Dana grinned. “This is probably the only time Ive ever heard that cliché when it is so not a cliché. But your best friends are, like, girlfriends. Her eyes grew smoky. “Im not.
“ Do you intend to seduce me?
Danas heart nearly stuttered to a stop, then raced so fast she was breathless. She hoped she still looked cool and collected, because her temperature had just shot up over the boiling point. “Do you want me to?
Emory hesitated, suddenly wanting to be very very clear. Dana watched her as if her next words were the most important words Dana would ever hear. Did she want Dana to seduce her? Was she inviting her to? The idea of being with a woman wasnt foreign to herhow could it be, when Blair and Diane had become her friends so quickly and so deeply. Shed felt attraction to women now and then throughout her life, but the pull had never been overwhelming. She had written the fleeting feelings off as being perfectly natural and had always assumed she was heterosexual, until she married a man for whom she soon discovered she had no particular passion. What had surprised her most about her marriage was that she yearned for more. Their eventual divorce had been mutually agreeable and completely amicable, even though what underlay her discontent eluded her. “Im sorry. I dont know.
“ Why are you apologizing? Dana tried to appear relaxed while every muscle in her body was vibrating. She wanted to cross the few feet between them and take Emorys face in her hands. She wanted to kiss her, very gently and very thoroughly. She wanted Emory to say yes.
“ I feel like Ive given you the wrong impression.
“ You havent. Dana smiled wryly. “Youve been crystal clear about your opinion of me.
“ Were not talking about you being a reporter, Emory said.
“ Sure we are. With another woman, Dana might not have pressed the point, but Emory wasnt just any woman. “Im a reporter, and you might forget it for a few hours, but it will be there in the morning. It will be there between us the next time I ask Blair Powell a question you think will hurt her. It will be there when you confide in me and then wonder if you can trust me.
“ Youre right. I must be more tired than I thought to have forgotten that. Emory ignored the pang of disappointment, and secretly thanked Dana for being honest and more realistic than she was apparently capable of being at the moment. “Im going to go take a shower and then go to bed.
“ Good night, then, Dana said.
“ Good night. Emory started down the hall and then slowed to look back over her shoulder. Her smile was a little sad. “You dont have to stay out there, you know. I trust you not to seduce me.
Dana pushed away from the door and followed her, wondering why she had not taken advantage of what she had seen in Emorys eyes. For a moment, there had been both vulnerability and desire.
Chapter Fifteen
Before dawn, Saturday
D ana awoke to the soft sound of footsteps in the hall outside her bedroom. She wondered if Emory had had as much difficulty falling asleep the night before as she had. Knowing that only a thin wall and her own reluctance separated them had kept her in a hot sweat for hours while her conscience warred with her body. Rationally, she knew that one wrong step would destroy any chance she had of any kind of relationship, even friendship, with Emory. But her libido taunted her for being a coward and not taking advantage of the hesitation shed seen in Emorys eyes. For a long time she had stared into the dark, her skin as hot as it had ever been under the desert sun, her nerves jangling with the anticipation of incoming mortar fire, while she debated knocking on the bedroom door next to hers. Shed never been as aware of a woman she hadnt even kissed.
Finally she had fallen asleep and dreamed of shells bursting in a moonless sky, raining fire down on an earth that shuddered under the onslaught of exploding mortar rounds until the sound of Emorys movement outside her closed door had pulled her from the midst of battle. Dana swung her legs over the side of the bed and scrubbed her hands over her face. Shed gone to sleep as usual in a T-shirt and boxers, both of which were damp now. She cocked an ear but heard nothing, the apartment as quiet as if she were alone. Maybe she was. Maybe Emory had gone upstairs to see her friends. Maybe shed decided not to stay after all and was on her way uptown to her hotel.
Dana bounded from bed and was ridiculously relieved when she opened her door to see light coming from the other end of the apartment. She walked down the hall and discovered Emory sitting at the kitchen table staring at Danas computer.
“ Youre up early, Dana said.
Emory regarded Dana as she stood at the end of the hallway. Her dark hair was disheveled and her face pale beneath her tan. Her nondescript gray T-shirt clung to her torso, damp in places with sweat. Her arms and legs, her whole body, was lean and tight. She wasnt beautiful, not in an ordinary way, but she was nevertheless breathtaking.
“ I woke you. Im sorry, Emory said.
“ No. Danas voice was brittle with fatigue. “I got thirsty. She made her way to the refrigerator and pulled out a can of soda. She held it up. “Want one?
“ No, thanks.
Dana leaned against the counter and sipped the soda. Barefoot, Emory wore a white ribbed tank top and loose navy sweatpants. She wasnt wearing a bra, and it was obvious. Although petite, her breasts were full with a hint of dark nipples beneath the white cotton. In the desert, Dana had gotten used to seeing women and men in various states of undress, and although she might notice a womans attractive body, it hadnt made her throb the way looking at Emory did. She had to concentrate not to reach down and pull her boxers away from her suddenly very sensitive flesh. Aware that Emory was watching her, she asked, “Are you okay?
Emory drew one foot up onto the chair and wrapped her arms around her knee. “Restless. I didnt think I was going to fall asleep, I was so keyed up, and when I did She shrugged.
“ Bad dreams?
“ Anxious ones. Emory contemplated what terrors had visited Dana in the night, because she gave every sign of having awakened from a nightmare. “How about you?
Dana was so used to avoiding any kind of personal conversation, she almost gave one of her noncommittal answers. Then she thought about the fact that she was alone with a woman at four thirty in the morning, and she didnt want to pretend it didnt matter. “Im still getting the last skirmish out of my system. Itll be another few weeks before I adjust to sleeping in a bed and not listening for incoming fire.
Emory frowned. “Are all your assignment so dangerous?
“ No, usually theyre really cushy ones like this. Dana smiled and Emory laughed.
“ Oh yes, tonight was nothing but fun and games. Emory glanced toward the digital clock on the stove. “I wonder if Cam is back yet.
Dana noticed the familiarity with which Emory referred to the deputy director. Whatever had happened to bond that group together, it had been significant. “When did you meet all of them?
“ Last month in Emory shook her head. “I dont even know how to have a conversation with you because Im afraid anything I say will end up in print.
Dana pulled out a chair and sat down facing Emory. She nodded toward her computer. “Were you looking for something? My notes on Blair Powell, maybe?
“ What? No! I saw it and wanted to check my e-mail for messages from the lab, but then I realized I couldnt just use your computer. Emory couldnt believe Dana was insinuating she might be going through her personal documents. “Why would you even think I was reading your notes?
“ I dont.
Emory narrowed her eyes, astonished that Dana could anger her so easily. She was used to dealing with confrontational, argumentative, even obnoxiously rude people without losing her temper. Dana made a mildly insulting insinuation and she completely lost her composure. “Then why did you ask? You dont know me well enough to make that kind of accusation.
Dana rested her elbows on her knees and supported her chin on her interlaced fingers, grinning slightly. She tilted her head from side to side. “Well, you dont know me, either, but you suspect the worst.
“ I was working part of the time tonight, youre right, Dana said, struggling not to let her temper take over. “Does it make any difference to you that the White House specifically requested that I do this job? And the deputy directorBlair Powells lover insisted that I do it? Do you think I like following the first daughter around, imposing on her privacy? Angry at the situation and angrier still that Emory blamed her for it, Dana shot to her feet. “Id rather be back in Afghanistan being bombed.
Emory jumped up as Dana stalked away and grabbed her wrist. “Dont say that.
Dana spun around. “Why?
They were so close, Emory could see the tiny flecks of silver in Danas eyes. Heat poured off Dana in waves, and Emory didnt know if it was from anger or the simple force of her personality. Whatever the cause, it ignited her inside and she felt her nipples tighten in response. Completely unbidden, she brushed Danas cheek with her fingertips. “I dont know. It scares me to think of you in danger.
Dana sucked in a breath and closed her eyes. “You shouldnt do that.
“ What? Emory asked, her voice so low and husky she didnt recognize it. She didnt recognize her body either. Her limbs felt liquid, and her breasts ached. She looked down and realized she still held Danas arm. She wanted to guide Danas hand to her breast, knowing somehow those strong, tanned fingers would turn the ache to pleasure.
“ Dont touch me like that. Dana opened her eyes to find Emory staring at her, her lips parted in faint surprise, the expression in her eyes absolutely unmistakable. “Unless you want me to touch you back.
“ I dont know what I want, Emory said. “I dont know why I feel this way.
“ What way? Dana whispered.
“ Like I want your hands on me. Like Ive always wanted that.
Dana groaned and took a step back. “The last twelve hours have been crazy. Youll feel different when the sun comes up.
Emory laughed a little unsteadily. “I said I wasnt worried about you seducing me. I didnt think Id be the one doing the seducing.
“ You havent seduced me yet. Dana gently disengaged her arm from Emorys grasp. Emorys fingers were soft, so soft, and she knew shed be dreaming about those fingers gliding over her body for a very long time. “But Im weakening really fast.
“ Im sorry. Emory flushed with embarrassment. “I dont want you to think Im one of those women who wants to bed her lesbian friends just to see what shes missing.
“ Dont apologize. Im not that easy to offend. Dana grinned.
“ Besides, Ive had some pretty good times with married women who wanted a little no-strings fun for an afternoon.
“ Im not one of those women, Emory said sharply. She instantly pictured Dana with some sexy, curvaceous model type tumbling around on a motel room bed in the middle of the afternoon and felt a surge of jealousy that was completely foreign to her. When she and her husband had stopped having sex, she thought he might have gone outside the relationship to satisfy his needs, and the possibility never bothered her. She wasnt even involved with Dana, and she hated the thought of her pleasing another woman. Or being pleased by one. “God, I think Im losing my mind.
“ Hey, Dr. Constantine, Dana said, leaning forward to tuck an errant strand of midnight hair behind Emorys ear, “I think you should remember that stress does funny things to our systems. Give yourself a break.
Emory couldnt help herself. She caught Danas hand and held it against her cheek for just a second. She was right, Danas hand felt strong, and even though her fingers were chafed from the sun and the sand, they were also gentle. She imagined them rubbing over her nipples and shuddered, releasing Danas hand. “I dont think its wise for you to touch me, either. My nervous system seems to be short-circuiting.
Dana wished she had pockets to jam her hands into, because she wanted them back on Emorys body. She wanted to see that flash of surprise and need in Emorys eyes again. Christ, she wanted to take her to bed. “Okay. The no-touch rule is now in effect for both of us. Deal?
“ Deal. Emory experienced that confusing mix of disappointment and relief again and pointed to Danas computer. She needed to do something normal, to ground herself somehow, because she didnt recognize who she was right now. “Do you mind if I check my mail? I need to let my chief tech know I wont be back until the end of next week.
“ No, go ahead. Dana was acutely aware that she was not only standing in the kitchen in her underwear, she was totally turned on, completely hard, and thoroughly soaked. “Im going to grab a shower.
“ Are you sure you dont want to stay while I use your computer?
“ Jesus, Emory. Dana wanted to tear her hair out or grab the woman anddo what? Have her on the kitchen table? Drag her into the bedroom for a quick romp? Yes! No, no, she didnt. What she wanted was for Emory to look at her again with hunger in her eyes and know that it was for her, and her alone. No uncertainty, no confusion, no doubt. And that was not going to happen. “Maybe we should try trusting each other too. Ill go first. You can use the computer whenever you want to.
“ Dana, Emory called just before Dana disappeared down the hall.
Dana turned. “What?
“ I know you have a job to do, and I dont understand all the reasons that its important, but I believe you that it is. Ill try to remember that.
“ Thanks.
Then Dana disappeared and Emory sat motionless, listening until she heard a door close and the shower come on. Burying her face in her hands, she willed her out-of-control body to quiet. Her seething arousal wasnt helped by the image of herself sliding open the shower door, slipping under the hot spray, and pressing her breasts against Danas slick back. She moaned and forced her hands to move to the keyboard, when what she really wanted was to roam them over Danas body or at the very least, to quench the burning in her own.
Instead, she typed in the password to her Webmail and focused on the messages. Whatever strange and incomprehensible addiction she had developed for Dana Barnett, it would pass if ignored. All she had to do was concentrate on what really mattered. Her work.
Chapter Sixteen
B lair put her paintbrush aside when she heard Ramsey murmur into his radio. Despite her objections, Valerie had insisted that an agent remain inside her loft for the remainder of the night. Once she had started painting, she could almost ignore his presence, but as the hours ticked away, part of her mind waited for some sign of Cams return.
Now she tried to read his expression from across the room. The blinds were closed but she knew it had to be after dawn. She wasnt tired. While shed worked, she hadnt been aware of her body at all. Usually she would paint until her forearm cramped, but tonight she hadnt even been aware of that. She opened and closed her hand. Her fingers were stiff.
She started forward as Ramsey moved toward the door. “Is it Cam?
“ If youll wait right there, Ms. Powell, he said as he dropped his right hand to the holster on his hip and opened the door with his left, completely blocking her view of the hallway outside.
She kept her eyes fixed on the door as Ramsey sidestepped, opening it wider. Cam walked in, scanned the room until she found Blair, and smiled.
“ Hi, baby, Cam said.
“ Hello, darling. Blair hadnt realized how cold shed been, or how deeply the hollow ache had penetrated, until the sound of Cams voice warmed her and the sight of her face filled her empty places. Even as her world slipped back into place, she searched for any signs of trouble. Cam looked exhausted, which she had expected, and was wearing military-issue clothes instead of her own, which wasnt good. Something had contaminated Cams suit, possibly the smoke she hadnt wanted to go into detail about. But it might have been blood, and Blair raked her gaze over Cam looking for any sign of injury. There was a scrape on her cheek but it didnt look deep. Shed washed her hair there might be an injury there. A quick visual survey was
nt going to be enough. She wouldnt be satisfied until she checked every inch of her. But first, she had to touch her.
“ Thank you, Agent, Cam said to Ramsey without taking her eyes off Blair. “You can finish your shift outside in the hall now that Im home.
“ Yes maam, Ramsey said, and disappeared, closing the door behind him.
Blair slid her arms around Cams neck, pressed close, and kissed her. “Interesting outfit. I always knew you wanted to be a soldier.
Cam rested her cheek against Blairs head and chuckled. “And here I thought youd find it sexy.
“ What I find sexy is you naked in bed. Although the BDUs are a nice touch. Blair ran her fingers through Cams hair and stroked the back of her neck. “How are you?
“ Glad to be home. Cam searched Blairs eyes, looking for traces of pain, and skimmed her thumb over Blairs chin. “You havent been to bed.
“ Ive been working. Lost track of time.
“ Uh-huh.
“ Youre one to talk, Blair griped, backing up and capturing Cams hand. She tugged her arm, then stopped abruptly when Cam winced. “What?
“ Too much time on airplanes in the last
“ Dont even try. Eyes flashing, Blair pulled Cams shirt out of her BDUs and lifted it with both hands as high as her breasts. Then she saw the swath of bluish-purple running from Cams left shoulder to her right hip. “God damn it.
“ Seat belt. Its nothing.
Blair held up her hand to stop the words that she didnt want to hear. “What else?
“ Nothing more. We had an accident on the road. Cam sucked in a breath when Blair growled. “Okay. Someone took out a prison van with the man I wanted to interrogate inside. We drove right into the blast and it flipped our SUV. I got banged up. Bumps and bruises. Cam cradled Blairs face and forced Blair to meet her eyes. “Nothing more, I swear.
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