Bulletproof

by Maggie Cummings

  Briana wiped away her tears. “I still can’t believe you have a real fireplace.” She laughed through a sniffle.

  “Well, gas.” Dylan shifted her eyes. “I don’t know if that counts as real.”

  “Sit with me,” Briana said as she hovered near the hearth.

  Dylan sat and held her hands, seeming unable or unwilling to let them go. Her expression was remorse and pain, and it broke Briana’s heart just the tiniest little bit.

  “I am so sorry,” Dylan said. Dylan brought her hands to her lips. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I swear. I hate seeing you like this. Even more I hate that I did this to you. I don’t know what to say.” Her throat scratched and she looked up at the ceiling. Briana wondered if she was trying to stanch her own tears as she continued, “I want to tell you that I felt like I had to do it in the moment. That it seemed, I don’t know, expected.” She looked at the blue and yellow flame behind the tempered glass. “It feels kind of pathetic hearing it out loud. But, Bri”—Dylan looked right at her—“you have to believe the kiss meant nothing to me.”

  “It killed me.” Briana felt a tear roll down her cheek.

  “I know.” Dylan wiped it away and kissed the trail of wetness left behind. Briana saw Dylan look at her mouth and hesitate like she was unsure if a genuine kiss would be welcome.

  She swallowed hard, truly not ready for what she knew she was going to say. “Dylan,” she started, still fighting off tears. “This is so hard.”

  “I know.” Dylan dropped her head in her lap and Briana touched her neck, petting her softly.

  “Look at me. Please?” Briana was nervous. More nervous than she ever remembered feeling. She needed the strength she always found in Dylan’s clear blue eyes, and when Dylan looked up at her, she refused to think or filter anymore. She simply said what she felt in every part of her being.

  “I’m in love with you.”

  Dylan’s whole face softened. “Wait. What?”

  “I know,” Briana said, laughing and crying at the same time. “No one is more surprised than me.”

  “I should probably be offended by that.” Dylan kissed her. “But I’m just so happy you’re not breaking up with me.”

  “I’m not breaking up with you.” Briana held her face and kissed her over and over. “I just didn’t want it to be true, you know?”

  “Again with the smooth talk,” Dylan said through a smile.

  Briana laughed at her own ability to butcher the moment, and thank God, Dylan was laughing with her, so she knew it was all okay.

  “I just mean, this, us”—she covered Dylan’s heart with her hand—“it was supposed to be fun, exciting, sexy.” She saw Dylan’s eyebrows shift in playful challenge. “It is.” Briana leaned forward and kissed her again. “But it’s so much more. I can’t help it.” She smiled against Dylan’s mouth. “I fell. So freaking hard.”

  “Is that right?” Dylan was teasing her. She knew the tone so well.

  “I’m still upset about tonight,” she said, not ready to completely brush over the incident. “It destroyed me to see you kiss Trish.” Even saying the words hurt. “But it also made me realize how much I need you. How much you’re mine. How I want to be yours.” She looked down at her hands in her lap, feeling so vulnerable at baring her heart. “I’ve never felt this way. Ever.”

  “Briana.” With one finger under her chin, Dylan made sure they were eye to eye. “I love you too. So much it hurts. I want to be with you, like, all the time.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Yes.” Dylan held her hand and kissed her. “Do you realize how hard it is not to beg you to come for coffee every morning? Or have lunch with me in the plant?” She looked down and seemed uncharacteristically sheepish. “To stay here with me every night.”

  “I want those things too.” Dylan narrowed her eyes in response. “I already sneak down for coffee whenever I can,” she said as proof. She touched her forehead to Dylan’s. “I barely even break for lunch most days. I rush through my work so I don’t have to stay late. So I can see you.” It was the truth. Even though they didn’t see each other every night, almost all of Briana’s planning was done with Dylan in mind. Seeing her as much as possible had become the constant goal she was consciously striving for. “You have to promise me something.”

  “What is it?”

  “It has to be just me. No one else.”

  “Of course.” Dylan was so serious, it made her stomach flutter.

  “Not even Trish for pretense.”

  “It’s only you,” Dylan said, leaning forward to kiss her. She pulled back for a second. “I hate even having to talk about this right now, but as far as the Trish stuff goes, I don’t think it would happen again. Tonight was just because of the way it went down.” She seemed so unbelievably sincere that Briana knew she was telling the truth. “Honestly, I think when I go back, for more painkillers obviously”—she seemed to be analyzing on the spot—“I don’t even think she should come.”

  Briana caressed her face and scratched at her short hair. “I hate to admit this, baby.” She kissed Dylan’s perfect lips. “You were amazing tonight. You always are. It’s insanely daunting and incredibly impressive to watch.” Briana stood and held her hand out to Dylan. She was more than ready for what came next. “Come. Be amazing with me.”

  Dylan responded with her signature smirk, but it was founded in something deeper this time, and seeing the sentiment in her eyes moved Briana in a way that surpassed even the words they’d just spoken.

  She smiled and held Dylan’s hand the length of the hallway to the bedroom. Button by button, she took off her top, loving the way Dylan kissed her face and her neck, her shoulders, her breasts. Briana pulled Dylan’s shirt off, dying for skin to skin contact. She unbuckled Dylan’s belt and unzipped her pants, stepping back for the briefest moment so Dylan could put her gun away.

  Briana kissed Dylan’s chest and slid her hand down the front of her boxers. She moaned at how wet Dylan was already. Dylan grinned and found her mouth, kissing her possessively. She couldn’t take it. Not for another second. Without a word, Briana kissed a straight line down Dylan’s body.

  Good God, she could get lost in Dylan Prescott.

  Briana didn’t rush. She took her time savoring every second as her body seemed to throb in time with her heart. She loved the way Dylan tasted, her scent, the way her hands felt in her hair, and knowing her eyes were on her. In a second Dylan would take over, guide them to the bed, touch her and taste her and move on top of her, inside her. But in this small moment she was also keenly aware that if for some crazy reason the world ended in the next thirty seconds, she’d die happy right here, on her knees in front of the person she was so deeply, so completely in love with.

  “Bri.” Dylan’s voice was low and husky. “I need you.”

  Briana needed her too. She needed all of her.

  She stood up and kissed Dylan with everything she had, surrendering her heart along with her body. They moved together under the covers, knowing each other so well by now. But as they kissed and touched and whispered, it felt different. Lighter and heavier at the same time. The contrast making sense and working together even though it shouldn’t. It was honest and genuine and so unlike anything she’d ever experienced. When Briana came, of course it was amazing, it was always amazing. But this time it was steeped in love. True, deep, passionate, real, forever love.

  And that was a complete game changer.

  Chapter Twenty

  “I can’t believe they’re saying twelve to fifteen inches in the city.” Briana watched Stef pull back the curtain and peer out the living room window into the courtyard below. She idly wondered when Dylan would arrive as her roommate waxed on about the weather. “To think we got all the way to the end of February with no snow. I really thought we were going to make it this time.”

  “Well I, for one, am excited about this nor’easter,” Briana said from the kitchen as she searched the fridge to see what they had in the way of s
ustenance. “Although we probably should’ve done a bread and milk run beforehand.”

  “Eh. We have wine and cheese. I’d say that’s winning.” Stef flopped on the sofa. “I am curious, though. You hate snow. Why the sudden change of heart?”

  Briana didn’t really need to go into detail. She could coast on the theory her elation was all anticipation of a snowy Friday night hunkered down in her cozy apartment with her bestie, but it was more than that, and she might feel better if she just got it out. “If I’m being honest,” she said, reaching for two wineglasses, “I’m thrilled that the weather report trumped the undercover op Dylan was scheduled for tonight.”

  “I didn’t realize she was still involved in that. This is the thing where she goes into a bar with some other female detective, right?” Stef knew only the bare bones, and she knew better than to ask for details, so Briana had used her as a sounding board on the nights Dylan had infiltrated the Wine Bar with Trish. The nights she needed to talk herself down and not feel like a crazy jealous girlfriend.

  “Still involved.” She sighed. “The part where the other detective goes with her has petered out,” she said, even though tonight was the first night Dylan had been slated to go inside alone.

  “Well, that’s good. I mean that the chick who’s into her is off the case.” Trish wasn’t off the case, but Briana didn’t bother to correct Stef. Her friend was being supportive, and she wasn’t going to divulge details anyway.

  “It is good,” she said. “It probably should make me feel better than I do, but…nope.”

  “Don’t beat yourself up, Briana.” Stef grabbed the remote and scanned through some options. “If my girlfriend was putting herself in danger on the daily and with other hot babes…no thanks. I’m out,” she added with a laugh.

  “How are things with JJ? I’ve been meaning to check in.” Briana compared the labels of a bottle of red and white before holding them up to get Stef’s input. “What are you feeling?”

  “Snowy night. I vote red all the way.” Briana agreed with a nod as Stef got comfy on the couch, taking her time answering the real question.

  “Come on. Out with it,” Briana prodded. “Give me all the dirty details.”

  “Okay, okay.” Stef smiled, and even across the room Briana could see there was something deeper behind it. “I don’t know, Bri. What can I say? JJ’s good. She’s nice, she’s funny. I’m enjoying myself.” Stef shrugged. “Am I slightly nervous she’s out of town on business? Yeah.” She combed her fingers through her long black hair the way she did when she was anxious. “We don’t have anything set up. No rules. No agreements.”

  Briana winced before she could stop herself.

  “I know.” Stef read her immediately. “I’m just going to ride this wave and see where it takes me.”

  “And you’re good with that?” she asked, but when she looked over she could see Stef was actually okay. Calm even.

  “I kind of am.” Stef hooked her hair into a loose bun on top of her head. “I guess I’m taking a page out of your book for a change.” She tossed a friendly wink at Briana. “Speaking of, is the good detective going to join us for a snow party? Or are you going there?”

  “She’s coming here if that’s okay.”

  “Of course it’s okay. I love Dylan. I just don’t want you to feel like you have to keep me company.”

  “You’re the best, Stef.”

  “You are.” Stef rose from the couch to get the glass of red Briana had poured for her. “So, it’s been a minute,” she asked as she took the first sip. “How goes it with you two? Is everyone good and happy?”

  Good and happy fell so far short of how she felt. In the few weeks since they’d said their actual I love yous, Briana had never felt so alive. She was simply blown away that she had it all. Full attraction. Equal career aspirations. Deep feelings. It seemed foolish now, her previous assumption that something always had to be sacrificed. Suddenly with Dylan, everything was within reach.

  Briana touched the base of her wineglass, a hundred percent sure she was glowing even as she thought about Dylan. “Stef,” she started, “the thing is—”

  “Delivery!” Dylan’s muffled voice cut her off and was accompanied by three heavy knocks on the other side of the apartment door.

  Uncontrollably, Briana felt her heart speed up as she opened the door.

  “Somebody order a pizza?” Dylan asked. Her cheeks and nose were weather chapped, and a layer of fresh snow capped her thick dark hair.

  “How did you get up here without buzzing?” She pulled Dylan inside and dusted her off.

  “Your downstairs neighbor was on his way out.”

  “Holy shit, you really brought pizza.” Briana was still catching up to the surprise visit. Well, not surprise. But Dylan had said she had a few things to take care of before coming over. She hadn’t expected her for at least an hour. This extra time together was a bonus.

  “Let me take this,” she said, setting the pizza on the counter. “Hold on one second.” Briana froze in place as she read the custom label on the cardboard box. “You did not!” she exclaimed, mouth agape. To confirm what was obviously the case, Briana opened the box the tiniest smidge and peered in at the specialty Sicilian pizza. Thick crust with sauce over cheese, the pie was the signature staple of her favorite pizza joint in all of Brooklyn. “Dylan.” She covered her heart with both hands. “You went all the way to Spumoni Gardens for L&B style?”

  “It’s your favorite.”

  “I know, but the snow.” She gestured at the window.

  “It’s only starting now. And my snow removal guy lives over in Bensonhurst anyway. I wanted to stop by and settle up with him. This way he’s guaranteed to show tomorrow.”

  “You have a snow removal guy?” Stef asked.

  “My girlfriend is a fancy homeowner, Stef.” Briana hung on Dylan, playfully bragging as she doted on her. “She can’t take chances.”

  “It’s a service. They have equipment,” Dylan explained. “I pay them so I can spend the day holed up with you two instead of breaking my back shoveling.”

  “Money well spent.” Stef raised her wineglass in support.

  “I agree,” Briana said, dropping a kiss on her shoulder “What’s all this?” she asked, nodding at a different box Dylan carried.

  “Storm provisions.” Dylan rested the box on a stool and lifted out a bottle of red, a jar of Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn, and a few packages of Sour Patch Kids. “Who knows how long we’ll be cooped up,” she said with a shrug. She set the box in a corner with the remaining contents inside. “There’s flashlights and candles in there too, just in case.”

  “You are incredible.” Briana kissed her, not even caring that Stef was right there. “Wait.” She looked around in a slight panic. “Where’s your overnight bag?”

  “I still need to run home. I didn’t want the pizza to get cold.” Dylan smiled, and Christ, she could fucking melt. “I just have to drop off milk and stuff for Mrs. Lemke. And tell her not to attempt shoveling in the morning. Then I’ll grab my things and head back here.”

  “That’s why you went all the way to Bensonhurst.” Briana hugged her tight, not even caring that her shirt got damp from the precipitation on Dylan’s jacket. “You wanted to give the snow guy money up front to take care of Mrs. Lemke’s property.”

  Dylan answered with a kiss to her nose. “She’s a sweet old lady. But stubborn as a mule. If her path isn’t cleared five minutes after the snow stops, she’ll be out there doing it herself—I know it. I wanted to make sure these guys put her high on their list.”

  “You’re unbelievable.” She kissed Dylan again. “Go. Get your things. Hurry back.” Briana ushered her out the door with a final taunt. “If you take forever, we’re eating that whole pie without you.”

  She watched Dylan retreat with a smile. There was so much love in her eyes she knew she was swooning in her own doorway before she closed the door and faced Stef.

  “Girl. You are in it.�
�� Stef took a long, indulgent sip of her wine.

  “Ugh.” Briana reached for her own drink, not even bothering to mount a defense. “You have no idea.”

  “I beg to differ.” Stef tapped the pizza box. “This is beyond cute girlfriend shit. This”—she made a circle with one finger inclusive of Dylan’s entire aura—“this is the real deal.”

  “I know.”

  Stef’s jaw dropped with flair. “Briana Adele Logan. Get the fuck out.” She shook her head and looked around, making no secret of marking this precise moment. “You’re not even fighting me. Making excuses. Reasoning. Rationalizing.”

  “What’s to fight? Or rationalize. Or whatever.” She held her palms up in surrender. “I’m in love with her. Totally and completely.”

  “Look at you.” Stef put her wine down, scooted around the island, and did a happy dance. She hugged Briana and kissed her cheek. “My baby is all grown up. I’m so proud of you.”

  “You’re such a jerk.” Briana whacked her forearm. “We’re the same age.”

  “I’m teasing.” Stef took a step back, still clearly assessing.

  “Stop it. You’re creeping me out,” she said with a laugh.

  Briana couldn’t help but notice the genuine affection in Stef’s eyes. It was reinforced by the sentiment in her tone when she said, “I’m just so happy for you.”

  “Thanks, Stef.”

  “I mean it, though. You deserve this.”

  “You do too, you know. With JJ…or someone else.”

  “We shall see.” Stef raised her eyebrows and her glass in a toast to the unforeseeable future, before shifting her gaze to the pizza between them. “Can we eat this?”

  “Yes. Of course.” Briana grabbed some plates from the cupboard and hooked them up with napkins as Stef placed a slice on each plate. “There is something on my mind,” Briana said.

  “Is it how we’ve completely switched roles, and now I’m all, oh love, whatever, who needs it?” Stef said before taking a bite of pizza. “And you’re over there with heart eyes over the pizza your girlfriend dropped off.”