Reaching over, she captured one of CC’s hands and pushed it down with a gentle insistence between their bodies. She could feel her lover shifting. CC pulled away from the passionate kiss as Jamie continued to guide her hand down to her damp curls.
Their eyes locked as CC freed her hand and ran her fingers slowly along Jamie’s wetness. The blonde fought to control her breathing as long knowing fingers continued to explore her. A single digit pressed against her opening, teasing as it entered her slightly before pulling away. Jamie moaned in frustration as CC began to slowly stroke her clit. "You’re driving me crazy," Jamie whimpered.
"Good," CC teased as she wiggled her eyebrows.
CC continued to tease her in a slow delightful manner. "Is this what you were dreaming about?" CC inquired in a deep rich tone as she pressed two fingers against her entrance.
"Yes," Jamie gasped, praying that her lover would continue. Jamie opened herself up further, offering all of herself to the dark woman.
Jamie’s body rose off the bed as CC entered her slowly. She felt CC’s fingers reaching her very core. CC wiggled her fingers inside of her before retreating slightly. Jamie found herself lost in a sea of crystal blue as CC plunged in and out her. She clutched the bedding as her hips glided in unison with CC’s knowing touch. She saw something in CC’s eyes that captured her as she felt the pad of CC’s thumb tease her clit.
CC’s rhythm grew more insistent as Jamie’s body trembled. Jamie’s mind filled with thoughts of touching every inch of CC’s body. She needed to make this woman feel as wonderful and as loved as she did at that moment.
Jamie could feel herself nearing the edge as CC’s rhythm reached a wild pace. Jamie’s head fell back as the explosion rumbled through her body. Her eyes snapped shut as CC continued to pleasure her. She could feel warm kisses covering her skin as they worked their way down her body. She was still trying to recover from her climax as she felt her lover’s breath on her thighs. Her body continued to spasm uncontrollably as CC began to suckle her.
Jamie’s head was spinning as CC’s fingers and her mouth pleasured her completely. "Dear God!" Jamie screamed out as CC feasted upon her, drinking in all that she had to offer. The strange ringing in her ears mixed with a faint crimson flash in her mind as CC continued. Dimly aware that she had blacked out for a moment, Jamie felt her body explode once again.
Her senses went into overload as she pushed away from CC. "Need to breathe," she panted as CC finally lifted her head. CC’s crystal blue eyes danced merrily as she looked up at Jamie. She moaned slightly as she felt CC’s touch departing from her body. She pulled the taller woman up to her and captured her in a sweet kiss. Her mind reeled as she tasted herself on her lover’s lips.
"Did you get your blood test back?" Jamie asked softly as she began to pull CC’s shirt out of her jeans. CC nodded with a reassuring smile. "Good," Jamie purred before pulling CC’s shirt up and off her body. She ran her fingers slowly across CC’s shoulders, enjoying the feeling of warmth emanating from her lover’s skin.
The sound of the telephone ringing disrupted their actions. They both turned and glared at the offending instrument. Jamie turned her attention back to CC, choosing to ignore the ringing phone. "The machine can pick it up," she said softly as she cupped CC’s face. A distant chirping was added to the disturbing sound. Both women grimaced as Jamie’s answering machine clicked on. "This isn’t happening," CC moaned as she stood. "That’s my cell phone. I left it downstairs."
"Don’t," Jamie reached out to halt CC’s movement. "It’s our day off," she reasoned as she heard an unfamiliar voice on her answering machine. "Dr. Jameson, this is . . ." the frantic voice began as Jamie’s pager began to vibrate on the nightstand next to the telephone. "It’s the hospital," Jamie said with regret as her shoulders slumped.
"It can’t be good if we’re both being called," CC muttered bitterly as she headed out of the bedroom.
Jamie snatched up the telephone receiver quickly. "This is Dr. Jameson," she growled into the receiver. She listened as the woman explained the situation. CC had reentered the bedroom. She tossed her cell phone onto the bed, grabbed her T-shirt and put it on. Jamie ended the telephone call and climbed off the bed. She fumbled slightly as she wrapped herself up in a blanket. "There’s a fire downtown," she explained to CC.
"I know," CC said sadly.
"Why did they call you?" Jamie inquired fearfully.
"There’ve been some casualties," CC said carefully. "It looks suspicious. There isn’t much I can do until the fire department finishes and the investigation team goes through everything. But I need to start talking to some of the survivors."
Jamie shifted uncomfortably for a moment. Suddenly it was that awkward moment when they would be forced to deal with what just happened. Jamie didn’t regret a single moment of their day together. The only regret she had was that their blissful day had been interrupted. "I need to get to the hospital," Jamie explained quickly.
CC simply nodded in response, a grim expression clearly written across her face. "I really want to finish this," Jamie said boldly. "Today was great. Every moment of today was simply wonderful. I would really like to see more of you."
"Yeah?" CC asked with a brilliant smile.
"Yeah," Jamie confirmed with a smile of her own.
"Okay." CC smirked confidently. "We both need to get going. We can talk later."
CC leaned in and kissed Jamie gently before she departed from the bedroom. Jamie ran her fingers across her lips and smiled at the tingling sensation she still felt. Jamie felt ten feet tall at that moment. She shook her head before heading towards the shower. She needed to focus on what was happening at the hospital. She decided that was a good thing. The emergency wouldn’t allow her the time to second-guess what was happening between her and CC.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
JAMIE RUBBED HER throbbing temple as she hid in the break room. The ER was a mess that night. When she entered it looked as if all hell had broken loose. Burn treatment wasn’t her specialty and thankfully the more severe cases had been directed to Mass General since they were affiliated with the Shriners Hospital. Still some victims slipped through. The last patient’s injuries had been devastating. Jamie knew that there was nothing she or anyone else could do for the man. She did the best she could. Leaning over the unrecognizable man, she could smell his burnt flesh. "I’m going to make you more comfortable," she told him in a soothing tone. She needed help and she knew it. Jamie was a talented doctor but she was in over her head with this patient. "I’m going to get some help," she told him as she reached out to touch him. She pulled her hand away, knowing the slightest touch would only serve to inflict more pain. That’s when she heard it. "Don’t," he managed to choke out.
Jamie’s green eyes blinked in disbelief as she fought back the tears. It wasn’t often when she was faced with the knowledge that it would be more humane to simply allow a patient to go. Jamie struggled with her emotions, knowing that he was in unbearable pain and his chances of survival were very slim. His body had been burned so badly that Jamie was surprised that he was still alive. Simon, the intern assigned to her, just looked at her, thinking that she had the answers. Stella, the nurse assisting them, gave her a sad knowing glance.
Jamie paused before giving Simon instructions. "Where are you going?" Simon asked in a panicked tone.
"Simon, there’s something you need to learn. Never be afraid of asking for help," Jamie said firmly. "I’m not qualified to treat this man. He shouldn’t have been sent here."
Jamie sought out help, finally snagging Dr. Lustrum. The elderly surgeon agreed that there was nothing that could be done. Jamie did everything by procedure from that point on. Thankfully the patient passed away quickly. They did what they could to save his life even though they knew it was impossible.
Jamie sat in the break room nursing a cup of coffee when Simon entered in a somber mood. He sat down at the table across from her. "You knew, didn’t you?" Simon asked her in an
absent tone.
"Yes," she replied in a weary voice. "Simon, there was nothing that could be done. We’re not God."
"He wanted to die, didn’t he?" Simon continued.
Jamie bit her bottom lip, knowing it was the first time the young man had seen death close up. "Yes," Jamie confirmed. "We still need to do everything we can."
"I was relieved when he died," Simon choked out. "I shouldn’t have been."
"Simon," Jamie began carefully as she reached out and squeezed his hand, "Mr. Barstow was in a lot of pain. There was nothing left to his body. Every breath he took was an agonizing hell for him. Don’t be ashamed for feeling better that he finally found peace." As Jamie spoke the words, she wished that she could convince herself not to feel the same sense of guilt.
"Things are quieting down," Simon said softly as he began to caress her hand. "They should be letting us go soon. Did you want to get a drink or something?"
Jamie smiled slightly as she slowly pulled her hand away. ‘Oh, this boy needs to pay more attention to the gossip around this place,’ she thought with a slight degree of amusement. "No thanks. I have someone waiting for me," she explained, hoping that he would get the message. It wasn’t the first time the young man had shown an interest in her. Jamie had been trying to convey to him that she wasn’t interested for some time now.
Thankfully Stella entered the break room. "Mrs. Barstow is here," the older nurse informed her in a dejected tone.
"Thanks," Jamie said in a heavy tone as she stood.
"Do you want me to go with you?" Simon volunteered.
"No, why don’t you relax for a few?" Jamie said as she stepped out of the room with Stella following her closely.
"You know that boy has a crush on you, don’t you?" Stella teased her.
"I know." Jamie grimaced. "I just keep hoping he’ll get over it. Jesus, didn’t anyone tell him I’m a big dyke?"
"I know I did." Stella snorted in amusement. "He didn’t believe me. "
Jamie rolled her eyes in disgust as she made her way to the waiting room to face Mrs. Barstow. She braced herself for the worst part of her job.
After she did everything she could to comfort Mrs. Barstow, she was informed that she could finally leave. She didn’t argue; she headed off to collect her belongings. She just wanted to go home and see CC. She smiled as she thought about the dark-haired woman. As she tossed her lab coat into the laundry, Simon entered.
"I guess we’re free," he said shyly.
Jamie simply nodded as she pulled on her black leather car coat, not bothering to change out of her scrubs. She wanted to go home and take a long hot shower and forget this night had ever happened. She wasn’t in the mood for Simon’s schoolboy crush.
"Dr. Jameson, are you sure you don’t want to get a bite to eat or something?" he persisted, his big brown eyes staring at her hopefully.
"Yes," Jamie said firmly.
"Well, how about some other time?" he suggested.
Jamie bit back the groan as she calmed herself quickly. "Simon, you know that as your supervisor I can’t really socialize with you," the blonde doctor stated firmly.
"I know it’s discouraged but it isn’t really against the rules," the young man persisted.
"Simon," Jamie spat out in a harsher tone than she had intended. "I’m seeing someone," she added in a gentler tone, hoping to finally discourage him. She wasn’t up for the whole long pointless talk about her sexual orientation. Thankfully Simon simply nodded and began to change.
Jamie blew out a sigh of relief as she stepped into the corridor. She paused for a moment thinking about what she had said to Simon. For the first time in years she was seeing someone . . . or was she? Jamie felt the persistent throbbing start to build up in her already aching head. ‘Oh great! Now I have to deal with the whole what-did-last- night-mean thing?’ As Jamie stepped outside, the sunlight caught her off guard. It was midmorning. Jamie simply wanted to wash away the smell of her patients and wrap herself up in CC’s arms.
As she fished her car keys out of her pocket, she wondered if CC would take her into her arms. Just as she clasped her keys tightly, she saw the familiar and very welcome sight of CC approaching her.
"Hi," CC greeted her brightly.
"Hi yourself," Jamie said with a smile, fighting the urge to wrap her arms around CC’s body. "Still on duty?" Jamie asked, taking notice of CC’s badge hanging around her neck.
"Yeah," CC groaned. "You all done?"
"Yes," Jamie said with a nod. "I’m just heading home." Jamie could feel her stomach flutter and her palms start to sweat as she debated what she should say or do.
The two women stood in the parking lot in an awkward silence. Each seemingly wanted to say something yet neither spoke. "I need to get back to it," CC finally mumbled as she scrunched up her face.
"Right," Jamie managed to mutter in response as she kicked the gravel on the ground. "I’ll see you later."
"Yeah, see you," CC responded absently before walking off towards the hospital entrance.
Jamie was kicking herself as she shuffled off to her car. "See you later," she muttered as she climbed into her car. "Could I be any lamer? Why didn’t I just ask her what time she was going to be off duty?" Jamie rested her head on her steering wheel, wishing the throbbing in her head would cease. "Invite her over for breakfast?" She groaned, completely disgusted with her inability to simply talk to CC.
Jamie eased her head up. "Okay," she calmed herself. "I know I want to start dating her again. Now all I have to do is find out what she wants. So I’ll just sit her down and talk to her. Then I’ll jump her bones."
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
IT WAS MID-AFTERNOON by the time CC returned home. She was beyond exhausted. She had spent all night and the entire morning collecting statements. An hour ago the report came back from the fire marshal. It wasn’t arson. The fire was started due to faulty wiring. All of those hours had been a complete waste of time. She could have been snuggled up with Jamie. They could have finished what they had started the night before. Now she was emotionally and physically spent and she had to be back at work in a few hours.
CC yawned as she stretched her tired limbs. The townhouse was quiet. Emma was still with Brad and Stevie went out with friends. Her younger sibling was going to crash in town. She was happy that Stevie finally had some time to herself. CC thoughts quickly turned to Jamie. The blonde doctor was probably catching up on some sleep.
CC dragged herself off to take a long hot shower. Exhausted she climbed into bed after setting the alarm to wake her in four hours. "Sleep, I need sleep," the policewoman whimpered as her mind kept drifting back to the night before. Making love to Jamie had been incredible. That was the problem. CC had made love to her. Unlike their last encounter, this wasn’t about sex. CC rolled over, annoyed once again as her inner voice reminded her that their drunken encounter hadn’t been about sex either. Not for her.
"Now what do I do?" She growled in frustration as she punched her pillow. "I could barely speak to her when I saw her earlier. What if it was just a fling for her? She isn’t the sweet naïve girl I left behind all those years ago. ‘I’ll see you later’ she said. What the hell does that mean?" CC sat up and stared at the telephone lying next to her bedside. "I can’t call her; I don’t have her phone number," she reasoned. "I could just go over there," she suggested. "No, if she wanted to see me she would have said something. She’s probably sleeping anyway."
CC collapsed onto her bed in frustration. "Just take things slow, CC," she chastised herself. "Of course, yesterday wasn’t exactly taking things slow, was it? I wish I hadn’t seen that lipstick on her collar. I’d feel a hell of a lot better about things."
CC sighed heavily as she curled back up in an effort to get some sleep. She vowed that she would just take things with Jamie slowly. She needed to find out how Jamie truly felt about things. After all, Jamie lived next door. It wasn’t as if they wouldn’t see one another. CC listened to the empty sounds of sile
nce. There was another matter she needed to direct her attention to and she didn’t want any interruptions. Smiling she slid her hand down her firm abdomen and began to touch herself. She’d been left feeling a little needy after her passionate encounter with Jamie had been interrupted.
A few hours later CC woke, still feeling irritable. Her mood had softened when she stepped into the living room and found Emma with Stevie. "Hey, peanut," she called out.
"You look like hell," Stevie commented with concern. "What did you and the nice neighbor lady do yesterday?"
"Nothing much," CC lied as she retrieved her giggling niece from her sister. "I got called in on that fire. Turned out it wasn’t arson. But we had to work witness statements all night. I just got back a couple of hours ago."
"I’m sorry, Sis. You must be wiped," Stevie said with sincerity. "So what are you not telling me?"
"I don’t know what you mean," CC scoffed. Something happened after Stevie became a mother. She seemed to possess this eerie sense of knowing when someone was lying to her.
"Right," Stevie scoffed as she glared at her older sibling.
"I need to get ready for work," CC responded coldly as she handed Emma back to Stevie. CC rushed off in an effort to escape.
"Caitlin," Stevie said firmly.
There was something in her younger sibling’s tone that made her halt her movements. It frightened her. "It’s nothing," CC lied once again as she shyly turned to face her sister. "I had a very nice day with Jamie."
"And?" Stevie pried.
"We kind of slept together again," CC mumbled.
"Have you lost your freakin’ mind?" Stevie scolded her. CC’s jaw dropped in surprise. "What does this mean? Are you two getting back together?"
The Brass Ring Page 11
