at his usual table, taking a humongous bite of a sandwich. He waved her over, regardless. Kelli glanced at the counter. Her mother was taking care of a customer, so she had a few minutes to watch Sean chew.

  He wiped his mouth. “What are you doing here this time of day?” Sean paused, and his eyes widened as he looked up at her. “Oh shit, did something—”

  “No, the world’s still spinning. Mom called me.” Kelli pulled out a chair and sat down.

  “Oh.” He slurped at his drink and stared at her. “She was mean to you on Saturday, wasn’t she?”

  Kelli looked out the windows at the people on the sidewalk instead of at her brother. She didn’t feel like rehashing any of it. All of it was bullshit anyway.

  “You know she didn’t mean it, Kel.”

  She glanced at him. “I know that, but she pretty much told me I was responsible for every fucked-up thing that happened with Tony.”

  Sean set his drink down. “Damn. So, she called you here to apologize?”

  Kelli shrugged.

  “Yeah, that has to be it. Mom has to know how much that hurt you,” Sean said. “This thing with Antony fucked us all up, one way or another.”

  “Tell me about it.”

  Sean sucked on his drink again. Kelli felt her mother come up behind her. She put her hand on Kelli’s shoulder, and Kelli tried really hard not to stiffen.

  “You need anything else, baby?”

  Sean looked up at their mother, but he didn’t smile. “Nah, not right now. I’ll go get it if I want something. I think the two of you need to talk.”

  Carina took her hand away. “You’re right.” She sounded sad. “Will you come to my office, Kelli?”

  Kelli snatched a chip off her brother’s plate and stood. Without a word, she followed her mother. They walked, side by side, toward the back. Every couple of seconds, Carina glanced at her.

  “Go ahead, Mom. I’m listening. What did you wanna talk about?” They stopped in the hallway. Kelli turned to look at her.

  Carina’s expression went from uncertain to thoughtful and back again. “I’m an ass. So, you come by it honestly.”

  True story. Kelli almost smiled.

  “You’re the last person I wanna hurt,” Carina said.

  This was her mother. They shouldn’t have to go through all this. “I know you didn’t mean it. It’s fine. I’m fine.”

  “No, just wait. You need to hear this, and I need to say it.”

  Kelli leaned against the wall and quieted. It was the respectful thing to do.

  “I’m sorry. I see all the things you do for us, even the little stuff. I just wanted you to know that.”

  All of a sudden, Kelli found it hard to swallow. Sometimes, she hated all the emotional crap. She looked everywhere except her mother.

  Carina grabbed Kelli’s hand and squeezed it. “Look at me, please.”

  Kelli took a deep breath and met her mother’s gaze.

  “I see them.”

  Kelli nodded. She didn’t realize how much she needed to hear those words. Her eyes burned, but the tears didn’t come.

  “The next time I see her, I’ll apologize to Nora, too. She didn’t deserve what she got.”

  No, she didn’t. “Okay.”

  “I know she’s not used to all this family drama. How is she?” Carina asked.

  Kelli blushed and smiled. She couldn’t help herself.

  Her mother chuckled and pressed her hands against Kelli’s heated face. “She’s doing good then, yeah?”

  “Yeah, she is.”

  “So, when are you gonna tell her you love her?”

  Kelli’s mouth fell open. There was no point in asking how she knew.

  Carina grinned. />
  The conversation had lightened up quite a bit and so did Kelli. She smirked and rolled her eyes. “I don’t know, Mom. When it seems like she’s ready to hear it, or when I can’t hold it in anymore. Whichever comes first?”

  Carina patted Kelli on the cheek before stepping back. “You’re bursting at the seams already, baby.”

  Maybe she was. Kelli was so okay with that.

  “I’m missing a shipment of stuffed olives, so I need to chase it down. If you make a sandwich, make sure you clean up after yourself.”

  “I will.”

  Kelli’s phone chirped. She pulled it out of her pocket to see a text from her contact at the DEU.

  One of the dealers that agreed to testify against Cole was found dead in his cell.

  “Shit.” Kelli looked up to see her mother walking into her office. “Mom! Wait.” She was going to be here for a while, and when she got done telling Carina, she had to break the news to Sean. Maybe it was just a coincidence, but maybe Tony had the right idea all along.

  *

  Nora glanced up from the chart she was reading when someone bumped her shoulder. She looked to the left and Sean McCabe moved up beside her.

  “Interesting reading?”

  Nora smiled slightly. “Not especially. Just double-checking bloodwork.”

  “Hmm, no note for you today, by the way. I saw you and just thought I’d stop and chat for a minute.”

  Nora enjoyed the rush of heat to her face. “I have it already. Your sister stopped by to bring me lunch.” She stepped away from the nurses’ station and started walking down the hall.

  Sean smirked and fell into step beside her. “She was in a better mood, I take it?”

  Not as good as she was this morning. Nora almost smiled. “Exceedingly.”

  “They had a good talk then. I didn’t hear any yelling when I left, but you never know about those two.”

  Nora could only imagine. Kelli and her mother seemed so much alike. “Your mother apologized.”

  “She owed her that.”

  “Yes, I agree,” Nora said.

  Sean touched her elbow. They stopped walking momentarily. “Speaking of working shit out, I’m glad you and Kel were able to. You mean something to her, and she was kinda broken for a while when you guys…well…you know.”