“He seems to be a bit slow on the uptake,” CC said thoughtfully. “He didn’t know that you’re gay?”
“No,” Jamie sighed as she rolled her eyes. “I know that some of the nurses told him that he was barking up the wrong tree. I don’t understand him. I’ve been very up front about my lack of interest. I can’t believe he showed up at my house.”
“None of this sounds very good,” CC said in a serious tone. “I don’t want to alarm you but something about him makes me nervous.”
“Don’t worry,” Jamie responded as she rubbed CC’s shoulder gently.
“Hmm.” CC grimaced.
“You probably scared him off.” Jamie chuckled. “No,” she said quickly as Emma reached for CC’s teacup. “I’ll take these into the kitchen,” the blonde offered as she collected their cups.
“Thanks,” CC responded.
Jamie rinsed their cups and then took a moment to brush her bangs out of her eyes and straighten her T-shirt and sweatpants. She rolled her eyes at her actions. She was enjoying their comfortable conversation. Still, sitting so close to CC who was clad in a pair of boxer shorts and a tank top, was wreaking havoc with her libido. “How am I going to share a bed with this woman?” she whimpered before reentering the living room.
Stevie had appeared and was cradling Emma as she chastised her sister for waking her daughter. “Told you so,” Jamie taunted CC.
“Hey James,” Stevie greeted her with a smile. “I hear you’re going to be crashing here.”
“Yeah, if you don’t mind,” Jamie said, feeling a slight degree of tension from Stevie.
“No problem,” Stevie responded sincerely as she cast a cautioning look at the doctor.
“I’m beat.” CC yawned as she stood. “I’m heading to bed.”
Jamie was about to follow her when she caught Stevie giving her a slight nod. “I’ll be there in moment,” Jamie said softly.
“I meant it, Jamie,” Stevie addressed her after CC had left the room. “It’s not a problem. It’s just that you two seem to have a real issue when it comes to taking things slowly.”
“I know,” Jamie conceded. “I’m not going to hurt your sister. I promise.”
“Jamie, I really like you,” Stevie continued. “I know I’ve been giving you a hard time, but my sister means the world to me. Honestly I would love to see the two of you work things out.”
“Really?” Jamie said in surprise.
“Really.” Stevie chuckled. “I just think maybe you need to get to know one another in the vertical position first.”
“I’m trying,” Jamie said with relief. “Goodnight, Stevie,” she said as she touched the brunette’s arm gently.
“Goodnight, James,” Stevie said brightly.
Jamie entered CC’s bedroom to find the brunette still awake. She closed the door behind her and climbed into bed. “My sister giving you a hard time again?” CC inquired with concern.
“You can’t really blame her.” Jamie yawned as she tried to distance herself from CC’s warm and inviting body. “It’s not like you and I haven’t said the same things.”
“I know,” CC grumbled as she clicked off the lamp on the nightstand. “It’s just so annoying coming from my kid sister.”
Jamie chuckled lightly as she clung to the edge of the bed. “You know I invited you to stay here so you’d be more comfortable,” CC said dryly. “I’m not going to ravish you if you move a little closer.”
“How do you know I won’t ravish you?” Jamie taunted CC as she rolled over on her side so she could look at her. Even in the darkness she could see CC’s crystal blue eyes staring back at her.
“Goodnight, James,” CC said softly, ignoring Jamie’s comment.
“Goodnight, Caitlin,” Jamie said softly in response as she unconsciously leaned in closer and placed a soft kiss on CC’s lips. Jamie hadn’t realized what she was doing until she felt CC’s lips pressed against her own.
Jamie pulled back slightly, startled at how natural her actions had felt. CC cupped her face with her hands and brought Jamie’s face down to her. Jamie felt CC’s breath teasing her skin as she leaned into her touch. CC reclaimed her lips gently. Slowly mouths parted and tongues began to explore the warmth of the other’s mouth. Jamie felt the spark of desire ignite within as her body pressed against CC’s.
Jamie smiled down at CC as the kiss ended blissfully. She lowered her body so she could rest her head against CC’s chest and smiled as CC wrapped her arms around her to hold her close. She still felt aroused by the contact, but she felt something else as well - she felt loved. She drifted off to sleep as she listened to the steady beating of CC’s heart.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
CC STIRRED SLIGHTLY IN her sleep as she felt another person’s warmth covering her body. The tall brunette moaned as she became aware of the sensual feeling of her nipple being teased while a firm thigh pressed against her aching center. CC kept her eyes shut firmly, not wanting the dream to end. It felt so real. A gentle breath caressed her breast making her body tremble in pleasure; her eyes flew open. The sensations grew stronger as she felt her left nipple being teased.
Looking down she saw Jamie lying across her body. CC’s top had been pushed up and a sleeping Jamie was rolling and pinching her nipple. The blonde’s firm thigh pressed against CC’s heated center. "I’m in hell," CC grumbled as she tried to move away from the blonde’s pleasurable touch.
Jamie whimpered as she pressed herself more tightly against CC’s body. CC’s breathing was becoming ragged as Jamie squirmed around on top of her. CC’s mind and body engaged in an active battle of wills. It felt so very good to hold Jamie, and the blonde’s gentle touch was driving her insane with desire. Yet making love again before they had a chance to work things out between them would be the wrong thing to do.
CC clenched her thighs as she prayed for the persistent aching to cease. She lifted her body slightly in hopes of making her escape. Unfortunately the movement allowed the slumbering doctor to capture CC’s breast in her mouth. Jamie began to suckle eagerly. CC found herself reeling from the sensation as her fingers laced around the back of Jamie’s head.
CC’s body took control as she pressed Jamie closer to her and arched her back, giving more of herself to her former lover. She pulled Jamie’s body closer as she fell back down onto the mattress. The movement awakened the doctor; green eyes fluttered open in surprise. Jamie’s face turned red as she lifted herself away from CC’s chest. Her movement caused her thigh to press harder against the policewoman’s center. "Sorry," Jamie blurted out as CC groaned.
Jamie was still straddling CC as the brunette gasped for air. CC’s body was a quivering mass of arousal as Jamie moved slightly against her. "CC, I’m sorry," Jamie said softly as CC lowered her top to cover her breast. CC couldn’t speak; she could only lie there trembling. Jamie started laughing. CC, who was still trying to breath normally, just looked up in despair. Jamie quickly clamped her hand over her mouth.
CC growled as she watched Jamie’s body shaking from the stifled laughter. "This isn’t funny," she managed to utter in a shaky tone. She watched in discomfort as Jamie bit down on her lip, trying to conceal her merriment. Jamie shifted slightly and once again her leg brushed CC’s throbbing clit. CC’s head rolled to the side as her body burned from the touch.
"Oh God," Jamie moaned from above her. CC’s eyes fluttered shut, knowing that Jamie could now feel her wetness.
"Caitlin," Jamie said sweetly as she reached down and ran her fingers along CC’s jaw line.
CC’s lips quivered in anticipation as she found herself lost in the pool of jade staring down at her. "I know that look," CC said in a breathy tone. "Jamie, we can’t."
"Why?" Jamie whimpered in dismay as her chest heaved and her eyes twinkled. "We can," Jamie asserted as her fingers continued their torturous trail along CC’s chiseled features.
"I know we can," CC responded weakly as she leaned into Jamie’s touch. "We shouldn’t."
"I
know that look you’re giving me, Caitlin," Jamie continued in a husky tone. "You have the same look in your eyes that you had years ago when you were fighting against what our bodies wanted. You don’t have to do the honorable thing. You need this. I can feel how much you want this." Jamie swayed her hips against CC’s body, effectively conveying her message.
CC’s will power was crumbling as her body arched against Jamie’s. "What is it about you that drives me to the point of insanity?" Jamie uttered softly. "From the first moment I saw you I lost control."
"I gave you a speeding ticket," CC responded as she relaxed into Jamie’s touch. Jamie laughed lightly. Both women were lost in the memory of that fateful afternoon.
"And then later that night you still asked me to dance after I made a complete fool out of myself," Jamie said lightly, her hands drifting from CC’s face and down her body.
"Barely managed to ask you to dance," CC confessed as her body tingled from Jamie’s touch.
"I couldn’t believe how nervous you were," Jamie said with smile as her fingers continued to lightly caress CC’s neck and then drifted to her broad shoulders. "That still amazes me."
"What’s that?" CC sighed as her eyes fluttered shut her body tingling from Jamie’s delicate touch.
"That underneath your tough cop image, you’re shy," Jamie explained softly.
"Am not," CC grunted as she blushed slightly.
"You’re sensitive and kind and gentle," Jamie cooed softly as her fingers drifted down CC’s body and began to draw light circles across CC’s firm abdomen. "Even when you were gone and I thought that I hated you, I still missed your touch."
"Did you miss me?" CC inquired with uncertainty as she captured Jamie’s hands as they were about to find their way under her shirt. CC opened her eyes to find herself lost in the look of love Jamie was giving her.
"Yes," Jamie responded with sweet sincerity. "I missed your smile. I missed your laugh. I missed the way you get all shy when someone gives you a compliment. I missed the way you act like an overgrown kid. I missed the way you try to hide your tears when you watch a sad movie. I miss that look of sheer exasperation you get when I ramble on like an idiot. I miss the way you run your fingers through your hair just before you say something."
"I do all that?" CC uttered in surprise.
"And more," Jamie said tenderly. "For twelve years I just could not understand how someone so sweet and wonderful would just walk away from what we had without a word." Jamie paused as she collected her thoughts. CC tightened her hold on Jamie’s hands, feeling the pain she had put the young doctor through. "And now I want to know why you waited all this time to tell me the truth," Jamie said in a sad voice.
CC brought Jamie’s hands to her mouth. She turned them over and kissed the palms. "I thought about it so many times over the years," CC began slowly. "I just couldn’t seem to get you out of my mind. It would be easy enough to track you down to find an address and send you a letter. I did run a check several times and I could have written to you."
"Why didn’t you?" Jamie questioned her as CC began to kiss each one of her digits slowly.
"Every time I would work up the nerve to do it, I kept seeing you kiss that girl," CC finally choked out.
"She didn’t mean anything to me." Jamie sighed as her fingers trembled against CC’s mouth.
"That doesn’t make me feel better," CC responded honestly. "I loved you. You were everything to me. I fought to keep my career and then to get my body back in shape. Then I found myself fighting to get custody of Stevie. I was an emotional wreck having to face my mother in court. Knowing that she didn’t care enough to come to me when I was in the hospital." CC could see the tears beginning to pool up in Jamie’s eyes. "Then I went to you and had to face the reality that I had lost you. And I was angry that you could move on and forget about me so easily. I felt betrayed."
"Moving on with my life was anything but easy," Jamie choked out a bit harshly. "But I had to do it."
CC kissed Jamie’s hands once again, enjoying the warmth she found there. "I know," CC said softly. "It hurt just the same." CC reluctantly released Jamie’s hands. She reached up and brushed away the tear running down Jamie’s cheek with her thumb. "And now by some miracle we’ve found one another again. And I am terrified that I’ll find someway to screw this up."
"You are not alone on that one," Jamie said as she smiled. "Still . . ." the blonde added playfully as she swayed her hips once again.
CC gasped as their bodies pressed together. CC felt as if she was falling when Jamie’s eyes darkened with desire. "Are you suggesting that while we get to know one another again, that we refrain from getting to know one another?" Jamie teased as her hands found their way up under CC’s top.
"You’re not making this easy." CC panted as Jamie’s fingers teased her skin.
"Neither are you," Jamie said softly. "I know we shouldn’t," Jamie concurred as her hands drifted further up CC’s body. "I just can’t help myself. Even in my sleep I want to touch you. I dreamt about you last night."
CC could only whimper in response. She knew that she was helpless to stop what was happening. Her body was on fire and there was only one person who could extinguish the flames of desire. Jamie was the only one she wanted and she was straddling her body. CC groaned as Jamie cupped her breasts. She felt Jamie lower her body. Jamie was now lying on top of her as her hands felt the swell of her breasts.
"Would it be so wrong to give in just this once?" Jamie whispered hotly in her ear just before she dipped her tongue inside.
CC groaned loudly as she clung tightly to Jamie’s body. Since the night of the fire, the policewoman had been strung out. She needed Jamie’s touch and now she was trying to convince herself that Jamie was right. ‘Would it be wrong to just give in to her desire?’ her mind debated.
From outside the doorway she heard laughter. Jamie’s body stiffened at the sound. Both women scowled in disgust. "This is not fair," Jamie growled as she lifted her body slightly. CC smiled in agreement as her mind and body took notice that Jamie’s hands were still pressed against her breasts; her eyes were still clouded over in a smoky haze. CC smiled as she moved quickly and flipped the small blonde over onto her back. Jamie squealed in surprise.
"This is why we never spent time at my apartment when we were dating," CC teased her as she balanced herself over Jamie.
"I always wondered about that." Jamie giggled lightly.
"It was too tempting being alone with you," CC confessed as she leaned down to steal a quick kiss. "We need to get up and have breakfast with our sisters."
"I hate being an adult," Jamie grumbled.
"Sucks, don’t it?" CC laughed lightly as she climbed off Jamie.
Jamie bounced up off the bed. "You are certainly in a good mood this morning," CC noted as she pulled her hair up in a ponytail.
"I am," Jamie said as she tried fixing her rumpled blonde locks. "I haven’t slept that well in ages. Thanks for letting me crash here."
"Anytime." CC yawned once again.
"Sorry about feeling you up in my sleep," Jamie apologized with a slight shudder.
"It’s okay," CC conceded. "I just need to remember that you’re a big pervert."
CC inhaled quickly as the doctor’s hand swatted her hard against her stomach. "Ouch!" CC complained.
"Suck it up, you big baby," Jamie teased as CC yawned once again. "Someone needs her coffee."
CC nodded slightly before flashing a big pout. She fought back the laughter as Jamie rolled her emerald eyes in disgust. "Come on, hot stuff. Let’s get you caffeinated."
"I’ll be out in a second. I just need to change," CC explained quickly.
CC watched the confused look on Jamie’s face change into a full-fledged blush. "Sorry." The blonde chuckled.
"No, you’re not." CC scowled as the doctor dashed out of her bedroom. "Jamie, what am I going to do about you?" CC muttered as she dug out a clean pair of sweats. The policewoman changed quickly and joined the
others in the living room.
"Good Morning, Sis," Stevie greeted her.
"Coffee," CC stated flatly.
"Glad you could join us," Stevie continued.
"Coffee," CC repeated, not understanding why her younger sibling failed to comprehend the urgency of the matter.
"Did you sleep well?" Stevie continued to taunt her.
"Coffee," CC growled.
"I’m sorry. Did you want me to make you some coffee?" Stevie inquired with a tone of mock confusion.
‘Finally!’ CC’s mind screamed triumphantly. "Yes," CC grunted indignantly. Stevie folded her arms across her chest and stared at CC. ‘Oops.’ CC cringed. "Please," she managed to squeak out meekly.
"I’ve already put it on," Jamie announced from behind her.
CC turned to find Jamie and Meagan sitting on the floor playing with Emma. "Baby." She grinned eagerly.
"No," Stevie grumbled. "My daughter will never learn to walk if you keep carrying her around."
"But…," CC began to protest.
"Jamie and Meagan are playing with Emma," Stevie scolded her.
"She’s seems to be very focused first thing in the morning," Meagan commented.
"Yup. Coffee, baby, toss in a shiny thing, and my sister’s morning is complete," Stevie grumbled.
"Actually I was talking about Emma," Meagan responded lightly as CC sneered at her.
CC was far from pleased at the way Jamie snorted with laughter. The blonde stood and walked over to her. "I’ll get your coffee if you promise to behave," Jamie said softly as she placed a comforting hand on CC’s stomach.
"Okay," CC conceded as Jamie began to rub her stomach in an all-to-pleasing manner.
"Funny. You seemed pretty wide awake back in the bedroom," Jamie whispered in her ear before removing her hand and making her way into the kitchen.
The Brass Ring Page 15
