Tactical Pursuit

by Lynette Mae

  “Hey.”

  The corner of Jillian’s mouth lifted before she opened her eyes. “Hey.”

  “How ya doin’?”

  “At this moment? Perfect.” Jillian gazed momentarily past Devon to give Mac a bright smile. “But I know that wasn’t the question.” She grew more sober and futilely attempted to tuck some hair behind her ears.

  It was a stall tactic that Devon recognized. “So? Tell me.”

  “I’ll be fine. Gotta take what life gives you and make the best of it, right?” She touched the new pink skin on her neck. A scar across her temple and forehead remained as another reminder of her close call. “Guess I’m learning some life lessons.” Jillian’s forced smile was the one she displayed to the world when she was feeling her most vulnerable.

  “What? That being hard-headed is good for something?” Devon joked, but Jillian remained serious. Devon waited, watching Jill fiddle with a strap on the brace, knowing she had always been reticent when it came to her own emotions. Finally, she raised her eyes, more contrite than Devon had ever seen her.

  “Funny, how with all the life-threatening things we survived that night, this knee is what’ll keep me from ever being a cop again.”

  “You don’t really think that.” Jill was strong, Devon was sure she could make it back from the injury.

  “The doctor will consider it a success if I can walk without a cane. My days of kicking in doors are over, I’m afraid. I’ll have to take a disability retirement.”

  “Wow.” Devon slumped back in her chair under the weight of the news. “Sorry, Jill.”

  “It’s okay. I’ve known for a couple of weeks now. Mac and I have come to terms with my new realities.” Mac turned and cast an adoring glance over her shoulder at Jillian, and she blew Mac an air kiss in response.

  She continued to Devon, “Regardless of what’s happened in my life, I’ve always had my physical ability and my looks to fall back on—sometimes to hide behind. You know that better than anyone, I guess.” She bit her bottom lip and her brow knit together. “I wanted to get Jessie out. For you. To somehow...I don’t know...atone for the pain I’d caused you as a result of my choices— well meaning as they may have been. I’ve had a lot of time to think about what’s important.” She glanced over to where Mac and Jessie were sharing a joke and smiled. “Thank you for giving me a chance to be a part of your life again. I’ll always be here for you.”

  The emotion in Jill’s voice pulled Devon in. Ever since the night of the standoff, she had tried to put on a brave front for all of them, dealing with her own emotions alone. Jessie and Jillian were both healing and Mac was worried sick about Jill’s recovery, and Devon hadn’t wanted to add to their stress. She didn’t talk about the terror she’d felt when it became clear that Jessie was a wounded hostage or the way the blast that had hit Jillian made her relive Alex’s murder in Beirut. But now, this demonstrative new Jillian was tearing at her self-control. Hot tears filled her eyes.

  “What?” Jill searched Devon’s face.

  “I’m just so grateful. I thought I might lose both of you that night. I couldn’t have survived that loss.” She looked at Jessie and back to Jill, pulling in a long breath and exhaling slowly. “I almost forgot. I have something for you.” Devon climbed down into the galley area and retrieved an item from her bag that she’d been carrying around since just after the raid, waiting for the right moment. She took Jillian’s hand and turned it palm up to place her gift in the center, covering it with her other hand, and pressing firmly. “I’ve been waiting over ten years to return these. It’s only right that I give them back now that you’ve given Jessie back to me.”

  “What are they?” Jillian asked.

  Devon released her grip and Jillian opened her hand, laughing through tears when she saw the set of dog tags. Jillian had left her military ID necklace on Devon’s pillow the day she’d left Boston. Devon finally knew why she’d kept them all these years.

  Jillian held them up in the sunlight and they jingled like a wind chime in the breeze. “You’re amazing,” Jillian said.

  They hugged each other tightly. For Devon, the connection represented a healing bridge between her past and present, light breaking through darkness. Eventually, they separated and Jillian sighed. “Thanks, I needed that.”

  “We both did.” The feel of Jill’s hand in hers was soothing. The engine downshifted and the boat floated on a swell, slowing near the dock. Jessie had relinquished the wheel to Mac, who guided them in and cut the motor. Devon jumped up to grab a line, helping Mac tether the craft securely.

  Jessie helped Jillian climb onto the dock. “Do you want any help, Mac?”

  “No, we’ve got it. You two head inside.”

  They carried the coolers and other supplies to the garage. Devon dumped the empty bottles in the trash and rinsed out the cooler.

  Mac stowed the ski rope and the picnic basket on a shelf, then without turning around asked, “So, are you two all right?”

  “Yeah. We are.” Devon knew Mac wasn’t jealous. She simply felt it was important for Devon and Jillian to move beyond the hurt of the past to forge a new kind of friendship.

  “Good.” She closed the cabinet and turned around. “I truly love her, Dev.”

  “I know. And guess what? She’s crazy about you, too.” Mac blushed and shuffled her feet. Devon laughed. “Whatever happened to the cocksure army pilot I once met?”

  “She met her match, I guess.” Mac grinned sheepishly. “You and Jess want to stay for dinner?”

  “Thanks, but I think we’ll take a rain check.” She was still feeling the effects of the conversation with Jillian and wanted to have some quiet time alone with Jessie.

  “Sure thing. Let’s plan on the basketball game in a couple of weeks, though? I know Conner wants to see you both.”

  “It’s a date.”

  DEVON ROLLED TO her right, automatically reaching for Jessie. The bed was empty beside her. She came fully awake, listening in the darkness, hearing nothing but the sound of the air conditioner blowing. She climbed out of bed and padded through the house to search. Lost in thought, Jessie sat sideways on the couch with her legs pulled up to her chest, arms wrapped around her knees. Devon stepped behind Jessie and placed her hands lightly on her shoulders. Moonlight shone in through the patio glass doors, providing the only light in the room.

  “You okay?” She moved to Jessie’s side and squatted next to the couch in order to see her face.

  Jessie gave a slight nod without making eye contact. “Couldn’t sleep.”

  Devon watched her for a few moments. She knew what it felt like when the nightmares took over your sleep and wished there was a way to erase the horrors from Jessie’s memory. Considering all that had happened to her, Devon thought Jessie was doing very well. Her rehab appointments had been cut to once a week, and the doctor had hopes of Jessie returning to full duty within another month. The emotional scars would take a bit longer to heal. Honestly, Devon wondered if Jessie would ever be able to conduct a traffic stop without flashing back to the shooting. Could anyone?

  “I’m here, baby.” She took Jessie’s hand, thankful when Jessie squeezed hers in return. Devon sat on the couch and pulled Jessie’s legs across her lap. She reached out to run a hand through her hair, waiting for Jessie to speak. Devon knew she would because they were very different in that regard. Jessie opened up and talked about her fears, whereas Devon had always locked her emotions away inside. At least before she’d met Jess. Now she had learned by Jessie’s example that sharing one’s feelings was actually strength, not weakness.

  “I know he’s gone, but sometimes the dreams seem so real.” Jessie fiddled with the seam on the edge of Devon’s boxers as she spoke. Devon waited.

  “I keep wondering how I survived and those guys from Orlando didn’t. And then Jill. I can’t look at her without feeling somehow responsible.”

  “It’s not your fault.” Devon pulled Jessie onto her lap and wrapped her arms tightly a
round her. She nuzzled Jessie’s neck. “The dreams are normal, Jess. Look at me. You of all people know about my nightmares about Beirut and Alex. Can I tell you something?”

  “Of course.”

  “The night after the standoff, I snuck down to the morgue. I had to see Honeycutt’s body, just to be sure.”

  “Did it help?” Jessie asked.

  “Yes.” She gave Jessie a squeeze. “You want to know what I think? I think you’re about the bravest woman I’ve ever known. In the face of everything that happened to you, you didn’t quit. You stayed strong and focused on your survival, and that’s absolutely amazing, Jess. Doubts and fears are normal parts of the process. The good thing is that you have me and Jill and Mac to talk to about things. A lot of times it’s enough that someone knows where you’re coming from. I’m not minimizing your feelings by telling you it will get better, but it will. Trust me.” She kissed Jessie on the cheek.

  Jessie turned to accept the next kiss on the lips. “I do trust you. In fact, I think you’ve been better recently. Your nightmares haven’t been a problem lately, have they?”

  “No. I was thinking about that the other day. The last one I remember having was before your shooting. When you made me open up to you about Alex and the past.”

  “Did I make you talk about it?”

  “You made me want to tell you the whole story, and I have a theory about it.”

  Jessie studied her. “A theory, huh? Tell me.”

  “Simple,” Devon said. “You cured me.” Jessie gave her a puzzled look. “I finally let go of everything because I knew I was safe with you. Your love helped me to finally move beyond my past.”

  “I know I haven’t been very good for you lately.”

  Devon started to disagree, but Jessie touched a finger to her lips. “It’s true. You’ve been so wonderfully supportive and protective. Never pressing. I was going to wake you up earlier. Guess I needed some of your healing.”

  “Jess, don’t ever worry about it if you need to talk. Nothing is more important to me than you. I’ll always listen.”

  Jessie traced her finger along Devon’s jaw, her neck and then down her chest. She stopped and applied pressure to a nipple, and it stiffened beneath the fabric. Her eyebrow arched and she bit her lip. “What if I needed more than conversation?”

  Devon felt wetness pool between her legs. Jessie could do that—reduce her to a puddle of need with a look. She placed her hand along the side of Jessie’s face and traced her thumb over her lips.

  Jessie’s expression was filled with pure love as she stared into Devon’s eyes. Neither moved for long moments, wordlessly expressing depths of emotion that Devon would never have thought possible before. Jessie worked her hand beneath Devon’s t-shirt to lightly stroke her stomach. Devon explored the soft skin beneath Jessie’s top. She grinned when Jessie let out a soft sigh and shifted closer. Devon slipped her hand higher to Jessie’s breasts, and caught Jessie’s gasp of pleasure with a deep, searing kiss, meant to eliminate all other thought in this moment.

  Jessie stood and pulled Devon up from the couch, leading her back to the bedroom. They stopped with the back of Devon’s legs touching the foot of the bed. Jessie’s sexy smile sent electric charges beneath her skin. Devon drew Jessie into her arms and kissed her way along the tender skin of her neck, delighting in the pulse beating against her lips. The lavender and vanilla from her earlier shower still clung to her hair. Jessie’s scent triggered primal responses and Devon’s heart raced.

  Jessie pushed her down on the bed and straddled her hips to stand over Devon, grasping the bottom of her nightshirt to strip it off. Devon’s eyes roamed over every gorgeous curve and contour before her. Was it possible that Jessie grew more beautiful with every passing day? She touched the pink scar tissue along Jessie’ shoulder and stopped there momentarily.

  “Do you feel differently about me now?” Jessie asked.

  Devon tried to read Jessie’s face to understand her meaning. The clouds of doubt she saw stabbed her heart. She glanced to where her hand rested on Jessie’s shoulder and realization dawned. “What? Oh, Jess. This? If anything I love you more. You amaze me with your strength and beauty.”

  The relief in Jessie’s eyes made Devon want to weep. How could Jessie think her feelings had changed? They hadn’t been very physical since the incident, but that was because Devon was always mindful of Jessie’s recovery. She didn’t want to push Jessie in any way. Devon was stunned to think Jessie had interpreted the distance differently. “God, Jess, I love you. I’m not very good at communication, I know. I just haven’t wanted to hurt you, and I worry that I can’t give you what you need.”

  “I won’t break.” Jessie took Devon’s face between her hands. “You are what I need. Don’t talk.” Devon watched as Jessie hooked a finger in the elastic on either side of her hips and slowly pushed the panties down her legs. She stood there for a moment, apparently enjoying Devon’s slow appreciative appraisal of the beauty before her. Then she grasped the bottom edge of Devon’s shirt and pulled it over her head. Jessie stepped back and said, “Up.” When Devon stood, Jessie removed her boxers, dragging her hands up the outside of Devon’s bare thighs to rest on her hips. She gave a sultry smile before taking one of Devon’s breasts in her mouth. Jessie took her time, devouring each deliciously. Devon threaded her hands through Jessie’s hair, urging Jessie to suck harder, until her legs threatened to give out.

  “You have no idea how much I want you,” Devon said. Those deep green eyes were her only salvation, and she surrendered as if submerging into a peaceful cool lagoon.

  Jessie let out a purr and slipped her hand into the waiting wetness between Devon’s legs. “Oh, I feel how much,” Jessie said. She leaned in and nipped Devon’s neck.

  Devon groaned as every cell in her body responded. Jessie was the center of her universe and her touch was life itself. She drew Devon to the bed and pulled her down, entwining their bodies together. The swirling storm in Jessie’s eyes drew Devon in and she knew instinctively to let Jessie lead the way. Jessie kissed her until Devon lost all coherent thought.

  Jessie lay back on the pillows and Devon shifted up on one elbow to see her face, feeling humbled by her trust. She traced a finger along the contours of Jessie’s neck, continuing down to her breasts, drawing circles around the pink tips. Jessie reached for Devon, wordlessly communicating her desire.

  Devon kissed her softly at first, touching her tongue to her favorite spot along Jessie’s soft bottom lip, with the slightest of pressure, reliving the memory of their first kiss. Their tongues danced together while their lips played over the smooth surfaces and teeth caught the edges of passion. The fury of the blood pulsing in her veins, echoing the desire in her depths, made Devon’s vision hazy. She dragged her mouth down Jessie’s neck to her breasts and pleasured each one. The sounds of Jessie’s cries made her forget the world. She kissed her way along Jessie’s ribs, across her stomach, inching closer to the center of Jessie’s desire. Every other woman Devon had known dissolved from her consciousness, and she knew then she would spend the rest of her life discovering new ways to love Jessie.

  “I’ve never loved anyone the way I love you, Jess.”

  “I love you.”

  Jessie raised her hips, offering herself, and Devon pulled Jessie to her again. She recognized this lovemaking was a melding of souls, a primal and sacred commitment, more powerful than any fear. Devon brushed her lips on the skin just above Jessie’s sex, deeply breathing in Jessie’s scent. She wanted nothing more than to lose herself there forever. She ran her tongue along the outer folds, smiling inwardly, emboldened by the soft cries she heard and Jessie pressing more tightly against her, urging her on. Soon Jessie was writhing beneath her, and Devon felt the first twisting of climax inside.

  “Please...” Jessie gasped. “Devon, come with me.”

  Nearly crazy with arousal, Devon shifted to lie facing Jessie. Another searing kiss reduced her to nothing but physical need. She move
d her hand between Jessie’s legs to stroke. Jessie opened fully, swelling and expanding beneath her touch. Jessie slipped into her, connecting their bodies with a fit nearly too perfect to bear. They rocked together, pushing, pulling, stroking, and driving each other to the peak of ecstasy. She felt Jessie’s climax, awed by the beauty of her face as she came, and she carried Devon with her. The release blasted through Devon like rivers of fire rushing through her veins, burning and cleansing everything but the certainty of Jessie’s love.

  Chapter Thirty

  THE ARENA WAS filled to capacity, buzzing with excitement for the opening game of the season. Mac led Jillian, Devon, and Jessie to their seats at center court, just behind the visitor’s bench. Orlando had a huge following and the start of the season presented promise and hope for a home opener win against the west coast team. Devon noted the curious and sometimes hostile stares from the fans around them as they settled in, proudly sporting their San Francisco Force jerseys, with the number 66 and Maguire on the back.

  The pre-game warm-ups were in full swing. Each team was on the court, dribbling and shooting in preparation for the upcoming competition. Conner sunk a shot from the top of the key and Mac whistled loudly, then stood to applaud her cousin’s effort. Conner looked in their direction with a wide smile. A woman a few rows back shouted, “Lucky shot!” Mac glared over her shoulder at the woman. When the teams returned to the locker rooms, Mac offered to buy a round of beers and Jessie volunteered to accompany her to the concession stand.

  “You’re looking well, Jill,” Devon said. “I’m glad to see you and Mac so happy.”

  “Thanks. Same goes for you. Jessie is good for you, Dev.”

  “Yes, she is.” Devon felt the goofy, “I love Jessie” smile split her face.