by VK Powell
It was nearly two in the morning when Jordan returned home and called Bex. “Hope I didn’t wake you.”
“Nope, just on my way to bed with a little something, if you get my drift.”
“I need to work nights for a while. Can you arrange it with Harry and Phil?” She really needed to stay away from Neela, and this was the best way without alerting the sergeant that she’d fucked up, again.
“But…I’m kind of into something at the moment. I’d like to stay on days.”
“Can you see if Harry or Phil will switch with me? Please, Bex. It’s important.”
“Yeah, sure. We’ll cover today and you can start tonight.” Bex mumbled something with her hand over the phone and then spoke to her again. “Are you all right? You sound weirder than usual.”
“I’m fine, and thanks, Bex. I owe you.”
Chapter Eight
Neela placed her glasses on the desk and rubbed the bridge of her nose, trying to stay awake and focused. When Bina had finally fallen asleep just before daylight, Neela looked out her bedroom window and saw Jordan leaning against the side of her police car. Her hair glowed under the full moon like a signal calling to her. Neela wondered why she hadn’t seen Jordan in three days, since their—what had that been—encounter? Jordan had apparently volunteered to work nights, probably so she wouldn’t have to see her. Neela’s feelings had fluctuated between tremendous relief and gut-wrenching disappointment.
When she looked back on her behavior that night, she realized it had been totally out of character but exactly what she’d needed. She’d allowed herself to be stripped bare, thrown over the back of a sofa, spanked, and fucked from behind. Jordan had known what she wanted without being told and had given it to her without being asked.
Jordan had worked her into a sexual frenzy, but Neela had felt safe enough to surrender. She’d felt light-headed, and then Jordan had just as quickly withdrawn with some cryptic remark about it not being right. Three days later her body still hummed with suppressed energy and burned for Jordan so badly that thinking about anything else had been a challenge.
“Are you all right?” Rosemary stood in the doorway of the office with her afternoon cup of coffee.
“Sure? Why?”
“Don’t think I’ve ever seen you treat your glasses quite so fondly.”
Neela was sucking one of the legs, pulling it seductively in and out of her mouth. “Oh.” She started to put them on but dropped them as though they were hot, then neatly stacked the papers on her desk. “I’m fine.”
“Right. Your face is flushed and you’ve just combined the financial reports it took our intern all morning to separate by division.”
“Shit.” She shrugged. Rose knew she was off her game but didn’t know why.
“Everything okay at home?” Rosemary placed the cup in front of her and sat down.
“As well as it can be.” She tried to avoid Rose’s gaze. They’d known each other long enough that their looks spoke as loudly as their voices.
“If you want to talk, I’m here.”
“I know. Thanks. So what’s wrong now? You have that expression I hate.”
Rose pulled her side chair closer and leaned toward her. They didn’t talk about anti-administration issues too loudly. Things had a way of traveling straight up the chain to the governor’s office. “I’ve been trying to contact the protest organizers, but we’re missing a large component of the group. Since Doctor Branson was hurt, nobody has stepped up to fill his spot. We need his contacts so we can reach out. We can’t let this bill go to a vote without some serious opposition.”
“Maybe you should visit him in the hospital. I’d go, but I’ve got to run by the lab on my way home. We’ve got a promising sample that needs to be checked.”
“Are you sure it isn’t your lab partner that needs to be checked?” Rose grinned, and Neela shook her head. “That flush on your face and neck when I came in usually means one of two things, anger or horniness. I’m betting on the latter after seeing that display with your glasses.”
Neela pointed toward the door in mock anger. “Get out of my office.”
“I’ve seen the fiery redheaded Doctor Blackmon from State. I wouldn’t blame you for lusting after her. You were lusting just now, right? Admit it.” She dodged the paperclip Neela threw at her. “I almost forgot, detectives to see you. Shall I send them in?”
Neela nodded and her body tingled with anticipation until Rose ushered Bex and a male partner into the office. She took an extra minute to calm her nerves before extending her hand to the middle-aged man. “I’m Neela Sahjani.”
“Phil Morris.”
“How can I help today?” she asked.
Bex seemed content to let Phil do the talking. “Just wanted to give you an update on the case, such as it is. We don’t have any leads on Doctor Branson’s attacker yet. A couple of strands of foreign hair were recovered at the scene, no results on those yet, and the tests on the note from your car didn’t turn up anything. Have you gotten any more threats?”
She shook her head. “Does that mean we can end this charade? It seems a huge waste of time, manpower, and the taxpayers’ money.”
“I’m afraid that’s not our call, ma’am.” He looked to Bex for confirmation.
“He’s right, Neela. Only the chief can cancel the assignment.”
“Fine.” She stood and offered her hand to Morris as he left. “Bex, could I have a minute?”
Bex closed the door and waited. The anxious look on her face said she didn’t really want to hear what was coming.
Neela had no right to ask, but damn it, she wanted to know. “Where is Jordan?”
Bex’s eyebrows shot up. “You don’t beat around the bush, do you?”
“It’s a waste of time, like this protection detail. Is she avoiding me?”
Bex sat down, her posture rigid, preparing for bad news. “Has something happened between you two? Jordan could get us both in a lot of trouble if she’s been…reckless.”
“Does that happen often, her indiscretions?”
“More so lately. She’s usually very careful, but she’s in a bad place right now. You didn’t answer my question. Has something happened?”
“Yes, but I’m not sure what. We had a…she…I needed…I have no idea. Seriously, I don’t know what to tell you. But I won’t jeopardize either of your jobs because of a moment’s irresponsibility.”
Bex sighed heavily. “Good. I mean, thank you. I apologize if she insulted or upset you. It’s not like her to be so unprofessional. At least now I understand why she asked to be on night shift for a while.”
“That would make sense in light of…what happened. Do you know why I seem to offend her so deeply? I know she’s not crazy about politicians, but that can’t be the only reason. It feels deeper, more personal.”
“No. I’ve probably already said too much.”
“Of course, I understand.” But she didn’t understand at all. One minute Jordan acted like she could eat her with a spoon, and the next she avoided her like a case of the clap. “Please don’t mention this conversation to her. I was mostly concerned that she was okay.”
“I’m not sure she’s okay, but at least she’s trying to do the right thing and stay away from you. For some reason, you seem to push her buttons, and not in a good way.”
The truth of Bex’s words hurt. Whatever was happening between her and Jordan obviously distressed her, and distance was probably the best thing, but it didn’t stop Neela from wanting to see her and trying to help.
When Bex left, Neela packed her briefcase, called to check on Bina, and drove to the lab. Liz greeted her at the back door and pulled her into a hug just inside the corridor.
“I’ve missed you.” Liz tried to kiss her but Neela turned away.
“Have you forgotten the cameras?”
“Why do you think I accosted you here? This is a blind spot.” She ran her hand up Neela’s back and tried to pull her close.
“D
on’t, Liz. We’re here to work.”
Liz pinned her against the wall and sniffed. “Jesus, you smell great—floral, musty, and…horny. You’re aroused.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” But she’d been horny for three days. Thinking about Jordan earlier, she’d felt her bikinis get more than a little damp.
“I know what you need. Let me make you feel better.”
Liz could probably relieve the pressure between her legs temporarily, but she’d never quench the yearning for Jordan that pulsed like a heartbeat. How had she gotten into such a state over a woman she didn’t know and who seemed hell-bent on annoying and avoiding her in equal measure? “Can we just evaluate the specimens, please?”
Liz followed her into the prep area where they changed in silence. The night’s work progressed quickly. When they kept their hands out of each other’s pants, they made a formidable research team. They were poised to make a breakthrough in the use of stem cells in spinal-cord injuries in animals, if their recent specimens produced the results they were hoping. And if they provided enough evidence to support their research, their efforts could help Bina and countless others with a wide range of illnesses and injuries.
It was almost one in the morning when Neela wrapped up her specimens and joined Liz in the hallway outside the lab. “What do you think? Are we any closer?”
Fingering her red hair in a gesture Neela associated with calculated thought, Liz said, “I think our blank-slate cells are starting to take on characteristics of the surrounding tissue. But that’s only what I think. We can’t know for sure yet. We’ve gotten this far before and been disappointed when they deteriorated. We’ll have to be patient.” She held the door for Neela and followed her to her car. “Which is something I am not where you’re concerned.”
Liz guided Neela to the side of her car and pressed their bodies together. “Come home with me. I want to be with you.”
Neela edged away and reached for the door handle. “Not tonight.” Liz started to kiss her good night, but before their lips met, Neela felt a rush of cold air.
“Get the fuck off her. She said no.” Jordan shoved Liz away and positioned her body between them. “Get in my car.” Jordan called over her shoulder, and Neela was so stunned she obeyed without question.
Liz regained her balance and started toward Jordan. “Who the hell are you?”
“I’m the police officer about to whip your ass if you don’t get in your car and leave right now.” Liz raised her hands toward Neela in question. “I said now.”
Neela mouthed sorry as Liz walked to her car and drove away. She sat in Jordan’s vehicle shaking with adrenaline and disbelief. When Jordan got in, Neela didn’t speak for several seconds, determined to sound calm when she did.
Jordan gripped the steering wheel so hard her knuckles were white and the muscles along her strong jaw clenched and flexed.
Neela finally asked. “What just happened?”
“It’s my job to protect you. I didn’t know who she was. It looked like an assault.”
“Really? We came out of the building together. If she wanted to assault me, don’t you think she would’ve tried inside, in a confined space?”
“Are you fucking her?” The question was almost inaudible, and Jordan looked as though it pained her to ask.
“I’d be careful what I said right now if I were you, detective. You’re not exactly in a position to throw stones.” Neela couldn’t resist the barb. She’d been annoyed or perhaps jealous when she realized Jordan had been so enamored with another woman that she’d injured herself while having sex. Lilly. She shook her head to dislodge the image.
“I thought she was forcing you. But since you seem to like that, I should’ve known—”
“Don’t presume to know what I like based on how you treat women.”
Jordan stared and her nostrils flared. “How I treat women? I would never—you wanted exactly what you got the other night. Or am I mistaken?”
Why was she even trying to explain anything to this infuriating woman who’d just made a spectacle of herself in front of her colleague? Neela was at least a decade older than Jordan, but it seemed more. Jordan was like an emotionally undeveloped teenager. She should leave and stay well away from Jordan Bishop, but she couldn’t. Something powerful and compelling drew them together like a force of nature, but they clashed like fire and ice.
She sat quietly until she could respond without sounding like an immature brat as well. When her emotions were so convoluted, Neela relied on what she knew best, the truth. “You’re half right. I did want you. But you were too busy putting me in my place, whatever that is by your standards, to see what I really needed.”
“And what was that?”
“To relax and let someone else be responsible.”
“Responsible for what?” Jordan really looked at her for the first time, and her eyes said she was actually interested.
“Helping me forget my problems and feel real pleasure for just a few minutes.”
“And what about Bina?”
“What’s my mother got to do with this?”
Jordan’s alabaster skin seemed to pale. “Your mother?”
“Who did you think she was?”
“Your partner.” Jordan’s voice was almost a whisper.
Suddenly Jordan’s comment from three nights ago made sense. I can’t do this. It’s not right. “I see. You’re not a home wrecker and you don’t have sex with cheaters. Am I close?” Jordan looked away, but Neela saw her bottom lip tremble. It was the first indication that anything besides anger pulsed in her emotional veins. She slid across the seat, cupped her chin, and made Jordan meet her gaze. Her blue eyes were pools of pain, tears close to overflowing. “I’m not like that, Jordan.”
“Everyone causes some kind of pain,” Jordan said.
“No, we don’t.” She edged closer and briefly pressed her lips to Jordan’s. Pulling back, she looked into Jordan’s eyes again to be sure she hadn’t imagined the vulnerability. Why hadn’t she paid closer attention to the hurt and pain hidden there? She stroked her thumb across Jordan’s upper lip. “Where did you get the scar?”
“Motocross accident.”
“No, really.”
“Really. I was twelve.”
The image made Neela cringe and she kissed Jordan again, trying to absorb the scar and erase the damage. The softness of her mouth melted against Neela’s and made her ache. Jordan turned slowly, slid from under the steering wheel, and scooped Neela onto her lap, their mouths never parting. Neela threaded her arms around Jordan’s neck and pressed against her. Their connection was tender and gentle, nothing like the rough claiming of before. Neela hardly recognized the woman in her arms. The beast seemed suddenly tranquil and pliable.
As Jordan explored her mouth, Neela slid her hands under Jordan’s shirt and up toward her breasts. The firm muscles of Jordan’s chest rippled under her hands, and Jordan rubbed against her in an excruciating rhythm.
“I want to make love with you, Jordan.”
Jordan’s body tensed and all movement stilled. “I can’t.”
She leaned back and searched Jordan’s face. “Why? We’ve both wanted this since we met. Now that you know I’m not a home wrecker, what’s stopping you? Is there someone else, this Lilly person?”
“No, it’s nothing like that.”
She skimmed her hand up Jordan’s thigh. “Then, please.”
Jordan dumped her off her lap. “I told you. I can’t.”
“What’s the matter? Do you want to be in charge? That’s fine with me. I just need you. That was enough the other night.” Neela couldn’t believe she was practically begging one woman to have sex with her when she’d just turned down another. She’d never thrown herself at anyone before. Why was it so important that it be this woman? If she knew the answer, maybe she could walk away.
“Talk to me, Jordan. Can I touch you? I’ve never wanted anyone so badly.” She reached toward Jordan’s belt and tugged on th
e buckle.
“Don’t, Neela.”
“Fine.” Neela raised her hands in surrender and reached for the door handle. “See ya. I don’t really have to beg for sex.”
Jordan grabbed her arm. “Wait.”
“What? One minute I can’t touch you and the next I can’t leave. I’m not sure what to do here, Jordan. You have to help me.”
Jordan breathed in irregular bursts, and the muscles in her thighs flexed and relaxed. She grimaced as she stared at Neela, her eyes begging her to understand something she couldn’t say.
“What is it, Jordan?”
“I want you so badly my whole body aches, but I can’t.”
She traced the curve of Jordan’s mouth with her fingertips, feeling her tremble under her touch. “Why? Your eyes say you want me. Your body says you need me.” Suddenly another thought occurred to Neela and she dropped her hand. Maybe Jordan couldn’t handle the intimacy of sex and needed to depersonalize her conquests to enjoy it. Maybe their last encounter had been exactly what got Jordan off. She’d try anything to connect with her. “Will you finish what you started the other night?”
“What do you mean?” At least she had Jordan’s attention again.
She reached for the hem of her blouse and shucked it over her head before unsnapping her bra and letting it drop. Jordan’s gaze shifted to her breasts.
“You’re so gorgeous, almost too much.” She reached toward Neela but stopped.
“Touch me, Jordan.” She massaged her breasts and watched as Jordan squirmed in the seat. “Please.” When Jordan bit her lip but didn’t respond, Neela unzipped her slacks and rolled them and her bikinis off. “I’m asking you to have sex with me. I thought you lived for this.” She placed her blouse over the back of the seat and bent over, exposing herself as Jordan had demanded at her home.
“Fuck.” Jordan practically breathed the word, and Neela felt her shift on the seat behind her. Jordan leaned over her back and pressed her clothed crotch against Neela’s naked ass. “Are you sure about this?”
