by Geonn Cannon
"I'm scared for you." It was as close to the truth as she could get. She was terrified of what the gun meant, but also for what falling in love with a fugitive could mean. Heartbreak seemed inevitable, despite her assurances to Daphne.
Jodie slid closer to Lance and kissed her. Her top lip smeared spaghetti sauce over Lance's bottom, and Lance could taste the bite of parmesan cheese on her tongue. Jodie slipped her hand across Lance's T-shirt and ended up cupping her shoulder. Lance turned to face Jodie and the kiss deepened. "I'm sorry," Jodie said when they parted. She smiled. "Dinner. Dinner is important. Energy." She returned to her side of the couch and focused on her plate. They sat in silence for few minutes before Danica leapt onto the back of the couch. The cat stood between them for about thirty seconds, trying to decide which would be the easiest target for her begging. Finally, she dropped down between them and looked at Jodie's food.
"I think we have a chaperone," Lance said.
"That's okay. She accepts bribes." Jodie cut off a corner of a meatball with her fork, showed it to Danica, then dropped it onto the floor. Danica disappeared from the couch.
"Smooth."
"I try. She'll be back in about thirty..." Danica leapt onto the couch. "...seconds."
Lance smiled.
"You're staying over tonight, right?" She spoke casually as she dropped another piece of meat to the floor. Danica went in hot pursuit of it.
"Yeah," Lance said. "Definitely."
Jodie smiled. "Good answer."
#
Lance went into the bedroom while Jodie shut down the apartment for the night. She sat on the edge of the bed, bent down to untie her shoes, and turned when Jodie appeared in the doorway. Jodie had gone to the bathroom before making her circuit of turning off lights and locking doors, and her pants had disappeared in the interim. Lance watched her long legs cross each other as she closed the bedroom door and walked to bed. She pushed back the blankets and said, "Did you want to borrow some pajamas, or...um..."
"No, I'm good," Lance said. She had planned to wear her underwear and her T-shirt to bed, if nightclothes were necessary. She pulled off her shoes and socks, then stood up to take off her jeans. She heard Jodie moving on the mattress as she stepped out of the jeans, but didn't pay attention to it until Jodie's arms wrapped around her from behind. Her hands covered the crotch of Lance's boxer shorts, fingers applying pressure in eight glorious places.
Jodie kissed the back of her thighs, a spot Lance never would have considered erogenous, and then slid her tongue up. She brushed her nose against Lance's ass, then the small of her back. She ended up on her knees, perched on the edge of the bed, kissing her way up the center of Lance's back as she worked her fingers against the cotton of Lance's underwear.
When Jodie's lips reached Lance's ear, she whispered, "Turn around, Claire."
Lance did as instructed and their lips found each other. Jodie slipped her fingers under the waistband of Lance's underwear and pushed them down. Lance broke the kiss long enough to pull her T-shirt off and drop it to the floor at her feet. Jodie opened her eyes and Lance saw that mesmerizing color again. She touched Jodie's cheek and said, "You're so goddamn beautiful."
"I don't—"
"Shh," Lance said. She kissed Jodie and eased her down onto the mattress. She stretched out over her, hands roaming over Jodie's body. She pushed her T-shirt up, rested her hand between Jodie's breasts, and eased her thigh between Jodie's legs. She put her other hand on Jodie's hip and pulled her close until she could feel the heat against her thigh. Jodie grunted and Lance said, "Okay?"
"Yeah, go..."
Lance settled on Jodie's thigh and rocked her hips. Jodie sighed and put her hands on Lance's chest, exploring her breasts through half-lidded eyes. "Jodie," Lance said, barely finding the breath to form the words. "Jodie, look at me."
Jodie opened her eyes wide, and Lance focused on the off-color ring in the center. She moved her hands to Lance's face and breathed hard through parted lips, her nostrils flaring. She kept her eyes open as long as possible, but finally clenched her teeth and pressed her head back into the mattress. Lance bent down and kissed her again, and Jodie moaned into Lance's mouth. She moved her hands down and dug her fingers into Lance's hip as she came, thrusting her lower body against Lance's muscular thigh. Lance focused on Jodie's body, holding her tight through her orgasm.
Lance kissed Jodie's bottom lip, her chin and the curve of her jaw. She pressed her face into the hollow of Jodie's throat. She closed her lips over Jodie's pulse point, licked it, felt the vein throb against her tongue, and felt Jodie's murmur of pleasure. She ran her hands down Jodie's sides, feeling the curves and lithe muscles under unbelievably smooth skin. "I don't need anything but you," Lance whispered.
"Promise," Jodie said.
"I promise. I swear. Nothing but you, ever again."
Jodie slipped a hand between their bodies and rolled Lance to the side. Lance lifted her head and looked into Jodie's eyes as Jodie's hand brushed her. The back of Jodie's hand ran across Lance's pubic hair, and Lance gasped. Jodie said, "I need you, too, Claire. I've never been in love like this."
"It's scary," Lance said.
Jodie nodded, and tears glinted in her eyes. She bit her bottom lip and said, "Yeah."
Lance broke their eye contact, arching her back as Jodie's fingers slipped inside of her. She felt Jodie's lips on her breasts, lips closing around one nipple and she whispered, "That's good, Jodie, like that."
"You like that?"
"Yeah," Lance said. She trembled and clung to Jodie, finally opening her eyes again. She kissed Jodie until the tremors stopped. Jodie scooted forward and embraced Lance, the sweat on their skin threatening to stick them together. There was nothing Lance could have cared about less at that moment, and she kissed the top of Jodie's head.
After a few minutes, Lance said, "Are you still awake?"
"Barely."
Lance drew lines on Jodie's back as she tried to give form to her thoughts. She thought about the bag in Jodie's closet and what it meant. She prayed whatever the contents meant wouldn't cause her to back off on the promises she had just made. "Jodie, listen to me. If there's anything you have to tell me," she said, "or if there's anything you need help with. I'll help you. You know that, right?"
"Mm-hmm."
"Jodie. This is important." Jodie lifted her head. "Anything you need. I'm here. You don't have to face anything on your own."
Jodie nodded. "I know. Thank you." She kissed Lance and settled again against her chest.
Lance held Jodie and stared at the wall next to the bed. There was no way to be sure when Jodie was planning to rob the bank, no way to be sure Rebecca wasn't involved, without asking point blank. But she didn't want to scare Jodie away or force her to close up. The only way to be sure it wouldn't happen was to do her best to make sure Jodie was never out of her sight. Fortunately, that was one plan of action she was definitely looking forward to implementing.
She kissed Jodie again and reached back for the blankets. By the time she had it draped over their bodies, her eyes were closed and she was already beginning to drift off to the even sound of Jodie's breathing.
#
Chapter Fourteen
They finally fell back into their old schedule a few days after Lance found the robbery kit in Jodie's apartment. Lance spent most mornings distracted by the thought of what Jodie was doing at her apartment. She still picked Jodie up at lunch and they ate in Lance's car. She had gotten better at hiding her anxiety, and Jodie no longer seemed concerned about her thousand-yard stares.
A week into the old schedule, Lance was in the office waiting for a customer when the business phone rang. Daphne picked it up and said, in a fake voice that should have come from a perky college student, "Atlas Garage, how may I assist you?" She listened and then returned to her normal timbre. "No, she's right here. Hold on." She held the receiver out. "For you." When Lance reached for the phone, Daphne withdrew it and said, "When are you going to
get yourself a cell phone?"
"Then you would gripe about me taking personal calls all morning." She took the phone and said, "Jodie?"
"Who else? Hey, I wanted to let you know I have a surprise for when you get here for lunch."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. It's been in the works for a while, but I didn't want to jinx it. Anyway, um, I just wanted to let you know."
Lance's heart was pounding. "Okay. Gonna give me a hint what this is about?"
"Nope. Just don't be late."
"I'll do my best. I...I'll see you soon."
"See you soon."
Lance hung up and caught Daphne's look. "What?"
Daphne held up her hands and shook her head. "I didn't say a word."
"Yeah, well, you said it pretty loudly."
"Look, Jodie is a sweet kid. She's worked here a long time, and I think of her like a daughter. You? You came wandering in, asked to be paid under the table... I have no problem with that. But you haven't struck me as the 'sticking around' type. I don't want to insult you, dear, but watching her fall for you has been like watching her slide down a hill. I don't know what's at the bottom, but I don't think you'll be there to catch her."
Lance couldn't bring herself to meet Daphne's eyes. She couldn't even bring herself to be righteously indignant because everything Daphne said was absolutely true. "Jodie's made her choice. She's old enough to decide for herself."
"I know," Daphne said. "I just hope to God she's made the right one with you." She leaned back. "Go on and get out of here. I'm going to shut down early for lunch."
"Thanks," Lance said. She left the office and pulled her arms from the sleeves of her coveralls. She got into her car and stared out across the street as she tried to prepare herself for whatever surprise Jodie had in store.
She stopped at a fast food restaurant, got their customary burgers and a large order of fries, and drove to Jodie's apartment. She parked in front of a meter, fed it some change, and headed up the stairs. She was a half hour early so she didn't expect Jodie to be ready to go. She reached the fourth floor landing and stopped on the top step.
Jodie was standing in her apartment doorway, hugging herself tightly. Rebecca stood a few feet in front of her, arms crossed in front of her chest. She wore a thick overcoat and a scarf, her hands covered by black leather gloves. Jodie was smiling, her hair up in a ponytail. She wore a white V-neck shirt and sweatpants, shifting from one bare foot to the other as if the floor was too cold.
Jodie noticed Lance first and smiled. "Carmen. Hey, what are you doing here?"
Rebecca turned and offered an icy smile. Lance didn't bother returning it. "Daphne let me off a little early for lunch. Hi." She kissed Jodie, feeling jealous and possessive and not caring who knew it. When they parted, she looked at Rebecca. "Afternoon, Mrs. St. John."
"Hello, Ms. Landry. Jodie, I'll let you take care of the unveiling. I hope to see you both at my restaurant one of these nights. It's been too long."
"We'll be there. Thank you again."
Lance watched Rebecca until she stepped into the elevator. "What was that about?"
"That was about the surprise I mentioned on the phone." She pulled the apartment door shut and took Lance's hand. "Come on. We have to go downstairs."
Lance stayed where she was and Jodie was pulled back to her side. "Let's wait a second."
Jodie smiled. "Don't want to run into Rebecca? Are you jealous?"
Lance started to deny it, but ended up just shaking her head to imply she wasn't sure.
"Aw," Jodie said. She kissed Lance's lips tenderly and said, "You sneak up on my apartment and see me with a beautiful woman. What else are you supposed to think? Don't worry. You have nothing to worry about with Rebecca. It would be like incest, only creepier." She looked at her watch. "Think we've given her enough time?"
"Sure," Lance said. She squeezed Jodie's hand as they walked to the stairs.
When they reached the second floor, Jodie said, "You parked your car, fed the meter...did you get lunch?" Lance nodded. "Left the food in the car...why did you do all that just to pick me up for lunch?"
Lance cleared her throat. "Well, we had over an hour to eat. I figured..."
"Ahh." Jodie smiled and bumped Lance's hip with her own. "Maybe after my surprise." They stepped out into the sunshine and Jodie hissed through her teeth. "When did it get so cold?"
"When you decided to wear your pajamas outdoors." She put her arm around Jodie and held her close. "Which direction is your surprise?"
Jodie pointed and they walked down the sidewalk. They stopped at the corner and Jodie stepped out from under Lance's arm. She gestured at a cherry red muscle car parked at the curb. "Well? What do you think?"
"It's nice. Why?"
Jodie pulled a set of keys from the pocket of her sweats. "Because it's mine."
Lance frowned. "What? How did you afford this?"
Jodie walked around the hood. "Rebecca bought it for me."
"She did? Why?"
"Because I needed a car." She unlocked the door and climbed in, leaning across the white leather seat to unlock the passenger door. Lance got in and looked into the wide back seat. "It's an absolutely pristine 1970 Ford Torino Cobra." She gripped the wheel with both hands and pressed her back into the seat. "It's making me wet just sitting behind the wheel. Do you still want to go upstairs?"
"Jodie, why did Rebecca buy you this car? You said you'd be able to afford a car if you won the last race, but..."
"I know. Fourth. Thanks for reminding me that I'm not only broke, but I also suck." She let her hands fall from the wheel.
Lance felt two feet tall. "Jodie—"
"No, you know what, you ruined it."
Lance grabbed Jodie's arm and kept her from getting out of the car. "I'm sorry. It's a gorgeous car. You look great behind the wheel. You belong in this car." Jodie's smile started to return. She ran her hand over the trident-shaped bars in the center of the steering wheel and Lance said, "I'm just worried. You're living above your means a little bit here."
"Rebecca understands," Jodie said. "She knew I needed a car and it would take me a while to get one on my own. So she paid for it, and I can pay her back in increments. I'd much rather be in debt to her than to a bank."
Lance looked out the windshield. It was all very reasonable, but it also gave Jodie another reason to look for a big payday. Soon. A bank robbery, so unbelievably unlikely when Lance first found the evidence, was now making more sense.
"Are you okay?" Jodie asked.
"We're not going to get to have lunch anymore," Lance said. She hadn't thought about it until the words were out, but it suddenly hit her like a slap in the center of the chest.
"Sure we will," Jodie said. She chuckled and shrugged. "You just won't have to come pick me up every day or come back at six to pick me up. It'll be good. You'll see." She reached over and squeezed Lance's thigh. "We can go parking. Neck in the backseat."
"We could have done that in my Mustang."
"Well, yeah, but then I couldn't slick my hair back, wear my Letterman jacket and pretend you were the prom queen."
Lance laughed. "That a fantasy of yours?"
"Oh, yeah. Most of my fantasies revolve around cars."
"You'll have to tell me a couple one of these days."
Jodie raised an eyebrow and touched her tongue to the corner of her mouth. "Oh, I'll do better than that." She said, "So, you mentioned lunch?"
"Yeah. I'll go get it. Unless you have a no-food rule."
"It's too new to have any rules," Jodie said. "If we're going to stain it, we might as well get it out of the way early."
Lance smiled. "I'll be right back."
She got out of the car and hurried across the street to her Mustang. She got the fast food bags from the front seat, held the drinks against her stomach with one arm, and kicked the door shut. When she stopped on the sidewalk to look for traffic, she spotted Rebecca sitting in a car at the other end of the block. She was speaking
into a cell phone, her eyes seemingly focused on nothing and everything at the same time. In the seat next to her was Simon Hatcher. He had one elbow up on the door, finger and thumb pinched between his lips as if chewing on a fingernail. He was the picture of anxiety, and it made Lance nervous just watching him.
Lance looked away from Hatcher to find Rebecca was staring straight at her. She said something else to the person on the phone, then hung up and slipped the phone into her jacket pocket. She started the car, pulled away from the curb, and drove past Lance without a second look. Lance watched the car until it went around the corner, and then went across the street to Jodie's car.
She got back into the passenger seat and put the food on the dashboard. She put the drinks in the cup holders, turned in her seat to face Jodie, and said, "What is Rebecca planning?"
Jodie frowned. "I don't...what? What are you talking about?"
"I just put it all together. She and Simon Hatcher, they're the masterminds here. That's why she bought you this car. The bag they dropped off the first night we slept together."
"You looked in the bag?"
"You're the driver, aren't you?"
Jodie turned and looked out the windshield. She took a few deep breaths through her nose and finally said, "She's not buying me off, you know. With the car and all. She just wanted to make things easier on me. And yes, that translates to she's trying to get me away from you. She doesn't trust you. Maybe she's right."
"I wasn't trying to snoop, Jodie. I found the bag by accident, and I knew what was inside. I used to be a cop, remember? That's why I was so distant. I was scared for you. You don't have to do this."
"I do. Everything Rebecca has given to me, without asking for anything back. I owe her this. I want to do it, Claire, no matter how dangerous it might be."
Lance leaned back in the seat and watched the traffic. "No matter how deadly it might be? Jodie, if you do this and get caught, then your life as you knew it is over. Your job, your chance at racing on a national level."
"You don't know what's going on, Claire."
"I know that the chances of you pulling this off without getting caught are infinitely tiny. Do you know how many bank robbers I saw get away when I was a cop? None. Don't trust Rebecca. I don't care how foolproof her plan is, I don't care how much you think you owe her. Don't do this."
